Best Megan Spicer Podcasts (2025)

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#169: How to Do a Business Health Check 25:56

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3d ago25:56

25:56

When was the last time you gave your business a real checkup? In this episode of the Cultivating Business Growth podcast, we’re talking about the importance of a business health check, a structured way to review profitability, cash flow, expenses, pricing, and strategy so you can catch problems early and keep your company on track. Megan Spicer is …

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#168: Growth Strategies for Small Law Firms to Reach Retirement Goals with Darren Wurz 34:43

18d ago34:43

34:43

Are you building a law firm that will truly support your retirement goals? In this episode of Cultivating Business Growth, Katina Peters welcomes Darren Wurz—financial planner, CEPA®, CFP®, MSFP, author of The Lawyer Millionaire, and host of The Lawyer Millionaire podcast—to talk about how to align law firm growth with personal financial independen…

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Siobhan Phillips on Marianne Moore ("Armor's Undermining Modesty") 1:47:12

1M ago1:47:12

1:47:12

"What is more precise than precision? Illusion." I talked with my friend, the scholar Siobhan Phillips, about Marianne Moore's poem "Armor's Undermining Modesty." Siobhan Phillips is a professor of English at Dickinson College, where she teaches courses on American literature of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, food studies, and creative w…

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Megan Quigley on T. S. Eliot ("The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock") 2:06:59

1M ago2:06:59

2:06:59

"Do I dare / Disturb the universe?" I've been waiting to record this episode for a long time: Megan Quigley, my dear friend and colleague, joins the podcast to talk about T. S. Eliot and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Megan Quigley is an associate professor of English at Villanova University, where she is also on the Irish Studies and Gende…

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Daniel Katz on Jack Spicer ("Psychoanalysis: An Elegy") 1:27:03

2M ago1:27:03

1:27:03

How is a poem like a session of psychoanalysis? The scholar Daniel Katz joins the podcast to talk about a fascinating poem that poses that question, Jack Spicer's "Psychoanalysis: An Elegy." Daniel Katz is Professor of English and Comparative Literary Studies at the University of Warwick and is the author of several books and articles on modernism,…

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#167: The Evolution & Future of Willow Virtual CFO 27:05

2M ago27:05

27:05

In this episode, we explore the evolution of our firm from PJS & Co. CPAs to Willow Virtual CFO with co-founders Katina Peters and Jaime Staley. We discuss the motivations behind the rebrand, how we’re addressing the growing need for financial accounting advisory services, and how our fractional CFO offerings support small businesses with clarity a…

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#166: Negotiating with Confidence: Insurance Strategies for Profitable Dental Practices 28:40

2M ago28:40

28:40

Dealing with dental insurance can feel like a never-ending maze—especially when you're unsure whether you're getting the reimbursement you deserve. In this episode, we’re joined by Adriana Steinberg of Apex Reimbursement Specialists to talk about how dental practice owners can take control of their insurance strategy and boost profitability through…

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Lindsay Turner on Alice Notley (Waltzing Matilda: "Dec. 12, 1980") 1:27:43

3M ago1:27:43

1:27:43

The third in our series of conversations about the late Alice Notley. Lindsay Turner returns to the podcast to discuss a selection from Waltzing Matilda, "Dec. 12, 1980." A poet, critic, and translator, Lindsay Turner is the author of the poetry collections The Upstate (University of Chicago Press, 2023) and Songs & Ballads (Prelude Books, 2018). H…

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Joyelle McSweeney on Alice Notley (The Descent of Alette) 1:40:47

3M ago1:40:47

1:40:47

The second in a series of conversations about the poet Alice Notley, who passed away on May 19, 2025. The poet and critic Joyelle McSweeney joins the podcast to talk about selections from Notley's epic The Descent of Alette. (A brief note on audio quality: we listen to three recordings of Notley reading from her book during this episode. The volume…

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Nick Sturm on Alice Notley ("At Night the States") 2:02:59

3M ago2:02:59

2:02:59

After a long break, the podcast returns with an episode on the late Alice Notley, who passed away on May 19, 2025. Nick Sturm joins us to discuss Notley's elegy for her husband Ted Berrigan, "At Night the States." Nick Sturm teaches at Georgia State University in Atlanta. His book on small press print culture, publishing communities, and the New Yo…

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#165: What to Do When Your Business Hits a Financial Plateau 33:01

3M ago33:01

33:01

Hitting a financial plateau can feel like one of the most frustrating points in your business journey—you're working hard, but growth has stalled. In this episode of the Cultivating Business Growth Podcast, we’re diving into why it happens, how to recognize it early, and what you can do to break through. Megan Spicer is joined by Katina Peters, CPA…

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#164: The $1.1 Million Wake-Up Call: Financial Systems Every Dentist Needs 31:29

3M ago31:29

31:29

Fraud can happen to any dental practice—and often does. In this episode of Cultivating Business Growth, we’re joined by Susan Gunn, Certified Fraud Examiner, and a nationally recognized expert in financial systems and ethics for healthcare practices. Susan shares jaw-dropping real-world stories—including a $1.1 million embezzlement case—and provide…

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#163: Building a Business Budget that Actually Works 37:35

4M ago37:35

37:35

Building a Business Budget That Actually Works In Episode 163 of Cultivating Business Growth, we’re diving deep into how to create a business budget that actually works—without making your head spin. Katina Peters, Partner at Willow Virtual CFO, joins us to discuss why budgeting is essential for small businesses and how it can be your most powerful…

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#162: How to Grow a Dental Practice Through Community, Leadership, and Support with Dr. Grace Yum of Mommy Dentists in Business 37:10

4M ago37:10

37:10

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Grace Yum, founder of Mommy Dentists in Business, to explore how building a strong community and embracing leadership can help you grow a dental practice. We discuss mentorship, burnout, profitability, and how collaboration leads to greater success for women in dentistry.…

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#161: Cash Flow Projections Made Simple 25:01

5M ago25:01

25:01

In this episode of the Cultivating Business Growth Podcast, host Megan Spicer is joined by Jaime Staley, Partner and CFO at Willow Virtual CFO, to break down the often-intimidating process of creating and managing cash flow projections. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just trying to get a better handle on your finances, this episode is de…

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#160: Why Construction Businesses Need Industry-Specific Accounting Software with John Meibers of Deltek 41:51

5M ago41:51

41:51

When it comes to accounting for construction businesses, using a generic accounting program can result in more confusion than clarity. In this episode of the Cultivating Business Growth Podcast, host Katina Peters, CPA, CGMA, and Virtual CFO, sits down with John Meibers, Vice President and General Manager of Deltek ComputerEase, to discuss the real…

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#159: What is Cash Flow Management and Why is it Important? 28:55

6M ago28:55

28:55

Today, we’re diving into a fundamental topic for every business owner: what is cash flow management and why is it important? To help us unpack this, we’re thrilled to welcome back our resident cash flow expert, Jaime Staley. Known affectionately as the 'Cash Flow Queen,' Jaime brings her wealth of knowledge to help business owners take control of t…

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#158: Leveraging Personal Financial Management to Enhance Business Success 35:41

6M ago35:41

35:41

We are so excited to welcome Joe Saul-Sehy for episode 158! Joe is a seasoned financial expert with a background as a financial advisor and co-host of the award-winning Stacking Benjamins podcast, where he dives into personal finance topics with a fun and approachable style. Joe’s experience and insight make him a trusted voice for those seeking fi…

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#157: How to Prepare Your Business for a Stress-Free Tax Season 27:33

7M ago27:33

27:33

Tax season is a time of high stress for many business owners. The fear of the unknown, looming deadlines, and last-minute scrambling often create unnecessary anxiety. However, with proper tax planning and organization, you can significantly reduce the stress associated with this time of year. In episode #157 of the Cultivating Business Growthpodcas…

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#156: Leveraging Social Media for Business Growth 34:06

7M ago34:06

34:06

Mari Smith, one of the world's top social media experts and often called the 'Queen of Facebook,' joins us for episode #156. In this exciting episode, Mari gives business owners actionable insights on leveraging social media for business growth.By PJS & Co. CPAs

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#155: A Guide to CFO Outsourcing Services 44:28

8M ago44:28

44:28

Join us for the first episode of the new year, where we discuss signs that you are outgrowing your accountant. Are you ready to grow and take the next step? If so, it may be time to outsource CFO services. As your business grows, so do its financial complexities. Knowing when to expand and invest in additional expertise can make all the difference …

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#154: The Importance of Customer Experience in Business Growth 27:50

9M ago27:50

27:50

Welcome to Episode #154 of the Cultivating Business Growth Podcast, brought to you by PJS & Co. CPAs! In this episode, host Megan Spicer teams up with Kim Nixon, Director of Operations, to explore how prioritizing customer experience can become a pivotal driver for business growth. Together, they discuss the differences between customer service and…

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#153: Lean Marketing Strategies with Sarah Noel Block 27:57

9M ago27:57

27:57

In episode #153, Sarah Noel Block discusses lean marketing for small businesses. She is the founder of Tiny Marketing. She shares ways they can achieve big results. Whether you're running a small marketing team or wearing all the hats yourself, Sarah’s expertise in streamlined, efficient marketing systems offers invaluable insights. If you’ve ever …

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#152: Budgeting for Business Growth - How to Plan and Execute 26:41

10M ago26:41

26:41

In episode #152, Jaime Staley helps us tackle the question: how do we plan and execute a budget for business growth? Considering that the financials are a lifeline for a company, this topic is an important starting point for any business at any stage of its life. If this is your first time taking on a budget for your business and you aren’t sure wh…

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#151: How Organizations Can Thrive & Foster Innovation with Tara May 32:22

10M ago32:22

32:22

Don’t miss episode #151, where Tara May, CEO of Aspiritech, a nonprofit tech services company with 95% autistic employees, joins us to discuss how companies should focus on the ROI of kindness and how organizations can thrive and foster innovation by promoting neurodiversity & psychological safety in the workplace.…

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#150: Smart Growth Goals & Foundation 40:06

11M ago40:06

40:06

Welcome to episode 150 of the Cultivating Business Growth Podcast. Today, we will explore the power of SMART goals and how they can help you build a strong foundation for growth. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or business owner, setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals is critical to turning your vision into rea…

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#149: Strategies for Effective Communication With Your Bookkeeper Tax Preparer with Nancy McClelland 37:01

11M ago37:01

37:01

Welcome to episode #149, where we discuss Strategies for Effective Communication With Your Tax Preparer and bookkeeper. Nancy McClelland, a top client accounting services ProAdvisor, one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting, and the writer of an award-winning blog, The Dancing Accountant, joins us to discuss how small businesses benefit from encouragi…

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#148: The Role of a CFO in Business Growth 45:36

12M ago45:36

45:36

Welcome to episode #148. Today, Partners and VCFOs of PJS & Co. CPAs Jaime Staley and Katina Peters uncover the question, "How can I grow my business?" and how a skilled CFO can be the key to unlocking sustainable growth, steering the financial strategy, and ensuring your business survives and thrives in a competitive market.…

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#147: Helping Business Owners Be Financially Fearless with Dr. Barb Provost and Maggie Nielsen 39:46

1y ago39:46

39:46

Jaime Staley, partner and CFO at PJS & Co. CPAs, Dr. Barb Provost, Founder of Purse Strings LLC, and Maggie Nielsen talk about how to help business owners overcome financial fears in this episode. Barb and Maggie have joined forces to support and empower women to take control of their financial future and make informed choices about managing their …

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#146: Signs It's Time to Hire an Operations Manager 20:35

1y ago20:35

20:35

Welcome to episode #146, where we continue discussing the crucial role of an Operations Manager. In episode #145, we covered the many benefits of having an Operations Manager. In this episode, we will discuss when to hire one for your company. Kim Nixon joined us again to walk us through the hiring procedures for operations managers.…

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#145: The Benefits of Hiring an Operations Manager 24:27

1y ago24:27

24:27

In episode #145, Kim Nixon, Director of Operations at PJS & Co. CPAs talks about why hiring an Operations Manager is important. There are many benefits of filling the operations manager role. In the next two episodes, we will talk about the advantages of hiring a professional. We will also show examples of their work and talk about when you might n…

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144: Managing Personal Finances Part II 32:31

1y ago32:31

32:31

Welcome to part two of our discussion of the dos and don'ts of managing your money. Maintaining a good relationship with your finances and setting realistic goals for yourself is essential for financial success. In episode #143, we explored several dos to assist you in starting and maintaining a sound financial life. Jaime Staley helps us understan…

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#143: Personal Finance Part I 32:08

1y ago32:08

32:08

Join us for part one of our two-part series, which discusses the "do's" and "don'ts" of managing personal finances. Jaime Staley joins us for episode #143 to discuss the "do's" and offer personal finance tips. Finances are an overwhelming topic, and there are so many aspects to understand, from budgeting to credit cards to investing. Learning how t…

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#142: Unlocking Growth - The Importance of Industry Benchmarks 29:20

1+ y ago29:20

29:20

In episode #142 of the Cultivating Growth Podcast, we discuss unlocking growth for your business. Jaime Staley joins us to discuss the importance of industry benchmarks. Industry benchmarks are metrics a company can use to see how it performs compared to other businesses in its industry. This information is crucial in growing your business and achi…

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Huda Fakhreddine on Hiba Abu Nada ("Pull Yourself Together") 1:30:30

1+ y ago1:30:30

1:30:30

What can a poem do in the face of calamity? This was an extraordinary conversation. Huda Fakhreddine joins the podcast to discuss "Pull Yourself Together," a poem that Huda has translated into English and that was written by the Palestinian poet, novelist, and educator Hiba Abu Nada. Hiba was killed by an Israeli airstrike in her home in the Gaza S…

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#141: Accounting Month-End Close Checklist Best Practices 31:08

1+ y ago31:08

31:08

Join us for episode #141 where we discuss the Accounting Month-End Close Checklist. Jamie Staley discusses different techniques and strategies for handling this for various businesses. This analysis is essential in keeping accurate data and making sound financial decisions based on your business' monthly data.…

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#140: Building Trust & Trust Compression with Rick Watson 27:59

1+ y ago27:59

27:59

We talk with Rick Watson in episode #140 of the Cultivating Growth Podcast. Rick is a financial expert, trusted advisor, and the Founder of the National Referral Network. He is also the author of "A Firm Worth Building: Running a Better Professional Business." Rick offers insight on building trust in sales and strategies for building a two-year rel…

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#139: 10 More Strategic Questions for Your CFO - Part II 31:01

1+ y ago31:01

31:01

Join us for episode #139, part two of our "10 Strategic Questions for Your CFO" series. If you haven't already, check out episode #138 for the first five questions. In this episode, we will continue our discussion with Katina Peters about important questions for your CFO. With these five questions, you will feel more informed and at ease, maximizin…

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#138: 10 More Strategic Questions for Your CFO - Part I 26:27

1+ y ago26:27

26:27

Is your business ready for a Chief Financial Officer? Have you started your new financial journey with a professional? If so, check out episode #138 and learn some strategic questions for your CFO when meeting with them for the first time. This two-part series will provide 10 questions that can help in managing your company. Hiring a financial advi…

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Emily Wilson on Sappho ("Ode to Aphrodite") 1:27:15

1+ y ago1:27:15

1:27:15

This is the kind of conversation I dreamed about having when I began this podcast. Emily Wilson joins Close Readings to talk about Sappho's "Ode to Aphrodite," a poet and poem at the root of the lyric tradition in European poetry. You'll hear Emily read the poem in the Ancient Greek and then again in Anne Carson's English translation. We talk about…

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#137: Leadership Finding a Mentor in the Dental Industry with Dr. ArNelle Wright 36:06

1+ y ago36:06

36:06

Dr. ArNelle Wright is a true leader in the dental industry. She is a certified transformation and personal growth coach, general dentist, speaker, and mentor. In this episode, she covers the benefits of having a mentor. She also tackles how leadership classes can enhance your business and team. Additionally, she discusses the key factors for a succ…

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Robert Volpicelli on W. H. Auden ("In Memory of W. B. Yeats") 1:52:26

1+ y ago1:52:26

1:52:26

"Poetry," according to this episode's poem, "makes nothing happen." But as our guest, Robert Volpicelli, makes clear, that poem, W. H. Auden's "In Memory of W. B. Yeats," offers that statement not as diminishment of poetry but instead as a way of valuing it for the right reasons. Robert Volpicelli is an associate professor of English at Randolph-Ma…

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#136: Navigating Payroll Transitions with Your CPA 29:14

1+ y ago29:14

29:14

The thought of switching your company's payroll software can cause some major anxiety. It requires patience, research, communication, and team effort. Payroll is extremely personal for a company. Your team depends on their paychecks. Getting people paid promptly and accurately with no surprises is the goal. If you've been delaying this task or need…

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Margaret Ronda on Walt Whitman ("This Compost") 1:49:36

1+ y ago1:49:36

1:49:36

How does life grow from death? When we taste a fruit, are we, in some sense, ingesting everything the soil contains? Margaret Ronda joins the podcast to discuss a poem that poses these questions in harrowing ways, Walt Whitman's "This Compost." [A note on the recording: from 01:10:11 - 01:12:59, Margaret briefly loses her internet connection and I …

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Michelle A. Taylor on Patricia Lockwood ("The Ode on Grecian Urn") 1:56:45

1+ y ago1:56:45

1:56:45

What is a poem worth? What does beauty do to the person who wants it, or to the person who makes it? Michelle A. Taylor joins the pod to talk about Patricia Lockwood's poem "The Ode on a Grecian Urn," a wild and funny and ultimately quite moving poem (which is also, obviously, a riff on Keats's "Ode on a Grecian Urn"). Michelle A. Taylor is a Postd…

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#135: Construction Business Growth with Ruth King 31:24

1+ y ago31:24

31:24

Ruth King, otherwise known as the “Profit and Wealth Guru,” joins us for this episode. She is passionate about helping small business owners get profitable and stay profitable. Today, we will learn how Ruth helps contractors take their businesses to the next level.By PJS & Co. CPAs

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Sylvie Thode on Tim Dlugos ("The Far West") 1:32:58

1+ y ago1:32:58

1:32:58

How might a poem map the passage from life to death? Sylvie Thode joins the podcast to talk about a fascinating poem by Tim Dlugos, "The Far West." Sylvie is a graduate student in English at UC Berkeley, where she works on poetry and poetics, with particular interest in the poetry of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Though that focus roots her in the 20th cent…

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Marisa Galvez on William IX ("The Song of Nothing") 1:03:44

1+ y ago1:03:44

1:03:44

For the first time in the run of this podcast (though certainly not the last!) today we have a poem in translation. Marisa Galvez joins Close Readings to discuss "The Song of Nothing," a poem by the first attested troubadour, William IX. The poem is something like 900 years old, and Marisa helps us see both its strangeness and the sense in which it…

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#134: How to Find Your Niche in Business 29:30

1+ y ago29:30

29:30

In episode #134 of the podcast, we explore the secret ingredient to business success with Megan, Katina, and Amanda – unraveling the enigmatic concept of finding your niche. This skill is crucial for businesses in a busy market. It impacts their business operations, product marketing, and customer relationship management.…

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Stephanie Burt on Allan Peterson ("I thought all life came from the alphabet") 1:23:01

1+ y ago1:23:01

1:23:01

Very few scholars have as much enthusiasm for poetry as Stephanie Burt, and so it was a delight to have her back for this episode. Steph has been in the news of late for offering a (very popular) course at Harvard on Taylor Swift, and we begin this episode by talking in fascinating ways about the long history of the relation between popular music a…