The Built Authority Podcast

In a world where AI-generated content is rapidly taking over, creatives and entrepreneurs are facing a new challenge—how do you stand out, stay authentic, and keep your work grounded in real human experience? Brad Swonetz , a commercial photographer, creative director, and brand strategist with nearly 30 years of experience, knows this tension firsthand. From shooting on film in the darkroom to us...

What do you do when you seemingly have it all—money, career wins, first-class flights, the “perfect life”—but on the inside, you’re crumbling? For many entrepreneurs, that relentless drive comes at a cost: broken relationships, fading health, and a loss of identity. That’s the exact storm Tom Fedro found himself in. After years of chasing the dream of a company IPO that ultimately fell through, To...

What if your greatest entrepreneurial strength isn’t hustle or strategy—but your ability to turn pain into purpose? In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR sits down with Kim Snyder, founder and CEO of KlariVis, to unpack how personal loss, professional challenge, and authentic relationships shaped her path as a purpose-driven entrepreneur. After closing a meaningful chapter in bankin...

What if the real reason your bold ideas aren’t gaining traction isn’t strategy—but misalignment? In this episode, JR sits down with Eleonora Cino , founder of Tranquilo Solutions, to explore why visionary entrepreneurs often feel stuck—and how creating true alignment between you and your team is the key to unlocking momentum. You’ll learn how to reduce friction, communicate your vision clearly, an...

What if the biggest threat to your business isn’t cash flow or competition—but conflict at home? James and Rebecca Lockwood, founders of Thrive Together , unpack how entrepreneurial couples can move from surviving to thriving—both in their relationship and in business. After nearly drifting apart themselves, James and Rebecca created a framework that helped them rebuild alignment around vision, va...

What if the breakthrough you’ve been chasing only takes one second ? JR sits down with Tanner Clark, founder of One Second of Strength , to explore how a single moment of courage can help you break free from fear, distraction, and self-doubt. They unpack why the biggest mountains holding you back aren’t real—they’re self-made. And more importantly, how to tear them down, one board, one nail, and o...

Is AI a threat to your business—or the greatest opportunity you’re ignoring? That’s the question JR Lay explores with today’s guest, Mike Koenigs — creator of the AI Accelerator, advisor to organizations like NASA, and a true pioneer in the AI and digital entrepreneurship space. Mike’s been on the front lines of innovation since the CD-ROM days, and he’s not slowing down. In fact, he’s helping ent...

What does it mean to build a business that’s rooted in purpose—not just profit? In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast , JR welcomes Rob Robinson , CEO of Taylor White, for a deep and powerful conversation on leading from a foundation of faith, family, and self-awareness. Rob opens up about what drives his leadership philosophy, why identity matters more than job titles, and how he’s gui...

What does it really take to scale your business without burning out or blowing it up? In this episode, JR sits down with Peter Caputa —former HubSpot exec and current CEO of Databox—to unpack the mindset shifts and strategy moves that help founders go from early traction to predictable scale. They dig into why most entrepreneurs stall once the initial momentum fades, and how you might be subconsci...

Most businesses fight tooth and nail to earn the attention of potential buyers… only to waste it with outdated, boring, and ineffective case studies. In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR sits down with James De Roche —founder of Lead Comet and former high school teacher—to unpack the psychology behind attention and how to keep it long enough to move prospects from curiosity to comm...

Most entrepreneurs are unknowingly robbing themselves. You work hard, you hustle, and yet something invisible keeps capping your growth. That’s the hidden heist—limiting beliefs and emotional baggage around money that you didn’t even know you were carrying. In this episode, JR sits down with The Hidden Heist author Bill Cates to uncover what’s really stealing your wealth—and how to take it back. Y...

What if the future you’re chasing isn’t somewhere out there—but already inside you, waiting to be tuned into? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Chris Walker , believes. He’s the founder of Encoded , and he’s helping entrepreneurs upgrade their internal operating systems by unlocking the power of their frequency. In this episode, we dive into why frequency—not more knowledge or harder work—is now...

Many B2B founders feel the pressure to stand out in an AI-driven world—but often get stuck copying tactics that don’t feel authentic. The result? More noise, higher acquisition costs, and a brand that blends in instead of breaks through. Ognjen Boskovich , founder of Raven and creator of the Founder Brand Playbook, has spent years helping founders harness their unique perspective and turn it into...

What if the hardest part of selling your company isn’t the deal itself—it’s who you become once the ink is dry? In this episode, JR sits down with Jerome Myers —entrepreneur, exit advisor, and creator of the Founder’s Exit Paradox framework. Jerome knows the highs of building and selling: he led the growth of a $20M division inside a Fortune 550 company and guided four private equity exits, includ...

What if your business isn’t growing—not because you lack ideas, but because no one’s talking about it? In this episode, JR sits down with Jeremy Macliver , a visionary entrepreneur and founder of the Be Retellable Movement, to unpack what it really takes to build a brand that spreads by word of mouth… naturally. The problem? Most entrepreneurs undervalue the everyday brilliance baked into their st...

Feeling invisible on LinkedIn? You're not alone—and in a noisy digital world, the scroll is real, and attention is rare. But there's a smarter way to get seen, trusted, and chosen. In this episode, JR Lay sits down with Joshua B. Lee , founder of Standout Authority , to explore why human connection—not hacks—are the key to building authority and creating real growth in the age of AI. Josh shares h...

What if your intellectual knowledge isn’t enough anymore? As traditional expertise loses value, the real differentiators are wisdom, intuition, and emotional connection. In this episode, Mike Grinberg , founder and CEO of Proofpoint Marketing , joins JR Lay to explore why thought leadership isn’t something you do—it’s an outcome you earn .

Most entrepreneurs dream about building a billion-dollar business—but the idea of giving things away for free feels counterintuitive. The truth is, some of today’s most successful companies like Zoom, Dropbox, and Canva were built on this exact model. If you’re still clinging to outdated go-to-market strategies, you’re leaving exponential growth on the table. In this episode, JR Lay sits down with...

One of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face isn’t finding the next opportunity — it’s protecting their confidence while juggling it all. Over time, many founders get stuck on autopilot, doing the same things, talking to the same people, and slowly losing the perspective that once gave them their edge. Jeremy Clark has found a different path. As a CEO who’s built and acquired businesses in fin...

Most B2B entrepreneurs have a love–hate relationship with webinars. You put in the effort, drive registrations, and even see strong attendance—only to face the dreaded “conversion cliff” with little to no ROI. It’s frustrating and leaves many founders questioning whether webinars are even worth it anymore. Logan Lyles , founder of Demand Shift , joins JR Lay to share how he's helping B2B entrepren...

Many entrepreneurs chase success by pushing harder—only to burn out, feel stuck, or question if the grind is even worth it. In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast , JR Lay sits down with Billy Bloom —founder of Bloom Financial and Diane Money—to explore a radically different approach: creating from intention, energy, and flow instead of force. Billy opens up about walking away from the i...

Many entrepreneurs dream of taking the leap—but fear, imposter syndrome, and the comfort of a steady paycheck often hold them back. Greg Martin , a former commercial banker turned fractional CFO, joins JR to unpack what it really takes to step out in faith and bet on yourself. Greg shares his raw and relatable journey—from the security of a 17-year banking career to the uncertainty (and freedom) o...

In a world where trust is at an all-time low and marketing funnels no longer work like they used to, how can B2B entrepreneurs grow their business without selling their soul to algorithms? In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR Lay sits down with Nick Richtsmeier , Principal at Culture Craft and author of the upcoming book The Damn Rules , to reimagine what marketing could be. Togeth...

In today’s world of AI-generated sameness, how do you cut through the noise and actually make space for your brand? Most B2B entrepreneurs are stuck recycling tactics, chasing trends, and blending in with the competition—without realizing that their unique wisdom is the very thing that could set them apart. In this episode, JR Lay sits down with Ryan Mitchell , co-founder of Wedge , a company help...

Mark Morris , author of The Secure Future Advisor , shares his powerful journey from battling addiction to becoming a trusted financial guide. Mark reveals why true financial security isn’t just about numbers—it’s about relationships, stewardship, and aligning your money with your values. You'll hear why most financial mistakes happen not on the climb up, but on the way down, and how entrepreneurs...