Episodes

Rock climbers call certain boulders “problems” and the toughest part “the crux.” Richard Rumelt, in his new book The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists, uses this term to describe a three-part strategic skill: 1) judgment about what is important and what’s secondary; 2) judgment about the difficulties of dealing with these issues; and 3) being able to focus. Join Ed and Ron as they discuss the essentials of strategy.

Ed and Ron are honored to have Dr. David D. Alfery on the show. He is the author of Saving Grace: What Patients Teach Their Doctors about Life, Death, and the Balance in Between. We loved this book, because it will resonate with any professional. From the Introduction: “Many individuals, of course, have professions in which they are privileged to interact with others and to profoundly affect their lives. I was fortunate to be one of them. For all good doctors, the kind you want looking after you...

Ron and Ed are overjoyed to bring back to The Soul of Enterprise Dr. Kimberlee Josephson, associate professor of business at Lebanon Valley College, to talk about some of her more recent work on reputation vs regulation, why work won't love you back, and an update on her thoughts about the ESG movement. If you have questions, please feel free to send them in to asktsoe@verasage.com.

Ed and Ron are honored to host Dr. Jay Baruch, author of Tornado of Life: A Doctor’s Journey through Constraints and Creativity in the ER. When a patient comes into the hospital with cardiac arrest or a compound fracture, doctors know what to do. The problem is evident, and the solution is practically algorithmic. Dr. Baruch contends that the biggest challenge and the biggest part of an ER doctor’s work is often caring for people who come in with not just problems with their body, but also socia...

Chris Vanover is a founder of AuditClub, a group of former audit partners with a unique and valuable mix of Big 4, regional, and local firm experience. AuditClub provides flexible access to a seasoned team of Chief Auditors and specialists who bring more than 100 years of combined professional experience to their CPA Firm members, helping each of them succeed through better focus, better quality, and better results. They have a unique set of elements in their subscription pricing model.

An annual favorite going back to 2015, Ron and Ed talked about the best books they read each year. Sometimes there is overlap, other times none. (I suspect overlap this year!) Let’s start with a quote: “One must always be careful of books, said Tessa, and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.” ? Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel

One of two recap shows we do each year (the other will be next week's Best Books of 2022), Ron and Ed will take a look back at trends (business and otherwise), highlights, and lowlights from the year just past. We will review our favorite shows as well as the fan favorites and pay homage (or disparage when appropriate) those who crossed to the other side of the river in 2022.

Ed and Ron are supposed to discuss the controversies surrounding behavioral economics—including some of Dan Ariely’s research—and we probably will. But with Greg, you never know where the conversation will go. What you do know, is it will be entertaining, hilarious, and possibly even educational. Don’t miss this episode with one of the funniest CPA/MBA comedians out there, and Ron’s hero, Greg Kyte.

Ron and Ed always enjoy taking the show on the road and on this weeks episode we will have some of that live energy from the crowd in Austin Texas. They will talk subscription, of course… as well as other ideas relating to technology consulting. As usual, it promises to be the fastest hour of the week.

Ron and Ed are honored to welcome Gale L. Pooley to The Soul of the Enterprise to discuss his 2022 book, co-authored with Marian L. Tupy, Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet. We interviewed Marian Tupy on the book back on September 23, 2022 (Episode #409). This is a groundbreaking book, a new way to measure standards of living, economic dynamism, innovation, growth, and resource abundance. It's certainly in our Top 5...

Waaay back in Episode 22, Ron and Ed detailed the ideas behind Joel Waldfogel's book, Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays. Waldfogel makes the case that the deadweight loss to the economy from gift giving, in 2007, totaled $12 billion, out of approximately $66.5 Billion spent (about 12%) and that we should all give cash rather than presents. In this episode, we will speak with Professor Tony Gill about his ideas around Rethinking Scroogencomics and some of his other wr...

Ron and Ed welcome to the show James Geraghty. As a biotechnology executive, Jim has been a passionate participant in the orphan drug revolution since its inception. We will talk about his book, Inside the Orphan Drug Revolution, The Promise of Patient-Centered Biotechnology, which is in part a history, with eye-witness accounts of advances as they occurred and portraits of the pioneering scientists and physicians, tireless activists, and visionary business leaders who made the revolution happen...

George Gilder was unable to make it. So instead it’s a Stack of Stuff. Despite the weekly bonus episodes in which Ron and Ed go through their stack, things can build up over time. What better way to talk through the Twitter ownership change and how morticians are putting the fun in funerals?

Ron and Ed welcome to the show one of the co-authors of the new book Taxes Have Consequences. Ever since 1913, when the United States first imposed the income tax via constitutional amendment, the top rate of that tax has determined the fate of the American economy. When the top rate has been high, as in the late 1910s, the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, and 1970s, the response of those with money and capital has been to curtail real economic activity in favor of protecting assets and income streams. Huge...

Ed and Ron welcome back Dr. Reginald Lee for the 6th time! Join us for a free-wheeling discussion on a variety of topics.

Join Ed and Ron for a discussion with John Farrell, author of The Clock and the Camshaft: And Other Medieval Inventions We Still Can’t Live Without.

Current low rates of unemployment, touted by pundits and politicians, are grievously misleading. The truth is that fewer prime-age American men are looking for readily available work than at any previous juncture in our history. Ron and Ed will talk with Nicholas Eberstadt, author of Men Without Work: Post-Pandemic Edition. In addition to the book, they will talk about Nicholas's other area of expertise, North Korea.

Ron and Ed are thrilled to welcome David Leary, co-host of The Cloud Accounting Podcast to this week's episode to talk about various and sundry issues facing the accounting profession. We will include a conversation (read diatribe) about LEAN Six-sigma and how it ruins companies. For full show notes visit: http://thesoulofenterprise.com/410

Even the most casual listener of the show will know that Ed and Ron rail on the billable hour as modern day Marxist thinking. Time is money! defenders of the billable hour declare. No, no, no. In his recent book, Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet, this week's Guest, Marion Tupy offers the idea that while time is not money, however, MONEY IS TIME. Get ready for some cognitive dissonance! For shoe notes, visit http:/...

Ron and Ed welcome the CATO Institute's director of economics and trade policy studies, Scott Lincicome. Scott writes on international and domestic economic issues, including international trade; subsidies and industrial policy; manufacturing and global supply chains; and economic dynamism. For show notes, visit http://thesoulofenterprise.com/408

Ron and Ed welcome to the show Brett Haralson, director of community at our sponsor Melio. Brett has robust experience as a strategic leader focused on community strategy, and has been integral to influencing business growth while focusing on program development and management. Join us as he shares his thoughts on community (and maybe even talk a little BitCoin.) For show notes visit - http://thesoulofenterprise.com/407

Ron and Ed welcome Reza Hooda a chartered accountant in the UK who transformed his firm and subsequently himself. Back in 2008, he acquired a small firm called Walji & Co after he left his position as an accountant at PwC. He wanted to be my own boss as well as make a noticeable impact in some way to the accounting industry. We are excited to hear his story of how he has done just that.

Ron and Ed welcome Pano Kanelos, a founding trustee of UATX, a nonprofit dedicated to founding a university. It is currently in the process of applying for accreditation of the institution and its programs. The University will be devoted to the unfettered pursuit of truth are the cornerstone of a free and ?ourishing democratic society. For full show notes visit - http://thesoulofenterprise.com/405

Ed and Ron are honored to have Kevin Smoot on the show, who Ron met at various accounting conferences. After the first time Kevin heard Ron speak, he went back to his firm and completely transformed his business model. Join us as we dive into the details of this transformation, Kevin’s current strategy, and future plans.