Rise and Stride

What does it really mean to lead? Retired Lt. Col. Oak McCulloch shares hard-earned leadership lessons from more than 40 years in the military and civilian world. From servant leadership to trust-building to communication and creating future leaders, he explains why great leadership is never about power—it’s about people.

Paul Dunn, an impact architect who helps teams design businesses where growth and purpose move as one, challenges accounting professionals to stop thinking of themselves as report producers and start seeing themselves as architects of their clients' futures. In this episode, he unpacks what it means to move from the experience economy to the transformation economy—and why CPAs are uniquely po...

In this episode of Rise in Stride, Sabine Charles, TEDx speaker, author and CEO of Charles Financial Strategies, shares why the biggest risks organizations face today aren’t technical—they’re human. From leadership blind spots to the role of emotional intelligence in governance and AI adoption, she explains why mindset, self-awareness, and purpose are critical skills for modern leaders.  Resources...

What if the key to better engagement, stronger culture and long-term success isn’t working harder—but showing up more human? In this episode, leadership and culture expert, and comedian, John Garrett shares how embracing your “and”—the passions and interests beyond your job title—can transform workplaces, careers and relationships, and why people—not just productivity—are the real differentiator. ...

We’ve all heard of ROI—return on investment. But what about ROR—return on relationship? In this episode, author Rory Henry , a Certified Financial Planner and Behavioral Financial Adviser, explains why trust, empathy and understanding the “human behind the numbers” are becoming the most valuable skills for CPAs and financial advisers—and how behavioral finance is reshaping client relationships.

Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about action. In this episode, CalCPA Public Service Award winners Rosario Bobadilla-Farias and Di Wu share how small, intentional steps can create meaningful change in the profession and the community. And it starts right where you are.

The days of climbing the career ladder rung by rung are quickly fading as career options and paths look nothing like they used to. Podcaster and talent and leadership development consultant Al Dea breaks down how today’s evolving workplace demands fresh approaches to engagement, growth and leadership. 

Forget the old stereotypes. Dean Quiambao, chief relationship officer at Armanino, paints a new picture of what it means to be a CPA in today’s fast-changing world—one where CPAs lead in AI adoption, shift the conversation from fees to outcomes and change the perception of the profession by embracing their personal brand.

What does it take to truly disrupt accounting? Jim Wallace of BPM and Chris Vanover of CPAClub share how they’re tackling tradition, embracing innovation and setting new standards for success—all while putting people first.

Stephen Shedletzky —speaker, coach, adviser and author—has a passion for helping leaders unlock the voices of others. His mission: build “speak-up” cultures where people feel heard, valued and empowered. The result? Workplaces—and lives—that are transformed.   Resources : Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up

Business development coach Leah Yoneda of Golden Ginkgo Group shares how curiosity, momentum and simple goals can fuel a career—and the important role of stepping out of comfort zones and embracing hands-on learning.

Is AI coming for your job? Not exactly—but the person or firm using AI might be. Neil Sahota is CEO of ACSI Labs, an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations Artificial Intelligence Advisor and author of the best-selling book, “Own the A.I. Revolution” , shares how curiosity—not code—can unlock your future in the age of AI and what skillsets will set you apart.   

Marketer, speaker and best-selling author Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. Listen as he shares why non-obvious thinking is a superpower anyone can build—with a little space, insight, focus and a twist.  More resources: Anticipating the Future   AI is Rewriting the Rules of Accounting  

Armed with a CPA license and a master’s degree in applied positive psychology, Wes Hitchcock is on a mission to improve the well-being of CPAs, help them reach their potential and create plans to stop burnout in the profession—while focusing on being more optimistic. This is more than looking at the world through rose-colored glasses; it’s having an optimistic, explanatory style that can make peop...

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or your career is just taking off, AICPA Chair Carla McCall stresses the importance of finding the work that gives you meaning. In this episode, McCall, managing partner at AAF CPAs, shares her insights into leadership, employee engagement and her “human first” approach to company culture. 

The accounting profession is evolving at breakneck speed, and today’s CPAs need more than just technical know-how—they need innovation and creativity to stay ahead. Kendale King , founder of KCK CPA and the visionary behind CPACON , an interactive accounting conference set for Dec. 3, believes that by embracing boldness and curiosity, CPAs can not only keep up but open new pathways to survive and...

We've all heard the saying, "If it ain’t broke, why fix it?" But in today's rapidly evolving business world, that mindset could hold you back. In this episode, speaker, author, consultant and CPA Gene Marks says clinging to that old adage could put your success, and even your survival, at risk as the CPA profession and the business landscape continue to shift at lightning speed...

Career paths are full of twists and turns, and your next big opportunity might be closer than you think—perhaps waiting in a phone call, a lunch invite or at a networking event. In this episode, Lorraine Lavet , a senior client partner at Korn Ferry, says take advantage of these opportunities because you never know how a simple connection could shape your future.

We’ve all likely heard the cliché, “there’s no I in team.” And sure, it’s cheesy, yet as leadership and transformation coach Emily Liang explains in this episode, there’s great value in surrounding yourself with those who can help you take that next step in your career—be they mentors, coaches, advocates or a personal board of directors—and help you thrive and find joy.

Most everyone has heard of the Golden Rule—to treat others as you would like to be treated—and many think it’s a good management philosophy. Consultant Jeremy Wortman of HRD Initiatives , however, believes organizations can kick it up a notch to the Platinum Rule—treat people the way they want to be treated. Listen as he explains what that looks like and provides insight on how to best attract and...

Combining her business skills and interest with a passion for helping people succeed, Jessica McClain , CFO of the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital ,  operates in what she calls “the intersection of accounting and social impact.” Listen as she provides her insights into leadership, career development, promoting the accounting profession … and her favorite Girl Scout cookie.

What happens when you combine knowledge, passion—and a mindset that magic can be found everywhere? For Danetha Doe , founder of financial education company Money and Mimosas , it’s meant building a successful career as an entrepreneur and speaker while helping small businesses in more than 20 countries raise more than $160 million in capital.  

Money makes the world go ’round, the saying goes. And for the younger generation that’s just learning about income, debt, credit scores, insurance and the like, it could make for a dizzying experience. Enter Tim Ranzetta , co-founder of Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit that believes all high school students deserve a high quality, engaging and relevant personal finance education prior to gra...

The future. Uncertainty. Change. The words cause many people to shiver, yet what would happen if we shift our mindset a bit, look deeper into opportunities and see these words as a gateway to growth? Best-selling author, entrepreneur and consultant Pascal Finette explains how.   More resources: Be Radical https://rdcl.is Disrupt Disruption https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BT6SPPR2?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp...

Networking, investing and advocating for each other are just some of the avenues Julie Castro Abrams, managing partner at How Women Invest and CEO of How Women Lead , believes can help transform the way the world sees women leaders.