Bonafide Leaders

Tim welcomes Dr. Monica G. Williams, the inaugural president of Texas Woman’s University’s Houston campus. Tim continues his conversation about Leaders From the Brink, exploring how Dr. Williams navigated significant life challenges and developed her approach to leadership. She shares candid stories from her upbringing, including her experience as a teenage mother and the support systems that help...

Tim sits down with Richard Miles to hear his powerful story of wrongful conviction, survival through incarceration, and his commitment to helping others re-enter society. Richard recounts his arrest at age 19 for a crime he did not commit, the 15 years he spent in the Texas prison system, and the persistence required—emotionally and legally—to eventually prove his innocence and regain freedom. The...

Tim sits down with Michael Horne, President and CEO of Parkland Health Foundation. Michael shares his upbringing in New York, highlighting the influence of family, the arts, and early experiences with educational inequities that shaped his passion for service and leadership. They discuss Michael’s early professional roles, his transition from education to healthcare, and the key lessons that he’s...

Tim welcomes Brian Williams, CEO of Perspectivity International, to discuss resilience, personal setbacks, and the journey through crisis during the tumultuous year of 2020. Brian shares his story, beginning with his upbringing in San Antonio, the lessons he learned from his environment, and how these experiences shaped his drive and approach to life and work. Brian and Tim discuss how the converg...

Tim kicks off season 4 alongside co-host Erin Gregor, focusing on the valuable lessons that setbacks, failures, and challenges can teach leaders at every stage of their journey. Tim opens up about his personal experiences, taking listeners through a difficult four-year stretch in his late teens and early twenties when his dream of becoming a professional basketball player unraveled despite his har...

Tim sits down with Dr. Ashley Spector, a chiropractor with a diverse background in sports and science, to discuss her journey from being a Navy brat who moved frequently as a child, to a Division 1 collegiate rower, and ultimately to running her own chiropractic practice. Dr. Ashley shares how her early experiences with various sports shaped her understanding of teamwork, resilience, and leadershi...

Tim welcomes Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, longtime president of Paul Quinn College, for a powerful conversation about leadership, upbringing, and how sports helped shape his leadership style. Dr. Sorrell discusses his formative years growing up on the south side of Chicago, describing a childhood surrounded by hardworking entrepreneurs, a loving family, and rich community traditions. He highlights the...

In this episode, Tim welcomes Charles Bryce, the dynamic CEO of Charlin Health Services and a former Division I soccer athlete. Charles brings a unique perspective from his journey, having moved from the discipline of sports to the demands of business leadership, all while navigating the complexities of running a family-owned, faith-based healthcare organization. Charles shares his honest struggle...

In this episode, Tim sits down with Dr. Conway Edwards, the lead pastor of One Community Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They begin by reminiscing about how they first met and the strong emphasis both place on authentic leadership. Dr. Conway shares personal stories from his upbringing in Jamaica, highlighting the impact sports—especially track and field and soccer—had on developing his mind...

In this episode of the Bonafide Leaders podcast, Tim continues to explore the intersection of sports, business, and leadership by drawing parallels between experiences on the basketball court and in the workplace. Tim shares insights from his journey as a student athlete, focusing on the valuable, transferable skills he developed through sports, such as load management, resilience after losing or...

In this episode of Bonafide Leaders, Tim welcomes Dan Rembold, Vice President at Texas Instruments, accomplished cyclist, devoted family man, and leukemia survivor. Dan shares his remarkable journey—from his early days as a multi-sport athlete and his passion for technology, to the unexpected life-altering cancer diagnosis that changed everything. Dan then shares that while he living his dream lif...

In this episode, Tim sits down with Kevin Chadwick again, but this time, he also welcomes his son, Kevin Junior (KJ), to explore the intersection of leadership, parenting, and a child's pursuit of their own greatness. Kevin discusses his journey of coaching his son from a young age in Texas to now playing Division 1 college football, highlighting the challenges and joys of balancing career and fat...

In this episode, Tim welcomes Dale Petroskey, President and CEO of the Dallas Chamber. Dale shares his journey from a sports-loving childhood in Michigan to impactful leadership roles, including Executive Vice President of Marketing for the Texas Rangers, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Senior Vice President at National Geographic, and a former political appointee in th...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Bonafide Leaders podcast, with this season's theme focusing on the intersection of sports, business, and leadership. Tim kicks off this season with his personal stories about how his upbringing and early experiences in sports shaped his understanding of leadership. He also discusses the concept that leadership has the power to transform entire organizations, with motivat...

In this episode, Tim welcomes Kevin Chadwick, Chief Campus Officer at Northwest Mutual in Northern Virginia, for a fascinating conversation. Kevin shares a vivid journey of his professional and personal evolution, detailing his aspiration to coach the San Francisco 49ers for a week, reflecting his love for football and the value of teamwork. They discuss how his early career experiences, familial...

In this episode, Tim welcomes Dennis Cail, CEO and founder of Zirtue, a fintech company based in Dallas. Dennis discusses his entrepreneurial journey, from his decision to start the business in 2018 to its official launch in 2019. Highlighting the substantial lending and borrowing market among friends and family, Dennis explains how Zirtue formalizes these transactions with a platform that ensures...

In this episode, Tim welcomes Byron Sanders, CEO of Arete Health and former president of Big Thought. Byron shares his visionary approach to transforming the healthcare system through innovative insurance strategies to expand access to preventative care and cutting-edge biotech. During their conversation, Byron explores the challenges and opportunities in reforming a system often driven by profit...

In this episode, Tim welcomes Justin Henry to talk about his journey from electrical engineering to law, education, and public service. They discuss the influential figures in Justin's life, including sports legend Jackie Robinson and his grandmother, who instilled resilience and determination in him. Justin shares the challenges he faced during his education and career, including disparities in e...

Tim talks to Ellen Barker, a seasoned professional and retired senior VP and CIO of Texas Instruments in this episode of Bonafide Leaders. Ellen shares her journey, highlighting her experiences with coaching, mentoring, and major career decisions post-retirement. She discusses the value of both internal and external mentors, focusing on how each provides unique insights crucial to professional gro...

In this episode, Tim welcomes Art L. George Jr., a celebrated leader with an illustrious career at Texas Instruments (TI). Art shares his unique journey from an early engineering role in Sherman, Texas, to becoming a pivotal figure in TI's analog and high-performance linear businesses. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including a divorce and experiences with racial prejudice, A...

Tim welcomes Derick Miller, Irving's Chief of Police to explore the important relationship between leadership, trust, and innovation in policing. They discuss the importance of aligning words with actions to build community trust and emphasize the need for innovation, discussing advances like AI in dispatch. Derick also shares a personal story illustrating the impact of effective emergency respons...

Tim continues sharing his professional development story, talking about one of the most significant moves he made in his career. He discusses the pivotal moments and challenges he faced when transitioning from a finance-focused role to becoming a major division's head of finance and operations. This discussion unpacks the professional and personal hurdles, including regrets about initial relations...

Tim welcomes Ricky Cortez, CEO of MCA Communications, and talks about his journey from starting as an installer in his family's business to becoming CEO. Ricky discusses the initial challenges of prioritizing personal development tasks like coaching, comparing it to the early difficulties of starting a workout routine. Ricky reflects on the essential role of coaching in his leadership growth despi...

In this season's premiere, Tim discusses the theme of "making the leap" and explores the intricacies of significant career moves. Tim opens up about his unexpected transition from a thriving director role to a challenging executive position, complete with the hurdles of being younger than his peers, navigating the company's financial cycles, and balancing the arrival of a new child. Tim also refle...

In this episode of the Bonafide Leaders Podcast, host Tim G. Williams discusses the complexities and nuances of leadership transitions. Covering everything from what leadership transition means, to personal anecdotes of transitions gone wrong, the episode delves into the challenges of change, the importance of communication, and strategies for effective leadership change. With a focus on ensuring...