The Built Authority Podcast

Entrepreneurship is rising — but what happens when your career success still leaves you feeling empty?

In this inspiring episode, host JR Lay talks with Lori Pine, executive leadership coach and former corporate VP at Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, and Campbell’s, about what happens when you've checked all the boxes... but life still feels off. Lori shares her deeply personal journey of leaving the corporate world not out of desire, but out of necessity, and how that moment became a catalyst for reinvention, purpose, and JOY.

As entrepreneurs, we often chase the future by sacrificing the very thing that powers us—our health. In this episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, host JR Lay is joined by Regan Archibald, founder of East West Health and leading voice in peptide therapy and regenerative medicine. Together, they explore what it truly means to create an ageless future—one where mind, body, and spirit are aligned to support high performance and deep fulfillment.

Regan shares the transformative power of functional medicine, the importance of sleep as a rejuvenation tool, and how visualization and clarity can spark a healthier, more purpose-driven path. This conversation dives into the heart of why so many entrepreneurs feel burnt out, disconnected, and unfulfilled—even after hitting major milestones. The solution? Reconnecting with love—for yourself, your mission, and your body’s innate wisdom.

This isn’t just about longevity—it’s about living with energy, purpose, and presence today.

In the noisy world of B2B marketing, most brands are forgotten the moment after a prospect scrolls past their feed. Why? Because they’re focused on features, price, and parroting the same tired messages—without ever truly standing for something. Instead of building real connection and recognition, they blend into the crowd.

If your brand feels invisible, it might be because you’re missing the foundation: a clear vision, a unique vibe, and a real reason to exist. When you rely on marketing buzzwords or AI-generated fluff, you risk sounding like everyone else. And in the age of commoditization—especially with AI accelerating that trend—what makes you stand out isn’t tech. It’s your authentic intelligence.

In this episode, Bobby Gillespie, founder of Propr and author of Build Your Brand Like You Give a Sht*, shares how to build a brand that people actually remember. He breaks down how to use personality + IP (intellectual property) to differentiate, why brand is really about reputation, and how curiosity and lived experience can drive authentic growth. If you want to stop being forgettable and start being unmistakable, this conversation is your roadmap.

Too many entrepreneurs grind through frustration, stuck on the revenue rollercoaster—growing fast, crashing hard, then repeating the cycle.

That’s exactly where Jeremey Newberg, CEO of Capital Access, found himself at 50. Stagnant. Burned out. And wondering what it would take to break through.

In this episode, Jeremey shares how he transformed from a “grumpy grinder” into a “fantastic facilitator” by doing the deep inner work first. He unpacks the mindset shifts, frameworks (EOS, Strategic Coach, AMP), and personal practices that helped him move from scarcity to abundance—and how that shift is now leveling up his team and organization.

What if the real threat to your business isn’t the market... but your own thoughts?

In this vulnerable and high-impact episode of the Level Up Business Podcast, JR Lay sits down with Ben Ward, bestselling author of Pluck the FUD and CEO of Forward Leadership, to explore how fear, pride, and ego can sabotage even the most successful entrepreneurs—from the inside out.

Ben shares the raw story of building a $56 million company by the age of 30… and then losing everything. Why? Hubris. Ego. Unchecked thoughts. But through the darkest moments—foreclosure, failure, identity crisis—he found a deeper truth: Your thoughts are not your friends. And they don’t have to define you.

What if the reason you're stuck isn’t strategy… but your subconscious?

In this powerful episode, JR sits down with wealth coach Lisa Smith, who helps six- and seven-figure entrepreneurs break through self-imposed financial ceilings and reach early retirement—without sacrificing their soul or sanity.

Together, they unpack the concept of your “deserve level”—a subconscious set point that can quietly sabotage your business growth, your wealth, and your self-worth. If you’ve ever felt like no matter how much you earn, you can’t seem to hold onto it... or like success triggers fear, guilt, or burnout... this conversation is for you.

Most B2B entrepreneurs have been sold a lie: that success must come through struggle, sacrifice, and suffering. But what if the very mindset that got you here is the same one keeping you stuck? In this powerful and raw conversation, JR Lay sits down with Chris Walker—Founder & CEO of Passetto—to explore the deep inner work that unlocks true freedom and exponential growth.

Chris just returned from a month-long break—a mix of reflection, tropical beaches, and total disconnection. The twist? His business didn’t just survive… it thrived. For most B2B entrepreneurs, that kind of freedom sounds like a fantasy. But in this eye-opening episode, Chris joins JR Lay to reveal how it’s not only possible—but the natural result of reprogramming your beliefs and building the right internal operating system.

What if the real reason you're stuck isn’t your strategy—but your energy? In this deeply insightful episode, JR Lay welcomes Daniel White, entrepreneur, spiritual healer, and author of Financial Freedom System. Daniel shares how an Olympic dream cut short led him on a transformational path—from mastering the mind-body connection to diving deep into spiritual healing. Together, they explore the hidden blockages—some even generational—that hold entrepreneurs back, even when they’ve checked all the “success” boxes.

This conversation is an invitation to stop pushing and start flowing. Daniel shares the importance of intuition, the danger of ego-driven decisions, and how entrepreneurs can expand their capacity to help others—without burning out. Whether you're feeling stuck or sensing it’s time for your next level, this episode will shift your perspective and offer a path to clarity, healing, and growth.

Today’s buyers are more skeptical, impatient, and independent than ever before. They don’t want to talk to a salesperson until they're ready. They want pricing upfront, control over their buying journey, and total transparency from the brands they engage with.

In this episode, JR Lay is joined by marketing visionary and best-selling author Marcus Sheridan, whose new book Endless Customers provides a timely playbook for becoming the most trusted brand in your market. Marcus breaks down the four pillars that define market leaders today: say what others aren’t willing to say, show what others aren’t willing to show, sell in ways others aren’t willing to sell, and be more human than your competitors. From creating self-service sales tools to implementing lightning-fast lead follow-up, Marcus shares real-world strategies and mindset shifts that help you build a scalable, trust-based business that thrives—regardless of how platforms or algorithms change.

In a world dominated by digital impressions, most B2B entrepreneurs are unknowingly sabotaging their personal brands with inauthentic, AI-generated content....and headshots!

And here’s the danger—people can feel it. Whether consciously or not, your prospects, clients, and peers pick up on subtle facial cues and expressions that signal confidence, trust, and likability.

In this candid and entertaining episode, JR Lay catches up with Chris Gillett, a Headshot Specialist and Expression Coach (and former attorney!) at LikeTheRazor.com, to unpack the power of authentic visual communication. Discover why facial expression—not filters or fancy cameras—is the secret weapon to projecting confidence, trust, and charisma in a world that’s craving more authentic intelligence.

Chris shares how a single headshot changed the way he saw himself—and how he’s now helping entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals do the same. If you want to look like someone others want to do business with, this episode will help you see yourself differently and show up with more confidence than ever before.