Level Up Business

Are you feeling stuck in the chaos of the day-to-day grind, unsure of what the future holds for you as an entrepreneur? In an era of rapid change, uncertainty, and AI disruption, many entrepreneurs lose sight of their vision, forget their worth, and fall into the trap of complacency.

That’s why this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast is a must-listen. Host JR Lay sits down with Bryan Sweet—entrepreneur, wealth strategist, and author of The Dream Architect—to explore the transformative power of vision, purpose, and intentionality in both business and life. With over 45 years...

What happens when the business you built starts to break you?

Shannon McLay, founder of Collective Wellness Revival and former CEO of The Financial Gym joins JR Lay for a conversation that goes far beyond entrepreneurship. After 12 intense years of building a business and raising over $14 million in funding, Shannon found herself at rock bottom—burned out, disconnected, and questioning everything. What followed were three days in a mental health facility that would become a profound spiritual turning point.

Shannon shares the lessons she learned in the silence—about workaholism, misplaced identity, and the soul-crushing expe...

Rory Sylvia, founder of The Ways We Work, joins JR Lay to explore how leaders can create more human-centric, adaptive teams in the face of exponential change. Rory unpacks his RIDE framework—Reflect, Ideate, Design, Experiment—as a practical, repeatable rhythm for modern leadership. Together, they discuss why traditional top-down management models are failing, how fear and comfort hold teams back from meaningful growth, and how small, safe-to-try experiments can unleash innovation, trust, and connection.

Rory also shares how a simple 90-day LinkedIn experiment led to new relationships, clarity in his message, and business growth—proof that the ri...

When your podcast feels transactional, it shows. You miss the chance to build real trust—and in B2B, that trust is everything. Especially now, when AI-generated “slop” is everywhere and people crave something real.

Robb Conlon, founder of Westport Studios, joins JR Lay to break down why authentic connection is your podcast’s secret weapon. They talk about building real relationships, creating content that actually connects, and why giving a damn might just be your best marketing strategy.

What does the first year of business really look like—without the highlight reel? In this episode, JR Lay sits down with Chris DuBois, founder of Dynamic Agency OS, to unpack the real lessons from year one of building his business.

Chris doesn't hold back. He shares the wins, the struggles, and the mindset shifts that helped him go from nearly taking a job… to designing an agency that works for him, not the other way around. They explore everything from clarity in positioning to why “you can’t outsource conviction,” and how sticking to your values can actual...

Most entrepreneurs today are chasing the latest technology -AI, automation, analytics- believing it’s the key to scaling. But what if the most powerful tool in your business doesn’t live in the cloud... but in your mind?

In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR Lay is joined by Roderick Walker, Owner & CEO of Tavros Care, who shares his incredible journey from driving UPS trucks to leading in the healthcare space. This conversation goes beyond strategy and systems—it’s a raw and honest look at how ambition, adversity, and authentic intelligence shape true entrepre...

What would you do if your $20 million business exit collapsed just 30 days before closing? That’s exactly what happened to Steve Patti, a seasoned B2B marketing leader who has built and scaled companies across 12+ industries. In this episode, Steve shares the hard-earned wisdom from that moment and how it transformed his approach to business, branding, and life. Steve and JR also explore the power of faith—not as religion, but as the confidence in what’s hoped for—and how it can reshape your mindset, marketing, and mission. Finally, they'll discuss why wisdom is the new currency, how to recla...

Wealth is often measured in dollars. But what if the real scoreboard for success tracks something far more meaningful?

In this episode JR Lay is joined by Cory Proctor, a former NFL offensive lineman turned entrepreneur and founder of Pro Capital Wealth Management. Cory brings a no-fluff perspective to what it really takes to grow a business, protect your wealth, and stay grounded in what matters most—faith, family, and future.

Together, they explore how the battles entrepreneurs face in business are often rooted in deeper belief systems—and how aligning your spiritual, mental, and fina...

Ever feel stuck as an entrepreneur—like you’ve hit a wall that no strategy, system, or scale tactic can break through? The truth is, your business growth is limited by your personal growth. Growth-minded entrepreneur Michael Pine, Managing Partner and Co Founder at thinkWealth, LLC, joins JR to unpack how investing in yourself—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—is the key to leveling up your business.

Michael shares hard-earned insights from decades of inner work, the power of courageous conversations, and why people pleasing is just another form of self-sabotage. Together, they explore how spiritual development is not sepa...

Feeling stuck, scattered, or like you’re not where you “should” be by now? You’re not alone—and you’re not done.

In this episode of The Level Up Business Podcast, JR Lay sits down with Darren Violette, a financial advisor and B2B entrepreneur who opens up about his long road from insecurity and failure to clarity and growth. Darren shares how he spent years learning the “hard skills” of his business—but it wasn’t until he confronted the inner work that things really started to change.

We explore how to:

What if the lessons you’ve learned as a B2B entrepreneur could become a powerful new income stream and help others avoid the painful pitfalls you’ve already overcome? In this episode of The Level Up Business Podcast, JR Lay is joined by Ron Cuff, Co-Founder of Forge, to explore how authentic, hard-earned wisdom can be transformed into real systems that scale businesses—especially in the home services industry.

Ron shares how embracing transparency, letting go of limiting beliefs, and investing in team growth helped him unlock exponential success. If you’ve ever felt stuck, undervalued your own...

Entrepreneurs often live in chaos—either dragging it from business into the home or vice versa. This lack of alignment leads to communication breakdowns, emotional disconnection, and stalled dreams.

Left unchecked, this chaos breeds unresolved conflict, financial stress, and even resentment. Eventually, couples find themselves completely out of sync, unsure how they got there or how to find their way back.

Tom Bouwer, best-selling author of The Cohesive Couple: Escape the Chaos. Connect Deeply. Build A Bigger Future—Together, shares a system to help couples bring just the right amount of structure to their relationship. By s...

Megan Bowen, CEO of Refine Labs, joins JR Lay to break down how forward-thinking B2B brands can embrace change through adaptability, strategic reflection, and an evolved demand gen model. From redefining brand, demand, and expansion strategies to building internal change management discipline, this conversation offers a path forward to those ready to level up.

Think conflict is something to avoid? Think again.

In this episode, JR Lay and Matthew Abrams, Certified EOS Implementer & Coach, blow up the myth that conflict is bad for business — or for you. The truth? Conflict is where your next big breakthrough is hiding.

They dive deep into how early life experiences secretly shape how you lead today, why most entrepreneurs unconsciously sabotage their own growth, and how facing the hard stuff (instead of running from it) unlocks your true genius.

If you want to live and lead with more authenticity, build stronger te...

Entrepreneurs often experience unexpected energy drain, friction, or stagnation — not just within themselves, but also within their teams and collaborations — without understanding why.

Left unchecked, this misalignment can silently sabotage momentum, drain confidence, and create persistent bottlenecks that prevent business growth. Entrepreneurs may mistakenly blame skills, motivation, or even the people around them when the real issue is a hidden mismatch in natural ways of taking action.

In this episode, JR Lay and Audrey Cannata reveal how the Kolbe A Index unlocks clarity not only about your own energy management but also about how to work...

Entrepreneurship is rising — but what happens when your career success still leaves you feeling empty?

In this inspiring episode, host JR Lay talks with Lori Pine, executive leadership coach and former corporate VP at Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, and Campbell’s, about what happens when you've checked all the boxes... but life still feels off. Lori shares her deeply personal journey of leaving the corporate world not out of desire, but out of necessity, and how that moment became a catalyst for reinvention, purpose, and JOY.

As entrepreneurs, we often chase the future by sacrificing the very thing that powers us—our health. In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, host JR Lay is joined by Regan Archibald, founder of East West Health and leading voice in peptide therapy and regenerative medicine. Together, they explore what it truly means to create an ageless future—one where mind, body, and spirit are aligned to support high performance and deep fulfillment.

Regan shares the transformative power of functional medicine, the importance of sleep as a rejuvenation tool, and how visualization and clarity can spar...

In the noisy world of B2B marketing, most brands are forgotten the moment after a prospect scrolls past their feed. Why? Because they’re focused on features, price, and parroting the same tired messages—without ever truly standing for something. Instead of building real connection and recognition, they blend into the crowd.

If your brand feels invisible, it might be because you’re missing the foundation: a clear vision, a unique vibe, and a real reason to exist. When you rely on marketing buzzwords or AI-generated fluff, you risk sounding like everyone else. And in the age of...

Too many entrepreneurs grind through frustration, stuck on the revenue rollercoaster—growing fast, crashing hard, then repeating the cycle.

That’s exactly where Jeremey Newberg, CEO of Capital Access, found himself at 50. Stagnant. Burned out. And wondering what it would take to break through.

In this episode, Jeremey shares how he transformed from a “grumpy grinder” into a “fantastic facilitator” by doing the deep inner work first. He unpacks the mindset shifts, frameworks (EOS, Strategic Coach, AMP), and personal practices that helped him move from scarcity to abundance—and how that shift is now leveling up his team an...

What if the real threat to your business isn’t the market... but your own thoughts?

In this vulnerable and high-impact episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR Lay sits down with Ben Ward, bestselling author of Pluck the FUD and CEO of Forward Leadership, to explore how fear, pride, and ego can sabotage even the most successful entrepreneurs—from the inside out.

Ben shares the raw story of building a $56 million company by the age of 30… and then losing everything. Why? Hubris. Ego. Unchecked thoughts. But through the darkest moments—foreclosure, failure, identity crisis—h...

What if the reason you're stuck isn’t strategy… but your subconscious?

In this powerful episode, JR sits down with wealth coach Lisa Smith, who helps six- and seven-figure entrepreneurs break through self-imposed financial ceilings and reach early retirement—without sacrificing their soul or sanity.

Together, they unpack the concept of your “deserve level”—a subconscious set point that can quietly sabotage your business growth, your wealth, and your self-worth. If you’ve ever felt like no matter how much you earn, you can’t seem to hold onto it... or like success triggers fear, guilt, or burnou...

Most B2B entrepreneurs have been sold a lie: that success must come through struggle, sacrifice, and suffering. But what if the very mindset that got you here is the same one keeping you stuck? In this powerful and raw conversation, JR Lay sits down with Chris Walker—Founder & CEO of Passetto—to explore the deep inner work that unlocks true freedom and exponential growth.

Chris just returned from a month-long break—a mix of reflection, tropical beaches, and total disconnection. The twist? His business didn’t just survive… it thrived. For most B2B entrepreneurs, that kind of fr...

What if the real reason you're stuck isn’t your strategy—but your energy? In this deeply insightful episode, JR Lay welcomes Daniel White, entrepreneur, spiritual healer, and author of Financial Freedom System. Daniel shares how an Olympic dream cut short led him on a transformational path—from mastering the mind-body connection to diving deep into spiritual healing. Together, they explore the hidden blockages—some even generational—that hold entrepreneurs back, even when they’ve checked all the “success” boxes.

This conversation is an invitation to stop pushing and start flowing. Daniel shares the importance of intuition, the danger of eg...

Today’s buyers are more skeptical, impatient, and independent than ever before. They don’t want to talk to a salesperson until they're ready. They want pricing upfront, control over their buying journey, and total transparency from the brands they engage with.

In this episode, JR Lay is joined by marketing visionary and best-selling author Marcus Sheridan, whose new book Endless Customers provides a timely playbook for becoming the most trusted brand in your market. Marcus breaks down the four pillars that define market leaders today: say what others aren’t willing to say, show what others aren’t...

In a world dominated by digital impressions, most B2B entrepreneurs are unknowingly sabotaging their personal brands with inauthentic, AI-generated content....and headshots!

And here’s the danger—people can feel it. Whether consciously or not, your prospects, clients, and peers pick up on subtle facial cues and expressions that signal confidence, trust, and likability.

In this candid and entertaining episode, JR Lay catches up with Chris Gillett, a Headshot Specialist and Expression Coach (and former attorney!) at LikeTheRazor.com, to unpack the power of authentic visual communication. Discover why facial expression—not filters or fancy...

Many entrepreneurs struggle with self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and the constant pressure to "push harder" in their business. These mental roadblocks—often rooted in childhood experiences—can create frustration, burnout, and a sense of stagnation.

In this episode, Natasha Schiffman, entrepreneur and coach, joins host JR Lay to explore the psychological shifts necessary for business success. Natasha shares actionable strategies, including weekly accountability, goal harmony, and the ‘Pearl Habit’—a method for turning irritations into gratitude and growth. Listeners will learn how to reframe limiting beliefs, align their goals with their values, and transition from force to flow in their e...

Entrepreneurs often excel at building businesses and making money, but when it comes to managing their personal finances, succession planning, and creating long-term wealth, many fall short. In this episode, Michael Pallozzi, President of HFM Investment Advisors, shares insights on how business owners can navigate the intersection of business, family, and finances without losing control. From understanding the real value of your assets to overcoming self-limiting beliefs about money, Michael reveals why even the most successful entrepreneurs often lack a clear financial plan—and what they can do about it.

We also explore the unique challenges of fa...

Are you fully invested in your business, your relationships, and your life? In this episode, Chad Willardson, Founder & President of Pacific Capital and creator of Platinum Elevated, shares his philosophy on what it means to go all in—and why most entrepreneurs hold themselves back out of fear.

Chad’s journey from leaving a secure career at Merrill Lynch to building his own wealth management firm is proof that success comes from taking bold action. He also shares the powerful story of an 18-foot waterfall jump in New Zealand that transformed his mindset on risk, decision-making, and lead...

What if the biggest barrier to your business growth isn’t strategy, but the energy behind it? In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, I’m joined by Jordan Bonifas, founder of Boniface Coaching, to explore how shifting from force to flow can unlock exponential success.

We dive deep into the unseen blocks that hold entrepreneurs back, uncovering why past failures often unconsciously dictate future decisions and how moving energy can drive execution with velocity. Jordan shares his unique perspective on the connection between inner mastery and business strategy, revealing why silence is the key to t...

After co-founding Digital Insight and selling it to Intuit for $1.35 billion, Paul Fiore found himself in an eight-year search for his next big thing. The entrepreneurial high was gone, and he realized that chasing success without meaning leads to frustration and stagnation.

In this episode, JR Lay and Paul Fiore unpack how entrepreneurs can redefine success, reignite their purpose, and think even bigger. Paul shares his insights on innovation, storytelling, and how to sell a vision that inspires both customers and employees. Whether you're scaling your business or searching for your next Everest, this conversation will help...

Many B2B entrepreneurs are stuck in a cycle of relentless marketing activity, struggling to turn conversations into real business opportunities. Damien Stevens, Founder & CEO of Servosity and host of the MSP Mindset podcast, faced this same challenge—until he discovered a better way.

In this episode, Damien shares how implementing the Level Up Business OS transformed his approach to marketing, shifting his focus from transactional sales tactics to co-creating content, building meaningful relationships, and ultimately driving conversions. He reveals how setting a bold goal of 100 conversations with top MSP leaders not only elevated his brand but al...

Entrepreneurship isn’t always smooth sailing—just ask Rusty Bynum. With 25+ years in the financial world, Rusty opens up about one of the toughest challenges he’s faced: a “business divorce.” He shares the raw lessons he learned, how he rebuilt his mindset, and why having the right people in your corner makes all the difference. They also dive into the power of morning routines, continuous learning, and the habits that have helped Rusty unlock new levels of success. Whether you’re navigating a tough transition or just looking to level up, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want t

Why do so many six and seven-figure entrepreneurs still struggle with cash flow? Making money isn’t the same as building wealth, and without the right financial habits, even high earners can feel stuck.

In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, host JR Lay sits down with Jason Sipple, founder and CEO of Wheel of Wealth, to uncover why entrepreneurs face financial struggles—and how to fix them. Jason helps high-earning fathers solve cash flow problems, create financial stability, and scale their wealth.

The secret? A bigger vision and disciplined execution. Jason and JR b...

If you’re a B2B entrepreneur looking to elevate your brand, expand your influence, and scale your business—without sacrificing your health, relationships, or well-being—you’re in the right place.

I know firsthand how the stress of running a business can take a toll. Back in 2012, I was battling addiction, depression, and imposter syndrome while trying to grow my company in the financial services industry. I struggled to stand out, attract the right clients, and break free from the commodity trap. But the real challenge wasn’t just external—it was my own self-limiting beliefs holding me b...

JR Lay shares his inspiring journey from a struggling B2B entrepreneur to a two-time best-selling author and global keynote speaker, offering a blueprint for success to fellow entrepreneurs. He reflects on the self-limiting beliefs and obstacles he faced, emphasizing that every challenge presents an opportunity for growth.

With a focus on the importance of personal development and seeking help, JR discusses how he transformed his business by investing in himself and learning from industry leaders. He encourages listeners to embrace their past experiences as lessons for future success, highlighting the significance of taking actionable steps towards...