Marketer, speaker and best-selling author Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. Listen as he shares why non-obvious thinking is a superpower anyone can build—with a little space, insight, focus and a twist. More resources: Join us July 31 at the CalCPA Members Club Summit , where Rohit will be sharing more of his insights as keynote speaker. Anticipating the Future...
Jun 30, 2025•31 min
Armed with a CPA license and a master’s degree in applied positive psychology, Wes Hitchcock is on a mission to improve the well-being of CPAs, help them reach their potential and create plans to stop burnout in the profession—while focusing on being more optimistic. This is more than looking at the world through rose-colored glasses; it’s having an optimistic, explanatory style that can make people more resilient—and more productive.
Jun 02, 2025•30 min•Ep. 34
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or your career is just taking off, AICPA Chair Carla McCall stresses the importance of finding the work that gives you meaning. In this episode, McCall, managing partner at AAF CPAs, shares her insights into leadership, employee engagement and her “human first” approach to company culture....
May 12, 2025•42 min
The accounting profession is evolving at breakneck speed, and today’s CPAs need more than just technical know-how—they need innovation and creativity to stay ahead. Kendale King , founder of KCK CPA and the visionary behind CPACON , an interactive accounting conference set for Dec. 3, believes that by embracing boldness and curiosity, CPAs can not only keep up but open new pathways to survive and thrive....
Nov 04, 2024•44 min
We've all heard the saying, "If it ain’t broke, why fix it?" But in today's rapidly evolving business world, that mindset could hold you back. In this episode, speaker, author, consultant and CPA Gene Marks says clinging to that old adage could put your success, and even your survival, at risk as the CPA profession and the business landscape continue to shift at lightning speed.
Oct 07, 2024•41 min•Ep. 31
Career paths are full of twists and turns, and your next big opportunity might be closer than you think—perhaps waiting in a phone call, a lunch invite or at a networking event. In this episode, Lorraine Lavet , a senior client partner at Korn Ferry, says take advantage of these opportunities because you never know how a simple connection could shape your future.
Sep 09, 2024•51 min
We’ve all likely heard the cliché, “there’s no I in team.” And sure, it’s cheesy, yet as leadership and transformation coach Emily Liang explains in this episode, there’s great value in surrounding yourself with those who can help you take that next step in your career—be they mentors, coaches, advocates or a personal board of directors—and help you thrive and find joy.
Aug 12, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Most everyone has heard of the Golden Rule—to treat others as you would like to be treated—and many think it’s a good management philosophy. Consultant Jeremy Wortman of HRD Initiatives , however, believes organizations can kick it up a notch to the Platinum Rule—treat people the way they want to be treated. Listen as he explains what that looks like and provides insight on how to best attract and retaining talent....
Jul 01, 2024•30 min
Combining her business skills and interest with a passion for helping people succeed, Jessica McClain , CFO of the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital , operates in what she calls “the intersection of accounting and social impact.” Listen as she provides her insights into leadership, career development, promoting the accounting profession … and her favorite Girl Scout cookie....
Jun 10, 2024•29 min•Ep. 27
What happens when you combine knowledge, passion—and a mindset that magic can be found everywhere? For Danetha Doe , founder of financial education company Money and Mimosas , it’s meant building a successful career as an entrepreneur and speaker while helping small businesses in more than 20 countries raise more than $160 million in capital.
May 06, 2024•36 min
Money makes the world go ’round, the saying goes. And for the younger generation that’s just learning about income, debt, credit scores, insurance and the like, it could make for a dizzying experience. Enter Tim Ranzetta , co-founder of Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit that believes all high school students deserve a high quality, engaging and relevant personal finance education prior to graduation. Hear how his organization is doing that and is on a mission that by 2030, all U.S. high sch...
Apr 01, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 25
The future. Uncertainty. Change. The words cause many people to shiver, yet what would happen if we shift our mindset a bit, look deeper into opportunities and see these words as a gateway to growth? Best-selling author, entrepreneur and consultant Pascal Finette explains how. More resources: Be Radical https://rdcl.is Disrupt Disruption https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BT6SPPR2?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_G08RET326YSNDPE06T0K...
Feb 05, 2024•41 min
Networking, investing and advocating for each other are just some of the avenues Julie Castro Abrams, managing partner at How Women Invest and CEO of How Women Lead , believes can help transform the way the world sees women leaders.
Jan 08, 2024•35 min
Whether you're a seasoned CPA or a budding accountant aiming to make a mark in the profession, we go beyond the numbers with Katie Thomas, CPA and owner of Leaders Online , in this podcast with advice and tips to unlock and grow success through leadership and branding.
Dec 04, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 22
We all know the importance and value of skills and knowledge when it comes to success, but even more important is mindset. In this episode, leadership trainer and coach George Griffin explains how the ability to believe in yourself, embrace challenges as opportunities and persist in the face of setbacks are keys to developing peak performance. And he should know. After failing out of college and being told he wasn’t college material, Griffin returned to school and earned multiple degrees, has ma...
Nov 06, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 21
The challenge with looking for fraudsters, says CPA, author, professor and filmmaker Kelly Richmond Pope, is that anyone can be one. You can even see what type of fraudster you’d be by taking Pope’s online quiz. In this episode, Pope explains the key role CPAs play in detecting fraud, how the profession can better explain its “why” to attract the next generation and the responsibility leaders have of pouring into others. Additional resources: · Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the ...
Oct 02, 2023•40 min
On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be much of a connection between improvisation and the business world. Yet aspects of improv like collaboration, being unscripted and learning to be tolerant, even comfortable, around ambiguity can easily be laid upon our daily lives. Colleen Murray Peyton , founder of Overjoy Creative and improv performer, dives deeper into her work facilitating workshops for corporations on leadership development, corporate culture and communication—and explains how laughte...
Sep 11, 2023•42 min
In this wide-ranging interview, CalCPA member Okorie Ramsey, vice president of Sarbanes/Oxley for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, discusses his role as chair of the AICPA and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and brings his insights from public accounting, industry and nonprofit accounting, as well as adjunct educator, on trending topics in the accounting profession, including diversity, equity and inclusion, innovation and ...
Aug 07, 2023•41 min
With all the beeps, pings and other notifications—not to mention meetings—battling for our attention, it’s challenging to stay focused and productive. But with the use of the right tools, knowing the difference between interruptions and disruptions, and other tips, productivity expert Sarah Tetlow, founder and CEO of Firm Focus , explains how you can stay organized, focused and accomplish what needs to be done.
Jul 03, 2023•34 min
As technology advancements like ChatGPT and business imperatives like ESG gain footing, there are lots of opportunities for the CPA profession to step in and add value to their clients or companies in terms of strategy and story. Listen as Todd Rahn, Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting , explains more.
Jun 05, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Innovation may sound daunting to most people, but Simone Ahuja, CEO of Blood Orange, an innovation and strategy consulting group, explains how innovation is not always about bright, shiny objects. It’s about adding value in new ways and is connected to the things we do every day.
May 01, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Beyond the debits, credits and tasks CPAs perform, there’s a calling to protect the public—a purpose and a meaning that people can rally around and aspire to make an impact. Listen as Christina Ho, CPA and board member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, discusses the value of accounting, how CPAs are context experts and the importance of lifelong learning.
Apr 02, 2023•35 min
With the face of the workplace changing—literally and figuratively—how can leaders and organizations ensure everyone is engaged and pulling in the same direction? Listen as Sarah Sladek, CEO and chief strategist of XYZ University, offers insights and strategies about talent recruitment and retention, leadership development and what each generation can learn from each other.
Mar 06, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Having a firm grasp on your finances and knowing where your money is coming from—and where it’s going—can be challenging and sometimes scary. In this episode of Rise and Stride, Larry Pon, CPA and chair of the CalCPA Financial Literacy Committee, outlines some strategies to help build a solid financial foundation. Resources: CalCPA Financial Literacy https://www.calcpa.org/public-resources/financial-literacy Guidestar https://www.guidestar.org...
Feb 21, 2023•27 min
There are a lot of characteristics that go into being a good leader that go beyond knowledge and expertise, including things like empathy, taking the questions and giving before you get. Listen as Michelle Russo, chief communications officer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discusses strategies organizations can take to keep their workforce informed and engaged.
Feb 06, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 11
From blockchain to cryptocurrency, the digital economy is here to stay. Listen as Gabriella Kusz, CEO of the Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association , discusses what this means for the financial sector—and how CPAs can best prepare. Resources discussed: Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System (Satoshi Nakamoto) Management and Disclosure of Climate-Related Financial Impacts for State-Owned Enterprises: Toolkit for Shareholders and Regulators (World Bank) Climate-Related Financi...
Jan 23, 2023•32 min
From data science to blockchain to robotic process automation, the accounting profession is taking on a different look. In this episode, Mike Wetklow, Deputy CFO and Division Director for Financial Management at the National Science Foundation, https://www.nsf.gov, talks about the importance of lifelong learning, how CPAs fit into the data picture and the importance of including accounting among STEM fields.
Jan 09, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 9
From manufacturers needing parts to individuals looking to stock their pantries, everyone has experienced supply chain issues. So what’s changing to make sure disruptions are kept at a minimum and where do CPAs fit into the strategy? Listen as Tom Derry, CEO of the Institute of Supply Management (https://www.ismworld.org) explains.
Dec 12, 2022•36 min•Ep. 8
AI, Big Data, XBRL … the profession is moving fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. Mike Willis of the U.S. SEC discusses changes occurring—and coming—to the profession, and how curiosity can help you succeed.
Nov 07, 2022•31 min
It’s easy to get caught up in the here and now when it comes to investing, but CalPERS Managing Director James Andrus stresses it’s a long game you want to play—whether as an institution or an individual.
Oct 03, 2022•30 min