🎧 Grant Covault & Tyler Davis on scaling smarter—from marketing myths to financial clarity

This week on Fixers and Founders, we’re joined by fractional duo Grant Covault and Tyler Davis—co-hosts of the Next Gen Strategies podcast, and fixers of messy books, broken funnels, and bad business advice.

Grant’s a fractional CMO helping service businesses punch above their weight. Tyler’s a fractional CFO helping founders ditch the guesswork and finally understand their numbers. Together, they’re rethinking how small businesses scale—and why clarity, not complexity, is the real secret to growth.

We cover:

• What most founders get wrong about marketing & money

• The hidden red flags in your P&L

• Why growth without systems is just expensive guessing
  The rise of fractional leadership—and how it’s changing the game

If you’re tired of duct taping your business together, hit play.

🔗 Connect with Grant & Tyler

LinkedIn (Grant): https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-covault/

LinkedIn (Tyler): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-davis-b761b6b2/

Intro & Outro Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s CabinUsed with permission under a non-exclusive license.Bandcamp: ⁠https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com⁠/Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/66kb7d5jDmTkMSs1XcOXTQ?si=H_3OTdXYStClILHdYiydmwFacebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin/Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin/

🎧 John Wallet on Scaling Without the Chaos

In this episode of Fixers & Founders, executive leader and integrator John Wallet breaks down what it really takes to scale—without spiraling.

From sweeping floors at startups to doubling revenue at STC, John shares how to build systems that actually work, align teams around metrics that matter, and keep visionaries out of the weeds. Whether you’re wrestling wild west ops or just trying to keep up with growth, this one’s for you.

He covers:

• The difference between ops and true integration

• How to scale EOS in real life

• What early-stage teams get wrong about systems

• The scorecard strategy that actually drives action
  

• And the one meeting rhythm that keeps founders focused

Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwallet/

If you’ve ever felt like growth is outpacing your grip, don’t miss this one.

Intro & Outro Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin

Used with permission under a non-exclusive license.

Bandcamp: ⁠https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com⁠

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/66kb7d5jDmTkMSs1XcOXTQ⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin⁠

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🎧 Ben G Kaiser on building creative momentum without burning out

In this episode of Fixers & Founders, content strategist and creative founder Ben G Kaiser opens up about the unseen tension behind creative work—imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the pressure to scale without losing yourself.

Ben shares what it really takes to grow a creative service company in an AI-saturated world, why simplifying systems beats stacking tools, and how embracing imperfection can actually accelerate momentum. From pruning tech stacks to reframing creativity as a repeatable craft, this conversation is a grounded look at how creators can build sustainably—without crashing.

If you’re trying to create consistently, serve clients well, and still protect your creative energy, this one hits home.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fixers & Founders

02:05 The Reality of Imposter Syndrome

05:12 Creating for Yourself vs. Creating for Clients

08:44 Simplifying Systems to Protect Creativity

11:30 Why Less Tech Creates More Focus

14:02 Creativity in an AI World

17:40 Perfection, Imperfection, and Shipping

20:18 Turning Skill into a Scalable Brand

23:45 What Creators Need to Let Go Of

26:10 Final Reflections & Outro

🔗 Connect with Ben G Kaiser

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengkaiser

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenGKaiser

Intro & Outro Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin

Used with permission under a non-exclusive license.

Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/66kb7d5jDmTkMSs1XcOXTQ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin

🎧 Russell Justice on the science of leadership that actually works

In this episode of Fixers and Founders, engineer and performance coach Russell Justice breaks down five decades of leadership insight into unforgettable principles—and even better stories. From supervising engineers to advising Fortune 500 CEOs, Russell shares why most leaders fail (hint: it’s not for lack of goals), how to spark change without force, and why calm is contagious.

He unpacks the science of behavior, the magic of momentum, and the one principle that transformed his life, work, marriage—and might just change yours too.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fixers & Founders

02:14 What Russell Actually Fixes

03:50 Behavior, Not Just Strategy

06:06 Why Goals Alone Don't Work

08:33 What Real Feedback Looks Like

12:00 From Compliance to Commitment

14:39 Accountability Without Micromanaging

16:06 Feedback That Drives Performance

18:55 From Chaos to Calm

21:21 Linking the Org to One Goal

23:10 Who Shaped Russell as a Leader

25:14 Why He Still Loves This Work26:54 Where to Find Russell & His Book

27:34 Outro

🔗 Connect with Russell Justice

📖 Book: This Is What Leaders Do → https://www.amazon.com/This-What-Leaders-Do-Essentials/dp/B0F6WBW7YR

📧 Email: russelljustice@earthlink.net

Intro & Outro Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin

Used with permission under a non-exclusive license.

Bandcamp: ⁠https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/66kb7d5jDmTkMSs1XcOXTQ⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin

Back Third Founders on Scaling Creativity Without Killing the Spark

In this episode of Fixers & Founders, we sit down with Benjie Hughes and Anna Hammond — the visionary/fixer duo behind Back Third Entertainment, a creative company that blended live music, wedding events, and recording into one unforgettable ride.

Benjie shares how he knew it was time to pivot from passion to process, transforming a traditional studio into a 24/7 coworking space. Anna reflects on finding her voice and value not as a sidekick, but as a builder — shaping the systems that allowed the chaos of creativity to scale.

Together, they unpack what it takes to run a business rooted in art and anchored in execution — and why autonomy, trust, and good spreadsheets are everything. This is one for the founders building in real time.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Fixers and Founders

01:30 – Meet Benjie & Anna of Back Third

03:05 – Defining Roles Through Personality Gears

06:27 – What It Takes to Run a Music & Events Company

10:18 – When Derek's Baby Came Early

11:17 – Systems vs Spark: Finding the Balance

13:12 – Big Pivots: From Studio to Coworking Space

15:58 – What They Took Into Their Current Work

21:23 – Soundtrack of the Era

22:36 – Small Moments, Big Impact

28:59 – Outro

Connect with Benjie & Anna

🔗 Benjie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjiehughes/

🔗 Anna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annahammond/

Mentioned in this episode:

📘 Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky

📘 The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber

Intro & Outro Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin

Used with permission under a non-exclusive license.

Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/66kb7d5jDmTkMSs1XcOXTQ⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin

Fixer & Fractional COO Lizzy Blasko on why great teams aren’t built on process—they’re built on people.

In this episode of Fixers & Founders, Lizzy Blasko shares how she evolved from a natural problem-solver to a trusted integrator helping founders escape the grind. She opens up about missteps in leadership, the power of right people/right seats, and how EOS tools bring structure to chaos. Lizzy also explores the emotional intelligence behind visionary-integrator trust—and why your career might be your greatest adventure yet.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fixers & Founders
02:40 Becoming a Fixer
04:14 Aligning Vision and Operations
07:07 Why Long-Term Issues Matter
08:23 Failing Forward as an Integrator
09:24 Trust, Communication, and Leadership
10:56 Knowing When to Let Go
12:46 Right People, Right Seats
15:19 Advice to My Younger Self
17:19 Small Joys That Refuel

Connect with Lizzy Blasko:
🌐 https://lizzyblasko.com/
📧 lizzy@lizzyblasko.com
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzyblasko/

Mentioned in this episode:
📘 Traction by Gino Wickman (EOS)
📘 Good to Great by Jim Collins (Right People, Right Seats)

Intro & Outro Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin

Used with permission under a non-exclusive license.

Bandcamp: ⁠https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/66kb7d5jDmTkMSs1XcOXTQ⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin

Fractional COO Ben Speich on learning that leadership isn’t about saying no — it’s about showing how.

In this episode of Fixers and Founders, Benjamin Speich, a Fractional COO and EOS integrator, shares his journey from being a curious child to becoming a fixer in the business world. He discusses the importance of aligning vision and operations, the challenges of working with visionaries, and the significance of trust and humility in relationships. Benjamin also reflects on his experiences with failure, the systems he implements for success, and the freedom that comes with being a fractional COO. He concludes with advice for his younger self and shares a surprising fact about his role as a family cook.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fixers and Founders

02:14 The Journey of a Fixer

04:27 Aligning Vision and Operations

08:11 The Role of Visionaries

10:22 Learning from Failures

11:12 Building Trust in Relationships

14:05 Handing Off Responsibilities

15:56 The Importance of Scorecards

18:02 The Ups and Downs of Being a Fractional COO

19:36 Advice to My Younger Self

21:11 Surprising Facts About Ben

22:39 Outro

Connect with Benjamin Speich:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminspeich/

https://www.speichconsulting.com/

Intro & Outro Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin

Used with permission under a non-exclusive license.

Bandcamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/66kb7d5jDmTkMSs1XcOXTQ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin

Conversations with founders who fuel—and fixers who forge. Flagship episode drops Wed Nov 5, 2025.

Music: “Which One Is the Jellyfish?” by Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin

Used with permission under a non-exclusive license.

Bandcamp: ⁠https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/66kb7d5jDmTkMSs1XcOXTQ⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin