Most people think writing a book is all about talent. But the truth? Even the best ideas fall apart without clear communication and the right publishing strategy. And when a ghostwriter who’s worked with names like James Clear and Jefferson Fisher says simplicity is the real superpower… You listen.

Welcome to the Amplified Business Show - where technology meets real-world solutions. This is the space for anyone looking to work smarter, communicate better, and build stronger operations through AV and tech-enabled systems.

Episode Highlights

In this conversation, ghostwriter and editor Blake Atwood breaks down what it actually takes to write a book people want to read. From his experience working on Atomic Habits and The Next Conversation to his insights on traditional vs. self-publishing, Blake explains why clarity wins, how technology is reshaping the writing process, and what authors need to know before taking the next step in publishing.

Episode Outline

• Blake’s background in nonfiction writing and how his work with James Clear shaped his approach.
• Behind-the-scenes experiences from ghostwriting and book coaching.
• The rise of AI tools and how they help—and hurt—the creative process.
• Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing: key stats and financial differences.
• How to choose between traditional, self, and hybrid publishing based on personal goals.
• The importance of simplicity and clear communication in writing.
• Favorite leadership and business books that shaped Blake’s perspective.
• Using social media as a content testing ground before writing a full book.
• Where technology in writing is headed, including text-to-video storytelling.
• Why authors need a strong website and digital presence.
• How networking and consistent quality shaped Blake’s career

Episode Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:04 Blake's Unconventional Experience and Technology's Impact on Writing

08:04 Traditional vs. Self-Publishing

12:54 Balancing Traditional and Self-Publishing

17:16 Favorite Books and Writing Techniques

31:33 Social Media and Book Promotion

45:47 Future of Technology in Writing

46:01 The Role of Websites and Digital Presence

46:17 Networking and Professional Growth

Action Taken

• Check out Do the Work by Steven Pressfield.
• Reach out to Blake at blake@blakeatwood.com
• Reflect on personal goals for writing: mass reach, authority building, or personal storytelling.
• Review current digital presence to make sure it reflects who you are and what you do.

Conclusion

Blake’s message is simple: good writing starts with clarity, and the right publishing path begins with understanding the purpose behind the book. Whether writing for impact, authority, or personal legacy, the real progress comes from consistent effort, honest reflection, and surrounding yourself with people who elevate the work.

Call To Action

If this episode sparked ideas or helped clarify your writing or publishing direction, share it with someone who would benefit from it and stay connected for more conversations like this.

Supporting Information

Connect with Jeff

Website: www.casav.com

Website: www.texascollective.studio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-price-8776b674/

Connect with Blake

blake@blakeatwood.com

Thanks for tuning in. Your support means a lot, and these conversations matter even more when they reach people who need them. Grateful to have you here.

There’s something powerful about watching a traditional process transform through technology. When that shift happens at scale, it changes everything people, workflow, and the entire direction of a company.

Welcome to the Amplified Business Show - where technology meets real-world solutions. This is the space for anyone looking to work smarter, communicate better, and build stronger operations through AV and tech-enabled systems.

Episode Highlights

In this episode, Bridgette Ferrero, CEO of iCopy Legal, shares how a once paper-heavy records retrieval service evolved into a tech-driven operation serving clients nationwide. From AI-powered summarization to streamlined onboarding and remote team culture, Bridgette walks through the systems, tools, and strategic decisions that shaped their growth. She also opens up about the challenges of scaling, staying focused, and preparing for the next wave of innovation.

Episode Outline

• The shift from a paper-based workflow to a scalable, tech-enabled platform.
• How AI is transforming transcription, summarization, and document management.
• The behind-the-scenes workflow of retrieving complex records.
• Building and sustaining a remote workforce across multiple states.
• Tools that keep the team connected: Loom, Slack, Monday.com, Zoom, Google Workspace.
• The importance of structured onboarding and tech-supported recruiting.
• Managing “shiny object syndrome” with advisors and long-term planning.
• Leveraging events, swag, and personal connection to strengthen team culture.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:05 iCopy Legal's Journey and Evolution

01:40 Records Retrieval Process

03:44 Client Focus and Remote Work Culture

07:40 Technology and Communication Tools

16:32 Onboarding and Training Processes

19:06 Future Technology and Innovation

25:33 Challenges and Strategies for Growth

29:58 Swag and Event Experiences

Call to Action

If this episode sparked an idea or helped you think differently about tech and operations, follow the show and share it with someone who’ll appreciate the insights. Conversations like this help the community grow.

Supporting Information

Connect with Jeff

Website: www.casav.com

Website: www.texascollective.studio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-price-8776b674/

Connect with Bridgette:

Website: https://www.icopylegal.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgette-ferraro-94a7773b/

Thanks for tuning in to another conversation on the Amplified Business Show. More stories, more innovation, and more real-world lessons coming your way soon.

Dr. Troy Hall and Ben Jamin of Cohesion Culture reveal how traditional team building and engagement strategies are failing organizations. They introduce the three strategic elements of cohesion—belonging, value, and commitment—that actually create engaged employees who are helpful without being asked, active in problem solving, and eager to learn and grow. The conversation explores how technology, from AI-powered coaching bots to experiential learning platforms, can either enhance or destroy team culture depending on how it's implemented. Dr. Troy and Ben share how they pivoted their business during the pandemic, developed AI assistants Carl and Sally that know everything about leadership and sales, and created hybrid team-building experiences that make remote workers feel truly included rather than like afterthoughts. They challenge the notion of "work from home" versus "remote work," demonstrate why open offices fail without psychological safety, and explain why spending time on intentional connection before content is the foundation of every high-performing team.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) Why Traditional Team Building Is Wasting Your Budget
• (00:02:42) The 3 Elements That Actually Create High-Performing Teams
• (00:06:57) How They Pivoted From $0 to International Programs in 3 Months
• (00:18:55) AI Coaching Bots That Know Everything About Your Business
• (00:36:41) The Secret Ingredient Most Leaders Miss Before Content
• (00:40:13) Technology That Destroys vs. Enhances Team Culture
• (00:43:34) Why "Work From Home" Is Killing Your Remote Team's Morale
• (00:46:22) The ROI of Getting Technology Right in Your Business
• (00:55:16) How AI Helps You Hire People Who Actually Fit Your Culture
• (01:04:22) The One Thing That Separates Thriving Remote Teams From Failing Ones

Links and Resources:

• Website
• Dr. Troy Hall on LinkedIn
• Website
• Ben-Jamin Toy on LinkedIn
• Communications Advisory Service(CAS) Website
• Jeff Price on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Amplified Business Show? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Jeff sits down with Chaz Wolfe and Jake Isaacs from Gathering the Kings to explore the true power of the mastermind principle and how it applies to both business success and family life. Chaz and Jake share the origin story of their unique mastermind community that launched in January 2022, focusing on helping entrepreneur families win in all areas of life—not just business. They dive deep into why the traditional "7 steps to success" model burns people out, the importance of authentic peer-to-peer relationships, and how vulnerability (not weakness) is essential for high-performing males. The conversation covers everything from teaching kids entrepreneurial thinking to implementing technology in business effectively, the dangers of isolation as an entrepreneur, and why surrounding yourself with the right people is the difference between plugging into power or staying unplugged. Chaz and Jake reveal insights from their family mastermind trips, discuss how Generation Next is shaping young entrepreneurs, and explain why legacy is about knowledge transfer, not just money in the bank. This episode will challenge you to rethink what true success looks like and inspire you to seek genuine community in your entrepreneurial journey.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) - Introduction and Welcome
• (00:03:15) - What is Gathering the Kings? The Mastermind Principle Explained
• (00:07:42) - How Chaz and Jake's Partnership Began
• (00:13:28) - The Burnout of Cookie-Cutter Success Programs
• (00:18:51) - Why Entrepreneur Families Need Real Community
• (00:23:06) - Generation Next: Teaching Kids Entrepreneurial Thinking
• (00:28:19) - Legacy Is Knowledge Transfer, Not Just Money
• (00:32:44) - Technology as a Tool to Amplify Your Message
• (00:37:15) - The Alpha Male Lie: Why Vulnerability Isn't Weakness
• (00:40:02) - Final Thoughts and Where to Find Gathering the Kings

Links and Resources:

• Jake Isaacs on LinkedIn
• Chaz Wolfe on LinkedIn
• Gathering the Kings
• Communications Advisory Service(CAS) Website
• Jeff Price on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Amplified Business Show? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

In this episode, we sit down with Paden Squires, a CPA and CFP who runs Squires Tax Planning, to discuss proactive tax strategies that most business owners overlook. Paden shares the Augusta Rule strategy that 98% of businesses fail to implement, reveals how AI and automation have transformed his client service in just 24 months, and explains why the bar for customer service has dropped so dramatically that simply responding quickly can win you business. We dive into the specific revenue plateaus entrepreneurs face at $1M, $3M, and beyond, what problems emerge at each stage, and how Paden built his firm from zero tax prep experience to serving clients nationwide. If you're an entrepreneur looking to pay less in taxes while growing your net worth, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) - Introduction and Welcome
• (00:01:08) - What Is Tax Planning vs. Tax Preparation?
• (00:02:17) - The Augusta Rule: A $5K+ Tax Strategy 98% Miss
• (00:04:21) - How Technology Transformed Client Service in 24 Months
• (00:07:43) - Building Systems That Never Drop the Ball
• (00:09:49) - Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Business and Clients
• (00:13:14) - Content and Social Media as Trust-Building Tools
• (00:18:36) - Case Studies That Convert: Real Results, Real Stories
• (00:21:11) - Revenue Plateaus: The $1M, $3M, and $20M Challenges
• (00:25:56) - Why Customer Service Collapsed After COVID (And How to Win)
• (00:32:42) - Where to Find Paden and Get Started

Links and Resources:

• Paden Squires on LinkedIn
• Squires Tax Planning
• Behind Their Success Podcast
• Communications Advisory Service(CAS) Website
• Jeff Price on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Amplified Business Show? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Jeff Price sits down with Bryan Hill, a unique professional who brings over a decade of business development experience and 22 years of teaching to the table. Bryan shares his journey from coaching football and teaching biology in Texas schools to building businesses in food service and sustainability. The conversation explores how technology has transformed both education and business, from CRM systems and AI tools to interactive classroom screens and film breakdown software. Bryan reveals his philosophy of being a "go-to guy that contributes to the greater good" and discusses how the principles of coaching—controlling your attitude and effort—apply equally to business success. They dive into the importance of authenticity, active listening, and building genuine relationships in an increasingly digital world, while exploring how AI can be used as a coach rather than a crutch. Bryan also shares insights on helping his son build a pressure washing business and his vision for incorporating purpose-driven education into junior high curriculum.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) - Introduction and Bryan's Dual Domain Background
• (00:04:10) - Learning from Failure and Faith
• (00:06:07) - Technology Challenges in Education
• (00:09:15) - AI as a Learning Tool vs Task Completer
• (00:13:00) - The Evolution of Athletic Film Technology
• (00:16:42) - CRM Systems and Mobile Business
• (00:21:21) - Planning Curriculum with AI
• (00:26:00) - Helping Students Find Their Purpose
• (00:39:46) - Hiring for Natural Ability and Culture Fit
• (00:56:08) - Active Listening in Sales and Education

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Bryan Hill on LinkedIn
• What Makes You Tick Podcast on YouTube
• Communications Advisory Service(CAS) Website
• Jeff Price on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Amplified Business Show? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Jake Isaacs, co-founder of Gathering the Kings, joins us to discuss his journey from fixing underperforming hotels for Marriott and Hilton to building a thriving entrepreneurial mastermind. With over 515 podcast episodes under his belt, Jake shares hard-won insights about the decline of customer service, why the bar is so low in business today, and how genuine human connection remains irreplaceable despite advancing technology. We explore the role of AI in business, the surprising lessons from hospitality, why efficiency can sometimes be your enemy, and why traditional marketing tactics like door knocking may be making a comeback. Jake breaks down the difference between visionaries and integrators, shares stories from the trenches of hotel management, and explains why being curious about people is the ultimate competitive advantage in business.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Jake's Background
• 00:02:00 - Surprises in the Hospitality Industry
• 00:05:00 - Technology That Changed Hotels
• 00:09:00 - The Challenge of Legacy Operating Systems
• 00:12:00 - The Importance of Customer Service Reps
• 00:17:00 - Unreasonable Hospitality and Making Moments Special
• 00:19:00 - AI and the Future of Business
• 00:27:00 - 515 Podcast Episodes: Key Takeaways
• 00:33:00 - Human Connection vs. Technology Post-COVID
• 00:40:00 - Going Back to Basics in Marketing and Sales

Links and Resources:

• Gathering the Kings
• Jake Isaacs on Facebook
• Jake Isaacs on LinkedIn
• Communications Advisory Service(CAS) Website
• Jeff Price on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Amplified Business Show? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Jeff sits down with serial entrepreneur Chaz Wolf to discuss what it really takes to win in business without sacrificing family, health, and faith. Chaz shares his journey from buying his first business at 24 to building a portfolio spanning franchises, real estate, and construction—all while learning to be intentional about the things that matter most. We dive deep into the myth of balance and why Chaz believes true success comes from being obsessed and intentional in ALL areas of life—not just business. He reveals the missing piece most entrepreneurs overlook, why consistency beats perfection, and how to finally reach "reaping season" instead of starting over when things get hard. Whether you're a business owner struggling to find time for family, or someone who wants to build generational wealth while raising entrepreneurial kids, this conversation will challenge your thinking and give you practical frameworks for creating a holistically successful life.

### Chapters:

- 00:00:00 - Introduction and Chaz's Background

- 00:01:00 - The Work of Coaching Business and Family

- 00:03:00 - The Balance Myth: Being All-In Everywhere

- 00:06:00 - 10X Intentionality in Every Area

- 00:09:00 - Defining Your Own Version of Winning

- 00:12:00 - Competition with Your Future Self

- 00:14:00 - The Four-Minute Mile Mindset

- 00:16:00 - The Number One Problem: Stopping What Works

- 00:19:00 - Reaping Season: Pushing Through to the Harvest

- 00:23:00 - Building Skills Over Time

- 00:27:00 - Technology: AI in Construction Estimates

- 00:30:00 - The Power of Paid Advertising

- 00:32:00 - Text vs. Video Ads: What's Working Now

- 00:36:00 - The Podcast as Modern Handshake

- 00:39:00 - Platform Strategy: Where Your Avatar Lives

- 00:41:00 - The Cousin of AI: Automation

- 00:44:00 - Speed to Lead and Customer Experience

- 00:46:00 - Mapping Your Business Process

- 00:49:00 - Getting to the Base Level Requirement

- 00:49:00 - Getting to the Base Level Requirement

• Gathering the Kings
• CAS AV