What happens when the business you’re building no longer fits the life you want to live? In this episode, JR sits down with Nick Bennett, co-founder of Duo, to talk about what it really means to design a business that aligns with who you’re becoming—not just what you’re selling.

Together, they unpack the myth of work-life balance, the hidden cost of following everyone else’s blueprint, and why so many entrepreneurs drift without direction. Nick shares his insights on offer design, clarity, and why your confidence is the most valuable currency in business.

He also gets real about journaling, fatherhood, and the wake-up call that helped him shift from always working to actually living. Whether you’re a solopreneur starting fresh or a founder designing your second act, this conversation will help you find your voice, own your value, and come back home to yourself. Because when you get intentional about your life, your business finally starts working for you—not the other way around.

Too many entrepreneurs feel stuck—not because they lack drive or talent, but because they’re operating outside of their Unique Ability. They’ve built businesses on what they’re good at, not what truly energizes them. And over time, that disconnect leads to burnout, self-sabotage, and a loss of clarity around who they really are.

In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR Lay sits down with Julia Waller, Unique Ability® Specialist at Strategic Coach and co-author of the Unique Ability book series. Julia shares how entrepreneurs can identify, own, and operate in their unique ability to create exponential value and personal alignment. The conversation explores the power of authentic intelligence, the role of identity shifts in business growth, and why your next level might be one compliment—and one courageous question—away.

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 using AI tools in branding and design, Brad has lived through multiple creative revolutions. As the internet becomes increasingly saturated with machine-generated visuals and copy, he’s asking the bigger question: what happens to our sense of identity, trust, and connection when everything starts to look artificially perfect?

In this episode, Brad joins JR Lay to unpack the evolving role of creativity in the age of AI—and why the human experience still matters more than ever. They explore the return of analog, the power of intentional storytelling, and how authentic intelligence—shaped by real-world experience—can’t be replaced by prompts or presets. Brad offers insight into how to use AI as a creative tool without losing your voice, and why the future of creativity still belongs to those who lead with curiosity, clarity, and conviction.

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, Tom found himself reevaluating his life. The fast pace and big deals had come at a cost—personally and professionally. Like many leaders, he realized that achievement without alignment wasn’t sustainable.

In this episode, Tom shares how he made a shift—refocusing his life around faith, family, and fitness. He opens up about the lessons learned, the habits that helped him reset, and how choosing clarity and discipline became his foundation for a more meaningful version of success. If you’ve ever felt like your goals need realignment with your values, this conversation will speak directly to you.

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 banking, Kim launched her business just before the pandemic hit—proving that clarity and connection can create opportunity even in seasons of uncertainty.

Every visionary entrepreneur faces an invisible enemy, the self-limiting beliefs that keep:

→ Their boldest ideas locked inside their head.

→ Their most powerful stories untold.

→ And their transformative wisdom from the people who need to hear it most.

As a result, they find themselves:

→ Struggling to differentiate and elevate their brand.

→ Unable to amplify their voice to expand their influence.

→ Frustrated that their impact never matches their potential.

🚀 This is why we’re on a mission to amplify the voices of visionary entrepreneurs by unlocking their wisdom and sharing their stories through video, social content, and books.

✨ Our vision is to ignite a movement of entrepreneurs who level up their business and their life, not through hustle or hype, but by transforming their mission into a message that moves humanity forward.

💙 Our purpose is simple… to help visionary entrepreneurs overcome the self-limiting beliefs that keep them from being seen, heard, and known by those who need their help the most.

Learn more at: https://www.levelupbusiness.com

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, and use tools like Kolbe A Index to turn your next big idea into real, lasting impact.

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, values, and rhythms that support both family and growth.

You’ll hear how they went from tension and misalignment to intentional systems that now support their mobile lifestyle, their kids, and the couples they coach. They share how discipline creates freedom, why vision must be shared (not assumed), and how conflict—when handled right—can be the catalyst for deeper connection and clarity.

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 one decision at a time.

Tanner opens up about his own battles with imposter syndrome and fear of success, and how digital distraction—yes, that phone in your hand—is one of the enemy’s most effective tools to keep you from living out your God-given potential. This episode will challenge your beliefs, shake up your routine, and call you to action.

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 entrepreneurs collapse the speed of trust, unlock their unique wisdom, and win faster in a world where the rules have changed.

Here’s the problem: 95% of AI projects are failing. Why? Because most people are chasing tools, not transformation. In this episode, Mike breaks down why specialists are being replaced, how generalists and storytellers are rising, and why your unique lived experience matters now more than ever.

We also explore how AI is unlocking rapid prototyping, redefining what it means to educate, and why linear thinking is holding entrepreneurs back. If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling behind in this fast-paced AI era, this conversation will reframe everything.