The Collective Podcast

In this episode of The Collective Cast, host Chris Damron talks with author Inger E. Johnson about the question behind her debut novel: Why write Veiled Halos?Veiled Halos: A Saga of Betrayal and Redemption is a multigenerational historical novel set in Colombia from the 1940s through the 2000s, with ties to Idaho. Three brothers. One family. Land, faith, grievance, and memory passed down as inheritance. Johnson wrote a story in which power rarely announces itself. It disguises itself as love, legality, and care—and some halos are worn, some are lived, and some, in the end, are simply signed.The conversation goes to the source of the book. Johnson discusses what compelled her to tell this particular story, why a family saga with moral weight mattered enough to become her first novel, and how place, history, and the stories families tell in order to survive shaped the work. Listeners hear not only the premise of Veiled Halos, but the reason it had to be written.Veiled Halos is available on Amazon. Learn more about Inger Johnson and her work at yourbookisinthere.com.The Collective Cast is produced by Arizona Business Collective. Together, we grow Arizona—one conversation at a time.

In this episode of The Collective Cast, host Chris Damron talks with first-time novelist Inger E. Johnson about the part of authorship no one romanticizes: the struggle to write the book, edit it, and get it published.Johnson is the author of Veiled Halos and host of Your Book Is In There. She speaks as a new author who had to learn the work in real time—sitting down when the pages would not come, cutting what did not serve the story, surviving the edit, and carrying a manuscript through the last mile to publication.Success, here, is the accomplishment of completion. Not the plot. The process. What it takes for a first-time writer to finish.Veiled Halos is available on Amazon. Learn more about Inger E. Johnson at yourbookisinthere.com.The Collective Cast is produced by Arizona Business Collective. Together, we grow Arizona—one conversation at a time.

Scammers are getting smarter — and more personal. In this month’s Fraudcast on The Collective Cast, host Chris Damron sits down with Justin Teclaw from National Bank of Arizona and Deputy Ron from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office to break down the scams hitting our community right now.From sophisticated phone and bank impersonation schemes to sweetheart (romance) scams that prey on trust and loneliness, this episode delivers clear, practical guidance on how these frauds work, the red flags to watch for, and exactly what to do if you or someone you know becomes a target.Whether you’re protecting your own accounts, looking out for family members, or simply want to stay one step ahead of the latest tactics, this conversation arms you with real local insight from the people on the front lines of fraud prevention in Yavapai County.Stay informed. Stay protected. Listen now.The Collective Cast – Monthly FraudcastArizona Business Collective

What happens when local entrepreneurs decide to build something that actually helps Arizona businesses grow and connect? In this episode of The Collective Cast, hosts Lizzy McNett and Chris Damron sit down with Nicola and James, the founders of Riovie (riovie.com), to explore the story, vision, and real-world impact behind their platform.You’ll hear how Riovie came to life, what problem it aims to solve for local businesses, and how Nicola and James are approaching community, collaboration, and growth in the Arizona marketplace. Whether you’re a business owner looking for better ways to connect, a curious entrepreneur, or simply interested in what’s emerging in our local business landscape, this conversation offers practical insight and genuine inspiration.Tune in for an authentic look at building something new — right here in Arizona.The Collective CastArizona Business Collective

What does it actually look like to run a business day in and day out in the Prescott area?In this episode of The Collective Cast, hosts Lizzy McNett and Chris Damron talk with Devon from Overall Moving and Matt Greenlee of Greenlee Designer Surfaces about the real, unfiltered side of entrepreneurship.They share the daily issues that come with owning and operating a local business — from managing people and operations to navigating growth, handling the unexpected, and building something that lasts. The conversation also touches on hiring and keeping good employees, the role of internships in our community, and the importance of expanding education and pathways into the trades.If you’re a current or aspiring business owner, or simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes of local companies, this episode offers honest insight from two established Prescott-area entrepreneurs.Learn more about our guests:Overall Moving → https://overallmoving.com/Greenlee Designer Surfaces → https://www.greenleedesignersurfaces.com/The Collective CastArizona Business Collective

In this episode of The Collective Cast Podcast, hosts Lizzy McNett (Arizona Business Collective) and Chris Damron (Bridge AZ) welcome Justin Tash, CEO and Founding Partner of BTL Family Law, for a deep dive into what real leadership looks like in small business.They unpack:• How to treat your business like your most important client• Building and implementing GrowthPilot OS as a scalable operating system• The mindset and systems shift required to move from working in the business to working on it• Practical entrepreneurship lessons from scaling a law firm and local Arizona companies• Leading teams, creating discipline, and staying grounded while growingWhether you’re a solopreneur, running a service-based business, or ready to scale, this conversation delivers clear, actionable strategies you can use immediately.Listen now and level up your leadership.Produced by Arizona Business Collective.Connect with Justin: btlfamilylaw.comLearn more about Bridge AZ and Arizona Business Collective.

Buckle up, Quad Cities entrepreneurs — the nerds are back! In this lively episode of The Collective Cast, host Lizzy McNett teams up with Bree Hinkel from the Better Business Bureau and tech/security wizard Niles Benghauser for a spirited, laugh-out-loud conversation about Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and the tools that can actually help (or hurt) your small business.From “Is AI going to take my job or supercharge it?” to practical ways to use AI for content, customer service, and operations — plus real talk on staying safe from scams and cyber threats — this trio keeps it real, relatable, and refreshingly honest. No tech overload, just actionable insights with a healthy dose of humor and Northern Arizona straight talk.You’ll walk away excited to experiment with AI tools that fit your business, smarter about protecting what you’ve built, and inspired to lead with confidence in a rapidly changing digital world.Whether you’re an AI-curious newbie or already dabbling, this episode is packed with “aha!” moments tailored for Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and Dewey-Humboldt business owners who want technology to work for them — not the other way around.

Welcome to Celebrating Independence: Mind, Body & Spirit, a wellness-focused conversation about aging well, staying engaged, and preserving dignity at every stage of life. Hosted by Jen Beyst of Brain Builders Health, this series explores the connection between cognitive health, movement, social connection, and quality of life for older adults and their families.In this episode, Jen is joined by Denice Dunker of OASIS Senior Advisors and Pamela Cregger of Synergy Home Care to discuss what independence really means as we age. Together, they share practical strategies for supporting seniors at home, recognizing early signs that extra help may be needed, and understanding how communities, caregivers, exercise, and cognitive engagement can help people thrive.Listeners will hear about:Ways to preserve independence while providing support.Signs that a loved one may need additional care or resources.The role of movement, social connection, and brain health.How caregivers and families can reduce isolation and stress.Resources for aging in place, assisted living, and memory care.If you’re a family caregiver, senior, or professional supporting older adults, this podcast offers hopeful, practical tools for navigating the aging journey with confidence and compassion.