Business Roundtable

David W. Carr
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Welcome to the Business Roundtable Podcast, hosted by David Carr of Steward Your Business. This engaging and informative podcast series is dedicated to helping business owners, and entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of running a successful enterprise. Each episode features David Carr and a roster of industry experts, including regular contributors like Curtis Cochran, who bring their wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, organizational health, and team building. Dive into discussions that cover a broad range of topics essential to business growth and sustainability. From strategic planning and preparation to understanding the cycles of business ownership, the podcast provides invaluable insights into evaluating, enhancing, and exiting business ownership. Listeners can expect practical advice on scaling businesses, managing finances, and creating a culture that aligns with company goals. What sets this podcast apart is its focus on actionable strategies combined with real-world experiences. The conversations often delve into the importance of providing more value than the dollars earned and the necessity of adaptability in a rapidly changing business landscape. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, the Business Roundtable Podcast is vital for staying ahead in today's competitive market. Join David Carr and his guests as they explore the art of making a business profitable but also enjoyable and sustainable. Tune in for your dose of inspiration, guidance, and tools to make 2024 and beyond a resounding success for your business ventures. Become a podcast supporter at just $2 a month at https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

  1. 6D AGO

    You Don’t Have a People Problem — You Have a System Problem | Joel Schwan

    You don’t have a people problem — you have a system problem that’s showing up as a people problem. In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, host David Carr, founder of Steward Your Business, sits down with Joel Schwan, founder of Schwan Stratify, to unpack why hiring struggles, burnout, turnover, and workforce chaos are rarely about “bad employees” and almost always about broken or missing systems. With more than 20 years of experience in workforce strategy, HR, and operations, Joel has worked with organizations including Microsoft, Google, Uber, and growing small-to-mid-sized businesses. Together, David and Joel explore how leaders can move from reactive hiring and survival mode into intentional, scalable workforce strategy. This conversation dives into why hiring more people often makes problems worse, how unclear roles and poor onboarding quietly drain profit, and why workforce planning must be treated as an ecosystem — not a pipeline. Joel also explains when businesses should use contractors versus full-time employees, how capacity planning prevents burnout, and why succession planning and cross-functional skills protect companies from disruption. If you’re a business owner, executive, or team leader stuck in constant hiring cycles or overwhelmed by managing people, this episode provides clarity, practical frameworks, and a healthier way forward. In this episode: Why most “people problems” are actually system failuresHow broken onboarding and role clarity create turnoverThe five areas every business should audit in their workforceWhen to hire full-time employees vs. contractorsHow capacity planning and succession protect growthWhy leadership health and psychological safety matter Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support. Connect with Steward Your Business: Book a conversation: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    43 min

  2. MAR 3

    HR as a Growth Engine: How Talent Strategy Drives Profit and Scale

    Why do so many business owners see HR as an administrative cost instead of a growth engine? In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, David Carr is joined by Bruce Nichols, a global HR executive and people-first strategist, to challenge the traditional view of human resources and reframe HR as a profit multiplier and strategic advantage. Drawing from decades of experience across private equity, Fortune 100 companies, startups, and high-growth organizations, Bruce explains why most businesses stall not because of sales or market demand, but because the right people are not in the right seats at the right time. This conversation explores how talent strategy, culture, and workforce planning directly impact profitability, scalability, and leadership effectiveness. David and Bruce discuss why many founders struggle to shift from doing the work to leading the business, and how intentional HR strategy helps leaders move from firefighting to sustainable growth.  They also examine the role of AI in HR and why technology alone cannot fix broken processes. Bruce shares why people-first leadership, clear structure, and proactive planning are essential before layering in automation or artificial intelligence. Grounded in real client examples and leadership experience, this episode offers practical insight for business owners, executives, and professional service firms looking to grow without burning out or bleeding profit. In this episode: Why HR should be viewed as a growth engine, not a cost centerHow misaligned roles quietly drain profit and momentumWhat it takes to scale teams intentionally and sustainablyWhy hiring growth requires backward planning, not urgencyHow AI fits into HR strategy without replacing human judgmentLinks mentioned in this episode: Bruce Nichols on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucernicholsThe Human Resource Consortium: https://hrtalentsolution.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support. Connect with Steward Your Business: Book a conversation: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    34 min

  3. FEB 26

    When Systems Break People: Aligning Leadership, Culture, and Performance with Hanna Bauer

    Why do organizations keep fixing symptoms instead of solving the real problem? In this episode, David Carr sits down with Hanna Bauer, leadership strategist and founder of HEARTnomics, to explore why misalignment between people, systems, and purpose quietly erodes performance, culture, and trust. Drawing from Hanna’s experience as a CEO, board chair, and executive advisor, this conversation examines what happens when organizations rely too heavily on process, technology, or structure without tending to the human side of leadership. David and Hanna discuss why communication breakdowns, burnout, and stalled execution are rarely people problems and almost always leadership and alignment problems. The discussion spans nonprofit, hospitality, financial, and technical environments, offering practical insight into how leaders can restore clarity, psychological safety, and accountability during growth, digital transformation, and cultural strain. Grounded in real executive experience and systems thinking, this episode reframes leadership as the responsibility to balance heart and rigor, humanity and execution, so organizations can perform without chaos or constant rework. In this episode: Why performance problems are usually alignment problemsThe hidden cost of over-relying on systems and processesHow leadership communication shapes culture and executionWhat it means to align people, purpose, and performanceWhy leadership growth must keep pace with organizational growthLinks mentioned in this episode: Hanna Bauer on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bauerhannaHEARTnomics https://www.heartnomics.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support. Connect with Steward Your Business: Book a conversation: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    36 min

  4. JAN 30

    Neurodivergent Leadership, ADHD, and AI: Designing Systems That Actually Work

    Why do so many capable leaders feel exhausted, unfocused, or misaligned, despite doing everything right? In this episode, David Carr sits down with Sara Gayle, founder of EverKind Strategies, to explore how neurodivergence, burnout, and broken systems quietly undermine leadership effectiveness and what it actually takes to design environments where people can thrive. Drawing from Sara’s journey as a late diagnosed ADHD leader and her work with mission driven organizations, this conversation examines how clarity, kindness, and relational intelligence shape sustainable growth. Rather than treating focus and productivity as personal discipline problems, David and Sara reframe them as leadership and systems responsibilities. The discussion also explores how emerging tools like AI can support neurodivergent leaders by capturing ideas, reducing cognitive load, and restoring margin when used intentionally and ethically. Grounded in real leadership experience, coaching work, and collaborative systems design, this episode challenges the assumption that burnout is a personal failure and instead points to the power of alignment, community, and humane leadership structures. In this episode: Why burnout is often a systems issue, not a motivation problemHow ADHD and neurodivergence show up in leadership and teamsThe role of kindness and challenge in healthy leadership culturesHow AI can support focus, follow through, and clarityWhat it means to design work that fits real humansLinks mentioned in this episode: EverKind Strategies https://www.goeverkind.comSara Gayle on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradgayleTotally Normal Podcast hosted by Sara Gayle, available on major podcast platforms Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support. Connect with Steward Your Business: Book a conversation: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    40 min

  5. JAN 15

    Why Networking Conversations Don’t Convert Into Sales

    Why do so many networking conversations never turn into real opportunities? In this episode, David Carr examines the leadership dynamics behind stalled conversions and why relationship-driven professionals often struggle to move conversations toward commitment. Inspired by the operating principles of Success Champions Network, this conversation explores how leadership, structure, and accountability shape whether conversations lead to results. David also references the systems-focused leadership behind SCN, led by Jessica Gruber, whose work emphasizes training, infrastructure, and intentional community design to support sustainable growth across chapters worldwide.  Drawing from real leadership engagements and collaborative work with founders, consultants, and professional organizations, this episode reframes sales and growth as a leadership responsibility rather than a transactional skill.  In this episode: • Why conversations alone don’t create growth • The cost of avoiding challenge in leadership • How structure protects trust • What it means to guide rather than convince Links mentioned in this episode:  Success Champions Network: https://successchampionnetworking.comJessica Gruber:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-gruberhttps://jessicagruber.co/Buzzworks: https://buzzwks.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support. Connect with Steward Your Business: Book a conversation: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    37 min

  6. JAN 14

    ESOPs Explained: Succession, Legacy, and Employee Ownership with Kelly Finnell

    What if exiting your business did not mean selling out your people, your culture, or your legacy? In this episode, David Carr sits down with Kelly Finnell, President of EFS ESOP Consultants and one of the nation’s leading experts on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), to unpack how employee ownership can be a powerful succession and liquidity strategy for business owners. With more than 40 years of experience helping founders transition ownership, Kelly breaks down what ESOPs actually are, how they work, and why they are often misunderstood. Together, David and Kelly explore why ESOPs appeal to what Kelly calls “compassionate capitalists” — leaders who want to achieve full fair market value for their business while also protecting employees, preserving culture, and sustaining long-term legacy. The conversation covers how ESOPs differ from private equity and strategic buyers, how tax advantages play a critical role, and why alignment between owners, employees, and performance creates healthier, more resilient organizations. Grounded in real-world case studies across engineering, defense contracting, and professional services, this episode reframes succession planning as a leadership decision — not just a financial transaction. In this episode: What an ESOP is and how it works in plain languageWhy ESOPs are an alternative to private equity and third-party salesThe role of legacy, culture, and stewardship in ownership transitionsHow ESOPs align employee motivation with long-term performanceCommon myths and misconceptions about ESOPsWhat makes a company a strong (or weak) ESOP candidateLinks mentioned in this episode: EFS ESOP Consultants https://www.execfin.comKelly Finnell on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/esopcoachThe ESOP Coach (book by Kelly Finnell) https://www.esopcoach.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support. Connect with Steward Your Business: Book a conversation: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    35 min

  7. 12/16/2025

    Your Brand Isn’t Your Logo: Building Clarity and Connection

    In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, David W. Carr, founder of Steward Your Business, sits down with Stephanie Simpson, founder of Brand-ification, to explore the powerful intersection of leadership, message clarity, and brand confidence. Stephanie shares her journey from Warner Bros. to launching a brand strategy firm that helps business owners define who they are, what they stand for, and how to communicate it clearly. Together, they unpack why so many professionals struggle to articulate their value — and what it really takes to create a brand that connects. What You’ll Learn: The real difference between branding, marketing, and messaging.How to identify and speak directly to your ideal clients.Why clarity beats cleverness every time.How to “duplicate yourself” through better communication and systems.The missing link between brand clarity and leadership alignment.If you’re a founder, consultant, or leader ready to simplify your message and amplify your impact, this episode is for you. Connect with Stephanie Simpson 🌐 Website: https://brand-ification.com 📧 Email: stephanie@brand-ification.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephaniefifesimpson Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support. Connect with Steward Your Business: Book a conversation: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    47 min

  8. 12/11/2025

    How Storytelling and Web Design Power Business Growth

    What happens when a lifelong Star Wars fan turns his creative energy toward helping business owners tell better stories? In this episode, David W. Carr of Steward Your Business sits down with Roger Jorns, founder of Reanimation Design, fellow Success Champion Network member, and the creative mind behind the new LightsideCollectibles.com redesign. Roger shares how faith, humor, and storytelling shape his approach to design and how any small-business owner can transform their website into their best salesperson. You’ll learn: • Why clarity beats complexity in marketing • The three questions every website must answer • How the Hero’s Journey powers brand storytelling • What the Force can teach us about business balance Connect: Reanimation Design → https://reanimationdesign.com Lightside Collectibles → https://lightsidecollectibles.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support. Connect with Steward Your Business: Book a conversation: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Business Roundtable Podcast, hosted by David Carr of Steward Your Business. This engaging and informative podcast series is dedicated to helping business owners, and entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of running a successful enterprise. Each episode features David Carr and a roster of industry experts, including regular contributors like Curtis Cochran, who bring their wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, organizational health, and team building. Dive into discussions that cover a broad range of topics essential to business growth and sustainability. From strategic planning and preparation to understanding the cycles of business ownership, the podcast provides invaluable insights into evaluating, enhancing, and exiting business ownership. Listeners can expect practical advice on scaling businesses, managing finances, and creating a culture that aligns with company goals. What sets this podcast apart is its focus on actionable strategies combined with real-world experiences. The conversations often delve into the importance of providing more value than the dollars earned and the necessity of adaptability in a rapidly changing business landscape. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, the Business Roundtable Podcast is vital for staying ahead in today's competitive market. Join David Carr and his guests as they explore the art of making a business profitable but also enjoyable and sustainable. Tune in for your dose of inspiration, guidance, and tools to make 2024 and beyond a resounding success for your business ventures. Become a podcast supporter at just $2 a month at https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

Information

  • Creator
    David W. Carr
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steward Your Business
  • Show Website
    Business Roundtable