From Corporate Burnout To Joyful Entrepreneurship With Lori Pine Level Up Business podcast

29:50

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 of experience, Bryan shares practical strategies for getting out of your comfort zone, investing your time more wisely, and architecting a future that’s bigger than you imagined. Whether you’re building your next chapter or mentoring others, this episode will inspire you to dream big, then go even bigger.…

Level Up Business

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Three Days in the Dark: A Wake-Up Call for Entrepreneurs on the Edge 52:14

7 days ago52:14

52:14

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 expectations founders place on themselves. She speaks openly about how her faith, intuition, and connection to something greater led her to a new mission: helping entrepreneurs heal from the inside out. This episode is a guide for every founder who has ever felt like they’re barely holding it together while keeping up appearances. You’ll leave with a deeper sense of clarity—and permission to slow down, surrender, and find yourself again.…

Level Up Business

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The RIDE Framework: How to Reflect, Ideate, Design, and Experiment Your Way to Growth (with Rory Sylvia) 40:10

8 days ago40:10

40:10

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 ride really works. This episode will challenge your assumptions, encourage you to embrace tension as data, and equip you with tools to lead your team with intention in a fast-moving, AI-shaped world.…

Level Up Business

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Beyond Content: The ROI of Human Connection in B2B Podcasting with Robb Conlon 51:38

14 days ago51:38

51:38

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.…

Level Up Business

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Values, Vision, Velocity: What 365 Days in Business Really Teaches You with Chris DuBois 29:09

15 days ago29:09

29:09

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 actually accelerate growth. If you’re a B2B entrepreneur looking to build momentum, re-align your business, or shift from founder-driven to founder- led , this conversation offers both practical insight and deep encouragement. Because the truth is...your business will only grow as far as you do.…

Level Up Business

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From UPS to CEO: The Unseen Power Behind Entrepreneurial Growth with Roderick Walker 40:52

20 days ago40:52

40:52

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 entrepreneurial success. Roderick opens up about overcoming childhood trauma, surviving misdiagnosis and medical uncertainty, and how he used those experiences to build scalable businesses—from a multi-service wedding company to a thriving healthcare brand. Together, they explore how mindset isn't just a soft skill—it's the foundation for scaling your business and your life. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed by the chaos of entrepreneurship, this episode is your invitation to reframe that chaos into clarity—and to finally level up from the inside out.…

Level Up Business

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When a $20M Near Miss: How to Rebuild Your Mind, Brand, and Business with Steve Patti 50:22

21 days ago50:22

50:22

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 reclaim your identity in a synthetic world, and why your brand is ultimately your reputation.…

Level Up Business

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From the NFL to Entrepreneurship: Redefining What Wealth Really Means with Cory Procter 39:43

28 days ago39:43

39:43

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 financial life isn’t just good for you personally… it’s essential for sustainable business growth. If you’ve been chasing external success but feel disconnected from your purpose, this conversation will challenge you to redefine wealth—and give you a framework to build it with intention.…

Level Up Business

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The Entrepreneur’s Edge: Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual Growth (with Michael Pine) 30:58

29 days ago30:58

30:58

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 separate from business, but the source of sustained success. Now’s the time to invest in the most important asset in your business— you .…

Level Up Business

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From Chaos to Clarity: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Hear 43:02

5 weeks ago43:02

43:02

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: Lead with confidence, not just competence Rebuild belief after burnout or business breakdowns Redefine wealth beyond just dollars and data And why showing up as who you’ve become is the most powerful shift of all This isn’t just another story of success—it’s a masterclass in resilience, reflection, and choosing to grow when it’s easier to quit . Listen in and discover how to silence the noise, act on what you can control, and forge a business—and life—that reflects who you’re truly becoming.…

Level Up Business

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How to Turn Your Hard Lessons into a Scalable Business Model as a B2B Entrepreneur with Ron Cuff 32:03

5 weeks ago32:03

32:03

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 experience, or questioned your ability to lead others forward, this conversation will shift your perspective and reignite your purpose. Listen in to learn how your past can become your greatest asset on the path to growth and impact.…

Level Up Business

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Thriving Together: How Entrepreneurial Couples Can Build a Bigger Future with Less Chaos 27:21

6 weeks ago27:21

27:21

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 syncing weekly, setting shared goals, and communicating through shared tools, couples can realign, reconnect, and co-create the future they truly desire.…

Level Up Business

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Why Most B2B Brands Are Stuck—and How to Break Through with Megan Bowen 27:01

6 weeks ago27:01

27:01

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.…

Level Up Business

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Unlocking Your Genius: Why Conflict Is the Key with Matthew Abrams 46:57

7 weeks ago46:57

46:57

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 teams, and stop playing defense in your own life — this episode is your roadmap.…

Level Up Business

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Energy Management Secrets Every Entrepreneur Should Know (Introducing the Kolbe A Index with Audrey Cannata) 35:12

7 weeks ago35:12