On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Randy Crabtree about his next chapter after retiring from Tri-Merit, his continued work supporting the accounting profession, and his passion for addressing burnout, mental health, and leadership. They discuss how AI can give accountants more freedom to focus on relationships and meaningful work but only if firms resist the temptation to simply fill newfound efficiency with more work. Randy and Heather also explore vulnerable leadership, curiosity, empathy, and the importance of understanding your strengths and passions to build a more fulfilling career and a stronger profession.

About Randy Crabtree
Randy Crabtree, CPA, is President of The Brainstorm Group and founder and host of The Unique CPA podcast and the Bridging the Gap conference. The Brainstorm Group is Randy Crabtree's speaking and advisory practice. Randy delivers keynotes and workshops at conferences and events across the accounting profession, and works directly with firms to build healthier cultures, prevent burnout, and create workplaces where people can thrive. He also advises companies that serve the accounting profession, helping them understand the industry and connect with the firms they support.

• Learn more about The Brainstorm Group
• Connect with Randy on LinkedIn

Thank you to our show sponsor, Puzzle! The next generation firm, AI-powered human lead. Puzzle replaces manual QuickBooks workflows with AI-driven books built for review, approval, and audit-ready accountability. Learn more at puzzle.io.

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast