Business RadioX ®

Dr. Trudy Simmons on Trauma and Mental Health Counseling

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Dr. Trudy Simmons, Milton Counseling & Coaching, on Trauma Recovery, Faith-Based Counseling, Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Restoration, and Ironman Discipline (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 927), with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Dr. Trudy Simmons on Trauma and Mental Health Counseling
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Dr. Trudy Simmons, Milton Counseling & Coaching, on Trauma Recovery, Faith-Based Counseling, Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Restoration, and Ironman Discipline (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 927), with host John Ray

Dr. Trudy Simmons, Milton Counseling & Coaching, on Trauma Recovery, Faith-Based Counseling, Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Restoration, and Ironman Discipline (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 927)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Dr. Trudy Simmons, founder of Milton Counseling & Coaching. Dr. Trudy is a counselor, author, speaker, and Ironman world champion athlete who brings a holistic approach to mental and emotional wellness. With a doctorate in counseling and 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and relationship restoration, blending evidence-based therapeutic practices with biblical truth.

Hearing clients’ stories of defeat and feeling stuck inspired Dr. Trudy to transition from personal trainer to counselor. She explains the difference between counseling (which addresses past trauma) and coaching (which propels clients forward into action). Drawing on her completion of 16 Ironman races, including the Kona World Championship, and a 100-mile race in honor of her late father, she discusses how endurance sports demonstrate that hard things are possible and mirror the discipline needed for life transformation. Dr. Trudy describes her practice serving clients from age 16 to 80, helping them address anxiety, hopelessness, relationship struggles, and feeling stuck in their personal or professional lives.

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

Key Takeaways from This Episode

  • Dr. Trudy transitioned from 20 years as a personal trainer to counseling after recognizing she could help people get unstuck not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
  • Counseling addresses past trauma and helps pull clients out of difficult experiences, while coaching focuses on moving forward and taking action toward future goals.
  • Completing 16 Ironman races, including the Kona World Championship and a 100-mile race, demonstrates that seemingly impossible challenges are achievable with consistency, discipline, and determination.
  • Common signs someone may benefit from counseling include anxiety, loneliness, hopelessness, loss of passion, relationship struggles, and feeling stuck or unable to move forward in life.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Dr. Trudy Simmons
02:06 Dr. Trudy Simmons introduces Milton Counseling & Coaching
02:47 Dr. Trudy’s backstory and transition from personal trainer to counselor
03:47 Completing 16 Ironman races and the Kona World Championship
04:38 How endurance sports discipline informs her counseling practice
06:02 The difference between counseling and coaching
08:17 Dr. Trudy’s holistic approach to body, mind, and spirit
11:42 Faith-based counseling and integrating biblical truth with therapy
14:08 Working with emotions and creating safe space for clients
19:24 Signs that indicate someone should seek counseling
20:17 What happens in the first counseling session
21:00 Success stories from Dr. Trudy’s practice
22:39 How to connect with Milton Counseling & Coaching

Dr. Trudy Simmons, PhD

Dr. Trudy Simmons, PhD, is a highly respected counselor, author, speaker, Ironman world champion athlete, and the host and producer of the award-winning Christian talk show The Christian View. As the founder of Milton Counseling and Coaching and The Christian View Media, Inc., she is dedicated to equipping individuals, families, and communities with the tools to live healed, purposeful, and wholehearted lives.

With a doctorate in counseling and decades of clinical experience, Dr. Trudy is known for her compassionate, practical, and faith-centered approach to mental and emotional wellness. She specializes in trauma recovery, emotional regulation, relationship restoration, and mind-body-spirit wholeness. Her work blends evidence-based therapeutic practices with biblical truth, empowering others to break cycles, renew their minds, and step boldly into their God-given purpose.

A fierce endurance athlete, Dr. Trudy has completed 16 Ironman races, competed in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, and finished multiple ultra-distance races—including a 100-mile run. She draws on these transformative athletic experiences to teach principles of perseverance, resilience, and identity, helping others push past limitations and embrace a lifestyle of purpose, discipline, and victory.

Dr. Trudy is a sought-after speaker for women’s events, corporate trainings, leadership retreats, churches, and podcasts. She teaches on topics such as purpose, emotional healing, spiritual formation, overcoming limiting beliefs, leadership development, and becoming “Fit for Purpose” in body, mind, and spirit. Her upcoming book, Fit for Purpose, weaves her personal journey, Ironman discipline, biblical wisdom, and counseling insights into a compelling guide for whole-life transformation.

As a wife, mother of two, and influential voice in Christian media, Dr. Trudy is deeply committed to helping people rewrite their stories, deepen their faith, and live with courage, clarity, and joy. Whether through counseling, coaching, television, writing, or endurance sports, her mission remains the same: to help people heal, grow, and live out the purpose for which they were created.

LinkedIn

Milton Counseling & Coaching

Milton Counseling & Coaching, founded and led by Dr. Trudy Simmons, PhD, is a premier mental and emotional wellness practice dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families heal, grow, and thrive. Rooted in evidence-based therapeutic practices and a compassionate, faith-informed approach, the practice specializes in trauma recovery, emotional and relational health, anxiety, depression, and whole-person transformation.

With a focus on creating a safe, confidential, and supportive environment, Milton Counseling & Coaching empowers clients to navigate life transitions, rewrite unhealthy patterns, strengthen relationships, and discover renewed purpose and clarity. Through counseling, coaching, workshops, and customized growth plans, the practice equips clients with practical tools to build resilience, cultivate emotional intelligence, and experience long-term change—body, mind, and spirit.

Milton Counseling & Coaching has become known for its warm professionalism, client-centered care, and firm dedication to helping people live emotionally healthy, purpose-driven lives.

Website | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 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 respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the author of the five-star rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

2026 Hiring Trends: AI, Flexibility, and Salary Shifts

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Amy Mangan and Stephen Tradd, Robert Half, on 2026 Hiring Trends, AI Impact, Flexibility vs Compensation, and Atlanta Staffing (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 926), with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
2026 Hiring Trends: AI, Flexibility, and Salary Shifts
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Amy Mangan and Stephen Tradd, Robert Half, on 2026 Hiring Trends, AI Impact, Flexibility vs Compensation, and Atlanta Staffing (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 926), with host John Ray

Amy Mangan and Stephen Tradd, Robert Half, on 2026 Hiring Trends, AI Impact, Flexibility vs Compensation, and Atlanta Staffing (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 926)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Amy Mangan, Market Director, and Stephen Tradd, Regional Director, both with Robert Half, to discuss 2026 hiring trends shaping the Atlanta labor market. Amy and Stephen reveal that 38% of U.S. professionals plan to seek new jobs in early 2026, marking the end of the “great freeze” and “job hugging” phenomenon that defined 2025. These 2026 hiring trends are driven by pent-up demand, understaffed teams, and employees burned out from economic uncertainty and hiring freezes.

The conversation addresses the critical balance between flexibility and compensation in 2026 hiring trends. While 60% of professionals are willing to work fully on-site for higher pay, many top candidates continue to turn down significant salary increases when flexibility is not part of the offer. Amy and Stephen explain why return-to-office policies are not one-size-fits-all and how companies that fail to offer hybrid arrangements risk losing their best talent. They also examine AI’s transformative role in 2026 hiring trends, noting that professionals who fail to develop AI literacy will be left behind, while those who embrace these tools become more valuable to employers.

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

Key Takeaways from This Episode

  • 38% of U.S. professionals plan to look for new jobs in early 2026, with Gen Z (45%), tech professionals (43%), and working parents (41%) leading the trend
  • Flexibility often trumps salary, as candidates repeatedly turn down offers with 20-25% pay increases when hybrid work options are not available
  • AI adoption varies by company size, with large organizations building dedicated teams for governance and implementation while small and mid-size businesses leverage existing tools in Microsoft platforms
  • Specialized skills command premium pay, with AI and machine learning roles seeing 4%+ salary increases and overall professional compensation up 2% year over year

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guests Amy Mangan and Stephen Tradd from Robert Half
02:20 Introduction to Robert Half’s specialized staffing services across accounting, finance, technology, HR, and legal
03:05 2025 labor market analysis and unusual hiring patterns
03:30 38% of U.S. professionals planning to look for new jobs in early 2026
04:30 The great freeze, job hugging, and why employees stayed put in 2025
06:11 Industries seeing the most hiring activity, including healthcare and nonprofit sectors
06:32 Impact of return-to-office policies and lack of flexibility on employee retention
07:33 Understaffed teams and employee burnout are driving job turnover
08:12 Return-to-office strategies and the challenge of finding one-size-fits-all solutions
09:35 Pent-up demand and digital transformation driving 2026 hiring needs
10:01 Digital transformation and software transitions in finance, accounting, and healthcare
11:01 AI’s impact on hiring practices and required skill sets
12:20 Why professionals need to learn AI tools to remain competitive
13:14 AI adoption differences between large companies and small- to mid-size businesses
15:34 Employers willing to pay premium for AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics expertise
16:18 2026 compensation trends and salary increases by specialty
17:01 Why flexibility matters more than salary for many top candidates
19:35 Perks and benefits beyond flexibility, including commuter benefits and childcare
21:05 Nuance in compensation and flexibility based on company and sector
22:35 Robert Half’s collaborative approach to helping clients understand market conditions
24:08 When business owners should reach out to Robert Half for staffing solutions
26:46 Success stories, including rapid deployment of 25 help desk professionals
28:52 How to connect with Robert Half and access the 2026 Salary Guide

Amy Mangan, Market Director, Robert Half

Amy Mangan, Market Director, Robert Half, on North Fulton Business Radio
Amy Mangan, Market Director, Robert Half

Amy Mangan is a Market Director with Robert Half, overseeing the contract and permanent placement services for Technology, Marketing and Creative practice groups in Atlanta. With 15 years of dedicated tenure at Robert Half, Amy has cultivated a reputation as a trusted leader in matching top talent with leading organizations. Before joining Robert Half, Amy brought 20 years of experience in technology and marketing staffing combined. Her deep understanding of both fields allows her to connect with clients and candidates alike, providing strategic solutions that drive success. In addition to her professional achievements, Amy is an active member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) Atlanta, where she serves on the Membership Committee, contributing to the growth and engagement of the local marketing community. Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and two cats.

LinkedIn

Stephen Tradd, Regional Director, Robert Half

Stephen Tradd, Regional Director, Robert Half, on North Fulton Business Radio
Stephen Tradd, Regional Director, Robert Half

Stephen Tradd is a Regional Director with Robert Half, overseeing placement services for contract finance and accounting, administrative and customer support, legal, and management resources in the firm’s Atlanta and Alpharetta offices. With more than a decade of experience at Robert Half, Steve first joined the company in 2009 in Florida and returned in 2023 as Branch Director for the Atlanta Midtown branch, later advancing to his current role. Throughout his career, Steve has earned many professional accolades, including Robert Half’s prestigious Reach for the Stars Award and is a $3 million-dollar milestone achiever, consistently delivering outstanding results. Steve’s competitive mindset, strategic approach, and ability to connect top talent with leading companies have been the driving forces behind his success. Outside of work, Steve enjoys traveling the world and has recently returned from a trip to Zurich, Austria, and Germany. This year alone, he’s visited 5 countries outside of the U.S.

LinkedIn

Robert Half

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. Areas of specialization include finance and accounting, human resources, administrative and customer support, legal, technology, marketing, and creative. Robert Half offers contract talent, permanent placement, and executive search services; it is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. In the last 12 months, Robert Half has been named one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, and has also received recognition from Forbes as one of the World’s Best Employers and one of America’s Best Professional Recruiting, Executive Recruiting, and Temporary Staffing Firms.

Website | LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 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 respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the author of the five-star rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

Helen Panos on K-12 Tutoring and Executive Functioning

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Helen Panos, Dynamis Learning, on K-12 Tutoring, Executive Functioning Coaching, and Educational Advocacy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 925), with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Helen Panos on K-12 Tutoring and Executive Functioning
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Helen Panos, Dynamis Learning, on K-12 Tutoring, Executive Functioning Coaching, and Educational Advocacy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 925), with host John Ray

Helen Panos, Dynamis Learning, on K-12 Tutoring, Executive Function Coaching, and Educational Advocacy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 925)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Helen Panos, Founder and CEO of Dynamis Learning, a K-12 tutoring company serving students nationwide. Helen, who spent 25 years in Fulton County schools as a middle school teacher, gifted program lead, and 504 chair, launched Dynamis Learning 10 years ago to address gaps she witnessed in traditional classroom settings.

The conversation explores how Dynamis Learning differs from large tutoring companies through three key services: one-on-one virtual tutoring across all subjects, executive function coaching for students who struggle with organization and time management, and educational advocacy to help families navigate 504 plans and secure necessary accommodations. Helen shares compelling success stories, including a student who improved her SAT score by 300 points after receiving extended time accommodations, and she explains how executive functioning skills help students manage ADHD, working memory issues, and the demands of accelerated coursework.

Helen discusses the rise of ADHD diagnoses, the pressures of accelerated math programs in middle school, and why early intervention with executive functioning strategies prevents frustration and academic struggles. She also announces her podcast, Smart Parents Successful Students, which addresses common challenges parents face supporting their children’s education.

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

Key Takeaways from This Episode

  • Dynamis Learning offers three core services that set it apart from large tutoring companies: personalized one-on-one tutoring, executive function coaching to teach organizational and time management skills, and educational advocacy to help families secure 504 accommodations for students with ADHD and learning disabilities
  • Executive functioning skills address common challenges like task initiation, working memory, organization, and emotional control, which are particularly critical for students with ADHD who face demands from accelerated coursework, sports, and extracurricular activities
  • Early intervention with executive function coaching helps students develop lifelong skills they’ll need in college and careers, while advocacy services connect tutors directly with teachers to identify specific student needs and secure appropriate accommodations like extended test time
  • Helen identified concerning educational trends before COVID, including the rapid expansion of accelerated math programs that push students through algebra and geometry in a single year, often requiring tutoring support just to survive the pace

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Helen Panos
02:02 Helen Panos introduces Dynamis Learning and its nationwide K-12 tutoring services
03:13 How COVID enabled virtual tutoring to become 95% of the business
03:41 Helen’s background: 25 years in Fulton County schools as a gifted lead and teacher
04:43 Educational issues Helen identified before COVID, including curriculum acceleration
06:50 Different levels of giftedness and diagnostic challenges in schools
07:59 Helen explains educational advocacy and 504 plans for students with disabilities
10:06 Success story: Student gains 300 points on SAT after securing extended time accommodations
12:18 How Dynamis Learning differs from large tutoring companies
13:27 Executive function coaching: definition and core skills
16:01 Strategies and tools executive functioning coaches use with students
18:36 Success stories from executive function coaching clients
21:33 Why executive functioning skills are lifelong, not tied to specific subjects
22:26 Benefits of early intervention with executive functioning skills
23:35 Helen’s podcast: Smart Parent Successful Students
24:32 Signs that indicate parents should reach out for tutoring or coaching support
25:53 Success story: Addressing reading gaps before gifted program testing
27:55 How to contact Dynamis Learning

Helen Panos, Founder and CEO, Dynamis Learning

Helen Panos, Founder and CEO, Dynamis Learning
Helen Panos, Founder and CEO, Dynamis Learning

Helen Panos is an accomplished educator with over 25 years of experience in a public school system. She began Dynamis Learning, her K-12 nationwide tutoring/SAT/ACT and parent advocacy business, 10 years ago. She is passionate about helping children reach their potential. She listens to what a parent needs and matches them with the right type of tutor. This tutor helps customize a program that will motivate and move the child forward in their academics with ease. Helen is a part of the business and currently has 20 tutors on the Dynamis Learning staff, which can help with a variety of subjects.

You can find Helen regularly on her Dynamis Learning Facebook page, where she does Facebook Lives. The topics are those that she has heard most parents struggle with when it comes to their kids being successful in school and in life! She also hosts her own podcast, Smart Parents Successful Students, which can be found on Spotify and her YouTube channel.

LinkedIn

Dynamis Learning

Dynamis Learning is a K-12 nationwide tutoring/SAT/ACT prep/advocacy and executive function company. Our team of 20 tutors mainly work virtually, and they encompass a variety of subject matter knowledge from reading to math/science and study skills. They are also able to tutor students in person in the metro Atlanta area, whether at a library or in their home. Advocacy is a big part of what Dynamis offers families; thus, they are pleased to provide resources and specialized support for a child when needed. In 2025, their service offerings grew to add individualized executive function coaching for 6th-12th graders and college essay writing. Soon, Dynamis will also provide small-group executive function coaching for 3rd–5th graders.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Podcast

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 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 respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the author of the five-star rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

GNFCC Leadership Transition: 2025 Highlights and 2026 Priorities

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GNFCC Leadership Transition: Kali Boatright Talks 2025 Highlights and 2026 Priorities with Outgoing Chair Dean Collins and Incoming Chair Laura Madajewski, on the GNFCC 400 Insider podcast
BRX National
GNFCC Leadership Transition: 2025 Highlights and 2026 Priorities
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GNFCC Leadership Transition: Kali Boatright Talks 2025 Highlights and 2026 Priorities with Outgoing Chair Dean Collins and Incoming Chair Laura Madajewski, on the GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

GNFCC Leadership Transition: Kali Boatright Talks 2025 Highlights and 2026 Priorities with Outgoing Chair Dean Collins and Incoming Chair Laura Madajewski (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 111)

Host Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber, marks a year-end leadership transition by reflecting on 2025 accomplishments and previewing 2026 priorities with outgoing Chair Dean Collins (Axis Infrastructure) and incoming Chair Laura Madajewski (HLB Gross Collins).

Dean looks back on a strong Chamber year, including continued momentum around regional collaboration and economic development, plus the Strategic Leadership Visit that took investor-level members to Mesa and Scottsdale to learn from innovation, redevelopment, and the role of arts, culture, and sports as economic drivers.

Laura shares her 2026 theme, “Forging Our Future,” and outlines what comes next: revisiting strategic planning, moving through the Chamber’s reaccreditation process, and revamping the NextGen (Young Professionals) program with stronger engagement, expanded programming, and an enhanced mentor match.

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®.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

  • This is a true handoff episode: what 2025 proved, what 2026 will prioritize, and what continuity looks like when leadership changes without losing momentum.
  • “Forging Our Future” is not a slogan; it’s an operating stance: Laura Madajewski’s theme is about building forward, not maintaining.
  • 2026 is a “systems year,” not a “more events” year: strategic planning refresh, reaccreditation work, and tightening how the Chamber measures and delivers impact.
  • NextGen is being rebuilt with intention: stronger engagement, refreshed programming, and a more meaningful mentor match approach.
  • The Chamber’s regional work keeps expanding: continued collaboration and economic development focus that goes beyond any one city.
  • Chair advice you can steal for your own leadership role: clear the calendar, show up, stay close to members, and ask the questions you need to ask.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Laura Madajewski and Dean Collins
Laura Madajewski and Dean Collins

00:00 Introduction to the GNFCC 400 Insider podcast
00:41 Meet the 2025 and 2026 Chairs
01:42 Dean Collins Reflects on 2025
03:08 Laura Madajewski’s Journey and Vision
05:28 Accomplishments and Goals for the Chamber
08:47 Forging the Future: 2026 Plans
13:03 Public-Private Partnerships and Community Impact
17:41 Advice for the Incoming Chair
20:46 Leadership Styles and Final Thoughts
24:21 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Laura Madajewski, 2026 Chair, and Principal, HLB Gross Collins P.C.

Laura Madajewski, 2026 Chair, and Principal, HLB Gross Collins P.C.
Laura Madajewski, 2026 Chair, and Principal, HLB Gross Collins P.C.

Laura E. Madajewski, CPA, MBA, is a Principal in the Audit and Advisory department at HLB Gross Collins P.C., bringing more than 16 years of public accounting experience with a focus on audits and financial statement preparation. She is known for helping clients strengthen internal controls, enhance governance and oversight, and streamline operations, approaching each engagement as a trusted advisor who tailors assurance and accounting solutions to the client’s specific needs.

Laura leads the firm’s Manufacturing, Distribution and Supply Chain Practice as well as its Employee Benefit Practice, and she has significant experience serving nonprofit organizations, including private schools, religious organizations, trade associations, and foundations.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys charitable and volunteer work throughout the Atlanta and North Fulton communities. She serves on the advisory board of Golf for The Kids, is Treasurer and a volunteer on the Board of Directors of The Drake House, has served as President and Secretary of the Song of Atlanta Show Chorus Board, and is President of the Sanctuary at Rivermont Homeowners’ Association Board of Directors.

She earned both her BBA and MBA in Accounting from Kennesaw State University.

LinkedIn

Dean Collins, 2025 GNFCC Chair, and Founder & President, Axis Infrastructure

Dean Collins, 2025 GNFCC Chair, and Founder & President, Axis Infrastructure
Dean Collins, 2025 GNFCC Chair, and Founder & President, Axis Infrastructure

Dean Collins is the Founder and President of Axis Infrastructure, a firm he established in 2016 to address critical needs in the transportation and site development industries. With over 25 years of experience, Dean has cultivated a deep understanding of the complexities involved in land development projects, positioning Axis as a leader in the field. Under his leadership, Axis Companies has developed a comprehensive “Development Suite” that offers tailored services in land development, project management, and construction management, enabling clients to choose between individual services or complete turnkey solutions.

Before founding Axis, Dean served as Vice President and Director of Facilities at TYLIN International for nearly 23 years. In this role, he successfully led business development and design efforts for vertical projects across the Americas, managing a diverse team of architects, engineers, and construction managers. His extensive background in project management and design has been instrumental in shaping Axis Companies’ innovative approach.

Dean holds an Associates degree in Engineering from the State University of New York at Delhi and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

LinkedIn

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

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.

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, GNFCCAs 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.

North Fulton Voices 2025 Recap: Attainable Housing

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2025 Year-End Roundtable: What Moved the Needle on Attainable Housing and Missing Middle Housing in North Fulton (North Fulton Voices, Episode 16)
North Fulton Studio
North Fulton Voices 2025 Recap: Attainable Housing
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2025 Year-End Roundtable: What Moved the Needle on Attainable Housing and Missing Middle Housing in North Fulton (North Fulton Voices, Episode 16)

2025 Year-End Roundtable: What Moved the Needle on Attainable and Missing Middle Housing in North Fulton (North Fulton Voices, Episode 16)

In this 2025 year-end edition of North Fulton Voices, Nancy Diamond, Jack Murphy, Kathy Swahn and John Ray look back at a momentous year for the North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN) and the region’s attainable housing conversation. They ground the recap in two sobering realities: metro Atlanta lost 230,000 low- and mid-income homes from 2018 to 2023, and in many municipalities it can take seven years to go from concept to occupancy for new housing.

The panel explains how the conversation moved from awareness to influence, with NFIN’s framing and data showing up more consistently in planning discussions and public meetings. They point to a broader shift in how leaders and residents are talking about housing, including its connection to quality of life, workforce stability, and long-term economic health.

They also point out key factors from 2025 that helped build momentum, such as the need for people to get involved in comprehensive planning, a clear change in local election discussions, and a North Fulton Forum that gathered banks, employers, schools, nonprofits, and federal partners to discuss funding and practical ways to implement solutions.

In 2026, the group identifies three key areas of focus: enhancing public understanding of zoning, normalizing solutions that people can visualize, and maintaining high participation in comprehensive plan processes. The message is unambiguous; this work moves when everyday residents and employers show up, learn the language, and keep asking better questions.

North Fulton Voices is presented by the North Fulton Improvement Network. The show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

  • Metro Atlanta lost 230,000 low- and mid-income homes (2018–2023), and the timeline for new housing can stretch to seven years from concept to occupancy.
  • NFIN frames the issue as financial vulnerability, not a narrow poverty category. Many households are one expense away from needing help.
  • The conversation is shifting from awareness to influence, with more traction in planning and leadership dialogue.
  • Comprehensive plans are a major leverage point because they shape housing and infrastructure decisions upstream.
  • We now clearly link attainable and unaffordable middle-class housing to workforce stability and local competitiveness.
  • Capital matters if solutions are going to scale. Partnerships with banks, employers, nonprofits, and government are part of the path forward.
  • A practical next step for listeners is to engage locally, understand zoning basics, and participate in comprehensive plan processes.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Voices
00:52 Reflecting on a Momentous Year
01:32 Data Insights on Housing Crisis
02:45 Mission and Goals of the Network
04:56 Connecting Stakeholders and Community
06:36 Influence and Public Awareness
08:10 Comprehensive Planning in Alpharetta
12:21 Challenges in Workforce and Attainable Housing
23:05 Impact on Schools and Enrollment
27:05 Bankers and Housing Solutions
27:22 North Fulton Forum Highlights
27:59 Community Redevelopment Act and Challenges
28:48 Workforce Housing and Bankers’ Role
29:11 United Way’s ALICE Model
30:45 Impact of Workforce Housing on Businesses
31:20 Shoutout to April Atkins
31:54 Public-Private Partnerships in Attainable Housing
33:40 Innovative Housing Solutions in Metro Atlanta
35:46 Mark Murphy’s Housing Efforts
36:55 Brian Goldstone’s Book and Community Impact
38:41 Sponsorship and Community Support
40:01 Looking Forward: Zoning and Community Engagement
46:57 Call to Action: Get Involved
49:38 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Jack Murphy

Jack Murphy
Jack Murphy

Jack Murphy is a volunteer with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and is Chair of the North Fulton Improvement Network. He is also in his 21st year of working for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to the Chamber, Jack worked for and with Fortune 500 companies in operations, human resources, training, and quality areas. Jack was a senior adjunct professor for Quality & Operations Management at Keller Graduate School for 14 years.

He has served on both the National and Georgia Boards of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, responsible for Diversity, Advocacy, & Systemic Change. Jack is currently the national SVDP chair of Systemic Change and Advocacy.

Jack received a BA in psychology from Belmont Abbey College and a M.Ed. from UNC-Greensboro.  Jack and his wife, Nancy, a retired elementary school principal, have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. They live in Alpharetta, Georgia.

LinkedIn

Nancy Diamond

Nancy Diamond

Nancy Diamond is a Project Manager with Schmit & Associates, a real estate development firm, creating town center revitalization in communities all around the metro area.

Nancy served 8 years as a Roswell City Council Member, including a term as Mayor Pro Tem, with liaison positions with Community Development, Transportation, Recreation & Parks, and Public Safety.

In addition to her work with the North Fulton Improvement Network, Nancy has been active in area non-profit organizations, including board leadership positions in the STAR House Foundation, WellStar North Fulton Hospital, and the Roswell Rotary Club.

A native of Atlanta and a 42-year North Fulton resident, Nancy worked at Turner Broadcasting in the early years of CNN, then became a freelancer in sports television graphics. While raising her two daughters, she worked from home, first developing a corporate gift service and later as a mortgage loan originator.

Nancy and her husband, Glenn, now relish the role of grandparents to Owen.

LinkedIn

Kathy Swahn

Kathy Swahn, President Emeritus, The Drake House
Kathy Swahn

Kathy has resided in the North Fulton area for almost 45 years. She has watched the community evolve from what was “unincorporated Fulton County” to a six-city bustling suburban community. Her history has been marked by a strong emphasis on children: she raised two daughters as a stay-at-home mother, held leadership positions in school PTAs and Girl Scouts, participated in the National Charity League and the North Fulton Council of PTAs, and held the position of chair of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

Kathy resumed her career by entering the nonprofit sector. She joined the team at North Fulton Community Charities, running their holiday program, becoming Development Director and successfully managing the $3 million capital campaign for their Elkins Road location. Along the way, she also served on the DFACS Board and chaired the board of the Fulton County Continuum of Care for four years.

After having the opportunity to join in the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, Kathy was surrounded with a dynamic group of folks who worked to create The Drake House. Since 2004, she served as board chair for the first four years, executive director for nine years, and is now retired. Over those years, The Drake House served over 500 single mothers with over 1,000 children and grew the assets of the organization to over $4 million.

Kathy continues to serve The Drake House on the Advocacy Committee, along with her work for NFIN.

She spends much of her time traveling to the DC area, where her children and grandchildren reside.

LinkedIn

Sponsor for North Fulton Voices: John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC

The North Fulton Voices show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

John Ray
John Ray

John Ray is a podcast show host and producer and owns North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton (Georgia) affiliate of Business RadioX®.

John also operates his own business advisory practice, Ray Business Advisors. 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 author of the #1 nationally best-selling book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

John is the host of North Fulton Business Radio and The Price and Value Journey. North Fulton Business Radio, the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton region of Georgia, features a wide range of business and community leaders. The Price and Value Journey is devoted to solo and small-firm professional services providers and covers issues such as pricing, value, and business development.

Adam Hatcher and Greg Silberman: The Inner Family Business

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How the “Inner Family Business” Protects the Operating Business, Adam Hatcher, Twenty One Clear, LLC, and Greg Silberman, Ritterband & Co. (Family Business Radio, Episode 71), with host Anthony Chen
Family Business Radio
Adam Hatcher and Greg Silberman: The Inner Family Business
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How the “Inner Family Business” Protects the Operating Business, Adam Hatcher, Twenty One Clear, LLC, and Greg Silberman, Ritterband & Co. (Family Business Radio, Episode 71), with host Anthony Chen

How the “Inner Family Business” Protects the Operating Business, Adam Hatcher, Twenty One Clear, LLC, and Greg Silberman, Ritterband & Co. (Family Business Radio, Episode 71)

On this episode of Family Business Radio, host Anthony Chen welcomes Adam Hatcher of Twenty One Clear LLC and Greg Silberman, Ritterband & Co., to explore what it really takes for family businesses to work together and stay together across generations. Adam shares lessons from 13 years inside his own multigenerational family company and introduces the idea of the “inner family business,” the separate system inside the operating company that requires intentional attention, not just good intentions.

Adam outlines practical governance moves that prevent predictable blowups, including a cadence of dedicated family business meetings and clear ways to handle tension points like compensation, hiring family members, and what happens when a family member exits the business. He also explains why families need to decide, explicitly, how they will balance the interests of the company, the clients, and the family, because different priority orders create conflict in everyday decisions.

Greg brings the tax, accounting, and advisory perspective from his work leading Ritterband & Co., a unified firm identity formed by integrating multiple legacy practices under one structure. He discusses the industry’s shift from compliance-only work toward proactive planning, ongoing guidance, and long-term strategy. He also shares how values and giving practices can show up in wealth decisions and why his firm is building Ritterband Stewardship Plans™ designed around monthly dashboards, quarterly reviews, and audit-readiness.

Family Business Radio is underwritten and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

  • The “inner family business” is a real system inside the company, and it will not stay healthy by accident.
  • A steady cadence of family business meetings prevents small issues from turning into permanent fractures.
  • Clear rules are necessary for compensation, hiring, and exit decisions, held together by trust and follow-through.
  • Families need to agree on the priority order of company, clients, and family, because misalignment quietly poisons decisions.
  • Accounting firms are moving beyond compliance toward proactive planning and ongoing advisory relationships.
  • Ritterband Stewardship Plans™ reflect the market’s demand for clearer visibility, audit-readiness, and consistent decision support.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Family Business Radio
00:38 Guest Introduction: Adam Hatcher of Twenty One Clear
00:48 Adam Hatcher’s Family Business Journey
01:54 Balancing Family and Business
03:55 Joining the Family Business
07:08 Deciding to Step Back
10:53 Helping Family Businesses Thrive
14:09 Common Mistakes in Family Businesses
17:39 Contact Information and Resources
18:20 Guest Introduction: Greg Silverman
19:36 Exploring Family Dynamics in CPA Practices
19:52 Acquiring and Integrating CPA Practices
20:40 Challenges and Strategies in Modern CPA Firms
23:03 The Evolution of CPA Services
27:10 The Future of CPA Practices and Personal Reflections
32:01 The Importance of Giving and Legacy Planning
33:55 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Adam Hatcher, Twenty One Clear, LLC

Adam Hatcher, Twenty One Clear, LLC
Adam Hatcher, Twenty One Clear, LLC

Adam Hatcher is the founder of Twenty One Clear, LLC, a family business consultant with deep experience in scaling family-owned enterprises. He grew up in his family’s staffing and recruiting firm (MAU Workforce Solutions), where he established the legal office, modernized human resources, led strategic planning, served as general counsel, and sat on the board of advisors and family council for over 13 years.​

Under his leadership, the company expanded from a regional $100 million firm to a nationwide $500 million organization, securing major clients like BMW, Chick-fil-A, Kimberly-Clark, Southern Company, and Truist while managing three generations of family dynamics. Hatcher drove key initiatives, including $50 million in acquisitions, performance management systems, cost reductions, and a major reorganization ahead of the company’s 50th year.​

Twenty One Clear, LLC provides strategic consulting and fractional executive services to “chaos-proof” family businesses, emphasizing trust, communication, and clarity across family roles as owners, employees, and relatives. The firm helps startups and small- to mid-sized companies address challenges like hiring family members, daily collaboration, ownership transitions, and exits.

Website | LinkedIn

Greg Silberman, Ritterband & Co.

Greg Silberman, Ritterband & Co.
Greg Silberman, Ritterband & Co.

Greg Silberman, CPA, CFA, CAIA, is Managing Director of Ritterband & Co. in Atlanta, Georgia. He advises high-net-worth individuals and growing businesses on tax planning and structuring, accounting, and long-term wealth strategy, with added depth in investments, private equity and debt, and M&A advisory. Greg brings more than 20 years of global financial experience across Europe, Asia, and North America, including senior investment leadership and alternative investment portfolio management.

Ritterband & Co. is a tax, accounting, and advisory firm formed by bringing three legacy firms under one unified identity: SJ Gorowitz, Reed Quinn & McClure, and Van Huss, Hogan, McCurry & Associates. The firm’s approach is anchored in clarity, precision, and purpose, helping clients make informed decisions across tax, accounting, and financial matters while supporting long-term planning. Beginning in early 2026, the firm expects to introduce Ritterband Stewardship Plans™, featuring monthly dashboards, quarterly reviews, and audit-readiness, along with expanded tax and accounting capabilities, an upgraded client portal, and new strategic and long-term planning services.

Website | LinkedIn

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

Family Business Radio is sponsored and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. Securities and advisory services are offered through OSAIC, member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of OSAIC. The main office address is 575 Broadhollow Rd., Melville, NY 11747. You can reach Anthony at 631-465-9090, ext. 5075, or by email at anthonychen@lfnllc.com.

Anthony Chen started his career in financial services with MetLife in Buffalo, NY, in 2008. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, he considers himself a full-blooded New Yorker while now enjoying his Atlanta, GA, home. Specializing in family businesses and their owners, Anthony works to protect what is most important to them. From preserving to creating wealth, Anthony partners with CPAs and attorneys to help address all of the concerns and help clients achieve their goals. By using a combination of financial products ranging from life, disability, and long-term care insurance to many investment options through Royal Alliance, Anthony looks to be the eyes and ears for his client’s financial foundation. In his spare time, Anthony is an avid long-distance runner.

Follow this link to access the complete show archive of Family Business Radio.

Bill Ellis: Your Brand is The Value Clients Perceive in You

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Bill Ellis on Client-Perceived Value, Staying Teachable, and Why Questions Matter More Than Answers (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 156), with host John Ray
North Fulton Studio
Bill Ellis: Your Brand is The Value Clients Perceive in You
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Bill Ellis on Client-Perceived Value, Staying Teachable, and Why Questions Matter More Than Answers (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 156), with host John Ray

Bill Ellis on Client-Perceived Value, Staying Teachable, and Why Questions Matter More Than Answers (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 156)

Bill Ellis, brand strategist and host of the What’s the Point? podcast, joins host John Ray on The Price and Value Journey to discuss how professional service providers can build sustainable practices by understanding a fundamental truth: your brand is the value clients perceive in you, not what you think you offer.

With 24 years at Anheuser-Busch before launching his consulting practice in 2004, Bill shares challenging lessons about translating corporate expertise to small business clients. He explains why his corporate approach initially failed with solo practitioners and small firms and how learning to “remain teachable” transformed his practice. Bill discusses how client feedback led him to add “confidant” to his service offerings when clients kept seeking someone they could trust completely to discuss sensitive business and personal decisions they couldn’t share elsewhere.

Bill introduces his “ladder of success” framework, explaining how he realized his own ladder was leaning against the wrong building at Anheuser-Busch. He discusses the importance of asking the question “What’s the point?” to help clients move past assumptions and discover what they’re truly trying to accomplish, why better communication beats more communication, and his formula for culture: core values times behavior equals culture. Throughout the conversation, Bill emphasizes that questions are more valuable than answers and that staying flexible as your practice evolves is essential for long-term success.

The Price and Value Journey is presented by John Ray and produced by North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of the Business RadioX® podcast network.

Key Takeaways You Can Use from This Episode

  • Your brand is client-perceived value, not what you think you offer. Success comes from understanding where clients see value, not convincing them to see it where you think they should.
  • Remain teachable throughout your career. Bill’s mentor gave him this two-word advice 40 years ago, and it remains central to his practice—admitting you don’t have all the answers is essential for growth.
  • Corporate expertise doesn’t translate directly to small business clients. Bill learned he had to “soften his corporate approach” and translate what makes corporations successful into language that relates to solo practitioners and small firms.
  • Questions are more valuable than answers. Asking, “What’s the point?” helps clients examine whether they’re pursuing the right goals before building plans to achieve them.
  • Your ladder may be leaning against the wrong building. Recognizing fundamental misalignment in your career or practice—not just working harder—is essential for fulfillment and success.
  • Client feedback shapes your positioning. Bill became a “confidant” because clients kept seeking that more profound relationship, not because he decided to add it as a service line.
  • Better communication beats more communication. When people say, “We need more communication,” they actually need clearer, more effective communication tailored to how different people receive information.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Bill Ellis
01:52 Bill’s Transition from Corporate to Coaching
05:04 Evolving as a Coach and Consultant
07:49 The Importance of Branding and Value
14:01 Defining the Role of a Confidant
22:12 The Power of Asking the Right Questions
26:07 The Role of a Confidant
27:22 Empathy and Confidentiality
29:56 Communication and Culture
35:43 Core Values and Behavior
38:21 Finding Your Purpose
40:25 Bill’s Podcast Journey
45:11 Conclusion and Contact Information

Bill Ellis

Bill Ellis
Bill Ellis

Bill Ellis is a business confidant who works with senior leaders across the United States and the Middle East. His clients range from founders and corporate executives to lawyers, psychologists, and owners of fast-moving service businesses. He helps them think clearly, manage pressure, and reconnect to what truly matters in their work.

Bill’s career includes many years in branding and purpose advisory, which has shaped his belief that clarity is one of the greatest strengths a leader can develop. He brings this same curiosity to his podcast, What’s The Point?, where he explores how people find direction, meaning and resilience through their own stories.

He is also the author of Women Who Won, a collection of stories celebrating remarkable women and the achievements, large and small, that still motivate him. He wrote the book for men and women alike, including his grandchildren, as a reminder that courage often starts with a single step.

Alongside his advisory work, Bill speaks to audiences about leadership, purpose, and the power of clear thinking.

He divides his time between the US and Dubai, where his wife is based, and this cross-cultural perspective informs the way he understands leadership and purpose today.

Website | LinkedIn

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.

John is a podcast show host and the owner of North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an 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 900 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 Ray at Barnes & Noble with his book, The Generosity MindsetJohn Ray is the author of the five-star rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising 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 them. 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 outstanding 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.

Your combination of these elements is unique in your industry. There 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 | Email

Business RadioX®:  LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Kevin Johnson on Building a Sustainable Oral Surgery Practice

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Kevin Johnson on Building an Oral Surgery Practice That Grows Without Burning You Out (Dental Business Radio, Episode 63), with host Patrick O'Rourke
Dental Business Radio
Kevin Johnson on Building a Sustainable Oral Surgery Practice
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Kevin Johnson on Building an Oral Surgery Practice That Grows Without Burning You Out (Dental Business Radio, Episode 63), with host Patrick O'Rourke

Kevin Johnson, Leverage Consulting, on Building an Oral Surgery Practice That Grows Without Burning You Out (Dental Business Radio, Episode 63)

Host Patrick O’Rourke welcomes Kevin Johnson, founder and CEO of Leverage Consulting, for a live, on-location conversation recorded in Orlando during the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons meeting. Kevin shares how he works with oral surgeons and high-performing dental specialists to move beyond surface-level practice management and build practices that support both profitability and quality of life.

The discussion explores why many practices stall despite strong clinical skills and how issues like inconsistent scheduling, weak new patient processes, overwhelmed practice managers, and lack of team accountability quietly limit growth. Kevin explains why real improvement starts with clarity of purpose, disciplined focus on a few priorities, and creating systems that allow the team, not just the doctor, to drive consistent results.

Kevin also addresses the personal side of practice ownership, including burnout, work-life imbalance, and the unique challenges faced by married entrepreneurs and partners working inside the same business. The conversation highlights why strategic planning, communication, and intentional leadership are essential to building a practice that works as an engine for both financial success and a sustainable life outside the office.

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®.

Key Takeaways in This Episode

  • Practice growth requires more than clinical excellence. Strong production comes from systems, accountability, and team alignment, not just surgical skill.
  • The team, not the doctor alone, creates consistency. Scheduling, new patient processes, and role clarity allow practices to move beyond feast-or-famine production days.
  • Burnout is often a leadership and structure problem. Without clear priorities and boundaries, even high-performing practices can drain energy and purpose.
  • Focus beats overload. Progress accelerates when practices commit to a small number of high-impact priorities instead of chasing dozens of fixes at once.
  • A healthy practice supports a healthy life. Financial success, time away from the office, and personal fulfillment are connected, not competing goals.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to Dental Business Radio
00:46 Introducing Our Sponsor: Practice Quotient
01:42 Meet Kevin Johnson: CEO of Leverage Consulting
03:26 Kevin’s Journey from Accounting to Consulting
05:50 The Importance of Work-Life Balance
08:20 Strategies for Practice Growth
12:22 The Role of a Good Practice Manager
15:23 Challenges in the Dental Industry
20:53 Interactive Q&A Session
23:27 Discussing the Audience Composition
24:25 The Challenge of Firing a Spouse
25:21 Balancing Family and Business
26:33 The Importance of Communication
31:31 Focusing on Common Goals
33:10 The Role of Practice Quotient
41:20 Concluding Remarks and Acknowledgements

Kevin Johnson, Founder and CEO, Leverage Consulting

Kevin Johnson, Founder and CEO, Leverage Consulting
Kevin Johnson, Founder and CEO, Leverage Consulting

Kevin Johnson is a recognized leader in the dental and medical communities, with a successful track record of helping practices transform into more profitable, more effective businesses. Over the past 17 years, Kevin has worked with hundreds of practices, ranging from startups to well-established multi-location and multi-doctor practices. Kevin has developed a series of innovative best practices tailored to each client to achieve optimal results.

Kevin provides insightful, experience-supported guidance on the clinical, administrative, marketing, and business issues affecting today’s medical and dental practices. He brings substantial experience working with various dental and medical office systems, which helps him improve operations from the inside out while using resources that are already in place. Kevin also brings a unique perspective to the office dynamics that affect staff performance and inter-office relations. He is able to provide instant feedback, based on real-world experience, so that clients can move forward quickly with new initiatives.

A professional speaker with experience in team building, tailored consulting solutions, and problem-solving, Kevin offers clients individualized training sessions, team-building seminars, and customized business consulting. He is results-driven and passionate about helping practices grow to their full potential and providing a better life at work for owners and staff along the way.

LinkedIn

Leverage Consulting

Leverage Consulting is a boutique advisory firm that helps dental and medical professionals turn clinically strong practices into high‑performing businesses. It focuses on bridging the gap between medical training and entrepreneurship by installing customized systems for leadership, growth and profitability, reduced stress, and a more empowered team culture. Using their vast experience with many practices, from new ones to larger groups with multiple locations and doctors, the company focuses on practical solutions that can be applied directly in the office instead of just theoretical ideas, helping to make.​

Founded and led by Kevin Johnson, a recognized leader in the dental and medical communities, Leverage Consulting combines strategic business coaching with hands‑on training for doctors, managers, and teams. The firm provides personalized consulting, workshops, and customized training that focus on improving clinical processes, office management, marketing, and teamwork, all aimed at achieving clear results like higher production, better collections, more new patients, and less daily stress for owners and staff.

Website | LinkedIn

Patrick O'Rourke
Patrick O’Rourke, Host of Dental Business Radio

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 John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®. You can find the show on all major podcast apps and access the complete show archive here.

Practice Quotient

Practice QuotientPractice 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

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Sue Yeh Johnson on Using AI for Team Trust and Alignment

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Sue Yeh Johnson, Yeh and Johnson Consulting, on Using AI to Decode Trust Breakdowns, Team Alignment, and Relational Intelligence (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 923), with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Sue Yeh Johnson on Using AI for Team Trust and Alignment
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Sue Yeh Johnson, Yeh and Johnson Consulting, on Using AI to Decode Trust Breakdowns, Team Alignment, and Relational Intelligence (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 923), with host John Ray

Sue Yeh Johnson, Yeh and Johnson Consulting, on Using AI to Decode Trust Breakdowns, Team Alignment, and Relational Intelligence (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 924)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Sue Yeh Johnson, Founder of Yeh and Johnson Consulting, to discuss Relational Intelligence (RI) and how leaders can decode the hidden dynamics that stall decisions and erode trust. Sue shares how her proprietary AI tool, built on 25 years of consulting experience with Fortune 500 companies, helps leadership teams spot early warning signs like silent resistance, power shifts, and trust breakdowns before they become costly problems. She explains the concept of the “shadowstack,” the unofficial power structures that run organizations but don’t appear on org charts, and how leaders can avoid “techno-feudalism” by keeping humans at the center of decision-making.

Sue discusses practical ways to surface friction inside teams, including one powerful question leaders can ask this week to expose hidden misalignment. She also shares her work as co-founder of Atlanta Women in AI, creating community and support for women navigating AI-driven workplace changes. Throughout the conversation, Sue emphasizes that performance breakdowns are rarely about technology—they’re about relationships and alignment.

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

Key Takeaways from This Episode

  • Relational Intelligence helps leaders decode trust signals, power shifts, and silent resistance before they escalate into costly decision delays and misalignment.
  • The “shadowstack” represents the unofficial power structures and influence networks that actually run organizations but aren’t visible on org charts.
  • Billions of dollars are wasted when teams nod in agreement during meetings but silently disagree and fail to execute decisions.
  • One simple question to surface hidden friction: “What’s something we keep revisiting that should already be resolved?”

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Sue Yeh Johnson
02:13 Sue Yeh Johnson introduces Yeh and Johnson Consulting
02:49 Sue’s career arc and passion for Relational Intelligence work
03:06 What is Relational Intelligence (RI) and how it works
03:56 Common relational issues inside companies
04:23 Defining misalignment with real-world examples
05:28 Volatility, velocity, and communication challenges in today’s business environment
06:35 Decoding power shifts, trust breakdowns, and silent resistance
09:04 How Sue’s proprietary AI tool decodes relational signals
11:14 What Relational Intelligence reveals that dashboards and reports miss
13:50 The “shadowstack” and techno-feudalism in leadership
16:44 How relational breakdowns actually show up inside teams
19:56 One relational move leaders can make this week
21:38 Sue’s background and 25-year career journey
25:39 Atlanta Women in AI and building community
27:21 Success stories in mentoring and developing leaders
28:20 How Sue’s platform works and future scaling plans
29:47 Contact information for Yeh and Johnson Consulting

Sue Yeh Johnson, Founder

Sue Yeh Johnson on North Fulton Business Radio
Sue Yeh Johnson, Yeh and Johnson Consulting

Sue Yeh Johnson is a strategist, advisor, and expert in reading the room—especially when the most important dynamics go unspoken.

As co-founder of Yeh & Johnson Consulting, she partners with leadership teams, boards, and founders to surface and resolve the relational friction that slows decisions, erodes trust, or quietly stalls momentum. Her specialty is Relational Intelligence—a strategic discipline that translates trust signals, power shifts, and unspoken dynamics into clear insight leaders can act on.

With 25 years in systems strategy and a decade in executive coaching, Sue brings both depth and precision to high-stakes moments. Whether supporting a founder transition, navigating board dynamics, or aligning a fast-scaling team, she helps ambitious organizations move faster—by naming what others avoid.

She is also a founding voice for Atlanta Women in AI, where she advocates for human-centered technology, inclusive leadership, and putting relational signals at the core of innovation.

Sue is known for making sense of complex rooms, surfacing what’s unsaid, and helping leaders move with clarity and integrity. Based in Atlanta, she’s an avid pattern-watcher and a firm believer that the most powerful insights show up between the bullet points—not in them.

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Yeh & Johnson Consulting

Yeh & Johnson helps leaders act on what others avoid. They specialize in Relational Intelligence (RI)—a strategic toolkit for uncovering the hidden dynamics that slow decisions, erode trust, and stall execution across teams and leadership groups.

In an era of volatility and constant change, traditional tools often miss the mark. The firm equips leaders to navigate uncertainty by decoding human signals—power shifts, trust breakdowns, and silent resistance—and translating them into clear, actionable strategy.

Their work is grounded in a core truth: today’s biggest performance losses aren’t operational—they’re relational. Research shows that poor communication can waste up to $75 million per $1 billion spent, and 75% of cross-functional teams underperform due to misalignment. Yeh & Johnson helps clients address these breakdowns before they cost time, talent, or traction.

They work with growth-stage tech firms, public sector innovators, and mission-driven CEOs navigating high-stakes decisions—where trust and alignment are critical.

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Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

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Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

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About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 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 respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the author of the five-star rated book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

Our Mission

We help local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession.

We support and celebrate business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignores. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

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