In this episode, Jason explores the feeling of being dropped into a class you never signed up for; where something important is happening and you didn’t realize you were expected to know it. He discusses how fear and overwhelm during business transitions often come from delayed awareness, not a lack of effort, and reframes what readiness really means in the context of succession planning and ESOP transitions.

In this episode, Jason sits down with Pete Schuler, Senior Vice President and Head of Consulting at Blue Ridge, who brings more than 30 years of experience in the ESOP industry. As a trusted advisor on ESOP transactions and compliance, Pete has worked across all stages of the ESOP lifecycle and offers a deep, practical perspective on what makes these transactions successful. Jason and Pete dive into the key “R’s” of an ESOP transaction, unpacking critical considerations around plan design, compliance, and transaction readiness. Drawing on Pete’s extensive experience advising companies, working alongside investment banks, and leading complex ESOP projects, this conversation provides valuable insights for business owners and advisors navigating ESOP planning and execution.

In this episode, Makenzie Wirth interviews Joe Jones, Audit Partner at Berman Hopkins. As lead of the firm’s Construction Advisory Services Team, Joe shares his perspective on the recent trend of construction companies transitioning ownership to ESOPs. From audit considerations, valuation risks, bonding, backlog quality, governance, and jobsite culture, Makenzie and Joe provide practical advice for construction owners considering employee ownership.

Listen to this episode to understand how ESOPs impact construction businesses and get actionable guidance for your company’s transition.

In this episode of the Journey to an ESOP podcast, Jason and Makenzie kick off The Foundations of Transition, a monthly series focused on owner readiness. Each workshop-style episode builds on the last, creating a practical framework to guide business owners through a successful ownership transition.

This first foundation explores owner identity and readiness, helping business owners define their vision, align decisions with their values, and plan for a successful ownership transition. Understanding your identity is critical, as it shapes not only who your business is today, but also what it becomes after transition.

Season 7 kicks off with a simple truth: change is inevitable, but being unprepared is a choice. In this premiere episode, Jason sets the stage with Continuity Through Change, diving into what this season has in store: navigating leadership in motion, building foundations that endure through transitions, and uncovering the emotional dynamics that often shape ownership decisions.

In this episode of the Journey to an ESOP podcast, Jason sits down with Danny Massey, Head of Strategy and Communications for Expanding ESOPs--a national coalition working to dramatically broaden employee ownership across the United States. Danny shares how he became involved in the ESOP world, and the conversation dives into the powerful benefits of employee ownership, why it matters now more than ever, and how expanding access can create lasting impact for workers and businesses alike.

In this holiday episode, Jason and Makenzie explore the ESOP as a meaningful gift to a company’s employees. They break down how ESOP benefits work for both owners and employees and unpack the mechanics behind inside notes versus outside notes. This episode is a helpful resource in understanding ESOP verbiage and the real benefits that employees receive through a company transitioning to an ESOP. 

In this episode, Jason and Makenzie let three “ESOP ghosts” guide us through the employee-ownership journey. They revisit the origins of your ESOP, take a candid look at how things stand today, and discuss how to intentionally choose its future. They highlight how the decisions, habits, and culture shape long-term ESOP success.

In this episode, the Journey to an ESOP podcast speaks directly to founders who feel the weight of leadership and wonder how their team will successfully shift into an ESOP model. Through a blend of personal story and practical insight, Jason explores how identity, encouragement, and intentional leadership can help bridge that gap and prepare both leaders and teams for a confident, sustainable ESOP transition.

In this episode, Jason and Makenzie dive into the real purpose of ESOP feasibility and why it’s far more than just another spreadsheet. They break down what “feasibility” truly means in an ESOP transaction and walk through the key factors companies should evaluate, from existing debt to entity structure (S-corp vs. C-corp) to long-term sustainability. They also dig into how feasibility helps determine whether an ESOP will genuinely benefit the company, the owners, and the employees.