AI is accelerating Innovation—but it is not a substitute for strategy.
In this episode, Carl J. Cox speaks with Josh Carter, co-founder of Upstart Collective, about what founders must understand to build sustainable companies. Josh shares insights from working with early-stage startups, including why chasing trends weakens businesses and how defensible value is created.
The conversation covers AI misuse, founder blind spots, customer discovery, fundraising realities, and why execution still separates winners from noise. This episode is a must-listen for founders, operators, and leaders navigating innovation pressure.
Listen now and rethink how you build for long-term value.
Josh’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcarter/
Josh’s Website http://upstartcollective.org
Carl J. Cox is the CEO and founder of 40 Strategy Inc. Through his career, Carl has been an executive leader and board member with seven different organizations who have grown 2x to 7x with operations in four continents. Early in his career, he started at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a certified Gallup Coach for Clifton Strengths.
Carl J. Cox is author of Lost at CEO, An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Strategy, which reached #1 Amazon bestseller in 12 separate categories at launch in May 2023. He is the host of the Measure Success Podcast, where he talks with CEOs, authors, and extraordinary achievers about effective strategies that inspire success in business as well as their personal life. His company donates 10% of their client net revenues towards charitable organizations.
Carl has been married for over 25 years and they have four children. He coached over 20 winning seasons in youth football, basketball, and baseball. Today, Carl enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading books, and playing golf. He resides in North Plains, Oregon.
