Shows / Futureproof Founder Podcast
Futureproof Founder Podcast
Futureproof Founder is the podcast for founders and executive leaders scaling companies from startup to $30M and beyond. Hosted by five-time founder Jeff Mains, each episode delivers real-world leadership insights, hard-earned lessons, and practical strategies for navigating growth. Tuesdays feature candid founder stories. Thursdays bring actionable playbooks from top operators and experts on AI, go-to-market, team building, leadership, and more. Real stories. Real decisions. Practical…
Episodes
Futureproof Founder PodcastAI in Marketing: What to Automate—and What to Never Hand Off | Paige Wiese | 376
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Paige Wiese — founder and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, a Denver-based digital agency with 16 years in the business…
Futureproof Founder PodcastSaaS Longevity: How to Adapt in Tech Shifts and Customer Demands | AJ | 375
AJ, founder and CEO of Daylight — an award-winning, Mac-exclusive CRM — joins Jeff Mains to share one of the most quietly remarkable stories in SaaS: a…
Futureproof Founder PodcastAligning Sales and Marketing for Scalable SaaS Growth | Javier Lozano | 374
Javier Lozano Jr. didn't come up through brand or PR. He came through sales — and that lens has shaped everything about how he approaches growth marketing…
Futureproof Founder PodcastBuilding a Shopper-First Platform in a Retail-Driven Industry | Andy Ellwood | 373
Andy Ellwood is a repeat founder whose career took him from early-stage mobile startups acquired by Facebook and Google, through eight years building…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWhy Most SaaS Companies Fail at Performance Marketing (And How to Fix It) | Anthony Chiaravallo | 372
Anthony Chiaravallo, founder and CEO of Vallo Media — a performance marketing agency that has placed over $100 million in paid media — joins Jeff Mains on SaaS…
Futureproof Founder PodcastThe Long Game in UGC: Building Trust Between Creators and Brands | Elijah Khasabo | 371
What happens when a bored teenager starts a Discord trading group and accidentally discovers the power of video? For Elijah Khasabo, co-founder of Vidovo, it…
Futureproof Founder PodcastBuilding Omnipresence: A Practical Guide to CEO-Led Content Strategy | Jake Isham | 370
In this episode, filmmaker-turned-brand strategist Jake Isham breaks down what authentic storytelling really looks like in business. Jake has worked with over…
Futureproof Founder PodcastHow to Sell SaaS in a Slow-Moving, Regulated Industry | Allen Cooper | 369
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Allen Cooper, co-founder and CEO of Ready List, to unpack what it really takes to build and scale…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWhy Positioning Isn’t Enough: Designing a Market You Control | Mike Damphousse | 368
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Mike "Damp" Damphousse, co-founder of Category Design Advisors and co-author of "The Category…
Futureproof Founder PodcastScaling SaaS in the Early Days—and What Founders Can Learn Today | Drew Sechrist | 367
Drew Sechrist, CEO and co-founder of Connect the Dots, takes us on a journey from being Salesforce's 36th employee to building his own venture addressing one…
Futureproof Founder PodcastHow to Create a Brand That People Feel (Not Just Understand) | Marc Rust | 366
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Marc Rust, founder of Consequently Creative, to challenge everything you think you know about branding…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWhy Focus Beats Hustle: Building a Business That Lasts | Tom Rossi | 365
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Tom Rossi, technical co-founder of Higher Pixels and BuzzSprout, to explore what it really takes to build…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWhy Most Digital Transformations Fail: The Missing Human Infrastructure | Barbara Wittmann | 364
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Barbara Wittmann, a 25-year veteran of IT transformation who has pioneered the concept of "human infrastructure" -…
Futureproof Founder PodcastMarketing to Developers in 2026: PLG, AI Discovery, and Building Developer Trust | Michael Ferranti | 363
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Michael Ferranti, a veteran of developer tools and cloud-native infrastructure with over a decade of experience at…
Futureproof Founder PodcastEmployee Disengagement Solutions: Why 70% of Workers Are Checked Out & How Leaders Can Help | Martin Lesperance | 362
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Martin Lesperance, an engagement specialist and interactive keynote speaker on a mission to help people fall back in…
Futureproof Founder PodcastCopilot Mode AI for Regulated Industries: What Actually Works | Alex Berkovic | 361
On this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains dives deep with Alex Berkovic, co-founder and CEO of Sphynx, a company modernizing compliance workflows in…
Futureproof Founder PodcastHow to Turn a Complex Product Into a Brand the Market Remembers | Marlena Sarunac | 360
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Marlena Sarunac, co-founder of The Company Advice and marketing strategist for early-stage…
Futureproof Founder PodcastDeterministic vs Probabilistic AI: What Business Leaders Need to Know | KG Charles-Harris | 359
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with KG Charles-Harris, a serial entrepreneur who has founded six companies across industries ranging from genomics to…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWhy Technical Experts Struggle to Advance—and How to Fix It | Alistair Gordon | 358
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Alistair Gordon, founder of Expertunity and author of "Master Expert," to explore why technical excellence alone…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWhy Product Teams Miss Revenue Goals | Ryan Debenham | 357
Ryan Debenham, CEO of Grin, shares his unconventional journey from software engineer to leading a nearly billion-dollar creator management platform. In this…
Futureproof Founder PodcastRadical Product Thinking: Solving the Right Problems Instead of Hitting Numbers | Radhika Dutt | 356
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, to challenge the conventional wisdom around goal-setting, KPIs…
Futureproof Founder PodcastTech Trends and Transformation: Innovation Insights for Legacy Industries | Mark Walker | 355
Mark Walker, CEO of NUE, joins Jeff Mains to discuss how modern SaaS companies can transform revenue operations from fragmented systems into a unified…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWhy Human Judgment Still Matters in an AI-Driven World | Daniel Nikic | 354
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Daniel Nikic, a global strategist and problem solver who advises multinational corporations and funds…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWhy One Metric Matters More Than a Thousand in Podcast Growth | Alex Sanfilippo | 353
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch—a platform revolutionizing how podcast guests and hosts…
Futureproof Founder PodcastCitizen Developers and No-Code Platforms: The Future of Enterprise Software | Luv Kapur | 352
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Luv Kapur, a technology leader at Bit who's reshaping how enterprises build software. Luv shares his journey from…
Futureproof Founder PodcastBuilding Resilient Organizations: Modern Tools and Leadership Strategies for Thriving Teams | Chris Carter | 351
In this episode, Chris Carter reflects on a pivotal leadership mistake that deeply impacted his team—making a team member cry during a meeting. Chris candidly…
Futureproof Founder PodcastThe Infinite Workday: How to Stay Focused, Set Boundaries, and Avoid Burnout | Leslie Shreve | 350
Happy New Year and welcome back to the SaaS Fuel Podcast! In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Leslie Shreve, workload management and efficiency expert…
Futureproof Founder PodcastReimagining Trust in SaaS: Building Lasting Customer Confidence | Varun Jain | 349
This episode of SaaS Fuel features Varun Jain, founder of Comply Jet, discussing how security compliance can transform from a sales blocker into a growth…
Futureproof Founder PodcastCHRISTMAS EPISODE 2025 with Jeff Mains | 348
In this special holiday edition of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains delivers a powerhouse “Best of 2025” episode. After a year of learning from 104 founder, operator, and…
Futureproof Founder PodcastCrafting Customer Stories: The Art of Creating Engaging Experiences | Jason Friedman | 347
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains welcomes back Jason Friedman—entrepreneur, author, and customer experience expert. Jason shares his journey from…
Futureproof Founder PodcastIdentifying Your Brand’s Villain: Uniting Customers Through Shared Struggles | Jimi Gibson | 346
In this insightful episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains welcomes Jimi Gibson, VP of Brand Communication at Thrive Internet Marketing Agency—and a former…
Futureproof Founder PodcastFrom Corporate Life to SaaS Success: The Evolution of a Startup Journey | Egil Østhus | 345
In this value-packed episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains welcomes Egil Østhus, co-founder and CEO of Unleash—the world’s leading open source feature management…
Futureproof Founder PodcastThe Wiser Method: Transforming Business with Purposeful AI Strategies | Anthony Franco | 344
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Anthony Franco—serial entrepreneur, co-author of AI First Principles and the Wiser Method, and…
Futureproof Founder PodcastThe Next Frontier: Integrating Holography and AI for Immersive Experiences | Darran Milne | 343
In this mind-bending episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains chats with Darren Milne, co-founder and CEO of VividQ, about the future of holographic displays and how…
Futureproof Founder PodcastCollaborate to Elevate: Proven Formulas for Revenue Growth | Mark Osborne | 342
In this value-packed episode of SaaS Fuel, Mark Osborne, founder of Modern Revenue Strategies and top 25 marketing technology trailblazer, joins host VO and…
Futureproof Founder PodcastThe New Playbook: Innovate, Experiment, and Scale Smarter with AI | Amos Bar Joseph | 341
In this groundbreaking episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Amos Bar Joseph, CEO and co-founder of Swan AI, the AI-native company on a quest to…
Futureproof Founder PodcastStartup Success Strategies: Navigating Early-Stage Growth | Klee Kleber | 340
This episode dives deep into the shifting landscape of SaaS growth, investment philosophy, and leadership with Klee Kleber, former Dell and Rackspace executive…
Futureproof Founder PodcastThe AI Empowerment Journey: From Tech-Averse to Tech-Savvy | Monica Marquez | 339
This week, Monica Marquez joins SaaS Fuel to dive deep into the real barriers behind successful AI adoption and organizational transformation. With a career…
Futureproof Founder PodcastBalancing Features and Technical Debt: Effective Engineering Practices | Thanos Diacakis | 338
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Thanos Diacakis shares battle-tested advice for scaling SaaS teams, streamlining delivery, and maximizing developer happiness…
Futureproof Founder PodcastAI Revolution: How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Business Productivity | Alberto Rizzoli | 337
In this action-packed SaaS Fuel episode, host Jeff Mains welcomes AI entrepreneur Alberto Rizzoli, co-founder and CEO of V7. They dive into the transformative…
Futureproof Founder PodcastFrom Doers to Leaders: Essential Skills for Management Success | Michelle Griffin | 336
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Michelle Griffin, founder of Griffin Resources, to unpack actionable strategies for building strong…
Futureproof Founder PodcastHarnessing AI for SEO Success: Smart Automation That Ranks Faster | Carl Holden | 335
In this episode, Carl Holden joins Jeff Mains to dive deep into the evolution of SEO, its marriage with AI, and the realities of scaling a SaaS business…
Futureproof Founder PodcastMicro Commitments: The Secret to Boosting Sales and Engagement | Matthew Stafford | 334
In this value-packed episode, e-commerce expert Matthew Stafford shares how understanding and responding to real customer data powers dramatic business growth…
Futureproof Founder PodcastBehavioral Science Meets Business: Innovative Insights for Smarter Strategy | Rachel Edwards | 333
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Rachel J. Edwards, founder of INSPIRI and creator of the Strategic Personality Blueprint (SPB)…
Futureproof Founder PodcastBeyond the Norm: Secrets to Achieving Breakthrough Triumphs | Jeff Holman | 332
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Jeff Holman, founder of Intellectual Strategies, to unravel the legal landmines that can sabotage…
Futureproof Founder PodcastGenetics and Healing: A New Path in Pain Management | James Piacentino | 331
In this special SaaS Fuel episode, host Jeff Mains welcomes James Piacentino, co-founder and CEO of Thrive Genetics—a company at the intersection of…
Futureproof Founder PodcastEmpowered Perspectives: Conversations That Spark New Possibilities | Casey Woo | 330
In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Casey Woo, a renowned tech operator, investor, and co-founder of the Operators Guild. Casey introduces the concept…
Futureproof Founder PodcastSimplicity and Success: Streamlining Reputation Management | Vitaly Motuz | 329
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Vitaly Motuz, founder of Reviews On My Website. Vitaly shares his journey from high school side…
Futureproof Founder PodcastResilience in Action: Lessons to Thrive Through Adversity | Nahed Khairallah | 328
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Nahed Khairallah, a global startup strategist and HR leader known for transforming seven-figure…
Futureproof Founder PodcastThe Future of ERP: Transforming Business and Team Dynamics | Harish Chandramowli | 327
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains welcomes Harish Chandramowli, CEO of Flare, to unpack the evolution of ERP systems in the age of AI—specifically…
Futureproof Founder PodcastSales Techniques for Today’s Market: Mastering the Art of Closing | Christian Jack | 326
In this jam-packed episode of SaaS Fuel, sales expert Christian Jack joins host Jeff Mains to break down everything SaaS founders and sales leaders need to…
Futureproof Founder PodcastCreative Storytelling: Vibrant Visions That Inspire | Mac Chherawalla | 325
What happens when you challenge the status quo of Agile, throw out bloated teams, and supercharge small pods with AI? In this episode, Jeff Mains sits down…
Futureproof Founder PodcastFrom Sales Hunters to Market Leaders: Building Your First Go-To-Market Team | William Spengler | 324
Are you hiring your first go-to-market team, or looking to scale your B2B SaaS sales organization? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with…
Futureproof Founder PodcastParent-Led Autism Therapy: Innovative Techniques Empower Families | Sean Schroeder | 323
This week on SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains dives into radical innovation at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and human impact. Guest Sean Schroeder…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWhy Founders Should Stop Pitching and Start Storytelling | David Ebner | 322
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with David Ebner, founder of Content Workshop and author of "A Content Marketing Story." Together, they…
Futureproof Founder PodcastHarness AI to Beat Overwhelm & Create Business Opportunities | Jonathan Mast | 321
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains welcomes Jonathan Mast, a pioneering AI educator, digital strategist, and founder of one of the fastest-growing…
Futureproof Founder PodcastAccessible Storytelling: How Emotional Impact Drives Inclusion | Mike Barton | 320
This episode dives deep into digital accessibility—why it’s more than just ticking a compliance box and how it can unlock business growth, improve user…
Futureproof Founder PodcastJob Search in the AI Era: Stand Out with Credibility & Connection | Garrett Rice | 319
How can job seekers win in a world where roles attract hundreds—if not thousands—of applicants and the hiring process feels like a black hole? This week, Jeff…
Futureproof Founder PodcastEmotional Grounding for Leaders: Resilient Leadership in Uncertain Times | Mitch Weisburgh | 318
What’s holding you back isn’t just strategy—it could be your own brain! In this riveting episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Mitch Weisburgh…
Futureproof Founder PodcastWill AI Make Work More Human Than Ever | Juan Betancourt | 317
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains goes deep with Juan Betancourt, CEO of Humantelligence and creator of the AI-powered Ask Aura coach. Juan shares…