
Adeptus On Air
Business og økonomiWelcome to Adeptus On-Air, the show where we pull back the curtain on the strategies industry leaders leverage for their business and personal success. Each week, we do a top-down analysis of industries Adeptus has been on the cutting edge of for the last 30 years, including sports, business, and entertainment. Join us for real conversations with industry executives, entertainers, athletes, celebrity brands, and community stakeholders. We will be navigating the challenges facing various types of businesses and how our solutions-based collaborative problem-solving approach helps individuals and businesses alike solve their most pressing issues. If you have any questions related to this podcast or have a request for what you would like to hear next, please email us at marketing@adeptuscpas.com. You can find us at adeptuscpas.com or follow us at @adeptuscpartnersllc.Disclaimer: The views and opinions of podcast hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions of Adeptus. This podcast provides general information only and is not intended to constitute legal, tax, business, professional or personal advice.
Siste episoder av Adeptus On Air podcast
- Creating Camp Goldie with Patrick Marini | From Golden Retrievers to Tulip Festivals (00:33:40)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Patrick Marini, a British expat and entrepreneur who is both the Director of Marketing at Holland Ridge Farms and the founder of Camp Goldie. Patrick shares how a trip with his wife to meet golden retrievers sparked the idea for Camp Goldie, where visitors can cuddle, play fetch, and even swim alongside a pack of goldens. He recalls the chaos of the first event, when muddy dogs burst out of the bushes, and how those unplanned moments turned into some of the best guest memories. Patrick also dives into his work at Holland Ridge Farms, where he helped grow small flower festivals into nationally recognized attractions drawing hundreds of thousands each year. Tune in to hear about Patrick’s vision for franchising Camp Goldie, his plans to turn a Dutch windmill into a wedding venue, and how he and his wife have built both their businesses and life together.
- Fostering Growth Mindsets with Brenda Do | From Copywriting to Children’s Literature (00:22:20)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host James Walker chats with Brenda Do, a children’s author and a seasoned copywriter. Brenda shares how a simple moment with her young nephew spilling leftovers and immediately calling himself “stupid” sparked the idea for her debut picture book, “It's Okay Not to Know.” Drawing on her background in direct response copywriting, she explains how observing human behavior and studying growth mindset research led her to create a rhyming, inclusive story that encourages self-compassion and curiosity. She reflects on her choice to feature genderless, monster-like characters so every child can see themselves in the pages, and why adults reading along may need the message just as much as kids. Tune in to hear Brenda’s thoughts on social-emotional learning in schools, why effort should be celebrated as much as achievement, and how her book can serve as a tool for both families and companies alike.
- Joining Crete Professionals Alliance with Steve Stagner | Culture, Change, and Growth (00:51:59)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Steve Stagner, CEO of Crete Professionals Alliance. Steve explains how the firm partners with accounting and professional services firms across the country using a model he calls “partner equity” rather than private equity. He discusses why preserving local culture and ownership is central to their approach, and how access to talent, technology, and capital helps firms prepare for succession and growth. Steve shares his perspective on change management, why he views AI as an enabler rather than a replacement, and how firms can shift from compliance-focused work to providing deeper advisory services. Tune in to hear lessons Steve has learned from scaling Mattress Firm to a multibillion-dollar company, the importance of investing in people, and what the next decade could look like for Create Professionals Alliance as it expands its footprint and builds shared learning across partner firms.
- Entrepreneurship at Scale with Arias WebsterBerry | Strategies for Growth (00:36:00)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Arias WebsterBerry, founder and CEO of WebsterBerry Marketing, Ignite Funnels, and Launch Ignition AI. Arias shares how his early experiences of loss and instability shaped his resilience and fueled his drive to build businesses that help others grow. He explains how a career that began in promotions and concerts evolved into running a full-service digital marketing agency, and why adding AI-driven systems has become central to scaling client success. Arias discusses his take on the future of work as AI reshapes industries, his mission to help entrepreneurs generate $1 billion in impact by 2026, and the role of brand authority in staying competitive. Tune in to hear Arias’s thoughts on navigating risk, building systems before scaling, and why pushing to the edge is essential for growth.
- Wingsuit Journeys with Casey Flay | Training, Risk, and Records (00:26:28)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Casey Flay, a competitive wingsuit pilot representing Team GB. Casey shares how he went from his first skydive just a few years ago to competing on the world stage, and why the sport quickly became an obsession. He explains what it takes to train at a high level, from early morning conditioning and gym work to studying flight data and waiting out unpredictable weather. Casey reflects on recovering from a serious base-jumping accident, how it reshaped his approach to risk, and why he now views competition as the center of his future in the sport. Tune in to hear Casey’s perspective on setting a national record, the financial and mental challenges of wingsuit flying, and the dream jumps he still plans to chase.
- Youth Sports and Parenting with Chris Bjork | Rethinking Competition and Balance (00:22:24)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host James Walker chats with Chris Bjork, professor of education at Vassar College and coauthor of More Than Just a Game: How the Youth Sports Industry is Changing the Way We Parent and What We Can Do About It. Drawing on years of research that included shadowing travel teams, speaking with parents and coaches nationwide, and interviewing college recruiters, Chris explains how the youth sports system has transformed childhood and parenting. He talks about the rising pressure for kids to specialize in a single sport, the toll that overtraining takes on young bodies, and the emotional strain parents feel to keep up with costly club programs. The conversation also explores why only a small percentage of athletes receive college scholarships, how the booming industry has widened inequalities, and what families can do to keep sports fun while protecting their children’s long-term well-being.Tune in for Chris’s perspective on restoring balance in youth sports and why letting kids enjoy a range of activities can be healthier than chasing the next big league.
- Protecting Creators with Jessica Pascale | Legal Essentials for the Digital Age (00:39:09)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Jessica Pascale, an entertainment attorney who works with actors, production crew to online content creators. Jessica shares her perspective on the legal pitfalls many new creators face, from handshake deals and vague agreements to unclear ownership of rights. She explains when to involve an attorney, how to navigate exclusivity clauses, and why setting up a business entity is critical for separating personal and professional interests. Tune in to hear more about how to protect yourself in brand deals, the key contract clauses creators often overlook, and why defining your brand early can save you from problems later.
- Running Refined Media Group with Rachel Matos | Matching Creators with Brands (00:32:36)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Rachel Matos, founder and CEO of Refined Media Group. Rachel shares how she went from working on early influencer campaigns in 2011 to building an agency that connects brands with creators and manages end-to-end digital marketing strategies. She explains how brands vet creators, the challenges of working with tight budgets in multicultural campaigns, and why authenticity often outperforms polish. Rachel breaks down how the TikTok algorithm rewards consistency, how creator funds and sponsorships work, and why legal disclosures matter in brand partnerships. Tune in to hear Rachel’s take on talent management, spotting up-and-coming creators, and how to build a long-term business as a content creator.
- Turning Experience into Sound with Dylan Garcia | Personal Growth Through Music (00:31:33)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Dylan Garcia, an independent musician and songwriter. Dylan shares how his genre-blending music draws inspiration from soul, reggae, funk, and R&B, and walks through how his writing process has evolved to become more intuitive and improvisational over time. He discusses how music became both an outlet and a form of therapy during his nine-year struggle with mental health challenges, including a pivotal hospitalization and misdiagnosis. Dylan explains how navigating the mental health system, becoming a father, and recommitting to his craft helped shape both his music and perspective.Tune in to hear Dylan's reflections on sobriety, creative discipline, the international response to his music, and how staying open to new influences has led him to remix past work and explore future releases.
- Building Smarter Workflows with Marnie Wills | The Power of Practical AI (00:32:13)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host James Walker chats with Marnie Wills, an AI Strategist and entrepreneur. Marnie shares her journey from teaching PE and launching fitness businesses to becoming a leading voice in the AI space. She explains how early tools like Jasper sparked her curiosity, and how using ChatGPT and other LLMs are now her go-to's. From founding a franchised early education brand to helping businesses build their own AI models, Marnie discusses how AI is reshaping the future of work, creativity, and connection. Tune in to hear why she believes we’re on the verge of a two-day workweek, how AI agents could soon be our virtual co-pilots, and why making AI “fun and practical” is one of her biggest goals.
- Building a Creative Life with Dan DeFilippo | On Story, Strategy, and Staying Close to the Ocean (00:43:07)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Dan DeFilippo, an author, Emmy-winning producer, and multi-hyphenate creative. Dan shares the story of how his long-lost novel Montauk Dayz resurfaced after two decades, and how growth, time, and reflection helped him rewrite it 20 years later. He discusses his exciting career path, from early days in journalism to becoming a production assistant in Hollywood, and eventually founding his full-service production company, Pipeline Entertainment. With a lifelong love for both creativity and business, Dan describes how an entrepreneurial mindset shaped his approach from the very beginning. Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories about working with notable names like Nicolas Cage and Francis Ford Coppola, what it really feels like to be a three-time Emmy winner, and where to find his new book, Montauk Dayz.
- The Journey of Reinvention with Adam LaSalle | Challenging the “Real Job” Narrative (00:39:27)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Adam LaSalle, an actor, musician, and reinvention coach. Adam discusses how he fell in love with theater and the arts, but felt like he needed to have a real job. After becoming a teacher, he explains how he still had the performance itch but struggled to reconcile it with everything he had learned over the years. While pursuing his master's degree, he began researching the concept of teaching passion, a process that ultimately helped him reflect on his own creative path. Through a stroke of luck and timing, he shares how he got his big break as a professional actor and musician, simply by asking questions and meeting the right people. Tune in to hear how Adam uses his journey to help others explore reinvention, challenge the belief that art isn’t a “real job,” and find their place in the creative world on stage, on screen, or wherever it leads.
- Redefining Luxury with Elizabeth Solaru | Understanding Personal Value (00:34:16)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Elizabeth Solaru, a luxury business consultant and author of The Luxpreneur. Elizabeth shares how social, cultural, and emotional factors shape our perceptions of luxury and how brands can authentically connect with luxury clients. She dives into her journey from award-winning cake artist to international luxury strategist, offers insights from her book The Luxpreneur, and explains why mindset is the most critical starting point for building a successful luxury brand. Tune in to hear Elizabeth’s take on the evolving role of social media, the rise and fall of luxury trends, and the importance of understanding your customers' psychology, not just their spending power.
- Teaching Indoor Cycling with Melissa Power | The Cadence Way of Riding (00:33:51)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host James Walker speaks with Melissa Power, a leading indoor cycling instructor and trainer of trainers who is reshaping how spin is taught. After a serious traffic accident, Melissa discovered indoor cycling during her recovery and left a career in television to pursue fitness full time. Her journey turned into a mission to raise the standard of spin instruction through inclusive, safe, and science-backed coaching. Tune in to hear how her studio Cadence was built to welcome all levels of riders, why empathy is key in every class, and how she plans to expand her method through new studios and an upcoming YouTube channel.
- Creative Reinvention with Peter Moore | From Men’s Health to Columntoonist (00:32:15)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Peter Moore, a former magazine editor, illustrator, ghostwriter, and cartoon columnist. Peter shares how the pandemic pushed him to finally start his memoir and during the process, decided to blend the writing with humorous sketches. He discusses his creative transformation into what he calls a “Columntoonist,” the surreal experience of interviewing both Barack and Michelle Obama, and how Substack helped him build a new audience. Tune in to hear Peter’s reflections on ghostwriting bestsellers, the joy of cartooning about Coloradans and what it means to reinvent your creative identity later in life on your own terms and with a good sense of humor.
- Leading Through Change with Dr. Tenia Davis | Play to the Strength of Your Team (00:33:58)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Dr. Tenia Davis, an experienced HR leader, author, and advocate for servant leadership. Dr. Davis reflects on how a temporary assignment in tech unexpectedly led her to a career in human resources and shares how the pandemic reshaped her approach to work, parenting, and leadership. She discusses how generational differences and remote work are redefining company culture, why feedback is so often avoided, and what it means to truly inspire a team. Tune in to hear Dr. Davis’s perspective on building trust in a changing workforce and how intentional leadership can shape stronger organizations.
- The Art of Audio Branding with Jodi Krangle | Your Voice Is Your Brand (00:29:41)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host James Walker chats with Jodi Krangle, a seasoned voice actor and audio branding expert whose voice has been heard in campaigns for Dell, Kraft, FedEx, and more. Jodi shares her unique journey into the world of voiceovers, from recording on reel-to-reel tapes at a nonprofit in Canada to launching a thriving business built around the power of sound. Jodi shares her thoughts on what it means to create an “audio brand,” how sound design can build trust and recognition, and why authenticity is more important than ever in voiceover work. Jodi reflects on the evolution of voice trends, how societal shifts influence brand tone, and why AI, while productive, can’t replace the human connection in storytelling. Tune in to hear Jodi’s insights on navigating a creative career with business savvy, how music shaped her vocal style, and what it takes to stand out in a crowded, fast-changing industry.
- Turning Passion into Impact with Artie Shaw | Confidence, Cars & Content (00:39:05)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Artie Shaw, a dynamic content creator, motivational speaker, and automotive enthusiast. Artie shares his journey from being a project manager in the EMR space to building an online brand around his passion for cars, motorcycles, and personal development. He discusses how his brother and wife pushed him into content creation, the evolution of his brand from car videos to confidence coaching, and why helping people communicate better is at the heart of everything he does. Tune in to hear Artie’s stories about navigating the car community, his approach to teaching and storytelling, and his thoughts on turning passion into purpose.
- The Accidental Mayor with Jeremy Nunes | Comedy, Politics, and Storytelling (00:33:23)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Jeremy Nunes, a stand-up comedian and former small-town mayor known for his Dry Bar Comedy special "Neighborhood Sasquatch" and his Amazon Prime special "Who's With Me?". Jeremy shares his journey from managing his family's trailer park to running for mayor as a joke and unexpectedly winning. He discusses his experiences in local politics, the stories that led to his bestselling book "You Can't Write City Hall," and his rise as one of the most requested comedians on Sirius XM. Tune in to hear about Jeremy’s approach to storytelling, his thoughts on the evolving comedy industry, and the lessons he learned from balancing small-town leadership with stand-up success.
- Developing Credibility on Camera with Dawn Chubai | Building Trust with the Audience (00:34:27)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Dawn Chubai, an award-winning television host, live selling expert, and media trainer who has spent decades helping people and brands build confidence and credibility on camera. Dawn shares her journey from singing jazz in Edmonton to becoming one of Canada’s most trusted home shopping hosts. As a media trainer, she emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurs being the face of their brand and feeling comfortable in front of the camera, highlighting how trust is built through showing your face when selling a product. Tune in to hear how Dawn trains individuals and businesses to navigate their online presence, the growing role of AI in digital marketing, and the importance of credibility in an age of misinformation.
- Overcoming the Inner Critic with DANAMA | A Creative Journey of Self-Discovery (00:50:41)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Ashley Greene chats with DANAMA, a musician whose artistry centers on transforming mental health struggles into strength and empowerment. DANAMA shares her personal journey of overcoming the inner critic, using music as a tool for healing, and encouraging others to find their own voice through vulnerability and resilience. Together, Ashley and DANAMA dive into the importance of mindfulness, the challenges of social media, and how embracing imperfection can unlock deeper self-acceptance. Tune in to hear about DANAMA’s upcoming single "Mend My Soul," her festival appearances, and how her music aims to turn hardship into hope for listeners everywhere.
- Building an Accounting Career with Frank Gallo | Charting a Course for Success (00:18:18)
On today’s episode of Adeptus On-Air, host James Walker chats with Frank Gallo, a senior accounting major at Temple University and the first recipient of the James E. Walker Scholarship. Frank reflects on his path to Temple, his decision to major in accounting, and the rewarding feeling of being recognized for his hard work. With two job offers on the table, Frank shares his career aspirations, thoughts on the impact of AI in accounting, and love for Philly sports and golf. Tune in to hear his insights on navigating college, job interviews, and the future of accounting.
- The Vision Behind Factory Obscura with Kelsey Karper | Transforming Spaces into Art (00:33:21)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, Mike Hoffman chats with Kelsey Karper, co-founder and Director of Logistical Creativity for Factory Obscura, a collaborative company creating immersive art experiences. Kelsey shares how Factory Obscura started as an ambitious idea among friends and grew into a movement to create transformative art experiences in Oklahoma City. In 2017, the founding team of five introduced their first large-scale installation, drawing 20,000 visitors and sparking rapid growth. Kelsey discusses the challenges and triumphs of bringing immersive art to life, from building community connections to expanding their creative reach through local events. Tune in to hear how Kelsey and her team are shaping the future of experiential art and fostering a thriving creative community.
- Carving a Path into the Music Industry with Ryan Galway | Creating Music That Resonates (00:43:28)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host James Walker chats with Ryan Galway, a musician and entertainment entrepreneur. Ryan shares the inspiration behind his latest single, Valentine, the meaning behind his band name Ryan and the Remedy, and his plan to release his album Heart Matters in two parts. He discusses his songwriting process, how his biggest musical influences shaped his passion for writing love songs at just 10 years old, and how he balances creativity with business. Beyond music, Ryan talks about his entrepreneurial ventures, from launching Sleepless Lyfe to creating a podcast that helps independent artists market their music. Tune in to hear Ryan’s insights on the challenges of today’s music industry, the realities of independent artistry, and the lessons he’s learned from working behind the scenes and on the stage.
- Behind the Scenes with Alfred Sauchelli | Working with Hollywood Legends (00:31:14)
Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Alfred Sauchelli Jr., a truck driver and an actor. Alfred shares his unique journey into acting, landing a role in A Bronx Tale and setting the stage for a career alongside Hollywood legends like Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal. Alfred discusses his first meeting with Robert De Niro, the audition process, and how he balanced his newfound acting career with his job as a truck driver. He gives a behind-the-scenes look into iconic films and TV shows like Analyze This and Analyze That, Blue Bloods, and Law and Order. Tune in to hear Alfred’s perspective on the industry’s evolution, being one of Robert DeNiro’s boys, and the importance of staying grounded.