Season 16 in Review

About this episode

Brian and Walt review the groundbreaking Season 16 of their podcast, discussing key guests and industry insights.

Brian and Walt are back with a (much-anticipated) Season 16 review! In this episode, the hosts reflect on what made this season groundbreaking — from game-changing guests to major milestones for the Payroll Universe brand. In this episode: Word of the season: "Groundbreaking" vs. "Impactful" — and why both fit The biggest surprise: just how many payroll-adjacent businesses are shaping the industry The episode that changed everything: Trent from CotaPay and the death of payroll cutoff times Melissa Walker (Sounder Benefits) and how employers can actually save money on benefits Brian Smith (Top to Bottom Solutions) and the myth that benefits only cost you money Behind the scenes: what goes into prepping each season that listeners never see How the podcast has personally changed both hosts Book updates: It's About Payroll has a new cover and formatting, and Walt's Bruised But Not Broken is a must-read The Certified Payroll Technician (CPT) course launch on iSolved This or That: Hip-Hop Edition 🎤 Resources mentioned: It's About Payroll (book) – digital copy on sale for $2.99 Bruised But Not Broken by Walt CotaPay | Sounder Benefits | Top to Bottom Solutions | Payroll Like a Boss…

People in this episode

Hosts: Brian, Walt

Guests: Trent, Melissa Walker, Brian Smith

Topics covered

• season review
• payroll industry
• guest highlights
• benefits savings
• podcast evolution
• book updates

Keywords

• payroll
• podcast review
• benefits
• CotaPay
• Sounder Benefits
• Top to Bottom Solutions
• Certified Payroll Technician
• season highlights

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CotaPay, Sounder Benefits, Top to Bottom Solutions, Payroll Universe, iSolved, payrolluniverse.com

Books & works: It's About Payroll, Bruised But Not Broken

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• Payroll Like a Boss: The Movement Begins · April 28, 2026 · 55 min
• Why Are So Many Payroll Pros Open to Work? · March 30, 2026 · 36 min
• All Roads Lead to Payroll: 201 Episodes and a Book Later · March 23, 2026 · 47 min