Being a founder or CEO means carrying a lot of weight on your shoulders. Long hours, tough decisions, and the constant pressure to keep things moving forward, it’s exhausting. But here’s what we don’t talk about enough, the toll it takes on your mental health. 

Burnout, stress, anxiety... they’re not just buzzwords. They’re realities for so many leaders, and if you’ve felt it, you’re not alone. The question is, what are you doing about it? 

Because let’s face it, ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away. It only makes things worse, for you, your business, and everyone around you. 

For Alane, the effects of chronic stress were impossible to ignore. What started as stress-induced eczema on her hands and arms escalated to a dramatic angioedema attack, leaving her face and eyes severely swollen. It’s a powerful reminder of how deeply stress can impact us, inside and out. Alane has courageously shared an image of this experience, offering a raw and personal glimpse into her journey, which you can view here: https://bit.ly/4a894eV

In this week’s episode, we’re getting real about: 

• The mental health struggles founders face that no one likes to admit 
• How chronic stress shows up in your body and your business 
• The shift from “just push through” to seeking real support 
• Practical ways to manage stress and protect your mental health 

No sugarcoating. No empty advice. Just honest conversations and actionable tips to help you lead without losing yourself. 

If you’ve been feeling the weight lately, this episode is for you. And hey, if it resonates, leave us a 5-star review, it helps us keep these conversations going. Subscribe now for real talk every week. 

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

If you think automation means pressing a button and walking away, you’re in for a rude awakening. 

Automation isn’t a magic wand; it’s a tool that needs your input, your strategy, and your attention to thrive.

In this week’s episode of Automate Your Agency, Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson break it down:

•  Why “hands-off” automation is a myth
•  The mistakes that cost agencies time and money
•  How to make automation work with you, not against you
•  And why ignoring it could leave you playing catch-up

If you’re ready to ditch the fairytales and learn what it really takes to build systems that grow with your agency, this episode is for you.

Want more insights? Dive into these episodes for even more valuable tips:

🎧 EP 6: When Should I Worry About Processes?– Apple Podcasts | Spotify

🎧 EP 28: When Is Your Process Ready to Be Automated?– Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Don't miss out! Each episode is packed with strategies that could transform the way you work!

Enjoying the show? Drop us a 5-star review, it’s a small thing that makes a big difference. And hey, don’t forget to subscribe; you don’t want to miss what’s coming next!

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

The end of the year is the perfect time to pause and take stock of where you’ve been, and where you’re headed. But reflecting on what’s worked and what hasn’t can be both exciting and overwhelming. 

In this episode of Automate Your Agency, Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson get real about their 2024 wins, lessons learned, and the changes they’re making to set up for even bigger success. They’ll share what helped them grow and the mistakes they’re leaving behind. 

Tune in as they perform a live retrospective where they discuss: 

🔹 Why content marketing became their secret weapon 

🔹 How free tools boosted engagement and leads 

🔹 The surprising value of starting a podcast 

🔹 Lessons from speaking engagements and why clear messaging matters 

Speaking of free tools -- they even talk about one of their latest creations: The Hiring Manager Toolkit—a tool designed to help you streamline your hiring process. It's chocked full of AI supported automation that creates job posts, interview questions, assessments and more for any role you want to hire for. Don’t miss it!

If you’re ready to reflect on your own wins and walk into the new year with a game plan, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable tips to help you get there. 

Enjoying the podcast? Leave a 5-star review and hit subscribe—your support means everything to us!

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Do you really need a project manager to keep your business running smoothly? It’s a question every growing company faces, and the answer might surprise you. 

Project managers can be game-changers, but they’re not always a must-have. In fact, with the right systems, tools, and workflows in place, you might find you can manage just fine without one. 

Sounds tempting, right? 

But here’s the flip side: skipping a project manager when your processes aren’t dialed in can lead to chaos, missed deadlines, and a whole lot of frustration. 

In this week’s episode of Automate Your Agency, Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson dive into: 

• The pros and cons of running your business with—or without—a project manager 
• How to leverage tools like Asana. ClickUp, and Monday.com to streamline operations 
• Why repeatable systems and automation can be the secret to scaling 
• And how to recognize when it’s time to bring in dedicated oversight 

Alane also shares a helpful resource to guide your decision-making, our Project Management System Selector Tool, use it to figure out which system best fits your needs! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3X6EEnj 

The key to growth isn’t about following a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s about finding what works best for *your* team. Whether you’re on the fence about hiring a project manager or just want smarter ways to optimize your agency, this episode has you covered. 

What did you think of this episode? Drop us a 5-star review and share your thoughts—it helps us reach more listeners like you! And don’t forget to subscribe for actionable tips every week. 

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

We all want to scale our businesses, right? 

But here's the thing—growth doesn’t happen by doing everything yourself. 

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to be in the weeds with every task. 

But in reality, trying to handle everything on your own is a quick way to burn out and hold your business back. 

In this episode of Automate Your Agency, Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson get honest about why you need to trust your team and stop trying to do it all. They’ve been there, and they’ve learned the hard way that growth comes from letting go—not doing more.

Tune in as they talk about:

🔹 The real reasons you’re afraid to delegate

🔹 How letting go can actually help you move faster

🔹 The mindset shift that’ll help you trust others with your business

🔹 And more!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you're stuck in the grind, this episode will give you the nudge you need to start stepping back and empowering your team to help you scale.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love for you to leave a 5-star review—it helps us reach more people who need this advice. And don’t forget to subscribe for new episodes every week!

Looking to build systems that support delegation? Check out these episodes for more tools and tips:

• How do I pick a project management system?
• How do I use Monday.com like a Pro?
• How do I use Asana like a Pro?
• How do I use ClickUp like a Pro?

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

We’re living in an incredible time. 

Automation and AI can work wonders to make your business more efficient, save you time, and even cut costs. 

Sounds amazing, right? 

But here’s the hard truth: you can’t expect AI to run everything. And you definitely can’t expect to dive into automation without first rolling up your sleeves and mastering your workflows.

Automation is here to support you—not replace you. 

Skipping the hands-on work and trying to automate too soon? That’s a fast track to frustration, wasted money, and a mess of processes you’ll just have to untangle later.

In this week’s episode of Automate Your Agency, Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson get real about the right way to approach automation. Tune in as they cover:

🔹 The pitfalls of automating without preparation

🔹 Why manual workflows lay the foundation for AI success

🔹 How to let automation enhance your business instead of running it into the ground

🔹 And practical steps to help you get started without the headaches

Listen, we all want to make our businesses run like a dream, and automation can help. But only when it’s done right. This episode will help you avoid rookie mistakes and build systems that actually work.

What did you think of this episode? Drop us a 5-star review to let us know—it helps us reach more listeners who need this advice! And don’t forget to subscribe for fresh, no-fluff strategies to grow and scale your business every week.

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Let's be real....drafting proposals is a pain in the butt. 

They may be essential, but they are tedious, time-consuming, and, for many of us, what we wind up working on when we'd prefer to be relaxing. 

To make things even more stressful, the longer a proposal takes to create and send, the less likely the deal is to close.

It's a shame we don't have the technology for these things to write themselves...😏

Newsflash! We do. 😎

This week on Automate Your Agency, Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson share how they turned a traditionally manual task into an efficient, automated workflow that saves time and eliminates stress.

In this episode, they reveal:

🔹 How they built a system using tools like Grain, PandaDoc, and their CRM to automate proposals

🔹 The steps to pull insights from call transcripts and client pain points

🔹 The surprising benefits of removing the manual effort from proposal creation

🔹 And so much more!

Curious to see how it works? Check it out here! You can watch a demo video AND go hands-on to demo it yourself!

If this episode resonated with you, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review. Your feedback helps us improve and ensures we continue delivering content that’s valuable to you. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode—new insights drop every week!

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Ever feel like your business would fall apart if you stepped away for even a second? You're not alone. 

Every founder and leader has felt the exact same way at one point or another. 

But, what if your desire to hang on to the day-to-day operations is actually hindering growth? 

We're here to tell you that stepping back is often the best thing you can do, not just for yourself, but for your business too.

In this week’s episode of Automate Your Agency, Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson dive into the challenges of stepping away from the day-to-day grind and embracing the "out of office" mindset. They talk about the power of delegation, empowering your team, and creating systems that work for you even when you're not there.

Tune in as they unpack:

• How to overcome the fear of delegating and releasing control
• Building a team culture that thrives without you
• The tools and processes that make stepping away easier
• And so much more!

If you’ve ever struggled with stepping away from your business, this episode will give you the encouragement and practical advice you need to let your team take charge so you can focus on the bigger picture.

If you're stumped on how to get your processes out of your head so you can delegate it, check out this video where Micah explains a quick and easy way to create an SOP of your process.

If you want to take it a step further and build a process map, feel free to complete our self-paced Process Mapping course that can help you get started.

Loving the podcast? A quick 5-star review helps us reach more listeners and fuels us to keep delivering valuable content every week. Don’t forget to subscribe for fresh episodes every week!

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Are you holding onto services that no longer serve your business—or worse, are draining your time and profits? 

Many founders face this dilemma, unsure of when and how to pivot without losing clients or momentum.

In this week's episode of Automate Your Agency, Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson dive into the art of strategically evolving your offerings when it’s clear that something’s got to change.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to recognize when it’s time to pivot and phase out less profitable services
• Strategies for smoothly transitioning clients when discontinuing or altering services
• How to overcome emotional attachments to services that no longer serve the business
• How to avoid scope creep and set clear boundaries with clients
• And much more!

If you're ready to streamline your offerings and focus on what truly grows your business, this episode is packed with the guidance you need.

Love what you’re hearing? A 5-star review helps us reach others who might benefit from these insights. Don’t forget to subscribe for more tips each week!

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Building a strong, sustainable company culture isn't about offering perks like free snacks or Friday lunches. It’s about creating systems, fostering accountability, and building trust from the ground up.

In this week's episode, Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson discuss how implementing the right systems and fostering shared accountability helped transform their company culture. They share how their early struggles with burnout and high turnover were turned around by focusing on creating structure and promoting trust across leadership and teams.

Tune in as they dive into:

🔹 Why systems and accountability are more effective than superficial perks

🔹 How leadership can foster trust and support employee well-being

🔹 The importance of respecting employees’ personal time and family commitments

🔹 And much more!

If you’re looking to strengthen your company culture, this episode will give you practical insights on how trust and effective systems can lead to a happier, more productive team.

If this episode resonated with you, consider leaving us a 5-star review! It helps us reach more listeners and ensures we continue bringing valuable insights to help you build a stronger company culture. Be sure to subscribe, new episodes drop every week!

Learn More about our AI Leadership Workshop

Winning businesses aren’t just working harder, they understand how to use AI strategically. Sign up for the AI Leadership Workshop, a 3-hour expert-led mastermind designed to give leadership teams clarity, alignment, and a practical path to stay competitive.

Book a call to customize your workshop today!

This episode is brought to you by Biggest Goal, the AI education company Alane Boyd and Micah Johnson co-founded.

Most leaders feel pressure and get stuck between ignoring AI and moving too fast. What works is hands-on training.

That's why Alane and Micah built Biggest Goal. Fifteen years of scaling their own companies taught them that adoption is a people problem long before it's a technology problem, so we train executives and their teams through workshops, cohorts, mastermind groups, and hands-on implementation support.

For more info about our AI programs, join our free community at your.biggestgoal.ai to get early access to episodes and learn about our upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the podcast!