John Ray, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Consulting in the Digital Age, with Prof. Joe O’Mahoney

February 26, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Consulting in the Digital Age, with Prof. Joe O'Mahoney

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Consulting in the Digital Age, with Prof. Joe O’Mahoney (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 123)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, host John Ray welcomes Professor Joe O’Mahoney, a leading authority on the consulting industry. They discuss significant shifts in the consulting field, including industry growth, client sophistication, and the impact of AI on consulting processes and pricing. Joe highlights the importance of managed knowledge and systems in consulting firms and how firms can leverage AI to improve efficiency. They also touch on issues like value-based pricing, the role of luck in business success, and how consultants can build reliable, scalable models for long-term growth. Joe shares insights from his latest book, Growth: Building a Successful Consultancy in the Digital Age, making a compelling case for why modern consulting firms must embrace both digital transformation and personalized client relationships.

The Price and Value Journey is presented by John Ray and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Prof. Joe O’Mahoney

Joe is a leading authority on the consulting industry and a consultant to boutiques and small consulting firms. His research on the profession has won several prestigious awards and publications and resulted in leadership of high-profile government-funded research into the profession. Joe’s textbook on management consulting, Management Consultancy (published by Oxford University Press) was the best-selling book of its kind in Europe and his academic research has been published in the top international journals. His most recent, evidence-based book on growing consulting firms in the digital age, Growth: Building a Successful Consultancy in the Digital Age (published by Routledge), is the “go-to” growth text for consulting CEOs and managing partners all over the world.

Joe also practices what he preaches: he has been a corporate consultant, an internal consultant and a solo consultant. He has spent fifteen years providing advisory services to small consulting firms on growth and, in 2007, sold his own company, StayMobile Technology Ltd. In addition to his private practice, he is the founder of Repair Café Wales CIC and Consulting Mastered Ltd.

Joe has taught and coached over 2,000 executives and MBA students about management consultancy and helped hundreds of students gain places at leading consulting firms. Joe’s work has been recognized by awards from the British Academy of Management, the Centre for Consulting Excellence, the ESRC and several university prizes.

Joe studied history at Oxford University and obtained his PhD and MSc at Warwick University. He lives within Cardiff with his wife, Hannah, and two sons.

Website | LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Prof. Joe O’Mahoney
01:36 Big Shifts in Consulting
04:08 Myths and Outdated Beliefs in Consulting
08:03 Scaling and Growth Challenges
14:23 Managed Knowledge and Intellectual Property
19:46 Artificial Intelligence in Consulting
23:35 Implementing AI for Long-Term Success
25:25 Strategizing with AI: Efficiency vs. Personalization
26:45 Leveraging Off-the-Shelf Solutions for Process Improvement
28:20 AI’s Role in Consulting: Current Capabilities and Future Potential
30:12 The Impact of AI on Consulting Pricing Models
36:19 Building Value and Trust in Client Relationships
44:50 The Role of Luck in Consulting Success
48:34 Conclusion and Contact Information

About The Price and Value Journey

The title of this show describes the journey all professional service providers are on: building a services practice by seeking to convince the world of the value we offer, helping clients achieve the outcomes they desire, and trying to do all that at pricing that reflects the value we deliver.

If you feel like you’re working too hard for too little money in your solo or small firm practice, this show is for you. Even if you’re reasonably happy with your practice, you’ll hear ways to improve both your bottom line and the mindset you bring to your business.

The show is hosted and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. The show can also be found on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

John Ray, Author of The Generosity Mindset and Host of "The Price and Value Journey" — John Ray, Author of *The Generosity Mindset* and Host of *The Price and Value Journey*

John Ray is the host of The Price and Value Journey.

John owns Ray Business Advisors, a business advisory practice. John’s services include business coaching and advisory work, as well as advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their pricing. John is passionate about the power of pricing for business owners, as changing pricing is the fastest way to change the profitability of a business. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, consultants, coaches, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

In his other business, John is a podcast show host and producer and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) affiliate of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their own podcast using The Generosity Mindset™ Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.

John is also the host of North Fulton Business Radio. With over 840 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in its region like no one else.

John’s book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices

John is the #1 national best-selling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

If you are a professional services provider, your goal is to do transformative work for clients you love working with and get paid commensurate with the value you deliver to those clients. While negative mindsets can inhibit your growth, adopting a different mindset, The Generosity Mindset®, can replace those self-limiting beliefs. The Generosity Mindset enables you to diagnose and communicate the value you deliver to clients and, in turn, more effectively price to receive a portion of that value.

Whether you’re a consultant, coach, marketing or branding professional, business advisor, attorney, CPA, or work in virtually any other professional services discipline, your content and technical expertise are not proprietary. What’s unique, though, is your experience and how you synthesize and deliver your knowledge. What’s special is your demeanor or the way you deal with your best-fit clients. What’s invaluable is how you deliver great value by guiding people through massive changes in their personal lives and in their businesses that bring them to a place they never thought possible.

The combination of all these elements is quite different for you compared to any other service provider in your industry. Therein lies your value, but it’s not the value you see. It’s the value your best-fit customers see in you.

If pricing your value feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar to you, this book will teach you why putting a price on the value your clients perceive and identify serves both them and you, and you’ll learn the factors involved in getting your price right.

The book is available at all major physical and online book retailers worldwide. Follow this link for further details.

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn

Enhancing Talent Acquisition, with Brooke Wheeler, Restoration Talent Solutions

February 25, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Enhancing Talent Acquisition, with Brooke Wheeler, Restoration Talent Solutions

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Enhancing Talent Acquisition, with Brooke Wheeler, Restoration Talent Solutions (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 846)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Brooke Wheeler, founder of Restoration Talent Solutions. Brooke discusses her journey from corporate talent acquisition to starting her own fractional recruitment company, emphasizing the importance of authentic culture, effective use of recruitment tools, and networking for both employers and job seekers. She shares insights on the benefits of fractional talent acquisition for small and medium-sized businesses, strategies for improving recruitment processes, and tips for job seekers navigating a challenging job market. Additionally, Brooke highlights her company’s success in helping businesses build internal recruiting functions and improve hiring efficiency.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Brooke Wheeler, Talent Restoration Solutions

With over 25 years in corporate recruiting, Brooke has had the privilege of recruiting and advising across diverse industries like fintech, data analytics, and engineering. Her passion lies in crafting and refining talent acquisition strategies that not only attract top talent but also cultivate a positive organizational culture. She’s successfully placed thousands of high-caliber candidates in roles that fuel innovation and drive business success.

Now she’s built her company, Restoration Talent Solutions, to do the same for growing businesses that want to create a recruiting function in order to attract and hire the best talent for their team, without the overhead of a full-time talent acquisition executive. Fractional talent acquisition means she provides expert recruitment services on a part-time, flexible basis.

If you want to start making smarter hires, Brooke is here to help.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:29 Guest Introduction: Brooke Wheeler
02:04 Brooke’s Background and Career Journey
06:08 The Value of Fractional Talent Acquisition
09:19 Importance of Company Culture
12:04 Challenges in Talent Acquisition
15:02 Advice for Job Seekers
19:58 Ideal Clients and Success Stories
26:07 Conclusion and Contact Information
26:56 Host’s Final Remarks

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way to better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 800 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, Business RadioX - North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

MARTA’s Transformation and Future Growth in North Fulton, with MARTA’s Freda Hardage and Jennifer Larosa

February 25, 2025 by John Ray

MARTA's Transformation and Future Growth in North Fulton, with Freda Hardage and Jennifer Larosa, MARTA, on the GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

North Fulton Studio

MARTA's Transformation and Future Growth in North Fulton, with MARTA's Freda Hardage and Jennifer Larosa

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MARTA’s Transformation and Future Growth in North Fulton, with MARTA’s Freda Hardage and Jennifer Larosa (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 104)

In this episode of the GNFCC 400 Insider, host Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, discusses the significant developments in the North Fulton transit system with Freda Hardage and Jennifer Larosa from MARTA. They delve into the new fleet of CQ 400 train cars, upcoming improvements in rail stations, and the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit routes. They also highlight the importance of transit investments for economic growth and how MARTA is preparing for the expected population increase. The conversation covers partnerships with GDOT and legislative initiatives aimed at enhancing MARTA’s service and safety features.

The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Freda Hardage, Director, MARTA

Freda Hardage, MARTA — **Freda Hardage**

Freda Hardage is a prominent figure in Atlanta’s healthcare and public transportation sectors. She currently serves as the Chair of the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) Board of Directors, a position she was elected to in December 2018. Hardage has been a member of the MARTA board since 2013, when she was appointed by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

With over 30 years of experience in healthcare, Hardage has had a distinguished career at Northside Hospital. She held the position of Director of Foundation Services for the Alpharetta Medical Campus at Northside Hospital. Her background as a registered nurse, with a BSN from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has informed her multidisciplinary approach to healthcare systems.

Hardage’s community involvement extends beyond her roles at MARTA and Northside Hospital. She has been recognized for her contributions to the Johns Creek community, where she resides. In 2023, she was honored as one of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) Women of Excellence Award winners for her service projects and community leadership.

Her professional network includes positions such as Director/Board Member at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, showcasing her commitment to local business development. Hardage’s leadership at MARTA comes at a crucial time for the region’s transit development, as she has expressed enthusiasm for working with current partners and potential new jurisdictions to expand MARTA’s services.

Hardage’s career exemplifies a dedication to public service, healthcare advancement, and community development in the greater Atlanta area. Her diverse experience in both the public and private sectors positions her as a key figure in shaping the future of Atlanta’s transportation and healthcare landscapes.

Jennifer Larosa, Sr. Director of Government Affairs, MARTA

Jennifer Larosa, MARTA — **Jennifer Larosa**

Jennifer Larosa is a seasoned professional in government affairs and public policy, currently serving as the Senior Director of Government & Community Affairs at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). She joined MARTA in February 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience in transit and legislative affairs.

Prior to her current role, Larosa worked as a lobbyist for MARTA while employed at Ohio River South and McGuire Woods Consulting. Her career is marked by significant achievements in transit and funding legislative successes. Notably, she played a key role in creating Georgia’s first dedicated funding source for transit capital projects and establishing the Transit Trust Fund.

Larosa’s educational background includes degrees from Georgia State University and the University of Georgia, following her undergraduate studies in her native Louisiana. Her expertise extends beyond her work at MARTA; she has also served as the Vice President for State & Local Government at Ohio River South and has been a board member for Advance Atlanta.

In her current position at MARTA, Larosa is responsible for maintaining a visible presence at the State Capitol, fostering positive relationships with political and community stakeholders, and working to secure necessary funding for the transit authority. Her role is crucial in advancing MARTA’s interests at local, state, and federal levels, particularly given the authority’s reliance on federal and state funding support for system improvements and expansion.

MARTA

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is the primary public transportation provider in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Established in 1971, MARTA operates a comprehensive network of bus and rail services, serving Fulton, Clayton, and DeKalb counties, with limited bus services extending into Cobb County. The system includes 48 miles of rail track with 38 stations and over 110 bus routes, making it the eighth-largest rapid transit system in the United States by ridership.

MARTA’s mission is to advocate for and provide safe, multimodal transit services that enhance prosperity, connectivity, and equity across the region. It plays a crucial role in economic development through Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) initiatives, fostering walkable communities around its stations. MARTA is governed by a 15-member board of directors and employs over 4,500 people, relying on fares and sales tax for its operating revenues. Despite being a major transit system, MARTA is unique in not receiving state funding.

In addition to its core services, MARTA offers paratransit services for disabled customers and is expanding its fleet with environmentally friendly buses. The organization continues to evolve, with ongoing projects like the MARTA Rapid Summerhill bus rapid transit line, set to launch in late 2025, and Bus Rapid Transit routes coming to North Fulton.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to the GNFCC 400 Insider
00:37 Meet the Guests: Freda Hardage and Jennifer Larosa
02:13 Exciting News: MARTA’s New Train Fleet
06:12 Enhancing MARTA Stations
07:59 Future Growth and Economic Impact
11:18 Legislative Efforts and BRT Initiatives
18:07 MARTA’s Plans for North Fulton’s 400 Corridor
20:27 The Importance of MARTA to the Community
25:00 Conclusion and Contact Information

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) — **Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce**

The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.

The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.

GNFCC promotes the interests of their members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.

Leadership and Innovation in the Roswell Fire Department, with Chief Joe Pennino

February 25, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Leadership and Innovation in the Roswell Fire Department, with Chief Joe Pennino

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Leadership and Innovation in the Roswell Fire Department, with Chief Joe Pennino (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 845)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray speaks with Chief Joe Pennino of the Roswell Fire Department. Chief Pennino shares insights on leadership lessons that can be applied in various business sectors, discussing his career journey and the significant transitions at the Roswell Fire Department. The conversation highlights the shift from part-time to full-time staffing, the innovative measures implemented for firefighter health and safety, and the importance of vision and communication in leadership. Additionally, the episode explores how Chief Pennino fosters a culture of transparency and trust while addressing the mental and emotional well-being of firefighters. The discussion also touches on the broader challenges and innovations within public safety and government organizations.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Dr. Joe Pennino, DPA, EFO, CFO, MIFireE, PMP

**Dr. Joe Pennino, Fire Chief, City of Roswell, Georgia**

Dr. Joe Pennino is a seasoned public safety leader, educator, consultant, and leadership coach with over two decades of experience in fire service, emergency management, and public administration. Since 2021, he has served as the Fire Chief and Emergency Manager for the City of Roswell, GA, leading a department of more than 150 personnel and managing a $17 million budget to enhance public safety and community resilience.

Under Dr. Pennino’s leadership, the Roswell Fire Department was recently honored with the 2025 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award for its groundbreaking research on the effects of shift schedules and adjusted start times on firefighter performance and well-being. This study, conducted in collaboration with researchers, aims to improve firefighter health by addressing sleep quality, reducing fatigue, and enhancing long-term wellness. The award, presented at the 35th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, DC, recognizes departments that make significant contributions to firefighter safety and health.

Prior to his tenure in Roswell, Dr. Pennino was Deputy Fire Chief in Largo, Florida, where he oversaw the department’s five operational divisions and played a pivotal role in modernizing emergency medical services, data-driven decision-making, and intergovernmental coordination. His diverse career includes experience as a hazmat technician, SWAT medic, flight medic, and emergency management coordinator, providing him with a broad perspective on crisis response and strategic leadership.

Beyond his operational leadership, Dr. Pennino is an educator, consultant, and leadership coach. He teaches in both the Fire Administration bachelor’s and Doctor of Public Administration programs at Liberty University, mentoring future public safety and government leaders. He also provides leadership coaching for professionals seeking to enhance their strategic thinking, team development, and personal effectiveness.

Dr. Pennino holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from Valdosta State University and a Master’s in Public Policy from Liberty University. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified by the Project Management Institute and holds professional designations including Executive Fire Officer (EFO), Chief Fire Officer (CFO), and Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE), reflecting his commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in leadership.

A strong advocate for data-driven governance, organizational efficiency, and leadership development, Dr. Pennino continues to shape the future of public safety and professional leadership through innovation, strategic planning, and coaching.

Roswell Fire Department, Roswell, Georgia

The Roswell Fire Department, located in Roswell, Georgia, is a progressive, ISO Class 2 all-hazards agency dedicated to providing comprehensive public safety services. The department operates out of seven fire stations, a separate fire headquarters, and the Roswell-Alpharetta Public Safety Training Center (RAPSTC). The department’s apparatus includes seven fire engines, two ladder trucks, a heavy/technical rescue truck, two rescue ambulances, and one Battalion Chief/Incident Command vehicle, all of which are Advanced Life Support (ALS) capable and staffed with paramedics.

The Roswell Fire Department offers a wide range of services, including fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), technical rescue, and public education. The technical rescue services encompass swift water rescue, motor vehicle and machinery rescue, rope rescue, trench rescue, collapse rescue, confined space rescue, and hazardous materials response. The department’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its ISO Class 2 rating, which places it among only 84 departments in Georgia and 2,200 departments nationwide with an ISO rating of 2 or better. This rating indicates that the department provides excellent fire protection services to the community.

The department has received several notable awards and recognitions for its outstanding performance. Recently, it was selected to receive the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award for its collaborative study on the effects of shift schedules and start times on firefighter health and performance. Additionally, two members of the department were honored with Life Saving Valor Awards by Governor Brian Kemp during Firefighter Recognition Day in 2024. These recognitions highlight the Roswell Fire Department’s dedication to innovative practices, firefighter safety, and excellence in fire protection services. The department continues to strive for improvement, maintaining its high standards while adapting to the evolving needs of the community it serves.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:40 Guest Introduction: Chief Joe Pennino
02:01 Chief Pennino’s Career and the Roswell Fire Department
07:03 Leadership Lessons from Chief Pennino
11:09 Managing Change in the Fire Department
20:43 Innovations in Firefighter Health and Safety
31:24 Public Perception and Community Engagement
36:53 Closing Remarks and Resources

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Groveway Community Group: Unsung Heroes of North Fulton, with Gail Bohannon McCoy

February 24, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Groveway Community Group: Unsung Heroes of North Fulton, with Gail Bohannon McCoy

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Groveway Community Group: Unsung Heroes of North Fulton, with Gail Bohannon McCoy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 844)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Gail Bohannon McCoy of Groveway Community Group, an iconic organization serving the North Fulton community since 1943. Gail discusses the rich history of the organization, its mission to help everyone from youth to seniors, and the critical services they provide, including clothing drives, financial assistance, and support for the elderly. Gail also shares touching success stories and highlights the ongoing needs for volunteers, donations, and specific items. This insightful discussion sheds light on the compassionate and impactful work done by Groveway Community Group over the years.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Gail Bohannon McCoy, Groveway Community Group

Gail Bohannon McCoy is the Executive Director of Groveway Community Group.

Groveway Community Group (GCG), Roswell’s oldest non-profit organization, continues its mission of providing assistance to the elderly and youth in the community. Founded in 1943, GCG has evolved into a vital community resource, focusing on strengthening and unifying the local area.

GCG has a rich history marked by resilience and determination. In 1961, their community center was torched by the Ku Klux Klan, a tragic event that could have halted their progress. However, the community came together to rebuild, demonstrating their strength and commitment to their mission. This historical context underscores the significance of GCG’s role in fostering unity and addressing disparities within the community. Over the years, they have continued to provide essential services and support, making them a cornerstone of community development in Roswell.

Currently, GCG is actively involved in several initiatives and events. They are a major contributor to the Roswell Roots Festival, Georgia’s largest Black History celebration held throughout the month of February. This festival features various cultural events, exhibits, and music performances, promoting education and cultural awareness. GCG is also hosting a family outing day in Groveway Community Park as part of the festival.

In addition to their cultural contributions, GCG continues to provide essential services to the community. They organize community clothing giveaways, where they distribute clothing to people in need. The organization also offers programs such as youth scholarships, support for nursing homes, and provision of school supplies for children. GCG remains committed to addressing unmet needs within the Roswell community, encouraging citizen participation in community affairs, and promoting good citizenship.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:28 Meet Gail Bohannon McCoy
02:04 Groveway Community Group’s Mission and History
09:03 Challenges and Advocacy for the Community
12:33 Supporting Seniors in Roswell
18:27 Engaging the Youth
20:19 How You Can Help
24:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Navigating Hidden Risks in Professional Services, with Mike Blake, High Score Strategies

February 19, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Navigating Hidden Risks in Professional Services, with Mike Blake, High Score Strategies

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Navigating Hidden Risks in Professional Services, with Mike Blake, High Score Strategies (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 122)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, host John Ray delves into risk management for solo and small professional service providers, with guest Mike Blake, CEO of High Score Strategies. Mike, a seasoned valuation expert with over 20 years of experience and more than 400 completed valuations, discusses the unseen risks faced by small firms, including client selection, revenue management, and execution pitfalls. The conversation explores the implications of client concentration, the importance of strategic pricing, the impact of mindset on risk assessment, and practical tips for managing client relationships. Mike offers insights on maintaining business autonomy, handling imposter syndrome, and the value of transparent and strategic pricing. This episode is packed with strategies for mitigating business risks and optimizing decision-making in professional services.

The Price and Value Journey is presented by John Ray and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Mike Blake, High Score Strategies

Mike is the CEO of High Score Strategies (HSS), a consultancy devoted to guiding clients to understand the value of their businesses and intangible assets for acquisition, investing, capital raising, disposition, and succession planning.

Investors and owners rely on Mike’s “information over validation” advisory approach, understanding that the questions he asks unearth hard but crucial answers that support their next transformative step or business stage.

Mike’s background spans 20+ years in valuation and 8 years in venture capital and investment banking. Before founding HSS, he served as Managing Partner with Brady Ware Arpeggio, Director of Valuation Services with Aprio (formerly Habif, Arogeti, & Wynne), and Managing Director with Adams Capital.

He is also a Special Lecturer at Georgia Tech, where he teaches graduate students about the valuation of emerging technologies and intellectual property, with a focus on Monte Carlo simulations and real options theory.

Mike founded and ran Startup Lounge, a nonprofit in Atlanta that helped connect hundreds of investors and startups over a decade. He currently serves on the board of the BVIUK (Business Valuation Institute UK).

He has coached six teams to victory in business plan competitions, leading to over $300,000 in cash prizes and nearly $2 million in services—including an entrepreneur who secured funding through ABC’s Shark Tank.

A highly engaging and deeply knowledgeable speaker, Mike has delivered 100+ presentations on a range of topics, including startup valuation, business appraisal, risk management, intellectual property, and emerging tech valuation.

He holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a BA from Franklin & Marshall.

Mike is multilingual, speaking fluently in English, Ukrainian, Russian, and French, and is conversant in Portuguese, German, and Spanish.

He currently lives with his family in Caldas Da Rainha, Portugal, about an hour outside of Lisbon.

Website | Mike’s LinkedIn | Firm LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Risk Management
00:18 Meet Mike Blake: Valuation and Risk Expert
01:14 The Hidden Risks in Professional Services
03:41 Revenue Challenges for Small Firms
04:17 Execution and Malpractice Risks
05:16 Concentration Risk and Client Dependency
16:43 Client Due Diligence and Ownership
21:21 Naming Your Business and Succession Planning
25:22 Mindsets in Risk Management
26:53 Embracing Mistakes for Success
27:10 Mindsets: Scarcity, Fear, and Growth
27:34 The Impact of Poverty on Decision-Making
29:24 Professional Services and Poor Decisions
30:33 Managing Fear and Risk in Business
32:30 Imposter Syndrome and Pricing Challenges
38:19 The Language of Pricing
47:32 Radical Approaches to Pricing
51:03 Conclusion and Contact Information

About The Price and Value Journey

The show is hosted and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®. The show can also be found on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

John Ray is the host of The Price and Value Journey.

In his other business, John is a podcast show host and producer and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) affiliate of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their podcast using The Generosity Mindset® Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.

John is also the host of North Fulton Business Radio. With over 850 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in its region like no one else.

John’s book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices

John is the #1 national best-selling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

If you are a professional services provider, your goal is to do transformative work for clients you love working with and get paid commensurate with the value you deliver to those clients. While negative mindsets can inhibit your growth, adopting a different mindset, The Generosity Mindset™, can replace those self-limiting beliefs. The Generosity Mindset enables you to diagnose and communicate the value you deliver to clients and, in turn, more effectively price to receive a portion of that value.

The book is available at all major physical and online book retailers worldwide. Follow this link for further details.

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Insurance Extravaganza 2025: Tackling Dental and Medical Billing Challenges, with Christine Taxin, Links2Success

February 18, 2025 by John Ray

Dental Business Radio

Insurance Extravaganza 2025: Tackling Dental and Medical Billing Challenges, with Christine Taxin, Links2Success

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Insurance Extravaganza 2025: Tackling Dental and Medical Billing Challenges, with Christine Taxin, Links2Success (Dental Business Radio, Episode 57)

In this episode of Dental Business Radio, host Patrick O’Rourke interviews Christine Taxin, a leading expert in dental and medical billing. The discussion covers the importance of responsible billing practices, the evolving landscape of dental insurance, and the significance of medical histories in dental practices. Christine highlights the need for proper documentation, the pitfalls of unnecessary write-offs, and the critical role of educating patients about their treatment plans. The episode also previews the upcoming Insurance Extravaganza 2025 in Orlando, Florida, emphasizing the event’s educational value for dental professionals.

Dental Business Radio is underwritten and presented by Practice Quotient: PPO Negotiations & Analysis and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Links2Success

When running a dental practice, clinical expertise and quality customer service come first, but what about the behind-the-scenes work? Many dentists and team members struggle to keep up with the complicated world of dental billing and insurance claims while also remaining as profitable as possible.

Thankfully, Christine Taxin is here to lend a helping hand and shed some much-needed light on best practices for billing, staying current with yearly codes, taking advantage of medical/dental cross coding, and much more.

Yearly codes, collections, co-payments, and patient privacy—there’s a lot to keep in mind when handling dental insurance, and the rules and regulations are constantly being updated as well. Maybe your team is regularly running into issues or even concerned about a future audit. Perhaps you’re apprehensive about the possibility of overlooking revenue opportunities. Regardless of the situation, it’s essential to seek guidance and training from a genuine expert in the field.

Christine Taxin is a member of the National Association of Dental Plans, is on the Dental Benefit Council of the ADA, and is also fully licensed by the American Dental Association to share ADA CDT Codes. She can provide comprehensive training to your entire team that covers several important objectives and topics related to dental billing and coding, including the following:

State-Federal government regulations of dental/wellness benefits
How to successfully complete new insurance forms
Utilizing diagnostic codes to access maximum insurance benefits
Updating medical history forms
Navigating the various legalities of narrative writing and documentation
And much more!

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Christine Taxin, Founder and President, Links2Success

Christine Taxin is the founder and president of Links2Success, a practice management consulting company for the dental and medical fields. Prior to starting her own consulting company, Ms. Taxin served as an administrator of a critical care department at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City and managed an extensive multi-specialty dental practice in New York.

With over 25 years of experience as a practice management professional, she now provides private practice consulting services, delivers continuing education seminars for dental and medical professionals, and serves as an adjunct professor at the New York University (NYU) Dental School and Resident Programs for Maimonides Hospital.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment
01:27 Welcoming the Guest: Christine Taxin
02:28 Discussing Dental and Medical Coverage
07:26 The Importance of Patient Responsibility
14:17 Challenges in Dental Practice and Insurance
20:25 The Role of Oral Health in Overall Health
34:05 Humorous Banter and Legal Concerns
34:27 Excitement for the Insurance Extravaganza
36:31 Key Speakers and Topics at the Event
38:03 Challenges with Bureaucratic Rules
38:22 The Evolving Role of Front Desk Staff
40:43 Importance of Teamwork in Dental Practices
42:28 Navigating Insurance Contracts
53:38 Unnecessary Write-Offs in Dental Offices
01:00:31 Promoting the Insurance Extravaganza Event
01:02:11 Closing Remarks and Farewells

Dental Business Radio covers the business side of dentistry. Host Patrick O’Rourke and his guests cover industry trends, insights, success stories, and more in this wide-ranging show. The show’s guests include successful doctors across the spectrum of dental practice providers, as well as trusted advisors and noted industry participants.

Dental Business Radio is underwritten and presented by Practice Quotient and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. The show can be found on all the major podcast apps and a complete show archive is here.

Practice Quotient

Practice Quotient is the sponsor of Dental Business Radio. Practice Quotient, Inc. serves as a bridge between the payor and provider communities. Their clients include general dentists and dental specialty practices across the nation of all sizes, from completely fee-for-service-only to active network participation with every dental plan possible. They work with independent practices, emerging multi-practice entities, and various large ownership entities in the dental space. Their PPO negotiations and analysis projects evaluate the merits of the various in-network participation contract options specific to your practice’s patient acquisition strategy. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Connect with Practice Quotient

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | X (Twitter)

The Evolving Dynamics of Love and Relationships: Understanding the Law of Attraction, Part Ten

February 13, 2025 by John Ray

Hello, Self . . .

The Evolving Dynamics of Love and Relationships: Understanding the Law of Attraction, Part Ten

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The Evolving Dynamics of Love and Relationships: Understanding the Law of Attraction, Part Ten (Hello, Self… Episode 61)

Host Patricia Leonard concluded her six-month series on the Law of Attraction by diving into the evolving dynamics of love, relationships, and marriage. She discussed the changing landscape of intimacy, examining how modern relationships differ from traditional norms.

Patricia highlighted various topics such as compatibility, communication, the eight types of love, and the impact of age on relationships. She also explored the concepts of ‘confluent love’ and the ‘deinstitutionalization of marriage,’ citing insights from sociologists Anthony Giddens and Andrew Cherlin.

Through her combination of scientific research and personal anecdotes, Patricia encouraged listeners to reflect on their own dynamics of love and intimacy values, and to embrace change in a way that aligns with their personal growth and happiness.

Hello, Self… is presented by Patricia Leonard & Associates and produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Find the video version of this podcast on YouTube here.

About Hello, Self…

Hello, Self… is a biweekly podcast focused on inspiring stories of turning dreams into reality. Join coach and author Patricia Leonard and her guests as they share life-changing Hello, Self… moments.

Hello, Self… is brought to you by Patricia Leonard & Associates and is based on the new book by Patricia Leonard, Hello, Self.., available here.

The show is produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with Business RadioX®. You can find this show on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

Patricia Leonard, Host of Hello, Self…

Patricia Leonard is President of RUNWAY TO SUCCESS, a division of Patricia Leonard & Associates located in Nashville, TN. She is a MESSAGE ARTIST speaker, career & business coach, author and magazine columnist. Patricia consults with clients on leadership, empowerment, career management, entrepreneurship and the power of language. Her work is focused on helping clients find their runway to success!

She has a professional background in management, human resources, corporate training, business consulting and talent development. Patricia has worked with companies in the service, music, banking, manufacturing, publishing, warehousing, healthcare, academic, retail and financial industries, and has taught management classes as an adjunct professor.

Patricia has a degree in Human Resource Management, is certified as a Career Coach and Consulting Hypnotist and is MBTI qualified.

Her volunteer energies are focused on Women in Film and Television-Nashville, where she is a Board Vice President; Dress for Success as the Advisory Board President; and International Coaching Federation-Nashville where she held Board roles for several years.

Patricia is the author of Wearing High Heels in a Flip Flop World, BECOMING WOMAN…a journal of personal discovery, THE NOW, HOW & WOW of Success, Happenings, a full year calendar of inspirational messages and a spoken word album titled, I AM…

She enjoys songwriting, creating poetry and has written a one-woman show and artistic speech she performs titled Hello, Self…, about a woman in midlife reinventing herself, which led to her new book by the same name, available here.

On the personal side, Patricia, describes herself as a woman, lover of life, mother, grandmother, career professional and message artist; AND in that order! Her goal is to continue inspiring others, of any age, to START NOW creating and expanding their Runway to Success.

She believes that life is a gift, the way we wrap it is our choice.

Connect with Patricia:

Website| LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The Rapidly-Evolving Landscape of Employment Law in 2025

February 12, 2025 by John Ray

Hall Booth Smith Podcast Network

The Rapidly-Evolving Landscape of Employment Law in 2025

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The Rapidly-Evolving Landscape of Employment Law in 2025 (Litigators Lounge, Episode 13)

In this episode of Litigators Lounge, hosts Jackie Voronov and Shylie Bannon discuss the major shifts in employment law for 2025. They tackle critical topics including the surge in pay transparency laws, the implications of AI in hiring, the rollback of the Department of Labor’s overtime rule, the ongoing issue of non-competes, and the growing importance of mental health accommodations in the workplace. The episode also explores the dynamic changes within the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Jackie and Shylie predict significant shifts in enforcement and compliance landscapes based on new leadership and revised priorities.

Litigators Lounge is underwritten and presented by Hall Booth Smith. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Litigators Lounge
01:50 Setting the Stage for 2025
04:15 Pay Transparency Laws Explained
08:56 Workplace Privacy and AI in Hiring
17:38 Overtime Rule and Salary Thresholds
21:31 FTC’s New Commissioner and Non-Compete Agreements
22:47 State-Specific Non-Compete Regulations
23:41 Personal Views on Non-Compete Agreements
26:14 Mental Health Accommodations in the Workplace
28:09 Remote Work and Mental Health
29:54 Independent Contractor Classification
32:32 NLRB and EEOC Leadership Changes
35:49 EEOC’s New Priorities
41:19 Employer Takeaways for 2025
42:29 Listener Engagement and Contact Information

Jackie Voronov, Partner, Hall Booth Smith

Jackie Voronov is a Partner in Hall Booth Smith’s office in Paramus, New Jersey, and she represents management in a wide variety of employment matters and litigates employment claims before administrative agencies and state and federal courts. Her clients include major hotels, retailers, shipping companies, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, manufacturers, and national fast-food franchisees.

Jackie’s litigation experience includes the defense of employers in single and multi-plaintiff actions on claims of wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, race, national origin, gender, disability and age discrimination, breach of contract, family medical leave, failure to accommodate, retaliation, wage/hour laws, and related tort claims. Jackie also works with her clients to prepare various employment agreements (including non-compete, confidentiality, independent contractor, and separation agreements). She has extensive experience before various administrative tribunals, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the State Division of Human Rights (SDHR), the Division of Civil Rights (DCR), and other state, federal, and local agencies.

In addition, Jackie frequently conducts management training for employers on a wide variety of employment law topics, such as:

EEO/anti-harassment
employee recruiting and hiring practices
family and medical leave
reasonable accommodations for disabilities and religion
preventing and investigating harassment, discrimination, and whistleblower claims
wage and hour compliance
discipline and termination of employees
privacy in the workplace

Jackie is regularly invited to speak nationally on best practices and other employment-related issues. Before joining Hall Booth Smith, she worked for one of the country’s largest law firms, where she defended employers in a wide range of labor and employment matters, including wage and hour class actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), claims related to the New York State Human Rights Law (NSHRL), the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), and Title VII.

Jackie was selected for inclusion as a New Jersey Rising Star by Super Lawyers® for six consecutive years (2010-2016), which honors the top 2.5% of young lawyers in New Jersey.

Shylie Bannon, Partner, Hall Booth Smith

Shylie Bannon is a Partner in Hall Booth Smith’s Jacksonville, Florida, office. She also serves as Hiring Partner for the region of Florida, where she oversees associate attorney hiring endeavors. Prior to joining Hall Booth Smith, Shylie was a partner in both a multi-state, multi-specialty firm and a boutique practice.

At Hall Booth Smith, Shylie continues to represent physicians, mid-level providers, and health care providers in high-exposure medical negligence claims and in administrative proceedings before the Florida Department of Health. She also represents national retailers in high-exposure premises liability, negligent security, and transportation litigation with our National Trial Counsel team.

In addition to litigating matters involving personal injury and negligence, Shylie also represents management in all aspects of employment-related litigation arising from allegations of sex, disability, race, and pregnancy discrimination; whistleblower actions; and alleged violations of the National Labor Relations Act and Fair Labor Standards. She does so in administrative proceedings before both the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as in all of the state and federal courts in Florida. She also provides employment-related counsel to clients, helping them avoid employment-related litigation through the implementation of best employment, investigation, and risk management practices.

Shylie earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, cum laude, and graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History.

Shylie volunteers with the Guardian Ad Litem program and supports child welfare advocacy efforts in Northeast Florida. She is also a Member of the Board for the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida.

About Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

Established in 1989, Hall Booth Smith, P.C. (HBS) is a full-service law firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with regional offices strategically located throughout Georgia and the United States. Experienced across a wide range of legal disciplines, HBS prides itself on providing knowledgeable, proactive, client-specific counsel to individuals, domestic and international corporations, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

HBS possesses the legal knowledge, skill, and experience to meet their clients’ needs wherever they do business. HBS maintains the highest commitment to ethically and professionally serving their clients by providing the highest quality legal representation.

They deliver quality legal services in a variety of service areas. Experience across legal disciplines combined with a focus on the unique business or personal requirements of the client is the hallmark of the firm. Their clients receive the attention, expertise, and cost-effectiveness of a smaller law firm with the full service and strong regional presence typical of a larger one.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Disclaimer

Litigators Lounge is a production brought to you by Hall Booth Smith, PC. This podcast is published for the purposes of providing general information and education on topics that include those related to the law and legal issues, but the contents of the podcast do not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast or utilizing the information contained in it in any way does not constitute nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between you and Hall Booth Smith or its lawyers. The contents of this podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a professional attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

Consulting in the Digital Age, with Prof. Joe O’Mahoney (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 123)

Prof. Joe O’Mahoney

Topics Discussed in this Episode

About The Price and Value Journey

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

John’s book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices

Connect with John Ray:

Enhancing Talent Acquisition, with Brooke Wheeler, Restoration Talent Solutions (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 846)

Brooke Wheeler, Talent Restoration Solutions

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

MARTA’s Transformation and Future Growth in North Fulton, with MARTA’s Freda Hardage and Jennifer Larosa (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 104)

Freda Hardage, Director, MARTA

Jennifer Larosa, Sr. Director of Government Affairs, MARTA

MARTA

Topics Discussed in this Episode

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

Leadership and Innovation in the Roswell Fire Department, with Chief Joe Pennino (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 845)

Dr. Joe Pennino, DPA, EFO, CFO, MIFireE, PMP

Roswell Fire Department, Roswell, Georgia

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Groveway Community Group: Unsung Heroes of North Fulton, with Gail Bohannon McCoy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 844)

Gail Bohannon McCoy, Groveway Community Group

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Navigating Hidden Risks in Professional Services, with Mike Blake, High Score Strategies (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 122)

Mike Blake, High Score Strategies

Topics Discussed in this Episode

About The Price and Value Journey

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

John’s book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices

Connect with John Ray:

Insurance Extravaganza 2025: Tackling Dental and Medical Billing Challenges, with Christine Taxin, Links2Success (Dental Business Radio, Episode 57)

Links2Success

Christine Taxin, Founder and President, Links2Success

Topics Discussed in this Episode

About Dental Business Radio

Practice Quotient

Connect with Practice Quotient

The Evolving Dynamics of Love and Relationships: Understanding the Law of Attraction, Part Ten (Hello, Self… Episode 61)

About Hello, Self…

Patricia Leonard, Host of Hello, Self…

Connect with Patricia:

The Rapidly-Evolving Landscape of Employment Law in 2025 (Litigators Lounge, Episode 13)

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Jackie Voronov, Partner, Hall Booth Smith

Shylie Bannon, Partner, Hall Booth Smith

About Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

Disclaimer

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