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Upleveling
Upleveling is the podcast for entrepreneurs who want to build better leaders, smarter systems, and bigger results. Hosted by Joy Lutz, CPA, each episode dives into mindset, operations, and strategies to help you grow your business.
Episodes
34 episodes
How to Think Bigger, Ask for More, and Lead with Confidence
This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the key themes from a women’s leadership panel Joy recently moderated.We dive into shifting limiting beliefs, navigating imposter syndrome, and learning how to ask for more in your career or bu...
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The Missing Skill for Business Owners
This episode of Upleveling dives into why post-busy-season burnout isn’t a discipline issue but an energy issue. Learn how to manage your energy, recognize business seasons, and build intentional recovery so you can perform at a higher...
How to Use Your Financials to Make Better Decisions
On todays episode we talk about reframing your financials as a powerful decision-making tool. We break down the "Five Dials" of business health—including revenue trends, profit margins, and cash runway—and explain how a 30-minute monthly CEO Re...
The Best Books Every Business Owner Should Read
This episode breaks down some of the most impactful business books for entrepreneurs, organized by where you are in your journey, from leadership and scaling to sales, marketing, and team building. It’s not just about what to read, but when to ...
Stop the Turnover
In this episode of Upleveling, we explore one of the most important yet overlooked drivers of business success: culture. We break down the five C’s of building a culture people want to stay in: core values, communication, cadence, cari...
Growth Comes With Friction
In this episode, we’re talking about the friction that comes with growth and why discomfort is often a sign you’re moving in the right direction. From raising prices and setting boundaries with legacy clients to introducing KPIs for your team a...
Why Community & Mastermind Groups Accelerate Growth
Business ownership can feel lonely, even when things are going well. In this episode, we talk about the power of community and why being part of a mastermind group can bring clarity, accountability, support, and fresh perspective. If you have b...
Mindset Shifts You Need to Make Before Growing
In this episode of Upleveling, Joy sits down with wisdom-led mindset coach Vicki Baird for a powerful conversation on what it truly takes to uplevel, starting from within. They explore the growing pains of leadership, reframing failure, letting...
Your Business Needs an Operating System. Period.
At the start of a new year, Joy shares how structure, not more effort, is often the key to real business growth. In this episode, she breaks down how Aligned CPA uses EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, to create clarity, focus, and acco...
The Bullshit We're Not Taking into 2026
In this episode, we’re calling out the bullsh*t we’re not taking into 2026. From winging our days and doing everything ourselves to tolerating bad clients, weak leadership, and unclear goals. This isn’t about New Year’s resolutions; it’s about ...
The Step Between Problems and Goals
Before you set bigger goals, you need to ask one important question: did last year actually work? In this episode, we explore why reflection is the missing link between recurring business problems and meaningful growth—and how answering three s...
Goal Planning vs. Issues-Based Planning
At the end of every year, business owners rush to set new goals — bigger revenue, better margins, more time back. But most small businesses don’t have a goal problem… they have an issues problem. In this episode, we break down...
From $1M to $2M: How to Double Without Losing Your Mind
Scaling from $1M to $2M requires a total shift in how you lead, manage your time, and run your business. In this episode, we break down the key changes every CEO must make—from tightening focus and building systems to upleveling leadership and ...
Stop Treating Taxes Like a Surprise
Taxes shouldn’t blindside you every April—and if they do, it’s time to fix the process. In this episode of Upleveling, we dive into the mindset shifts and simple strategies that will help you avoid tax surprises, protect your cash flow...
People Framework Part 4
How do you keep your best people? In this episode, we dive into why retention is your real growth engine—and how to build a workplace A-players don’t want to leave. We’ll cover the 5 keys to a great culture, how to create calm, and what top tal...
People Framework Part 3
Great teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built through intentional onboarding, clear expectations, and continuous development. In this episode, we break down how to design a 30/60/90-day plan, instill your company culture, build...
People Framework Part 2
Hiring the right person for the right role isn’t luck—it’s a system. In this week’s episode of Upleveling, we continue our People Framework series by walking you through a proven hiring playbook. From building a written hiring plan to ...
People Framework Part 1
This week we kick off our People Framework series with Part 1: Attracting – How to Get the Right People to Notice You. If you’ve ever said, “I just can’t find good people,” this episode is for you. We break down why great candidates do exist—an...
The Power of Mentorship: In Memory of Teresa Morgan
In this heartfelt episode, Joy honors the legacy of her late mentor, Teresa Morgan—a trailblazing attorney and unapologetic builder of women. Through personal stories, Joy shares how one woman’s encouragement, confidence, and connections ...
Embrace AI - The Tool to Make Business (and Life) Easier
AI isn’t here to replace you, it’s here to make life and business easier. This episode explores simple ways to use AI in everyday life, highlights custom GPTs that save time at Aligned, and shows how to build a team culture of curiosity. Start ...
What Do You Want?
In this episode, we’re talking all about what it means to live and lead with intention. We share how setting clear goals and building intentional habits has shaped our success, both personally and professionally, and how you can apply the same ...
Obsess Over the Activity, Not Just the Goal
Most business owners set ambitious goals. Whether it's scaling revenue, growing a client base, or hitting that next big milestone. But why do so many fall short? In this episode, we dive into a critical mindset shift: moving your focus from the...
5-Minute Bookkeeping Review for Busy Business Owners
Feel like you don’t have time to understand your financials? In this short and practical episode, we break down a 5-minute monthly checklist that every business owner should review when they receive their financial reports. You’ll l...
The CEO's Real Role: Chief Problem Solver
In this episode of Upleveling, we're flipping the script on what it really means to lead. Growth doesn’t eliminate problems, it upgrades them. And the faster you learn to solve those bigger, messier challenges, the faster your business grows.
Time Management Is a Hoax (And What Actually Works)
Is time management really the key to productivity—or just a well-marketed myth?In this episode, Joy breaks down why traditional approaches often fall short and what actually helps you get more done. She covers smarter strategies like tim...