Mission First People Always's podcast

What if your morning cup of coffee could help transform someone's life? In this unforgettable episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Jenny Barber—survivor, leader, and co-founder of Talitha Coffee—for a conversation that will change the way you think about business, leadership, and human dignity. Jenny's personal journey from surviving child exploitation to found...

Have you ever noticed that stress, anxiety, and burnout feel more common than joy these days? What if you could embrace simple habits that make your days lighter, more meaningful, and yes — even more joyful? In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Dr. Mike Patterson talks with Ricardo Viso, a global entrepreneur who's survived cancer, loss, and hardship and emerged with one clear mission: to...

Why Follow-Up Is a Leadership Practice with Doug C. Brown Let's face it—"follow-up" doesn't always have the best reputation. It can feel pushy, annoying, or just like one more thing on your to-do list. But what if follow-up wasn't about pestering people… and instead became one of the most powerful tools you have to show care, build trust, and lead with integrity? In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterso...

What if leadership was less about the boardroom and more about the octagon? In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson welcomes Clifford Starks—former UFC fighter turned performance coach—for a knockout conversation on mastering mindset, resilience, and leadership under pressure. From climbing into the cage to helping business leaders find their flow, Clifford shares hard-won wisdom that will challenge a...

We've all heard Peter Drucker's famous quote, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." But what does it really take to build a workplace culture that drives both people and performance? In this episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with culture expert Andrea Wanerstrand to uncover the key elements of creating a thriving, human-centric workplace. Dr. Mike welcomes Andre...

Ever dreamed of writing a book but felt overwhelmed by the process? In this episode of Mission First People Always , Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Danielle Hutchinson, Chief Creative Officer at Authors on a Mission, to uncover the secrets to writing a book that not only connects with readers but also elevates your brand, grows your business, and creates multiple income streams. Dr. Mike welcom...

What do leadership and ballet have in common? More than you might think! In this inspiring episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson speaks with Ahli Moore about the surprising connections between ballet and leadership, uncovering how the discipline, practice, and passion behind the art of dance can guide leaders to be more effective and impactful. Dr. Mike welcomes Ahli Moore, fo...

How can technical experts harness their unique strengths to become impactful leaders? Join Dr. Mike Patterson and Dr. Angelique Adams as they explore the transition from technical mastery to effective leadership and discuss actionable tools for success. In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson welcomes Dr. Angelique Adams, an accomplished engineer-turned-leadership coach, to discuss the journey of tran...

How do you turn dreams into reality while leading teams through complex, high-stakes projects? Dr. Mike Patterson hosts a LIVE discussion on linkedin with Bob Weis, former head of Walt Disney Imagineering, and Tricia Cerrone, a leadership expert, to uncover the lessons behind chasing big dreams, fostering creativity, and leading with purpose. About the Episode: In this special live episode, Dr. Mi...

In a competitive and ever-changing business world, is there room for kindness? Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Brittany Martin, founder of Be Kind Works, to discuss how leaders can embrace kindness as a powerful strategy for sustainable success. Dr. Mike welcomes Brittany Martin, an expert in HR and leadership development, who brings a unique perspective on how kindness and strategic leadership...

In today's fast-paced world, it seems like everyone is talking about being "triggered." But what does it really mean, and how can leaders and employees manage their triggers to stay focused and productive? In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson and Jeff Gaines dive into how to become "triggerproof," offering practical strategies to overcome workplace stress and emotional reactions. Dr. Mike welcomes...

In today's fast-paced corporate world, balancing leadership with personal health is key to long-term success. Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann to explore the strategies leaders can use to enhance both their personal vitality and professional performance. About the Episode: Dr. Mike welcomes Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, former Fortune 50 Global Executive and founder of RMK...

In a world where AI is rapidly reshaping the business landscape, what does it take to lead highly intelligent teams on the cutting edge of technology? Join Dr. Mike Patterson and Wendy Gonzalez, CEO of Sama, as they dive into the complexities of leadership in the tech space, offering valuable insights and actionable advice for leaders at all levels. In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson welcomes Wen...

Ever wondered why some stories stick with you while others fade away? Join Dr. Mike Patterson and storytelling master Josh Webb as they unravel the secrets behind compelling narratives that inspire and move audiences to action! About the Episode: Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Josh Webb, a creative leader with an impressive resume—agency co-founder, SaaS design leader, web3 artist, and document...

How do you navigate the difficult things in life and keep going? Better yet, how do you navigate the tough stuff, take a few gut punches, deal with setbacks, and come back even better? That takes a radical form of resilience and that's what we discuss in this episode with clinical psychologist, Dr. Andy Garrett. Guest Bio Dr. Andy is the world's leading authority on Radical Resilience. He's a clin...

Introduction Revenue is the lifeblood of any business and it's one of the factors that determines success or failure. As a result, one could rationally argue that the revenue generators are the most important people in any for profit business. But finding high-quality, committed sales professionals isn't easy. And keeping your top performers can be equally challenging. There's no worse day for a s...

Introduction:  Over the past decade, the role of customer success has gained importance and prestige. On this episode of the podcast, we have an industry veteran and thought leader who is going to tell us not only why customer success is critical, but how to build high-performing customer success teams and develop leaders from within those teams. So, whether you're interested in the customer succe...

Carol Bowser, J.D is a workplace conflict expert. After practicing Employment Law for several years, Carol founded Conflict Management Strategies when she realized a lawsuit can't deliver the level of resolution and satisfaction that is gained when people are actively involved in creating solutions to their workplace conflict. Carol's clients come with a wide range of employers because conflict is...

History provides the opportunity to study the past through the lens of the present, but what makes history so exciting for many of us is those moments when we truly feel transported back to those earlier days to see the world through the eyes of our predecessors–pioneers who laid the foundation for the lives we experience now. And the stories of the past become even more rich and vivid when they i...

Introduction The time-honored tradition of defining career development exclusively in terms of promotions, moves, and title changes is dead. Beyond, between, and besides the climb up the positional ladder, there are many other ways that employees can—and want to—grow. This episode explores some of those alternative ways to grow, the important role managers play in guiding that growth, and organiza...

It's March and Women's History Month, so what better way to celebrate than to speak with someone who leads an organization dedicated to helping women overcome societal barriers by providing educational and empowering experiences that promote sisterhood and community. Sol Sisters, the organization we're highlighting today believes, as I do, that all women deserve to feel safe, supported, and celebr...

Introduction Globally, 700 million people live below the poverty line–surviving on less than $2 per day. In Africa as a whole, 4 in 10 people live in poverty and in Congo, at least 7 in 10 people live below the poverty line. So, what are we going to do about it? In this episode, hear what one young leader and the organization he founded is doing to make a lasting difference through identifying and...

On this Episode In this episode you'll hear a conversation with sports psychologist, Dr. Tom Hanson. While Tom has worked with some of the biggest names in professional baseball, he is also a prolific author, coach, and sought after speaker in the corporate world. Today, we'll explore what it takes to be a top performer in any field of endeavor. We'll discuss mental toughness, performance inhibito...

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the number of meetings you attend and wonder whether your time could be better used elsewhere? According to research referenced in Harvard Business Review, executives now spend an average of 23 hours per week in meetings--up from about 10 hours in the 1960s. Are the extra hours spent in meetings making us more or less productive? That's the question we're going to t...

Introduction When nonprofits--or any organization for that matter--are poorly run, it inhibits their ability to deliver value for their customers and communities. Because nonprofits often deliver vital services to our most vulnerable citizens, we need systems in place that make them more efficient, more focused, and more productive. On today's episode, we talk with the leader of Life Remodeled, a...