On the Up and Up
Business & Economics Podcasts
We spend almost 100,000 hours of our lives working (probably more like 200,000 for entrepreneurs, let’s be honest). What if work didn’t have to suck? What if it can be fun? On the Up and Up™️ podcast challenges the status quo of the boring workplace, and teaches leaders how to use HR, legal, and ethics to boost the fun factor of your business. Welcome to the show! Every week, we talk about the real reality behind leadership and management. Not the buzzwords and HR appropriate policies, but the good, the bad, and the juicy gossip that comes with the behind-the-scenes of running a business. Come laugh and hang with us every Wednesday while your host, Kira La Forgia (seen in Forbes and Scribd), shoots the (sometimes HR inappropriate) sh*t with badass founders, diverse managers, and kickass employees to help us build cultures that matter. Because your favorite HR lady may have fired your bestie or made you sign a love contract, but we also have all the gossip that will make you better at your job, whether you’re on your way up the corporate ladder, are a fellow HR villain, or are building a culture as a rising entrepreneur. If this resonated with you, join us every Wednesday for your weekly dose of HR fun!
Location:
United States
Description:
We spend almost 100,000 hours of our lives working (probably more like 200,000 for entrepreneurs, let’s be honest). What if work didn’t have to suck? What if it can be fun? On the Up and Up™️ podcast challenges the status quo of the boring workplace, and teaches leaders how to use HR, legal, and ethics to boost the fun factor of your business. Welcome to the show! Every week, we talk about the real reality behind leadership and management. Not the buzzwords and HR appropriate policies, but the good, the bad, and the juicy gossip that comes with the behind-the-scenes of running a business. Come laugh and hang with us every Wednesday while your host, Kira La Forgia (seen in Forbes and Scribd), shoots the (sometimes HR inappropriate) sh*t with badass founders, diverse managers, and kickass employees to help us build cultures that matter. Because your favorite HR lady may have fired your bestie or made you sign a love contract, but we also have all the gossip that will make you better at your job, whether you’re on your way up the corporate ladder, are a fellow HR villain, or are building a culture as a rising entrepreneur. If this resonated with you, join us every Wednesday for your weekly dose of HR fun!
Language:
English
Episodes
Ep. 112 Sunsetting a Core Offer & Saying Goodbye to Set To Scale
9/10/2025
Sometimes the best move in business is pulling the plug on something that’s “working” (ugh lol)
This episode is more personal than usual because I’m opening up about sunsetting our Set to Scale® membership. It’s a decision that didn’t come lightly, but one that brought me more clarity (and relief) than I expected in the chaos of it all.
I’m sharing:
If you’ve ever had to retire an offer, or are staring down a decision you know you need to make, this one will definitely hit home.
Duration:00:44:12
Ep. 111 Hiring your friends...? Listen to this first!
7/16/2025
Let's answer one of the most common (and complicated) leadership questions: Should I hire someone I’m friends with?
Kira shares hard-won lessons from client stories and her own team, breaking down what makes these hires work…or crash and burn. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at what being locked out of Instagram for a month taught her about boundaries, balance, and why your socials aren’t everything.
Key Takeaways:
can
Sign up for our newsletter : https://the-paradigm.com/newsletter
Duration:00:27:18
Ep. 110 Staying Solo & Selling Smart with Copywriter Andrea Shah
7/9/2025
In this episode, I’m joined by copywriter Andrea Shaw for a conversation about messaging that works and feels like you. We’re talking about what drives buyers to say “yes,” how to balance fear-based marketing with real connection, and why your website copy matters just as much (if not more!) than your brand design.
Andrea shares:
About Andrea Shah
Andrea Shah is a conversion copywriter who helps wedding professionals and other creative business owners turn their websites into working sales tools. With a background in brand voice, website strategy, and buyer psychology, Andrea’s specialty is writing copy that feels personal, powerful, and clear. She’s a Diet Coke enthusiast, market research nerd, and firm believer that you don’t have to scale a team to build a successful business.
Find and follow Andrea at andreashah.com and on Instagram & Threads at @andreashahcopy.
Duration:00:58:10
Ep. 109 The No-BS Guide to Legally Paying Your Employees
5/14/2025
Pay and wages are hands-down one of the most confusing parts of hiring for the leaders we talk to. You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself wondering, why you can’t just cut a $500 check to your assistant at the end of a big project,
This episode gets right to the point to clear the fog and give you a straight answer about the only two legal ways to pay an employee. This one’s short, sweet, and essential if you’re building a team.
You’ll hear:
💰 The only two legal ways to pay employees (and why “project pay” usually isn’t one of them)
⚖️ When a flat rate might actually work and when it’s a compliance disaster
📅 The payroll schedule I recommend to keep things simple, clean, and legal
🧾 How to budget labor costs without accidentally breaking wage laws
LINKS MENTIONED
Contact Paradigm: https://the-paradigm.com/contact
Duration:00:19:55
Ep. 108 Why “Good Culture” Falls Apart Without a Shared Vocabulary
5/7/2025
After coming off an inspiring in-person team retreat, I’m sharing the real markers of success inside a small business. This episode explores the culture-defining power of clearly communicating expectations, especially around one of the most misunderstood (and overused) buzzwords in business: flexibility. If you've ever wondered why your team isn't "getting it" or how to lead with more clarity, tune in to this episode!
We cover:
actually
Listen now and grab your free HR Self-Assessment to make sure your culture is built on solid ground.
LINKS MENTIONED
HR Self Assessment: https://the-paradigm.com/hr-self-assessment
Duration:00:22:19
Ep. 107 How I’m Using AI Without Selling My Soul (or Screwing Over My Clients)
4/23/2025
Let’s talk about how I’m using AI in my business and my personal life to make things easier without losing the heart, ethics, or human-centered focus of my work. I’m sharing the tools I use, the workflows that save me HOURS each week, and some surprising ways AI has helped me make decisions, manage my health, and even stay emotionally regulated.
If you’ve been feeling weird about using AI or wondering how to do it without turning into a walking ChatGPT regurgitator...
Tune in for:
and
Links Mentioned:
https://the-paradigm.com/how-not-to-get-suedhttps://the-paradigm.com/hr-self-assessmenthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-106-how-to-grow-without-losing-yourself-with-sam/id1661939979?i=1000703739144
Duration:00:30:20
Ep. 106 How to Grow Without Losing Yourself with Sam Vander Wielen
4/16/2025
What if your business was the least interesting thing about you? In this episode, Kira sits down with legal educator and author Sam Vander Wielen to talk about building a life-first business…one that can weather anything, from grief to burnout to the chaos of online entrepreneurship. They cover everything from crisis-proofing your systems to writing a book deal-worthy proposal and ignoring the internet gurus. Whether you're scaling or just starting out, this is your reminder that simpler can be smarter.
In this episode, you'll hear:
When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy
Links Mentioned
https://www.samvanderwielen.com/book/https://www.samvanderwielen.com/the-ultimate-bundle/https://www.samvanderwielen.com/podcast/ @samvanderwielen
Duration:00:52:52
Ep. 105: Business Is Weird Right Now. Here’s What I’m Doing About It.
4/2/2025
We made it to Q2, but not without some bruises. In this solo episode, Kira shares her raw, honest take on what Q1 of 2025 taught her as a founder, leader, and business owner navigating through uncertainty (and yes, a two-star review). From finding stability in chaos to staying agile in how we serve, this episode is full of hard-earned lessons and powerful reminders for anyone leading a team right now.
Whether you’re riding high or barely hanging on, this one’s for you.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
doesn’tdon’t
Listen now to hear Kira’s hot takes, honest confessions, and real talk about leading in today’s landscape.
LINKS MENTIONED
Don’t forget to grab the HR Self-Assessment Tool and DM Kira your score!
The-paradigmHR Self Assessment For Small Businesses
Duration:00:29:57
Ep. 104: Three Silent Mistakes Wedding and Events Pros Make With Their Team
3/26/2025
In this episode, I’m diving into all things HR in the wedding and events world—because let’s be real, planning dreamy days doesn’t mean your backend operations should be a nightmare. We’re talking about some of the most common missteps pros make when it comes to classifying employees, setting up pay structures, and building a team culture that actually works. I’m breaking down the legal stuff in a way that doesn’t make your eyes glaze over—and sharing how to make HR work for your business (not against it).
What You’ll Learn
✨ The HR headaches that are way too common in the wedding and events industry
⚖️ Why getting employee vs. contractor classification right really matters
💸 How your pay structure should support both your business goals and your team
🌿 The kind of culture that helps your team thrive (and keeps you out of legal hot water)
📋 Why HR should feel like support, not red tape
🔍 How an HR self-assessment can shine a light on your blind spots
💬 The power of community and ongoing education in staying ahead of the curve
Whether you’re running a solo operation or managing a growing team, this episode will help you make smarter, more confident decisions about the people side of your business.
Duration:00:15:16
Ep. 103 Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, & the HR Nightmare Of It All
2/5/2025
Come gab with two pop-culture junkies with unhealthy celeb gossip addictions and an alarming depth of knowledge in HR and legal drama as we deep-dive into one of Hollywood’s juiciest legal cases.
Kelli Jones and I are serving up the piping hot tea on the Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni case. We're breaking down the details we can’t stop obsessing over and the surprisingly relatable lessons small business owners can steal from it. Long story short: there’s more to learn here than just who sent the cringiest late-night texts…
About Kelli Jones
Kelli is a lawyer, passive income strategist, and digital entrepreneur with equal parts dreamer and doer. She ditched her 9-7 for her own law firm in 2020 and never looked back. Kelli traded working all the time for a job she hated in a toxic environment to build a brand of her own to help entrepreneurs stop dreading the legal and start taking it seriously.
Duration:00:46:35
Ep. 102 Hiring An Assistant – What I Wish I Knew Sooner!
1/29/2025
This week, I’m diving into my journey towards hiring an assistant (mistakes were made) and how I intentionally created their role to sidestep the pitfalls I’ve fallen into before.
right kind
LINKS MENTIONED:
Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on all the new laws and rollbacks in this new political climate, and how they may impact your small business.
Sign up here: https://the-paradigm.com/newsletter
Duration:00:36:03
Ep. 101: 2024 Recap and Lessons From A Growing HR Agency Founder
1/22/2025
This one is for the entrepreneurs who are ready to get off the roller coaster.
In this episode, Kira reflects on her journey through 2024 and sets the stage for 2025 and how her word of the year for 2024 drove her takeaways from the year, which had more ups and downs than usual.
We discuss:
For information about Fractional HR for your small business, please visit https://www.the-paradigm.com or to connect further with Kira, reach out via instagram at https://www.instagram.com/theparadigmm
Duration:00:36:39
Ep. 100! Politics At Work?! Leading Through Tension With Empathy
12/4/2024
We did it! We’ve hit the big 1-0-0! In what was originally planned to be a celebratory episode, we’re talking about something a little heavier, because we know it's been on a lot of your minds right now. And that is...
How to manage your team’s post-election stress and shaky team dynamics - especially when politics aren’t part of your company culture.
No matter what side of the aisle you sit on, this episode offers actionable advice on setting boundaries, aligning values with culture, and creating environments where tough conversations lead to growth - not tension. We also unpack why avoiding conflict isn’t the answer and how focusing on shared values can serve as a bridge during divisive times.
So click play and celebrate 100 episodes of learning, leading, and leveling up with us! 🎉
LINKS MENTIONED
Discover your people leadership style and unlock your management potential: https://the-paradigm.com/quiz
Learn more about our signature management and leadership training program, People on Purpose: https://the-paradigm.com/people-on-purpose
Duration:00:26:39
Ep. 99: Behind The Veil Of Growing A Wedding Biz w/ Adrienna McDermott
10/23/2024
Kira chats with Adrienna McDermott, founder of Ava and the Bee, about what it takes to build a successful wedding industry business. Adrienna shares about her journey from solopreneur to running a full-blown marketing agency – and the lessons she learned along the way about scaling with intention and why treating your people right is the right way to grow your business.
Whether you're a wedding pro or just someone who loves a good entrepreneurial success story, this episode is full of insights, laughs, and relatable moments.
Links Mentioned
Find Ava & The Bee and all their incredible resources at: https://avaandthebee.com/
Duration:00:48:32
Ep 98: Is Social Media Marketing Worth Your Time? with Emma Tessler of Ninety Five Media
10/16/2024
Ever wondered if social media is actually making a difference in your business, or if it’s just another time suck? 🤔
In today’s episode of On The Up & Up, we answer this question with Emma Tessler, founder of Ninety-Five Media. Emma’s been in the social media game since back when Instagram was all filtered food pics and sepia sunsets (we’ve come so far!). She’s seen firsthand how social has evolved from an afterthought to a make-or-break marketing tool, and she’s here to spill all the tea.
If you’re a small business owner feeling overwhelmed by the ever-changing social media landscape, this episode is your guide. We cover:
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Whether you’re thinking about transitioning from a personal brand to a company presence or figuring out how to streamline your content creation, this episode offers tangible tips, like:
your way
If you want to level up your social game and align your brand for 2025, this episode is packed with strategies you can start using now!
Links Mentioned
Ninety Five Mediahttps://ninetyfivemedia.co/Stop Scrolling Start Scalinghttps://ninetyfivemedia.co/category/podcast/
Duration:00:57:00
Ep. 97: Putting Hours Back On The Clock With Systems Expert Rachael Mueller
10/9/2024
Did you know the average business owner wastes 250 hours a year on tasks that could be automated?
Today’s guest, Rachael Mueller, Fractional COO & Systems Expert, is here to help you reclaim that time. She’s an organization fanatic and aims to make herself obsolete for her clients by setting up sustainable systems, tools, and automations so your business runs smoothly – without needing constant oversight.
PLUS, since this *is* an HR podcast, we talk about how operations experts can stay independent without risking compliance classification issues (think: good contracts, defined scope, solid boundaries). And for the business owners listening, this is your reminder to make sure you’re treating your working relationships with external experts the right way to keep things above board.
Tune in to learn how processes, tools, and automations can make you fall in love with your business again!
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Rachael on IG: @hay.rachael
Rachael’s Website: https://heyrachael.com/
Duration:01:04:03
Ep. 96: A Look Inside Small Business Recruiting with Ashley Mina
10/2/2024
I always tell you to hire based on the role, not just the person you want... but today, I’m eating my words! At least I’m an honest hypocrite 😉
In this episode, I’m excited to introduce you to Ashley Mina, our newest team member at Paradigm. The moment I met Ashley, I knew we had to work together, so I created a whole new department just for her! (I know, do as I say, not as I do!)
Ashley’s here to share her insider insights about recruiting for small businesses. We got into:
Tune in to hear all of Ashley’s insider tips, why she’s such an amazing fit for our team, and how she can help yours!
Links Mentioned:
Episode 82: Are These 5 Biases In Hiring Sabotaging Your Dream Team? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-82-are-these-5-biases-in-hiring-sabotaging-your-dream-team/id1661939979?i=1000661034302
Find Ashley’s online: Your Work Wife Ashley (https://www.yourworkwifeashley.com/)
Follow Ashley IG at @yourworkwifeashley
Interested in our recruiting services? Learn more here! https://the-paradigm.com/recruiting
Duration:01:02:29
Ep. 95: Passing The Baton: How To Develop Leaders On Your Team
9/25/2024
Leadership is one of the biggest responsibilities you’ll take on in your career. But when you nail it, you don’t have to do it all yourself. You can actually hand off some of those people management duties to someone else (hello, delegation!).
As long as you’ve set your future leaders up for success first. That’s what today’s episode is all about: laying the groundwork so you can confidently pass the torch.
We’re giving practice advice about:
✨ What to look for when identifying future leaders
✨ How to keep your company culture intact when someone else steps up
✨ The must-haves before delegating any team management
Tune in now!
Links Mentioned:
If you’re catching this before 9/30/24, you’ve still got time to save $200 and lock in exclusive access to mentorship, coaching, and community inside People On Purpose. This is our signature management and leadership training program, and it won’t be available in this format or price until next year, so don’t miss out!
https://the-paradigm.com/people-on-purpose
Duration:00:19:18
Ep. 94: There’s No Such Thing As a “Born Leader”
9/18/2024
We’ve all been sold a big fat lie: that the ability to lead is something everyone’s born with.
Let’s talk about this is not only untrue, but it’s also kind of dangerous.
Plus, we’re also exploring the real difference between leadership and management. (Yes, they’re not the same thing, even though we tend to use them interchangeably around here.) Let’s clear up the confusion and talk about what it really means to be an effective leader and manager.
Links Mentioned
Take advantage of our special promo pricing for People On Purpose, AND get access to our exclusive community to enhance your learning: https://the-paradigm.com/people-on-purpose
*Expires on 9/30
Duration:00:22:03
Ep. 93: BTS People On Purpose®: The Leadership Program Built for Modern Managers
9/11/2024
It’s here! The fifth edition of People On Purpose®, our signature leadership and management training program, has officially launched – and I want to dive into it.
But don’t worry, this episode isn’t a sales pitch. I’m not here to talk you into POP, but to share the philosophy behind POP and why I built it the way I did. Understanding that philosophy gets to the heart of what real leadership training is all about.
The biggest takeaway? People On Purpose® isn’t for everyone – and that’s by design. It’s built for managers and leaders who align with our core values, which I’ll be unpacking in today’s episode.
Tune in now to find out more!
LINKS MENTIONED:
Join People On Purpose® today: https://the-paradigm.com/people-on-purpose
Read more about the People On Purpose® Philosophy: https://the-paradigm.com/pop-philosophy/
Duration:00:34:39