The Upstream Leader Podcast
High-yield and low-maintenance: This is your ultimate goal as an accounting firm member, regardless of where you are in your career journey. Brought to you by Upstream Academy, The Upstream Leader Podcast is your source for insights and education on becoming a high performing firm leader.
Join host Jeremy Clopton for interviews with insightful, engaging and entertaining experts, who share knowledge and expertise on firm best practices, processes, technology and more! With a focus on culture, teams, clients and growth, you’ve found your passport to building a better career. Join us to become an Upstream Leader!
Latest episodes
Dec 5, 2022 • 43min
Creating Community to Improve Retention
The Upstream Leader Podcast’s Jeremy Clopton talks with Rebecca Sanborn about the role community plays in recruiting and retention. Perhaps more importantly, they discuss what community is, how diversity plays a role, and how belonging factors in the conversation. A strong sense of community is one element that improves retention, and this episode focuses on helping you understand how to build community within your firm. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Nov 21, 2022 • 54min
Leading with Significance: How to Create a Magnetic, People First Culture
The Upstream Leader’s Heath Alloway has a meaningful dialogue with Joey Havens, Managing Partner of Strategic growth at HORNE, about the difference between a “good” culture and developing a compelling people-first culture. The conversation hits some of the most pressing topics impacting the profession around people, flexibility, diversity, the fear of change, and much more. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Nov 7, 2022 • 37min
Meaningful Change within a Career and Firm
The Upstream Leader’s Heath Alloway catches up with Josh Tyree, Partner and CEO at Harris CPAs, to learn more about his transition to firm CEO and approach to driving meaningful change. Once you acknowledge we live in constant flux, change becomes a proactive responsibility for continuous improvement. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Sep 26, 2022 • 42min
A Discussion about Mental Health
The Upstream Leader Podcast’s Jeremy Clopton talks with Randy Crabtree about his experience with mental health challenges while leading a firm in the accounting profession. The discussion includes how Randy overcame mental health challenges, his thoughts on how organizations can support employees, and steps individuals can take to improve their mental health. **Disclaimer: this is not a discussion with mental health professionals. Nothing should be viewed as or taken as mental health advice. For that, you should consult a professional. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Sep 12, 2022 • 37min
Path to Partner: Unraveling the Mystery
The Upstream Leader’s Heath Alloway has a conversation with Melissa Biron, Principal at Nathan Wechsler and Company, and Ryan Hurst, Partner at RKL, to share their unique experiences and lessons learned on their path to partner. Both guests shared the importance of soliciting input and providing transparency to those that may have similar questions as they did earlier in their careers. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Aug 30, 2022 • 34min
Breaking Down Barriers and Creating a Path for Others
The Upstream Leader Podcast’s Jeremy Clopton talks with Jonyce Bullock about her journey to becoming a managing partner. Along the way, they discuss how she broke down barriers, created a path for others, and strives to leave the profession better each day. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Aug 8, 2022 • 36min
Purpose Driven Leadership
The Upstream Leader Podcast’s Heath Alloway talks with Jeremy Johnson, the lead pastor at North Point Church, on defining and finding purpose-driven leadership. It is easy to get confused on the quest for significance if you focus on your own agenda. Jeremy shares how he found purpose in refocusing everything from the inside to help someone in need. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jul 25, 2022 • 36min
The Topic of Time: Focus on progress, not perfection
The Upstream Leader Podcast’s Heath Alloway and Jeremy Clopton talk about the concept of time and the importance of creating space to work on the business and ourselves. Investing the time can be a challenge when “busy” is viewed as a status. When you get out of “busy” you have an opportunity to create a firm, career, and life you desire. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jul 11, 2022 • 39min
Compete Every Day without Burning Out
In this episode of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy talks with Jake Thompson from Compete Every Day. The discussion focuses on how leaders can compete every day without getting burned out. Other topics include the importance of clear communications and learning how to do hard things. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jun 20, 2022 • 36min
Human Resources: More than a place for problems
The Upstream Leader Podcast’s Heath Alloway talks with Sara Choate, the managing director of KPM’s Human Capital Solutions practice. Sara shares her story and a splash of humor to debunk frequent HR misconceptions, how HR can play a strategic role within a firm, and how those exact solutions can benefit firm clients. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
