Art Of Consulting Podcast

00;00;00;01 - 00;00;31;05 Andy Hey, everybody, today I want to talk about the things we can do and decisions we can make ahead of time before something becomes an issue. Recently, most of us know about the government shutdown that had recently occurred. This is being recorded, November 24th, so of 2025. So anybody who wasn't aware of it in the US, the government had shut down, which was affecting air traffic because the air traffic controllers, some of them were having difficulty getting to work and some of them were being overworked because the government wasn't funded and they weren't getting paid.   00;00;31;05 - 00;00;47;13 Andy So I had to travel during that week. And what happened was I was I knew I would be able to get out of my home airport in Phoenix, of course, if the flight gets delayed. I just got home so it wasn't as big of a deal, but if I was going to my destination, I had to connect to get home.   00;00;47;13 - 00;01;10;21 Andy I couldn't get a direct flight, so I knew already I had to connect

The Art of Consulting Podcast – Episode Transcript Hosts: Andy Fry & Cat Lam Episode Topic: Non-Disclosure Agreements and the Power of Keeping Information Confidential [00:00 – Intro Music] Andy Fry & Cat Lam (together): Welcome to the Art of Consulting Podcast with Andy Fry and Cat Lam. We are seasoned IT consultants, CPAs, and professional-development connoisseurs. Each episode we bring you an inspiring message to help you discover that X-factor as a professional in your field so you can gain the success you know you deserve in your career and in your life. [00:15] Andy Fry: Hey everybody, today I want to talk about non-disclosure agreements and keeping information close to our chest. One of the things that, as a consultant, you've either already signed or you will sign—especially if you're new to consulting—is a non-disclosure agreement, or what's commonly called an NDA. It really is a confidentiality agreement that says you're not going to share information that is not already public with people w

Why We Should Assume Someone Is Always Recording In this solo episode, Andy Fry reflects on how everyday behavior—inside and outside the workplace—shapes our personal brand and professional reputation. Through personal stories and relatable lessons, he reminds listeners that in today's world of smartphones and social media, every action could be on record. Andy shares an eye-opening story about visiting a college track team whose coach insisted her athletes greet everyone politely because "you never know who you're talking to." That lesson sparked a deeper conversation about professionalism, reputation, and emotional control—especially when stress, anger, or frustration threaten to take over.

Power Moves: Inside Energy Innovation and Consulting with Ashton Fox In this episode, Cat sits down with Ashton Fox, President of Onix Energy, to explore how consulting and executive leadership are reshaping the future of energy. With an impressive career spanning renewable energy, natural gas, and electricity supply, Ashton brings a wealth of experience on scaling organizations, transforming business models, and leading companies through high-stakes change. Ashton shares how he helped transform a negative-revenue startup into a $150M powerhouse, scaled solar and renewable operations across new markets, and shifted an energy supplier from 10% to 100% renewables. But beyond the numbers, he dives into what it really takes to be a transformational leader: building trust, managing culture during rapid growth, and creating sustainable strategies that last. Key Insights You’ll Learn Energy Leadership: How Ashton navigated the transition from fossil fuels to renewables while maintaining profitability and growth.

In this episode of the Art of Consulting Podcast, hosts Andy Fry and Cat Lam sit down with Drew Mair, President of Ridgeline Solar, to explore his inspiring journey from Alberta’s oil and gas sector to building one of the most respected solar manpower companies in Western Canada. Drew shares how his early career as an electrician shaped his transition into renewable energy, and the challenges of moving from “one guy in a truck” to running a full-fledged solar construction business. He talks candidly about balancing golden handcuffs with flexibility, the risks of entrepreneurship, and the mindset shift from being self-employed to leading a team. The conversation dives into: Starting Ridgeline Solar – why Drew left the oilfields to build something of his own Golden Handcuffs vs. Flexibility – making the choice to prioritize freedom and family over security Scaling a Business – moving from solopreneur to building teams, hiring operations managers, and creating systems Pipeline Fears – how Drew manages th

Breaking Barriers: Svetlana Winters’ Journey from Russia to CFO in American Oil & Gas In this episode, we sit down with Svetlana Winters, CFO at Alteriver, whose journey from Russia to the executive boardroom of a U.S. oil & gas company is nothing short of inspiring. Svetlana shares how she left a top finance role in Russia to start over in the United States—facing language barriers, cultural challenges, and the uphill climb of rebuilding her career from the ground up. Her story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the strength required to thrive in male-dominated industries. Key Insights You’ll Learn Starting Over with Courage: How Svetlana navigated language and cultural barriers while rebuilding her career in a new country. Leadership in Oil & Gas: The realities of being a woman leader in a highly male-dominated sector—and how she earned respect through expertise and resilience. The CFO’s Role Beyond Numbers: Why financial leadership is about relationships, trust, and proacti

Fractional CFOs: Turning Financial Chaos Into Strategic Wins with Emily Statler In today’s episode, Cat welcomes Emily Statler, a seasoned Fractional CFO and Financial Coach who has spent more than 20 years helping consultants transform financial headaches into strategic victories. Emily shares how fractional CFOs are no longer just for big corporations — consultants, solopreneurs, and small-to-mid-sized firms can all benefit from high-level financial guidance without the burden of a full-time hire. Together, Cat and Emily dive into three key perspectives: For solopreneurs and consultants: How to know when it’s time to bring in financial expertise (hint: when your bank balance is always scraping zero or you’re working nonstop with little to show for it). For growing firms: Why having clean books, cash flow clarity, and an exit strategy early on is critical if you want to scale or eventually sell. For aspiring fractional CFOs: Emily’s own journey from bookkeeper to trusted financial partner, including ho

Andy shares a story of a difficult time in his life where an apparent unassuming event helped move him forward and change his perspective. This began a path a consistent changes for the better. 

In this episode Andy walks through two approaches he's used to achieve goals that take a long time to accomplish. How to breakdown goals into smaller components and how to continue a consistent approach to achievement. 

In this episode Andy discusses that there is typically one project that defines our career, will we continue in consulting, or will will switch careers.  He discusses the signs and when this typically occurs as well as how to approach it. Its also a reminder for more seasoned consultants that this happens to others (and you may have forgotten it happened to you) and it may happen with minor changes in our careers. 

In this episode of The Art of Consulting, Andy Fry explores the transformative concept of the Law of Abundance, challenging the scarcity mindset that often limits our potential. He highlights the universe's boundless resources and emphasizes the need to move beyond beliefs such as "there’s not enough time, money, or opportunities." Through personal stories and actionable strategies, Andy offers guidance on shifting perspectives and embracing abundance as a pathway to success. From identifying how scarcity is used in sales tactics to underscoring the value of creativity and consistent effort, Andy provides practical tools for breaking mental barriers and unlocking hidden opportunities. His message is inspiring yet pragmatic: abundance is real, but achieving it requires belief, intentional action, and the willingness to collaborate. Episode Summary: Understanding the Law of Abundance: The universe provides abundant resources, but scarcity is a mindset that often limits us. Scarcity creates urgency and pr

In this thought-provoking episode of The Art of Consulting podcast, Andy discusses the "50-Minute Focus" technique. Throughout the conversation, he sheds light on critical lessons about identifying productivity pitfalls, the significance of adapting dynamic strategies, and leveraging unconventional approaches to foster successful personal and professional habits. From the transformation of time management techniques to the essential role of prioritizing tasks, Andy offers a treasure trove of insights and practical guidance for consultants seeking to excel in their personal and professional lives. Episode Summary: Introduction and Reflections from 2020 (00:06 - 00:44): The episode begins with a reflection on previous discussions from 2020 and the changes brought on by COVID-19. The Impact of Distractions (00:44 - 01:18): The speaker highlights the constant distraction posed by social media and smartphones, and their effect on productivity. Increased Distractions Over Time (01:18 - 02:00): A discussion

Andy shares his thoughts on how to keep communication on track. 

In this episode Andy discusses steps you can take to deal with and preprare for potential Geo Political events. 

In this compelling episode of The Art of Consulting podcast, Stephanie Forbes brings her expertise to the table, discussing the prevalent and often sophisticated issue of corporate fraud and cybersecurity. Throughout the conversation, we navigate the different ways in which fraud can occur within an organization, the impacts it can have, and the steps that can be taken to prevent it. From harrowing stories of payroll fraud to the intricacies of implementing governance models, Stephanie provides actionable insights to secure the financial and informational assets of companies. Episode Summary: [00:00-01:05] Introduction: Hosts recap previous discussions and introduce today’s focus on how funds may be fraudulently siphoned from organizations. [01:06-02:41] Stephanie Forbes on Payroll Fraud: Forbes shares insights on payroll vulnerabilities and fraud risks. [02:42-03:35] Payroll Fraud Case Study: Example of payroll fraud involving fictitious employees under a single manager. [03:36-05:11] Sophisticated F

In this episode of The Art of Consulting podcast, hosts Andy and Cat reunite for a rare “together episode” discussing the nuances and importance of knowledge transfer in the consulting space. As consultants from various fields, they explore the idea of consulting as a temporary yet impactful role, emphasizing the value of effectively transitioning their knowledge to clients and the critical role of documentation and interpersonal skills in a consultant’s success. Episode Summary: [00:05] Andy and Cat kick off a special co-hosted episode, reflecting on their individual expert interviews and the rarity of their joint episodes these days. [00:38] They talk about their intense collaboration periods in the past, contrasting it with their recent individual projects. [00:46] Core Topic: The transfer of knowledge. They highlight the paradox of good consultants—working themselves out of a job—while maintaining strong client relationships, with clients often returning for help with new challenges. [01:37] They

Welcome to another episode of The Art of Consulting, where we delve deep into the strategies and experiences of seasoned professionals in the consulting sphere. Today's guest is none other than Mark Amtower, the founder and partner of Amtower & Company, a firm specializing in marketing to the government. With a career spanning 39 years, Mark has been at the forefront of acknowledging and leveraging the nuances of marketing within the government contracting world. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 - 00:01: Speaker 1 (Host) opens the episode with a greeting to the audience. 00:15 - 00:22: Speaker 2 introduces Mark Amtower, highlighting his role as the founder of Amtower & Company. 00:23 - 00:25: Mark Amtower expresses his gratitude for being invited to the show. 00:25 - 00:36: The conversation touches upon a previous discussion, and Mark is prompted to share details about his background and focus. 00:38 - 01:27: Mark discusses the beginnings of his company in 1985, his background in literature, and his dive into

In this insightful episode of The Art of Consulting podcast, we're joined by Coach Katie, also known as Katie Weldon, who not only excels as a business mentor and mindset coach but also shines in the real estate world as Katie the Mortgage Lady. With a rich history of bold decisions and transformative life changes, Katie opens up about her journey and the pivotal moments that led her to adopt a life-changing mindset. 00:13 - Introduction: We welcome Coach Katie to the show, discussing her multifaceted career and the courageous choices that have defined her path, from a drastic relocation to powerful personal developments. 00:59 - Life-Altering Decisions: Katie reflects on the significant decisions she's made, including a spontaneous move, medication changes, and notably, her choice to stop drinking—a frequent habit that pervaded her social and professional life. 02:50 - Intuition and Identity: A keynote moment at a Hay House conference triggers Katie's intuition, leading her to a decision that would not only

Join us in a riveting discussion with Stephanie Forbes, a value chain virtuoso with more than two decades of experience overseeing multi-billion dollar projects. Serving as the interim vice chair of Supply Chain Canada, Alberta Institute, she is frequently sought out for her wealth of knowledge in the supply chain realm. In this episode, Stephanie delves into the complexities of procurement fraud, elucidating its various forms and imparting crucial strategies for preventing such deceptive practices within organizations. 00:13 - Introduction: Kat introduces Stephanie Forbes, an esteemed value chain expert renowned for her contributions to the field and her tenure in steering significant projects throughout Canada and the United States. 00:56 - Stephanie's Professional Background: The spotlight is on Stephanie's instrumental role in advancing the Supply Chain Excellence Forum and her collaboration with prominent entities like Shell and Chevron, reflecting her dedication to solving complex issues and building be

Welcome to a new episode of the Art of Consulting podcast, where we engage in deep discussions with some of the most knowledgeable and insightful professionals in the business world. Today, we are privileged to welcome Ms. Stephanie Forbes back to the show. Recognized as a national expert in value chain management, Stephanie brings over two decades of experience managing multi-billion dollar projects throughout Canada and the United States. Currently serving as interim vice chair of Supply Chain Canada, Alberta Institute, Stephanie is frequently sought after for her expertise and is known for her impact on the industry through her roles in leading panels, webinars, and podcasts, and as an international speaker. In this episode, Stephanie enlightens us on the complex and pressing issue of procurement fraud in the supply chain space. She shares her wealth of knowledge on the types of fraud organizations might encounter, the effects of such illegal acts, and the crucial steps necessary to prevent them. Prepare f