IgniteCast - Official Podcast of the Ignite Leadership Conference by CDF

What happens when a Gen Z student, a Millennial entrepreneur, a Baby Boomer nonprofit leader, and a Gen X host all sit down at the same table? A lot of laughs—and a few leadership lessons. In this special episode of IgniteCast , Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor welcome Autumn Simmons, a Tupelo High School graduate and ICC sophomore; Zell Long, retired CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississ...

In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor sit down with Molly Nolan, Executive Director of the GumTree Museum of Art, to discuss leadership, confidence, community impact, and the power of stepping into opportunities before you feel fully ready. Molly shares her journey from graphic designer and startup employee to leading one of Tupelo’s most treasured cultural institutions. She...

Season 8, Episode 2: Leading with Kindness with Lori Dillon What if one of the most powerful leadership strategies is also one of the simplest? In this episode of Ignite Cast , Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor sit down with Lori Dillon , Director of Marketing at Absolute Restoration, community advocate, wife, mother, and self-described "goldendoodle in a room full of people." Lori shares how...

Season 8 of Ignite Cast kicks off with one of the most recognizable voices in Mississippi weather — Matt Laubhan. In this episode, Matt sits down with hosts Taylor and Judd to share the story behind launching Mississippi Live Weather after stepping away from his longtime role as chief meteorologist.  Matt opens up about leadership, faith, overcoming uncertainty, and what it takes to build somethin...

In this episode of Ignite Cast , Judd Wilson sits down with Bernard Bean of the Eat With Us Group ( https://eatwithusrestaurants.com ) for a conversation about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build a strong team. Bernard shares how his organization transformed retention by focusing on three simple but powerful principles: hire right, train right, and treat right. He talks about th...

What does leadership look like for Gen Z? In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson sits down with Jenna Hope Harris to talk about mentorship, mindset, and what it really means to “be the leader you would love to follow.” As a Gen Z leader deeply engaged in her community and passionate about growth, Jenna shares how cross-generational leadership can strengthen organizations instead of divide them...

What do a bold 1970s visionary, a tornado displaced football team, and a regional ice storm have in common? They reveal what real leadership looks like. Serving. In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson talks with Mike Clayborne, President of the Create Foundation, about leadership that brings people together and makes life better for others. They reflect on the legacy of George McLean and Jim I...

Artificial Intelligence is here, and it is not slowing down. In this episode of IgniteCast, Ashley and Chris Elkins, founders of Vitality South and leaders across multiple technology ventures, join the conversation to unpack what it truly means to lead in the age of AI. From startup growth to scaling companies, they share how vision, culture, and leadership discipline shape innovation rather than...

In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson sits down with Kim Rushing, Community Development & Outreach Coordinator for the City of Tupelo, and Captains Michael and Schelika Chisolm of The Salvation Army in Tupelo, to talk about what it means to lead through partnerships. Each guest shares practical leadership insight centered on presence, readiness, humility, and stepping up when you see a ne...

Judd Wilson is joined by Ignite co-host and CDF team member Carol Ann Padgett for a candid conversation about leadership, clarity, and what it really takes to bring Ignite to life each year. From Andy Stanley’s powerful reminder that “people follow clarity” to the intentional process of selecting speakers who motivate, teach, and challenge leaders, this episode pulls back the curtain on the vision...

In this episode of IgniteCast , hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with David Rumbarger for a practical conversation on leadership fundamentals that never go out of style. David shares why moving from Good to Great starts with doing things right the first time, putting in the work on the front end, and embracing the timeless truth of the 5 P’s: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. He...

In this special New Year’s Day episode of Ignite Cast , hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with John Darnell, CEO of Global Outreach International, to talk about goal setting with purpose. As the leader of a mission-sending organization headquartered in Tupelo and working around the world, John shares how he approaches setting goals that are both vision-driven and flexible, especially whe...

In Episode 4 of Season 6, IgniteCast hosts Taylor and Judd sit down with Kristen Long, Chief Nurse Executive at North Mississippi Medical Center, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about leadership, burnout, and building resilient teams. Kristen shares how relationship-building shapes every aspect of patient care, why listening is a leader’s most important tool, and what it really took to g...

IgniteCast S6 E3: “Rolling With the Dough & the Punches” Featuring Tiffany Grice of Kreechers Creations In this inspiring episode of IgniteCast , hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with local entrepreneur Tiffany Grice , owner of the beloved French-inspired bakery Kreechers Creations. From buttery croissants to bold business moves, Tiffany shares the real story behind her rapid rise—f...

In Episode 2 of Season 6, Taylor and Judd sit down with Amy Tate , State Director for Government & Community Relations at TVA and a longtime champion of leadership, mentorship, and community impact. From her new favorite leadership mantra — “clarity is kindness” — to her firsthand experience navigating male-dominated spaces, Amy brings honesty, humor, and wisdom to every minute of this episode...

In the Season 6 premiere of Ignite Cast , hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson welcome Dr. Jay Allen, President of Itawamba Community College, and Chief of Staff Tyler Camp for a powerful conversation on leadership, growth, and community impact. From servant leadership and student empowerment to building a culture where failure fuels innovation, this episode dives deep into how ICC is shaping the ne...

In this special bonus episode of IgniteCast , hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with renowned management expert and seminar leader Glenn Shepard. With over 30 years of experience helping professionals become better managers and leaders, Glenn shares powerful insights on servant leadership, employee engagement, and the real-world challenges of supervising teams. From humorous anecdotes ab...

🎙️ Episode 6: Driving Leadership — Inside the Culture of Toyota Mississippi In this episode of IgniteCast , we sit down with Derric Morrison and Tiffannie Hedin from Toyota Mississippi — two local leaders shaping one of the region’s most respected workplaces. Both graduates of the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute, Derric and Tiffannie share how Toyota’s people-first culture fuels innovati...

In this special episode of IgniteCast , we gather around the table with members of the Ingram family to reflect on the life and legacy of Jim Ingram — a beloved leader, mentor, and the namesake of the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute . Nearly two decades after his passing, his words, values, and leadership style continue to shape meetings, decisions, and leaders across Tupelo and Lee Coun...

In this powerful episode of IgniteCast , we sit down with Chief John Quaka, Tupelo’s Chief of Police and former FBI agent, to discuss what it means to lead in moments of crisis. From witnessing 9/11 unfold as an FBI agent to handling high-pressure situations here in Tupelo, Chief Quaka shares how preparation, training, and most importantly, relationships built before the crisis make all the differ...

Building Dreams, Backed by Community In this inspiring episode of IgniteCast, we sit down with Matt and Sarah Anderson, owners of Mae's To-Go Cup, a family-run coffee shop that has quickly become a community favorite. From launching out of a 14-foot trailer to opening their second brick-and-mortar location, their journey is one of grit, faith, and relentless community support. Matt and Sarah...

Season Kickoff: A Look Back & A Look Ahead We’re kicking off a brand-new season of IgniteCast with a conversation that blends the best of the past with the excitement of what’s ahead for the Ignite Leadership Conference 2026. Join hosts Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor as they reflect on past Ignite highlights, share behind-the-scenes insights on how speakers are chosen, and revisit powerful momen...

In this special bonus episode of IgniteCast, presented by iHeartMedia , we turn the mic over to the next generation of leaders—the children from Wear It Well ’s Summer Camp. You’ll hear heartfelt, honest, and often inspiring reflections as they share what being a leader means to them, how they recognize the importance of setting an example, and why they know that someone is always watching. These...

In this episode of IgniteCast presented by iHeartMedia , Judd sits down with Justin Patton —national keynote speaker, bestselling author, and executive coach—for a high-impact conversation on what truly sets great leaders apart. Justin shares powerful insights on the importance of trust, how to build confidence in others, and why a leader’s energy is one of their greatest tools for influence. With...

In Episode 4 of IgniteCast, we sit down with Katina Tucker, Executive Director of Wear It Well , for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about leadership, resilience, and purpose. Katina shares how her own journey through loss, trauma, and unexpected setbacks became the foundation for one of Tupelo’s most impactful nonprofit organizations. From her early days volunteering as a child to fou...