The Built Authority Podcast

What if your business isn’t growing—not because you lack ideas, but because no one’s talking about it?

In this episode, JR sits down with Jeremy Macliver, a visionary entrepreneur and founder of the Be Retellable Movement, to unpack what it really takes to build a brand that spreads by word of mouth… naturally. The problem? Most entrepreneurs undervalue the everyday brilliance baked into their story. They don’t share it. They don’t write it down. And because of that, they stay invisible.

Jeremy shares how being “retellable” isn’t about being flashy—it’s about being so aligned with your vision that other people want to talk about you. You’ll walk away with simple practices to capture your own ideas, turn them into IP, and start building a business—and a life—that’s worth talking about.

Feeling invisible on LinkedIn? You're not alone—and in a noisy digital world, the scroll is real, and attention is rare. But there's a smarter way to get seen, trusted, and chosen.

In this episode, JR Lay sits down with Joshua B. Lee, founder of Standout Authority, to explore why human connection—not hacks—are the key to building authority and creating real growth in the age of AI. Josh shares his raw entrepreneurial journey, from losing millions and rebuilding his life to redefining success through authentic relationships and connection.

You’ll learn how to humanize your LinkedIn presence with “authentic intelligence,” why AI tools alone won’t drive results, and how your past pain could be the platform that helps others level up. Josh also breaks down how to turn content into conversations, conversations into community, and community into clients—all without selling. If you’re ready to stop chasing and start attracting, this episode is your catalyst.

What if your intellectual knowledge isn’t enough anymore? As traditional expertise loses value, the real differentiators are wisdom, intuition, and emotional connection.

In this episode, Mike Grinberg, founder and CEO of Proofpoint Marketing, joins JR Lay to explore why thought leadership isn’t something you do—it’s an outcome you earn.

Most entrepreneurs dream about building a billion-dollar business—but the idea of giving things away for free feels counterintuitive. The truth is, some of today’s most successful companies like Zoom, Dropbox, and Canva were built on this exact model. If you’re still clinging to outdated go-to-market strategies, you’re leaving exponential growth on the table.

In this episode, JR Lay sits down with Dave Boyce, Executive Chairperson and EVP of Product at Winning by Design, to unpack his new book Freemium. With five SaaS exits under his belt, Dave reveals the 3-step formula behind freemium success: empathy, generosity, and metrics. Together, they explore how B2B entrepreneurs can harness these principles to win in an AI-driven, self-service economy.

If you’re ready to create value first, monetize second, and future-proof your business, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to level up.

One of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face isn’t finding the next opportunity — it’s protecting their confidence while juggling it all. Over time, many founders get stuck on autopilot, doing the same things, talking to the same people, and slowly losing the perspective that once gave them their edge.

Jeremy Clark has found a different path. As a CEO who’s built and acquired businesses in financial services, he’s also chaired the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, served on McGill University’s science board, and even stepped on stage as a standup comic. His secret? Staying curious, building authentic relationships that span generations, and constantly putting himself in situations that stretch his perspective.

In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, Jeremy and host JR Lay explore how entrepreneurs can protect their confidence, expand their perspective, and adapt in ways that create growth both in life and in business. If you’ve been feeling stuck, stagnant, or burned out — this conversation will give you fresh energy and a practical playbook to level up.

Most B2B entrepreneurs have a love–hate relationship with webinars. You put in the effort, drive registrations, and even see strong attendance—only to face the dreaded “conversion cliff” with little to no ROI. It’s frustrating and leaves many founders questioning whether webinars are even worth it anymore.

Logan Lyles, founder of Demand Shift, joins JR Lay to share how he's helping B2B entrepreneurs book 5x more sales calls with his Webinar Fast Track framework. Together, they explore why unique wisdom is quickly becoming more valuable than commoditized knowledge—and how webinars can bring together connection, conversations, content, and community to fuel your future growth.

Logan shares how to transform “dead end webinars” into revenue-driving assets, why the wisdom economy is the next big wave, and how to reframe webinars so they feel more like live podcasts that build trust and book calls.

Many entrepreneurs chase success by pushing harder—only to burn out, feel stuck, or question if the grind is even worth it. In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR Lay sits down with Billy Bloom—founder of Bloom Financial and Diane Money—to explore a radically different approach: creating from intention, energy, and flow instead of force. Billy opens up about walking away from the illusion of security, shedding the need to control outcomes, and learning to trust his intuition even when it defied logic.

You’ll hear how letting go of programming, people-pleasing, and other people’s expectations unlocked deeper creativity, more meaningful relationships, and business growth that felt lighter and more authentic. Together, they dig into the connection between mindset, money, and manifestation—and how simple practices like meditation and journaling can rewire how you think, feel, and act as an entrepreneur.

If you’ve been forcing results, overthinking your next move, or ignoring your inner voice, this conversation will challenge you to slow down, tune in, and open up to the opportunities that are already trying to find you. Because the next level isn’t about doing more—it’s about becoming more.

Many entrepreneurs dream of taking the leap—but fear, imposter syndrome, and the comfort of a steady paycheck often hold them back. Greg Martin, a former commercial banker turned fractional CFO, joins JR to unpack what it really takes to step out in faith and bet on yourself. Greg shares his raw and relatable journey—from the security of a 17-year banking career to the uncertainty (and freedom) of entrepreneurship—highlighting the pivotal moments, tough lessons, and personal faith that shaped his path.

Together, they explore how to overcome the lies that limit your potential, embrace your God-given talents, and make decisive moves before you feel “ready.” You’ll learn why bridging past experiences with future goals is the real secret to strategic growth, and how to create space for both business success and personal fulfillment.

In a world where trust is at an all-time low and marketing funnels no longer work like they used to, how can B2B entrepreneurs grow their business without selling their soul to algorithms?

In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR Lay sits down with Nick Richtsmeier, Principal at Culture Craft and author of the upcoming book The Damn Rules, to reimagine what marketing could be. Together, they explore how the post-social web has eroded human connection and what it takes to lead, grow, and build trust in a post-trust economy.

Nick brings the heat with a powerful message: The future isn’t about scaling faster—it’s about showing up more human. If you’re tired of performative content, disillusioned by declining ad ROI, or just wondering why your message isn’t landing anymore… this episode will flip your thinking upside down.

In today’s world of AI-generated sameness, how do you cut through the noise and actually make space for your brand? Most B2B entrepreneurs are stuck recycling tactics, chasing trends, and blending in with the competition—without realizing that their unique wisdom is the very thing that could set them apart.

In this episode, JR Lay sits down with Ryan Mitchell, co-founder of Wedge, a company helping modern brands make their own space using brand strategy, content, performance marketing, and custom AI tools. Ryan reveals the real problem behind most failed marketing efforts: a lack of clarity, differentiation, and perspective.

You’ll learn how to use Ryan’s signature framework—The Wedge—to identify the real problem your brand solves, build offers that actually resonate, and clarify your point of view in a way that drives both impact and revenue.