Magnolia Musings: Season 1, Episode 1

March 26, 2026 by Garrett Ervin

BRX National

Magnolia Musings: Season 1, Episode 1

00:00 /

Welcome to today’s episode of Magnolia Musings podcast! A podcast focusing on the influences that shape everyday decisions in our journey through life, business and careers. Today, we are joined by Bill Russell, founder of Russell Landscape Group, Inc. Not only a successful businessman but a person who helped shaped Gwinnett County.

In 1987, William “Bill” E. Russell started Russell Landscape Group, Inc. as a family-managed commercial landscape contract business. Headquartered in Sugar Hill, GA., the firm has grown to over 1,000 employees across 16 branches throughout the South under the guidance of owner and CEO Teddy Russell and founder Bill Russell.

Russell Landscape is the largest family-run Georgia-based commercial landscape firm.

You can watch the video of the podcast here: https://youtu.be/W_ALCfyiKxg

For further information about Explore Gwinnett and upcoming events, visit ExploreGwinnett.org

Sue Yeh Johnson on Using AI for Team Trust and Alignment

December 15, 2025 by 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 923), with host John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Sue Yeh Johnson on Using AI for Team Trust and Alignment

00:00 /

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.

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.

Website | Company LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant 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.

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 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.

Mentor chat with Amanda Pearch

November 21, 2025 by Amanda Pearch

Chat with AP

Mentor chat with Amanda Pearch

00:00 /

Treat the time you spend with Mentors like Capital– Time is Not Renewable.

As a business owner, eventually, we recognize time as our most valuable and limited resource. Unlike capital, which can be raised or replaced, time is nonrenewable. Once spent, it’s gone. This episode Amanda shares some personal lessons from mentors in her career. Tune in as she shares practical shifts and mindset disciplines to keep you SHARP. Let’s manage time the same way we manage money in business, strategically and with return on investment in mind. Welcome to Chat with AP, hosted by Amanda Pearch.

Showing up isn’t just about being present—it’s about owning your space, making an impact, and keeping your audience coming back for more. At amandapeartch.com we take what you’re already doing, whether it’s podcasting, speaking, or building your brand, and turn it into something bigger. Something that works for you.

You’ve got the ideas, the expertise, and the drive. Now, let’s make sure people actually hear you. Connect with Amanda directly to learn more.

Want to engage or learn more visit amandapearch.com

Purpose Driven Podcasts

Jody daSilva, Leaders Team, on Breaking Growth Barriers

October 9, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Jody daSilva, Leaders Team, on Breaking Growth Barriers

00:00
/

Jody daSilva, Leaders Team, on Breaking Growth Barriers (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 907)

Early in her career, when a McDonald’s location she managed flooded with a foot of water, Jody daSilva didn’t shut it down. She fixed it, reopened it, and never looked back. That same instinct to figure things out has powered her entire career.

Now with Leaders Team, Jody helps executives do the same inside their companies: fix what’s really broken. In her conversation with host North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray, she explains why so many mid-market firms stall out: not because of weak systems or bad hires, but because of the stories leaders tell themselves.

Jody and John dig into how those hidden beliefs shape culture, create silos, and kill growth. She shares what “ontological coaching” really means, why it’s not just pep-talk psychology, and how companies transform when leaders stop managing content and start changing who they are being.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Why leadership transformation starts with who you’re being rather than what you’re doing
How personal stories and limiting beliefs can cap organizational growth
The role of ontological coaching in reshaping leadership effectiveness
How to recognize when a company culture or structure is holding back performance
Simple ways to begin dismantling silos and building alignment across teams

Topics Discussed in This Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Business Radio
01:52 Meet Jody daSilva: Leadership Insights
02:57 Jody’s Eclectic Career Journey
05:56 The Importance of Being in Business
07:32 Ontological Training and Its Impact
11:32 Transforming Company Culture
16:07 Exploring Company Silos
18:26 Identifying Symptoms of Dysfunction
21:38 Addressing Women Leaders’ Challenges
25:39 Success Stories and Transformations
27:50 Contact Information and Closing Remarks

Jody daSilva, Leaders Team

Jody daSilva is a senior manager and leadership consultant with more than 30 years of experience leading and advising across Fortune 500 companies and start-ups. Her career is defined by a track record of improving profitability, productivity, and organizational performance. Drawing on that experience, she now helps companies identify the unseen barriers that stall growth and performance.

Jody combines sharp business acumen with deep ontological training in the study of being and human nature to offer a distinctive approach to leadership development. Through her work with Leaders Team, she helps executives and teams uncover limiting beliefs, shift culture, and create alignment that drives sustainable results. Her clients credit her with breakthroughs that include doubling revenue, strengthening leadership teams, improving customer satisfaction, and building more cohesive, purpose-driven organizations.

Website | LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

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

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their markets, communities, and professions. 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 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 complete 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.

Lee Ellis on Leading with Honor in Business

September 10, 2025 by John Ray

Lee Ellis, Colonel USAF (Ret), Leading with Honor®, on the Price and Value Journey podcast with host John Ray, Lee Ellis on Leading with Honor in Business

North Fulton Studio

Lee Ellis on Leading with Honor in Business

00:00
/

Lee Ellis on Leading with Honor in Business (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 146)

What does leadership forged in the crucible of a POW camp teach us about running a professional services firm today? Retired Air Force Colonel Lee Ellis knows the answer firsthand. Captured in Vietnam and held for over five years at the notorious Hanoi Hilton, Lee endured brutal conditions yet emerged with a leadership philosophy rooted in courage, humility, accountability, and trust.

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, Lee shares stories from captivity and the leadership principles he has spent decades teaching to business leaders and organizations around the world. He explains why balancing accountability with compassion, integrity with results, and courage with humility is essential for anyone leading a business or team.

For expert-service professionals, Lee’s lessons are more than history. These principles directly apply to how you serve clients, lead your practice, and confidently set prices under pressure. His insights remind us that trust, principled decision-making, and resilience are not abstract ideals. They are survival skills, whether in a POW camp or in the marketplace.

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

Leadership grounded in integrity builds long-term trust, even in high-pressure situations.
Balancing courage with humility makes you more effective and more respected as a leader.
Accountability is not punishment; it is mutual responsibility that strengthens teams.
Resilience is built by focusing on what you can control and bouncing back from setbacks.
Openness and trust foster a culture that welcomes honesty and course corrections.
Modeling secure leadership encourages your clients and colleagues to admit mistakes and grow.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:54 Lee Ellis’s Early Life and Military Career
03:35 Capture and POW Experience
05:36 Lessons in Leadership and Accountability
12:41 Resilience and Overcoming Adversity
25:16 The Importance of Connection and Collaboration
32:06 Trust and Humility in Leadership
39:15 Conclusion and Contact Information

Lee Ellis, Colonel USAF (Ret), Leading with Honor®

Lee Ellis is Founder and President of Leading with Honor® and FreedomStar Media®. He is an award-winning author, leadership coach, and expert speaker in the areas of leadership, team building, and human performance. His past clients include Fortune 500 senior executives and C-level leaders in telecommunications, healthcare, the military, and other business sectors. Some of his media appearances include interviews on networks such as CNN, CBS This Morning, C-SPAN, ABC World News, and Fox News Channel, plus hundreds of engagements in various industry sectors throughout the world.

Early in his career, Lee served as an Air Force fighter pilot, flying fifty-three combat missions over North Vietnam. In 1967, he was shot down and held as a POW for more than five years in Hanoi and surrounding camps. For his wartime service, he was awarded two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with Valor device, the Purple Heart, and the POW Medal. Lee resumed his Air Force career, serving in leadership roles with increasing responsibilities, including command of a flying squadron and leadership development organizations, before retiring as a colonel.

Lee has a BA in History and an MS in Counseling and Human Development. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the Air War College. He has authored or co-authored seven books on leadership and career development. His latest bestselling book is entitled Captured by Love: Inspiring True Romance Stories from Vietnam POWs. Two additional, award-winning books share leadership insights gained from his POW experience. Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton won book-of-the-year awards and was selected in 2013 for the USAF Chief of Staff Professional Reading List. His follow-on book, Engage with Honor: Building a Culture of Courageous Accountability, was selected as best in class for the “Leadership” category.

In 2014, Lee was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame, and in 2015, he was a DAR Medal of Honor recipient for a lifetime of patriotic service as a military officer and spokesman for leading with honor.

Lee and his wife, Mary, reside in the Atlanta, GA, area and have four grown children and six grandchildren.

Website | Lee on LinkedIn | Leading with Honor: LinkedIn | Instagram

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

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

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

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

In his other business, John is a podcast show host, strategist, 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 880 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in its region like no one else.

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

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

If you are a professional services provider, your goal is to do transformative work for clients you love working with and get paid commensurate with the value you deliver to 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 | Twitter

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Mercedez Jackson, Fulton County Schools, on Resilience

August 25, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Mercedez Jackson, Fulton County Schools, on Resilience

00:00
/

Mercedez Jackson, Fulton County Schools, LIVE from the 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 892)

Mercedez Jackson from the Fulton County Schools Social Services Department joined host John Ray live from the 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit to share her insights from her keynote address at the event on building resilience in the face of fear and stress.

Mercedez discussed the importance of self-awareness, naming and normalizing our fears, and recognizing how stress manifests differently for each person. She explained the continuum of mental health, ranging from excelling to crisis, and emphasized how awareness and intentional strategies, such as asking for help, delegating, or pausing before responding, can help individuals move toward thriving.

Her encouragement to “sit in the uncomfortable space” and remember that feelings pass provided the audience with both practical tools and hope. Mercedez also underscored the power of empathy and honest communication in relationships at home and at work.

Mercedez reminds us that resilience is not about avoiding hardship but choosing to move forward with courage, self-reflection, and the right support.

This interview was originally broadcast live from the 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit held on August 12, 2025, at The Commons at Phase in Alpharetta, Georgia. John Ray Co. and North Fulton Business Radio were the Media Sponsors for this year’s Summit.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to the 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women in Leadership Summit
00:56 Introducing Mercedez Jackson, Fulton County Schools
01:16 Understanding Resilience and Fear
03:37 Self-Awareness and Stress Management
06:19 The Mental Health Continuum
08:24 Encouragement and Intentional Living
10:40 Contact Information and Closing Remarks

Mercedez Jackson, Fulton County Schools

Mercedez Jackson is Coordinator of School Social Work Services at Fulton County Schools.

Fulton County Schools (FCS) is the fourth largest school system in Georgia, serving a diverse and geographically expansive area outside the City of Atlanta. It operates 102 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools; startup charter schools; and a virtual school, with a projected enrollment of about 86,000 students for the 2025-26 school year. Founded in 1871, the system employs over 10,900 staff, including 6,200 certified personnel, and is known for its commitment to student achievement, continuous improvement, and community engagement. The district uniquely spans both the northern and southern parts of Fulton County, separated physically by the City of Atlanta’s own school system, and focuses on providing a well-rounded education while fostering a safe and efficient learning environment.

Connect with Mercedez on LinkedIn

2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit

The 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit was held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at The Commons at Phase in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The mission of BOLD—Businesswomen Organizing for Leadership and Development—is to connect businesswomen to build outstanding networks and spheres of influence, to collaborate with each other and with partner organizations to develop their businesses, and to celebrate and recognize the women of North Fulton.

Website

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC)

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

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

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

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

Connect with GNFCC: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 890 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.

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

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

If you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you would rather not 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, these professionals 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

Thor Legvold on Nordic Leadership, Purpose, and Pricing

August 6, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Thor Legvold on Nordic Leadership, Purpose, and Pricing

00:00
/

Thor Legvold on Nordic Leadership, Purpose, and Pricing (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 141)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, Thor Legvold joins host John Ray to talk about how the way we lead ourselves, our clients, and our firms shapes how others understand our value. Drawing from the Nordic leadership model, Thor explains how values like trust, purpose, and shared responsibility are not soft concepts. They’re strategic levers that affect how we build businesses, lead people, and price our services.

The conversation underscores the close connection between pricing and values. When your firm is clear on its purpose and leads with integrity, pricing becomes less about what the market will bear and more about what your work is worth.

Topics covered include:

The core ideas behind Nordic leadership
Why purpose and values must inform business decisions
How solo and small-firm professionals can reset when they’ve burned out or hit a wall
Why empowerment matters, both internally and in client work
How to price with purpose, not apology

This episode is particularly aimed at professionals who struggle to balance their values with the need to charge appropriately for their work. It’s not a tradeoff; on the contrary, it’s a path forward.

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

Nordic leadership works. Values like empowerment and purpose drive real business results.
Purpose guides everything. It shapes decisions, culture, and how others perceive your value.
Feeling lost? Return to your values. Burnout or transition is a cue to recenter on what truly matters.
Empowerment means ownership. Don’t just assign tasks; delegate real responsibility.
Co-create with clients. Better outcomes come from collaboration, not prescriptions.
Purpose supports premium pricing. Clients pay more when they believe in your “why.”
Culture is your leadership in action. Your behavior sets the tone more than your policies.
Your legacy extends beyond visibility. Trust that your impact reaches further than you can see.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to The Price and Value Journey
00:09 Exploring Leadership and Value Perception
00:25 Guest Introduction: Tor Legvold
00:32 Understanding Nordic Leadership
03:08 Nordic Leadership Principles
07:33 Applying Nordic Leadership in the US
10:48 Purpose and Values in Professional Services
14:50 Recalculating: Navigating Career Transitions
19:41 Balancing Purpose and Practicality
23:07 Purpose-Driven Organizations and Integrity
29:36 The Power of Integrity in Business
30:29 Empowerment and Delegation in Nordic Leadership
34:53 Collaborative Client Relationships
37:14 Building Strong Company Culture
44:11 Values and Purpose-Driven Business
52:01 Balancing Premium Pricing with Purpose
55:09 Conclusion and Contact Information

Thor Legvold, Legvold Consulting

Thor Legvold empowers organizations to navigate leadership challenges, cross-cultural collaboration, and post-merger integration through proven Nordic leadership principles. With global expertise in organizational psychology, Thor ensures leadership alignment, cultural synergy, and long-term growth. Whether serving as an executive coach or leading full-scale integrations, he helps clients build resilient teams and drive effective outcomes in dynamic environments.

Legvold leads with integrity, collaboration, sustainability, and a global mindset. Thor’s work is grounded in trust, honesty, and respect for human dignity, empowering people and teams to achieve lasting impact. By embracing a systems-oriented approach, he designs solutions that honor interconnected ecosystems and prioritize balance and inclusivity. With a passion for cross-cultural engagement, Thor helps leaders and organizations innovate and thrive in a connected world.

In over twenty years of consulting for businesses and organizations, he’s had the opportunity to work across a wide range of industries, including tech, finance, entertainment, industrial/manufacturing, and retail, as well as the public sector. Thor has extensive experience successfully working with entrepreneurs and startups, family businesses, AI organizations and companies ranging from midsize to Fortune 500. Wherever people are involved, Thor has a proven track record of delivering value.

Website | LinkedIn

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

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

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

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

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.

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

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Stewarding Time with Amanda Pearch

July 14, 2025 by Amanda Pearch

Chat with AP

Stewarding Time with Amanda Pearch

00:00
/

Stewarding Time with Amanda Pearch

Stewarding time is important because it impacts our leadership, relationships, ability to earn money and overall health. It is a precious gift from God. Don’t underestimate the value of intention- spend it wisely as time is NOT renewable.

This episode Amanda shares insights from her growth as an entrepreneur.

Purpose Driven Podcasts

amandapearch.com

How to Make Confident Decisions Under Pressure, with Retired Major General Jack Briggs

July 1, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

How to Make Confident Decisions Under Pressure, with Retired Major General Jack Briggs

00:00
/

How to Make Confident Decisions Under Pressure, with Retired Major General Jack Briggs (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 879)

Retired Major General Jack Briggs joins John Ray to share hard-earned insights on leading through crisis and making confident decisions under pressure. Drawing from more than three decades of military leadership, including 225 combat sorties and his role as Director of Operations at U.S. Northern Command, Jack explains why clarity, humility, and decisiveness are essential for leaders navigating high-stakes situations. He introduces a practical framework built around four key questions that can guide any leader through complexity and chaos.

Now serving in higher education and advising institutions across sectors, Jack brings these lessons into boardrooms, university leadership teams, and nonprofit strategy sessions. Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or a mission-driven organization, this episode will challenge how you think about crisis, redefine what it means to be decisive, and help you build a more grounded, confident leadership style when it matters most.

Key Takeaways from this Episode

Great crisis decision-makers share three core traits: they operate from clear principles, they ask others for help, and they know when and how to act decisively.
The quality of the decision matters more than the outcome. Good decisions can lead to bad outcomes—and vice versa—but relying on luck isn’t a strategy.
A crisis is a category error. You don’t solve a crisis. You solve the underlying problems that make it feel like a crisis.
Leaders should ask four key questions during any crisis: What do we know? What don’t we know? What are we doing about it? Who else needs to know?
Emotional regulation starts with the leader. If you overreact, your team will escalate. If you stay calm, they have room to respond effectively.
Decisiveness is a skill that can be trained, not just a personality trait. It flows from having clear values and drawing on diverse input.
Leaders should cultivate approachability, empathy, fierce advocacy for their team, and clarity in communication before the crisis hits.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:51 Interview with Major General Jack Briggs Begins
03:04 Jack Briggs’ Military Background and Leadership Experience
06:55 Key Characteristics of Effective Crisis Decision Makers
10:34 The Importance of Humility and Team Input in Decision Making
14:14 Defining Crisis vs. Problem
17:25 Four Core Questions for Crisis Decision Making
25:34 Deliberative vs. Impulsive Decision Making
28:47 The Role of Emotions in Leadership
32:29 Handling Rapidly Evolving Situations
35:21 Developing Crisis Management Skills
40:19 Applying Crisis Management in Higher Education
45:34 Essential Leadership Qualities for Complex Times
47:49 Conclusion and Contact Information

Major General Jack Briggs (Retired)

Major General Jack Briggs is a retired United States Air Force officer with over 31 years of distinguished service, culminating in senior leadership roles including Director of Operations for U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. In this role, he was the principal adviser on operational matters, overseeing strategic guidance for land, maritime, homeland defense air operations, and defense support to civil authorities within the North American area of responsibility.

He graduated as a distinguished graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1986 and has extensive experience as a fighter pilot, having flown 225 combat sorties in operations such as Desert Storm, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. His career also includes command at squadron and wing levels, NATO staff positions, and serving as executive officer to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command.

After retiring from the Air Force in 2017, Major General Briggs transitioned into leadership roles in higher education and non-profit sectors. He served as Vice President for Global Resiliency and Security at New York University, where he managed emergency management and security for multiple campuses worldwide. He later became President & CEO of Springs Rescue Mission in Colorado Springs, the largest homeless shelter and addiction recovery program in southern Colorado, driven by his faith and commitment to serving vulnerable populations, including homeless veterans.

Currently, Major General Briggs is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Safety Operations at the University of Colorado Boulder, overseeing emergency management, flight operations, and security operations. He also holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Innovation, applying his military leadership experience to transform organizations and sharpen decision-making capabilities in crisis environments.

LinkedIn | For speaking, consulting and media opportunities, please connect with his agency, Voices to Connect

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

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

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)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Sue Yeh Johnson, Founder

Yeh & Johnson Consulting

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Treat the time you spend with Mentors like Capital– Time is Not Renewable.

Want to engage or learn more visit amandapearch.com

Jody daSilva, Leaders Team, on Breaking Growth Barriers (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 907)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in This Episode

Jody daSilva, Leaders Team

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Lee Ellis on Leading with Honor in Business (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 146)

Key Takeaways You Can Use from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Lee Ellis, Colonel USAF (Ret), Leading with Honor®

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

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

Connect with John Ray:

Mercedez Jackson, Fulton County Schools, LIVE from the 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 892)

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Mercedez Jackson, Fulton County Schools

2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC)

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Thor Legvold on Nordic Leadership, Purpose, and Pricing (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 141)

Key Takeaways You Can Use from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Thor Legvold, Legvold Consulting

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

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

Connect with John Ray:

Stewarding Time with Amanda Pearch

Stewarding time is important because it impacts our leadership, relationships, ability to earn money and overall health. It is a precious gift from God. Don’t underestimate the value of intention- spend it wisely as time is NOT renewable.

This episode Amanda shares insights from her growth as an entrepreneur.

How to Make Confident Decisions Under Pressure, with Retired Major General Jack Briggs (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 879)

Key Takeaways from this Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Major General Jack Briggs (Retired)

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Our Mission

Sponsor a Show

Partner With Us

Connect with us