Unbalanced

Unbalanced

by Candy Bellau, Sam Hallburn, Anchor
Entrepreneurship
Season 2

Money loves you, and it’s waiting for you to love it back with Robina Bennion

What if your money habits started with a promise you made to yourself at 15?In this episode of Unbalanced, Sam Hallburn and Candy Bellau sit down with Robina Bennion. She’s a former public accountant turned CFO-level consultant and behavioral money coach who helps high-achieving professionals unpack the emotional side of money, especially the part we never talk about. Robina opens up about the identity shift of leaving public accounting, the loneliness of entrepreneurship, and the pressure firm owners put on themselves to have all the answers.
S2 · E34
Dec 30, 2025
44:47

The surprising identity shift no one expects when they become a business owner with Jeremiah Velasquez

In this episode of Unbalanced, Sam and Candy talk with nurse practitioner and practice owner Jeremiah Velasquez about the unexpected identity shift that happens when you leave the safety of a W-2 job and build something of your own. Jeremiah opens up about the fear, guilt, lost friendships, and constant self-doubt that come with entrepreneurship, along with the surprising confidence and clarity he’s gained along the way. It’s an honest look at how starting a business doesn’t just change your life, it changes you. Powered by Anchor.
S2 · E33
Dec 16, 2025
35:10

The hidden cost of caring too much as a firm owner with Monica Roca-Quesada

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Unbalanced, Sam and Candy sit down with Monica Roca-Quesada to talk about the emotional toll of running a firm. From sleepless nights and client chaos to burnout, blame, and feeling like you care more about your clients’ businesses than they do, Monica opens up about the hidden pressures no one talks about. They dive into boundaries, advisory struggles, team dynamics, and learning to protect your energy while still loving the work. It’s honest, relatable, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the messiness of firm ownership. Powered by Anchor.
S2 · E32
Dec 9, 2025
40:27

Succession, boundaries & failing on purpose with Barrett Young

Sam and Candy talk with Barrett Young, partner at GWCPAs, about what it really takes to lead an 80-year-old firm into its next generation. Barrett shares how their mandatory partner buyout at 60 keeps succession healthy and partnerships from blowing up, how he and his partner play the visionary–integrator roles, and what he learned after the sudden loss of an employee during tax season. They dig into setting boundaries with clients, dealing with team resistance to change, using failure as an opportunity for experimentation, and why firm owners need to stop treating every idea as if it has to be perfect on day one. Powered by Anchor.
S2 · E31
Dec 2, 2025
45:07

Addiction, fraud, and a second chance at life with Joseph De Gregorio

This might be one of the most raw and emotionally honest conversations we’ve had on Unbalanced. Sam and Candy sit down with Joseph De Gregorio, a former Wall Street trader whose life spiraled into alcoholism, federal crimes, and a complete liver failure that nearly killed him during the height of COVID in NYC.Joseph opens up about how addiction distorts thinking long before fraud appears, the psychological cascade that led to his downfall, and the brutal honesty it took to rebuild his life. Today, he uses his experience to help others facing federal sentencing understand their own patterns and pursue real rehabilitation. This is a powerful, emotional episode about accountability, recovery, and what it means to come back from your darkest moments. Powered by Anchor.
S2 · E30
Nov 25, 2025
41:44

I don’t have to do it all: Stroke, burnout, and bridging the gap with Randy Crabtree

What happens when the identity you’ve built your entire career around stops working for you… and your body finally forces you to listen? In this episode, Sam and Candy sit down with Randy Crabtree, CPA and co-founder of Tri-Merit, to talk about the stroke that changed everything, stepping down as managing partner, and rebuilding a life around what he actually loves.Randy opens up about decades of “I have to do it all” thinking, why it took him years after his stroke to let go of that identity, and how he slowly redesigned his role around speaking, educating, and championing mental health in the profession. He shares the personal story behind his conference, Bridging the Gap, and his mission to connect big and small firms while making real conversations about burnout, change, and humanity non-negotiable. Powered by Anchor.
S2 · E29
Nov 18, 2025
47:20

When justice isn’t worth it with Joe Woodard

Joe Woodard sits down with Candy and Sam to talk about the lesson that changed his leadership: justice is overrated. He breaks down an $80k legal ordeal, why airtight agreements are protection, not punishment, and how attention debt bleeds into family and work. We get candid about hiring friends, losing yourself in the mission, and building a purpose that lasts beyond the job.Joe Woodard is the CEO of Woodard®, a company that empowers accountants and business advisors through education, coaching, resources, and consulting services, with a particular focus on Client Advisory Services (CAS). Woodard equips professionals to modernize their practices, optimize accounting software, and expand their reach. Powered by Anchor.
S2 · E28
Nov 11, 2025
46:18

From sales trainer to social founder: SOPs, boundaries, and the long game with Alyssa Olerud

Sam and Candy sit down with Alyssa Olerud, founder of Fearlyss Media, to talk about what it really takes to build a business from scratch. Alyssa shares how she went from sales trainer to social media strategist, teaching herself everything from forming an LLC to removing malware when there was no IT team to call. She opens up about the learning curve, mindset work, and why SOPs became her secret to staying sane. Together they dig into what’s actually worth tracking in social media, how to handle tough clients, and why playing the long game is the only way to win. Powered by Anchor.
S2 · E27
Nov 4, 2025
45:28

Capacity is power: Redesigning your firm with Chris Picciurro

CPA and tax strategist Christopher Picciurro joins Sam Hallburn and Candy Bellau for a raw talk about building a firm you actually want to run. Chris shares the aha moment that pushed him from volume and chaos to a membership model, why boundaries equal freedom, and how capacity is power when choosing the right clients. We dig into value pricing vs subscription, protecting your team, communicating like a pro, and failing forward without shame. There are Seinfeld references, Doogie Howser jokes, and a candid look at what 22 years of ownership really teaches you. If you’ve ever missed a family milestone for a deadline, felt trapped by the clients you outgrew, or wondered how to pivot without burning it all down, this one hits home. Powered by Anchor.
S2 · E26
Oct 28, 2025
45:05

Stopping the “financial crater”: Outgrowing your advisors and optimizing wealth with Eunecia Peret

On this Unbalanced episode, strategy consultant Eunecia Peret peels back the curtain on why so many successful entrepreneurs still bleed cash without realizing it. She explains her three pillars: tax reduction tied to business decisions, true wealth optimization (not more products), an intentional exit strategy, and why most owners eventually outgrow their CPA/FA status quo. We dig into referral misfires, pushing back on commissions-first thinking, building an elite expert bench, and the mindset shift it takes to stop spinning and scale with confidence. If you’ve ever felt that something’s “off” in your finances but couldn’t name it, this one will hit home. Powered by Anchor.
S2 · E25
Oct 21, 2025
44:50
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