Something Extra

In this week's episode, Aaron Sanders, President of TN Yield Co, explains how he transitioned from a successful 16-year career in finance to revitalizing underutilized church properties into vibrant community hubs. He details the implementation of the "friendship bench" model and "intentionally awkward seating" to foster genuine human connections and combat rising rates of isolation. The discussio...

From the edge of despair to a life defined by purpose, Nick Vujicic’s story is one of the most powerful you’ll hear. The internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and founder of Attitude is Altitude shares how faith, gratitude, and perspective reshaped his life, along with five practical steps anyone can use to move through dark seasons. His message is simple but challenging. If you’re n...

Josh Allen explains how he scaled Companion Baking from a local St. Louis startup to a national supplier by remaining agile through industry challenges like the pandemic and shifting dietary trends. He details his commitment to the 1% for the Planet initiative and food insecurity causes, proving that a company's internal soul is just as important as its external success. The conversation offers...

From the high-pressure courts of the US Open to the boardrooms of the Fortune 500, Larry Bonfante, Founder and CEO of CIO Bench Coach, has mastered the art of leading through the "messiness" of human nature. He reveals why technical acumen is never enough to reach the C-suite and how shifting your focus from the "how" to the "why" can secure multi-million dollar investments and deep-rooted team lo...

Explore the powerful story of Brandon Bettis, Director of Client Enrichment at EPIC Holistic Partners, who transitioned from the "Valley of Death" in Afghanistan to a high-stakes career in financial services. Despite reaching the summit of professional success and personal stability, Brandon reveals the hidden struggle of wearing a mask while battling deep internal hopelessness. He shares the pivo...

In this special tribute episode, we honor the life and legacy of Bob Chapman, former CEO and Chairman of Barry-Wehmiller, following his recent passing. Bob shares the defining experiences that shaped his belief that “everybody matters,” from his upbringing in Ferguson to reconnecting with his father. This episode reflects his commitment to building people-first cultures and redefining what leaders...

Award-winning recording artist and songwriter, Rachael Lampa, opens up about the pivotal moment she walked away from a massive music career at age 20 to find her own voice. After years of living on autopilot, she discovered that true identity is not found in metrics or accolades but in the quiet rhythms of serving others through Nashville's homeless community and women's prison ministries. This ep...

Explore the transformative power of "wisdom work" with Betsy Cohen, a Philanthropic Futurist at the consultancy Future Good. After a 33 year career at Nestle Purina and over a decade spent building the St. Louis Mosaic Project, Betsy reveals how leaders can transition from achievement-driven success to a legacy of purpose and community connection. This episode dives into the evolving landscape of...

Discover what happens when a high-achieving Wall Street veteran receives a "seven-figure check" and realizes it doesn't hold the fulfillment he spent decades chasing. Jeff Thomas, Author and Founder/CEO of Arcos Global Advisors, shares his powerful journey of walking away from a billion-dollar book of business to scale a mission-driven firm rooted in biblical wisdom. This episode challenges conven...

Discover how to transform your leadership style from "command and control" to a sophisticated, person-centered approach that thrives in the age of artificial intelligence. Jeremie Kubicek, Co-founder of GiANT and Author of  The Voice-Driven Leader , reveals the secrets to "calling yourself up" every morning and navigating the complex dynamics of team personality. This episode dives...

In this episode, Eileen Spinner, Licensed Professional Counselor, Author, and Public Speaker, reveals how capturing a person’s story can become a profound tool for healing and reconciliation. Eileen details her work with the Lumina program, creating tangible legacy pieces that ensure a person's light continues to shine for future generations. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that eve...

Discover how a tech entrepreneur turned her basement startup into one of the most successful IPOs in history and eventually managed a $3 billion budget as a cabinet secretary. Caren Merrick, Tech Founder, Private Equity Advisor, and Author, discusses the "Power of Insight" and why cultivating clarity is the essential discipline every modern leader must master to avoid the traps of bureaucracy and...

Paul Hood, CPA, Personal Financial Specialist, and CEO of PaulHood, joins the show to share a raw and transformative journey from "the wrong side of the tracks" to the helm of the nation’s largest single-owner CPA firm. He opens up about the grit required to break generational cycles of addiction and incarceration, and the humbling moment a Christian counselor challenged his entitlement, ultimatel...

Discover how to navigate the "valleys" of life with Steve Sewell, a renowned Author, Speaker, and Grief Specialist who has dedicated his life to walking alongside others through crisis. Steve shares profound insights on why naming your grief is the first step toward healing and how leaders can banish management burnout by learning to "go to work, but live at home". This episode offers a unique per...

Discover how childhood magic shows and a gas station job laid the foundation for a legendary career in customer service and experience. This episode features Shep Hyken, the Chief Amazement Officer at Shepard Presentations, as he breaks down the "I’ll Be Back" philosophy and the distinction between repeat business and true brand loyalty. Gain actionable insights on operationalizing feedback,...

Discover how a former criminology major and aspiring actor transitioned from a curious subcontractor to a powerhouse executive in the tech industry. Michael Smith, Partner at Fortium Partners, shares his "business-first" philosophy on IT, explaining why technology is most powerful when it is used to create a competitive advantage rather than just being a set of widgets. He dives deep int...

Join us for a special highlight reel in this episode of Something Extra. We’ve handpicked standout moments and compelling insights from our incredible guests throughout 2025. Reflect on the stories that inspired us, the lessons that shaped us, and the wisdom that continues to light the way forward. Let their advice and vision pave the way for your journey into what we hope will be your most impact...

Join us for a special highlight reel in this episode of Something Extra. We’ve handpicked standout moments and compelling insights from our incredible guests throughout 2025. Reflect on the stories that inspired us, the lessons that shaped us, and the wisdom that continues to light the way forward. Let their advice and vision pave the way for your journey into what we hope will be your most impact...

In this dynamic episode, Bennetta Raby, also known as Coach Bee, shares her powerful, decades-long journey as a transformation expert, starting from restoring her grandmother's furniture to orchestrating global strategic alignment for Fortune 500 companies. She reveals the deeply personal crisis of fulfillment that led her to discover her true calling. Hear Coach Bee unpack the "legions of things"...

This episode features Eric Stone, founder and CEO of Clear Path Ventures, discussing how to build a high-performance workplace culture based on his experience leading a highly successful region at Enterprise. He emphasizes the non-negotiable commitments developed through a peer-nominated "think tank," the importance of continuous training, and his five factors of engagement: relationships, communi...

Discover the extraordinary journey of Jonathan Shroyer, Co-founder of Quimbi AI. This episode explores how growing up in a massive family taught him the importance of influence over command, which he later applied in his career by intentionally mastering emotional intelligence. Learn his powerful strategy for creating "bi-directional value" for customers and talent, his belief that data...

CFO of Brinkmann Constructors, Sam Cook, shares the remarkable journey that propelled her from a small, humble border town in Mexico to a leader in the US construction industry. Discover how her upbringing sparked a relentless curiosity and a drive to constantly seek the next level, leading her to start college at 16, and transition from architecture to high-stakes finance. Gain insights into her...

In this unforgettable episode, world traveler, author, and speaker Sam Goodwin explores the power of perseverance, faith, and family through gripping stories of adversity and triumph. Sam shares how competitive sports shaped his mindset, recounts his harrowing experience of 63 days in a Syrian prison, and reveals the miraculous series of events that led to his release - thanks to the unw...

What does it take to lead one of the most elite, high-stakes teams in the world? Retired U.S. Naval Officer and three-time Blue Angels Flight Leader, Captain Greg "Boss" Wooldridge, reveals the mindset required to lead pilots who fly inches from disaster. Discover how the Blue Angels harness the power of vulnerability and fearless feedback using a structured debriefing process to build radica...

Dive into a masterclass on global leadership with Suda Suvarna, Retired Global Chief Digital Solutions Officer at Deloitte. He shares his remarkable journey from growing up in India to leading massive international teams and navigating some of the most complex business transformations in the world. Discover his foundational principles for inspiring trust, the critical role of cultural awareness an...