What really happens during a 401(k) audit—and why should you care? Hosts Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with Jeremy Smith to pull back the curtain on employee benefit plan audits, explaining key rules, common compliance traps, and the surprising ways things can go wrong. From simple payroll slip-ups to shocking fraud cases, this episode delivers both eye-opening stories and actionable advice to help keep your plan compliant and your employees protected.

Workplace stress is at an all-time high, but burnout isn't just a personal issue, it's a relationship issue. In this candid and insightful conversation, hosts Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with Chris King, owner of GPS Therapies, to unpack what's really happening to our mental health at work.

With nearly 30 years of experience as a counselor and leader, Chris shares why every problem is a relationship problem, how stress quietly turns into burnout, and why employees who feel unheard either "act out" or disappear entirely. The discussion explores generational shifts in mental health, the loneliness epidemic, and the crucial balance between freedom and responsibility in healthy organizations.

Whether you're an employer, a manager, or simply trying to survive Monday morning, this episode delivers clarity, hope, and tools you can use immediately.

What happens when fine-dining hospitality meets auto repair?

In this episode, Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with Russ Knight, owner of a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to explore how the principles from Will Guidara's book Unreasonable Hospitality can transform even the most unexpected industries. Russ shares how applying a hospitality-first mindset—focused on listening, personalization, and empowering employees—helped his shop stand out in a crowded, trust-challenged market.

Rather than obsessing over sales metrics or technical upsells, Russ explains why small, thoughtful gestures, genuine education, and meeting customers where they are matter far more. The result? Stronger trust, higher customer retention, improved team morale, and sustainable financial growth.

Whether you lead a service business, manage a team, or want to rethink how you engage the people you serve, this conversation will challenge you to go above and beyond—no white tablecloths required.

What really makes a great first impression in business and why do so many professionals get it wrong without realizing it? In this episode of 2 CPAs and The Mic, Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with etiquette expert Rachel Wagner to break down modern business etiquette for today's entrepreneurs, students, and professionals.

With nearly 20 years of experience, Rachel delivers clear, actionable advice on everything from confident handshakes and polished emails to virtual meeting etiquette, networking, dining dos and don'ts (including who pays), business cards, professional dress, and the impact of handwritten thank-you notes. Her core message is simple: etiquette isn't about perfection, but about awareness, respect, and making others feel valued.

Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, or mentoring the next generation, this conversation is packed with actionable tips to help you avoid common faux pas, elevate your professional presence, and be remembered for all the right reasons.

In this week's episode of 2 CPAs & The Mic, Jeff Frable and Sara Mays welcome Lisa Nichols, author, podcast host, CEO, and co-founder of Technology Partners. Together, they explore Lisa's 32-year journey of building a people-first IT firm alongside her husband, culminating in an impressive Net Promoter Score of 100.

The conversation becomes personal as Lisa shares how her daughter Allie, who has Down syndrome, has been her greatest teacher. Drawing from her book Something Extra, Lisa explains how life's challenges inspire powerful leadership lessons rooted in humility, vulnerability, and hope.

This episode reminds us that the qualities of great leaders are shaped by experiences forged beyond the balance sheet.

April 15th may have passed, but entrepreneurs have new opportunities to build on their success.

In this episode of 2 CPAs & The Mic, CCK Strategies partners Jeff Frable and Sara Mays discuss what business owners should consider after the April 15th deadline. To keep things practical (and a little spicy), they introduce the CHILI framework, a simple, memorable approach to proactive tax strategy:

• Choosing the right entity
• Harnessing deductions
• Investing intentionally
• Leveraging time and resources
• Integrating a proactive team

Jeff and Sara cover everything from choosing your business structure and bonus depreciation to home office rules, what counts as a meal versus entertainment, and the latest tax law changes coming up. They make these tricky topics easy to understand, practical, and packed with real-life tips you can use. Along the way, they share what they've learned from working with entrepreneurs and business leaders.

They also chat openly about the mistakes they see entrepreneurs make all the time, such as waiting too long to act, ignoring IRS notices, or trying to handle complex tax issues on their own. Plus, they get real about what AI can and can't do, and why having a good professional team in your corner is more important than ever. If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone.

If you've ever been caught off guard by a tax bill, puzzled by some deduction advice you saw online, or wondered how to get ahead instead of just reacting, this episode is for you. This episode will help you reset after 4/15, connect the dots, and feel more confident moving forward.

What's the real difference between branding and marketing—and why does it matter more than ever?

In this episode, Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with Jessica Lowe-Betts with Schnake Turnbo Frank to unpack how branding is less about logos and more about lived experience. Drawing from CCK Strategies' own brand identity journey during its transition to second generation leadership, Jessica shares why feedback is a gift, how communication gaps are often mistaken for process problems, and what every organization should ask itself about legacy, culture, and reputation.

If you're leading a firm through growth or change, this conversation will help you think differently about who you are—and how the world experiences you.

Mikey Manghum, VP and Financial Advisor at Regent Private Wealth, joins the podcast to unpack a powerful journey shaped by sports, mentorship, and purpose. From growing up overseas, playing Division 1 basketball to building a career centered on redeeming the narrative around money, Mikey shares how mindset, discipline, and calling have guided every chapter of his life.

Mikey dives deep into why mindset is the foundation of success, how mentorship accelerates growth, and what it really looks like to balance ambition with being a present husband and father. He also challenges listeners to rethink money, not as a source of stress, but as an opportunity for clarity, confidence, and ministry.

This conversation is for professionals, former athletes, and working parents who want to succeed at work without losing sight of what matters most at home.

In this episode, CCK Strategies talent acquisition leaders Kusumika Ganguly and Carolyn McGuire share what they're truly listening for when interviewing experienced professionals, interns, and new graduates. They break down why coachability matters, how to clearly communicate your "why," and what helps candidates stand out beyond their resumes. Kusumika and Carolyn also debunk common recruiting myths — including the belief that applications go unread.

Whether you're considering a career move, preparing for interviews, or building a team that lasts, this conversation is a reminder that great recruiting is about people and culture — not just filling roles.

Josh Juarez joins Jeff Frable on the mic to share how a college side hustle became one of Tulsa's favorite summer traditions. He discusses his entrepreneurial journey, building snow cone shacks across Tulsa, and fostering a workplace culture that keeps teens returning each year. The conversation explores passing the leadership baton to family, and his latest venture—a year-round community hangout centered on food, coffee, and pickleball. Josh also reflects on risk, mentorship, and his mission to create lasting spaces for Tulsa.