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 13, 2021 • 33min
Marketing's Role in Leadership
On Episode 17 of The Upstream Leader, Heath Alloway talks to Katie Tolin, the CEO and owner of CPA Growth Guides, about the important role marketing professionals play within CPA firms. Katie stresses the importance for marketing professionals of finding one’s own career path, treating the members of a firm like one’s clients, with whom you’re sharing your specialized expertise, and how to get a “seat at the table” on the firm’s important marketing decisions. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Nov 29, 2021 • 35min
Creating Connection through Communication
Alexandra Bond Burnett, host of the Ambition to Impact podcast, joins Jeremy Clopton on episode 16 of The Upstream Leader. A speaking and impact coach, Alexandra breaks down the elements of communication, offers advice on how to make your communication impactful through a focus on three pillars—influence, connect, and affect—and demystifies the entire concept of communication in an accessible, attainable way. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Nov 15, 2021 • 26min
Changing Your Thinking to Change Your Future
On Episode 15 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton talks to Natalie Gillard, the creator of FACTUALITY the Game, which simulates structural inequality in America. Natalie shares the origins of FACTUALITY and discusses how she cultivates positivity and practices holistic minimalism to sustain her momentum in her work. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Nov 1, 2021 • 30min
The Opportunity in Uncertainty
On episode 14 of The Upstream Leader, Heath Alloway talks to Joey Havens, Managing Partner for Strategic Growth at HORNE LLP. Joey’s recently published article in the Journal of Accountancy outlined the benefits and opportunities that have been presented by the Covid pandemic. He explains some of the details of his article, as well as touching on the potential pitfalls for accounting firms not just with Covid, but because of the profession’s tendency to be risk-averse. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Oct 17, 2021 • 37min
Innovation with Optimism
On Episode 13 of The Upstream Leader, Heath Alloway talks to Rachel Anderson, director of the efactory, about innovation and the importance for leaders to embrace it. She discusses her own leadership journey, the process-driven nature of innovation, and how conquering micro-goals can lead to bigger, better developments. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Oct 3, 2021 • 27min
Conquering the Generation Gap – Quarterly Recap
Heath Alloway and Jeremy Clopton come together for their second quarterly recap in episode 12, and the focus of their conversation is viewing people as people, rather than generations. They talk about the misperceptions that can get generalized to entire generations, the nearly generic buzzword that “millennials” has become, and how important it is to integrate the ideas and values of every generation in your firm to ensure its success. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Sep 21, 2021 • 26min
Transforming Practice Management Through Analytics
The role of analytics continues to grow in the accounting profession. Jeremy Clopton is joined by Steve McDonald, managing partner at Abdo, Eick and Meyers, who shares his practice management expertise. He discusses the key insights into virtually every facet of an accounting firm that the proper data analytics tools can help provide, and what that can potentially mean for each firm’s bottom line. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Sep 7, 2021 • 37min
Proximal Strength: Reaching Your Goals
Jeremy Mhire of Proximal Strength, a CrossFit gym in Springfield, Missouri, joins Heath Alloway for Episode 10 of The Upstream Leader. Jeremy discusses his journey from member of a boy band to fitness expert and entrepreneur. He stresses the importance of developing a culture of togetherness and shared accountability, and shares his insights into how the human condition is universal, regardless of age or life experience. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Aug 22, 2021 • 29min
Growing Through the Power of Connection
Grace Horvath, Vice President at CPAmerica, joins Jeremy Clopton for Episode 9 of The Upstream Leader to talk about networking, community, connections, and the power they hold. They discuss surrounding oneself with inspiring people, the benefits of collaboration, how to escape the “win at all costs”, “zero sum game” mindset, and more. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Aug 8, 2021 • 27min
Becoming an Ambassador for Your Best Clients
On episode 8 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton is joined by Amy Franko, founder of Amy Franko Associates, whose specific focus is on sales and leadership excellence. Amy discusses the importance of distinguishing between marketing and business development, stresses the need to engage in relationship building to be successful, and much more. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
