Podcast
The Decision by EO Nashville
Hosted by EO Nashville · EN
This is The Decision by Nashville EO. On this podcast, you will hear the rest of the story after tough decisions were made by Entrepreneurs who faced adversity and lived to tell about it.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Michael Burcham - The Leadership Lessons That Turn Good Entrepreneurs Into Great Ones
Nov 700:43:34Tap to summarizeMichael Burcham is the Chief of Strategy and Talent Development at Shore Capital Partners, a micro-cap investment firm that builds and scales platform companies across healthcare and business services. As an entrepreneur, executive coach, investor, and strategist, he has over 30 years of experience leading investor-backed, high-growth organizations. Michael has launched, scaled, and sold three investor-backed businesses over the past 30 years with a combined valuation of over $500 million. In this episode… Creating a business legacy often comes down to how leaders navigate growth, change, and people. Some founders thrive in chaos, while others stumble when it's time to scale. What separates those who evolve with their companies from those who get left behind? As a seasoned expert in leadership and talent development, Michael Burcham went from humble beginnings in rural Mississippi to guiding entrepreneurs at every stage of growth. He learned that success isn't just about building companies; it's about building people. Additionally, self-reliance, resilience, and the ability to make tough team decisions shape leaders and their companies. Michael advises knowing when to push, when to let go, and investing in others' growth. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Michael Burcham, Chief of Strategy and Talent Development at Shore Capital Partners, to discuss scaling leadership and growth. Michael shares how he learned to identify when team members can't grow with a company, why coaching and accountability are key to scaling, and how investing in people drives lasting success.
Transcribe →Scarlett Mulligan - Entrepreneurship as a Path To Healing
Oct 2400:40:06Tap to summarizeScarlett Mulligan, PA-C, is the Founder of Novus Behavioral Health, a psychiatry practice offering advanced treatments for mental health conditions. Before founding Novus, she served in the US Air Force as an EMT and worked in various clinical settings, including primary and urgent care, orthopedics, nursing homes, and emergency medicine. Scarlett created Novus to bridge the gap in accessible psychiatric resources. In this episode… Entrepreneurship can be both exhilarating and isolating. Many founders pour everything into their businesses until burnout or personal crisis forces them to pause. How can you rebuild when your drive becomes your downfall and the weight of leadership feels too heavy to carry alone? Psychiatric physician's assistant Scarlett Mulligan reminds entrepreneurs that mental health isn't a luxury — it's the foundation for sound decisions, creativity, and leadership. She advises forming genuine connections, facing emotional pain instead of numbing it, and practicing grace daily toward yourself and others. Scarlett maintains that truth comes from self-awareness, humility, and a willingness to heal. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Scarlett Mulligan, Founder of Novus Behavioral Health, to discuss mental wellness and grace in entrepreneurship. Scarlett shares how carbon monoxide poisoning impacted her mental and physical health, why entrepreneurship can stem from trauma, and how recovery taught her to lead with compassion and clarity.
Transcribe →Josh Pittman - The Decisions That Define Entrepreneurs
Oct 1700:45:24Tap to summarizeJosh Pittman is the Founder and CEO of Pip, which simplifies diabetes care through safe, painless, and easy-to-use lancets. Under his leadership, the company has grown its reach across the US and expanded distribution into DTC and retail channels. In this episode… Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path. It's a journey defined by risks, resilience, and moments that test your conviction. How can you choose between safety and growth or between holding on and letting go? From walking away from a secure accounting career to buying his first company with help from a mentor, diabetes care entrepreneur Josh Pittman learned the hard truths of business ownership. Through losing clients, managing debt, and navigating uncertainty, he discovered that confidence is built by persistence, not success. Josh advises entrepreneurs to embrace discomfort because it signals growth. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Josh Pittman, Founder and CEO of Pip, to discuss how he built, scaled, and sold his company. Josh shares how a mentor's belief helped launch his career, how he rebuilt after losing a major client, and why selling his business led to personal clarity.
Transcribe →Amber Kaset - How Emotional Intelligence and Fairness Drive Smarter Business Decisions
Oct 1000:37:39Tap to summarizeAmber Kaset is the Founder of AK Investigations, a private investigation firm specializing in criminal defense and high-stakes legal cases. She is also the Founder of the Investigative Expert Method, a comprehensive online training platform for criminal defense investigators, paralegals, and attorneys. For over 22 years, Amber has worked on complex criminal and civil cases nationwide, including capital murder, sex offenses, federal charges, Title IX, and wrongful death. In this episode… Every business leader faces tough decisions that test judgment, integrity, and resilience. Some of those choices play out in boardrooms while others unfold in real-world investigations that demand courage and empathy. How can you uncover the truth when people would rather hide it? As a seasoned criminal defense investigator, Amber Kaset built her career on curiosity, empathy, and persistence. From working at the Nashville Public Defender’s Office to handling death penalty cases across state lines, she’s learned that justice isn’t about guilt or innocence; it’s about fairness. Balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and emotionally heavy work allowed her to transform challenge into purpose. Amber believes that when you give people the opportunity to be heard, truth and compassion follow. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Amber Kaset, Founder of AK Investigations, to discuss how investigative work reveals both truth and humanity. Amber shares how she built trust in difficult conversations, turned adversity into growth through leadership and motherhood, and developed training to empower future investigators.
Transcribe →Clay Ezell - The Business of Large-Scale Composting in the Southeast
Oct 300:27:11Tap to summarizeClay Ezell is the Co-owner and President of The Compost Company, a Middle Tennessee firm that converts organic waste into high-quality compost and soil blends. He also serves as President of the Tennessee Composting Council and is active in regional environmental and recycling networks. As a USCC-Certified Site Operator, Clay trained through New York’s EarthMatter program. In this episode… Impactful industry changes often begin with small observations that spark bold ideas. Yet turning those ideas into a real business brings unexpected challenges and tough decisions. How do you know when to take the leap into something new? An expert in large-scale composting, Clay Ezell left a stable career in book publishing to follow a calling that blended purpose and impact. Inspired by childhood memories of early recycling movements and the stark waste realities he witnessed, he trained in New York before bringing his knowledge home. Together with his brother, Clay learned by trial and error, navigating mistakes, zoning challenges, and the complexities of running a hauling service and a production arm. He maintains that real progress comes when you stop trying to do everything yourself and start building systems with the right people in the right roles. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Clay Ezell, Co-owner and President of The Compost Company, to discuss the challenges of industrial-scale composting in the Southeast. Clay talks about treating hauling and product sales as distinct businesses, how food waste in landfills creates methane, and the leadership lessons he gained from EO’s Catalyst program.
Transcribe →Luke McElroy - From Fear to Opportunity: Surviving and Growing During Industry Disruption
Sep 2600:41:12Tap to summarizeLuke McElroy is the Founder and President of Orange Thread, an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing media and event production company. Under his leadership, Orange Thread has partnered with some of the world’s most recognized celebrities and businesses, including Chick-fil-A, American Idol, and Blake Shelton. Luke is also the Founder of SALT Conferences, a creative leadership event company that helps churches leverage technology and storytelling. With over two decades of experience in live event production, AV systems, stage design, and creative direction, he is the author of The Wide Guide: Blueprint for the Multiscreen Movement. In this episode… When an unexpected disruption shuts down an entire industry overnight, how can you decide whether to fight for your company or walk away? The live events world faced a shutdown when gatherings came to a sudden halt during the pandemic. What mindset separates those who crumble from those who turn chaos into opportunity? An accomplished live event production expert, Luke McElroy faced a pivotal moment when the pandemic wiped out every booking on his calendar. Newly married and facing a company suddenly worth nothing, he resisted fear and chose to pivot instead. Luke refunded deposits, refused to lay off staff, and created memorable virtual experiences. By focusing on hope for the future rather than fear of the present, he found unexpected opportunities and rebuilt stronger. Luke advises making decisions that lead to future opportunities. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Luke McElroy, Founder and President of Orange Thread, to discuss navigating uncertainty in the live events industry. Luke shares how he transformed crisis into growth, why creating memorable moments drives lasting impact, and how joining EO reshaped his leadership to build a company that scales beyond its founder.
Transcribe →Elle Harvey - Lessons on Entrepreneurship and Education Innovation
Sep 1900:31:21Tap to summarizeElle Harvey is the Founder of A New Leaf Nature School, an outdoor education institution focused on nature, emerging curricula, and learning through project work. Since opening the first summer camp in 2005, she has built A New Leaf into a model for holistic, nature-based learning. Elle has experience in ecology, curriculum development, and early childhood education. She emphasizes co-research and integration of environmental science, languages, and social-emotional growth in her pedagogical leadership. In this episode… Entrepreneurship often begins with a spark of curiosity and the courage to break from a predictable path. It challenges us to see opportunities where others see uncertainties and to persevere when the journey becomes difficult. What does it take to turn a passion for education and the natural world into a thriving, long-term venture? As a seasoned biologist with decades of research experience, Elle Harvey transformed her career when motherhood reshaped her vision of learning. Moving from the lab to early childhood education, she discovered a calling in immersive, inquiry-driven teaching that blends outdoor exploration with academic rigor. Elle faced zoning restrictions, location changes, and the challenge of growing a school from her backyard while staying true to her ideals. She advises entrepreneurs to trust their passion, keep innovating, and believe that solutions will emerge even when obstacles feel insurmountable. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline chats with Elle Harvey, Founder of A New Leaf Nature School, about the lessons she learned transitioning from science to education. Elle discusses the origins of nature-based learning, the importance of an emergent curriculum, and how joining EO’s Catalyst program transformed her leadership and business strategy.
Transcribe →Justin Lowe - Growing a Firm Through Storytelling, Relationships, and Resilience
Sep 1200:41:43Tap to summarizeJustin Lowe is the Principal of Centric Architecture, an architecture and design firm specializing in projects, including commercial, residential, historical preservation, and planning. In his role as a designer, he specializes in making beautiful and unique spaces. As a seventh-generation Nashville resident, Justin emphasizes design that helps the city scale while maintaining its local charm. In this episode… Many entrepreneurs face moments of uncertainty when financial instability, a lack of experience, and external crises converge. During times of economic downturn, how do you decide whether to cling to security or take the risk of building something new from scratch? Justin Lowe, an architect who stumbled into the profession after pursuing music, faced this dilemma during the 2008 recession. With a young family, shrinking income, and no business development experience, he leaned on relationships and mentorship to make his next move. Justin partnered with a colleague, took on small projects, and — after encouragement from a trusted advisor — launched a practice. When finding yourself in uncertain territory, resilience and adaptability are essential. Join Robert Hartline in today’s episode of The Decision as he interviews Justin Lowe, Principal of Centric Architecture, about risk-taking and growth during uncertain times. Justin talks about starting his business during the 2008 recession, how he scaled his team to 26 people, and the role of storytelling in design decisions.
Transcribe →John Lupear - Luxury AV, Leadership, and Lessons From Billionaire Clients
Sep 500:26:37Tap to summarizeJohn Lupear is the Founder and President of Prodigy, a smart home technology and AV solutions company. The company specializes in home automation, entertainment, and security systems. Under John’s leadership, Prodigy offers commercial and residential AV services. In this episode… Entrepreneurs sometimes face the difficult decision of whether to push through tough economic downturns or close shop and start fresh. When financial collapses hinder opportunities in various markets, moving forward can feel daunting. How do business leaders know when it’s time to pivot, rebuild, and embrace a new market? After closing his first company during the 2008 recession, AV integration expert John Lupear relocated to a new city, rebuilt his career, and launched a thriving business. He carved a new path in a booming market, designed cutting-edge systems, and built trust with clients who expected the best. Along the way, John navigated employee layoffs and learned that resilience and creativity matter just as much as technical skills. He recommends staying adaptable and developing a strong workplace culture. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline interviews John Lupear, Founder and President of Prodigy, about rebuilding after economic crises. John shares the lessons he’s learned from serving billionaire clients, the innovations shaping the AV industry, and how EO has shaped his leadership.
Transcribe →Robert Hartline - Strategies for Sales Success, Building Habits, and Entrepreneurial Growth
Aug 2900:39:54Tap to summarizeRobert Hartline is the Founder and CEO of CallProof, a company that helps B2B sales teams manage their customers using a sales activity reporting system. He has been a member of EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization) since 2016. He is also a Professional EOS Implementer for EOS Worldwide, where he shares his experience using the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to scale a business from $10 million to $100 million within three years. Before CallProof and EOS Worldwide, Robert was the Founder of Absolute Wireless, a wireless retailer with 78 retail locations, which he sold in 2020. In this episode… Entrepreneurs often find themselves stuck when their natural sales talent doesn’t easily transfer to the people they hire. Training new salespeople can be frustrating, and many business owners discover their team doesn’t share the same drive or willingness to face rejection. How can leaders build effective sales teams and overcome growth hurdles without burning out? Sales strategy and software development entrepreneur Robert Hartline started selling cell phones out of his car before growing into franchises, but struggled when his new hires couldn’t match his intensity. He discovered that face-to-face communication is the most powerful sales tool and that tenacity matters more than talent. During hardships, Robert leans on peer learning in EO to overcome the loneliness and stress of entrepreneurship. In this episode of The Decision, Eric Jackson talks with Robert Hartline, Founder and CEO of CallProof, about building sales teams and leading as an entrepreneur. Robert discusses his legacy and personal growth, why door-to-door sales remain effective, and how AI can prepare salespeople on how to respond to rejection.
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