Decisions That Built a Business

Welcome to the Decisions That Built a Business is the show where bold moments, brilliant pivots, and high-stakes choices take center stage. Each week, host Shane Whatson sits down with founders, leaders, and creators to unpack the single decision that changed the trajectory of their business — for better or for worse.

These aren’t highlight-reel stories. They’re the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes conversations about the moments when everything was on the line: the risks taken, the doubts faced, the opportunities spotted, and the turning points that shaped million-dollar outcomes.

Whether you’re building a startup, scaling a team, or carving your own path, you’ll walk away with sharp insights, practical takeaways, and the mindset shifts needed to recognize — and make — the decisions that move you forward.

Hosted by Shane Whatson.
Inspired by real builders.
Designed for ambitious minds.

Listen on:

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Episodes

Sunday Jan 04, 2026

What happens when a founder removes the safety net and commits fully to a decision that could end everything? In this episode, host Shane Whatson sits down with Andrew Wilson to explore the moment they took a risk with no backup plan—when hesitation became more dangerous than failure. Through fear, isolation, and relentless pressure, Andrew shares how total commitment sharpened focus, transformed leadership, and ultimately turned an impossible situation into a defining breakthrough.

Sunday Jan 04, 2026

Breaking points don’t arrive with warnings—they build quietly under pressure. In this episode, Ryan Patel, Founder and CEO, shares the moment when continuing forward was no longer possible and a difficult decision had to be made. From silent burnout and constant pressure to clarity, restructuring, and renewed purpose, Ryan reveals how choosing to pause, rethink, and reset at the breaking point didn’t end the business—but ultimately saved it.

Thursday Jan 01, 2026

Many businesses don’t fail—they simply get stuck in survival mode. In this episode, Brian Lewis, Founder and CEO, shares the defining moment when his company stopped reacting and started building with intention. From fear-driven decisions and constant pressure to clarity, purpose, and long-term vision, Brian reveals how shifting from survival to strategy transformed the culture, the leadership mindset, and the future of the business.

Thursday Jan 01, 2026

Turning points rarely announce themselves. In this episode, Kevin Roberts, Founder and CEO, shares the unexpected moment that quietly reshaped his company from the inside out. What began as a small operational change exposed deeper challenges around alignment, trust, and purpose. Through honest reflection, Kevin reveals how resistance became insight—and how an unplanned disruption sparked renewed clarity, stronger leadership, and a more intentional path forward.

Tuesday Dec 30, 2025

In this episode, Shane Whatson sits down with Emily Johnson to unpack the risk that followed failure—and unexpectedly became a turning point. They explore the pressure of setbacks, the moment of choosing courage over comfort, and how one bold decision reshaped mindset, strategy, and growth. A powerful conversation for founders and leaders learning how failure, when faced honestly, can become the foundation for long-term success and resilience.

Tuesday Dec 30, 2025

Every lasting business has a moment where playing it safe is no longer an option. In this episode, Scott Harris, Founder and CEO, shares the bold bet that nearly cost him everything—but ultimately reshaped the company’s future. From fear, doubt, and early setbacks to clarity, conviction, and long-term growth, Scott reveals how trusting the vision, committing fully, and resisting the urge to retreat turned a risky decision into the breakthrough that finally paid off.

Monday Dec 29, 2025

In this episode, Shane Whatson sits down with Arianna Huffington to explore the defining risk that reshaped a company’s future. From outward success to inner exhaustion, Arianna shares the moment she chose truth over comfort and redefined what leadership and growth truly mean. A powerful conversation about courage, intuition, and why the most important risks aren’t about moving faster—but choosing a future you can sustain.

Monday Dec 29, 2025

Some decisions don’t feel powerful when they’re made—but they quietly reshape everything that follows. In this episode, Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, shares the defining choice that redirected her career, purpose, and impact. From inner doubt and fear of failure to building a movement that empowers millions of girls, Reshma reveals how one courageous decision changed not only her future, but the futures of generations to come.

Monday Dec 22, 2025

Every bold business move carries risk—and sometimes it feels like it could fail entirely. In this episode, Victoria Hartman, Founder and CEO, shares the high-stakes decision that tested her leadership, her team, and the company’s future. From early doubts and near setbacks to strategy, resilience, and ultimate success, Victoria reveals how one courageous move—almost failing—became the turning point that strengthened the business and redefined what was possible.

Monday Dec 22, 2025

What happens when a company faces a choice nobody wants to make? In this episode, host Shane Whatson sits down with CEO Emily Carter to explore the bold, high-stakes decision that could have ended it all. From sleepless nights and internal doubt to restructuring, tough conversations, and unexpected wins, Emily shares the courage, strategy, and leadership behind the choice that ultimately transformed her company’s future.

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