Thrivecast: A Podcast for Accountants
by Thriveal CPA Network
Welcome to the Thrivecast, a show about accounting leadership and growth that’s now two decades in the making! Our host, Jason Blumer, CPA, interviews the best accounting minds on the planet, bringing you engaging accounting entrepreneurial lessons and principles designed to help you grow just by listening. So, jump right into our ocean of info—the water’s warm!
Episodes
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Episode #180: Thrivecast's 15th Anniversary Ep: One Last Conversation With Julie Shipp, Who Made It All Possible
This is it — the last episode of the Thrivecast, recorded live in front of a room full of Thriveal members at the Summit. And there was only one person I wanted sitting across from me for this one: Julie Shipp. Julie came on as my administrative assistant 15 years ago. I asked her to be my…
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Episode #179: Letting Go to Lead: A Conversation with Grant Niman of Niman & Associates
For nearly 15 years, the Thrivecast has been one of the most honest voices in the accounting profession about what it actually takes to build and lead a firm. In one of our final episodes, Jason sits down with Grant Niman, founder of Niman & Associates in El Segundo, California — a 45-person firm...
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Episode #178: Structure, Courage, and Clarity: A Conversation with HKB CPAs
In this episode of the Thrivecast, Jason Blumer sits down with Rhonda Butler and Trey Touchstone, partners at HKB CPAs in Louisiana, for one of the final episodes of the show. The conversation is a candid look at what real CPA firm transformation looks like — messy, non-linear, and absolutely…
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Episode #177: From Burnout to Breakthrough: Barrett Young on Firm Transitions and Purpose
In this episode of the Thrivecast, Jason Blumer sits down with longtime friend and CPA leader Barrett Young to talk about the messy, honest journey of building a firm—and the transitions that shape us along the way. Barrett shares his story from becoming a CPA, to launching his own virtual firm…
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Episode #176: Stop While It’s Working: The Hardest Leadership Decision
Kenji Kuramoto is the Founder and former CEO of Acuity, a pioneering outsourced accounting and fractional CFO firm that built and maintained financial functions for thousands of innovative entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, Acuity became one of Accounting Today’s Top Firms for Technology and a...
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Episode #175: The Virtual Firm Revolution: Growth, Exits, and the Future of CPA Firms
In this episode of Thrivecast, host Jason M. Blumer, CPA sits down with Salim Omar, CPA—nationally recognized CPA firm consultant, author, and industry thought leader—to explore how CPA firms are evolving in response to changing demographics, advancing technology, and shifting expectations among...
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Episode #174: Seasons of Change: Courageous Decisions for Firm Owners
This Thrivecast episode, the final one of 2025, features a solo conversation led by Jason, who reflects on seasons of change and intentional leadership as he looks ahead to 2026. Drawing on nearly 25 years of firm ownership and 15 years of leading Thriveal, Jason explores how change—whether…
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Episode #173: How Intentional Optimism & Strategic Purpose Transform Firms with Heath Alloway
In this episode of The Thrivecast, Jason Blumer interviews Heath Alloway, Growth Partner at Sorren, who brings extensive experience from BKD and the Upstream Academy. Heath introduces a transformative framework he calls the "four pillars of success": culture, people, clients, and wise growth.…
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Episode #172: Why Most Firms Remain Commoditized Despite Their Unique Potential with Kristy Short
On this episode of the Thrivecast, Jason Blumer sits down with Dr. Kristy Short to reveal a profound truth about professional services: firms unconsciously choose mediocrity through their communication patterns. We explore how the accounting profession's default toward compliance-based content...
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Episode #171: AI & Automation with Chad Davis
In this episode of The Thrivecast, host Jason Blumer interviews Chad Davis, partner at LiveCA, one of Canada's original virtual accounting firms. Chad brings over a decade of experience building remote-first operations and shares practical insights about AI adoption and automation strategies. He...
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Episode #170: Change Management with Alice Grey Harrison
In this episode of The Thrivecast, host Jason Blumer interviews change management expert Alice Grey Harrison, who brings 25 years of experience managing transformation in large professional service firms. Alice Grey opens with a fundamental insight: whether you're working with 25 people or 20,000...
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Episode #169: Transforming Professional Services through Uncomfortable Questions with Alan Whitman
Alan Whitman challenges firm leaders to embrace uncomfortable questions as catalysts for organizational transformation. His central thesis: we are already advisors, trapped not by capability but by inherited paradigms that no longer serve our evolving purpose. Jason and Alan discuss how advisory...
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Episode #168: Navigating Cross-Border Accounting Excellence with Katrina Nacci
In this episode, we chat with Katrina Nacci, a CPA based in Frankfurt, Germany who helps European companies navigate US accounting standards. Originally from Boston, Katrina describes her work as "bridging the gap with two A's" - taking companies from local European accounting to US GAAP or IFRS...
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Episode #167: Moving Beyond Being Just a Service Provider with Sarah Acton
The world is constantly evolving. Clients are changing. That means we have to meet them where they are. Accountants are no longer strictly “service providers”. Go ahead…add “technology advisor” to your resume. It sounds scary, but it’s true. Accountants must start embracing new technology and AI…
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Episode #165: Leadership Development in Accounting Firms: Beyond Technical Skills with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D
In this episode of Thrivecast, Jason sits down with award-winning educator Dr. Scott J. Allen, Ph.D., an expert in leadership development, the future of work, and executive communication, to discuss the crucial distinction between technical expertise and leadership ability in accounting firms....
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Episode #164: Enhancing Workflow and Efficiency with Rob Nixon
Welcome to Thrivecast! In today’s episode, Jason Blumer sits down with Rob Nixon, a global expert in driving profitability for accounting firms. They unpack the nitty-gritty of critical utilization, productivity, and efficiency concepts. They’ll explore how the pandemic has reshaped virtual work,...
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Episode #163: Embracing Change in 2025 with Jason Blumer
In this solo Thrivecast episode, Jason reflects on opportunities that the new year brings. He shares the sad conclusion of the Businessology Show and said goodbye to make way for new ventures and focused growth. He emphasizes the importance of recommitting to new paths in the services industry…
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Episode #162: Modern Leadership in Accounting with Brett Kelly
Welcome back to Thrivecast! In this episode, Jason sits down with Brett Kelly, founder, and CEO of Kelly Partners Group, a global accounting firm that went public in Australia in 2017 and is now leading in the US as well. They sit down to discuss the evolving world of leadership and business...
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Episode #161 Entrepreneurial Growth and Smart Restructuring with Ian Vacin
Welcome back to The Thrivecast! Today, Jason sits down for part 2 of his episode with Ian Vacin where they finish their teaching from the highly successful Deeper Weekend conference. This episode is a follow up from Ian’s sessions at Deeper Weekend and they dive into the Qualitative Research they...
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Episode #160: Boosting Firm Efficiency with Ian Vacin
Welcome back to Thrivecast! In today’s episode, Jason chats with Ian Vacin, co-founder and chief customer officer of Karbon. Known for his extensive background in industrial engineering, high tech manufacturing, and an MBA, Ian brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the table. Together, they…
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Episode #159: Strategic Tax Planning and Leadership with Jackie Meyer
Welcome back to Thrivecast! In today's episode, Jason and Jackie Meyer, dive into the dynamic world of tax planning and strategic leadership. Holding a doctorate in strategic leadership, Jackie discusses the significance of setting personal boundaries, the value of in-person meetings, and her...
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Episode #158: Influence and Leadership in Accounting with Rob Brown
Welcome back to Thrivecast, where we get into the ins and outs of the ever-evolving landscape of the accounting profession. In this episode, we have a thought-provoking conversation with Rob Brown, CEO of Accounting Influencers, hailing from the historic city of Nottingham, UK. Rob shares his...
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Episode #157: The Power of Strategic Owner Rest Explained with Jason Blumer
Welcome to a special solo episode of Thrivecast! In this unique installment, Jason examines a concept crucial for every firm entrepreneur: Owner Rest. As we enter conference season, it's the perfect time to explore how stepping away strategically can refuel and recharge you. In this episode…
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Episode #156: Changing Perception in Accounting with Calvin Harris
Welcome to another Thrivecast episode, where Jason and Calvin Harris dive deep into the evolving landscape of the accounting profession. They tackle the intricate rules and regulations that impact the mobility of CPAs across states, emphasizing the crucial role of state CPA societies in…
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Episode #155: Building Corporate Models for Firm Growth with Jeremy Clopton
Welcome to another episode of Thrivecast. Today, we’re diving deep into the transformative journey firms undergo when moving from traditional consensus-based models to streamlined business-oriented models. Jason’s thrilled to have Jeremy Clopton, managing director of Upstream Academy, joining us…
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Episode #154: Reinventing the CPA Pathway with Tom Hood
Welcome back to Thrivecast, where we dive deep into the mechanics of running a firm and the trends shaping the professional landscape. In today's episode, we're excited to have Tom Hood, EVP of the AICPA and Business Learning Institute, join us to unravel the complexities surrounding the CPA...
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Episode #153: From Side Hustle to Success with Seth David
Welcome back to the Thrivecast, where we dive into the heart of what makes firms thrive. In today's episode, we're honored to host Seth David, the founder and chief nerd at Nerd Enterprises, who's here to share his unique and inspirational journey with us. Seth takes us from his former life on…
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Episode #152: Education, Technology, and the CPA Path with Dr Josh McGowan, CPA
Our special guest, Dr. Josh McGowan from Troy University, brings his wealth of knowledge as a university professor with a robust background in public accounting, teaching, and serving as a CFO. He offers insights into the professorial life and the importance of incorporating modern technology…
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Episode #151: Dark Horse’s Revolutionary Model for CPAs and Clients with Chase Birky
Venture into the accounting realm with none other than Chase Birky, founder of Dark Horse CPAs— a firm that's galloping ahead of the competition by empowering small businesses and accounting professionals alike. With an innovative platform designed to incorporate outsourced teams and private…
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Episode #150: Achieving Success through Calendar Preplanning with Jason Blumer
Tune into the latest episode of Thrivecast, where Jason dives deep into the art of strategic calendar planning. Learn how to maximize productivity without crashing into chaos – a must-listen for all leaders and aspiring business owners! In this episode, Jason takes a sprightly walk through the...
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Episode #149: The Power of Intentional Planning with Jason Blumer
Did y'all know that rhythms define and contain your commitments and that a rhythmic calendar will align your team for success? Jason Blumer is solo on the newest episode of Thrivecast to discuss the role of strategic, pre-planned calendars in forming intentional and fulfilling work. A pre-blocked...
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Episode 148: The Role of AI in Accounting and the Change it Brings with Jason Staats
In this episode, Jason Blumer is joined by Jason Staats, founder of Realize and podcast host of Jason Daily to discuss the rise of AI in the accounting industry. Jason talks about job displacement and the evolving role of entrepreneurs. Jason Staats shares his experience in public accounting and...
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Episode 147: How to Sell an Accounting Business: Insights for Buyers and Sellers with Brannon Poe
In the new episode of Thrivecast, Jason Blumer and Brannon Poe dive deep into the world of buying and selling businesses, exploring the frustrations buyers face when sellers decide not to sell. They also discuss the efforts made to ensure that sellers are truly ready to sell and the support…
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Episode 146: Integrated Marketing: Strategies for Accountants to Drive Long-Term Success with Karen Reyburn
Get ready to uncover valuable insights and practical tips on how to effectively reach your firm's target audience, create a strong online presence, and build a successful brand with Thrivecast guest, Karen Reyburn. Join Karen and Jason as they explore the importance of understanding your…
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Episode 145: Understanding Growth: Acquire. Sell. Merge. Scale. at Deeper Weekend
On this episode of The Thrivecast, we dive into the growth paths. Acquire. Sell. Merge. Scale. We have assembled a dynamic panel of over 20 nationally known experts with diverse experience in expanding their firms. They will share their stories, including their mistakes, lessons learned, and…
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Episode 144: How Successful Entrepreneurs Address Problems and Create Solutions with Nellie Akalp
Nellie Akalp is the CEO of CorpNet, a business filing service that streamlines compliance across multiple states. CorpNet isn't Nellie's first business venture, though. Fresh out of law school, Nellie and her husband began working on an online business at the beginning of the internet boom that…
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Episode 143: How to Live Authentically and Channel Creativity with Scott Scarano
Scott Scarano might not fit the typical accountant mold, and that's just how he likes it. Scott's career got off to a rocky start—he started his own firm after finding his footing, but he quickly realized that he missed flexing his creativity. He wanted to exercise both the analytical and…
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Episode 142: Learning, Leading, and Niching with Randy Crabtree
Randy Crabtree is the co-founder of Tri-Merit, a niche tax service that serves tax preparers. But, Randy's professional career has been a wild ride, and he's learned a lot from his experiences. He shares his predictions on the future of the accounting profession and provides some tips on how you...
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Episode 141: The Future of Subscription Pricing with author Ron Baker
The accounting industry is changing. Are you keeping up? Best-selling author and talk-show host Ron Baker is on the newest episode of Thrivecast. Buckle up—he's bringing the heat with insights from his new book with Paul Dunn, Time's Up!: The Subscription Business Model for Professional Firms.…
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Episode 140: Leading an Atypical Firm with James Graham
Creativity is a foundational aspect of accounting. Why do we overlook that fact so often? Enter James Graham, the founder and CEO of Richtr Financial Studio. Managing finances and running a firm might be his day job, but traveling and climbing all around the world has defined James and his...
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Episode 139: Surviving an Economic Crisis with Adam Davidson
Economists have got it wrong, and they always will. Economic theories continue to develop and affect all aspects of life, so it's time to figure out how to position yourself in the market to withstand its inevitable dips. Jason is joined by renowned economist, award-winning author, and…
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Episode 138: The Relationship Between Team Capacity and Production with Jason Blumer
As a leader, one of your many responsibilities is balancing your team's capacity with the work that you're selling to clients. Over the past few years, the workforce's relationship with their own capacity has changed pretty drastically. On this educational episode, Jason is going to school you on...
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Episode 137: The Intricacies of Leading a Team with Jason Blumer
This isn't your typical episode of the Thrivecast. In this solo show, Jason dives deep into the most common wrong assumptions about leading a team. There's a chance your approach to hiring, workflow, role clarity, and personality tests are all wrong! Don't miss this opportunity to level up your...
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Episode 136: Why Consulting Will Never Go Away with Alan Weiss
On this new episode of Thrivecast, Jason welcomes legendary speaker, highly sought-after consulting guru, and author, Alan Weiss. Alan formed Summit Consulting Group in 1985 and has published over 64 books along with an impressive public speaking career that has taken him to 60+ countries. Jason...
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Episode 135: Is Everyone Having a Good Time? with J.Dew
We have a special guest on Thrivecast for this episode—and it's a voice you'll recognize if you joined us at Deeper Weekend last year. J.Dew is a well-known emcee around Greenville, and we're stoked to have him back for #DW22. He joins us on the Thrivecast to discuss what the life of an emcee is...
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Episode 134: Shifting from Advising to Consulting with Greg Crabtree
We're excited to have Greg Crabtree on the podcast! Greg is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and financial expert who founded his own firm Crabtree, Rowe, and Berger, which later merged with Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPA's and Advisors. Greg spends his days helping entrepreneurs build their economic...
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Episode 133: Crypto for Accountants with Sonia Dumas, Part 4 of 4
We're sad to see our series with Sonia Dumas come to an end, but we're so excited about the information we got to cover today! In this episode, Sonia talks Jason through ways accountants and firms can apply crypto to their payroll, payments, and perks—a game-changer for future-leaning firms. She...
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Episode 132: Crypto for Accountants with Sonia Dumas, Part 3
Sonia Dumas continues her conversation with Jason about the pros and cons of the crypto wave. Today, they talk about some upcoming trends, which coins to steer clear from, financial censorship, and much more. Firm leaders will want to soak this one up to understand if integrating crypto into your...
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Episode 131: Crypto for Accountants with Sonia Dumas, Part 2
Sonia Dumas joins us again on the Thrivecast to continue our series on cryptocurrency. We've already covered the theory of crypto in part 1 of this series, so Sonia talks Jason through some practical applications of this new-age currency. She outlines the key points of her analytical approach to...
About this show
Welcome to the Thrivecast, a show about accounting leadership and growth that’s now two decades in the making! Our host, Jason Blumer, CPA, interviews the best accounting minds on the planet, bringing you engaging accounting entrepreneurial lessons and principles designed to help you grow just by listening. So, jump right into our ocean of info—the water’s warm!
Hosted by
Thriveal CPA Network
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