The Soul Proprietor

Melody Edwards and Curt Kempton
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship

Each week, Hosts Curt Kempton and Melody Edwards dive into the ethical questions and dilemmas that keep entrepreneurs up at night. They love talking about the soul of your business, which means having tough conversations that challenge what we believe and push us to think deeper about business, values, and what really matters. Whether you're building your own company or exploring life's big questions, You are welcome here. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Contact: soulproprietorpodcast@gmail.com

  1. 6d ago

    AI Sprawl Is Killing The Joy of Business

    Curt and Melody are both feeling the squeeze of AI in their businesses, but instead of geeking out about the tech, they’re asking: has the very thing that’s supposed to save us actually made real work.. and real connection—harder? This episode is a meandering, totally honest look at what happens when business, process, and humanity collide. Expect bathhouse stories, checklists gone wild, and about “fun” at work. What We They About Why Melody thinks AI has totally sucked the joy and connection out of work—and what she misses mostThe story of how Curt’s “rock” accountability system started feeling more like a soul-crushing checkbox factory than a team effortMelody on returning from travel and feeling like her family (and her appetite) needed a rebootThe bathhouse as business metaphor: vulnerability, body issues, and why seeing real people mattersCurt’s bold move: killing the classic L10 meeting and building new rituals to bring fun (and actual life) back to the companyThe difference between working at lightspeed vs. actually getting anywhere—or enjoying the rideThe real talk about what AI sprawl does to creative momentum and team collaborationHow Melody’s experimenting with quirky team check-ins and “finding the fun” again in meetingsDolly Parton as the (unlikely) spiritual guru for loving the basics, potatoes, and all Key Takeaways Speed for speed’s sake (or because AI “demands” it) won’t save your soul—or your team’sSystems need to flex as business (and humanity) changes, not just get “faster”The rituals and conversations you skip in the name of efficiency might actually be the pointBeing able to admit when things aren’t fun or meaningful is the first step to fixing it Timestamps 00:00 – Why AI hasn’t made work better (and might have made it worse)00:27 – Melody’s travels, identities, and re-entry00:55 – Bathhouses, body acceptance, and business parallels01:31 – Food, families, and the missing joy of eating31:12 – Curt’s system overhaul: when “rocks” lead to burnout42:53 – The new meeting format experiment (+ dad jokes)58:07 – How do you bring back humanity without losing relevance?01:08:15 – Why change should happen now, not just at “year end” Website: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Instagram: @soulproprietorpodcast LinkedIn: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Facebook: Soul Proprietor Podcast Youtube: The Soul Proprietor Podcast

    AI Sprawl Is Killing The Joy of Business

  2. Sep 2

    Would Knowing the Truth Change Anything?

    What if you could travel anywhere in history and witness one moment with your own eyes? Would you choose something deeply personal, like your parents' first date? A historical mystery like the building of Stonehenge? Or something that could challenge everything you believe.. like witnessing the resurrection of Jesus? In this episode of The Soul Proprietor, Curt and Melody explore that question and quickly discover that seeing something for yourself doesn't necessarily answer the bigger questions. They talk about faith, history, family, the limits of certainty, and what it really means to know something. Along the way, the conversation turns toward a surprisingly practical question for entrepreneurs: "What would you tell yourself on the day you first became an entrepreneur if you could go back and give yourself advice?" The answers are less about business tactics and more about trusting your gut, holding onto your values, having confidence, and realizing that you don't need to know everything to move forward. Key Takeaways Even if you had a time machine (and perfect proof), you'd probably still second-guess what it means.. and your faith or doubts would still be your ownTrying to find absolute certainty is a trap; the "aha" moment doesn't make next steps obviousSometimes, asking big questions together is more valuable than nailing any answerMost so-called experts are just faking it.. a little confidence and trusting your gut can go a long way (especially in business) Timestamps 04:00 — The time travel icebreaker (and a thousand possible answers)06:22 — Melody's ancestral curiosity and Cape Cod history09:49 — Curt’s obsession with how ancient wonders were built16:58 — What would “witnessing proof” actually change?26:29 — Melody's love of old houses and lost stories29:06 — If you could give advice to your younger entrepreneurial self... Website: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Instagram: @soulproprietorpodcast LinkedIn: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Facebook: Soul Proprietor Podcast Youtube: The Soul Proprietor Podcast

    Would Knowing the Truth Change Anything?

  3. Aug 26

    Mel’s Building a Business That Doesn’t Need Her

    Melody was in the Philippines, reconnected with her team after months of burnout, overwhelm, and uncertainty about what was sustainable for her.. and for the business. What starts as a conversation about travel, health, and navigating life in a different culture becomes something much deeper: a look at what happens when a founder steps away, gets back in the room with the team, and starts letting go of control. Being together with her team in person gave Melody a clearer view of them, their strengths, and the ways fear, control, and a lack of trust had been affecting their relationships. She realized that building a sustainable business meant letting people take ownership, trusting their abilities, and creating a company that could move forward without her being involved in every decision. In this conversation, Melody and Curt talk about burnout, delegation, trust, leadership, company culture, and the uncomfortable process of realizing that sometimes the best thing a founder can do for the business is make themselves less necessary. Melody and Curt talk about:What burnout can reveal about the way a business is being runWhy being physically together can create a level of trust that Zoom can'tDiscovering the strengths and personalities of team members that weren't showing up remotelyThe difference between giving someone responsibility and actually trusting them with itHow Melody learned to loosen restrictions around her salesperson and let her do what she does bestWhy sustainable leadership means recognizing what you can—and cannot—continue doing yourselfResetting company goals and getting back to KPIsWhat living and working in another culture can teach us about happiness, simplicity, and what we actually needWhy stepping away from the familiar can change the way you see your business Timestamps00:00 – Rainy season in Manila and the reality of Filipino traffic06:25 – How not to have a sabbatical and the rocky road to travel wellness11:07 – Acupuncture, massages, and clarity (briefly)16:08 – Conference burnout triggers and using AI to wrangle team meetings22:42 – Why being together in person changed everything for Melody’s team31:53 – Working night shift, Filipino work schedules, and the toll on health38:16 – Happiness, culture shock, and what counts as “living simply”46:19 – Planning the next trip, inviting clients, and why karaoke might save your business At the heart of the conversation is a bigger leadership question: What might change in your business if your team got to experience more of the real you—and you gave them more room to be themselves? 🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Soul Proprietor Podcast. Website: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Instagram: @soulproprietorpodcast LinkedIn: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Facebook: Soul Proprietor Podcast Youtube: The Soul Proprietor Podcast

    Mel’s Building a Business That Doesn’t Need Her

  4. Aug 19 ·  Bonus

    When Good People Stop Being the Right People

    Ever wished you could get honest about what goes wrong in interviews, building a team, or making business partnerships work? This compilation episode is basically a highlight reel of the real, messy, sometimes hilarious conversations Curt and Melody keep having about how easy it is to get hiring, boundaries, and “vision” totally wrong.. plus a cautionary tale about why you should never skip the partnership prenup. What They Talk About: Curt's framework for actually learning about a candidate during interviews—minus the cheat-sheet answersThe story about Melody getting fired from a dog kennel (for throwing out someone’s shoes by accident) and what it taught her about boundariesHow “caring too much” becomes a fake interview weakness and why both hosts see themselves in thatCurt’s “never tell them your priorities up front” rule—just to see what people think success means before feeding answersThe burnout cycle of hiring someone to do four jobs badly, then feeling like you can’t win as a small business ownerWhy having a crystal-clear business vision is both a curse and a superpower, and the mental spiral of feeling like everything’s “wrong” today until you reach itMelody’s disaster partnership—lawyer visits, burping, and the one contract clause you must always add: what if you just stop liking each other?Real talk about how purpose-driven business owners sacrifice sleep, health, and sanity for the dream… and why that has to change Key Takeaways: If you lead interviews by feeding people your values, you’ll only see what they think you want.. not who they are.The people who get your business off the ground aren’t always the ones who can keep it growing.Clarity about vision matters, but sacrificing your own well-being (or family) in the name of “someday” is a recipe for regret.A business partnership needs an exit strategy for the “we just don’t get along” scenario.. because it happens more than you think.Trying to fill every “gap” alone or with scrappy hires is a guaranteed path to founder exhaustion. Timestamps:01:01 – Interview roleplay: desperate managers, fake weaknesses, chocolate-covered cherries08:46 – Boundaries, peacemaking, and getting fired (and what we wish we’d done differently)14:22 – Curt’s curious-interviewer framework and why he withholds “what good looks like”24:14 – The pain of hiring for too many roles (and the mediocrity trap)30:08 – How vision actually feels, and the misery of always feeling behind36:15 – The contract clause you always forget in business partnerships40:24 – Final thoughts, gratitude, and a brief plug for listener ideas

    When Good People Stop Being the Right People

  5. Aug 12 ·  Bonus

    Best Of: AI Brain Fry: What AI Is Doing to Our Brains

    AI was supposed to make life easier. So why does it feel like so many entrepreneurs are working more, thinking less clearly, and carrying more mental load than ever? For this Best Of episode, we revisit some of Curt and Melody's conversations about what AI is actually doing to the way entrepreneurs work, think, create, and dream.. Curt and Melody use AI extensively yet they asked this question: What happens when a tool that can help us execute faster starts changing the way we think? They explore: Why AI can create more work instead of lessThe "AI brain fry" that comes from relentless context switching and decision-makingHow the promise of productivity can turn into longer workdays and higher expectationsWhy uninterrupted thinking time may be more valuable than everWhat happens when AI turns dreaming into instant executionThe danger of outsourcing too much thinking and problem-solving to technologyWhy AI can provide fast, useful information while still being confidently wrongThe importance of human judgment, experience, and wisdomHow Melody uses the idea of the "MelBot" to be transparent about when AI is helping create contentWhy using AI ethically doesn't mean avoiding it—it means being intentional about how it's usedA real-world look at using AI in business without making the final product feel like it came from a robot Key Takeaways: Instant AI output feels magical at first, but all that speed just ramps up the pressure to produce even more (and fast)Letting AI write for you is fine—as long as you’re transparent about where your words end and the robot’s begin“Disposable knowledge” from AI is useful, but true wisdom still comes with nuance, hesitation, and lots of lived experienceWe’re losing some of the dopamine hit of slow, intentional dreaming—sometimes what we need most is a break from building Timestamps: 06:23 – Ethics and the MelBot persona 13:30 – The burnout paradox of AI “productivity” 22:16 – Curt’s AI binge and family reality check 35:00 – Certainty, wisdom, and trusting the robot 41:10 – Dreaming vs. execution with AI 50:00 – Can you use AI in a job interview? 🎧 Listen to AI Brain Fry: What AI Is Doing to Our Brains and then ask yourself: Is AI giving you your time back—or just helping you fill it faster? Website: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Instagram: @soulproprietorpodcast LinkedIn: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Facebook: Soul Proprietor Podcast Youtube: The Soul Proprietor Podcast

    Best Of: AI Brain Fry: What AI Is Doing to Our Brains

  6. Aug 5

    Outsourcing Our Conscience, Voice & Relationships

    What happens when we start outsourcing not just our work, but our actual voice, relationships, or even our consciousness to AI? This episode is the kind of rambling, real talk you have with your smartest friend at midnight: what even is the line? Melody and Curt get philosophical and a little bit ridiculous as they try to figure out what we're giving up.. and whether we're even noticing it's happening. What They Talk About: Why Melody is adamant that robots will never have childhood trauma (and why it matters)Curt's categories for outsourcing: voice, relationships, morals, and even painThat wild story about AI deleting a guy’s files (“my bad!”) and how easily trust gets brokenThe difference between delegation and abdication.. especially when it comes to your voice onlineMelody's confessions about using AI for difficult cards and when it actually helpsThe idea that AI is basically “a sociopath who’s really good at pretending empathy” (not exactly comforting)Navigating the nuance between human memory, actual relationships, and data-driven “companions”Where we draw the line with AI in romantic relationships (hint: not here for wolf-man drama on Facebook)The tension between using technology to save mental energy... versus losing what makes us, well, us Key Takeaways: We’re all outsourcing bits of ourselves—sometimes for good, sometimes just out of exhaustion—but there’s a difference between help and replacement.No amount of “smart” tech can actually mirror the messy, embarrassing, deeply personal stuff that shapes our humanity.Trust in AI is inherently fragile; one slip-up can unravel hundreds of seemingly perfect interactions.Letting AI or others speak for you gets dicey fast—at some point, it becomes inauthentic, even if it’s “your” words.The more we seek validation (or comfort) from AI, the easier it becomes to see actual humans as disposable... which feels pretty dangerous. Timestamps: 0:00 – What robots will never know 9:27 – When AI trust gets shattered 19:21 – Is AI just a skilled sociopath? 29:59 – Algorithms picking who gets fired 38:35 – “MelBot” and the ethics of fake voices 43:08 – Why outsourcing relationships gets real messy 51:05 – The birthday text dilemma and emotional labor 54:20 – Relationship styles and that “how are you really?” moment If this episode sparked new questions, Curt and Melody would love to hear from you. Where do you draw the line? At what point does AI stop being a helpful tool and start replacing something that should remain deeply human? Website: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Instagram: @soulproprietorpodcast LinkedIn: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Facebook: Soul Proprietor Podcast Youtube: The Soul Proprietor Podcast

    Outsourcing Our Conscience, Voice & Relationships

  7. Jul 29

    Welcome to AI Burnout

    AI promised to help us work smarter. So why are so many entrepreneurs feeling more overwhelmed than ever? In this episode, Curt Kempton and Melody Edwards explore a question that's becoming impossible to ignore: "When does AI stop being a helpful tool and start becoming an unhealthy dependency?" The conversation begins with a humorous confession about planning life around AI credit windows before moving into a much deeper discussion about outsourcing our memory, communication, creativity, and even parts of our thinking. Entrepreneurs have always outsourced tasks.. from calendars and navigation to customer service and marketing. AI simply raises a new ethical question: "What should never be outsourced?" In this episode, you'll hear: Why AI can feel both empowering and strangely addictiveThe difference between healthy leverage and unhealthy dependenceHow entrepreneurs have been outsourcing their thinking long before AIThe hidden cost of constant productivityWhy convenience isn't always the same as freedomHow AI is changing communication, relationships, and trustPractical reflections on creating healthier boundaries with technology Timestamps: 05:20 – Melody’s history with automation & trust09:44 – The non-AI ways we’ve outsourced ourselves15:06 – Automation in everyday life (and its failures)18:26 – Scams and the darker edges of voice outsourcing24:14 – What’s actually “healthy” in business tech use? Memorable Questions from the Episode What should only you do?Where is the line between helpful and harmful AI?Is AI giving you more freedom—or making it harder to rest?What parts of leadership should always remain human? If you've ever felt the pressure to keep up with AI, wondered whether you're using it wisely, or found yourself chasing productivity at the expense of presence, this conversation is for you. Website: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Instagram: @soulproprietorpodcast LinkedIn: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Facebook: Soul Proprietor Podcast Youtube: The Soul Proprietor Podcast

    Welcome to AI Burnout

  8. Jul 22

    Trusting Your Team Enough to Let Go

    What happens when you finally step away from your business? After weeks away from work, Curt and Melody reunite to share what they learned about their businesses and themselves. What begins as a catch-up conversation quickly turns into a deeper discussion about burnout, trusting a team, recovering from constant decision-making, and how AI may be changing the way entrepreneurs think. Melody opens up about her health journey, taking time away to heal, and the surprising realization that her business continued to thrive without her. Curt shares his experience completely disconnecting in the mountains, discovering how restorative it can be to truly unplug. Together they wrestle with a question many business owners avoid: Are we building businesses that depend on us—or businesses that empower others to lead? The conversation also explores the hidden cost of always being available, why making fewer decisions may actually make us better leaders, and what it means to create enough space to think, recover, and dream again. In this episode, Curt and Melody discuss:What happened after both of them stepped away from workWhy trusting your team is harder than it soundsBurnout and the importance of creating space for recoveryThe surprising freedom that comes from letting go of controlHow AI may be contributing to decision fatigue and cognitive overloadProtecting your creativity in an increasingly fast-paced worldLearning to focus on only the decisions that truly require your leadership Whether you're leading a growing business, feeling the weight of constant responsibility, or wondering if your company could function without you, this conversation offers an honest look at what it means to lead with trust instead of control. Key Takeaways: Sometimes your team is more capable than you want to admit.. the business probably won’t collapse because you’re not there for six weeksChronic burnout isn’t just about needing a weekend off; getting your spark back could take months (or even years) if you’re not carefulToo much decision-making—especially with AI accelerating everything—is draining in ways we’re only starting to understandLetting go of control (work, meds, even your own art) can be terrifying, but it’s how you make real space for something new Timestamps: [00:00] Magic Ear Crystals & Melody’s Health Saga[06:03] Curt’s Mountain Adventures & Camp Kitchen Mayhem[09:59] Coming Off Meds, Grief, and Trying Alternative Healing[17:34] Burnout, Brain Fog, and the Cognitive Toll of AI[22:19] Letting the Business Run Without You[29:03] Curt’s Lessons on Stepping Back (and Wanting to Step In)[40:39] AI as Creative Partner and the Future of Making Things[43:20] Shoutout to Ivan (the real MVP) and closing gratitude 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. Website: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Instagram: @soulproprietorpodcast LinkedIn: The Soul Proprietor Podcast Facebook: Soul Proprietor Podcast Youtube: The Soul Proprietor Podcast

    Trusting Your Team Enough to Let Go
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Each week, Hosts Curt Kempton and Melody Edwards dive into the ethical questions and dilemmas that keep entrepreneurs up at night. They love talking about the soul of your business, which means having tough conversations that challenge what we believe and push us to think deeper about business, values, and what really matters. Whether you're building your own company or exploring life's big questions, You are welcome here. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Contact: soulproprietorpodcast@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Melody Edwards and Curt Kempton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Melody Edwards and Curt Kempton
  • Show Website
    The Soul Proprietor