Ep. 367: Ted Bozarth - Why Every Young Professional Needs a Mentor
Get inspired by Ted Bozarth, founder of the SetFire Foundation, as he shares his journey from IT whiz kid and supply chain veteran to retirement, where his passion turns towards helping the next generation of professionals. In this episode, Ted opens up about what led him to launch a mentorship organization for college students, the story behind the SetFire name, and why meaningful guidance can be life-changing for young adults navigating the leap into adulthood and business. Discover how the SetFire…
Ep. 366: James Vanreusel - Navigating the Future of Finance with AI and Strong Foundations
Join us for a lively conversation with James Vanreusel, founder of Vanreusel Ventures, as he shares his unique journey from stock market enthusiast to math major to Wall Street and microfinance leader. James opens up about helping organizations from startups to global nonprofits build strong financial foundations, and he doesn’t hold back on the hard-learned lessons of managing his own firm’s books. Get insider advice on navigating today’s rapidly changing finance landscape, including when to…
Ep. 365: Cassandra Worthy - Moving From Resistance to Growth in Times of Change
Join Adam Larson for an energizing and thoughtful conversation with Cassandra Worthy, founder of Change Enthusiasm Global and author of the book “Change Enthusiasm.” In this episode, Cassandra gets real about how most change management strategies overlook one key ingredient: our emotions. Drawing from her personal experience and signature framework, Cassandra Worthy shares how professionals can embrace all their feelings—even the tough ones—during times of major transformation. You’ll hear…
Ep. 364: Laura Nespoli - From Burnout to Breakthrough: Transform Your Life Without Tearing It Down
Join us for a candid, inspiring chat with Laura Nespoli, brand strategist and author of Threads of Me and You, who knows what it’s like to chase meaning, connection, and authenticity both at work and in life. Laura opens up about her winding career path, what it felt like to pull on life’s “loose threads,” and the power of embracing vulnerability and wonderlust—her own term for the urge to look inside and grow. Hear real stories about balancing passion with practicality, facing personal and…
Ep 363: Pete Leibman - Outperform, Don’t Outwork: Secrets to Unlocking Your Best
Join us for an engaging conversation with Pete Leibman, speaker and author of Stronger Advisor: High-Performance Habits for Consultants, Lawyers, and Advisors. Pete shares his journey from competitive basketball player to NBA front office staff and top executive search recruiter, revealing how peak performance habits from pro sports translate to the business world. Discover why a strong pregame routine matters just as much in the office as it does on the court, how to avoid burnout, and what it really…
Ep. 362: Clyde Calhoun - The Reckoning: When Gut Instinct Meets AI Recommendations
Join us for a must-hear conversation with Clyde Calhoun, Founder & CEO of Root Idea, an AI advisory firm. With a career that’s taken him from nuclear weapons R&D to AI governance, Clyde shares how his curiosity led him to tackle some of today’s most pressing challenges in AI adoption. He breaks down the real difference between governing AI tools and the decisions they influence, explores how guardrails can protect organizations from costly mistakes, and brings you eye-opening stories of both AI…
Ep. 361: Connecting Members Around the World: A Conversation with IMA’s New Board Chair Brigitte de Graaff
In this special edition of Count Me In, Adam Larson sits down with Dr. Brigitte de Graaff, IMA's new Board Chair and Assistant Professor at Vrije University in the Netherlands. Brigitte shares how a student job with IMA's CMA program launched a career that never followed a straight line, and why she believes that is a strength, not a detour. She talks about her vision for a more connected IMA community, one that bridges the gap between academics and practitioners, connects experienced leaders with the…
Ep. 359: Marina Ter Sargsyan - Unlocking Data Readiness for Small Business AI Success
Join us for a lively conversation with Marina Ter Sargsyan, Founder and CFO of Crystal Books Consulting, whose 25-year journey spans Armenia to the U.S., banking to nonprofits, and tech transformations to teaching. Marina shares how her love for numbers and problem-solving fueled her passion for helping small businesses and nonprofits tackle complex challenges. You'll hear honest insights on the realities of adopting AI and automation (and how they're not the same thing!), the importance of data…
Ep. 358: Tala Khalifeh - Why Human Judgment Remains Essential in the AI Accounting Era
What does it really take to keep ethics at the forefront as AI changes the game in accounting? In this episode, Tala Khalifeh, Chief of Staff at STAXX and a leader for IMA Shared Interest Groups, joins Adam Larson for an honest, insightful chat about her journey from internal audit to championing ethics in finance. Listen as Tala shares real stories about walking away from unethical workplaces, why human judgment still matters in the age of advanced AI, and how accountants can build trust in financial…
Ep. 357: Ali Hussain - Rethinking Finance Stacks in the Age of AI
Join Adam Larson as he sits down with Ali Hussain, founder and CEO of Tabs, for a candid conversation about redefining the landscape of accounting and finance through AI-powered technology. Ali shares his journey from COO to entrepreneur, the real struggles finance teams face with outdated tools, and why party tricks in AI aren’t enough for meaningful change. Get an inside look at what it means to build agents that work alongside humans, not just automate tasks—and what this shift means for teams,…
Ep 356: Rafeal Pinho - Driving Business Growth with a Strategic Finance Approach
Ever wondered how an electrical engineer ends up as the CFO of a major company in Brazil? Join us for a candid conversation with Rafael Pinho, Co-Founder and CFO at TD Pine Advisors, as he shares his unconventional career journey from engineering to investment banking, and onward to leading large finance teams. Rafael opens up about learning on the job, the challenges of managing through crisis, and how to truly transform accounting data into strategic business decisions. Packed with real-life…
Ep. 355: Katie Trowbridge - Fostering Belonging and Innovation in the Workplace
Join us for an engaging and insightful chat with Katie Trowbridge, educator-turned-CEO and author of the latest leadership book, Lead Boldly Think Deeply. Katie shares her journey from the classroom to the boardroom and reveals how experiences in both spaces are more alike than you might expect. Throughout the episode, Katie highlights ideas from her book as she talks about creating genuine connection, building trust, and encouraging creativity on your team, whether you’re working in-person or…