The Soul Proprietor

Curt and Melody sit down with their friend Meaghan Likes- entrepreneur, accountant, investor, and the human behind the name Meg Likes Money, for a conversation that goes exactly nowhere they expected.

Curt tries to talk about capitalism.

Meaghan politely shuts that down.

And what unfolds is a surprisingly grounded conversation about money, power, obligation, and what’s really driving entrepreneurs when they say they “want more.”

Meaghan has built and partnered in businesses across accounting, software, home services, and tech. She’s seen the bank accounts, profit margins, and pressure points behind thousands of businesses. She’s sat behind closed doors with very wealthy people. And she’s watched, up close, what money actually does (and doesn’t) fix.

Her Take? It’s almost never about the money.

They talk about

-Why chasing money is usually a cover for something else

-The moral obligation entrepreneurs take on when they choose to build

-Why profit isn’t greedy

-How money reveals people instead of changing them

-Why “passive income” is mostly a myth

-What happens when you stop making money about you

This episode is thoughtful, funny, and occasionally uncomfortable, but it’s the kind of conversation that will stick with you.

If you’ve ever felt conflicted about money…

This one’s for you.

Partnerships sound amazing!

Another brain.

Shared responsibility.

Someone else to help shoulder the weight of building something hard.

But what happens when real life tests the agreement you signed on a good day?

In this episode, Curt and Melody talk honestly about their own business partnership experiences and what they’ve learned.

This isn’t a how-to episode. Although there is advice, there’s no checklist that guarantees success. It’s a conversation about what partnerships actually feel like from the inside.

The good, the awkward, and the parts no one likes to talk about.

If you’re thinking about teaming up, already in a partnership, or quietly wondering whether you should have asked better questions before signing anything… this one’s for you.

What happens when two “sparkly-brained” entrepreneurs sit down to explore what it really means to be a business misfit? In this Special Christmaas episode, Curt and Melody revisit their first-ever podcast conversation, diving into the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship, vision, and vulnerability.

You’ll hear their candid takes on fighting imposter syndrome, the magic (and madness!) of visionary leadership, and why emotional intelligence is as vital as your bottom line. They swap stories about the joys and messiness of building a business your own way, how to harness big ideas without overwhelming your team, and what it takes to filter out business advice that doesn’t match your values.

There’s plenty here for anyone curious about authentic business leadership, routines that actually work for the ultra-creative, and the future of AI-powered small business. Tune in for a high-energy, deeply honest episode perfect for anyone feeling a little like a misfit in the world of entrepreneurship.

Have you ever wondered how Melody and Curt met and started this podcast? Well, this is your chance to know how everything started! In this special episode, we’re bringing back one of the episodes of Melody’s previous podcast, Business Misfits Podcast, where Curt was one of the guests of Melody. And this is their first-ever recording together!

This episode talks about the challenges of entrepreneurship, covering topics like imposter syndrome, emotional intelligence, business growth, and building authentic company culture.

Curt and Melody share honest insights about leadership, hiring visionary teams, implementing new habits, and embracing change.. especially with AI’s impact on small businesses! Their candid conversation resonates with business owners who feel like misfits, encouraging listeners to stay true to their values, build genuine relationships, and never stop growing. Perfect for entrepreneurs seeking real talk and actionable advice.

If you want to hear two friends debate, laugh, and call out the weirdness of running a business that actually means something to you, you’ll probably enjoy tuning in to this one.

This week on Soul Proprietor: Does integrity actually pay off in business?

Melody and Curt swap stories about reputations being tested, the messy reality of trying to do the right thing, and what it feels like when your best intentions completely miss the mark.

The conversation swings between frustrating and funny as they dissect the gap between our noble stories about operating with integrity and what actually happens when money’s on the line.

This episode is for you if:

• You’ve ever questioned whether being the “good guy” is worth the cost

• You find yourself overthinking every business decision

• You’re building a values-driven business and need honest guidance, not platitudes

Curt and Melody get real about how different communities have shaped their lives as entrepreneurs .. from women’s business meetups to sales conferences and even working with international teams. Melody talks about what it felt like to step into new circles and suddenly question where she really belonged, while Curt shares the surprise of joining a sales group he never thought would be “his” kind of space.

They trade stories about what it’s like to work with people in the Philippines, handle everyday challenges, and push through bigger setbacks along the way. The conversation naturally drifts into what happens when your assumptions get challenged, and how both big rooms and small, tight-knit groups can offer support in totally unexpected ways.

By the end, Curt and Melody concluded on what makes a group feel right and why building the kind of community you actually want takes a little intention, a lot of curiosity, and the flexibility to try things that might feel uncomfortable at first.

No perfect formula, just honest reflections on why finding spaces that really “click” is worth it.

Certainty feels good.

It gives us the illusion of control.

But when we hold tight to being “right,” it can make us less open, less curious, and less willing to consider other people’s experiences. That gap can lead us to act in ways that don’t match the values we say we care about.

This week, Curt and Melody talk certainty, how religion can shape moral blind spots, when confidence supports leadership and when it gets in the way, and how to stay connected to people who believe differently while still holding your own convictions.

This episode will be a thought provoking listen whether you are certain, uncertain, or somewhere in between.

This year? It’s been a lot.

Inflation, AI chaos, hiring struggles, tension in the air... and yet, here comes Thanksgiving, asking us to be grateful. So what does that even look like when your legs are cramping (figuratively or otherwise) and your business is running on fumes?

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Curt and Melody take a break from the business to reflect on what it actually means to lead with gratitude, not just when things are good, but when you’re tired, depleted, and trying to find meaning in the middle of it all.

They cover:

• Why exhaustion doesn’t always look like burnout (but still matters)
• How leaders spiral -and what it takes to break the cycle
• The danger of over-thanking your team (yep, that’s a thing)
• Traditions, turkey, and why leftovers are a metaphor for leadership
• The one thing Curt and Melody are most grateful for this year
• And yes, we promise: there’s a reason we talk about pickle juice.

This one’s a warm, honest, slightly weird episode.

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Leave us a review if this one resonated

Guess What!?

We Took The week off...

We'll be back next week with a very special Thanksgiving Episode.

This week Curt Kempton and Melody Edwards unpack the hidden cost of caring too much as a business owner. They explore how passion, the very thing that fuels success, can quietly turn into exhaustion and resentment when boundaries aren't in place.

Melody shares how taking a week off forced her to see where over-caring had crept in, while Curt reflects on the signs that caring has crossed the line into overextension. Together, they examine what it means to stay invested in your work without letting it consume you.

They discuss:

• How to recognize when caring is causing burnout
• The emotional toll of being “too available”
• What healthy care looks like versus self-sacrifice
• Simple ways to reclaim energy and perspective

This conversation challenges entrepreneurs to look honestly at where their energy goes, and to redefine what it means to lead with heart without burning out.