The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Transformation Economy by THRESHOLD

Join Ron and Ed as they sit down with Father Vincent DeRosa for an eye-opening conversation on the enduring relevance of Catholic social teaching in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Together, they dive deep into Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII's seminal encyclical on the rights and duties of capital and labor—exploring its connections to the foundational principles of the free market and contemporary business ethics. Drawing parallels between the disruptive forces of the Industrial Revolution and the modern AI transformation, the discussion considers how timeless ethical considerations can guide the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today. Discover how the Church's teachings can provide insight on worker rights, social responsibility, and the delicate balance between innovation and human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. Whether you're a business leader, professional, or curious thinker, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of the intersection between faith, philosophy, and enterprise, only on The Soul of Enterprise.

In this annual tradition, Ed and Ron look back on 2025, unpacking the year's most impactful trends, business transformations, and economic shifts. From breakthroughs in AI to evolving tax regulations and the latest developments in technology, they reflect on the standout themes that defined this year. Tune in as they explore what these changes mean for the future, the insights gained along the way, and the lessons learned. Perfect for listeners who want to capture the essence of 2025's business landscape in one insightful episode.

Ron and Ed welcome back Greg Kyte — yes, for the fifth time — because he keeps showing up with something new (and we keep letting him). Greg's accounting resume is full of the usual letters (CPA, MBA), but his actual story is far from typical: from middle-school math teacher to stand-up comedian to fractional CFO managing medical office buildings. Greg doesn't just talk numbers — he talks character, change, and the weird ways growth happens when you're willing to laugh at yourself.

Ron and Ed welcome back Alan Whitman, former CEO of Baker Tilly and author of the new book Break the Mold. In his second visit to The Soul of Enterprise, we will talk about this book and the mold around the CPA profession. The mold is made up of the common conventions and the long-time operating principles that are shared across organizations. We are sure you will enjoy this in-depth conversation.

Ron and Ed sit down with entrepreneur, advisor, and educator David Fionda, founder of BizBreakthru.com, to explore what it really takes for business owners to break through their growth ceilings. With decades of experience guiding firms through transformation — from startups to global consultancies — Fionda brings both the discipline of a CPA and the curiosity of a strategist. They discuss why most advisory work fails to scale, how to turn financial data into decision-making power, and the mindset shifts that separate incremental change from genuine breakthrough. This is a real-world architecture of growth, built from a lifetime of turning insights into action.

Ron and Ed sit down with Brent Beshore, founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, to explore a radical rethinking of what "private equity" can mean. Instead of the typical buy-fix-flip model, Beshore's firm takes a generational approach which involves acquiring businesses to own indefinitely, building value through trust, stewardship, and patient capital. They discuss why short-term thinking often erodes lasting wealth, how culture can be a company's greatest moat, and what it takes to invest with humility in a world obsessed with speed. This is private equity with a soul, or as Brent might say, the long-term bet on human potential.

Ron and Ed welcome back Joe Woodard — for the tenth time. Over the years, Joe has joined The Soul of Enterprise to challenge the accounting profession's comfort zone, rethink practice models, and remind everyone that transformation is never "done." In this milestone conversation, they revisit the evolution of Woodard's mission to help accounting professionals build healthier, more human-centered firms, and how the journey from technician to transformer keeps unfolding. Expect reflection, a few friendly jabs, and, as always, big ideas about the future of advisory work.

In this conversation, Ron and Ed take a close look at economist Russ Roberts' critique of utilitarianism. Can moral choices can be reduced to calculations of pleasure and pain? "No," says Roberts (and say Ron and Ed). Drawing on Roberts' essay Apples and Oranges, they explore why life's most important questions resist tidy arithmetic. Is it possible to weigh justice against joy? Or kindness against efficiency? Ron and Ed unpack the limits of the ledger, where human dignity, love, and meaning refuse to fit neatly into the spreadsheet.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tim Naddy — CPA, educator, entrepreneur, author-in-the-making — who serves as Vice President of Finance for the Savannah Bananas, a team that's rewriting the rulebook on sports entertainment. Tim walks us through how a seemingly wild concept (a baseball team with full-on live-show energy) becomes a serious business by blending financial discipline with big ideas. He unpacks the "diamond and dugout" finance model, the decision to keep merchandise separate from operations, and how the organization turned unlimited food and fan-first pricing into measurable growth.

Discover how pricing models are shifting from static to dynamic, emphasizing value and relationships. Explore the impact of perceived fairness on customer reactions and the storytelling techniques used by brands like Apple and Tesla to justify their prices. Laugh along as the hosts discuss unconventional pricing tactics, including a quirky QR-code toilet paper dispenser. Learn the risks of surveillance pricing and the potential pitfalls for mid-market firms adopting new models. Get practical insights for service firms to reimagine their pricing strategies.