Friends with Benefits

Sam and Jason Yarborough
  • 5.0 (15)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Friends with Benefits, the business podcast about revenue-generating partnerships. Not "business time" with friends.This podcast is for those looking to build professional relationships that last and add tremendous value to your company and maybe even, you personally.Join hosts Jason and Sam Yarborough, who happen to be married, as they talk with some of the best in the industry.We will be tackling topics like what good partnerships looks like, how relationships can build immense value for your business, and why even though strategy, pipeline, and growth are the goals, it all comes down to relationships. Let’s face it, business is done person-to-person.Discover how personal connections transcend the boundaries of business time. Come hang out with us for inspiring stories, actionable strategies, and valuable insights that will empower you to forge meaningful partnerships in today’s competitive landscape.Because we all know, business time is personal.

  1. Your Job Shouldn't Cost Your Life with Casey Calkins

    2D AGO

    Your Job Shouldn't Cost Your Life with Casey Calkins

    Send a text Sometimes the wake-up call isn’t a missed quarter, it’s your body telling you the pace you’ve been running at is no longer sustainable. This week, we’re sitting down with Casey Calkins, Facilitator & Coach, and founder of C2it Partners, where she helps sales leaders build healthier, higher performing teams. Casey shares what it looked like to live in a constant high-demand stress loop, the health spiral it created, and the moment she realized she couldn’t keep letting work be the thing that mattered most. We get into how leadership and wellbeing are tied together more than most people want to admit, why your team learns more from your behavior than your calendar talk, and how to start releasing the control that quietly fuels burnout. Casey also walks through simple practices that helped her reset, plus a decision filter that makes the day-to-day feel lighter fast: knowing which “balls” are glass and which ones are rubber. What you’ll learn: How chronic stress can feel productive until it starts costing you your healthWhy your example as a leader sets the standard for boundaries on your teamA simple framework to protect what’s fragile while letting the rest bounceJump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (01:56) Meet Casey Calkins and the big tech wake-up call   (03:30) The LinkedIn post that sparked the chronic stress loop conversation   (06:35) Always on culture and why recovery gets ignored   (09:17) Boundaries are leadership and your team mirrors your tone   (14:34) Why managers get promoted with zero enablement   (23:42) The real work of leading people and why burnout is still taboo   (29:37) Self regulation and how your energy sets the room   (31:04) The self awareness traps overconfidence vs imposter syndrome   (34:18) Simple resets that work walks sunlight and real breaks   (35:52) True rest for Type A leaders and how to schedule it   (39:43) Phone and sleep hygiene and breaking the doomscroll cycle   (41:55) When it feels impossible and how to downshift with purpose   (47:59) You are not indispensable and why that is freedom Connect with Casey Calkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseycalkins/  Check out C2it Partners: https://www.c2itpartners.com/  Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com   Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/  Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/  Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius https://www.shareyourgenius.com

    56 min
  2. How to Lead from Your 'Way of Being' with Kelly Ramirez

    FEB 17

    How to Lead from Your 'Way of Being' with Kelly Ramirez

    Send a text Creating impactful leadership starts with understanding and evolving your own way of being. This week, we’re joined by Kelly Ramirez, an executive coach and founder of Elemental Leadership, a coaching practice focused on helping leaders unlock their full potential. Kelly’s career has been shaped by her passion for helping individuals and organizations overcome personal and professional barriers, and today she’s sharing insights on how leaders can reframe their mindset to drive more meaningful outcomes. In this conversation, we explore the power of ontological coaching, why emotional awareness is essential for effective leadership, and how embracing discomfort can lead to transformational growth. Kelly shares how leaders can move beyond tactical decisions and build a deeper connection with their teams by shifting their way of being. What you’ll learn: Why embracing discomfort can be a powerful tool for growth and overcoming limitationsHow ontological coaching can transform leadership by focusing on your way of beingThe role emotional awareness plays in effective decision-making and leadership presence Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (01:28) Celebrating podcast milestones and successes (04:50) Epic adventures: personal growth beyond business (10:42) What is ontological coaching and how does it transform leadership (14:17) Client stories: real-life impact of coaching (31:45) The power of self-observation in leadership (32:11) Understanding your default mood and its influence (34:44) Neuroplasticity: rewiring your brain for growth (36:22) Challenging yourself for greater impact and leadership (36:47) Easy vs. ease: finding flow in leadership (39:25) Identifying challenges and finding solutions (44:49) Making difficult decisions as a leader Connect with Kelly Ramirez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyramirezelemental/  Check out Elemental Leadership: https://welcometoelemental.com/  Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com   Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/  Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/  Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius https://www.shareyourgenius.com

    1h 6m

  3. JAN 20

    Building Big Dreams Together with Sam & Jason Yarborough

    Send a text Strong communities start with intention and vision before results. This week, we discuss our journey with Arcadia, a space we’ve built for leaders to connect, learn, and grow. After two successful events, we’ve expanded into an ongoing community that nurtures relationships beyond the conference room, blending work, life, and personal growth. In this conversation, we share how we navigated the balance between business and family, why alignment is key in both work and life, and how we’ve been able to build something that’s not just an event but a movement. We dive into what it truly means to create a space of belonging, how to prioritize self-care while building big dreams, and the lessons we’ve learned about leadership and trust.  Whether it’s at home or in the office, we think you’ll walk away from this one with a fresh perspective on how to show up for the people who matter. What you’ll learn: How to balance business, family, and personal growth effectivelyWhy alignment and communication are essential for leadership and trustThe key to building community beyond just an event Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (03:01) The Arcadia journey and building community (05:31) Overcoming challenges and key learnings (08:19) Balancing life, family, and business (10:55) The importance of self-care and personal growth (12:33) Building meaningful local friendships (13:31) Understanding partnerships and ecosystem growth (15:19) Overrated and underrated business trends (17:03) Lessons learned from failures and missteps (19:41) Practicing core values and managing finances (25:28) Redefining success and finding fulfillment (27:08) Humbling and hilarious parenting moments (29:27) Gratitude and future plans for Arcadia Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com   Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/  Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/  Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius https://www.shareyourgenius.com

    32 min
  4. Leveraging AI to Strengthen Human Connections with Josh Katz

    JAN 13

    Leveraging AI to Strengthen Human Connections with Josh Katz

    Send a text Building strong relationships is about creating the foundation long before you need it. This week, we’re joined by Josh Katz, founder of Knostra, a platform designed to help people build and maintain relationships more effectively using AI. Josh’s career has been centered around partnerships, and today, he’s focusing on how we can expand our circles authentically, without losing the human touch in a tech-driven world. In this conversation, we dive into why personalization doesn’t equal being personal, the importance of context and timing in business relationships, and how AI can amplify human connection rather than replace it. Josh shares his insights on building meaningful relationships at scale, and how the right systems can transform your ability to connect, follow through, and build trust over time. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their professional relationships, both inside and outside the office. What you’ll learn: How AI can enhance, not replace, meaningful human connections in businessThe importance of creating a system to stay connected and follow throughWhy personalization is not the same as being personal, and how authenticity drives trust Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (03:23) The problem with relationship systems (06:11) Why context and timing matter (09:39) Personalization vs. being personal (12:40) Using AI to amplify relationships (16:59) The importance of context in communication (19:26) Balancing sales goals and authentic relationships (23:11) How Knostra enhances relationship-building efforts (27:43) Why relationships are the ultimate business differentiator (32:10) The value of maintaining personal vs. corporate information (36:10) Navigating the tension between business and personal trust (39:40) How AI can help businesses scale relationships (43:10) Josh's journey from idea to business Connect with Josh Katz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkatz/  Check out Knostra: https://knostra.ai/  Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com   Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/  Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/  Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius https://www.shareyourgenius.com

    51 min
  5. How to Lead from the Inside Out with Barrett Brooks

    JAN 6

    How to Lead from the Inside Out with Barrett Brooks

    Send a text Deep self-awareness combined with intentional leadership creates a powerful foundation for personal and professional growth. In this episode, we speak with Barrett Brooks, an Executive Coach and host of his podcast, Good Work, whose approach to personal growth and leadership has transformed how he works and how he impacts others. Barrett’s journey has taken him from the fast-paced world of corporate leadership to embracing the calling of coaching, where he helps individuals align their inner gifts with their leadership purpose. He’s passionate about helping leaders break free from the armor of societal expectations and truly connect with their authentic selves. We explore how Barrett discovered his true calling, the importance of knowing yourself before leading others, and the pivotal role surrender plays in effective leadership. Barrett shares his journey from burnout to purpose-driven work, and how embracing both the joys and the griefs of life can unlock peace and authenticity in leadership. He also discusses the concept of “Good Work,” focusing on how leadership that is rooted in self-awareness and inner peace leads to sustainable success. This conversation offers invaluable insights into leadership, personal growth, and the journey to leading with authenticity and intention. What you’ll learn: How self-awareness and surrender can unlock your unique gifts and enhance leadershipWhy embracing both joy and grief leads to better decision-making in leadershipHow Barrett Brooks moved to purpose-driven work by aligning his gifts with his calling Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (03:09) Barrett’s definition of "Good Work" and the role of gifts (04:26) The challenge of surrendering and the armor people build (08:02) Barrett’s transition from executive to coaching and personal reinvention (13:08) Overcoming fear and embracing the entrepreneurial path again (17:16) The mental shift from career success to personal purpose (23:32) Exploring the relationship between grief and joy in leadership (28:32) The concept of self-actualization in leadership and finding peace (32:35) The importance of knowing your story to transform your leadership (36:05) Creating space for reflection and the power of silence (41:11) Barrett’s new venture: Presence-Based® Coaching and its future potential Connect with Barrett Brooks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettabrooks/ Barrett’s website: https://barrettbrooks.com/  Check out Presence-Based Coaching: https://presencebasedcoaching.com/  Check out Good Work with Barrett Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/@BarrettABrooks  Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com   Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/  Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/  Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius https://www.shareyourgenius.com

    1 hr
  6. How to Use Curiosity to Lead Meaningful Conversations with Erika Flowers

    12/23/2025

    How to Use Curiosity to Lead Meaningful Conversations with Erika Flowers

    Send a text The strongest relationships aren’t built when you need them. They’re built long before that. This week, we’re sitting down with our longtime friend Erika Flowers, Chief Client Officer at Profitable Ideas Exchange, professional trail runner for The North Face, author of “The Growth Engine”, and one of the most thoughtful relationship builders we know. We’ve had versions of this conversation with Erika over the years at Arcadia, but this is the first time we’ve captured it on the mic, and it might be one of the most tactical episodes we’ve ever recorded. We talk about why investing in people without an immediate return is the foundation of trust, how real partnerships are strengthened through feedback and shared accountability, and why great conversations only matter if you follow through on what you hear. Erika breaks down the systems behind meaningful relationships, from facilitating executive roundtables to her now-famous note card exercise, and shares how curiosity, consistency, and credibility compound over time in both business and life. What you’ll learn: Why long-term relationships outperform short-term wins in business and partnershipsHow client feedback and advisory boards strengthen trust and shared ownershipWhat it takes to turn good conversations into real outcomes through consistency and follow-throughJump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (03:44) When people get you wrong (09:20) What Profitable Ideas Exchange actually does (13:04) Adding value before there’s an ask (15:07) Curiosity as a leadership skill (19:06) Process over outcomes and why it works (24:10) Turning conversations into real results (30:11) Writing “The Growth Engine” (32:28) The reality of leading a sales function (32:50) What drives growth in professional services (35:24) Why client feedback changes everything (39:06) Building trust inside your team and outside your walls (45:51) The note card habit that compounds relationships (52:03) Rapid-fire reflections Connect with Erika Flowers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-flowers/  Check out Profitable Ideas Exchange: https://www.profitableideas.com/  Check out The Growth Engine: https://www.profitableideas.com/the-growth-engine/  Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com   Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/  Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/  Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius https://www.shareyourgenius.com

    1 hr
  7. Building Lasting Impact Through Intentional Relationships with Will Taylor

    12/16/2025

    Building Lasting Impact Through Intentional Relationships with Will Taylor

    Send a text What happens when you combine the art of building relationships with the science of scaling businesses? In this episode, we speak with Will Taylor, a leader whose approach to partnerships and content creation has made waves in the industry. Will’s journey has taken him from building his personal brand through insightful content to shaping successful partnership programs that scale businesses. He’s passionate about using trust as a cornerstone of business growth and is now leading the charge at AudienceLed, where he helps companies tap into the power of third-party relationships to drive demand and pipeline. We dive deep into how Will built a career by sharing his learnings, the key to building meaningful, long-term business relationships, and the philosophy behind his approach to partnership success. Will opens up about how he leverages content as both a personal diary and a professional tool, and how intentional relationship-building can create real value. He also touches on why he believes that trust is the key to everything, especially when it’s built on a solid foundation of intentionality and structure. This conversation brings a fresh perspective on content, partnerships, and the business of building true connections. What you’ll learn: How trust, content, and intentional relationships drive scalable business growthWhy blending authenticity with strategy creates long-term impact in partnershipsHow Will Taylor uses content as a tool for both personal growth and professional successJump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (01:22) Discovering Will’s journey and philosophy on partnerships (03:31) Harnessing the power of content creation to shape a career (11:33) Aligning personal and professional values for lasting impact (17:12) Overcoming challenges and misconceptions in building partnerships (23:19) Proving your worth and creating value in business relationships (24:45) The importance of trust and structure in driving success (28:32) Introducing AudienceLed: building a demand gen agency (30:17) Tapping into the power of trust in modern marketing (35:16) Co-marketing vs. co-selling: what’s the best approach? (41:22) The value of doing hard things and growing through challenge Connect with Will Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vvilltaylor/  Check out AudienceLed: https://www.audienceled.com/  Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com   Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/  Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/  Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

    49 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    Reinventing Yourself Through Every Season of Life with Jeff Gangemi

    Send a text There’s a certain clarity that comes from looking back and realizing every winding path was preparing you for who you are now.  This week, we sit down with our friend Jeff Gangemi, someone we met by chance at B2BMX and somehow ended up adventuring through Montana, swapping stories in the woods, and weaving into our inner circle. Jeff’s lived a lot of lives: religion major, nonprofit guy, journalist, marketer, consultant, coach, dad, husband, traveler. His story is proof that reinvention isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s messy and risky and full of unknowns, but still the thing you’re supposed to do. We get into Jeff’s journey of curiosity-driven career pivots, his move from Vermont to Los Angeles with two small kids, the reinventions that paid off, and the one time he didn’t follow the itch and what that’s teaching him now. We also explore how he discovered men’s coaching, how breathwork reshaped the way he shows up in the world, and what it takes to grow with someone for 23 years without losing yourself along the way. If you’ve been feeling the pull toward “what’s next,” this conversation is exactly the kind of honest, grounded encouragement you need. What you’ll learn: Why curiosity is one of the most powerful career and life tools you can buildWhat real reinvention looks like, both the freedom and the discomfort of itHow coaching can shift the way you lead, relate, and step into the person you want to become Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (01:13) The winding path that shaped Jeff’s story (04:50) How curiosity became a compass (08:45) When change shows up and asks for more (13:28) The messy middle of reinvention (21:32) How coaching shifted the way Jeff shows up (28:51) Therapy, coaching, and knowing what you need (30:10) Seeing potential in yourself and others (35:13) Finding the people who help you grow (40:37) Trying to build a life that actually works (48:14) Raising kids, taking risks, and staying steady (50:16) The books and ideas that keep us growing Connect with Jeff Gangemi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreygangemi   Check out Toptal: https://www.toptal.com/  Check out The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://amzn.to/4oAUuSU  Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com   Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/  Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/  Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius https://www.shareyourgenius.com

    56 min
See All (82)

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Welcome to Friends with Benefits, the business podcast about revenue-generating partnerships. Not "business time" with friends.This podcast is for those looking to build professional relationships that last and add tremendous value to your company and maybe even, you personally.Join hosts Jason and Sam Yarborough, who happen to be married, as they talk with some of the best in the industry.We will be tackling topics like what good partnerships looks like, how relationships can build immense value for your business, and why even though strategy, pipeline, and growth are the goals, it all comes down to relationships. Let’s face it, business is done person-to-person.Discover how personal connections transcend the boundaries of business time. Come hang out with us for inspiring stories, actionable strategies, and valuable insights that will empower you to forge meaningful partnerships in today’s competitive landscape.Because we all know, business time is personal.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam and Jason Yarborough
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Friends with Benefits
  • Show Website
    Friends with Benefits