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How Mentorship Transforms: Five Men by Dave Schmit

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How Mentorship Transforms: Five Men by Dave Schmit, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
How Mentorship Transforms: Five Men by Dave Schmit
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How Mentorship Transforms: Five Men by Dave Schmit, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

How Mentorship Transforms: Five Men by Dave Schmit (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 884)

What happens when you reflect on the people who shaped your character, not just your career?

Dave Schmit, principal of Schmit + Associates and author of Five Men: The Transformative Power of Mentorship, joins host John Ray for a moving conversation about the mentors who changed his life. From his father and a high school baseball coach to a faith leader who walked with him through unimaginable grief, Dave shares how each man left a lasting imprint. Their influence continues to guide his work, his family, and his approach to leadership.

This episode is not about business tips. It is about legacy. It is about the quiet power of showing up for someone else. Dave’s book is an invitation to reflect on the mentors in your own life and the person you could become for someone who needs you.

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

  • Mentorship is built over time: Dave’s mentors spanned decades and shaped every part of his life—vocational, personal, and spiritual.
  • Mentors speak hard truths: The most meaningful guidance often comes in the form of tough love, delivered with care.
  • Mentorship vs. coaching: Unlike coaching, true mentorship is grounded in long-term relationships and mutual respect.
  • Anyone can be a mentor: teachers, bosses, priests, parents; many roles can become mentoring relationships when trust and consistency are present.
  • Mentorship can heal division: Dave and his book’s preface writer, Egbert Perry, highlight how mentorship fosters understanding in a divided world.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:51 Guest Introduction: Dave Schmit
02:23 Dave Schmit’s Background and Career
03:29 The Inspiration Behind Five Men
06:53 Mentorship Stories and Lessons
09:18 The Importance of Long-Term Mentorship
12:09 Personal Stories: Lessons from Dad
17:12 Truth Tellers: The Role of Mentors
17:50 A Career in Development
18:35 Meeting Fred Fisher
19:39 Building Connections
22:08 A Personal Story of Loss and Faith
24:26 The Importance of Mentorship
26:52 Encouraging Young People to Seek Mentors
28:56 How to Be a Better Mentor
30:29 Final Thoughts and Book Information
34:17 Closing Remarks and Announcements

Dave Schmit

Dave Schmit, Author of Five Men: The Transformative Power of Mentorships
Dave Schmit, Author of Five Men: The Transformative Power of Mentorships

Dave Schmit is a seasoned real estate developer, entrepreneur, and mentor dedicated to building communities and future leaders.

As the founder of Schmit + Associates, he has helped shape walkable, experience-driven developments across Georgia.

Outside of business, Dave is passionate about mentorship, leadership, and faith, drawing from his experiences as an athlete, coach, and community leader.

Five Men is his debut book, sharing the invaluable lessons he learned from the mentors who shaped his life. His mission is to inspire others to recognize, appreciate, and become mentors in their communities.

LinkedIn | Amazon

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

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

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

If 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 880 episodes and having featured over 1,300 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 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, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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.

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

Integrating Faith and Business: Insights from André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required

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André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Integrating Faith and Business: Insights from André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required
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André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Integrating Faith and Business: Insights from André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required: Discovering God’s Plan for Your Life (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 875)

In this inspiring episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray sits down with Andre Blythe, author of Some Assembly Required: Discovering God’s Plans for Your Life. Andre, a senior leader in the payments and human capital management space and ordained minister since 1994, shares his journey of integrating faith and business without compartmentalizing his life.

Andre opens up about his recent career challenges, including being laid off just one week after his book launch, and how he used this setback as an opportunity to mentor others and grow personally. He discusses the importance of patience in discovering life’s plans, the danger of expecting success to be “beamed down” like in Star Trek, and why we need to “grow where we are planted.”

Key topics covered include balancing bivocational responsibilities, building authentic influence while contributing to your community, and why self-identity matters more than the roles we play. Andre also shares practical advice for professionals struggling to integrate their personal values with their career ambitions.

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:

Don’t compartmentalize your identity – Be authentically yourself across all areas of life rather than wearing different “masks” for work, faith, and personal situations
Grow through what you’re going through – Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” Ask, “What is God teaching me in this season?”
Balance personal success with community contribution – While building your career and brand is important, ensure you’re also pouring into others and making things better for your community
Grow where you are planted – Even when you feel underutilized or in a lesser role, focus on contributing excellently to your current situation rather than waiting for the “perfect” opportunity

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:31 Guest Introduction: André Blythe
01:44 André Blythe‘s Background and Career
03:28 The Journey of Writing Some Assembly Required
04:30 Integrating Faith and Business
06:08 Dealing with Career Challenges
09:18 Mentoring and Helping Others
19:51 Balancing Business and Ministry
24:36 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
25:42 Final Words and Show Wrap-Up

André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required: Discovering God’s Plan for Your Life

André Blythe is a senior corporate leader who is also a Bible teacher and Christian minister who has been in pastoral service since 1994.

His passion for writing grew from his sermons. He believes discovering God’s plan involves active participation, not just focusing on the end, often drawing inspiration from Jeremiah 29:11. From humble beginnings to corporate success and pastoral leadership, André‘s story is a powerful testament to the grace of God’s guidance. Through personal struggles and triumphs, he discovered the importance of aligning his life with God’s plan rather than moving ahead on his own.

Now, he’s ready to share how you can do the same. André enjoys time with his wife, Leslie, and son, Myles.

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 870 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 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 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, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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.

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

Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain

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Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain, on the North Fulton Business Radio podcast with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain
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Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain, on the North Fulton Business Radio podcast with host John Ray

Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 874)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray speaks with Amy Comeau, consultant, speaker, and author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain. Amy shares the story behind her book, a leadership memoir drawn from her experience leading a healthcare marketing team through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She discusses the power of reflection, the importance of communication during uncertainty, and the lessons leaders can draw from moments of upheaval. Amy explains how leaders can stay focused on what truly matters, manage change in a way that builds trust, and maintain clarity even when nothing feels certain. The conversation touches on emotional resilience, practical leadership tools, and the difference between reacting and responding when everything is shifting.

This episode is a thoughtful resource for anyone navigating organizational change or seeking to lead with intention during uncertain times.

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:

  • Leadership Is Grounded in Presence: Amy’s practice of writing weekly emails created stability and connection for her team during crisis.
  • Focus on the “Squiggly Middle”: Great leaders direct energy toward what truly matters and what they can control—not the chaos around them.
  • Reflection Builds Clarity: Sharing real-time thoughts helped Amy process the moment and lead more effectively.
  • Change Is Constant: The lessons she shares apply beyond the pandemic and offer a framework for any chaotic or transitional season.
  • Simple Tools Have Power: Whiteboarding exercises and asking better questions are small actions that produce strategic clarity.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:29 Guest Introduction: Amy Comeau
01:44 Amy’s Background and Book Overview
02:36 Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic
06:13 Managing Change and Team Dynamics
08:11 Balancing Control and Responsibility
18:20 Burnout and Personal Reflections
20:22 Recovering from Burnout
21:02 Burnout and Grief: Unexpected Similarities
22:19 Finding Joy in Dark Times
23:08 Recognizing Non-Clinical Healthcare Workers
26:07 The Importance of Every Role in Healthcare
29:50 Consulting Through Chaotic Change
32:53 The Therapeutic Power of Writing
35:02 Where to Find Amy’s Book
36:17 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Author, Consultant, and Speaker Amy Comeau

Amy Moudy Comeau, MBA, is an acclaimed and award-winning marketing executive with decades of experience leading marketing teams in health care, education and the arts.

A graduate of Northwestern University and Goizueta Business School at Emory University, Comeau is a respected thought leader in marketing, health care, and leadership.

She is the author of the award-winning book Every Storm Runs Out of Rain: Leading a Health Care Marketing Team Through a Global Pandemic, and she currently speaks and consults on marketing, communications, and leadership.

She resides in Conyers, Georgia, with her family and is a proud Buffalo native.

Website | LinkedIn

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 870 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 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 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, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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.

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 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.

Finding Purpose and Joy in Business and Life, with Shane Jackson

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Finding Purpose and Joy in Business and Life with Shane Jackson, Author of This Is The Thing, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Finding Purpose and Joy in Business and Life, with Shane Jackson
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Finding Purpose and Joy in Business and Life with Shane Jackson, Author of This Is The Thing, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Finding Purpose and Joy in Business and Life, with Shane Jackson (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 870)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray talks with Shane Jackson, President of Jackson Healthcare and author of This Is the Thing About Life: Joy and Owning Your Purpose. Shane shares how personal reflection, faith, and a desire to serve others have shaped both his leadership style and his approach to life.

He opens up about what it means to live with purpose, why joy is a discipline rather than a fleeting emotion, and how his family’s legacy influenced the book. Shane also discusses the power of asking better questions, the difference between success and significance, and how to lead a life that aligns with your values—personally and professionally.

Whether you are a leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone seeking more profound meaning in your work, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and practical wisdom.

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.

Shane Jackson, President, Jackson Healthcare, and Author of This Is the Thing: About Life, Joy, and Owning Your Purpose

Share Jackson
Shane Jackson

Shane Jackson is President of Jackson Healthcare, the parent company of more than 20 healthcare workforce services businesses that serve over 20 million patients each year. Championing its mission of improving the delivery of patient care and the lives of everyone it touches, he has led the organization through growth that has landed it on the Forbes® list of America’s Largest Private Companies; placement on the 100 Best Companies to Work For® and Best Workplaces in Health Care™ lists by Fortune®; a spot on the Companies that Care list by PEOPLE®; and nearly a decade of Great Place To Work® certification.

Shane is the author of two books: This Is the Thing: About Life, Joy, and Owning Your Purpose (2025) and Fostering Culture: A Leader’s Guide to Purposefully Shaping Culture (originally published in 2018 with a second edition in 2024). He has written for Fast Company and Forbes on the topics of leadership, workplace culture, and living and leading with intention. He also publishes insights on his own platform and is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and events across the country.

In addition to the business he leads at Jackson Healthcare, Shane champions the organization’s LoveLifts community impact platform that focuses on improving access to healthcare and the well-being of young people. Under his leadership, LoveLifts partners with more than 450 nonprofit organizations annually, making a positive impact in local and global communities.

In 2024, Shane was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® National finalist, in addition to being selected as a winner in the program’s Southeast region. He also has been recognized multiple years on Staffing Industry Analysts’ Staffing 100, a list of the top North American leaders shaping the industry and influencing the workforce solutions ecosystem.

Shane serves on the boards of 3DE and King’s Ridge Christian School and is vice chair of the leader-led goBeyondProfit business initiative that promotes the belief that giving back is good for business. He earned an MBA from Emory University and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Harding University.

Website | LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:27 Guest Introduction: Shane Jackson
01:52 Jackson Healthcare Overview
03:03 Reflecting on the Pandemic
05:08 Discussing Shane’s New Book, This Is the Thing
08:10 Purpose and Personal Journey
20:13 The Concept of Legacy
22:13 Rethinking Legacy and Impact
23:27 Family History and Its Influence
24:43 The Power of Education and Generational Change
26:48 Creating Ripples of Influence
27:35 Purpose and Leadership
31:09 The Importance of Relationships and Community
34:34 Reflections on the Book’s Impact
37:28 Practical Daily Changes for a Purposeful Life
40:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 860 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 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 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. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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.

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 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.

Cultivating Future Leaders, with Randy Hain, Author of Practical Virtue

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Cultivating Future Leaders, with Randy Hain, Author of Practical Virtue, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Cultivating Future Leaders, with Randy Hain, Author of Practical Virtue
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Cultivating Future Leaders, with Randy Hain, Author of Practical Virtue, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Cultivating Future Leaders, with Randy Hain, Author of Practical Virtue (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 861)

In this engaging episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes back executive coach and prolific author Randy Hain to discuss his newest book, Practical Virtue: An Actionable Guide to Help You Become a Leader Worth Following. Aimed at Gen Z and early-career professionals, the book serves as a resource for building essential leadership skills and virtues. Randy emphasizes the importance of mentorship, encouraging senior professionals to invest in the younger generation by sharing their own experiences and wisdom. The conversation covers key virtues like accountability, generosity, hard work, candor, and humility, offering practical tips and stories. Randy also introduces the “One Plus Three” project, urging mentors to guide three young professionals through the book. The episode calls for a collective effort to prepare future leaders by modeling and teaching virtuous leadership.

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 recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Randy Hain, Author of Practical Virtue: An Actionable Guide to Help You Become a Leader Worth Following

Randy Hain is the founder and president of Serviam Partners and the co-founder of the Leadership Foundry.

Practical Virtue: An Actionable Guide to Help You Become a Leader Worth FollowingWith a successful 30+ year career in senior leadership roles, corporate talent and executive search, Randy is a sought-after executive coach for senior leaders at some of the best-known companies in the U.S. and globally who are seeking candid and expert guidance on how to overcome obstacles to their success or develop new leadership skills.

Randy is a husband, father, and active community leader and serves on the boards of the causes he cares about most. Randy has earned a reputation as a creative business partner and generous thought leader through his books, articles and speaking engagements.

Randy is the award-winning author of 12 books, including the newly released Becoming a More Thoughtful Leader, and a past guest of North Fulton Business Radio.

Website | LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:29 Introducing Randy Hain and His New Book, Practical Virtue
02:16 The Importance of Mentoring Gen Z
07:31 Book Structure and Virtues
09:56 Deep Dive into Key Virtues
17:58 The Power of Encouragement
18:27 Understanding Candor
21:38 The Importance of Humility
23:23 Destigmatizing Mentorship
24:42 The “One Plus Three” Project
27:38 Call to Action for Mentors
32:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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

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

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.

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 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.

Leave a Legacy, Not a Logjam, with Rachel Donnelly, Author of Late To Your Own Funeral

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Leave a Legacy, Not a Logjam, with Rachel Donnelly, Author of Late To Your Own Funeral, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Leave a Legacy, Not a Logjam, with Rachel Donnelly, Author of Late To Your Own Funeral
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Leave a Legacy, Not a Logjam, with Rachel Donnelly, Author of Late To Your Own Funeral, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Leave a Legacy, Not a Logjam, with Rachel Donnelly, Author of Late To Your Own Funeral (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 854)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Rachel Donnelly, founder of AfterLight and author of Late to Your Own Funeral: How to Leave a Legacy and Not a Log Jam. Rachel shares her personal journey that led her to establish AfterLight, a company dedicated to helping overwhelmed executors manage post-death logistics. She discusses the challenges of estate administration, the importance of strategic estate planning, and provides valuable insights and anecdotes from her work. Rachel’s new book aims to educate and guide people through the often-overlooked complexities of end-of-life planning with a touch of humor. Listeners will gain a more profound understanding of the necessity of preparing for the administrative side of death and the benefits of leaving a well-organized legacy.

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 recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Rachel Donnelly, Author

Rachel Donnelly is the author of Late To Your Own Funeral and founder and CEO of AfterLight. Her mission is simple: to help the living deal with dying.

She created AfterLight to help clients navigate the administrative maze of estate settlement and legacy planning after experiencing the overwhelming process herself, serving as executor for both her mother’s and uncle’s estates while working full-time and raising two children.

Prior to founding AfterLight, she worked in development for institutions including Emory University, Georgia Tech, and the Shepherd Center Foundation.

A graduate of Agnes Scott College, Donnelly lives in Decatur with her husband and two children.

Connect with Rachel and AfterLight:  Rachel’s LinkedIn |Website | Instagram | Facebook

Late To Your Own Funeral, by Rachel Donnelly

The only aspect of life more certain than death? The bureaucratic nightmare that accompanies it. In Late To Your Own Funeral, Rachel Donnelly offers an effective and entertaining guide out of estate settlement purgatory.

Late To Your Own Funeral, by Rachel Donnelly“Rachel’s irreverent humor and no-nonsense guidance make legacy planning not just manageable but oddly enjoyable.” – Matt Paxton, author of Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff and television host of Hoarders

Approximately 70% of Americans lack an estate plan, which leaves their loved ones grappling with a complex array of administrative challenges during their most difficult times. From planning funeral arrangements to the seemingly impossible task of canceling cable service, the logistics of loss often compound grief in unexpected ways.

After losing several family members in quick succession, Rachel realized that navigating grief is hard enough without the added burden of managing an estate. What mourners need most, she learned, isn’t another casserole, but a guide through death’s bureaucracy. Now, as an after-loss and legacy planning consultant, she serves as a “wedding coordinator—but for death,” helping others navigate the administrative maze of estate settlement.

Through a blend of practical insight and unflinching honesty, Rachel offers a roadmap for both the living and those thrust into the role of executor. Late To Your Own Funeral helps readers face the conversations everyone else avoids, giving loved ones an invaluable gift: the ability to mourn without drowning in paperwork.

Amazon

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:49 Meet Rachel Donnelly: Author and Entrepreneur
02:51 The Inspiration Behind Afterlight
04:31 Challenges of Being an Executor
06:58 The Importance of Estate Planning
20:36 Digital Age Complications
23:57 Humorous Insights and Personal Stories
28:03 Success Stories and Client Experiences
31:28 Conclusion and Contact Information

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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

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

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.

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 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.

Rebuilding Life After Gray Divorce, with Author Pat Fenner

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Rebuilding Life After Gray Divorce, with Author Pat Fenner, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Rebuilding Life After Gray Divorce, with Author Pat Fenner
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Rebuilding Life After Gray Divorce, with Author Pat Fenner, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Rebuilding Life After Gray Divorce, with Author Pat Fenner (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 841)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray speaks with Pat Fenner, a podcast producer, author, and host of the Silver Women, Bright Future podcast. Pat shares her personal journey through a gray divorce and how she transitioned this experience into a mission to support other women going through similar challenges. She discusses her book, Rebuilding Your Life After a Gray Divorce: A Path to Healing, Significance, and Joy, and highlights strategies for overcoming financial setbacks, rebuilding self-image, and finding gratitude amidst turmoil. The conversation also covers Pat’s work in podcast production and financial advisory, emphasizing the critical need for financial literacy and emotional support for women in midlife transitions.

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.

Pat Fenner, Author and Podcaster

Pat Fenner
Pat Fenner

Pat Fenner is a devoted advocate for personal transformation and healing. As an accomplished author and podcast producer, Pat has dedicated her career to empowering women, particularly those navigating the challenging waters of post-divorce life. In her latest book, Rebuilding Your Life After a Gray Divorce: A Path to Healing, Significance, and Joy, Pat draws on her own experiences and years of mentoring to offer a lifeline to women struggling to find their footing after a “gray divorce.”

With a compassionate voice and a deep understanding of the emotional and spiritual upheavals faced in later-life separations, Pat has crafted the STRENGTHS framework. This guide is designed to help women savor simplicity, rebuild trust, and embrace a future filled with peace, purpose, and joy. Her approach is deeply practical, rooted in real-life stories, biblical wisdom, and actionable strategies encouraging women to reclaim their lives and rediscover joy.

Beyond her writing, Pat produces the engaging and insightful podcast Silver Women, Bright Future which serves as a platform to discover resilience, healing, and personal growth. She aims to inspire listeners to move forward with grace and strength. Whether through her book or her podcasts, Pat Fenner is passionate about helping others rewrite their stories, proving that the journey doesn’t end post-divorce—it transforms.

Website | Pat’s “Silver Resources” | Amazon Link for Pat’s Book | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:56 Guest Introduction: Pat Fenner
02:37 Pat’s Journey into Podcasting
03:52 Experiencing and Overcoming Gray Divorce
06:32 Rebuilding Life After Divorce
11:01 Challenges and Commonalities in Gray Divorce
15:40 Rebuilding Trust and Moving Forward
20:32 Moving On from Divorce
21:04 The Healing Power of Writing and Podcasting
23:45 Empowering Women Through Coaching
25:27 Financial Challenges of Gray Divorce
27:19 The Emotional Journey of Financial Planning
30:34 Maintaining Stamina and Self-Care
33:57 Sharing Stories of Healing and Transformation
37:37 Connecting with Pat Fenner

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

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

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 leans left. Some media leans 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, 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 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.

Sparking Creativity and Self-Discovery with Robert P. Waters, Author of Men’s Poetry Night

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Robert P. Waters
Hello, Self . . .
Sparking Creativity and Self-Discovery with Robert P. Waters, Author of Men’s Poetry Night
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Men's Poetry Night

Sparking Creativity and Self-Discovery with Robert P. Waters, Author of Men’s Poetry Night (Hello, Self… Episode 57)

In this episode, host Patricia Leonard talked with guest Robert P. Waters, an author who turned his pandemic downtime into a creative venture called Men’s Poetry Night.

Robert shared his background, the journey from job loss to becoming a prolific writer, and the story behind his latest book. Patricia and Robert talked about self-discovery, community, and the therapeutic power of poetry.

The conversation focused on the importance of turning dreams into plans, getting creative, and finding common ground. Robert also shared insights about his book’s potential for a movie adaptation and its message of inclusion and genuine fellowship among men in a small-town setting.

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

A video version of this conversation is available on Patricia’s YouTube Channel here.

Robert P. Waters, Author of Men’s Poetry Night

Robert P. Waters, Author of “Men’s Poetry Night”

Robert P. Waters began writing during a prolonged job search in the Great Recession of 2008.

Two sparks were lit at the same time: one for fiction and one non-fiction; the later due to his convictions about hiring processes witnessed in his job search. Technology and culture remain key subjects in his books yet another monumental world-order change motivated him to write his first-ever humorous take about small-town life during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With more time to create, Waters began envisioning a blue collar town driven by strong family and culture and hard workers with a love for nature. The idea became poetry, that is, men who began to write poetry and share it. Where? Up at the Assembly Hall of a closed mining operation. Men’s Poetry Night expanded conceptually by entertaining the reader with small stories about the men – young and old – who wrote verse about everything: their wives, their experiences, their memories of youthful sweethearts and hunting.

Readers have described the book as being “almost real” as Waters taps his imagination right into the clear water of small town life, waiting for the end of covid19, always with a laugh.

Website | Amazon |LinkedIn

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, 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

Falling Forward: Lessons in Creativity and Resilience, with guest Andrew Jacob Brown

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Andrew Jacob Brown
Hello, Self . . .
Falling Forward: Lessons in Creativity and Resilience, with guest Andrew Jacob Brown
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Andrew Jacob Brown

Falling Forward: Lessons in Creativity and Resilience, with guest Andrew Jacob Brown (Hello, Self… Episode 49)

Andrew Jacob Brown, an accomplished writer, actor, and producer, joined host Patricia Leonard. They explored Andrew’s journey from a sports enthusiast to a creative professional, highlighting his achievements in novel writing and screenwriting.

The conversation underscored the importance of patience, hard work, and perseverance, and emphasizes the role of discipline learned through martial arts in Andrew’s creative pursuits.

Andrew and Patricia also discuss his latest project, ‘After’, a faith-based TV series. This episode is rich in motivational insights and practical tips for artists and creatives looking to pursue their dreams.

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

Andrew Jacob Brown, Actor, Director, and author of Haven: The Fate of the Four Races

Andrew Jacob Brown, Actor, Director, and author of Haven: The Fate of the Four Races

Andrew Jacob Brown began studying the craft of writing in 2007, and went onto write his first novel “Haven: The Fate of the Four Races” in 2012 which soon went onto win two book festival awards in the same year.

But it was his love for movies and the Bible that inspired him to learn the craft of screenwriting. In 2013-14, he won two straight contest awards with his script “In Debt Deep,” and the script was optioned. In 2016, he made his first short film “Moriah,” which was a gold winner in the 2017 Neo Noir Film Festival. Then in 2018, Andrew changed his focus to acting and producing.

With his years of writing and martial arts experience, he created 6 action-dramas in 5 years, and achieved 10 Best Actor Awards.

IMDb | Facebook | Instagram

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, 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

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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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