The Built Authority Podcast

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.

What does it mean to build a business that’s rooted in purpose—not just profit? In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR welcomes Rob Robinson, CEO of Taylor White, for a deep and powerful conversation on leading from a foundation of faith, family, and self-awareness. Rob opens up about what drives his leadership philosophy, why identity matters more than job titles, and how he’s guiding the next generation of leaders to build lives around what matters most.

They discuss the importance of knowing yourself as a strategic advantage, why some of the best business lessons come from “unsexy” industries, and how to create real legacy in the age of AI. Rob also shares how Taylor White is thriving in today’s economic climate by staying true to their mission and investing in their people.

If you’re a growth-minded entrepreneur looking for clarity, stability, and deeper meaning in your work, this episode will remind you why success isn’t found in status—it’s found in stewardship.

What does it really take to scale your business without burning out or blowing it up? In this episode, JR sits down with Peter Caputa—former HubSpot exec and current CEO of Databox—to unpack the mindset shifts and strategy moves that help founders go from early traction to predictable scale. They dig into why most entrepreneurs stall once the initial momentum fades, and how you might be subconsciously sabotaging your own success.

From documenting your ambition to getting clear on who you’re really serving (and how you’re different), Pete breaks down a proven framework that’s grounded in both data and experience. You’ll also hear why many founders struggle with the “boring” part of business growth—and how to build systems that scale without losing your soul in the process.

Whether you’re stuck between startup mode and scale mode, or you’re simply tired of white-knuckling growth with brute force, this episode gives you the clarity and structure to take your next step confidently.

Most businesses fight tooth and nail to earn the attention of potential buyers… only to waste it with outdated, boring, and ineffective case studies.

In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR sits down with James De Roche—founder of Lead Comet and former high school teacher—to unpack the psychology behind attention and how to keep it long enough to move prospects from curiosity to commitment. James shares how his background in education taught him how to earn trust in seconds, and how he now applies that same skill to help companies craft Sales-Ready Case Studies that drive real results.

You’ll learn the four critical elements every case study must include (urgency, risk, cost of inaction, and stakes), why traditional “CSR” formats fall flat, and how to write for the actual buyer—not your marketing team. If your case studies aren’t closing deals, this episode is your wake-up call.

Most entrepreneurs are unknowingly robbing themselves. You work hard, you hustle, and yet something invisible keeps capping your growth. That’s the hidden heist—limiting beliefs and emotional baggage around money that you didn’t even know you were carrying.

In this episode, JR sits down with The Hidden Heist author Bill Cates to uncover what’s really stealing your wealth—and how to take it back. You’ll learn how to spot the patterns, rewrite your money story, and finally feel at peace with earning, keeping, and growing your income. This isn’t just about making more money—it’s about feeling good when you do.

What if the future you’re chasing isn’t somewhere out there—but already inside you, waiting to be tuned into? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Chris Walker, believes. He’s the founder of Encoded, and he’s helping entrepreneurs upgrade their internal operating systems by unlocking the power of their frequency.

In this episode, we dive into why frequency—not more knowledge or harder work—is now your greatest edge in business. We’ll unpack how Chris built the Encoded Frequency Training System (a combination of journal prompts, AI-powered decoding, rewiring routines, and alignment-based actions) to help you read, recalibrate, and amplify your internal signal.

You’ll also get a front-row seat to his six-tier model of frequency, methods to reprogram limiting beliefs, and how to shift from doing by force to creating by resonance.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overextended, or like your next level is just out of reach—this is the map you need to re-enter the game from the inside out.

Many B2B founders feel the pressure to stand out in an AI-driven world—but often get stuck copying tactics that don’t feel authentic. The result? More noise, higher acquisition costs, and a brand that blends in instead of breaks through.

Ognjen Boskovich, founder of Raven and creator of the Founder Brand Playbook, has spent years helping founders harness their unique perspective and turn it into a brand strategy that attracts the right customers—without falling into the trap of “influencer culture.”

What if the hardest part of selling your company isn’t the deal itself—it’s who you become once the ink is dry?

In this episode, JR sits down with Jerome Myers—entrepreneur, exit advisor, and creator of the Founder’s Exit Paradox framework. Jerome knows the highs of building and selling: he led the growth of a $20M division inside a Fortune 550 company and guided four private equity exits, including one at a 4x multiple. But he also knows the lows: the identity crisis, the loss of purpose, and the scars of success that so many founders face after the big win.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens after you climb your entrepreneurial mountain, this conversation will give you a new lens on wealth, time, and significance.