The Rooted Founder Show

Why CEOs Can't Afford to Stay Offline in 2026 with Paige Velasquez Budde

What if the secret to scaling your business isn't bigger budgets—but strategic influence rooted in authenticity? Staci Gray sits down with Paige Velasquez Budde, CEO of Zilker Media and author of "The Strategic Business Influencer," to explore why servant leaders can no longer afford to stay behind the scenes. With institutional trust at an all-time low and AI disrupting traditional marketing, Paige reveals her research-backed Influence ID framework that helps leaders build trust at scale without compromising their authentic leadership style. This conversation challenges the "I don't want to be online" mindset and shows how strategic business influence becomes the ultimate differentiator in a crowded marketplace. Paige breaks down why your first impression as a leader now happens entirely online, her three-category content strategy, and why relationship-driven content is the secret weapon for CEOs. If you're ready to discover how strategic visibility can accelerate your business results while staying true to your servant leadership values, this episode will transform your approach to influence. CONNECT WITH PAIGE: https://stacigray.com/listen/ [https://stacigray.com/listen/] FREE TRAINING: How I Organize to Scale Businesses in 90-Day Sprints stacigray.com/SCALE [http://stacigray.com/SCALE] Get the FREE GUIDE: 4 Essential Tips for Quickly Organizing Your Business to Scale: https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT [https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT] Join my FREE Weekly Newsletter for Proven Strategies to propel you and your business forward: https://bit.ly/41IiaKY [https://bit.ly/41IiaKY] CHAPTERS 00:00 Building Trust and Relationships in Leadership 02:01 The Importance of Strategic Business Influence 11:17 Understanding the Influence ID Framework 18:10 Navigating the Online Presence as a Leader 25:12 Maximizing Time and Resources in Content Strategy 32:20 The Role of Authenticity in Leadership 38:57 Defining Success and Impact in Leadership 45:47 Clarity and Conviction in Business Leadership

Why Your Anxiety Is Actually Divine GPS Speaking Truth with Adele Tevlin

What if entrepreneurial success isn't about more hustle—but learning when to surrender? Adele Tevlin—entrepreneur and transformational coach—(fun fact: takes entire months off while scaling to seven figures!) shares her journey from spiritually empty high achiever to building from divine assignment, revealing why anxiety signals misalignment and how she integrates masculine drive with feminine surrender. If you're ready to discover what becomes possible when you stop performing for love and start creating from your true nature, this episode will meet you there. CONNECT WITH ADELE: https://stacigray.com/listen/ [https://stacigray.com/listen/] FREE TRAINING: How I Organize to Scale Businesses in 90-Day Sprints stacigray.com/SCALE [http://stacigray.com/SCALE] Get the FREE GUIDE: 4 Essential Tips for Quickly Organizing Your Business to Scale: https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT [https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT] Join my FREE Weekly Newsletter for Proven Strategies to propel you and your business forward: https://bit.ly/41IiaKY [https://bit.ly/41IiaKY] CHAPTERS 00:00 Finding Alignment: The Journey Begins 05:05 The Power of Soul Connection 09:43 Transformation Through Motherhood: The Cocooning Process 14:50 Integrating Masculine and Feminine Energies 19:37 The Path to Healing: Understanding Nervous System Responses 28:31 The High Achiever's Dilemma 29:30 Developing Discernment 32:42 Building Trust and Integrity 35:56 Embracing Rest and Reflection 40:39 Rewiring for Self-Love 44:28 Moving Beyond the Victim Narrative 49:45 Embracing Trust and Faith 53:23 Creating New Possibilities

What Birds Taught Me About True Success with Amanda Bustillos

Ever wonder how lessons from nature can transform the way we build businesses—and live our lives? In this episode of The Rooted Founder, Staci Gray talks with Amanda Bustillos—entrepreneur, nature lover, and family business leader—about the connections between nature, health, and entrepreneurship. Amanda shares how building a family business centered around bird feeding taught her the value of tenacity, resilience, and trust. From navigating health challenges to practicing gratitude and giving grace, her story shows that success is measured by peace, purpose, and positive impact. If you're ready to see business through a lens of connection and grounded growth, this conversation is for you. CONNECT WITH AMANDA: https://stacigray.com/listen/ [https://stacigray.com/listen/] FREE TRAINING: How I Organize to Scale Businesses in 90-Day Sprints stacigray.com/SCALE [http://stacigray.com/SCALE] Get the FREE GUIDE: 4 Essential Tips for Quickly Organizing Your Business to Scale: https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT [https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT] Join my FREE Weekly Newsletter for Proven Strategies to propel you and your business forward: https://bit.ly/41IiaKY [https://bit.ly/41IiaKY] CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Journey to a Family Business 05:56 Tenacity in Business and Health 12:03 Nature as a Healing Force 18:08 Navigating Relationships in Business 23:47 The Power of Gratitude and Love 29:50 Defining Success and Community Impact

The Identity Death that Made Room for the Real You with Carol Elizabeth

Ever feel like you're living someone else's version of your life... but don't know how to find your way back to yourself? In this deeply moving and transformative episode of The Rooted Founder, I sit down with Carol Elizabeth — a fitness professional turned life coach — to explore what it really means to reclaim your identity and step into authentic personal power. If you've ever felt disconnected from your true self, or like life's challenges have knocked you off course, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are — and gently guide you toward the courage to become who you're meant to be. Carol shares profound insights from her own journey of radical transformation, including how a cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for her most authentic life, and why embracing the messy process of growth is where real magic happens. We explore: ✅ How unexpected challenges can become your greatest teachers ✅ The power of taking radical responsibility for your life experience ✅ Why self-acceptance is the foundation of all lasting change ✅ The importance of forgiving your past selves to heal forward ✅ How to trust your internal compass when the world feels chaotic ✅ The difference between success and fulfillment, and why it matters This isn't just about personal growth. It's about coming home to yourself and discovering that your greatest transformation often lies on the other side of your deepest challenges. If you're ready to shed old identities, embrace your authentic self, and find empowerment in your own story — this episode is your invitation to step into the life you're truly meant to live. CONNECT WITH CAROL ELIZABETH: https://stacigray.com/listen/ [https://stacigray.com/listen/] FREE TRAINING: How I Organize to Scale Businesses in 90-Day Sprints stacigray.com/SCALE [http://stacigray.com/SCALE] Get the FREE GUIDE: 4 Essential Tips for Quickly Organizing Your Business to Scale: https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT [https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT] Join my FREE Weekly Newsletter for Proven Strategies to propel you and your business forward: https://bit.ly/41IiaKY [https://bit.ly/41IiaKY] CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Journey of Growth and Transformation 01:34 Identity Death: The Catalyst for Change 04:56 The Gift of Desperation and Courage 12:52 Reorienting to Your Internal Compass 19:10 Finding Joy Amidst Challenges 23:33 Integration of Body, Mind, and Spirit 26:17 Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity 29:34 The Journey of Self-Acceptance 35:17 Forgiveness and Self-Compassion 39:07 Radical Responsibility and Identity Shifts 45:14 The Expedition of Life and Soul Alignment

How to Stop Doing Everything Yourself (and Still Scale) with Joe Casabona

For the solopreneur drowning in day-to-day operations and dreaming of true freedom… Today I'm sitting down with Joe Casabona, a systems and automation coach with 20 years in web development, to unpack his journey from panic attacks to building sustainable business systems that support his family life. Joe's framework mirrors what we teach at Organize To Scale, but from a dad's perspective—and our conversation brings it all together. We cover: ✅ How panic became his catalyst for change ✅ Breaking free from the "do it all yourself" trap ✅ Creating systems that support your family, not compete with it ✅ Redefining success beyond hustle culture If you're tired of choosing between business success and being present for your family, this episode is your wake-up call. CONNECT WITH JOE: https://stacigray.com/listen/ [https://stacigray.com/listen/] FREE TRAINING: How I Organize to Scale Businesses in 90-Day Sprints stacigray.com/SCALE [http://stacigray.com/SCALE] Get the FREE GUIDE: 4 Essential Tips for Quickly Organizing Your Business to Scale: https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT [https://bit.ly/3qZJoyT] Join my FREE Weekly Newsletter for Proven Strategies to propel you and your business forward: https://bit.ly/41IiaKY [https://bit.ly/41IiaKY] CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Importance of integration in Life and Work 02:55 The Journey of a Solopreneur Parent 05:44 Delegation and Automation: Key to Freedom 08:56 Understanding Your Audience: Who Do You Serve? 11:53 Framework for Delegation and Implementation 14:47 Communication and Collaboration with Your VA 18:02 Defining Success Beyond Money 20:53 The Shift in Priorities and Values 23:47 Navigating the Transition to Self-Employment 26:37 The Role of Support in Entrepreneurship 29:58 Creating a Legacy: Being a Good Parent 32:52 Integrating Work and Family Life 35:39 Future Projects and Embracing Change