Advertise on podcast: The Early Edge Mentorship Podcast

Conflict is inevitable—but it isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, handled well, it can lead to better decisions, stronger relationships, and better teams. In this episode, Jay and Jeff explore why conflict happens, how unclear roles and different communication styles can create friction, and why going directly to the person is usually better than gossiping, escalating, or avoiding the issue. They also share practical ways to recognize when conflict is a problem to solve—and when it’s simply something to manage.

Jay and Jeff are back for Episode 31 with a long-overdue catch-up. They share what they’ve been up to over the past few months, talk about a client they’re both working with, and reflect on the importance of staying connected with the people in your network. They also look ahead and preview the topic they’ll dig into in the next episode.

Stress shows up in different ways—sometimes as a sudden “holy crap” moment, and other times as the slow buildup of many things hitting at once. In this episode, Jay and Jeff share personal stories from both their work and personal lives, from unexpected news and job changes to real-life moments that instantly shift your perspective. They talk about how to respond in those situations and how to focus on what you can control when everything feels uncertain. They also explore the difference between known stressors and the unknowns that can easily consume our attention if we let them. Whether you’re navigating a single high-pressure moment or a stressful season, this conversation offers practical ways to stay grounded and move forward.

Here’s the perfect starter toolkit for smarter problem solving at work! In this episode, we walk through some of the most useful frameworks we use in consulting—RACI, OVIS, ADKAR, Agile, DMAIC, and Fishbone analysis—and how they help teams clarify ownership, diagnose problems, and drive results. If you’re early in your career and want practical tools to structure problems, lead conversations, and stand out at work, this episode is a great place to start.

Big initiatives require the right pace, the right tools, and the right mindset. Jay and Jeff share thoughts from a recent ski trip to Snowbasin which translate directly to leadership, transformation, and career growth—how to prepare effectively, embrace discomfort, and maintain momentum without putting your team at risk. Many times the only way down is through the moguls!

Why is asking for help so hard sometimes? In this episode, Jay and Jeff unpack the pride, fear, and uncertainty that keep so many of us stuck trying to figure things out alone. From the days of refusing to stop for directions to real-life stories of career pressure, financial mistakes, and emotional breakdowns, they share moments that shaped how they think about this today. You’ll hear why “getting the first word out” can be the hardest part, how passivity and lack of vision hold us back, and why asking for help is actually a sign of strength. Packed with practical advice and real vulnerability, this episode will challenge you to rethink independence and start building a support system that helps you grow faster and live healthier.

As the year winds down, Jay and Jeff walk through their personal year-end habits for reflection and planning. They discuss how to use holiday downtime intentionally—reviewing the past year, setting priorities for the next, and resetting systems that support focus and execution. From journaling and note-taking to goal setting, organization tools, and building a system that actually sticks, this episode offers practical ways to close the year strong and start the next one with direction and momentum.

A key part of effective communication is knowing your audience and making intentional choices to increase your ability to connect and influence. In this episode, Jay and Jeff break down how to prepare, listen for clues, read the room, and adapt your communication in both planned presentations and spontaneous interactions. Packed with practical advice and real stories, this episode will help you communicate with intention and increase your chances of influencing others.

In this episode, we sit down with veteran leader Tom Ujvagi, who shares five common tensions is leadership. From navigating the messy reality that “management is great… except for the people,” to the art of being friendly—but not friends—with your team, Tom offers clear, hard-earned wisdom for leading well. We dig into the importance of delivering on commitments, recognizing failure, and training your replacement. If you want practical tips for your first leadership role , this conversation delivers it.

Jay and Jeff take a candid look at failed leadership, using the recent government shutdown as a relatable example of what happens when leaders stop listening and refuse to work together. They explore why collaboration, compromise, and results-focused thinking aren’t optional—and share real stories of how peers inside businesses can uphold core principles to keep their teams aligned and moving forward.

In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff sit down with manufacturing executive John Ooms to unpack one of the most overlooked career advantages: taking on the roles no one else wants. John shares how the “less desirable” jobs early in his career actually gave him more responsibility, more visibility, and more growth than he expected. While he felt underexposed, he was ultimately overdeveloped—and those experiences built the foundation for every leadership role that followed. This episode is a masterclass in mindset, perseverance, and seeing value in every opportunity—even the ones that don’t look ideal on paper.

Some books entertain. Some books change you. In this episode, Jay and Jeff share a few of the books that had an outsized impact on their leadership, careers, and mindset. From eliminating bottlenecks with The Goal, to getting out of your own way with Leadership and Self-Deception, to building teams the right way with The Ideal Team Player, this episode is packed with practical lessons for young professionals looking for an edge. If you want to grow faster, lead better, and skip a few hard-earned mistakes—you don’t want to miss this one.

Great bosses build relationships, inspire excellence, and shape careers. In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff share stories of the best leaders they’ve worked with and break down the traits which make someone a great boss. They also offer practical steps to help you become the kind of leader people want to follow—and what to do if you’re fortunate enough to already have one. Whether you’re leading today or preparing for that next step, this conversation will help you be mindful of the traits that matter most and recognize great leadership when you see it.

We’ve all had them—the boss who makes work harder than it should be, or worse, they’re downright abusive. In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff dive into what to do when you’re dealing with a bad boss. They unpack the difference between an abusive boss and one who’s simply tough or demanding, and both share personal stories about working for difficult leaders. Together, they explore how to set guardrails for what’s acceptable, how to keep communication open, and why seeking feedback is key to building and maintaining a healthy working relationship—even when leadership isn’t perfect.

In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff revisit a big idea from a recent conversation: how to take a business idea and turn it into a real offering. Fresh from the CPAmerica conference in Napa, California—where they spoke on “future-proofing your firm”—they share insights from the event and why it confirmed that businesses are desperate for guidance in shaping their AI strategy. This episode explores how AI strategy must be rooted in business strategy, not just technology. Jay and Jeff unpack how they’re developing this new offering, what they’re hearing from executive leaders, and why the timing for AI adoption has never been more critical.