The CTOx Podcast
Episodes
When a CEO Wants a Player-Coach, Here Is What They Actually Mean
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When a CEO says they want a player-coach, they usually mean they want two roles filled for the price of one. In this episode of the CTOX Podcast, host...
How to Go Fractional From Strength, Not Desperation
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the CTOX Podcast, hosts explore one of the most critical decisions a CTO or senior tech leader can face: whether to go fractional o...
Your Clients Are Buying Your Bias: How to Use It Without Letting It Blind You
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your clients aren't paying you to be a blank slate. They're paying you for your judgment, your pattern recognition, and your accumulated experience. I...
Your Clients Are Buying Your Bias: How to Use It Without Letting It Blind You
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your clients aren't paying you to be a blank slate. They're paying you for your judgment, your pattern recognition, and your accumulated experience. I...
Your Clients Are Buying Your Bias: How to Use It Without Letting It Blind You
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your clients aren't paying you to be a blank slate. They're paying you for your judgment, your pattern recognition, and your accumulated experience. I...
Your Clients Are Buying Your Bias: How to Use It Without Letting It Blind You
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your clients aren't paying you to be a blank slate. They're paying you for your judgment, your pattern recognition, and your accumulated experience. I...
Your Clients Are Buying Your Bias: How to Use It Without Letting It Blind You
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your clients aren't paying you to be a blank slate. They're paying you for your judgment, your pattern recognition, and your accumulated experience. I...
Will Leaving Your Full-Time Job Hurt Your Credibility as a Fractional CTO?
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One of the biggest fears holding experienced technology leaders back from making the leap to fractional work is the belief that leaving a full-time jo...
How Entrepreneurs Lose Their Joy — And What to Do About It
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore a challenge many entrepreneurs quietly face: losing the joy that once fueled their ambition. What begins as excitement and...
Scaling is Soil, Not Force: Creating Environments Where Growth is Inevitable
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if scaling isn’t about pushing harder—but about designing better conditions? In this episode, Lior unpacks the powerful idea that growth shou...
The Apple Tree vs. Summer Corn: Choosing Long-Term Over Short-Term CTO Wins
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lior Weinstein breaks down a powerful metaphor every Fractional CTO needs to understand: planting apple trees versus harvesting summe...
Freedom of Relationship: Designing a Business Around People Who Give You Energy
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lior and Marissa explore the idea of freedom of relationship—an often-overlooked lever in building a sustainable fractional CTO pra...
Scaling Up, Scaling Down, and Rolling Off: How to Rebalance Your Client Portfolio with Intention
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the conversation focuses on how Fractional CTOs and independent tech leaders can intentionally rebalance their client portfolio as th...
Boundaries That Build Trust: Serving Clients Without Feeling Like You Have 10 Hungry Children
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Marissa and Lior dig into one of the hardest parts of running a fractional CTO practice: setting boundaries that actually build trust...
Think About How You Think: Philosophical Tools for CTOs
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Marissa and Lior zoom out from tools and tactics to examine your real leverage as a leader: how you think. They unpack the idea of tr...
Fail Spectacularly: Why Owning Your Screw-Ups Builds Trust
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Marissa and Lior reframe failure as a core leadership asset, not a personal defect. They explore why the leaders people trust most ar...
Habitats for Inspiration: How to Stay Inspired as an Entrepreneur
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode , Marissa and Lior unpack what it really means to build a “habitat for inspiration” as a founder, rather than chasing rare, one-of...
More Than a Retainer: How to Confidently Negotiate Upside Into Your Fractional Deals
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Marissa and Lior break down how top Fractional CTOs move beyond retainers to build wealth through equity, revenue share, and perfo...
Between You and What You Want: A Pile of No’s
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fractional CTOs don’t stall because they fail—they stall because they freeze. In this episode, Marissa and Lior reframe “no” as useful signal...
Good Enough to Start: The Truth About Confidence, Credentials, and Client Impact
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Marissa and Lior go deeper than “impostor syndrome” to unpack what it really takes to start serving at a high level—before you ...
Policy, Preference, or Regulation? Why Fractional CTOs Must Ask Better Questions
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Marissa and Lior dig into a deceptively simple leadership filter: before you act, ask whether a rule is policy, preference, or regula...
Can't AI Eat My Vegetables for Me?
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode challenges the myth that AI can “eat the vegetables” of a fractional CTO practice. Marissa and Lior break down the non-delegable work...
The Hard Way vs. The Easy Way: Why Going Solo Isn’t a Badge of Honor
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Going solo as a Fractional CTO may feel bold, but in reality, it’s often the slow and costly route. In this episode, Marissa and Lior explore why do...
Mindset Matters Part 1: The Fear of Selling (And How to Make It Disappear)
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sales can feel intimidating—especially for technical founders and Fractional CTOs who don’t see themselves as “salespeople.” In this episode, ...
Mindset Matters Part 2: Why Imposter Syndrome Is the Enemy of Impact (And How to Beat It)
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode tackles impostor syndrome for fractional CTOs, with Marissa and Lior breaking down why even seasoned leaders feel it—and how to move th...
Breaking the Tech Corporate Mold: A Day in the Life of a Fractional CTO
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the CTOx Podcast, host Marissa sits down with Lior to unpack what it really means to leave corporate tech and step into the life of...
From Employee to Fractional: Making the Leap with Intention
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Making the leap from a W2 job to a fractional CTO role isn’t just about swapping paychecks—it’s about redefining value, outcomes, and freedom. I...
AI Agents Are Drivers, Not Robots Designing Tech That Thinks for Itself
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lior Weinstein reframes how we think about AI—not as robots blindly following scripts, but as drivers navigating toward a mission. ...
Core Functions of a Business That Are Fractional by Nature (But Not by Name)
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the CTOx Podcast explores how fractional leadership extends beyond technology into the very core functions of business. Marissa and Li...
Consultant vs. Fractional CTO: Sit-Ups, Six-Packs, and True Ownership
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the CTOx Podcast, Marissa and Lior tackle the critical difference between consultants and Fractional CTOs—and why true leadership...
Building Your Olympic Gold Medalist Leadership Team as a Fractional CTO
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Building Your Olympic Gold Medalist Leadership Team as a Fractional CTO | w/ Chris Johnson In this episode, we sit down with leadership strategist ...
Money Matters | Managing Finances, Taxes, and Cash Flow as a Fractional CTO
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we dive into how you manage your cash flow as a Fractional CTO
Build A Magnetic Personal Brand As A Fractional CTO
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the CTOx Podcast, we explore how fractional CTOs can position themselves as high-value leaders by building a magnetic personal bran...
Scaling Yourself: Managing Multiple Clients Without Losing Your Freedom
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we dive into how to scale your business and not lose your freedom.
Functional Technology Framework, Unclogging, De-risking, and Scaling Tech Teams
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we discuss functional technology framework, unclogging, de-risking, and scaling tech teams.
From Pitch to Close Practical Sales Tactics for Fractional CTOs
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we discuss sales tactics that Fractional CTOs can use to grow their business
Why Most Fractional CTOs Don’t Make Real Money
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this brutally honest episode, Lior and Marissa break down why so many talented fractional CTOs stay broke—or worse, burn out. If you’ve ever fe...
War Stories from the CTO Trenches — Security Breaches, Startups, and Scaling.
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we discuss security breaches, startups, and scaling.
Firefighters vs. Sprinkler Systems — A Better Way to Lead Tech Teams
07 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today We Discuss A Better Way to Lead Tech Teams
The Future is Fractional - Why the Best Leaders Go Fractional First
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we discuss why the best leaders go fractional first.
The Business Model of a Fractional CTO
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk about ways to unlock revenue as a Fractional CTO
How CTOs Build Trust with CEOs (Without Speaking Tech)
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we discuss the key ways to build trust with CEOs
The Million-Dollar Value of Community Why the Right Room Changes
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we discuss how the right community can change everything for your career.
Network Magic Activating Connections for Fractional CTO Success
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we discuss ways to activate your network
Crafting Your Menu Essential Offerings for Fractional CTOs
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we discuss the importance of a menu of offerings for potential clients.
Niche Down to Scale Up How Choosing a Specific Focus Can Boost Your CTO Practice
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we discuss how to choose a great niche for your fractional CTO business.
Defining The Fractional CTO Beyond The Basics With Lior Weinstein
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lior dives into what at CTO is and how its different from an agency model.