“I set up Oyster as a software platform to enable any company in the world to tap into the global talent pool without setting up entities, hiring lawyers, accountants, payroll providers, benefit providers. I established it as a mission-driven company, first and foremost, because what I realized was if I align what I do with what I believe in, I feel more fulfilled. I feel happier in my life,” shares Tony Jamous, the CEO and co-founder of Oyster, a company that’s shaping the future of work by embracing borderless, flexible, and human-centered principles.

In this episode, Tony joins Alex Raymond to talk about the challenges and opportunities of building culture in a distributed workforce. How does one lead with trust in a world where connection often feels distant? Tony’s journey to creating a $1.2 billion company during the pandemic highlights how belonging and empathy can transform workplace culture.

With a team spanning 80 countries, Oyster proves that diversity and flexibility can fuel both fulfillment and productivity. Tony shares how his personal experiences, including overcoming PTSD, shaped his leadership approach and commitment to creating workplaces where people truly thrive.

This episode will challenge how you think about leadership and belonging in a post-pandemic world. Can culture evolve to meet the needs of a global workforce? Tony’s story suggests it must.

Quotes

• “We are a talent magnet. We have diversity that is unheard of. We achieve a level of engagement and fulfillment for our employees that leads into productivity that is unheard of, because people feel cared for. They feel that we are designing a work model for them that makes them successful no matter where they live.” (05:36 | Tony Jamous)
• “We believe that democratizing access to global job opportunities has a massive potential in creating more equal worlds. The reason why emerging economies remain emerging is because they lose their best talent to the West, and they don’t come back.” (06:58 | Tony Jamous)
• “It’s really about having a clear and strong vision and strategy, and then assembling and empowering the best team to deliver on it. That’s been my formula.” (15:32 | Tony Jamous)
• “Leaders at the very top of their game have to learn how to recognize themselves and not expect recognition from the outside. You can even push it to the extreme and say they can thrive on neglect. They are here to build the systems on which a business can thrive in a healthy way, including fostering a healthy culture. That’s what I believe leaders should be striving toward.” (16:57 | Tony Jamous)
• “The reason we’re not moving as fast as we need to toward a better future is because leaders are caught in a cycle of meeting quotas and delivering results, such as hitting numbers. There’s immense pressure, and the ability to handle stress and pressure is diminishing as stress levels rapidly increase for leaders.” (18:21 | Tony Jamous)

Links

Connect with Tony Jamous:

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

Connect with Alex Raymond:

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

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“How do we get organizations where everyone has the opportunity and the support to contribute to their fullest?” For Michele Zanini, the co-author of “Humanocracy: Creating Organizations as Amazing as the People Inside Them” with Gary Hamel, the answer lies in rethinking the way companies operate.

In this episode, Michele explains how organizations can move beyond rigid bureaucratic systems to create environments that thrive on creativity, resilience, and accountability. He points out the power of a clear, shared purpose to align teams and the importance of nurturing small, autonomous groups that stay agile and entrepreneurial as companies grow. Michele also redefines leadership as a tool to multiply individual potential rather than manage from above, and challenges outdated performance systems by advocating for peer-driven accountability.

Join Alex Raymond and Michele Zanini as they explore how leaders can rethink traditional approaches to organizational design and create workplaces that genuinely empower their people.

Quotes

• “The idea of humanocracy is really about how to create organizations that are as capable as the people inside them, that are as daring, as courageous as people can be when they’re at their best. They’re as resilient, they’re able to bounce back from a crisis as we often are in our personal lives. As creative as millions of people who are on YouTube, sharing content that sometimes gets millions of people to engage with it. And are as passionate as we can be.” (02:54 | Michele Zanini)
• “People will still be part of organizations, but what if, instead of organizations viewing people as tools, we saw the organization as the instrument to better our lives and the lives of those we serve? The organization becomes the platform for impact.” (05:37 | Michele Zanini)
• “The other thing that a mission really does is that it provides a lot of motivation and alignment. So in a way, the mission is your boss. If everybody’s united by a particular purpose that is shared, you don’t need a lot of supervision.” (15:43 | Michele Zanini)
• “How do I give everyone in the team or the organization maximum autonomy and maximum accountability? And then how do I enable that? How do I create an organizational environment where that is encouraged and flourishes? You can specify some of that by wiring the organization in a particular way, but there are also things you need to do. For instance, how do you give everyone the competence to make the right decision for the business?” (47:39 | Michele Zanini)

Links

Connect with Michele Zanini:

Website: https://www.michelezanini.com/

Humanocracy: https://www.humanocracy.com/course/BMI

Connect with Alex Raymond:

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

Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/

HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Success on paper can hide a mountain of stress, as Andrew (Andy) Johns reveals in this episode how a seemingly perfect startup career left him barely holding it together, and what he learned about reclaiming resilience through nervous system mastery.

Why do so many entrepreneurs push themselves to the brink without realizing the cost? Andy, a Silicon Valley veteran, joins Alex Raymond to open up about the burnout that forced him to reevaluate everything and shares the tools that helped him recover. From the power of breathwork as the “remote control to your nervous system” to the impact of routines, sunlight, and even thermogenesis, he explores practical ways to protect your body and mind.

How can you create habits that prevent stress from becoming burnout? Andy’s insights offer simple yet transformative steps to help entrepreneurs build resilience, thrive under pressure, and take control of their well-being.

Quotes

• “When the body activates those superpowers because part of the nervous system perceives a threat, it floods the body with stress hormones, like adrenaline. These hormones are meant to be temporary, helping us respond to immediate danger before the body returns to a rest-and-digest mode. But the body wasn’t designed to sustain that heightened state of activation. Increasingly, research shows a direct link between sustained psychological stress and chronic illness, both mental and physical.” (13:12 | Andrew Johns)
• “It’s not just that we might be eating unhealthy food—we are. And it’s not just that we’re less physically active than we used to be—we are. It’s also that we’re living under constant psychological stress.” (14:43 | Andrew Johns)
• “We need to be wise in understanding the complicated and nuanced nature of the pros and cons of the environment we’ve crafted for ourselves.” (16:48 | Andrew Johns)
• “Okay, your career is in tech. You may be asking yourself, well, is this good for me in the long run? Maybe, maybe not. Everyone’s different. Certain people have different resilience characteristics. I know some folks where, myself included, are very, very sensitive to the environment around me. And so, I would absorb all of these psychological stressors and the moods of my employees around me. Other people I know, they’re not like this, but to the question of like, what do we do about it?” (17:04 | Andrew Johns)
• “You have the mechanisms built into you to feel calm and clear and in a state of peace. Your body has evolved those mechanisms, and you may just need to experiment to find your way back to those things. You don’t need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to search and discover the tools or the techniques or the experts. It’s the inherent wisdom of the vitality of the human body, and that’s really all we're encouraging. If you tap into its inherent vitality, your resilience will be remarkable.” (46:03 | Andrew Johns)

Links

Connect with Andrew Johns:

Website: https://cluesdotlife.substack.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

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

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“In the context of entrepreneurship, ADHD can be an advantage, but it surely can be a disadvantage in life,” says Dr. John Torrens, an accomplished entrepreneur, professor of entrepreneurial practice at Syracuse University, and author of “Lightning in a Bottle: How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win.” Joining Alex Raymond in this episode, he discusses how traits like impulsivity and hyperfocus often associated with ADHD can fuel entrepreneurial success but require careful management to avoid burnout and personal setbacks.

Dr. Torrens shares his work on ADHD and its interesting connection to entrepreneurship. From his university course on entrepreneurial well-being to his research with the Young Presidents’ Organization, he uncovers how many high-performing CEOs share ADHD traits. Could this be a hidden “superpower” for innovation and decision-making in entrepreneurship?

Join Alex and Dr. Torrens’ discussion to learn actionable strategies for maintaining health, building strong support networks, and achieving resilience. Dr. Torrens offers a fresh perspective on how prioritizing well-being can lead to sustainable success in both business and life.

Quotes

• “Why work so hard for your company that you can’t even enjoy the fruits of your labor? I’ve seen it in myself and my peers—they push so hard that, in their final years, they can’t even enjoy what they’ve built. They’re dealing with chronic diseases that could’ve been prevented or struggling with mental health issues. Some focus everything on the business and acquiring things, only to find themselves spiritually bankrupt. What better place to address this than at an institute of higher education, where we’re teaching people about entrepreneurship?” (04:25 | John Torrens)
• “The reality is that stress is a real part of entrepreneurship, but you can manage it if you’re proactive.” (11:11 | John Torrens)
• “When you dive deeper and you start to look at impulsive and hyperactive ADHD and the traits that are associated with that, you see a pretty clear link with entrepreneurial success... It’s really two sides of the coin. On one side, it really works well for you, but on the other side, if you’re not managing it, it could be seriously detrimental... It’s the context. In the context of entrepreneurship, ADHD can be an advantage, but it surely can be a disadvantage in life.” (23:49 | John Torrens)
• “People with ADHD often don’t choose conventional paths. What we’ve figured out is that they choose entrepreneurship because other pathways don’t always feel accessible to them.” (25:23 | John Torrens)

Links

Connect with John Torrens:

Website: https://whitman.syracuse.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-staff-directory/details/jtorrens

Connect with Alex Raymond:

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

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Resting requires a stillness and a surrender that is uncomfortable.”

Alex Raymond is joined by Tovi Scruggs-Hussein, a visionary leader and healer, to explore how meditation and emotional intelligence can reshape how we live and lead. Tovi shares her journey from a life of high achievement to one grounded in mindfulness and self-awareness. How can rest, ease, and intentionality bring flow into our lives, especially in a culture that glorifies hustle?

Tovi discusses the role of “beingness” in leadership and challenges the constant drive to “do” with a more self-aware and compassionate approach. She also touches on the power of racial healing as she explains how a deeper connection to ourselves can create more inclusive spaces and interrupt ingrained biases.

If you’re an entrepreneur trying to overcome the pressures of leadership, this episode offers an invitation to rethink success. What would it mean for us to embrace ease without guilt? Tovi’s insights remind us that real growth begins with stillness.

Quotes

• “Sometimes, as leaders, we are the trigger for our staff. We’re the trigger for our teams. But if we don’t know how we’re triggering to others, if we’re not fully aware of what’s happening in us as we’re being engaged with others, then it limits us as leaders.” (11:57 | Tovi Scruggs-Hussein)
• “We absolutely act and behave from who we be. That’s what influences and impacts our doing. So, if we’re not conscious of who we be and say we want to be a more inclusive leader, if we’re not conscious of what needs to be healed and transformed within us—where we’re not inclusive—then how do our policies and practices create inclusion?” (14:52 | Tovi Scruggs-Hussein)
• “I believe that we burn out because we make our living and leading so difficult. It’s like going against the grain of who we are, almost like grinding a clutch or gears, instead of finding flow, smoothness, and alignment.” (16:06 | Tovi Scruggs-Hussein)
• “If we want to be a certain kind of leader, we have to invest in that beingness. We have to invest in ourselves as how we want to be experienced. And that can look different for a lot of different people. It can mean that you need some energy work for a while. It can mean that you need some consciousness work. It could mean that you need to meditate or go on a silent retreat. It can look like different things for different folks.” (44:34 | Tovi Scruggs-Hussein)

Links

Connect with Tovi Scruggs-Hussein:

Website: https://www.ticiess.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

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

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Happiness is a choice, but also happiness is a skill set. And if we do certain things on a consistent basis—not once or twice, but on a daily basis—then I promise you and I guarantee you that you will live a happy and fulfilled life,” says Dr. Elia Gourgouris, known as the Happiness Doctor. In this episode, he joins Alex Raymond to discuss how happiness is an essential foundation for both personal and professional success.

Dr. Gourgouris challenges the idea that happiness comes after success, pointing out that it’s something we build from the start. He shares simple, impactful strategies—like practicing self-care, gratitude, and forgiveness—to help listeners make happiness a daily habit. Self-forgiveness, Dr. Gourgouris explains, is a transformative act of self-compassion that quiets the inner critic and lightens the emotional burdens we carry.

The episode also covers happiness in the workplace. What happens when happiness becomes part of organizational culture? Dr. Gourgouris makes the case that happy employees are more engaged, creative, and loyal, which directly benefits business outcomes. He encourages leaders to model honesty, openness, and transparency, creating an environment where teams can thrive.

The takeaway? Don’t put off happiness. Dr. Gourgouris reminds us that by living joyfully today, we not only enrich our own lives but inspire others to do the same. So, how will you prioritize happiness in your journey?

Quotes

• “Happiness is a choice, but also happiness is a skill set. And if we do certain things on a consistent basis—not once or twice, but on a daily basis—then I promise you and I guarantee you that you will live a happy and fulfilled life.” (05:01 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris)
• “Happy leaders equal happy teams. If we want our business to grow and succeed, the benefits of having happy and engaged employees are so many.” (28:24 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris)
• “Happy employees are the greatest marketing tool your company will ever have because they begin to recruit great talent simply by sharing their testimony of what a great culture the company has.” (30:01 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris)
• “We live in a world right now—a post-pandemic world—where authenticity, with a capital ‘A,’ is a must for a leader.” (31:12 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris)
• “Do not procrastinate your happiness… Forget all the ‘whens.’ There are no guarantees any of us will be alive tomorrow—none. We know that. People just go just like that. So live your best life now, and don’t procrastinate your happiness.” (39:45 | Dr. Elia Gourgouris)

Links

Connect with Elia Gourgouris:

Website: https://www.dreliagourgouris.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

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

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Live authentically, as much as possible, and as soon as possible.” This is the advice from entrepreneur Travis Luther, who joins Alex Raymond in this episode to explore the weighty themes of mortality, regret, and pursuing a life true to oneself. Having spent the past year interviewing terminally ill entrepreneurs, Travis brings forward the moving insights he’s gathered on what truly matters when life’s timeline suddenly feels finite. Reflecting on his own personal loss, he contrasts the difference between a life driven by passion and one on autopilot—a common struggle for entrepreneurs who often trade present joy for future security.

Travis and Alex dive into the regrets most commonly voiced by younger people unexpectedly confronted by mortality—health, personal fulfillment, and the need for real connections. What fears keep us from pursuing what we truly want? How much time are we willing to risk on things that don’t matter? Travis challenges listeners to live intentionally, guided by what truly drives them. By sharing a glimpse into his upcoming book, “What We Learn When We Learn We’re Dying,” he leaves us with a reminder: make choices today that you won’t regret tomorrow.

Quotes

• “What is going on in your unlived life or on your unlived path? And if there’s something that you can take away that’s a universal truth that doesn’t have anything to do with personal regret, it’s this idea that the sooner we can bring our lived and unlived lives together, the sooner we can live as our authentic selves and in harmony, the happier we’re gonna be.” (23:56 | Travis Luther)
• “When we disconnect ourselves from our mortality, we lose that sense of urgency that’s necessary to also do the things that are going to be personally fulfilling to us, and to avoid the regret or the time spent not living as our authentic selves.” (27:07 | Travis Luther)
• “I think what people at the end of their lives realize is that the accomplishment itself is not the thing that releases that stress and anxiety and everything that’s boiling inside of you. It is the lack of trying.” (31:32 | Travis Luther)
• “If I tried to consolidate all this information into one simple saying… it would be: live authentically, as much as possible, and as soon as possible.” (39:44 | Travis Luther)

Links

Connect with Travis Luther:

Website: https://travisluther.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

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

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Effective leadership in times of uncertainty hinges on trust, especially when chaos is in play. Retired Brigadier General Tom Kolditz joins Alex Raymond to share leadership insights drawn from his military experience and his book, “In Extremis Leadership.” Tom explains how startup founders, like military leaders in crisis, often face overwhelming uncertainty. And for him, the key to guiding a team through it is trust.

Tom urges entrepreneurs to focus outward and shift their attention from their own anxieties to the needs of their teams. He talks about the importance of both mentorship and coaching in leadership, and expounds that mentors offer advice from experience, while coaches are skilled in guiding leaders to grow.

Tom warns that excessive self-interest can undermine trust within teams, especially in high-pressure moments. He encourages leaders to engage their teams, rather than pulling back, when the going gets tough. Building a culture of shared risk and accountability fosters resilience and trust. Tune in to learn how great leadership, especially in times of crisis, relies on emotional intelligence, personal growth, and a solid support system.

Quotes

• “What makes dangerous circumstances truly dangerous is living with uncertainty… The principles and lessons we learn from leaders in dangerous contexts apply almost perfectly to the uncertain, chaotic set of circumstances that most startup CEOs go through.” (04:03 | Tom Kolditz)
• “If you’re living with uncertainty, you tend to not have the information that you might have in a more stabilized, older company. And what that means is that your influence as a leader is not through management. It’s through trust.” (05:46 | Tom Kolditz)
• “It’s very important that leaders not pour their emotions into their people when those emotions are negative like fear, anger, frustration.” (10:40 | Tom Kolditz)
• “It’s a very bad idea to think that crisis leadership is different from the leadership that you did the week before. You have to be in the same mode all the time because otherwise it’s too late. Crises come like that. And if you don’t have money in the bank, if you don’t have preparation for that, it’s going to be very difficult for you.” (46:09 | Tom Kolditz)
• “If professional baseball players who are at the top of their game still need coaches, then certainly those of us in leadership roles can benefit from having a good coach as well.” (47:18 | Tom Kolditz)

Links

Connect with Tom Kolditz:

Website: https://tomkolditz.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

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

Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/

HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm