The Authority X-Factor Podcast

By Kelly Schuknecht | Two Mile High Marketing

The Authority X-Factor Podcast is where established founders, CEOs, and thought leaders come to talk about the thing that actually moves the needle: authority. Each week, host Kelly Schuknecht sits

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FAQs about The Authority X-Factor Podcast:

How many episodes does The Authority X-Factor Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 16 episodes available.

The Authority X-Factor Podcast episodes:

June 04, 2026 The Friction Fighter: How Larry Waddell Breaks the Bottlenecks of Founder-Led Operations
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Larry Waddell, founder of Prism and Spire, to discuss the critical operational shifts required to move a company past stagnation. Drawing from over a decade of hands-on leadership inside a fast-growing agency and years of navigating diverse small business environments, Larry shares how operational systems must evolve ahead of growth. The conversation centers on the invisible plateaus that confront scaling businesses between the $3 million and $15 million marks. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of why brilliant visions stall without repeatable systems, how to diagnose hidden inefficiencies by tracking capital, and the personal leadership hurdles founders must overcome to truly scale. In this episode, you'll discover: • Larry's Authority X-Factor and how a career of unconventional business experiences created an intuitive framework for getting companies unstuck • The psychological shift a founder must make regarding control to prevent their own skill set from becoming an upper bound • How an early career encounter with a campus facilities executive reshaped • Larry's perspective on tying unsexy operations directly to cashflow • The critical distinction between a business model that generates profit on a P&L versus one that actively produces cash • Why Larry advises against overthinking your initial client frameworks and how stepping back to listen can completely reshape an engagement playbook • Larry shares how shifting your perspective to view payroll as an asset rather than an expense changes the way you measure team utilization and hourly yield. Resources: • Prism and Spire Website: http://prismandspire.com/ • Connect with Larry Waddell on LinkedIn: / larrywaddell • Prism and Spire LinkedIn: / prism-spire • Connect with Kelly Schuknecht: • LinkedIn: / kellyschuknecht • Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0el8IVIm • Website: https://twomilehighmarketing.com | https://kellyschuknecht.com Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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34min
June 04, 2026The Brand Architect: How Christian Helms Used Strategy to Rebuild a Life and a Business
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht sits down with T. Christian Helms, the founder and creative director of Helms Workshop. Christian is the strategic mind behind the branding of household icons like Jack Daniels and Hershey, as well as cult favorites like Austin Beerworks. He shares how his background in journalism and design created a unique analytical and creative blend that allows him to build brands that speak to people like people.
The conversation takes a personal turn as Christian reveals how a severe, undiagnosed battle with Lyme disease forced him to put his thriving agency on autopilot and rebuild his life from the ground up. He explains how he applied the same discovery and mission-driven tools he uses for world-class companies to find his own second lease on life. Listeners will learn how to identify their own "unfair advantage" and why personal values are the most important filter for any business owner.
In this episode, you'll discover:
The hybrid Authority X-Factor that combines "T-shaped" journalism training with high-level brand design.
What happened when a "hot shot" agency owner was suddenly unable to walk across a room or hold a conversation.
How the "discovery" phase of branding can be used as a blueprint for personal recovery and life design.
Why the most successful brand packaging often looks more like a superhero than a traditional product.
The specific advice Christian would give his "day-one" self about the "do or die" nature of projects.
Christian also shares the specific "matrix" his team used to create viral beer names and why he maintains a strict rule against working with people who don't align with his team's values.
Resources:
Helms Workshop: Helms Workshop Branding & Design Agency
Connect with T. Christian Helms on LinkedIn: Linkedin
CreativeMornings | Breakfast lecture series for the creative community
Contact the Helms Workshop: Contact Page
Connect with Kelly Schuknecht:
LinkedIn: Linkedin
Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: Aa.co/d/0el8IVIm
Website: Two Mile High Marketing — Thought Leadership Agency | Kelly Schuknecht | Personal Branding & Thought Leadership Strategist
Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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25min
June 04, 2026The Technical Translator: How Karla Santi Built Blend on Honest Design and Human Connection
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Karla Santi, CEO and visionary of Blend Interactive, to discuss her trajectory from a 1997 graphic design intern to a powerhouse leader in the tech industry. Karla shares how she navigated the early days of the web as a woman in a predominantly male field and how she eventually built a specialized agency focused on complex, high-compliance digital solutions.

Their conversation explores the shifting landscape of web development, the reality of leading through the rapid rise of AI, and the importance of maintaining authenticity in a digital world. Karla’s story is a masterclass in evolving with an industry while staying grounded in the human elements of trust and mentorship.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The specific "superpower" Karla used to translate high-level technical details into relatable language for clients
Why the "blend" of design and development was a rare and valuable competitive advantage in 2005
The strategic decision to remain a boutique firm and specialize in complex verticals like healthcare and finance
How Karla is navigating the "full circle" moment of the AI revolution by letting go of her expert status
The perspective shift Karla would give her younger self regarding confidence and early thought leadership
Karla also shares a clever analogy about why having the tools to do something yourself doesn't always mean you should, especially when it comes to technical expertise
Resources:
Follow me on LinkedIn or subscribe to my newsletter
Blend Interactive: We’re Blend Interactive: Web Strategy, Design, & Development
From Pixels to Purpose Newsletter: From Pixels to Purpose | LinkedIn
Karla Santi LinkedIn: Karla Santi on LinkedIn
Connect with Kelly Schuknecht:
LinkedIn: Kelly Schuknecht on LinkedIn
Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: Amazon
Website: Two Mile High Marketing — Thought Leadership Agency | Kelly Schuknecht | Personal Branding & Thought Leadership Strategist
Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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29min
June 04, 2026The Propellant: How Ryan Chuckel Built Gunpowder on Bold Decisions and Niche Authority
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht welcomes Ryan Chuckel, the founder of Gunpowder, a communications and integrated marketing agency that has driven massive growth for brands ranging from global automotive leaders to enthusiast startups. With over 15 years of experience in the agency world, Ryan has transitioned from a tactical executor to a holistic business counselor who operates as a true extension of his clients' leadership teams.
Ryan's story is a masterclass in the power of professional curiosity and the courage required to narrow your focus. He discusses the evolution of his agency, the intentional "self-selection" behind their provocative name, and the difficult internal shift that took Gunpowder from a generalist firm to a leading authority in enthusiast categories.

In this episode, you'll discover:
The Authority X-Factor that Ryan defines as "insatiable intellectual curiosity" into a client's entire business operations
Why Ryan intentionally chose a name that some found controversial as a strategic tool for client selection
The specific distinction between brands that play for "share of wallet" versus those that compete for "share of heart"
How an agency can function as a paid MBA program for professionals willing to build relationships outside the marketing department
The "lean eighteen months" that followed a scary decision to stop taking every client that came through the door
Ryan explains why the best agency relationships are "sticky" because the team provides value well outside their official scope of work
Resources:
Gunpowder Website: GunpowderincGunpowder
Ryan Chuckel on LinkedIn: LinkedinRyan Chuckel - Gunpowder | LinkedIn
Moonshoot Drives Growth: https://moonshot.inc/
Connect with Kelly Schuknecht:
LinkedIn: LinkedinKelly Schuknecht - Two Mile High Marketing | LinkedIn
Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: AUnlocking Your Authority X-Factor: A Guide to Personal Branding & Thought Leadership That Works: Schuknecht, Kelly: 9798234031464: Books - Amazon.ca
Website: TwomilehighmarketingTwo Mile High Marketing — Thought Leadership Agency | KellyschuknechtKelly Schuknecht | Personal Branding & Thought Leadership Strategist
Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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28min
June 04, 2026From Postpartum Layoff to Tech Powerhouse: How Julia Arpag Scaled a Bold, Values-Aligned Agency
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Julia Arpag, the founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment. Julia shares her journey from recruiting international talent across four continents to launching her own specialized agency focused exclusively on tech startups. She discusses how she transitioned from being a corporate recruiter to a strategic partner who hires to drive peak performance rather than just filling seats.
Julia’s story is a masterclass in professional resilience and the power of radical transparency. After being laid off just five weeks after giving birth, Julia turned a moment of extreme vulnerability into the catalyst for her business. The conversation explores how her personal history as the oldest of seven children and her background in foster care shaped a leadership style rooted in faith, family, and an unwavering commitment to values-aligned partnerships.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
The specific "boldness" that Julia identifies as her Authority X-Factor and how it attracts the right clients
Why Julia decided to turn down six job offers to bet on herself and launch Aligned Recruitment
The "one-two punch" strategy Julia uses to turn LinkedIn storytelling into a consistent sales engine
How being an admissions counselor for 17 year olds prepared Julia for high-stakes tech recruiting
What Julia would tell her day-one self about being "faithful with little" during seasons of toxic leadership
Julia also describes the three specific service packages she developed through trial and error to move from a service provider to a long-term strategic partner.
Resources:
Reach out to me to chat about hiring for your team!
Aligned Recruitment Website: https://alignedrecruitment.com/
Julia Arpag LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-arpag/
Zig Ziglar: https://www.ziglar.com/
Connect with Kelly Schuknecht:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyschuknecht
Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0el8IVIm
Website: https://twomilehighmarketing.com/ https://kellyschuknecht.com/
Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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26min
May 07, 2026From Hedge Fund to Mindful Money: How Joel Salomon Broke a Board and Found His Purpose
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Joel Salomon, a finance and mindful money expert who walked away from managing a $700 million portfolio to help others achieve true financial freedom. Joel shares his transition from the intense world of hedge funds to becoming a prosperity coach who believes that the numbers in your bank account are deeply tied to the abundance in your mindset.

Joel reveals how his unique Authority X-Factor combines rigorous financial strategy with deep mindset work, a pairing rarely found in the world of traditional investing. By bridging the gap between spiritual entrepreneurs and the technical world of finance, Joel provides a roadmap for anyone looking to increase their net worth without losing their soul.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
Joel’s Authority X-Factor and the specific moment he realized he was meant for a different mission
The literal "board-breaking" experience that convinced Joel to return his investors' money and shut down his hedge fund
Why traditional financial advice often fails to account for the "belief score" of an investment
The specific technique Joel uses to help clients move from low-vibration fear to a state of empowerment
How a simple shift in how often you check your bank account can drastically change your relationship with money
Joel also explains why he co-authored a book specifically designed to help couples eliminate money-related conflict and prevent divorce

Resources:
Schedule your Breakthrough Blueprint Call: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/fa93ee09/appointment/8774948/calendar/2407980
Salaurmor Website: https://www.salaurmor.com/
Social media links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-salomon/
Joel's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoelProsperitySalomon
SaLaurMor's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejoelsalomon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelprosperitysalomon/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joelprosperitysalomon
The Nine Money Rules Millionaires Use by Joel Salomon: https://www.amazon.com/Money-Rules-Millionaires-Use-Unconventional/dp/0999280422
Mindful Money Management by Joel Salomon: https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Money-Management-Memoirs-Manager-ebook/
Infinite Love and Money by Joel Salomon and Molly Singh:
https://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Love-Money-Financial-Practical-ebook/

Connect with Kelly Schuknecht:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyschuknecht
• Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0el8IVIm
• Website: https://twomilehighmarketing.com | https://kellyschuknecht.com

Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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31min
May 07, 2026The Figure-It-Outer: How Andi Graham Built 20 Years of Agency Authority on Purpose-Driven Work
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Andi Graham, the Founder, CEO, and Managing Partner of Big Sea. With over 25 years of experience in digital strategy and marketing, Andi has evolved from a self-taught freelancer to the leader of a high-impact agency that helps purpose-driven brands and nonprofits move people to action.

Andi’s journey is a masterclass in the long game of personal branding and professional evolution. From navigating the shift to remote work during a global pandemic to narrowing her agency’s focus toward organizations making a real-world impact, she shares how she balanced being a high-level CEO with the grit required to figure it all out from scratch.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
The "Figure-It-Outer" mindset and how Andi’s resourcefulness became her core Authority X-Factor.
The specific catalyst that pushed Andi to move her life to North Carolina and her agency to a fully remote model.
How a $30,000 grant program became the single most effective lead generator for her business.
The reality of "the riches in the niches" and why it took nearly two years to see the full results of their pivot.
The two pieces of advice Andi would give her 2005 self about pricing and decision-making speed.
Andi also reflects on her experience as a survivor of Hurricane Helene and how she balances her role as a leader with being a devoted mom and Green Bay Packers fan.

Resources:
Big Sea: https://bigsea.co/
Andi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andi-graham/
Bureau of Digital: https://thebureau.community/
Association of Fundraising Professionals: https://afpglobal.org/join?msclkid=f147c6ee699214074d06af16956869d4

Connect with Kelly Schuknecht:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyschuknecht
Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0el8IVIm
Website: https://twomilehighmarketing.com | https://kellyschuknecht.com

Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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27min
May 07, 2026The Operations Editor: How Leah Leaves Fixes the Silent Killer Inside Marketing Agencies
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Leah Leaves, founder of Alderaan Enterprise, to explore what happens when a journalist-turned-operations-specialist spends a decade inside marketing and advertising agencies and realizes that creative chaos, not bad strategy, is the thing quietly killing most of them. Leah started her career in technical journalism, went remote at the very beginning of her professional life, and evolved through content marketing into a fractional operations role that eventually became its own company. Since founding Alderaan in 2012, she has embedded seasoned directors of operations, project managers, and fractional COOs directly into agencies that are ready to stop drowning in their own growth.

Leah's story is one of organic evolution, honest self-assessment, and learning to articulate what she had been doing by instinct for years. Her Authority X-Factor is the ability to see an organization from 30,000 feet and from boots on the ground at the same time, and to build the infrastructure that connects those two views into something that actually moves.

In this episode, you'll discover:
Leah's Authority X-Factor:
Why operations is the silent killer inside most marketing agencies, and why so many founders never see it coming until they are already in the weeds
How Alderaan evolved from a solo independent contractor practice into a full fractional team
The difference between a task rabbit hire and a true operations partner, and how Leah helps founders understand which one they actually need
Why Leah compares great operations to great theater
The Alderaan approach and how it systematically addresses an agency's vision, existing systems, and execution layer in a way that respects each agency's unique culture
Leah also shares her honest advice to her day-one self

Resources:
Alderaan Enterprise Website: https://alderaanenterprise.com/
Connect with Leah Leaves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/1eah1eaves/
Alderaan Newsletter: https://agency.alderaanenterprise.com/newsletter-in
Leah's Podcast Guestings: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51DXfuBcgsYKfzJKrQuYkJ?si=XDsYZ1TERPqjV0BI8YXw4g&nd=1&dlsi=2763cf11cb9b42d6

Connect with Kelly Schuknecht:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyschuknecht
Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0el8IVIm
Website: https://twomilehighmarketing.com | https://kellyschuknecht.com

Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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30min
May 07, 2026The Intrapreneur's Edge: How John Scott Built a Law Firm CFO Practice from the Inside Out
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht sits down with John Scott, Tax Partner at Anders and leader of the firm's virtual CFO division for the legal industry, to explore what it looks like to build a personal brand and a thought leadership platform entirely within an organization you have called home for nearly 35 years. John didn't leave his firm to start something new. He built something new inside a firm that already trusted him, leveraging decades of law firm relationships to create a specialized VCFO practice that is becoming a defining part of Anders' legacy.

John's story is one Kelly tells on stages: an expert who was already doing the work, who simply needed the world to see him the way his clients already did. This episode is the full, unfiltered version of that story, including the beekeeping, the chickens his wife swore she would never feed, and why John believes the best personal brands are built by people who simply refuse to leave their personality at the door.

In this episode, you'll discover:
John's Authority X-Factor
Why John chose to build within Anders rather than go out on his own, and the team-first philosophy that made the VCFO practice possible in the first place
The 12-step thought leadership plan Kelly built for John
John's advice to his day-one self
John's reflections on wanting to be relevant in the fall and winter of his career, and why building something that would thrive beyond him mattered more than coasting toward retirement
Resources:
Get the Judicial Dollars and Cents on Amazon: https://go.anderscpa.com/judicial-dollars-and-cents
Anders Website: https://anderscpa.com
Connect with John Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-c-scott-cpa/
Follow John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdc.vcfo/
Follow John on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdc.vcfo
Follow John on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jdc.virtualcfo
Discover your Business' Financial Health: https://anders-virtual-cfo.scoreapp.com/p/profit-focused-accounting-maturity-assessment
Meet with John: https://calendly.com/jscott-kdjjcs/chat-with-john-about-vcfo-services?month=2026-02

Connect with Kelly Schuknecht:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyschuknecht
Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0el8IVIm
Website: https://twomilehighmarketing.com | https://kellyschuknecht.com

Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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26min
May 07, 2026From Fortune 500 to Financial Freedom: How Ramona Cedeno Built a Capital Readiness Empire
In this episode of The Authority X-Factor Podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Ramona Cedeno, Founder and CEO of FiBrick, capital readiness expert, keynote speaker, and author of Simple Choices, Big Rewards in Money, to explore how a young woman from the Dominican Republic who fell in love with accounting at 19 built a 20-year career spanning Bloomberg, Time Inc., and a thriving fractional CFO and tax advisory practice she leads today. Ramona's journey is one of passion-led reinvention, deliberate visibility, and an unwavering belief that financial freedom is not just for the wealthy few.

What makes Ramona a true authority is not just her technical depth as both a CPA and Certified Financial Planner, it is the way she has used speaking, writing, and advocacy to bring financial literacy out of the boardroom and into the lives of everyday business owners and students alike. From working with the New York City Department of Education to advocating for statewide financial literacy requirements, Ramona is a living example of what happens when expertise, passion, and purpose collide.

In this episode, you'll discover:
Ramona's Authority X-Factor
Why she combined her CPA background with a Certified Financial Planner certification, and how that combination creates a uniquely powerful lens for her clients
The five core speaking topics Ramona built her platform around
How she went from dreading public speaking to actively seeking paid stages
What led her to launch FiBrick 10 years ago after stints at Bloomberg, Time Inc., and a tech startup
The story behind Simple Choices, Big Rewards in Money
Resources:
FiBrick Website: https://fibrick.com
Connect with Ramona Cedeno on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonacedeno
Book: Simple Choices, Big Rewards in Money (available on Amazon)
Schedule a consultation: https://fibrick.com

Connect with Kelly Schuknecht:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyschuknecht
Buy Unlocking Your Authority X-Factor on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0el8IVIm
Website: https://twomilehighmarketing.com | https://kellyschuknecht.com

Subscribe to The Authority X-Factor Podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review if this episode added value to you!
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24min

FAQs about The Authority X-Factor Podcast:

How many episodes does The Authority X-Factor Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 16 episodes available.