Episodes

Don't Assume, Ask: The Leadership Conversations That Build Stronger Teams Episode Summary What if one of the most effective ways to retain your best employees takes just 15 minutes? In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Julie Thiel of TTS Company, an HR professional with 30 years of experience, to discuss why strong leadership starts with meaningful conversations. While CPAs and finance professionals spend years developing their technical expertise,...

Your Network Is Human Capital: Why Relationships Matter in Business and Life Episode SummaryTechnical knowledge can open doors, but relationships built on trust can take your career much further. In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with former NFL athlete, entrepreneur, speaker, and business coach Marques Ogden to talk about resilience, relationships, leadership, and the lessons he's learned through both extraordinary success and significant setbacks. ...

Success is something we all strive for—but how often do we stop to ask what that success is costing us? In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Roderick Jefferson, CEO of Roderick Jefferson & Associates, internationally recognized business and transformational speaker, consultant, coach, and two-time bestselling author. After decades of corporate success and surviving two strokes, Roderick brings a powerful perspective to the conversation: professional ...

The Future of Accounting Is Human: Leadership, Purpose and a Profession Worth Getting Excited About Episode Summary The accounting profession is changing quickly—but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with CPA and longtime profession advocate Randy Crabtree to talk about the future of accounting, the importance of people-first leadership, and why today's rapid changes create an opportunity to build a healthier and m...

Your Mind Is Your Greatest Asset: Building Mental Fitness for Peak Performance Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Wayne Basist, founder of ESQ Mental Fitness, to discuss a topic that affects every CPA, attorney, and business professional: mental fitness. After a successful legal career, Wayne experienced firsthand the effects of chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, and ultimately a life-changing accident that transformed his purpose....

Conflict Is Inevitable. Drama Is Optional: How to Resolve Conflict Before It Costs Your Business Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek welcomes Dana Garnett, founder of The Mindful Strategy, to discuss a challenge every professional faces but few are equipped to navigate effectively—conflict. Drawing from her unique career journey from Big Eight public accounting and corporate leadership at Coca-Cola to mediation and conflict resolution coaching, D...

The Influence Gap: How Great CPAs Become Great Communicators Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek welcomes communication and presentation coach Dez Thornton to discuss a skill every accounting professional needs—but few receive formal training on: communicating with confidence. While CPAs excel at analyzing data and solving complex problems, Dez explains that technical expertise alone isn't enough to influence clients, lead teams, or inspire confi...

Why Charging by the Hour May Be Holding Your Firm Back Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Loren Fogelman, business coach and former sports psychologist, to discuss one of the biggest mindset shifts facing accounting professionals today: moving from hourly pricing to value-based pricing. Loren shares how many CPAs and firm owners unintentionally undervalue themselves because they were trained to connect compensation directly to tim...

Cryptocurrency is no longer a niche investment topic — it is becoming a growing reality for taxpayers, businesses, and accounting professionals alike. In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with cryptocurrency tax and accounting specialist Saim Akif to break down the evolving world of crypto reporting, compliance, and blockchain innovation. Saim shares practical insights into why cryptocurrency taxation is far more complex than many realize, especially with...

In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Jasir Jamal, CEO of Longhorn 1031 Exchanges, to discuss one of the most important tax-deferral strategies available to real estate investors: the 1031 exchange. Jasir breaks down the basics of how 1031 exchanges work, why advanced planning is critical, and how investors can defer capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes when transitioning from one investment property to another. The conversation also explor...

Why Your CPA, Financial Advisor, and Estate Attorney Should Be Working Together Episode SummaryIn this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Natalie Picha and Matt Berti of RHP Wealth Management to discuss the importance of building a collaborative financial team that works together to support long-term wealth planning. The conversation explores how financial advisors, CPAs, estate attorneys, and investment professionals can align strategies to better serve ...

Why Hiring the Wrong Bookkeeper Can Cost You More Than You Think Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Lindsay Kline, owner of Great Bookkeepers Wanted, to discuss one of the most overlooked risks for businesses—hiring the wrong bookkeeping support. Lindsay shares her unique journey from learning bookkeeping as a child to building and selling her own bookkeeping firm, and now helping business owners find the right outsourced bookkeep...

In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Allyns Melendez, CEO and Founder of HR Transformed, to talk about one of the most overlooked—but critical—areas of any organization: people. Allyns shares how HR challenges show up everywhere—from employee conversations to leadership frustrations—and why having the right HR support in your “virtual Rolodex” can make a significant difference in how organizations grow and operate. The conversation explores communic...

Delegation vs. Ownership: The Leadership Shift That Builds High-Performing Teams In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Gabrielle Baumeyer, executive coach and founder of Baumeyer Coaching, to discuss leadership development and how organizations build high-performing teams. Gabrielle shares insights from nearly three decades of experience working with leaders and teams across industries. The conversation explores how leadership growth often starts wit...

Podcast: TXCPA Houston – Virtual Rolodex Host: Kristie Ondracek Guest: Michael Ly, Founder of Reconciled Episode TitleSuper Connectors, AI, and the Future of Accounting Firms Episode SummaryIn this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with accounting industry leader Michael Ly, founder of Reconciled, an outsourced accounting provider serving hundreds of small businesses across the United States. Michael shares his perspective on the evolving accounting profes...

In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek welcomes Liz Szporn, Senior Guide at Profit First Professionals, to discuss how accounting professionals can elevate their advisory services and help clients become intentionally profitable. Liz explains the Profit First methodology—originally introduced in the book by Mike Michalowicz—and how it transforms traditional accounting from historical recordkeeping into forward-looking, profit-driven advisory. Together, they explore ...

Host: Kristie Ondracek Guest: Stephen King, Executive Director, Fundraising Accounting Community Episode Title Using Numbers to Tell the Donor Story: How Accounting Can Transform Nonprofits Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek welcomes CPA and entrepreneur Stephen King to discuss his newest venture, the Fundraising Accounting Community—a mission-driven organization focused on helping nonprofits use financial data to tell compelling donor stories...

Host: Kristie Ondracek Guest: Stephen King, CPA Episode Title The CPA Journey: Why Accounting Is About People, Purpose, and Possibility Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek welcomes longtime friend, mentor, and CPA Stephen King for a wide-ranging conversation about the power of the CPA credential, the importance of relationships, and the incredible diversity of opportunities within the accounting profession. Stephen shares his deeply personal j...

Controlling Rising Healthcare Costs: A Smarter Benefits Strategy for Business Owners Episode SummaryIn this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek welcomes Anthony Chandler of Acrisure, a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm specializing in property & casualty and employee benefits. Anthony explains why CPAs are often the first professionals business owners turn to when healthcare costs spiral out of control—and why having the right benefits consultant in you...

From Aviation Dreams to Accounting Leadership: A CPA’s Journey in a Growing Firm Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with fellow CPA Laurian Tollett, Partner at DRDA LLC, to discuss her career journey, leadership role, and the wide range of opportunities available within the accounting profession. Laurian shares how her path began in aviation before she discovered accounting as a profession that offers stability, flexibility, and endles...

Why It’s Never Too Late to Become a CPA: One CPA’s Journey from Tax to Advisory Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with fellow CPA Delilah Durancou to discuss her journey into accounting, her path through tax, and her transition into an advisory role. Delilah shares how she originally came from a finance background, why accounting became the foundation of her career, and how earning the CPA license opened doors she never imagined. Toge...

Episode Summary In this special episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek welcomes Antoinette Mosley, a recent University of Houston–Downtown graduate, new audit associate, and CPA exam candidate. Antoinette shares her inspiring journey from working in customer service during COVID while raising a young child to earning her accounting degree magna cum laude and launching her career in public accounting. She opens up about navigating motherhood, full-time work, CPA exam prepara...

Podcast: TXCPA Houston – Virtual Rolodex Host: Kristie Ondracek Guest: Arthur Forbus, Founder & CEO, Changing the Face of Finance Episode Title From Spreadsheet Chaos to Board-Ready Clarity: How CFOs Can Lead the Future of Finance Episode Summary In this episode of TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek welcomes fellow TXCPA Houston member Arthur Forbus, founder and CEO of Changing the Face of Finance, to discuss how CFOs and finance teams can escape spreadsheet chaos and move tow...

Podcast: TXCPA Houston – Virtual Rolodex Episode Title: From Small-Town Texas to CFO Advisor: Arthur Forbus on Changing the Face of Finance Host: Kristie Ondracek Guest: Arthur Forbus, CPA — Founder & CEO, Changing the Face of Finance Episode Summary In this episode of Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with fellow CPA Arthur Forbus to explore how a small-town Texas upbringing led to a national career in finance, consulting, and corporate performance management. Arthur shares how h...