Podcasts about Big Four

Andy Burnham has continued to announce his new cabinet: John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary and Shabana Mahmood remains in the Home Office. Now ten of Starmer's most trusted ministers have either been sacked or quit. What could come of Angela Rayner? And what could be the consequences of having some of the most powerful people in Labour on the backbenches? Natasha Feroze speaks to Noa Hoffman & James Heale. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Hunzicker is a CPA, entrepreneur, and founder of DOPE CFO, a leading training and advisory platform that helps accountants and entrepreneurs specialize in high-growth industries like cannabis, CBD, and hemp. With over 30 years of experience in accounting, tax, and executive leadership, Andrew has built and advised multiple multi-million-dollar businesses. A former Big Four professional and recipient of the Gold Medal Award for the highest CPA exam score, Andrew is widely recognized for his expertise in financial strategy, capital access, and scaling businesses through niche specialization. Through DOPE CFO, he has helped professionals transition into high-value advisory roles while empowering business owners to increase profitability, improve financial systems, and position themselves for long-term growth and successful exits. During the show we discuss: Why revenue doesn't equal profit and how focusing on the wrong numbers can destroy your business The key financial metrics entrepreneurs overlook that actually determine success and scalability How understanding your financials improves your ability to get funding and access capital Why most business owners operate "blind" financially—and how to fix it How to use financial data to make smarter growth decisions instead of guessing The connection between financial strategy and long-term wealth building Why proactive financial planning beats reactive accounting every time How to build a business that's profitable, fundable, and sustainable Resources: https://dopecfo.com/

Богатые люди думают о налогах не в апреле, а летом: готовить сани надо заранее, в декабре экономить уже поздно. В этом выпуске CPA и налоговый директор Тимур Князев объясняет, как иммигранту в США перестать переплачивать государству и превратить декларацию из головной боли в инструмент для жизни.Разбираем, чем W2 отличается от 1099 и почему контракт это на самом деле бизнес, что можно и что нельзя списывать, как работают акции от работодателя (RSU, вестинг, sell to cover) и крипта, что происходит с налогами при переезде между штатами и на удаленке. Отдельно - самая горячая тема для новичков: зарубежные счета, иностранные компании и ИП, наследство и подарки из-за границы, и какие штрафы за это грозят (спойлер: очень большие). Если вы недавно в США, работаете на W2 или 1099, получаете акции или у вас остались активы на родине - этот выпуск сэкономит вам деньги и нервы.О чем поговорили:Путь Тимура: от хедхантера в Москве до налогового директора в бигтехеПочему налоги надо планировать летом, а не в апрелеW2 против 1099: почему контракт это бизнесЧто реально можно списать, а что нельзяАкции от работодателя: вестинг, продажа, capital gains и частые ошибкиКрипта в декларации: что отслеживает налоговая в 2026Налоги при переезде между штатами и на удаленкеЗарубежные счета, компании, ИП: FBAR, CFC, GILTI и штрафыНаследство и подарки из-за границы: форма 3520Может ли AI помочь с налогами3 совета тем, кто хочет навести порядок в налогахГость выпускаTimur Knyazev (Тимур Князев) - CPA и налоговый директор в AI-компании o9, выпускник Большой Четверки (Ernst & Young и PwC). Автор книги US Tax Reform for Hipsters, ментор стартапов и налоговый советник для основателей.LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/timurk/Сайт - www.timur.taxКнига - www.hipstertax.comНалоговый бутик - www.tk.cpa***Карьерная консультация (резюме, LinkedIn, стратегия, поиск работы в США) - https://annanaumova.comКоучинг (синдром самозванца, прокрастинация, страхи) - ссылкаТелеграм - https://t.me/prodcastUSAИнстаграм - https://www.instagram.com/prodcast.usТикТок - https://www.tiktok.com/@us.job⏰ Timecodes ⏰00:00 Интро00:43 Зачем думать о налогах уже летом05:29 От рекрутинга до Big Four в США18:34 Разница между W2 и контрактом 109919:54 Плюсы и страхи работы на контракте23:23 Почему летнее планирование спасает от переплат27:49 История Анны: цена налоговой ошибки30:25 Ловушка Obamacare и форма 1095A32:14 Какие расходы списывают на W235:31 Как законно списывать расходы на 109936:17 Как задекларировать домашний офис41:59 Как устроен налоговый аудит в США46:30 Налоги в США и доходы в СНГ48:11 Как налоговая узнает про счета за рубежом50:05 Чем опасны иностранные компании и КИК53:57 Отчет по зарубежным счетам через FBAR56:12 Что делать, если забыли заявить о счетах59:03 Как облагаются подарки и наследство01:00:46 Крупные переводы из-за рубежа и форма 352001:01:44 Налоги на зарубежное имущество01:08:15 Налоги на RSU и акции в IT01:13:27 Как декларировать криптовалюту01:18:15 Налоги при смене штата и на удаленке01:21:32 Главный принцип: суть важнее формы01:25:28 Опыт работы в Anthropic01:31:04 Заменит ли AI бухгалтера01:34:01 Налоги для основателей стартапов01:36:59 Три совета от налогового CPA01:42:22 Итоги и финальные рекомендации

We'll walk you through the three pillars of a thriving specialized cannabis CFO practice, and show you exactly how DOPE CFO gets you serving cannabis operators at the highest level, faster.---In this video, Andrew Hunzicker, CPA and founder of DOPE CFO, breaks down the strategic shift that separates a bookkeeper or generalist accountant from a specialized fractional CFO commanding premium retainers. You'll learn why bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and audit are racing toward zero under AI, and how to reposition your accounting practice around forward-looking value work like tax planning, cash flow forecasting, strategic advisory, and CFO-level services. Andrew walks through the path from generalist bookkeeper to specialized cannabis CFO, the five-part playbook for building a six-figure advisory firm with three to five high-paying clients, and how the recent federal cannabis rescheduling to Schedule III opens the biggest window for accountants in decades.Andrew has trained thousands of accountants over the last eight years, both through DOPE CFO and at national firms. He helps plan and lead the AICPA Cannabis Conference every year and started his career at a Big Four firm.Andrew covers:- Why bookkeeping, tax prep, payroll, and audit are all racing to zero (PwC says end-to-end AI audit by the end of this year)- The exact split between cost work and value work, and why clients happily pay premium fees for the second- Why tax planning is easier than tax prep, and puts real money back in a client's pocket- The "number two to the CEO" positioning that AICPA finally co-opted, and how it changes what you charge- The 15th-to-18th monthly cadence Andrew runs for every client, and what fills the second half of the month- The five-part path from generalist to specialist, and why cannabis and hemp check every box right nowThis is what a real specialized CFO practice looks like when the pricing model actually reflects the value delivered.

Most people assume a successful career in finance starts with the "right" degree.Lindsey Stewart's started behind the counter at McDonald's.At 18, he made the decision to skip university, avoid student debt, and learn by doing. Years later, that path led him to Morningstar, where he now helps some of the world's largest institutional investors turn complex data into better decisions.In this episode, Lindsey and Stacy discuss: Lindsey's backstory – from an investor relations firm to a Big Four acquisition to MorningstarWhy he put McDonald's back on his LinkedIn profile after years of leaving it offWhat nearly broke him about the CFA exam, and what finally helped him passThe bias he sees across the finance industry (and why it may be holding talented people back)Why "sounding smart" and being understood are not the same thingMore About Lindsey Stewart:Lindsey Stewart, CFA, is Director of Institutional Insights at Morningstar, where he leads content and outreach for institutional investors. His 25-year career spans investor engagement, financial regulation, and communications at firms including KPMG and the UK Financial Reporting Council. He is a Chartered Management Accountant and holds the CFA designation, and was a Senior Leader Finalist at the 2021 Black British Business Awards. ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn't be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus

Dan takes over this landmark episode and leads Justin through their Big Four topics: Auburn football, basketball, music and movies. Specifically, the topics are:* forecasting the chances that Auburn's football team overachieves this season* analyzing the weaknesses of Auburn's newly renovated men's basketball roster* The Guys recommend each other some bands/artists from outside their respective comfort zones* a shockingly popular 90s film on Letterboxd * a whole lot more!If you're receiving this free podcast episode and would like to upgrade to a paid subscription that gives you access to all stories and premium podcast episodes, subscribe using the button below or clicking this link.Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) on Twitter. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.auburnobserver.com/subscribe

The previous post covered my grades on how the strength of today’s four largest college athletic conferences compare with their previous versions twenty years ago in 2006. Here's a brief recap. In my estimation, only the SEC (which expanded from 12 to 16 teams over that 20 year period) has shown an upgrade in competition levels since 2006.  I awarded the SEC a “B” grade. The Big 12 (which lost four of its prominent members to the SEC) received a C+ for their nimble addition of several relevant regional sports schools. A “D” grade was handed down to the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Their nonsensical addition of West Coast newcomers Cal (Berkeley) and Stanford in 2024 crashed the ACC's overall score. Speaking of lousy grades, I awarded a D- to the Big Ten Conference as its recently-annexed properties have resulted in a BIG thud.  From the east (Maryland and Rutgers) to the west (Nebraska, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington), the Big Ten’s new coast-to-coast configuration has failed to improve this conference for either sports fans or student/athletes. How have the five mid-major conferences fared with recent expansion issues? These other conferences (nicknamed the “Group of Five”) can be quite entertaining but rarely win national championships.  They must compete against the “Big Four” major conferences featuring the wealthiest college sports programs. American Athletic Conference (AAC) The AAC has only been around since the year 2013.  There were 10 initial AAC members and now 14 in 2026. Only Memphis, South Florida, and Temple remain from 2013.  The ACC raided Conference USA to obtain several of its new members. Army and Navy – What's not to like about these two additions?  They bring the focus of the entire college football world to their annual game played in early December.  Grades – A Charlotte – The 49ers have been perpetual cellar dwellers in most sports.  Charlotte, North Carolina sports fans are more likely to follow UNC, Duke, and Clemson.  Yawn.  Grade – D- East Carolina – The Pirates have made the NCAA baseball playoffs ten times since 2013 and have occasionally contended for the AAC title in football.  A hearty fan base makes ECU a fun place to watch sports.  Grade – B Florida Atlantic – A member of the AAC since 2023, this school is best known for its men's basketball team and having a great beach nearby.  Sadly, most local sports fans don’t give a hoot about the FAU Owls yet.  Grade – C- North Texas – The Mean Green had a brilliant 12-2 football season in 2025 in the school's third year as part of the AAC.  The other sports are lagging behind.  Grade – C Rice – Another third year AAC member, the Houston-based Owls have been an athletics flop in their new conference.  Grade – D Tulane – Green Wave football program has rejuvenated Tulane athletics down in the Crescent City.  Unfortunately, the remainder of the school’s sports teams rarely lead the AAC.  Grade – C Tulsa – Golden Hurricane football and men's basketball programs have been on the decline in the past decade.  That's a shame, because Tulsa fans desperately want to get behind the city’s lone major college athletics team.  Grade – C- UAB – Try as I might, I'm having trouble remembering any recent sports successes for the Blazers.  Grade – D- UTSA – Like Tulsa, the Roadrunners have the entire San Antonio market ready for their athletics programs to take off.  Other than some recent success in football, UTSA sports still appear to be taking a siesta.  Grade – C- AAC overall grade for expansion: C- Conference USA (C-USA) I am not going to provide individual grades to Conference USA member schools.  It is not their fault that C-USA management has done such a lousy job of keeping this conference together and relevant in major college sports. The conference has seen a 100% turnover in the past 20 years. Schools being added have generally been former FCS top teams such as Delaware, Sam Houston, and Jacksonville (AL) State. Things have declined so badly in Conference USA (“How badly have they declined?”) that longtime member Louisiana Tech recently agreed to pay a reported $8 million to buy its way out of C-USA.  The Bulldogs’ jubilant athletic department and fans are rejoining the Sun Belt Conference this fall.  Louisiana Tech will save more than $1 million annually in travel costs formerly required to travel to schools within the far-flung Conference USA. Longtime C-USA holdovers Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State deserve a better fate.  Save your money and call the Sun Belt in a couple of years! C-USA overall grade for expansion –  F- Mid-American Conference (MAC) In contrast to Conference USA, the MAC has remained remarkably stable for the past 20 years. Eleven of the dozen MAC members in 2006 remain a part of the conference today.  Northern Illinois (which had been part of the MAC for 30 years) is leaving this fall to become part of the Mountain West Conference. In a couple of curious moves, the Mid-American Conference has added two new members recently. UMass – The 2025 addition of the University of Massachusetts (which is at least in regional proximity to longtime MAC member Buffalo) was rather questionable.  Athletic success at Umass has been nearly invisible over the past decade.  After just one year in the MAC, the Minutemen have been a net negative in sports for the Mid-American Conference.  Grade: D- Sacramento State – Seriously?  Yes, the Mid-American Conference will add this longtime FCS member from California to its football schedules this fall.  Sacramento (the #20 TV market) is 2,500 miles from the middle of Ohio. The Hornets will be a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference.  For the usually stable MAC, this is a rather bizarre expansion move.  Grade: F MAC overall grade for expansion:  D- Mountain West Conference (Mountain West) The Mountain West has survived a few departure tremors in recent years.  Of the nine Mountain West members 20 years ago, only Air Force, New Mexico, UNLV, and Wyoming remain.  Let’s review the teams which have come aboard since 2006. Hawaii – The Rainbow Warriors (2012) have posted winning football records in just four of their 14 seasons in the Mountain West.  The other athletic squads are nearly invisible in the post-season tournaments.  Hawaii remains a dream road trip destination for visiting teams and their fans, though.  Grade: C- Nevada – At least the men’s basketball team has appeared in the NCAA March Madness event five times over the past nine seasons.  Otherwise, fans of the Nevada Wolfpack (which joined the Mountain West in 2012) haven’t had much to howl about lately.  Grade: C- North Dakota State – This former FCS division powerhouse football program is stepping-up to play against the big boys beginning this fall.  The move is for football only. The Bison are a terrific geographic fit for the Mountain West Conference, too.  This makes sense.  Grade: A Northern Illinois – The Huskies will join the Mountain West this fall after 30 years in the Mid-American Conference.  Northern Illinois’ sports resume has weakened in recent years.  Other than bringing the #3 TV market (Chicago) to the Mountain West, this move makes little sense.  Grade: D San Jose State – The Spartans (members since 2013) have appeared in four bowl games over the past decade.  On the other hand, the men’s basketball team has won just 33% of its conference games over the past 13 years.  Grade: C- UTEP – This longtime Conference USA member joins the Mountain West this fall.  UTEP’s football team has been downright awful in recent years.  Despite a sports slump, UTEP bring strong fan support from the El Paso area.  They should be a fine geographic fit for the Mountain West.  Grade: C Mountain West overall grade for expansion:  C Sun Belt Conference (Sun Belt) The Sun Belt has been nicknamed the “Junior SEC”.  This conference has grown from 10 members in 2006 to 14 today. Only Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, South Alabama, Troy, and UL-Monroe remain from 2006. Appalachian State – The Mountaineers (members since 2014) have been a top football contender in the Sun Belt.  Their enthusiastic fans make road trips to Boone, North Carolina a fun stop.  Grade: B Coastal Carolina – Speaking of fun stops, how about a visit to Myrtle Beach to play Coastal Carolina?  The 2017 Sun Belt addition of the Chanticleers has been a terrific addition for the conference.  Coastal’s football team has played in six straight bowl games.  The baseball team won the men’s College World Series in 2016.  Grade: A Georgia Southern – Would it surprise you to learn that the Golden Eagles from Statesboro, Georgia have played in seven bowl games over the past eight seasons?  The other sports programs at Georgia Southern need to step it up.  Grade: B Georgia State – The 2013 addition of the Panthers from Atlanta has not added a lot of sports notoriety.  However, the men’s basketball program has earned four invitations to March Madness in the past 11 seasons.  Grade: C Louisiana Tech – The Bulldogs paid dearly ($8 million) to escape Conference USA beginning this fall.  Louisiana Tech brings several highly competitive sports teams. They are a perfect geographic addition to the Sun Belt Conference Western division.  Grade: A Marshall – This begins Marshall’s fourth year in the Sun Belt Conference.  The Thundering Herd has been a top football competitor and competes well in other major sports.  Grade: B Old Dominion – ODU came into the Sun Belt in 2022.  The Monarchs from Norfolk, VA posted a nifty 10-3 football record in 2025.  Old Dominion has been relatively quiet in its other sports, though.  Grade: C Southern Miss – The Golden Eagles (Sun Belt members since 2022) have been a dominant team in recent NCAA college baseball post-season tournaments.  Last season’s 2025 football team improved from a miserable 1-11 record in 2024 to a hopeful 7-6 mark.  Grade: B Sun Belt overall grade for expansion:  B+ Bonus Conference!  The newly revived Pac-12 Conference “states” its case in 2026 The most prominent names of the long-time Pac-12 Conference bolted for better TV money into the Big Ten and ACC in 2024.  That left holdovers Oregon State and Washington State “homeless”.  The Beavers and Cougars have bagged a few top teams from the Mountain West Conference to help them rebuild the Pac-12 starting this fall. Boise State is the biggest name coming to the new Pac-12.  The Broncos have fielded a nationally ranked football program several times in the past few decades. Other Mountain West migrants include Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Washington State. Texas State (formerly of the Sun Belt Conference) will also join the Pac-12 this fall. In case you didn’t notice, each of the eight new Pac-12 schools has the last name of “State”! Summary Only the Sun Belt Conference has earned a positive score (B+) from SwampSwami among the “Group of Five” mid-major conferences. The Sun Belt is the only major college athletic conference opting to maintain two divisions (East and West) to minimize travel expenses for its member schools and lessen the travel impact on their student/athletes.  Bravo! The post Grading the Mid-Major Conference expansions – Part 2 appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

Jason discusses the bizarre story to come out of NBA Summer League involving a fist fight between former Miami Heat teammates Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, the early returns on the Big Four of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, how his AI model has helped him make big money betting on all the World Cup action, why he’s picking Spain to upset France in the semi-finals, the controversial red card the favored Argentina in their win over Switzerland, and much more! #OddCouple Follow Jason on Twitter and Instagram. Click here to subscribe, rate and review all of the latest Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Ahammer, stellvertretender Senior Partner bei KPMG Österreich, ist seit über 30 Jahren im Unternehmen und kennt die Beratung wie kaum ein anderer. Er begleitet Konzerne, Familienunternehmen und Energieversorger – und erlebt hautnah, wie KI das Geschäftsmodell der Big Four verändert. Warum künftig weniger Juniors gebraucht werden und Urteilsfähigkeit wichtiger wird als je zuvor, hörst du in dieser Folge. Host Johannes Pracher spricht mit Michael Ahammer über Karriere, Transformation und Entscheidungen unter Druck. Wie man bei KPMG wirklich Partner wird – und warum es ein Marathon ist Welche Kennzahlen sofort zeigen, ob ein Unternehmen gesund ist Wie KI die Beratungsbranche und Karrierewege verändert Warum am Ende oft Soft Facts über Millionen-Investments entscheiden Mehr dazu: kpmg.com

This week the fellas delve back into the realm of THE BIG FOUR, with Anthrax's 1990 album Persistence of Time.

“No sink or nothing, right? You're just gonna go free ball it…”   1989 was the very first year EVER that The Recording Academy recognized hard rock and metal music with the “Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental”. And other than the completely insulting “slap in the face” by The Recording Academy to Metallica (think Will Smith & Chris Rock, but even more childish, petty, and completely unnecessary), there were no other Big Four albums or happenings in 1989.   (SIDEBAR: Y'know, maybe it's just speculation, conspiracy theory, or just good old-fashioned karma in action, but the way Metallica “lost” that Grammy, it's like they were literally “deleted from the mix” of nominees, so to speak. Not unlike a certain bass player from a certain mix on a certain album. Moving on…)   “Just gonna raw dog it…”   As we are all aware, metal (especially thrash) is far more than just The Big Four, and 1989 was actually quite an excellent year for metal. As thrash was nearing the zenith of its popularity, Wrathchild America's debut album, Climbin' The Walls, hit the record store shelves, Exodus, Testament, and Sepultura each released legendary 3rd albums, and Nuclear Assault released the first, the best, and arguably one of the most revolutionary lyric videos in the history of music for Critical Mass, featuring a one-eyed smiley face saying, “Follow me!” and a “Required Nasty Bit”, courtesy of Jessica Hahn.   “What is YOUR favorite album of 1989?”   Prepare yourself for a bit of obscure Metal Nerdery 1989-centric trivia, embrace what it means to receive your “first JOB”, and find out what you should definitely NOT do in your landlord's pool when you JOIN US as we fire up the time machine and go check out THE CLASS OF 1989. Visit www.metalnerdery.com/podcast for more on this episode Help Support Metal Nerdery https://www.patreon.com/metalnerderypodcast Leave us a Voicemail to be played on a future episode: 980-666-8182 Metal Nerdery Tees and Hoodies – metalnerdery.com/merch and kindly leave us a review and/or rating on your favorite Podcast app Follow us on the Socials: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok Email: metalnerdery@gmail.com Can't be LOUD Enough Playlist on Spotify Metal Nerdery Munchies on YouTube @metalnerderypodcast Show Notes: (00:01): “Aww, mark the time!”/ “I might have got the end of it…hopefully it'll be enough…”/ “No sink or nothing, right? You're just gonna go free ball it…just gonna raw dog it!”/  “Do you have a problem using coasters?”/ #LakeVonMatthew / “Welcome to Lake Matthew…it's deep and it's wet…”/ “All the good buttons are gonna be Russell…”/ #markthetime / “Raw dog it…balls deep…”/ ***WARNING: #listenerdiscretionisadvised *** / “Sorry I made the table wet…” / “Turn it off now…”/ “So much yelling…that sounds like a great time…”/ ***WELCOME BACK TO THE METAL NERDERY PODCAST AND THE BUNKERPOON METAL CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE!!!*** / “It's deep and wet…and moist.”/  #bluealgae / “You can, but it's probably gonna ruin your day…Toxic Avenger style…”/ “Guys will do that? Or you'll do that?” (04:50): ***PATREON US at patreon.com/metalnerderypodcast *** / “We're not Winger over here…”/ “I think they're dangerous when they get to be that age…”/ “If you eat one more steak, it's gonna kill you…”/ “Is it the steak that's gonna kill you though? Maybe…or the steak's parents…”/ ***SOCIAL MEDIA US at #metalnerderypodcast on #Facebook #YouTube #Instagram and #TikTok / EMAIL US at metalnerdery@gmail.com and GIVE US A CALL AND VOICEMAIL US AT 980-666-8182!!!*** (07:55): “Boys…Fellas…Hey Guys!”/ #TheDocket METAL NERDERY PODCAST PRESENTS:  THE CLASS OF 1989 / “It was sort of the introduction to death metal…thrash was becoming more extreme…”/ “You don't even have to sell it…it sells itself.”/ “1989 is a special memory for me…that was when I first got my first job…and on the day I went to do my interview for the first job, I also got my first ‘JOB'!”/ “He's talking about a beej…”/ #tremendous / “I got it while I was driving a car…I'm like “WHOA! I've gotta pull off the road…”/ “It's like a buffet of metal…”/ “No Big Four releases during 1989…” (12:43): “That's the one place where it's appropriate to say ‘Fabulous'…”/  #Exodus FABULOUS DISASTER (Fabulous Disaster – 1989) / #useyourheadphones #cantbeloudenough / “That's a weird timing too…”/ “Zetro had this Udo, Brian Johnson, and a little bit of Bon all slammed together…”/ #ballstothewall / “That's why thrash metal is the Olympics of music…”/ “Give credit to Slayer…give credit to Exodus…”/ “Kirk Hammett leaving Exodus may have been the best thing to ever happen to Exodus…”/ “I've got a good suggestion…I just wanted to hear a taste of Envy Life where Chuck Billy does the ‘death thing' (death metal vocal growl) …” (19:37): #Testament ENVY LIFE (Practice What You Preach – 1989) / “That's kinda heavy and creepy at the same time…”/ “Get ready for the heavy harmonies…”/ “I swear…if you listen to this and you listen to their new album…it's a completely different band…”/  “If he would have said ‘yeah-yeah' a few times…”/ “You mentioned earlier ‘Headless Children'…did y'all ever get into the W.A.S.P.?”/ “The cover (the Headless Children album cover) looks kinda like Reign In Blood…”/ “Headless Children was released March 21, 1989 on Capitol Records”/ #WASP MEAN MAN (The Headless Children – 1989) / “Remember the interview with Chris Holmes in the pool?” / #fame / “Wouldn't it be weird if you put on KISS makeup to be able to go out in public and be yourself?” (26:30): “How about some Metal Church?” / “I think Metal Church is just a metal band…they can do anything.”/ #MetalChurch BADLANDS (Blessing In Disguise – 1989) / “They don't have any problem picking excellent singers…”/ “That's a dismount right there…stuck the landing…ten out of ten…”/ #notenoughriffs / #MCTentacleChoice /  “When Bill's tentacles come out, things happen (they do)…and the universe is impacted positively (it is), and we thank you (we do)…”/ “Those tentacles are magic…he's only got two of them…and he's got five mini-tentacles attached to his two main tentacles…”/ “We've never really talked about them…”/ ***You can find the show notes at metalnerdery.com/episodes *** / #Obituary SLOWLY WE ROT (Slowly We Rot – 1989) / “It's like a more death-y sounding Death…”   (33:21): “You know what else is '89…Sepultura…”/ Back in the day, many considered Sepultura's Beneath The Remains to be “the next Master of Puppets” in terms of thrash greatness / #Sepultura BENEATH THE REMAINS (Beneath The Remains – 1989) / “I almost thought you said ‘a little bit of diarrhea'…”/ “Don't shit in your landlord's pool…or their mouth…”/ “Fun Metal Nerdery fact…we did an episode for Beneath The Remains…way back…with the Mighty Mixon…”/ “Speaking of Mixon…”/ “Look at all the #cokelines (for Blood Feast)…”/ #thrashy / #BloodFeast CHOPPING BLOCK BLUES (Chopping Block Blues – 1989) / “I'll bet their rehearsals were a bitch…”   (39:46): “How about a little bit of Overkill?”/ “I got an inverse erection…it actually creeped up inside my body…”/ #Overkill TIME TO KILL (The Years Of Decay – 1989) / “That's what we're doing really…we're all just killing time…while we're here…”/ “That little dash in there…that's all your time to kill…”/ #NuclearAssault CRITICAL MASS (Handle With Care – 1989) / “OH listen to that! It's just dirty…”/ “They always had the best shirts…you'd see a Nuclear Assault shirt and you're like ‘that's cool…that's metal…'”/ #Kreator EXTREME AGGRESSION (Extreme Aggression – 1989) / “Look at the (Extreme Aggression) album cover…(Kreator are) radiating hatred off of their heads…”   (47:06): “We would be remiss to not include The King…Conspiracy is the sequel to “Them”…”/ #ThemPartTwo / #KingDiamond SLEEPLESS NIGHTS (Conspiracy – 1989) / “That sounds like Zakk Wylde…is this an Ozzy song?”/ “Here's another one…”/  #Ministry SO WHAT (The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste – 1989) / #IndustrialMetal /  “Russell Stover's…or Whitman's…or Wittler's…”/ “Respect…”/ “Wait, what is that?”/  #rebellion / “You know what? Just for fun…”/ “You've been groomed for this…”/ #BlackSabbath WHEN DEATH CALLS (Headless Cross – 1989) /  “It's got a nice creepy intro…that's bass by the way…”/ “This has the sound of something… (NOTE: the intro to When Death Calls sounds somewhat similar to Planet Caravan)”/ “Keep your pants on…”/ “It's like Dio Sabbath kinda…in a way…”/ “See? The Tony Martin era didn't hurt you…”/ “What is YOUR favorite album of 1989?”/ “For those of you wondering…it still didn't touch '86.”/ THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!!! /  #untilthenext #outroreel  

Are Singapore’s lawyers doing ok? The Legal Profession Sustainability Study, which was released on June 23, suggests that lawyers were leaving the profession because of toxic bosses, inflexible court timelines, punishing deadlines and the constant need to be available 24/7. These are just some of the grievances aired in the study, which had 31 in-depth interviews with former judges, legal academics and lawyers from diverse types of firms. There was also a survey done with 855 practising and former lawyers. What is the cost of becoming a lawyer in Singapore, and is it worth it any more? If these issues have been raised for more than 30 years, will this study change anything? In this episode, I speak with: • Zhang Yu Fu, a junior lawyer at Dentons Rodyk, who was called to the bar in April 2026 and took part in the study, and • Wong Yi, the General Counsel for construction company Lum Chang Holdings, and previously worked for one of Singapore’s Big Four law firms. He was also the chairman of the Young Lawyers Committee for The Law Society of Singapore from 2014 to 2019. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:23 A decades-old problem that hasn’t changed 4:50 “What’s so wrong with being a strawberry?”: Yu Fu 10:28 Trained through “sheer obedience” 15:08 How young lawyers navigate bad bosses 17:06 Any incentive for senior lawyers to change? 21:13 Generational gap between older and younger lawyers 28:34 Judge wants lawyers to drink from a straw 32:55 “Role models” for working through childbirth 34:44 No real consequences for workplace bullying 37:18 Why lawyers leaving the profession matters 40:40 “Why can’t we do better?”: Yu Fu Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://str.sg/8KNT Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh & Natasha Liew Executive producer: Danson Cheong Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptrfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI companies absorbed $259 billion in venture capital last year — 61% of every VC dollar on Earth — and three-quarters of it landed in the United States. So what happens to everyone else? Dr. Vivian Atud, PhD economist and international consultant, follows the money from Silicon Valley to Lagos, Accra, and Luanda — where a quiet revolution in pension funds, development finance, and venture debt is building something more durable than a funding boom: capital sovereignty. Featuring the Capital Sovereignty Stack™, a three-layer framework for nations, founders, and households — and the surprising way it maps onto Ownership Friday. Evidence sources: OECD, Bloomberg, AVCA, Partech, Reuters, StartupBlink.AI investment 2025, venture capital Africa, emerging markets, capital concentration, African startups, development finance, pension funds, venture debt, economic sovereignty, Ownership Friday, AI boom, global capital flows, Dr. Vivian Atud, The Clarity Mandate0:00 — Cold open: the $259 billion verdict1:10 — Act I: What the data actually says (OECD, AVCA, Partech)4:00 — Act II: Capital gravity — the quiet geopolitics7:30 — Act III: The inward turn — what Africa is building11:00 — Act IV: The Capital Sovereignty Stack™13:30 — The faith lens: the little-by-little economy14:20 — Close and mandate“Africa didn't lose its investors. It lost the assumption that global capital would always show up.”“Markets don't only price fundamentals. They price narratability.”“Dependency is a business model with a single point of failure.”“Nobody funds your future with more conviction than you do.”Bloomberg (May 28, 2026): “Africa Startups Turn Inward as US AI Boom Drains Venture Capital” — anchor report; local investors ~47% of commitments, US under 25%.OECD (Feb 2026): AI VC at $258.7B in 2025 = 61% of global VC; ~75% to US companies.AVCA: African equity funding $2.1B (−21% YoY); debt up sharply year over year.Partech 2025 Africa Tech VC Report: $4.1B combined equity + debt (+25%); record venture debt ≈ 41% of capital deployed.Reuters (Q3 2025): AI = 46% of global venture funding.StartupBlink: Angola +70.8%, Algeria +38.7%, Uganda +32.5% ecosystem growth; Big Four ≈ 72% of continental capital.Confidence note: figures cross-verified across five independent outlets reporting the same underlying OECD/AVCA/Partech datasets. AVCA and Partech use different methodologies (equity-only vs. combined equity + debt); the script flags this on-air to preserve institutional credibility.Keywords / TagsChapter MarkersSocial Pull-Quotes (short-form clips)Source Register (for show notes)

The ASX 200 fell 23 points as, once again, resources came under pressure. BHP fell 1.1%, RIO was hit hard following a broker downgrade, down 3.3%, and FMG also lost ground. Gold miners were weaker despite gold holding relatively steady. NST fell 0.9%, while EVN down 1.7%. Elsewhere, lithium and rare earth stocks also drifted lower, with S32 down 3.5%.Meanwhile, in the oil and gas sector, both WDS and STO rose, along with uranium stocks, following the deal with India announced by the Prime Minister. Banks drifted lower, with NAB the weakest of the Big Four, taking the Big Bank Basket down to $279.35 -0.1%). Insurers were mixed, as were financials, with ZIP falling 1.0%. The REIT sector also drifted lower, led by GMG down 0.9% and SGP off 3.7%, following yesterday's strong gains.Industrials and healthcare were slightly firmer. TLS recovered 1.2% after the outage issue, while both WOW and COL gained as investors sought out defensive names. Healthcare was also better, with CSL up 1.0%, although RMD slipped 2.8%.In the tech sector, XRO edged higher, although WTC eased slightly. Retail stocks also had a good session, with JBH up 0.3% and APE also rising 2.2%. Travel stocks eased as renewed US strikes in Iran pushed the oil price up 1.2%.In corporate news, SDF rose slightly as discussions continued on the takeover bid. FDC rocketed 12.3% higher after raising $400m in the largest IPO of the year, while LTR fell after securing gold price protection through forward selling to manage volatility.There was nothing of note on the local economic front, although we did see Chinese CPI and PPI data released today.Asian markets were mixed with the Nikkei 225 up 1.2%, the Hang Seng down 1%, and the CSI index up 0.6% European futures were  firmer.US futures were also better with the Dow up 50 and the Nasdaq up 162Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus Today provides clear, practical commentary for self-directed investors – covering markets, portfolios, education, and decision-making without the noise.If you'd like to go further:Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Today http://bit.ly/mt-trial-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – Managed ETF Portfolio A professionally managed portfolio run by Marcus Padley and the team, using ASX-listed ETFs with active market timing. http://bit.ly/mt20-podcastPrinciples – How We Think About Investing A short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips. http://bit.ly/mt-principles-podcast—Disclaimer This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.

What if one tax break could give your child a head start or hand them a pile of money at 18? Blake and David unpack the new Trump accounts, who should use them, and why advisors are split. They also dig into Australia's latest Big Four scandal, worsening IRS service, AI's growing role in tax and training, and what these shifts mean for accountants, firms, and clients.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayCanopy - http://accountingpodcast.promo/canopyThe Value Builder System - http://accountingpodcast.promo/valueCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(00:00) - TAP 495 (01:40) - Sponsor Break OnPay (03:11) - Trump Accounts Basics (04:39) - Risks Versus 529 Plans (08:46) - Roth Conversion Strategy (11:27) - Big Four Scandals Australia (15:02) - Sponsor Break Canopy (16:26) - Coca-Cola Transfer Pricing Fight (21:38) - IRS Data Sharing Mess (23:41) - Tax Season Report Card (26:25) - IRS Help Centers Secret Shop (28:31) - Sponsor Break Value Builder (29:47) - IRS Chatbots Gone Wrong (30:36) - IRS Chatbot Failures (31:37) - Nonprofit Enforcement Push (33:29) - Is Nonprofit Fraud Real (36:27) - Sponsor Cloud Staffing (37:46) - California Billionaire Tax (42:01) - Florida Property Tax Shakeup (45:56) - AI Changes Teamwork (49:12) - AI Automates CPE Reporting (52:17) - KPMG Tax Training Simulator (56:15) - Accounting Firms Robbed (57:10) - Wrap Up and CPE Plug  Show NotesWhy advisors do and don't recommend Trump accountshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/why-advisors-do-and-dont-recommend-trump-accountsThe Trump Accounts rollout is the biggest advisory opportunity most accountants are missinghttps://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/the-trump-accounts-rollout-is-the-biggest-advisory-opportunity-most-accountants-are-missingAustralia weighs break-up of Big Four accounting firms after scandalshttps://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/australia-weighs-breakup-of-big-four-accounting-firms-after-scandals-4769425EY staffer fired after allegedly accessing Prime Minister's bank accounthttps://www.cyberdaily.au/security/13847-ey-staffer-fired-after-allegedly-accessing-prime-minister-s-bank-accountCoca-Cola Meets Sympathetic Judges in $20 Billion IRS Casehttps://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/coca-cola-meets-sympathetic-judges-in-transfer-pricing-disputeTIGTA: IRS Has Data-Sharing Pacts with Over 1,120 Organizations, Some of Which It Can't Identifyhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/06/tigta-irs-has-data-sharing-pacts-with-over-1120-organizations-some-of-which-it-cant-identify/186216/National Taxpayer Advocate issues 2026 mid-year report to Congresshttps://www.irs.gov/newsroom/national-taxpayer-advocate-issues-2026-mid-year-report-to-congressIRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers provided wrong answers to tax questionshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-taxpayer-assistance-centers-provided-wrong-answers-to-tax-questionsIRS chatbot results may be wronghttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-chatbot-results-may-be-wrongIRS gives tax-exempt groups closer scrutinyhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-gives-tax-exempt-groups-closer-scrutiny2026 California billionaire tax initiativehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_California_billionaire_tax_initiativeSemantic schism: Ron DeSantis rebukes Wall Street Journal jab at 'progressive' property tax measurehttps://floridapolitics.com/archives/801396-desantis-wsj-progressive/KPMG Turns to AI Simulations to Replace Years of Repetitive Tax Training as Automation Reshapes White-Collar Workhttps://www.tekedia.com/kpmg-turns-to-ai-simulations-to-replace-years-of-repetitive-tax-training-as-automation-reshapes-white-collar-work/Three suspects sought after accounting firm robbery in Markhamhttps://www.cp24.com/news/2026/06/30/three-suspects-sought-after-accounting-firm-robbery-in-markham/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers...

The strongest-looking trees are sometimes the ones that fall first. Former Wall Street executive and author Kenyada Meadows joins Jennifer Dawn to talk about the Hollow Man syndrome: what it looks like when men appear solid on the outside while quietly falling apart inside, why it happens, and what it actually takes to rebuild from the roots up.This one is for the men who have been told their whole lives to keep it together, and for everyone who loves one.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and guest background 01:29 Kenyada's career journey from Big Four to Wall Street to executive coaching 03:03 Hollow Man Syndrome introduction and emotional intelligence in men 04:08 How boys are conditioned to suppress feelings 05:00 Men have permission to feel anger but not vulnerability 06:41 Acknowledging who we are and how we've been conditioned 07:06 The "nice guy or asshole" false binary 08:10 Setting boundaries is not being a doormat or a jerk 09:51 Changing the definition of "nice guy" 10:16 The hollow tree analogy 11:43 Warning signs men don't signal 13:12 How to help men embrace their emotional side 14:06 What it means to be a man, reframed 15:20 Vulnerability as a foundation of strength 16:16 Isolation and loneliness in men 17:00 Physical presence vs. emotional connection 18:04 Men's groups and intentional spaces for vulnerability 19:03 Being the first to be vulnerable opens the room 20:35 Not judging leaders who share vulnerability 21:32 Who are you pretending for? 22:32 Having an honest relationship with yourself 23:25 Kenyada's personal journey with self-awareness 25:16 Starting therapy and breaking the stigma 27:01 The lies we tell ourselves without knowing it 28:18 Working backwards from age 85 as a clarifying filter 29:18 "I choose truth" as a daily practice 30:01 Closing thoughts and listener takeaways 31:36 Kenyada's books and where to connectLinks and resources:Book a Connection Call: https://jenniferdawncoaching.com/schedule-call/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferdawn.coaching/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdawn/Kenyada Meadows:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenyadameadowscpaciacfehttps://www.executiveparentcompany.com/#HappyProductive #JenniferDawn #BusinessCoach #Entrepreneur #Delegation #Leadership #SmallBusiness #WomenInBusiness #FreedomBuilders #OperatorToOwner

Greek shipping companies have made at least $3.8bn transporting Russian oil over the past three years, Turkey wants its booming defence sector to arm Europe, and large institutional investors are committing billions of dollars to private credit funds. Plus, the Big 4 consulting firms are struggling with their credibility in Australia after a series of scandals.Mentioned in this podcast:Greek shipping companies made almost $4bn shipping Russian oil in past three yearsErdoğan rival shuttled between trials as Nato meets in TurkeyTurkey's defence industry is booming. Europe is in its sightsBig investors commit billions to private credit despite turmoil‘The brakes failed and they've crashed the car': how the Big Four's wheels fell off Down UnderWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Kelly Garry and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT's global head of audio. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Do you know how to use a sword?" "Yes. The pointy end goes into the other man." While that exchange from the Old Zorro to the Young Zorro in a movie sounds funny, it's part of David Baker's everyday life. The bladesmith is in the middle of shooting his newest show, "Baker's Blades," for distribution on YouTube. He's getting from here to there for each episode thanks to his motorcycle, and we dig into all of it. The news touches on BMW, TVS, Ducati and each of Japan's Big Four motorcycle manufacturers. Chasing the Horizon is brought to you by Wunderlich America and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. Get all the links for our guest and the news on the show notes page on chasingthehorizon.us.

After a decade in Big Four audit and private equity finance, Brendan Morahan saw two partner-track opportunities collapse in the space of six months. He didn't set out to start BPM CPA, but he found himself in December 2023 with few good options and a lot of hard-won opinions about how small firms were getting it wrong. Within three years he had built a million-dollar practice by doing almost the opposite of what most firm owners do. In part 1 of this special two part conversation with John Randolph on Episode 93 of CPA Life, Brendan makes a pointed case that the traditional partnership model is losing its pull on the most capable people in public accounting, that the tax manager role is the single most critical and irreplaceable position in any small firm, and that advisory isn't a service tier you can bolt on. It's either already in your nature, or it just isn't. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Rob and Kelvin debate whether a Big Four of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be good for the Golden State Warriors, tell us why the NBA should be ashamed of how they handled the gambling scandal involving Michael Beasley and Terry Rozier, and take a trip out to Shekel City for Rob’s nightly bets. Plus, our man Lexi in Lexington provides an incredible World Cup update.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob and Kelvin rip the Buffalo Bills for refusing to honor OJ Simpson at their new stadium. Plus, NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Monte Poole swings by to discuss all the scuttlebutt surrounding the rumors that the Golden State Warriors are trying to form a new Big Four of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob and Kelvin debate whether a Big Four of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be good for the Golden State Warriors, argue whether the Kawhi Leonard Era in Los Angeles has been a giant waste of time, and rip the Buffalo Bills for refusing to honor OJ Simpson at their new stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1: The World Cup is in full swing, and the drama is unfolding on and off the pitch. This episode of the podcast is a wild ride, covering everything from the Giants' struggles on the baseball field to the Warriors' potential moves in the NBA. The hosts dive into the latest news on Lebron James and the Warriors, including the possibility of a Big Four lineup with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Chris Paul. They also discuss the World Cup, including the shocking upset of Germany by Paraguay and the Netherlands' loss to Morocco. The conversation is filled with humor and insight, as the hosts share their thoughts on the World Cup and the NBA. They discuss the pressure of penalty kicks, the importance of communication on the field, and the challenges of building a winning team. The hosts also touch on the Giants' struggles, including their recent losses to the Diamondbacks and the importance of addressing the team's issues. The episode is a must-listen for any sports fan, with a healthy dose of humor and analysis. The hosts' banter and chemistry are on full display as they tackle the latest news and trends in the world of sports. Whether you're a die-hard Warriors fan or just a casual sports enthusiast, this episode has something for everyone. So grab your favorite snack, get comfortable, and tune in to hear the hosts' take on the latest sports news and trends. Will the Warriors make a move for Lebron James? Can the Giants turn their season around? And what's the latest from the World Cup? Join the conversation and find out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On daytime MTV, Bon Jovi was becoming the biggest pop-rock act on the planet. Poison was setting the blueprint for everything pop culture now calls hair metal. At the same time, Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth: were building massive and devoted audiences. These two worlds shared MTV, shared tour bills, and shared fans who were being asked to pick a side. That tension is what makes 1986 unlike any other year in metal history.The Glam Explosion That Broke Daytime MTVHere's what happened between 1984 and 1986: metal expanded beyond just being scary.After Quiet Riot became the first hard rock band to score a number-one album in 1984, the genre broke into mainstream consciousness. Then the PMRC Senate hearings of 1985 gave the music a problem: it needed to stop being threatening. By 1986, the solution was in the videos. Make them colorful. Make them fun. Start somewhere relatable: a bedroom, a garage, a studio. Then escalate into an idealized fantasy of concert performance. Replace leather and skulls with neon and teased hair. What had been relegated to late-night Headbangers Ball slots now fit the 3 PM MTV daypart. The music and the medium found each other.Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet is the commercial monument to that shift. Released August 18, 1986, it rolled out singles for nearly a full year after release: “You Give Love a Bad Name” in July, “Livin' on a Prayer” in October, “Wanted Dead or Alive” the following March, “Never Say Goodbye” in June of 1987. Each one was bigger than the last. The year before, Bon Jovi had been opening for Billy Squier. The key differentiator from their earlier work: the arrival of Desmond Child as co-writer on the two biggest singles, bringing professional hit-making infrastructure to what was already a committed band.Poison's Look What the Cat Dragged In was doing the same thing with less money. Their starting address was Enigma Records, home to They Might Be Giants, The Cramps, Dead Milkmen, and Devo. An underground punk label, not a hair metal machine. Capitol entered the picture later, which explains why “Cry Tough” barely moved and “Talk Dirty to Me” became an MTV staple. Poison didn't just succeed with this blueprint; they franchised it.Van Halen's 5150 added keyboards and landed the best Sammy Hagar-era album in the process. David Lee Roth's Eat ‘Em and Smile amplified the campy fun of his Van Halen years into a career highlight. Cinderella's Night Songs made the sharpest glam debut of the year: darker and more concise than anything they'd produce later, before the bluesy detours took over. Jon Bon Jovi helped them record it. That's how fast the food chain was moving in 1986.The Thrash Revolution Running in ParallelHere's the thing about thrash in 1986: it wasn't hidden. Headbangers Ball existed. The magazines covered it. Metallica opened for Ozzy on the Ultimate Sin arena tour. But in the daytime MTV ecosystem, thrash was not the default. If you wanted it, you had to find itMaster of Puppets is eight songs long, 54 minutes, and sounded like nothing on daytime MTV or rock radio. It is heavy and precise and expansive in equal measure: a record where the title track alone runs over eight minutes and earns every second. It was Metallica's third album, the last one with Cliff Burton, and it was recorded without a single thought given to MTV rotation or radio airplay. No videos. No singles. Just the record, and the word that spread through tape trading, zines, college radio metal shows, and the underground networks that thrash metal relied on before the internet existed.What makes 1986 extraordinary is that Metallica wasn't alone. Slayer's Reign in Blood came out the same year: 29 minutes of something faster and more extreme than Master of Puppets, an album that even people who don't follow Slayer know by reputation. Megadeth's Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? completed what might be the single most concentrated year of output from the Big Four of thrash metal: three of the four bands releasing arguably their best records in a twelve-month span. Anthrax didn't have an album in 1986. If they had, it would have been a clean sweep.From the German side of the Atlantic, Kreator's Pleasure to Kill was happening simultaneously: the Teutonic thrash scene developing its own parallel lineage that would eventually be recognized as a pioneer of death and black metal. These weren't crossover acts. They weren't on MTV. But they were building the foundation that would outlast nearly everything in the charts.The thrash revolution of 1986 wasn't a secret, but it was a deliberate choice. Headbangers Ball ran late. Daytime belonged to Poison and Bon Jovi. You could be into both, but at school you were expected to pick a jersey. Admitting you preferred Master of Puppets over Slippery When Wet was a statement, and not everyone in 1986 was ready to make it out loud.Legacy Bands: Update or Resist?Every established metal act in 1986 faced the same question: how much do you change?Judas Priest's Turbo is the case study in what too much looks like. Their tenth album added synthesizer guitars and chased the MTV aesthetic in ways that have remained controversial ever since. Some decent songs are buried in there, but Turbo is the canonical example of a decade-spanning band trying on a new identity because the culture demanded it, and not quite threading the needle.Ozzy Osbourne's The Ultimate Sin represents a different calculation. The image got teased and colorful. The videos fit the 3 PM slot. But the album had Jake E. Lee playing with a flashy intensity that gave it a musical spine the presentation didn't undercut. Ozzy reportedly hated it. Others call it his best solo record: a bridge between his 1970s legacy and the glam-era present that actually holds together. When Metallica opened for Ozzy on the Ultimate Sin arena tour, the lineup said everything about where the genre stood. The scariest band in the underground, opening for a legacy act who'd made himself MTV-friendly. The irony runs deep.Black Sabbath's Seventh Star was never supposed to be a Black Sabbath album. Tony Iommi assembled it as a solo project with Glenn Hughes on vocals, Eric Singer on drums, and Dave Spitz on bass. The label insisted the Sabbath name go on it. The video for “No Stranger to Love” is keyboard-driven and barely resembles Sabbath because, structurally, it isn't. What it is, divorced from its title and backstory, is a genuinely interesting record with a remarkable cast. It has been submitted to multiple DMO polls. It has not yet won. It keeps getting submitted.Iron Maiden's Somewhere in Time added keyboards lightly and reads today as the last album before the tinkering accelerated. Europe's The Final Countdown produced one of the most inescapable songs of the decade and an album none of us heard past the singles. The legacy-band class of 1986 is full of acts choosing between integrity and relevance. The ones who chose wrong are instructive.The Deep Cuts That Shaped Everything (and Nobody Witnessed)Here's the version of 1986 that doesn't show up on year-end lists.In June of that year, a Swedish doom metal band called Candlemass released their debut album, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, on a label called Black Dragon Records. It did not sell. It did not chart. It was not played on the radio or shown on MTV. It was, by most measurable standards, invisible. What it was doing, quietly and without witnesses, was inventing doom metal as a genre. Every band that has worked in that sonic territory for the past forty years carries a Candlemass debt, whether they know it or not.Guns N' Roses' Live ?!@ Like a Suicide is a different kind of deep cut: a 1986 self-released EP on GN'R's own Uzi Suicide label, predating Appetite for Destruction by a full year. Some people had it. They read about the band in Hit Parader and Circus, bought the cassette, and wrote the band's name on their textbook covers. Then they came home from college and the cassette was gone, lost in a couch cushion somewhere, probably worth a lot of money now. That cassette is a small but perfect metaphor for 1986: the thing you knew about first, the object you can no longer find.The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack connects 1986 to something else entirely: the year metal started showing up in animated children's films, delivered by Stan Bush, Lion, and members of Kick Axe performing as Spectre General. For kids who saw the movie it was a first exposure to the genre. Our Picks, Three Different ArgumentsEvery roundtable eventually comes down to someone having to choose.Poison's Look What the Cat Dragged In. The blueprint for hair metal as a cultural phenomenon. The DIY machine that started on a punk indie label and franchised itself across the next four years. It is not the deepest record of 1986. But it is the one that most completely captures what the year felt like at 3 PM on a Tuesday when MTV was on. That counts for something.Metallica's Master of Puppets is the credibility anchor. The last Cliff Burton record. The document of everything Metallica was before the first video and the commercial pivot. Every move they have made since gets measured against this one, and most of them come up short. The underground case, closed.Ozzy Osbourne's The Ultimate Sin is the legacy act threading the needle correctly, or at least fascinatingly. Jake E. Lee at full power. Ozzy navigating from his 1970s origin into 1986 accessibility in a way that doesn't fully betray either. An album Ozzy reportedly hated. A pick none of us saw coming.That's 1986.Episode Highlights* 0:00: Intro. Why we went back to 1986: the year we were all buying cassettes and picking sides.* 1:52: The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack as a metal gateway. Stan Bush, Lion, and a very upsetting death for 11-year-olds.* 4:07: Cassette-buying memories. Where we each were, financially and musically, in 1986.* 8:08: The PMRC timeline and how hair metal broke onto daytime MTV in 1986, colorful videos replacing darker imagery.* 11:36: Judas Priest's Turbo as the prime example of a legacy band adding keyboards and chasing the MTV moment.* 14:08: 1986 as the greatest single year in thrash metal history. Master of Puppets, Reign in Blood, and Peace Sells all released within months of each other.* 15:02: Walking into Richfield Coliseum for the last 30 seconds of Metallica opening for Ozzy, and genuinely not caring at the time.* 16:04: Listening to Master of Puppets in secret on the school bus while claiming to listen to Bon Jovi or Night Ranger.* 17:28: Why Cinderella's Night Songs holds up: darker and tighter than later work, no big ballad epics, Jon Bon Jovi's behind-the-scenes role.* 20:03: Bon Jovi's rocket-ship year. The full single timeline from You Give Love a Bad Name through Never Say Goodbye, and Desmond Child's co-writing role.* 22:49: Seeing Poison open for Quiet Riot at the Cleveland Agora reopening. Studying the Look What the Cat Dragged In album cover beforehand. Expecting at least one woman in the band.* 25:22: Poison's DIY punk ethic and their unlikely starting home on Enigma Records alongside They Might Be Giants and The Minutemen.* 27:56: Candlemass's Epicus Doomicus Metallicus: doom metal's invisible ground zero, released June 1986, heard by almost nobody.* 30:07: The Guns N' Roses Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide EP story. Buying it before anyone knew who they were, writing GN'R on textbooks, and losing the cassette after college.* 32:11: Queensryche's Rage for Order as a musicians' landmark, more influential among players than general audiences.* 34:43: Black Sabbath's Seventh Star. The Tony Iommi solo album the label forced into being a Sabbath record, and the DMO poll it keeps losing.* 37:44: Vinnie Vincent Invasion: Poison taken to its extreme. Pink guitars, pop DNA at maximum volume, and a singer switcheroo from Robert Fleischman to Mark Slaughter.* 45:08: Buying King Diamond's Fatal Portrait out of sheer fear, based only on a magazine photo with no MTV and no internet.* 52:30: AC/DC's Who Made Who: three new songs, six repackaged tracks, Maximum Overdrive tie-in, and the question of whether it needed to be a full album.* 56:13: The connections bands bucket. Hurricane, London, M.A.R.S., White Tiger, Rough Cutt, Black ‘N Blue: albums bought for who was in them, not what was on them.* 1:03:36: Rough Cutt's “Take a Chance” as an all-time genre standout hiding inside a mediocre album.* 1:07:29: We each name the one album that defines 1986. Three picks, no overlap.* 1:21:07: Chip's poll plug for CJSS's Praise the Loud. Cincinnati power metal. David T. Chastain. Still waiting for its DMO moment.* 1:24:07: Outro. Have a lost or forgotten album that deserves the spotlight? Suggest it here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe

Had an AHA or Insight? Share it:How Maeve Ferguson stopped fighting the inner work and built a business that Harvard professors apply to join.Maeve Ferguson builds diagnostic assessment funnels for the highest end of the thought leadership market. Harvard professors. New York Times bestselling authors. She is data-obsessed, systems-driven, and the last person you would expect to credit her business transformation to weekly identity reprogramming sessions and subliminal audios.She thought hypnosis was training someone to be a monkey on a stage.What Maeve discovered,  after years of having the right strategy and the wrong clients, is that the business is her mirror. She was not attracting the wrong people because her offer was wrong. She was attracting exactly who matched the identity she was putting out. When she changed her identity everything changed.I brought Maeve on because her story is the proof of concept for everything this show is built on. You cannot out-strategy an identity that does not match where you are trying to go. The inner work is not the soft option. It is the only thing that makes the outer work land.We also go deep into the messy middle , the void between who you were and who you are becoming. Maeve moved through her transition in a few months. I am in it right now. If you are somewhere in that space of a personal transformation, this conversation will explain a lot.Listen to the episode and find out.About Maeve FergusonMaeve Ferguson is The Authority Architect, the strategist behind the diagnostic infrastructure that transforms established thought leaders from 'respected but replaceable' to Category of One.Creator of The Client Engine™, Maeve works with 7-10 figure thought leaders, bestselling authors, and industry authorities, including Dr Arthur Brooks, Jen Kem, the Hyatts, Mike Kim and Selena Soo, building the systems that turn intellectual property into infrastructure that qualifies, converts, and scales without them in the room.With a background in Big Four accounting and private equity, Maeve brings data-driven precision to an industry drowning in tactics. Her methodology helps clients build diagnostic authority that rivals Myers-Briggs and StrengthsFinder in sophistication.She runs her consultancy from a working horse farm in Northern Ireland whilst raising two young children. Proof that brilliance with infrastructure actually works.Connect with Maeve FergusonWebsite| LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook _____________________We appreciate you, thank you for listening. Let us know in the comments what resonated in this episode, we want to hear from you. Leave a comment, like, share with one person who needs to hear the message our guest shared. Take our QUIZ and find out what your talent is worth in this market:  What's Your Talent Worth (http://WhatsYourTalentWorth.com)Follow us on Instagram:Check us out on Tik Tok: Work With Us

What does trekking 17,000 feet to Everest Base Camp have to do with leading a business or team in today's world? As it turns out, quite a lot! In this episode, I sit down with Ketul Patel, a supply chain and business transformation expert and author of A Journey of Elevation, to unpack the leadership lessons forged on the trail to Everest Base Camp. Ketul shares how the mountain became a mirror for everything leaders face today: constant crisis, the illusion of control, and the pressure to keep moving when the path forward is anything but clear.  After 30+ years leading organizational transformations and working alongside CEOs and executives navigating relentless change, Ketul found that a 12-day trek through the Himalayas – complete with mudslides, altitude sickness, a failed Plan A, a failed Plan B, and a grueling 19-hour Jeep ride – taught him more about resilient leadership than any boardroom ever could. Whether you're leading a company through uncertainty, managing a team through change, or simply trying to figure out how to keep going when “the weather” won't cooperate, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what leadership really looks like under pressure. And, Ketul leaves listeners with a powerful challenge: find your own Basecamp moment. Because growth, clarity, and self-knowledge don't require a mountain. They just require the courage to step outside your comfort zone. Listen in! — With a master's degree from the University of Houston, Ketul Patel has made a lasting impact as both a seasoned corporate leader and a Big Four supply chain consultant, transforming global supply chains across retail, wholesale, and manufacturing.  As the founder and president of OMIIA Consulting, he serves as a business turnaround specialist and COO for companies seeking profitable growth and striving to scale toward Fortune 500 performance.  Patel has authored multiple white papers and blogs on supply chain thought leadership and is a speaker at supply chain conferences, known for blending strategic insight with real-world pragmatic execution to drive sustainable business success.  His debut book, A Journey of Elevation: Lessons for Business Transformation from Everest Base Camp, was released in January 2026. Learn more about Ketul, or grab the book at omiiaconsulting.com/books or connect with him on LinkedIn.

In today's Cloud Wars Minute, I discuss how one of the Big Four consultancies is using Microsoft technology to simplify AI scaling for customers worldwide. Highlights 00:10 — Some big partner news today: KPMG and Microsoft are expanding their existing partnership to help firms scale agentic AI initiatives. Another example of how far things have progressed in a few short years, as companies become increasingly AI-mature and start to incorporate these transformational technologies across their businesses. 00:34 — Within the new agreement, KPMG will leverage Microsoft 365 Agent to enhance its trusted AI framework in order to help KPMG clients deliver agentic AI across their enterprises, while KPMG member firms will also be deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot on a global scale, totaling over 267,000 users. 01:02 — So, a massive rollout of Copilot there. But the big story here is how KPMG is further integrating, this time from an agentic AI stance, Microsoft technology into its client service delivery platforms. What this means is that it's making it easier for KPMG clients to scale AI because of the consistency this provides. 01:25 — It's consistency, governance, deployment, management, and production, and that's the real customer benefit here. This is a deepening of the relationship between Microsoft and KPMG. 01:36 — I think partnerships like this are so important because the amount of options and strategies for AI deployment is really quite mind-boggling. So, when you have one of the Big Four consultancies showing the way, using a consistent set of tools in-house and with its customers, the outcomes are just going to be that much better. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

How do you stay creative within the structure of a large organisation? Karen Steenkamp shares her journey from designer to creative leader, revealing how constraints can inspire innovation, the balance between artistic expression and commercial outcomes, and how authentic creativity drives better business results. Karen is a marketing and creative leader with over 20 years of experience across advertising agencies, financial services, and in-house creative teams in Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Now leading an in-house agency at one of Australia's Big Four banks, she specialises in combining creativity, strategy, and customer-centred thinking to deliver meaningful business impact. ___________________________________________________________ LINKS: Karen Steenkamp- Special Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-steenkamp-361281171/ Béhance: https://share.google/j6wFcBwWpJcE8BieC Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've taken time away from your career and you're wondering how to come back without explaining the gap or apologizing for your time off, this episode is for you. Caroline spent 17 years at one of the Big Four firms before hitting full-on burnout. After years of being passed over for promotions and navigating a system that forced competition over collaboration, she woke up one day and thought, "I can't do this anymore." She resigned. Took two years away. Moved countries. Completely reset her life. Then she had to figure out how to come back. This wasn't a standard return-to-work story. Caroline used a strengths assessment to identify her transferable value, named exactly what she wanted instead of apologizing for the gap, turned down the first offer that didn't fit, and ended up with a role at a mid-size entrepreneurial company working three days a week, 24 hours split across her schedule. This episode unpacks how to return to work after burnout and a career break, why your transferable skills matter more than your job titles, and how Caroline negotiated her way into flexible part-time work that fit both her home life and her work life. What you'll learn: How to translate years of corporate experience into a compelling value proposition after a career break Why year 8, 13, or 18 at the same company often becomes a breaking point (and how to spot it before you hit it) How to use a strengths assessment to rebuild confidence and articulate your transferable skills Why stating exactly what you want works better than apologizing for your time away How to negotiate flexible part-time work even when the first offer doesn't fit   Our book, Happen To Your Career: An Unconventional Approach To Career Change and Meaningful Work, is now available on audiobook! Visit  happentoyourcareer.com/audible to order it now! Visit happentoyourcareer.com/book for more information or buy the print or ebook here! Want to chat with our team about your unique situation? Schedule a conversation   Free Resources What career fits you? Join our free 8 Day Mini Course to figure it out! Career Change Guide - Learn how high-performers discover their ideal career and find meaningful, well-paid work without starting over.   Related Episodes Designing Career Experiments and Testing New Careers (Spotify / Apple Podcasts) Discover Your Strengths to Find Your Ideal Career (Spotify / Apple Podcasts)

In today's hybrid and digital workplaces, the instinct for many busy managers is to rely on quick tech tools like AI or generic emails to communicate care. Henna Pryor argues this approach is actually backfiring. She challenges leaders to recognize that we are living in an "age of doubt" where skepticism is the default posture, urging them to close their "signal gaps" by aligning what they say with how they actually show up. Joe Mull sits down with Henna for a conversation about workplace trust and leadership skills. As a workplace performance expert, speaker, and author of Good Awkward and the upcoming book The Signal Gap, Henna brings a wide-ranging career background. From surviving the grueling hours of Big Four public accounting to spending fourteen years in executive search, she uses her front-row seat to team dynamics to help leaders build trust at work and become more believable and impactful. Henna breaks down the difference between cheap and costly signals, explaining why simply expressing gratitude is no longer enough to make employees feel valued. She shares stories from her own career (including her first job at a diner and the sting of being ignored as a high-achieving employee) to illustrate the importance of leadership communication. She also warns against "intent smuggling" and the dangers of public microclaims in the digital age. In this episode, you'll learn:

Welcome to episode four of the "The Big Four" presented by the Tackle Talk Podcast. This four-part series take a behind-the-scenes look at the four largest parent companies in fishing tackle, who collectively own and control over 80 of the biggest brands in baits, rods, reels, line, and accessories.  Today's guests are Senior Project Manager of Freshwater Bait at Pure Fishing Nathan Ragsdale and Director of Fish Science and Testing at Pure Fishing Mark Sexton. To learn more about Pure Fishing, visit https://www.purefishing.com/pages/pure-fishing-brands      Tackle Talk is presented by:  The Rod Locker | https://rodlocker.com/ | Promo Code: TACKLETALKJUNE   Additional support provided by: Amped Outdoors | https://ampedoutdoors.com/ Humminbird | https://humminbird.com/ Minn Kota | https://minnkotamotors.com/

The $1.4M Pricing Gap Most Owners Never Find with Emily Bowie   Find Rocky Lalvani @ www.ProfitComesFirst.com  or email him at rocky@profitcomesfirst.com Make more, work less video: https://youtu.be/   You pull up the P&L at the end of the month. Profit looks fine. Revenue is up. And you still moved money around to cover payroll. You're not mismanaging your business. You're making decisions off an incomplete report, and nobody told you what it was missing. Emily Bowie spent years auditing companies inside Big Four accounting before she started helping business owners see past the P&L. What she finds most often isn't bad decisions. It's good decisions made without the right numbers. Pricing set without overhead accounted for. Subscriptions compounding unnoticed for years. Tax strategy that arrived in December, too late to do anything that actually mattered.   In This Episode: Why the P&L leaves out some of the most important cash movements in your business The $1.4M pricing gap one owner never knew was costing him, and how Emily found it How to run a quarterly expense audit and what it reliably turns up Why your bookkeeper, CPA, and CFO need to talk to each other, not through you The real cash cost of the "go buy something for the tax deduction" advice What Profit First actually protects you from beyond just saving money Why personal financial stability determines how clearly you can think about your business   Key Takeaways: Your P&L does not show loan principal payments or balance sheet movements. Cash flow visibility requires a different lens. Pricing without overhead math costs real money on every invoice. One client had $1.4M in recoverable margin sitting uncaptured in a single year. Quarterly expense audits surface subscriptions you've forgotten, monthly plans that cost more than annual options, and tools you stopped using that are still billing. If you are the only person relaying information between your bookkeeper, CPA, and CFO, things are getting lost in translation. They need to talk to each other directly. A year-end "buy something" tax move often costs three to four times the tax saved in cash drag over the following months.   About Emily Bowie: Emily Bowie is a Cash Flow Strategist with 15+ years of experience, including her time as an audit manager in Big Four accounting. She's known for bringing calm, clarity, and structure to financial conversations that often feel stressful or avoided. Outside of Thorne Advisors, Emily leads her church's financial ministry, is a mom to three young kids, and enjoys a good DIY project almost as much as a well-organized set of financials.   Links: Website: https://www.thorneadvisors.com/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thorneadvisors/   Freebie: 5 Cash Leaks & 5 Missed Tax Deductions: https://www.thorneadvisors.com/cashleaks     Profit Blueprint Calculator I Profit Comes First: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/profitblueprintcalc-page   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/newsletter-signup Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.     

Erica Goode spent her early career on the traditional accounting track — Big Four, Fortune 50 finance, the late nights and missed dinners that come standard with the path. Then she looked up at the senior leaders above her and realized she didn't want to be any of them when she grew up. That single honest moment set off a decade-long pivot that took her out of corporate, into full-time motherhood, and eventually into building the kind of accounting firm she'd never seen modeled for her. In this conversation with Paul Dio, Erica unpacks what it looks like to bring corporate-level skill — forecasting, cash-flow modeling, strategic finance — to the small businesses sitting right down the street. She talks about her first client, a Taekwondo studio, and how the work she'd built her career on suddenly became the thing standing between that small business and bankruptcy during the early months of COVID. The story is a quiet argument for why human accountants still matter, especially now. The episode also takes a hard look at the million-dollar revenue obsession that's everywhere in the consulting and accounting worlds. Erica makes the case that a business owner pulling $300K can take home almost as much as one chasing seven figures — minus the headcount, the overhead, and the burnout. Million-dollar revenue, in her words, is a vanity metric. What actually matters is what lands in your personal bank account at the end of the month, and how much of your life you got to keep along the way. There's also a fascinating detour into AI. Erica fed her own redacted tax return into Claude this past tax season just to see what would happen — and walked away with a 50/50 hit rate that captures exactly why human advisors still matter. The conversation lands on an optimistic note for the profession: when AI handles the rote work, accountants finally have room to be the human their clients actually need. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and welcome 01:00 – From Big Four to Fortune 50 to walking away 03:30 – "I don't see anybody I want to be when I grow up" 04:45 – Choosing to be home and not knowing there was a third path 06:00 – Missing accounting and the first client down the street 09:00 – The freedom of choosing your clients 11:00 – Books worth keeping on the shelf 13:00 – Why the Life First Accounting Firm podcast exists 17:00 – The vanity metric of seven-figure revenue 18:30 – Where AI can't replace the human 20:30 – Feeding her tax return into Claude 23:00 – Where accounting goes from here 25:30 – The Taekwondo studio and a cash-flow story that saved a business 30:00 – Where to find Erica Episode Resources Discover how Erica helps small business owners and entrepreneurs build profitable, life-first accounting practices through intentional forecasting, strategic finance, and client-by-client growth: www.ericagoodie.com Legacy Podcast: For more information about the Legacy Podcast and its co-hosts, visit https://businesslegacypodcast.com Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, leave a review and rating on your preferred podcast platform. For more information: Visit https://businesslegacypodcast.com to access the show notes and additional resources on the episode.

Free course: Improve your metabolic healthGet our free email course on how glucose, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and measurement can help you build habits that support better energy and long-term health: ⁠⁠⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠High cholesterol. Elevated ApoB. A positive CAC score. Now what?Most people quickly find themselves trapped between two extremes: simplistic advice to “cut saturated fat” and online influencers insisting cholesterol doesn't matter at all.In this episode of A Whole New Level, Mike Haney sits down with clinical research scientist Dr. Kevin Maki to cut through the confusion.Drawing on more than 35 years of cardiovascular research, Maki explains why heart disease risk is about much more than LDL cholesterol alone. He breaks down the roles of inflammation, blood sugar, family history, kidney function, and lipoproteins, while also making a clear case for something many people resist: LDL and ApoB still matter. A lot.The evidence increasingly suggests that when it comes to atherosclerosis, lower for longer is better. That has important implications for diet, statins, and how early we should intervene.Mike and Dr. Maki also tackle saturated fat, seed oils, red meat, industry-funded research, and how to separate evidence from online nutrition debates.

From speaking at three major wealth management conferences in a single quarter to mapping out a pattern that's already reshaped accounting and is now creeping into law and the trades, Corey Kupfer breaks down the barbell effect and what business owners should be doing now to avoid getting caught in the middle. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover what the barbell effect is and why it shows up across industries once consolidation and outside capital enter the picture, how accounting's shift from the Big Eight to the Big Four foreshadows what may be coming in wealth management, and why most deals positioned as mergers are actually acquisitions in disguise. Corey explains why firms stuck in the middle face higher overhead than small competitors and fewer resources than large ones, and how the same dynamic is showing up in the trades, from roofing to electrical. KEY INSIGHTS: The barbell effect describes what happens as an industry consolidates: large, well funded firms on one end, small boutique firms on the other, and the middle becoming the hardest place to operate, with higher overhead than small competitors and fewer resources than large ones. The accounting industry offers a preview of where wealth management may be headed. Corey points to the shift from the Big Eight to the Big Four, and to firms like Eisner and Amper merging to compete at a higher level, along with Apria's growth through acquisition. In legal, only attorneys can own law firms in most states, but Corey describes private equity entering through a managed services model similar to healthcare, where a non-legal company runs the back office while attorneys retain ownership of the practice. Corey shares a comment from his Entrepreneurs Organization lawyers group, that it is much easier to run a law firm under two million dollars or over ten million dollars in revenue than to be stuck in the middle, connecting this to the crossing the chasm dynamic of investing ahead of payoff. Drawing on NAPFA in Minneapolis, Corey notes many members are choosing not to sell to PE backed aggregators, even leaving value on the table, out of concern for fiduciary alignment, while noting he is relaying their perspective rather than judging it. He also points out most "mergers" are actually acquisitions, cites the 2026 Advisor Growth Strategies Report and DeVoe's data showing fewer buyers chasing more sellers and average seller AUM crossing a billion dollars, and closes by noting the same barbell dynamic in the trades, where consolidators and mom and pop firms both persist while the middle gets squeezed. Perfect for RIA owners weighing independence, succession, or sale, leaders of growing companies assessing their industry's consolidation cycle, and anyone navigating competition in the middle market. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/barbelleffect FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00:04] - Introduction: the barbell effect and why Corey is talking about it now [00:04:23] - The NAPFA community conversation on succession and exit options aligned with values [00:08:37] - What the barbell effect is and why the middle becomes the hardest place to compete [00:12:21] - Why it's easier to run a law firm under two million or over ten million in revenue than to be stuck in the middle [00:16:14] - NAPFA advisors and the choice to stay independent from PE backed aggregators[00:19:55] - The barbell effect in the trades: roofing, gutters, and electrical consolidation[00:21:55] - Planning for industry evolution instead of being surprised by it Host Bio Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes Episode 350 - Tom Dillon: Building a firm positioned for acquisition and succession Episode 339 - Solocast 74: Building your G2 and creating optionality for internal successionEpisode 331 - Solocast 72: Reading macro and industry trends without letting personal views distort business decisionsEpisode 327 - Solocast 71: Using authority marketing to build relationships and deal flow Keywords/Tags barbell effect, industry consolidation, RIA independence, private equity wealth management, mergers and acquisitions, internal succession planning, mergers of equals, middle market squeeze, fiduciary advisors, NAPFA, accounting industry consolidation, legal industry private equity, managed services organization, crossing the chasm, RIA exit planning, trades industry consolidation, deal driven growth, 2026 advisor growth strategies, business positioning strategy, exit strategy planning

Welcome to episode three of the "The Big Four" presented by the Tackle Talk Podcast. This four-part series take a behind-the-scenes look at the four largest parent companies in fishing tackle, who collectively own and control over 80 of the biggest brands in baits, rods, reels, line, and accessories.  Today's guest is the Vice President of Brand Management at PRADCO Outdoor Brands, Mr. Chad Warner. To learn more about PRADCO Outdoor Brands, visit https://www.pradcooutdoorbrands.com/fishing-brands/      Tackle Talk is presented by:  The Rod Locker | https://rodlocker.com/ | Promo Code: TACKLETALKJUNE   Additional support provided by: Amped Outdoors | https://ampedoutdoors.com/ Humminbird | https://humminbird.com/ Minn Kota | https://minnkotamotors.com/

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you'll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit 

 --
 This week on The Exit, host Steve McGarry sits down with entrepreneur, CPA, and wealth strategist Cecilia “CeCe” Leung for a candid conversation about one of the most overlooked parts of selling a business: what happens after the deal closes. Drawing from more than 20 years of experience in finance, Wall Street, and advising founders through complex transactions, CeCe shares why so many entrepreneurs focus on valuation and due diligence while overlooking the emotional, personal, and identity shifts that often follow an exit.
 CeCe breaks down common mistakes founders make when preparing for a sale, from failing to think through post deal dynamics with private equity partners to overlooking succession planning and negotiating leverage. She also explores the deeper side of entrepreneurship, including founder burnout, setting boundaries, defining personal success, and why understanding why you want to sell may be just as important as the sale itself. Whether you are preparing for an exit or simply building toward one, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on creating both financial freedom and a meaningful life beyond business.
 
 Cecilia “CeCe” Leung is a CPA, entrepreneur, and founder of Rich & Sassy Wealth Strategies, where she helps founders and executives navigate high stakes moments including exits, IPOs, and major financial transitions. With more than 20 years of experience spanning Big Four firms, investment banking, and CFO leadership roles, CeCe combines financial strategy with a human centered approach to help leaders build wealth, make smarter decisions, and create success that lasts beyond the business.

 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cscfo/ 

 Website - https://richandsassy.com/ 
 Key Timestamps:
 [00:01] Intro & Show Overview
 [02:58] CeCe's Journey to Entrepreneurship
 [07:06] Preparing a Business to Exit
 [11:14] Post Deal Realities & Leverage
 [14:06] Purpose, Identity & Philosophical Counseling
 [21:13] Founder Mistakes & People Problems
 [23:31] Knowing Your Value & Boundaries
 [25:28] Rich and Sassy Vision & Close

 -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You'll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

Heart Opening Balance Flow — Complete Practice (61 min, preview 31 mins)A steady complete practice that combines heart opening, balance work, and twisting sequences into a flow that feels both expansive and focused. This class builds challenge gradually through standing stability and coordinated movement while creating plenty of space across the chest, shoulders, and front body.The energy feels grounded rather than dramatic. Heart opening is present throughout, but it's approached through steadiness and integration rather than intensity, creating a practice that feels supportive, spacious, and quietly uplifting.There's a strong thread of balance running through the class as well, asking for attention and presence without ever becoming overly technical or demanding.New class every Tuesday. 350+ full classes in the Unlimited Archive at JustGreatYoga.com

The craft beer industry is more competitive than ever. Rising costs, shifting consumer preferences, and complex supply chains require brewers to think beyond traditional methods of growth and efficiency. Advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and smart automation are no longer reserved for big corporations – they are increasingly accessible to breweries of all sizes.This session will demystify these tools and show how craft breweries can practically apply them to improve operations, enhance customer engagement, and gain measurable return on investment (ROI). Understand key factors from a valuation perspective, where and how to expand and grow. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies and real-world examples of how AI can help with demand forecasting, quality control, inventory management, and even personalized marketing – unlocking new levels of competitiveness and sustainability in today's crowded marketplace.Waqqas Mahmood is a senior director at CBIZ. He has been in the innovation space for almost two decades, helping organizations architect their digital future. Waqqas believes in creating a culture of innovation that nurtures new technologies and media that promote powerful and engaging solutions. He has a strong background in digital product management, human-centered design, and business transformation.Timothy Croushore has more than 39 years of valuation consulting experience. Prior to joining CBIZ, he held partner and managing director positions with “Big Four” and other national accounting and consulting firms in the valuation space. He has served in service-line leadership roles in various industries including sports, leisure and entertainment, restaurant and retail, consumer business, technology and private equity/hedge funds.Join us in person for CBP Connects ChicagoJune 15-17, 2026Come get inspired, leave with actionable strategies: https://cbpconnects.com/

Welcome to episode two of the "The Big Four" presented by the Tackle Talk Podcast. This four-part series take a behind-the-scenes look at the four largest parent companies in fishing tackle, who collectively own and control over 80 of the biggest brands in baits, rods, reels, line, and accessories.  Today's guest is the President of Rapala/VMC USA, Mr. Travis Tuma.  To learn more about Rapala/VMC, visit https://www.rapala.com/us_en/rapala     Tackle Talk is presented by:  The Rod Locker | https://rodlocker.com/ | Promo Code: TACKLETALKJUNE   Additional support provided by: Amped Outdoors | https://ampedoutdoors.com/ Humminbird | https://humminbird.com/ Minn Kota | https://minnkotamotors.com/

(00:00-20:47) – Amy Fadool joins the guys in-studio for the remainder of the show! Mike Gansey talked about why Philly was an intriguing destination, the big four of VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George, and how they need to be maximized.(20:47-31:38) – Andrew hopes that an article he read stops an issue that arises with the Eagles every other year. (31:38-40:21) – What's one of the things you want to hear, or see, at Eagles mandatory minicamp? Please note: Timecodes may shift by a few minutes due to inserted ads. Because of copyright restrictions, portions—or entire segments—may not be included in the podcast.For the latest updates, visit the show page Kincade & Salciunas on 975thefanatic.com. Follow 97.5 The Fanatic on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Watch our shows on YouTube, and subscribe to stay up-to-date with all the best moments from Philly's home for sports!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Simms 2026 QB Countdown concludes with THE FINAL FOUR! Where does Chris rank Patrick, Josh, Joe, and Lamar? But first, Simms & Stugotz dive into the blockbuster Myles Garrett & A.J. Brown trades…is an Aaron Donald return next? (0:00) Chris recaps his visit with “old soul” Caleb Williams(7:10) News: Myles Garrett blockbuster trade to Rams(20:10) Could Aaron Donald return?(26:05) A.J. Brown finally lands with Patriots(34:15) Simms QB Countdown: It’s the Big Four once again(37:30) QB #4 Patrick Mahomes(42:20) QB #3 Lamar Jackson(46:05) QB #2 Joe Burrow(50:45) QB #1 Josh Allen(57:55) Caleb Williams is the new Madden coverSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode one of the "The Big Four" presented by the Tackle Talk Podcast. This four-part series take a behind-the-scenes look at the four largest parent companies in fishing tackle, who collectively own and control over 80 of the biggest brands in baits, rods, reels, line, and accessories.  Today's guest is the Senior Vice President of Fishing at GSM Outdoors, Mr. Crispin Powley.  To learn more about GSM Outdoors, visit https://www.gsmoutdoors.com/our-brands/     Tackle Talk is presented by:  The Rod Locker | https://rodlocker.com/ | Promo Code: TACKLETALKJUNE   Additional support provided by: Amped Outdoors | https://ampedoutdoors.com/ Humminbird | https://humminbird.com/ Minn Kota | https://minnkotamotors.com/

Oil prices fell sharply after Iranian state television broadcast details of a peace proposal, mass drone production has turned the war effort around for Ukraine, and the European Central Bank warned US President Donald Trump risks triggering a financial crisis. Plus, AI opens the door for smaller, well-funded challengers to take market share from Big Four consultancies. Mentioned in this podcast:Oil falls as Iranian state television reports details of peace proposalRussian banks to arm themselves against Ukrainian dronesUkraine is turning the tablesTrump risks triggering financial crisis with Iran war, warns ECBHow AI threatens the giants of consultingWant to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today's FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Katya Kumkova. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victor Chan bought a $2,000 engraving machine off Amazon to make his girlfriend Jess a necklace — a hand-engraved star map of the exact moment they met. She thought it was the most thoughtful gift she'd ever received, and two weeks later they had a store. Two years on, By Lumine is doing $30–40K a month and Jess has quit her accounting job to go all in. A software engineer and a Big Four accountant — both with zero e-commerce or marketing experience — they started with $100 worth of blank pendants, cardboard packaging with a sticker logo, and a lot of figuring it out on evenings and weekends. What they built is a fully customisable, hand-assembled personalised jewellery brand where no two pieces are the same, consistently hitting 10x growth year on year. In this episode, Jess and Victor get completely honest about what the first two years actually looked like — two weeks with zero sales after launch, wasted batches from engraving errors, influencer gifting that went nowhere, and how US tariffs hit them just as they were finding their feet. What you'll learn in this interview: How a personal gift sparked a business idea — and the Etsy research that validated there was a real market for it Why starting with $100 worth of blank pendants and a $50 sticker logo is a legitimate launch strategy The early production mistakes that wasted entire batches — and the lesson on communicating with manufacturers down to the millimetre Why two weeks of zero sales nearly broke them — and what finally turned things around How Victor's software background became an unexpected competitive advantage — and the live preview tool that changed their conversion rate Why Meta ads outperformed every other channel for an emotional, personalised product — and how they learned it all from scratch The honest truth about influencer marketing: what they tried, what it cost, and why it didn't convert How they grew 10x in a single year while both still working full time jobs What getting hit by US tariffs mid-growth actually feels like — and how they kept going anyway Why Jess wishes she'd started earlier — and what she'd tell any founder sitting on the fence If you're thinking about starting something with your partner, building a brand in a saturated market, or just trying to figure out whether the grind of evenings and weekends is actually worth it — this episode will change how you think about what a real start looks like. Jess and Victor prove that the scrappiest beginnings can lead somewhere genuinely remarkable. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/operators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH BY LUMINE Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/bylumine_/ Website → ⁠https://bylumine.com/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

See what the team at The Successful Bookkeeper has on right now → Sammy Mattingly and Fred Ott co-founded Mattingly & Ott Financial Accounting in their mid-twenties, with backgrounds in Big Four auditing and investment management — and a brief, memorable detour into portable sanitation. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, they walk through the early decisions that shaped their firm: getting certified, landing first clients, and discovering that digital ads were no substitute for showing up in person. Chapters [00:00] Cold open and intro [01:18] Sammy's listener origin story [03:15] Backgrounds before bookkeeping [06:30] The porta potty adventure [11:00] Finding bookkeeping on YouTube [13:00] Five-week plan and first clients [16:00] Why paid ads flopped [18:30] Discovering networking as a strategy [21:00] Building one-to-one meeting habits [24:30] Shifting to strategic partnerships From Porta Potties to ProAdvisor Before bookkeeping, Sammy and Fred tried their hand at entrepreneurship the hard way — buying 20 used porta potties off a site called Crapper King, shipping them across the country on a semi-truck, and eventually moving them on Facebook Marketplace after a good pressure wash. The experience wasn't profitable, but it was formative. As Michael notes on the show, it gave them a layer of genuine empathy for clients: "They don't have all the answers, they're making mistakes, they're trying to figure it out." After a few more ideas, a YouTube video on starting a bookkeeping firm was all the spark Sammy needed. "I watched it, and I was like, well, if this guy can do it, Fred and I can do this." The Five-Week Launch Plan Once they committed to bookkeeping, Sammy and Fred moved fast. They built a five-week plan: get QuickBooks certified, become ProAdvisors, and land one client. Two large cleanup projects came through the QuickBooks ProAdvisor directory almost immediately — enough to justify going full-time. Fred describes those first weeks as equal parts doing the work and learning on the fly: "We were certified in QuickBooks, but it's like — we've got to figure out how this works. We've never done a QuickBooks cleanup for this type of company before." Why Paid Ads Weren't the Answer With their first projects underway, they turned to paid social media ads hoping to fill the pipeline. Six weeks and 15 or 16 leads later, the results were discouraging — contacts who were hard to reach and nowhere near ready to hire a bookkeeper. "We were finding they were all super unqualified," Fred says. That dead end turned out to be the pivot point. A conversation with a local small business attorney introduced a word they'd barely considered: networking. Networking as a Growth Engine Neither Sammy nor Fred would describe themselves as natural networkers — both lean introverted. But they committed fully, spending two to three months filling their days with open networking events and one-to-one coffee meetings. The accountability of working as a team made the difference: knowing the other person was putting in the effort kept each of them showing up. Fred's father, a career salesman, gave them the frame they needed: "Unseen, unheard, unsold." They tracked weekly one-to-one meeting goals, walked up to strangers, shook hands, and asked people to coffee — regardless of whether an obvious business connection was visible. Strategic Relationships Over Volume Over time, the approach evolved from broad networking to targeted relationship-building. Sammy describes the shift as following the data: "We took a step back and we were like, okay, what percentage of our referrals is coming from CPAs or whoever? And it's like, okay, well, if 80, 90% of our referrals are coming from these types of people, we need to go to rooms where there are these types of people." Tax preparers, business brokers, and other professionals who rarely attend networking events became the focus — making Mattingly & Ott's presence at those events even more valuable. Links mentioned Pure Bookkeeping — the system Sammy and Fred found through the podcast Pixie — practice management tool they discovered through The Successful Bookkeeper thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com — resources, episode search, and Ask the Show feature About the guests Sammy Mattingly and Fred Ott are co-founders of Mattingly & Ott Financial Accounting, LLC. High school friends turned business partners, they launched their bookkeeping firm roughly a year and a half ago and went full-time within the first few months. Sammy brings a background in Big Four audit; Fred comes from investment management. Together they serve small, service-based businesses and have built their client base almost entirely through in-person networking and strategic referral relationships. Part 2 of their conversation covers how those relationships translate into referral systems and scalable growth. About the hostMichael PalmerMichael Palmer is the host of The Successful Bookkeeper podcast and co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping and The Successful Bookkeeper. He started this work because of his father — a brilliant electrical contractor who worked twice as hard as he should have had to, because nobody on the financial side was in his corner. That gap is what The Successful Bookkeeper exists to close. His view: bookkeepers are the most undervalued force in small business — and every bookkeeper who builds a real business changes two families: theirs, and their clients'.

Send us Fan MailI come back from the Philippines and shake off brutal jet lag before diving into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2026 results and the snubs that still make no sense. We argue about what “counts” as rock, why the Hall's side categories feel like a loophole, and how New Wave legends like Talking Heads, The Cure, The Police, and The Cars hold up when you actually test the label. • trip highlights from the Philippines and the reality of a 12-hour time jump • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2026 nominees and the predictions we made • the final 2026 inductees and why some picks feel obvious • Mariah Carey's absence and the case for uniqueness versus popularity • frustration with Early Influence and Musical Excellence categories and what they imply about the rules • 2025 versus 2026 class comparison and which year feels stronger • the Big Four of New Wave debate and why genre labels get slippery • why a familiar Cars song suddenly becomes an obsession If you like it, share it. If you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: milkcratesandturntables@gmail.com

Ep 260 | Is the federal government finally going to do something about the Big Four? Why is John Deere on a baseball field? And is Bill Maher right about California almonds? This week on Discover Ag, Natalie and Tara discuss the DOJ's recent announcement about the meatpacking industry, John Deere's surpringly on brand partnership with major league baseball (and where Kevin Costner fits in), and why the internet is mad at almonds and agriculture — again. What We Discovered This Week

(00:00) — Welcome and setup: from premed dropout to med student(00:47) — Corporate grind sparks the spreadsheets vs patients question(01:30) — Rewinding to undergrad premed and the 495 MCAT during COVID(03:15) — Finances and first-gen pressure push him off the path(04:35) — Articles, AI, and volunteering rekindle interest in medicine(06:10) — Leadership draw: why physician responsibility appealed to him(07:10) — Timeline: research job, 2018 grad, 2020 MCAT, business analytics at Fordham(09:05) — Undergrad habits, no planner, and managing ADHD with better tools(11:05) — Corporate wins build confidence (Big Four, Wall Street, AVP)(12:50) — Planning the leap: savings, living at home, loans, and side investments(14:10) — Bridge/SMP at Toro Harlem: structure and guaranteed-seat criteria(16:25) — Working at Citibank while starting the master's; then going all in(17:55) — Confirming fit: brief shadowing, almost passing out, but more intrigued(18:55) — Harlem community events as a student doctor and seeing disparities(19:52) — MCAT retake to 501–502; Kaplan and official full-lengths(21:27) — SMP mirrored M1 exams; Z-score cutoff and comprehensive exam(22:45) — M1 transition is easier after the SMP run-through(23:35) — Logistics: 3.45 GPA + comp exam = seat; could apply elsewhere(24:25) — Starting a tea franchise in Astoria with partners during M1(25:35) — Brick-and-mortar stress, construction, and opening mid-semester(26:50) — Hardest part: letting go of a six-figure salary(28:05) — Would he change his path? Choosing experience over speed(29:20) — Exploring passions helps future practice and options(30:52) — Keeping doors open: medicine, consulting, and business(31:28) — Parents' reaction: skepticism to tears of pride(32:34) — Final advice: build confidence and believe in yourselfZarak shares how he walked away from premed after a 495 MCAT and an average undergrad GPA, chased a thriving corporate career, and then found his way back to medicine. A first-gen student, he talks openly about family expectations, finances, and why spreadsheets and commutes couldn't replace patient impact. He explains the planning that made his return possible: saving while living at home, using loans wisely, and enrolling in a one-year bridge/SMP at Toro Harlem that mirrored M1 exams and offered a guaranteed seat with a 3.45 GPA plus a comprehensive exam. He retook the MCAT to around 501–502 using Kaplan and official full-lengths, and found confidence through improved study systems and corporate-built habits. Now an M1, he's volunteering in Harlem, reflecting on health disparities, and even launching a brick-and-mortar tea franchise in Astoria with partners—while keeping med school first. Dr. Gray and Zarak dig into letting go of a six-figure salary, rebuilding confidence, managing ADHD with better tools, and why exploring interests outside of medicine can strengthen your future as a physician.What You'll Learn:- How a low MCAT and average GPA didn't end his med school goals- What a guaranteed-seat bridge/SMP at Toro Harlem required- How he planned the leap: savings, loans, and timing while working- MCAT retake resources he used the second time around- Balancing M1 demands with launching a brick-and-mortar business

Merger Blocked by Antitrust Action: JetBlue offered $3.8 billion to acquire Spirit in 2022. Shareholders, unions, and both companies supported the merger. The DOJ and Department of Transportation, urged by Elizabeth Warren and supported by Buttigieg and Biden, sued to stop it. A federal judge blocked the merger in January 2024. Consequences Claimed: Spirit declared bankruptcy and shut down, leading to: ~17,000 direct job losses Estimated 40,000+ indirect jobs affected Loss of service to dozens of smaller cities Reduced airline competition and higher fares on former Spirit routes (examples cited include increases of 15–66%). Critique of Antitrust Reasoning: Speakers argue antitrust law should protect consumers, not competitors. They claim the DOJ incorrectly defined the market as “ultra‑low‑cost airlines” instead of the broader airline market, making Spirit and JetBlue appear dominant when they were actually small players. They assert the decision strengthened the Big Four airlines (American, Delta, United, Southwest), which already control ~75–80% of the market. Rebuttal to Alternative Explanations: Democrats are criticized for blaming Spirit’s failure on fuel price increases or Trump-era policies. The speakers argue fuel price volatility affects all airlines and that Spirit would have been better positioned to withstand it with the merger funds. Internal Democratic Dissent: A Biden White House policy official publicly questioned whether blocking the merger was the right decision, though later softened the statement—used as evidence of internal doubts. Government Bailout Rejected: A proposed $500M government bailout (for 90% ownership) was discussed but rejected. The speakers strongly oppose government ownership of airlines, labeling it socialism and economically incompetent. Broader Ideological Argument: The collapse is framed as an example of government overreach, poor understanding of business, and ideological decision-making harming workers and consumers. The episode is used to argue that free‑market competition—not government control—is essential to lower prices and innovation. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.