Climbing Everest, bicycling and paddling all around the lower 48 states, and more with adventurer Renata Chlumska
Release Date: 08/08/2023
The Secret to Elite Business Performance
Measure Success Podcast
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth and author of The Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations. Michael shares his powerful story of losing a multimillion-dollar company to fraud and how that crisis transformed his view of leadership. He explains how elite organizations are built around five obsessions—great people, inspiring purpose, optimized playbooks, performance-driven culture, and sustainable profits. Tune in to learn how you can lead with purpose, build stronger teams, and achieve both a return on investment...
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Radical Clarity: How Founders Lead with Purpose
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Many technical founders find themselves running companies almost by accident. They know their craft — but struggle to lead with clarity. In this Measure Success Podcast episode, Carl J. Cox interviews Pete Steege, author of Radical Clarity, to discuss how “accidental CEOs” can grow their businesses by uncovering their true story. Pete explains why clarity — not more effort — drives growth. He shares how to focus on purpose, align your team, and communicate with meaning so your message connects with customers. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to move from complexity to clarity.
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Measure Success Podcast
Leadership alone doesn’t drive success—it’s only part of the equation. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Dr. James Chitwood shares how his TRAC framework—Training, Recognition, Accountability, and Communication—creates lasting organizational transformation. Hear how his military background shaped his leadership philosophy, why capitalism is at risk, and what it takes to build high-performing, people-centered teams. Listen now and learn how to lead through structure, not just inspiration.
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Data Privacy Laws Every CEO Must Know
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In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Jenny Sheridan, attorney and founder of JL Sheridan Law, about how changing data privacy laws are shaping the way companies operate. Jenny shares insights on how businesses can stay compliant with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state laws, the real risks of ignoring them, and how privacy can become a competitive advantage when managed strategically. Listen to learn how to protect your business, reputation, and customers in a data-driven world. 🎧 Stream now at...
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In this week’s episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Richard Dunbar, CEO of Bottom Up Consulting and author of Bottom Up Breakthrough, to discuss how true innovation often starts from the ground up. Richard shares how empowering employees at every level builds trust, strengthens transparency, and improves retention. He explains why many leaders fear “bottom-up” leadership—and how shifting from a top-down model can uncover hidden ideas that transform organizations. From his experience in the Canadian Armed Forces to founding Bottom Up Consulting, Richard’s work...
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The 4 P’s of Startup Success
Measure Success Podcast
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Profit Over Vanity Metrics
Measure Success Podcast
On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Marley Majcher, CEO of The Party Goddess and author of But Are You Making Any Money? Marley shares her journey from early mistakes in the restaurant world to building a thriving events business while helping other entrepreneurs avoid the same pitfalls. You’ll learn: Why profits matter more than press or followers How to price your services with confidence Why time is your most valuable resource Practical steps to build a profitable, sustainable business Listen now and discover how to stop chasing vanity metrics...
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99% of Projects Fail—Here’s Why
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Why do 99% of projects go wrong? Dr. Thomas Zweifel, author of Gorilla in the Cockpit, joins the Measure Success Podcast to explain why the real cause is human—not technical. We explore: The “black box” of hidden conversations that sabotage progress Why mindset and accountability are key to successful projects How leaders can transform breakdowns into breakthroughs If you want to uncover the hidden reasons projects fail and learn how to lead with impact, this episode is for you. Listen now and gain practical insights you can apply today.
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AI, Tariffs & Survival in 2026
Measure Success Podcast
Tariffs, AI, and pricing pressures are reshaping manufacturing and small business. On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Paul Menig, CEO of Business Accelerants, about why companies are “tariff-ified” and how leaders can adapt. Key takeaways include: How tariffs impact cost structures and margins Why gross margin dollars matter more than percentages The role of AI in manufacturing and marketing Practical steps to stay competitive in 2026 Listen now and learn strategies to survive and thrive in the face of rapid change.
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AI and Data Strategies for E-Commerce Success
Measure Success Podcast
On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox welcomes Matthew Stafford, co-founder of Build Grow Scale. Matt shares how he turned a $1,000 investment in analytics into a billion-dollar path in e-commerce. They dive into the mindset shifts leaders need, how AI transforms data into action, and why profitability matters more than revenue growth. You’ll hear how one client scaled from $10,000 to a $60M run rate in just three years. Tune in for insights you can apply to your business today. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now
info_outlineClimbing the proverbial “mountain” and overcoming hurdles are metaphors that business owners have heard dozens of times before. But this week we’re chatting with a *real* mountain climber.
Renata Chlumska is an adventurer and mountain climber and was the first Swedish and Czech woman to climb Mount Everest. She’s also performed the Around American Adventure and most recently has been voted the 2023 Speaker of the Year.
Listen to the full conversation for more about Renata’s mountaineering expeditions (from Mount Everest to all the other Seven Summits), what she learned from a 14-month journey around the lower 48 states, how she fits consistency into her hectic life, and more.
Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:
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What inspired Renata to climb Mount Everest after becoming a Base Camp manager there many years ago
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How long it took Renata to train for her Everest expedition, plus some of the biggest obstacles she overcame in her training
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More about the “brutal awakening” Renata experienced during one specific season as a Base Camp manager
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More about the extremely difficult decision that Everest climbers often face of whether to turn around or keep going, when conditions are disintegrating
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Details on Renata’s 14-month-long “Around America Adventure”
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Why naivete can sometimes actually be a strength
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Why Renata’s journey around the lower 48 states “restored her faith in humanity”
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Why Renata never wanted her children to be an “excuse” for her to say no to experiences, and why she didn’t tell many people about her Seven Summits goal
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More about the highest summits on each continent
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How Renata integrated consistency into her life, despite running a business, having kids, mountaineering, and everything going on in her life
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Why Renata wakes up at 3:15 in the morning every day — and why that time to herself clears her head and recalibrates her for each new day
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How Renata has transformed her experiences into lessons that she teaches other people through speaking and her business
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
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Buy a copy of “Lost at CEO: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Strategy” by Carl J. Cox