Friends with Benefits

Hosted by Sam and Jason Yarborough

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Jun 2026

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Welcome to Friends with Benefits, the business podcast about revenue-generating partnerships. Not "business time" with friends. This podcast is for those looking to build professional relationships that last and add tremendous value to your company and maybe even, you personally. Join hosts Jason and Sam Yarborough, who happen to be married, as they talk with some of the best in the industry. We will be tackling topics like what good partnerships looks like, how relationships can build immense value for your business, and why even though strategy, pipeline, and growth are the goals, it all comes down to relationships. Let’s face it, business is done person-to-person. Discover how personal connections transcend the boundaries of business time. Come hang out with us for inspiring stories, actionable strategies, and valuable insights that will empower you to forge meaningful partnerships in today’s competitive landscape. Because we all know, business time is personal.

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June 9, 2026Episode 2650 min

Using Humor as a Business Superpower with Tim Washer

Send us Fan MailThe callings we answer in life often begin long before we ever find the courage to step out of the boat.This week, we're joined by corporate comedy pioneer and improv expert Tim Washer, Keynote Speaker, Event Emcee, PowerPoint Comedian at Ridiculous Media, for an honest conversation about humor, fear, and what it really takes to build a life true to who you are. After two decades at IBM and Cisco, an unexpected improv class taught by Amy Poehler set Tim on a path toward writing for SNL and Conan, acting with John Oliver, and helping leaders humanize their brands. We explore why feeling unqualified is actually confirmation you're on the right track, and how businesses can build bulletproof customer trust by embracing self-deprecating humor and showing their "knuckleheadness."Our chat also covers Tim’s time pushing creative boundaries,like pitching a $250,000 Cisco router as a Valentine's Day gift, and why walking into discomfort isn't a career risk, but an obligation. If your marketing is feeling a little too beige or your inner critic is keeping you playing safe, pack your sense of humor and tune in.What you’ll learn:How to silence your inner critic, follow the fear, and use discomfort to build actual confidenceWhy revenue leaders should care about humor, and the neuroscience behind how laughter thaws the iceHow to appropriately admit corporate mistakes and lead with empathy rather than an endless pitchJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(03:06) Meet Tim Washer(06:48) Learning from Amy Poehler and writing for Weekend Update (07:57) Childhood wounds and learning to forgive parental pressure (09:22) Hearing a new calling in the wilderness and moving to Texas (11:33) Why self-doubt is confirmation you're on the right path (16:10) Making a funny video about the absurdity of traditional B2B sales (19:15) The neuroscience case for bringing laughter into business (21:26) Pitching a $250,000 Cisco router as a Valentine's Day gift (23:01) Why safe marketing gets lost in corporate metrics (24:02) Strategic vulnerability and using self-deprecating humor to build trust (27:12) How to safely introduce long-form improv to your corporate team (30:35) Finding our playful nature and embracing the discomfort of risk (34:25) Walking through fear, reclaiming faith, and learning to get out of the boatConnect with Tim Washer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwasher/ Check out Tim Washer’s website: http://www.timwasher.com/ Follow Tim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timwasher/ Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com

June 2, 2026Episode 251 hr 0 min

What You Need to Know About Money with Jeff Greenberg

Send us Fan MailThe stories we carry about money often begin long before we earn, spend, save, or invest a dollar.This week, we're joined by Jeff Greenberg, somatic coach, mental health counselor, and former Wall Street macroeconomist, for a deeply honest conversation about money, meaning, and what it really takes to build a life that feels true to who you are. Jeff spent over a decade at JPMorgan and UBS analyzing global financial systems before a personal reckoning in his early 30s led him somewhere no spreadsheet could take him. He shares how a hollowness beneath the success, paired with a global meaning crisis, set him on a path toward somatic coaching, men's groups, death dinners, and ultimately, a new kind of work he calls "Money Is an Inside Job." We explore how childhood money wounds quietly govern our adult decisions, why the thing is never really about the thing, and how couples can have radically more honest conversations about finances when they go beneath the surface.Our chat also covers Jeff's work as an embedded coach at Clay, where he helps employees show up more fully at work and in life, and why he believes rest, retreat, and slowing down aren't luxuries, but a competitive advantage. Whether you're a leader wrestling with burnout, a couple navigating financial tension, or someone ready to trade the "good enough" life for a more interesting one, Jeff's journey is one you don't want to miss.What you’ll learn:The childhood money stories quietly steering your adult decisions and relationshipsWhat somatic coaching actually is and the difference it makes for leaders under pressureThe real reason couples fight about money and what to do insteadJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(02:18) Meet Jeff Greenberg(04:35) From engineering to economics to Wall Street(05:20) Following the trail of what's next(10:48) The hollowness beneath the success(14:45) The slow pivot away from Wall Street(20:27) Sitting with death to clarify how to live(22:28) A year to live and the relationship with time(24:40) Money is an inside job(29:43) How childhood money wounds steer adult life(33:55) Couples, money, and going below the surface(45:59) Coaching at Clay and bringing your whole self to work(53:59) Rest, retreats, and why slowing down is a competitive advantageConnect with Jeff Greenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdgreenberg/ Check out Jeff Greenberg’s website: https://jeffgreenberg.co/ Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com

May 26, 2026Episode 2456 min

The Art of Connecting and Building in Public with Melissa Moody

Send us Fan MailThe people who build the strongest networks know that real connection starts with showing up fully, and giving others permission to do the same.This week, we're joined by Melissa Moody, founder and CMO at Wednesday Women and self-proclaimed "accidental super connector," for a rich conversation about networking, women in leadership, and the art of building community with intention. Melissa has spent years amplifying incredible leaders and creating spaces where executive women can show up authentically, and she shares how it all started with a simple LinkedIn post, once a week, every Wednesday. We explore how Melissa thinks about increasing your "luck surface area," why sharing your story is a gift to others, and what it really means to build a public presence that feels true to who you are.Our chat also talks about how Melissa balances being a mom, entrepreneur, and marketer while running a global movement from Alaska. Whether you're a connector, a leader, or someone looking to build more meaningful relationships, Melissa's approach to showing up for others, and yourself, is one you don't want to miss.What you’ll learn:How small acts of connection can create ripples that change careers and communitiesWhy sharing your story publicly is a gift, not self-promotion, and how to reframe itWhy building your "luck surface area" through curiosity and presence opens unexpected doorsJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(02:58) The accidental super connector(03:25) Why connecting is in her DNA(05:09) Giving yourself grace and the art of curiosity(07:39) Increasing your luck surface area(08:27) Building an authentic public presence(09:43) Women, self-promotion, and flipping the model(12:05) How Wednesday Women was born(14:23) Helping women build confidence to speak up(20:54) Juggling life as mom, marketer, and yourself(26:04) Running a business from Alaska(30:03) How to build community in a new city(34:26) Communities where you can show up as yourself(43:34) Questions that go beyond small talkConnect with Melissa Moody: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissammoody/ Check out Wednesday Women: https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/ Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com

May 12, 2026Episode 2352 min

Work Questions You'd Never Ask Out Loud with Heather Cooper and Blakely Graham

Send us Fan MailThe best leaders aren't just built in boardrooms, they're built in the moments nobody sees.This week, we're joined by Heather Cooper, former CEO of Cloud Coach, and Blakely Graham, former CEO of TaskRay, now co-hosts of the podcast Not All Business, for a rare, unfiltered conversation about competition, connection, and what it really costs to lead. Heather and Blakely spent over a decade as rival CEOs in the Salesforce ecosystem, building competing companies, never once meeting. Until, a mutual friend changed everything. In this conversation, we explore how their unlikely friendship became the foundation for something bigger, what they both silently carried as leaders, and why the loneliness of the corner office is the topic nobody wants to admit to.We also dig into the realities of building a people-first culture in a world obsessed with top-line numbers, what it looks like to lead with humor and humanity, and how both women redefined success after their exits. From crying in bathrooms between negotiations to bootstrapping profitable companies without a single investor dollar, Heather and Blakely don't hold back. Whether you're a founder, a leader, or someone who's ever felt like they had to have it all together, their honesty, laughter, and hard-won perspective are exactly what you need to hear.What you’ll learn:How true belonging starts with self-acceptance and embracing your full identityWhy community leaders must navigate both connection and conflict to build trustWhy chasing external validation can lead to burnout and inner conflictJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(02:43) Meet Heather Cooper and Blakely Graham(03:51) Rival CEOs who never met(05:47) The meet cute: from competitors to friends(09:20) When competitors become your best allies(11:06) The loneliness no one warned them about(13:32) Hindsight vs. real-time awareness of burnout(18:20) Why leaders should know the human behind the role(20:03) Blakely's philosophy: work should be beautiful(23:27) Bootstrapped, profitable, and proud of it(27:55) Why VC culture kills company heart(33:07) Sex ed for leadership: the sticky situations segment(46:50) What great leaders are truly proud ofConnect with Heather Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathercoopercc/Connect with Blakely Graham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakelygraham/ Check out Not All Business: https://notall.biz/ Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com

April 21, 2026Episode 2257 min

Why Better Communication Starts Before You Speak with Brittany Hart

Send us Fan MailBetter communication starts with understanding how people think, listen, and receive what you say.This week, we’re joined by Brittany Hart, Founder and CEO of Communiscape, for a conversation about what effective communication actually requires. Brittany shares how her work in large scale Salesforce implementations led her to a bigger realization: technology was rarely the issue. Teams were often missing the communication architecture needed to help people understand change, trust leadership, and move forward together.We talk with Brittany about why communication can feel easy with some people and surprisingly hard with others, what shifts when you’re running on a full tank versus an empty one, and why listening is often the part we miss. This one is practical, thoughtful, and a helpful reminder that small changes in how we communicate can have a big impact at work and at home.What you’ll learn:How Brittany’s four communication temperaments help explain the way people speak, process, and receive informationWhy communication changes when you’re operating from a full tank versus an empty oneHow the Five Terrains of Human Connection framework can help leaders create more clarity, trust, and better outcomes across teamsJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(01:21) Meet Brittany Hart(05:02) Brittany’s origin story(07:19) Why communication breaks down(10:14) The four communication temperaments(16:01) Lessons on how to read the room(20:35) Operating on a full tank vs. empty tank(23:52) Becoming multilingual in communication(26:19) How to spot communication styles fast(28:19) What body language is telling you(29:48) Do similar communication styles clash(31:29) “Masking” in organizations and executive communication(36:15) The Five Terrains of Human Connection(40:18) How to deliver hard feedback well(43:04) Daily practices for better communicationConnect with Brittany Hart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyhart/ Check out Communiscape: https://www.communiscape.com/ Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com

April 14, 2026Episode 211 hr 7 min

Why Smart Leaders Freeze Under Pressure with Angus Nelson

Send us Fan MailWe talk a lot about performance, but not nearly enough about what pressure does to the way we think, lead, and show up.This week, we’re joined by Angus Nelson, executive coach and author of Neuro Resilient Leader, for a conversation about what sits underneath pressure and performance. Angus shares why leaders who seem successful on the outside can still be operating from stress, scarcity, and survival mode, and why what looks like a strategy issue is often something deeper.We talk through his C3 framework and what it means to build real stability when everything feels fast and uncertain. Angus also reflects on his own story, and how identity, self trust, and daily inputs can keep us reactive or help us lead from a steadier place. This one will hit home for anyone who has been carrying too much and telling themselves to just push through.What you’ll learn:Why high performers can still get stuck when their nervous system is running the showHow Angus’ C3 framework helps leaders build more clarity, capacity, and composure under pressureWhy changing your inputs, beliefs, and daily practices can change the way you lead and liveJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(03:59) Meet Angus Nelson(07:14) Redefining resilience and what to do with it(10:03) What to do when pressure starts running the show(11:43) Why self-awareness changes everything(14:06) The C3 framework for steadier leadership(18:19) Why hustle can’t build real capacity(20:10) Identity, power, and who you become(26:17) The shift from scarcity to freedom(32:26) Rewriting the inputs that shape you(37:45) The voice that says growth can feel dangerous(44:36) How to calm your body in the moment(50:20) Angus’ story of collapse and rebuilding(55:47) Why so many men choose isolation(01:00:28) Why being more human matters more nowConnect with Angus Nelson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angusnelson/ Check out Angus’ website: https://angusnelson.com/ Check out the Neuro Resilient Leader: https://freebook.vip Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com

April 7, 2026Episode 2058 min

Unlock Peak Performance Through Sleep with Kristen Rainey

Send us Fan MailSleep is essential for high performance and well-being, yet it’s often overlooked.This week, we’re joined by Kristen Rainey, sleep expert and consultant, to discuss how quality rest can transform your health, productivity, and life. Kristen shares her journey from battling burnout to becoming an advocate for the power of sleep, explaining how it’s the foundation for optimal performance in both work and life.In this conversation, we go into the importance of sleep routines, the impact of habits like screen time and alcohol, and how to create an environment conducive to rest. Kristen highlights how many people believe they’re getting good sleep, only to discover they’re missing key components for truly restorative rest. Whether you’re struggling to get quality sleep or want to optimize your rest for better focus and resilience, this episode offers valuable tips to help you achieve a healthier, more productive lifestyle.NOTE: Our conversation on sleep got so intense that the building’s electrical grid decided to take a nap. The lights got cut near the end, but the mics stayed awake to bring you this unintentional ASMR session in the dark. After all, the show must go on!What you’ll learn:How sleep impacts performance, productivity, and overall well-beingKey habits that affect your sleep quality and how to improve themWhy creating a consistent sleep routine is essential for peak performanceJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(04:21) Meet Kristen Rainey(06:18) Kristen’s career running food at Google(07:39) Burnout, the battery metaphor, and hitting the wall(11:25) Why sleep is the missing piece(13:22) Nighttime dos and don’ts for better sleep(15:53) How alcohol and REM sleep affect resilience connection(20:22) What works and doesn’t in sleep tracking technology(25:43) Sleep deprivation as a badge of honor and the cost of “getting by”(30:15) How poor sleep changes what you crave and why(38:02) Morning light, circadian rhythm, and the snooze button problem(40:58) The highest-leverage changes you can make starting tonightConnect with Kristen Rainey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenrainey/ Check out Kristen’s website: https://kristenrainey.com/ Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com

March 31, 2026Episode 1949 min

Transforming Your Brand’s Storytelling for Authentic Engagement with Ademola Adelakun

Send us Fan MailGreat storytelling is at the heart of building authentic connections and trust with your audience.This week, we’re joined by Ademola Adelakun, CEO & Founder of content agency A2 Media, LinkedIn video creator, and magician, to discuss the powerful role storytelling plays in video marketing and brand trust. Ademola shares his journey from creating magic tricks to mastering the art of video content, showing how brands can transform their marketing by telling stories that resonate with viewers on a deeper level.In this conversation, we explore the key principles of compelling video content, the emotional engagement needed to capture attention, and why so much of today’s content feels flat. Ademola explains how brands can move away from generic messaging, how to build trust with your audience, and why making videos that speak directly to people’s experiences is the key to success. Whether you're looking to create more impactful content, foster customer loyalty, or elevate your brand’s storytelling, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you connect with your audience like never before.What you’ll learn:How storytelling in video can transform brand trust and customer loyaltyHow to create videos that speak directly to your audience and build deeper connectionsWhy emotional engagement is crucial for standing out in today’s crowded marketJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(01:57) Meet Ademola Adelakun(03:39) How Snapchat fame led to content careers(06:04) Why magic tricks and brand trust work the same way(09:31) Storytelling is a learned skill and transformation is the key(15:57) Why video is the bridge to trust(17:51) What most brands fundamentally misunderstand about trust(22:03) The tension between enterprise and having fun(25:49) AI-generated content and how it can erode trust(30:42) How a Nigerian upbringing shaped his "ask why" approach(37:22) The real version of success Ademola is chasing(43:31) Advice to his younger selfConnect with Ademola Adelakun: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ademola-adelakun/ Check out A2 Media: https://a2media.ca/ Check out The Connections Course: https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/course/the-connection-course Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com

March 24, 2026Episode 1850 min

Breaking Free from Burnout and Finding Balance with Jenn James

Send us Fan MailThe most successful high performers know that success isn’t just about results, it’s about understanding the mind and body connection. This week, we’re joined by Jenn James, Founder and Chief Growth Expert at Fresh Demand, and an expert in the neuroscience of change, to discuss how to break free from burnout, rewire your brain, and achieve lasting success without sacrificing your health. Jenn shares her journey from corporate burnout to teaching others how to overcome stress and anxiety while maintaining high performance.In this conversation, we dive deep into the neuroscience behind stress, the role of emotional intelligence, and how your thoughts and behaviors create your personal reality. Jenn explains how to recognize the patterns that hold you back, why change is more about rewiring the mind than changing your environment, and how to make conscious choices that support your well-being. Whether you're looking to improve your leadership, break through mental barriers, or simply thrive in high-pressure environments, this episode offers practical tools to help you transform your mindset and live a more balanced life.What you’ll learn:Why high performers often struggle with stress and burnout despite successWhy emotional intelligence and self-awareness are key to lasting personal changeHow to rewire your brain to break free from negative patterns and stress loopsJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(01:51) Meet Jenn James(05:30) The burnout that changed everything(05:58) Discovering the neuroscience of change(10:06) Why stress feels like the price of admission(12:17) Your personality creates your personal reality(14:09) How stress hijacks your brain and body(20:06) We’re addicted to our own stress chemicals(22:24) How to begin to change and define a future self(31:34) Breath, meditation, and rewiring the brain(35:36) How unprocessed stress shapes team cultureConnect with Jenn James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennjjames/ Check out Jenn James’ website: https://jennjames.io/ Check out Fresh Demand: https://freshdemandco.com/ Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com

March 17, 2026Episode 1743 min

Building Teams, Brands, and a Life You Actually Want with Kyle Lacy

Send us Fan MailThe strongest leaders don’t separate performance from people, they know the two rise and fall together.This week, we’re sitting down with our friend Kyle Lacy, CMO at Docebo, to talk about leadership, identity, ambition, and what it takes to build a big career without losing yourself in the process. Kyle has always been someone we admire for how openly he talks about work, family, writing, health, and the tension of trying to hold it all at once. In this conversation, we get into the cost of making work your whole identity, what burnout really looked like for him after a major career high, and how he’s built better rhythms without pretending he doesn’t love to work.We also dig into Kyle’s approach to leadership and why so much of the real work has nothing to do with dashboards or tactics. He shares how he sets expectations with new hires, what it means to build a team culture people can actually feel, and why listening might be the most underrated leadership skill there is. We talk about brand building too, from the golden llamas to creating experiences people remember because they’re thoughtful, creative, and human. What you’ll learn:Why burnout often looks like a slow drift, not one dramatic breaking point How clear expectations, real listening, and visible values help teams trust their leaders Why memorable brands come from creativity, taste, and experiences people actually care aboutJump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(03:43) Meet Kyle Lacy(05:25) Showing up fully online and in life(09:11) Why telling your story builds your career(12:20) How Kyle leads a new team(14:55) The expectations that define his culture(18:32) The burnout that changed everything(24:07) Why leaders have to model balance(26:11) The habits helping Kyle avoid burnout(30:16) Making peace with ambition(32:30) Why creativity still wins in B2B(37:43) The Golden Llama story(39:42) The kind of leader he wants to beConnect with Kyle Lacy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelacy/ Check out Docebo: https://www.docebo.com/ Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ Produced in partnership with Share Your Geniushttps://www.shareyourgenius.com