Whitley Penn Talks

Hosted by Whitley Penn

Business

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Episodes

179

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Behind every business challenge and opportunity is a conversation worth having. Whitley Penn Talks brings together business leaders, industry professionals, and Whitley Penn advisors to discuss the trends, changes, and ideas impacting people and organizations today. Join us for fireside chat style conversations where guests share their authentic experiences and insights to help with your common paint points, regardless of industry. Subscribe for powerful takes on topics including: Business growth and entrepreneurship Cybersecurity and risk management Personal tax planning and economic trends Legacy planning and wealth management Industry best practices spanning a myriad of industries, from the evolving Energy landscape to the nuanced challenges around Healthcare practice optimization Special micro-series like WP Cares, focused on spotlighting Texas nonprofits, and A Crude Bit of Humor, which brings you the latest trends specifically from the oil & gas sector (along with some witty banter) Whether you're an entrepreneur, philanthropist, executive, Healthcare professional, family office, mineral owner, an individual seeking tax strategy and generational wealth insights or just tuning in to learn, each episode delivers practical insights and real-world perspectives to help you stay informed, think strategically, and make confident decisions. Follow or subscribe to Whitley Penn Talks and stay connected to the conversations driving business forward. DISCLAIMER: This podcast and related materials are designed only to provide general information regarding the subject matter discussed during this podcast. The statutes, authorities, and other laws cited in this podcast are subject to change. This podcast and related materials are not intended to provide tax, accounting, legal, or other professional advice to any specific person or entity. Any advice or opinion regarding the application of the subject matter for a specific person or entity should be provided by a competent professional advisor based on an application of the appropriate law and authorities to the facts and circumstances applicable to that person or entity.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 5, 202626 min

Whitley Penn Talks: How Much Are Operational Inefficiencies Costing Your Healthcare Practice?

Message us! A busy healthcare practice isn't necessarily an efficient one. Patient no-shows, unclear staff responsibilities, ineffective KPIs, revenue cycle issues, and everyday workarounds can create operational and financial challenges that are easy to overlook. In this episode of Whitley Penn Talks, Kendall Neukomm sits down with Brittany Frantzen, Healthcare Advisory Director at Whitley Penn, to discuss how healthcare practices can use data and operational insights to uncover inefficiencies and make more informed decisions. Drawing on her experience as a nurse and healthcare leader, Brittany explains how day-to-day processes can affect providers, support staff, patients, and organizations as a whole. She also shares how examining workflows and processes can help your practice identify opportunities for improvement. For healthcare practice owners and leaders looking to improve their operational efficiency, profitability, and the patient experience, this episode offers a practical look at how seemingly small inefficiencies can add up to larger operational and financial challenges. Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!

October 22, 202621 min

Building a Legacy: How One Family Turned Loss into Purpose

Message us! When Collin Smith passed away, his family faced a choice: allow loss to define their future or create something meaningful that could impact others for generations to come. In this episode of WP Cares, Charles Smith shares the story of his son, Collin, whose passion for welding, community, and finding purpose inspired the creation of the Collin E. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund. Through scholarships, mentorship, and life coaching, the organization helps students pursuing trades education gain not only financial support, but also the encouragement and guidance needed to build successful futures. Charles discusses the importance of helping young people find purpose, the growing value of skilled trades, and why mentorship can be just as impactful as financial assistance. He also shares how faith, family, fitness, and finance serve as the foundation for the program's approach to developing future leaders and trades professionals. Whether you're a parent, educator, mentor, or someone looking to make a difference in your community, this conversation offers powerful insights on resilience, legacy, and the life-changing impact of investing in others. Learn more or apply for a scholarship at https://www.collin-strong.org/ Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!

October 15, 202640 min

Whitley Penn Talks: A Professional Hacker Reveals How Easy It Is to Compromise Businesses

Message us! What if your company’s most dangerous cyber threat isn’t phishing emails, but a man with an official-looking badge walking through the front door? What if your entire bank account is emptied, not by a bot, but by a phone call from a real live human? This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, get ready for one of the most eye-opening episodes we've ever recorded. Buffie Campbell and Kendall Neukomm sit down with Donovan Farrow, Founder and CEO of Alias Cybersecurity, to explore how attackers exploit human behavior to gain access to organizations. Donovan shares real stories from his career, including how a simple badge helped him gain access to secure areas, how he got employees to hand over credentials, MFA codes, and passwords, and how social engineering continues to outperform technical attacks. The conversation also explores AI-powered scams, deepfakes, phishing, invoice fraud, critical infrastructure threats, and the growing cybersecurity risks facing businesses of all sizes. Whether you're in energy, accounting, finance, technology, or business leadership, this episode is a must listen for those looking to keep their information (and companies) safe. Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!

October 8, 202626 min

Whitley Penn Talks: How the Texas Hill Country Is Rebuilding After Tragedy

Message us! Isaac Cline, a 19th‑century Galveston meteorologist, is known for saying, “Texas is a land of eternal drought, interrupted occasionally by biblical floods.” In the summer of 2025 and again in 2026, Cline’s proclamation sadly came true as massive, deadly floods struck Kerr County, Kerrville, Uvalde, and many more towns and counties across the Texas Hill Country. Once the water receded, the long process of rebuilding began. In this episode of WP Cares, Emily Landry sits down with Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, to discuss the ongoing recovery efforts following the devastating 2025 and 2026 floods. Austin shares how the Community Foundation responded in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the long-term work underway to help families rebuild their homes and lives, and the critical role philanthropy plays in strengthening communities during times of crisis. From housing assistance and mental health support to environmental restoration and community resilience, this conversation highlights the impact of generosity and collaboration across Texas. Austin also shares his personal journey into nonprofit leadership, offers practical advice for nonprofit organizations seeking to better communicate their impact, and explains why focusing on results rather than activity is essential for creating lasting change. This episode offers an inspiring look at how people can come together to help their communities heal and move forward. Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!

September 24, 202625 min

Whitley Penn Talks: Preparing Young People for Financial Success

Message us! As young people leave high school behind and move on to the next chapter of their lives, many have a nagging worry in the back of their minds: Nearly 80% of graduating high school seniors report having little or no confidence in their ability to manage money. One Dallas Nonprofit is on a mission to change this. In this episode of WP Cares, Emily Landry sits down with Chris LaTurno, CEO of Junior Achievement of Dallas, to discuss the growing need for financial literacy, career readiness, and workforce development among today's students. Together, they explore why financial education matters, how real-life exposures help students envision future careers, and why mentorship plays a critical role in developing the next generation of professionals and leaders. Whether you're a parent, educator, business leader, or community advocate, this conversation offers valuable insights into how we can help young people build the confidence and skills they need for the future. Learn more about Junior Achievement of Dallas and how you can get involved: jadallas.org Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!

September 10, 202634 min

Whitley Penn Talks: What Landman Doesn't Show You About Oil & Gas Leadership

Message us! In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way many people work. Then, four years later, the TV show Landman changed the way people saw the Oil & Gas industry. From new leadership challenges to phone calls with the New York Times , two women navigate these very real changes from the front lines. In this special episode of A Crude Bit of Humor, they share what they learned. Host Kendall Neukomm sits down with Julie Woodard, President of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), and Jean Hinton, President of the National Association of Division Order Analysts (NADOA), alongside Whitley Penn's Buffie Campbell. Together, they discuss: How leadership has evolved over the course of their careers and since the pandemic How leaders can build strong teams across multiple locations Creating opportunities for the next generation of professionals Do they really encounter as many criminals as Billy Bob Thornton’s character in Landman ? Whether you're an established leader or an emerging professional, this episode offers valuable insights on leadership, collaboration, mentorship, and advocacy from two women leading national organizations. Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!

September 3, 202644 min

Whitley Penn Talks: Will AI Change Oil & Gas Faster Than We Expect?

Message us! What do recent episodes of Friends , lifting 500 pounds in the gym, and barbecue have in common? Artificial Intelligence in the energy industry, believe it or not! In this special episode of A Crude Bit of Humor, Kendall Neukomm and Buffie Campbell are joined by Deren and Dagen Boyd, co-founders of FirmApp, and Lewis Box of Riverbend Energy Group and the National Association of Division Order Analysts (NADOA). They explore where AI is already creating value and where companies are still navigating adoption challenges. Plus: Common misconceptions, the importance of prompting, and practical advice for professionals who want to start using AI effectively today. As part of our NADOA 2026 Institute series, you'll also hear insights into this year's conference (where Dagen will be speaking more on AI), emerging technology trends, and how industry leaders are preparing for the next wave of innovation. Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!

August 27, 202627 min

Whitley Penn Talks: Could Trump Accounts Create a New Generation of Early Investors?

Message us! When it comes to picking an investment account, it can be easy to fall into analysis paralysis. But oftentimes, picking the perfect account doesn’t always determine how successfully you build wealth - starting early can. In this episode of Whitley Penn Talks, Chad Holmes, Senior Manager at WPWealth, explains the new Trump Accounts, how they compare to other savings vehicles like 529 plans and UTMA accounts, and why starting early may be one of the most powerful advantages an investor can have. The conversation also explores the role of compounding growth, financial literacy, and the behavioral benefits of introducing children to investing at a young age. Whether you’re focused on wealth preservation, retirement planning, or building financial confidence across generations, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the future of investing. Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!

August 13, 202631 min

Whitley Penn Talks: What's Your Goal? 5 Signs Your Business is Ready to Scale

Message us! Imagine this: Your company's biggest customer is asking to triple their order size tomorrow. Are you happy, or are you terrified? Does your business have the infrastructure in place to scale at a moment’s notice? In a new episode of Whitley Penn Talks, Whitley Penn Managing Directors Jake Baine (Digital Services) and Brandt Schaars (Deal Advisory) discuss five key indicators of business readiness: Reliable data Operational scalability Documented processes Strategic leadership alignment Willingness to invest in growth before it's required From digital transformation and ERP (enterprise resource planning) implementation to operational readiness, business strategy, and transaction readiness, this conversation explores how companies can use data, technology, processes, and financial insights to achieve their growth goals. The discussion is inspired by our recent "What's Your Goal?" insight, which explores how to determine if your company's systems, reporting, people, and processes can support future growth opportunities. Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!

July 30, 202614 min

Whitley Penn Talks: More Than a Great Idea - 3 Focuses Founders Need to Succeed

Message us! A great idea is often the launch pad for a successful business, but what three things do founders need to help their business really take off? In this new episode of WP Cares, Emily Landry sits down with Bill Chinn , CEO of The DEC Network in Dallas and Fort Worth, to discuss the challenges entrepreneurs face as they launch and grow their businesses. From securing early-stage investment to navigating new technologies like AI, Bill shares why founders often benefit most from strong connections, collaboration, and capital. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, nonprofit professional, or community advocate, this conversation offers insights into what it takes to build sustainable growth and strengthen your local community. Fill out this form to have new episodes sent right to your inbox! Follow Whitley Penn on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X for more industry insights and thought leadership!