The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Transformation Economy

Ron and Ed welcome Nick Asbury to a conversation about his book, The Road to Hell: How purposeful business leads to bad marketing and a worse world And how human creativity is the way out. 

From the book jacket

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, says the proverb. Never has that been truer than in the case of corporate purpose, the movement that took over the business and advertising world following the financial crisis...

In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, hosts Ron Baker and Ed Kless are joined by Barry LaBov, founder and CEO of LABOV Marketing Communications and Training. A two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and inductee into the Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame, Barry brings a wealth of experience in brand differentiation and leadership. He has authored over a dozen business books, including The Power of Di...

In this episode of “The Soul of Enterprise,” hosts Ron Baker and Ed Kless engage in a dynamic conversation with Dr. Jackie Meyer, a trailblazer in the accounting profession. As the founder of TaxPlanIQ and host of “The Concierge CPA” podcast, Dr. Meyer has been recognized as a “40 Under 40” honoree since 2018. She is renowned for her innovative approach to tax planning and her commitment to enhancing the health, wealt...

You’ve heard us talk tariffs. You’ve definitely heard us talk Trump’s tariffs. So this week, in a bold act of podcasting restraint, we’re doing something radical: no tariff talk whatsoever. Instead, we tackle a roundup of current business events—from curious market moves to eyebrow-raising headlines—with our signature commentary and a touch of irreverence. Think of it as a tariff-free zone for ...

In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed welcome Dr. Jeffrey A. Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a seasoned general surgeon, to discuss his latest book, Your Body, Your Health Care. Dr. Singer delves into the erosion of patient autonomy in the modern healthcare system, attributing much of it to increasing government intervention. He advocates for a return to a patient-centered approach, e...

Ron and Ed sit down with Doug Reuter, the inventive mind behind the beloved board game Sequence. Doug shares the fascinating journey of bringing Sequence to life—a process that spanned four years of development, three years to secure licensing, and nearly another year before it hit store shelves in 1982. Beyond his success in the gaming industry, Doug delves into his political career, highlighting his two terms in the...

In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed welcome Paul Dunn, a 4-time TEDx speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and chairman of B1G1: Business for Good. Paul shares his insights on how small businesses can make a massive impact through purpose-driven initiatives. From transforming customer connections to embedding giving into everyday business activities, Pau...

We are thrilled to welcome Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, as our guest on this episode of The Soul of Enterprise. Mark has recently been appointed as the President and CEO of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, effective January 2025. Prior to this role, he served as the President and CEO of Allinial Global, an association of independent accounting a...

Ron and Ed unveil their bold new venture—THRESHOLD. In this episode, they share the vision behind the company, why it matters now, and how it aims to challenge the status quo in advisory and consulting. THRESHOLD is more than a brand—it’s a mindset shift for professionals ready to think beyond billable hours and transactional models. If you’re looking for transformation, not just iteration, th...

Ron and Ed break down the latest tariff policies of President Donald Trump, offering a free market critique of its implications. They explore how tariffs function as hidden taxes on consumers, challenge the idea of using protectionism as economic strategy, and examine the historical consequences of similar policies. With their signature blend of insight and humor, they discuss what this could mean for trade, inflation...

In this episode, Ron and Ed dive into one of the most influential and debated essays in business and economic thought: Milton Friedman’s The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits. Published in The New York Times in 1970, Friedman’s argument that businesses should focus solely on maximizing shareholder value while operating within the law sparked decades of debate about corporate ethics, stakehol...

With Ron Baker out this week due to a personal matter, Ed Kless is joined by Greg Tirico for a deep dive into the FTSG 2025 Tech Trends Report. Together, they explore 10 provocative takeaways shaping the future of technology—from AI’s evolution into “living intelligence” and action models, to the rise of agentic systems, climate-driven innovation, and the commercial colonization of space. Ed and Greg break down what t...

Join us for an enlightening discussion as we welcome back economist and author Dr. Gale L. Pooley to celebrate the release of his new book. In this episode, we delve deeper into the groundbreaking concepts presented in the book, exploring how human ingenuity and freedom drive resource abundance and economic growth. Dr. Pooley shares new insights and reflections since his last appearance, offering a fresh perspective o...

In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed dive into the long-standing debate: Is the purpose of business to make a profit, or is profit simply the result of fulfilling a deeper mission? Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of Peter Drucker—who famously stated, “There is only one valid definition of business purpose: to create a customer”—they explore the implications of this perspective for entrepreneurs, e...

Inspired by A. J. Jacobs when he appeared on Russ Robert's great podcast EconTalk, Ron and Ed have each been keeping a "One Thing" journal for the last few years. The idea is simple. You have a place where each day you capture, just one thing that inspired you. For us, it is often a quote, but it can just be an idea. In this episode, Ron and Ed once again share entries from their "One...

In this episode of “The Soul of Enterprise,” hosts Ron and Ed engage in a compelling conversation with Seth David, the Chief Nerd and CEO of Nerd Enterprises, Inc. Seth is renowned for his ability to demystify complex financial concepts, making them accessible and actionable for businesses and accounting professionals alike. With a rich background that includes auditing and a passion for leveraging technology to enhan...