Journey to an ESOP & Beyond

Jason Miller & Makenzie Wirth

English Business Entrepreneurship Management

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Episodes 260

Avg. Duration 37m

Activity Highly Active

Apple Rating ★ 4.9 (26)

Since Feb 2020

Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Features Guests

Publishing Details

Schedule

Weekly

Format

Episodic

Consistency

89%

Hosting

rss.buzzsprout.com

About This Podcast

ESOPs are gaining traction. In the "Journey to an ESOP & Beyond” podcast, Doeren Mayhew's Jason Miller and Makenzie Wirth explain the ESOP transaction process and address ESOPs from a business owner's perspective. They illuminate the simplicity of ESOPs and debunk common misconceptions that ESOPs are immensely costly and complicated.

“Doeren Mayhew" is the brand name under which Doeren Mayhew Assurance and Doeren Mayhew Advisors, LLC and its subsidiary entities provide professional services. Doeren Mayhew Assurance and Doeren Mayhew Advisors, LLC (and its subsidiary entities) practice as an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations and professional standards. Doeren Mayhew Assurance is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients, and Doeren Mayhew Advisors, LLC and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business consulting services to their clients. Doeren Mayhew Advisors, LLC, DM Payroll Solutions, Doeren Mayhew Capital Advisors and their subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms.

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Recent Episodes

S7E24 EP 24 - 10 Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask Before Planning an Exit

Jun 12, 2026 37m Transcript

Most business owners can name the exit they think they want, but far fewer can clearly explain the problem they are trying to solve. Jason Miller and Makenzie Wirth dig into the 10 powerful questions…

EP23 - Foundations of Transition: Building Leadership Capacity

Jun 05, 2026 46m Transcript

In this Journey to an ESOP and Beyond podcast episode, Jason and Makenzie continue the Foundations of Transition series by exploring the sixth foundation: capacity building. Framed through the lens…

S7E22 EP22 - Interview with Art Smith of DB Engineering

May 29, 2026 45m Transcript

In this podcast episode, Jason and Makenzie interview Art Smith, President of DB Engineering, about the company’s transition to 100% employee ownership. The conversation explores the decision-making…

S7E21 EP21 - What Happens After Closing?

May 22, 2026 40m Transcript

In this episode of Journey to an ESOP and Beyond podcast, Jason and Mackenzie discuss the full lifecycle of an ESOP company. The conversation covers what changes in the first 90 days after an ESOP…

S7E20 EP20 - The Negotiation Process in an ESOP Transaction

May 15, 2026 26m Transcript

In this episode of Journey to an ESOP and Beyond, Makenzie breaks down the negotiation process behind an ESOP transaction. From purchase price and seller note terms to governance, SARs, board…

S7E19 EP19 - Interview with A.W. Farrell

May 08, 2026 46m Transcript

In this episode of the Journey to an ESOP podcast, Jason and Makenzie interview brothers Marc and John Farrell of to discuss their company’s transition to employee ownership and the…

S7E18 EP18 - Foundations of Transition: Strategy into Execution

May 01, 2026 41m Transcript

In this Journey to an ESOP podcast episode, Jason and Makenzie continue the Foundations of Transition series, focusing on the theme of turning strategy into execution, exploring how these elements…

S7E17 EP17 - Interview with Steve Baker on Financial Literacy

Apr 24, 2026 46m Transcript

In this episode, Jason Miller speaks with Steve Baker of The Great Game of Business about the critical role of financial literacy in building successful employee ownership and ESOP cultures. They…

S7E16 EP16 - Financial Literacy and Employee Ownership

Apr 16, 2026 39m Transcript

In recognition of April as Financial Literacy Month, this episode explores a critical question in employee ownership—why financial literacy matters when employees are given ownership but do not fully…

S7E15 EP15 - The Right First Question

Apr 10, 2026 14m Transcript

What’s the right first question when an owner starts exploring an ESOP? It may not be “Can my company do one?” In this episode, we unpack why technical possibility and strategic fit are not the same…

S7E14 EP14 - Foundations of Transition- Communication, Culture & Trust

Apr 03, 2026 37m Transcript

In this episode of the Foundations of Transition series, Jason and Makenzie focus on the theme of Communication, Culture & Trust, exploring how these elements shape the success of an ESOP…

S7E13 EP13 - What Could Go Wrong?

Mar 27, 2026 51m Transcript

This week, Jason and Makenzie cover what could go wrong in an ESOP transaction. From concerns about overpaying for shares to the burden of debt service, unrealistic projections, and the momentum that…

S7E12 EP12 - Step-by-Step Guide to an ESOP Transaction

Mar 20, 2026 45m Transcript

In this episode, Jason and Makenzie walk listeners through the step-by-step process of an ESOP transaction, breaking down what can often feel like a complex and overwhelming journey into a clear,…

S7E11 EP11 - The Job That Gets Harder

Mar 16, 2026 44m Transcript

In this episode, Jason and Makenzie explore what is often one of the most challenging roles in an ESOP transition: frontline management. Immediately after a transition to employee ownership,…

S7E10 EP10 - Foundations of Transition- Strategic Direction

Mar 06, 2026 38m Transcript

In this episode of the Foundations of Transition Series, Jason and Makenzie focus on the theme of Strategic Direction, asking the critical question: What direction are we moving in, and how are we…

S7E9 EP9 - Interview with Steve Thornton and Eric Harris of Monte Sano Research Corporation

Feb 28, 2026 44m Transcript

In this episode, Jason and Makenzie sit down with Steve Thornton and Eric Harris of Monte Sano Research Corporation (MSRC) to discuss the company’s evolution to employee ownership. They reflect on…

S7E8 EP8 - How Every Employee Can Create Enterprise Value in an ESOP

Feb 20, 2026 35m Transcript

In this episode, Makenzie Wirth and Jason Miller explore how any employee, regardless of title or department, can help create enterprise value in an employee-owned company. They break down practical…

S7E7 EP7 - Understanding Equity Beyond Money: Business, ESOPs, and Ownership

Feb 13, 2026 30m Transcript

In this episode, Jason and Makenzie discuss the true meaning of equity, beyond financial payouts. They break down equity in terms of fairness, company ownership, home equity, and long-term value, and…

S7E6 EP6 - Foundations of Transition - Courageous Leadership

Feb 05, 2026 58m Transcript

In this episode, Jason and Makenzie continue “The Foundations of Transition” series by highlighting the courage it takes to transition a company and its leadership. Each workshop-style episode builds…

S7E5 EP5 - The Class You Didn’t Know You were Taking: Navigating Business Transitions

Jan 30, 2026 20m Transcript

In this episode, Jason Miller explores the unsettling feeling of being enrolled in a college class you never signed up for — and suddenly realizing you are expected to know the subject matter. The…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Journey to an ESOP & Beyond have?

Journey to an ESOP & Beyond has published 260 episodes since February 2020, covering topics in Business, Entrepreneurship.

Is Journey to an ESOP & Beyond still active?

Journey to an ESOP & Beyond is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 37m.