Humans Behind the Metrics

About Humans Behind the Metrics

Behind every scalable metric…is a human story no dashboard can tell. This is Humans Behind The Metrics. I’m Charlene Ormo — SaaS Growth Architect, founder of LEADX Media (the company behind this podcast), and your host. This podcast is where we pull back the curtain on SaaS growth — not through polished case studies or fancy funnel breakdowns (although we will have those too)… but through the real, raw stories of the people behind it all. The missed targets. The late-night pivots. The identity shifts. The moments that nearly broke them — and the ones that rebuilt them. If you’ve ever looked at the numbers and thought, “There’s more to this than just strategy” — you’re right. This is where the humans behind those metrics get seen, heard, and understood. Welcome to the show.

Publisher

Charlene Ormo

Category

business · business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Apr 2025

Latest episode

2 Jul 2025

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Jul 2025

   Why 'Give First, Get Later' Actually Drives Better Conversions: Building Authentic Relationships in a Data-Obsessed Marketing World with Quinn Palmer,Growclass

   Growclass' Quinn Palmer discusses with Charlene Ormo her journey from student to marketing leader, emphasizing authentic community building and how genuine relationships drive business results in a data-driven world, revealing strategies for blending strategy with soul in marketing; this is an interview.

2. 

   25 Jun 2025

   Carving Her Own Path: Dreams, Determination, and the Universe’s Support with Hurriyeh Iftikhar, Siena AI

   Host Charlene interviews Hurriyeh Iftikhar of Siena AI, who speaks on leveraging vulnerability as a business asset and building authentic brands through storytelling and human connection, revealing how she landed major jobs through cold outreach.

3. 

   18 Jun 2025

   From Dad Duty to Data-Driven Decisions Unfiltered: Heavy Equipment, Home Life, and Hitting KPIs with Brent Brooks, Texada

   Charlene interviews Brent Brooks, Texada Director of Marketing, who shares how his experiences as a father and former Amazon executive shape his authentic marketing strategies and leadership style in a data-driven world.

4. 

   11 Jun 2025

   Why This Billion-Dollar Leader Learns Languages Daily with Charles Stucki,Neeve

   Charlene interviews Charles Stucki, Neeve's head of marketing, about his "get it right this time" philosophy, ChatGPT's disruption of marketing, and how watching Mary Poppins improved his parenting skills.

5. 

   8 Jun 2025

   How to Scale Without Losing Your Best People (The Secret to People-First Growth) with Max Trudel, Evolia

   Max Trudel of Evolia discusses building operations around people, rethinking the work experience, and scaling a team while maintaining empathy in this interview with Charlene Li.

6. 

   4 Jun 2025

   The Art of Balancing Data and Gut: How a Tunisian-British Marketer Scales Teams While Traveling the World with Aimen Chouchane, Uptick

   Aimen Chouchane of Uptick discusses balancing data with intuition to scale global marketing teams, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse customer bases and mission-driven work in this interview.

7. 

   1 Jun 2025

   Never Overcomplicate, Always Simplify with Christian Kunkel, Fingercheck

   Charlene Ormo interviews Christian Kunkel, CMO of Fingercheck, who shares his simple approach to marketing, emphasizing customer discovery through platforms like ChatGPT, which reshaped his team's strategy and improved small business solutions.

8. 

   28 May 2025

   The Player-Coach Philosophy: Building SaaS Companies Through Sports Mindset and Human Connection with Scott Nazdan, Panopto

   Charlene Ormo interviews Scott Nazdan, Vice President at Panopto, who shares his "player-coach" philosophy, revealing how a sports mindset and genuine human connection drive success in building SaaS companies.

9. 

   25 May 2025

   The Creative Mind vs. The Machine: Why Your Biggest AI Advantage Isn't Tech with Saren Sakurai, Wethos AI

   Creative strategist Saren Sakurai discusses with Charlene Ormo how to leverage AI by focusing on human connection and creativity, emphasizing relationship-building over transactional approaches for effective AI implementation in business; this is an interview.

10. 

    21 May 2025

    Beyond the Hero Sale: Building Million-Dollar Relationships in a Metric-Obsessed SaaS World with Gus Byleveld, Journey Apps

    What if hitting your first million isn’t just about the numbers — but about the people behind them? In this episode of Humans Behind the Metrics, Charlene Ormo chats with Gus Byleveld, Chief Revenue Officer at JourneyApps, to explore the often-overlooked human side of reaching $1M in sales. Instead of focusing on sales tactics and funnels, they talk about what really drives growth — understanding your buyers, building real relationships, and meeting people where they are. Gus shares how empathy, self-awareness, and honest reflection create a strong foundation for a business that lasts. This isn’t your usual sales conversation. Gus opens up about what it’s like to lead with heart in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of tech — and why a human-centered approach matters more than ever in a cutthroat industry. If you’re a founder or leader who believes that behind every metric is a story — this one’s for you. Let’s dive in. Meet Gus Byleveld – In 5 Fun Facts From Blueprints to Business Deals. Gus didn’t start in sales — he actually began his career in architecture! But curiosity (and a big leap of faith) led him into the world of tech, where he’s now the Chief Revenue Officer at JourneyApps. South Africa to the U.S. Born and raised in South Africa, Gus moved to the U.S. to test his skills in one of the most competitive markets in tech. Talk about growth mindset! “I Speak Funny” That’s Gus’s way of breaking the ice. His accent? He owns it — and uses it to spark conversations, build trust, and lighten the mood in high-stakes meetings. Big Problems, Clear Solutions. With 20+ years in enterprise software, Gus has a reputation for untangling complex business problems with calm, clarity, and confidence. People Over Process. For Gus, success isn’t just about the numbers. He believes in the power of real relationships and a human-centered approach — even in a cutthroat industry. “Meet clients and prospects where they're at. And be patient.” - Gus Byleveld Topics Covered [02:15] - From Blueprints to Breakthroughs: Gus’s Journey from Architecture to Tech Discover how Gus Byleveld made the leap from a career in architecture to the fast-paced world of technology—and how this pivot shaped the way he sees systems, strategy, and people. [05:35] - Moving to the U.S.: Challenges and Opportunities. Gain insights into Gus's decision to move to the U.S. and the challenges he faced in building a network from scratch. [09:40] - Why Solving Problems is the Heart of Business Development More than just a sales function, Gus shares how approaching business development as problem-solving deepens client relationships and creates meaningful, long-term impact. [21:55] - “Meet them where they are’: Earning Trust in High-Stakes Sales Gus breaks down how he builds trust and rapport with clients—and why emotional intelligence is just as critical as closing techniques in complex sales. [27:12 - The Hero Sale: When Founders Become the Face of the Deal Unpack the “hero sale” concept and how founders play a unique, irreplaceable role in early-stage growth and customer buy-in. [32:20] - Turning Data Into Direction Explore how Gus uses data—not just to track metrics, but to guide strategy, optimize performance, and stay aligned with what actually drives revenue. [45:09] - Scaling with...

11. 

    18 May 2025

    Human Side of Business Value with Karen Chalmers, InterVal

    What if the numbers you rely on are telling only half the story? In this powerful episode of Humans Behind the Metrics, Charlene Ormo sits down with Karen Chalmers of interVal to uncover the overlooked human side of business valuation. Going beyond the numbers, they uncover the vital human elements – your story, your people, and your mission – demonstrating how these create a more holistic picture of true business worth that traditional metrics alone cannot provide. This isn't just another conversation about business. It's a profound reframing of how founders and businesses—at every stage—can recognize their true worth through a more human, intentional, and empathetic lens. Discover what your dashboards aren't telling you about the real value of what you've built. Let’s dive in. Meet Karen Chalmer – In 5 Fun Facts From Film Sets to Financial Tech Karen’s career path isn’t a straight line — it’s a creative “jungle gym” of filmmaking, graphic design, and marketing. This eclectic background fuels her genius for storytelling and gives her a unique lens on business that numbers alone can’t explain. VP with a Mission As the Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at interVal, Karen helps small business owners understand the true value of their business — not just the numbers, but the story behind them. Advocate for Early Valuation Karen is driven by one powerful belief: business owners deserve to know their worth before it's too late. Her work focuses on proactive valuation — empowering leaders with clarity, confidence, and the ability to plan ahead. ‘Your Story Matters.’ For Karen, stories aren’t fluff — they’re the heartbeat of every business. She helps founders uncover their narrative, shape it with purpose, and use it to connect, lead, and grow. Joy in the Journey What fuels Karen? Joy, meaning, and alignment. She believes success is found not just in revenue, but in creating work that feels right — where people, purpose, and performance all come together. “We have to give ourselves grace for who we were before and what happened before, moving through it, getting into who we are becoming.” - Karen Chalmers Topics Covered [02:35] - Who is Karen: Her Identity as a Storyteller. Dive into Karen's core identity as a storyteller and discover how this perspective not only shapes her personal journey but also influences her professional journey. [04:08] - Karen's Unique Career Path: A Journey of Adaptability and Growth. Explore Karen's non-linear career journey, highlighting her diverse experiences in filmmaking, graphic design, and marketing, and learn how adaptability and resilience has been key to her career. [07:25] - Navigating Change: The Power of Resilience and Pivots in Career. Gain insights into the importance of resilience and learn effective strategies for navigating career changes, as Karen shares her personal experiences of overcoming challenges. [10:43] - Finding Your Way: Clarity, Inner Peace, and Grace in Transition. Understand how Karen navigated her journey to uncover her next steps in both life and career, focusing on the themes of clarity, inner peace, and grace during times of transition. [15:56] - Discovering Karen's "Why": Business, Purpose, and Joy. Learn about Karen's mission to empower business owners and consultants through Interval, and discover what truly brings her joy in both her professional and...

12. 

    5 May 2025

    Welcome to Humans Behind the Metrics: Why This Podcast Exists

    Are you tired of the same old metrics-driven conversations in the SaaS world? What if I told you that behind every number, there's a story waiting to be told? Hosted by Charlene Ormo, SaaS Growth Architect and founder of LEADX Media, this podcast goes beyond the surface of dashboards, acquisition targets, and CAC reductions. It’s a space created to bring heart back into business conversations and highlight the people behind the metrics. The very first episode of Humans Behind the Metrics sets the tone for what’s to come — a raw, unfiltered exploration of the human side of SaaS growth. “(on Humans Behind the Metrics)This is not a how-to podcast. This is a ‘how-it-really-feels’ podcast.” - Charlene Ormo Why Humans Behind the Metrics Exist? While the SaaS world is filled with content promising funnel hacks and revenue secrets, Humans Behind the Metrics aims to fill a different gap: the human one. After years in boardrooms and marketing war rooms, Charlene kept asking a question many founders and marketers quietly wonder: “Where’s the human in all this?” That question sparked the birth of this podcast. The Soul of the Show This isn’t just another growth playbook. Humans Behind the Metrics podcast pulls back the curtain on SaaS success, revealing the doubts, pivots, burnout, reinventions, and breakthroughs that often go untold. At its core, the show explores the tension between performance and presence, shining a light on the inner work that fuels outer results. Listeners will hear from SaaS leaders, marketers, founders, operators, and even voices outside the industry — because real growth stories don’t live in tidy silos. Expect conversations that touch on family life, hobbies, legacy, burnout, and purpose. What Listeners Can Expect Here’s what makes Humans Behind the Metrics stand out: Raw, unscripted conversations Stories of scaling, burnout, self-doubt, and transformation Reflections and insights pulled straight from the trenches Episodes that embrace both structure and beautiful messiness A steady reminder: you are not alone in this journey A Personal Perspective Charlene has been in marketing since the age of 17, helping companies scale fast — sometimes too fast. Along the way, she’s learned that hitting metrics and achieving massive growth can still leave founders and teams feeling unfulfilled. This podcast is a call to remember that behind every metric, there’s a human story — one worth telling. So for anyone who’s ever wondered, “Is this all there is?” or “Am I the only one feeling this way?” — this podcast offers connection, perspective, and reassurance. Ways to connect with Charlene Ormo Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneormo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneormo) To learn more about LEADX Media visit https://www.leadxmedia.co/ (https://www.leadxmedia.co/)

13. 

    30 Apr 2025

    Trailer: Humans Behind the Metrics

    Behind every scalable metric…is a human story no dashboard can tell. This is Humans Behind The Metrics. I’m Charlene Ormo — SaaS Growth Architect, founder of LEADX Media (the company behind this podcast), and your host. This podcast is where we pull back the curtain on SaaS growth — not through polished case studies or fancy funnel breakdowns (although we will have those too)… but through the real, raw stories of the people behind it all. The missed targets. The late-night pivots. The identity shifts. The moments that nearly broke them — and the ones that rebuilt them. If you’ve ever looked at the numbers and thought, “There’s more to this than just strategy” — you’re right. This is where the humans behind those metrics get seen, heard, and understood. Welcome to the show. Ways to connect with Charlene Ormo Linkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneormo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneormo) To learn more about LEADX Media visit https://www.leadxmedia.co/ (https://www.leadxmedia.co/)

Who has been a guest on Humans Behind the Metrics

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Quinn Palmer
• Hurriyeh Iftikhar
• Brent Brooks
• Charles Stucki
• Max Trudel

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

50

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Humans Behind the Metrics

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.