Servant Leadership Podcast

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Alec Hill — a leader well known around the world for his deep commitment to servant leadership. Alec spent 14 years as the president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, leading thousands of people across 150 countries. His career has spanned law, refugee work, academia, and publishing — all woven together by a desire to lead with integrity...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Steve Carter, nationally recognized pastor, author, and one of the most respected communicators in the church today. Steve has preached on some of the largest stages in the country, led in high-profile ministry roles, and now serves as lead pastor of Christ Church of Oak Brook in the Chicago suburbs. Steve is best known for his ability to he...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we hear from Jim Gash, President of Pepperdine University. From shaping the future of Christian higher education to leading justice reform efforts in Uganda, Jim shares how Pepperdine is raising up leaders rooted in purpose, service, and leadership. This episode dives into what it looks like to serve faithfully in positions of influences and how saying “yes...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we hear from David Phillips, founder and president of Children’s Hunger Fund. For over 30 years, Children's Hunger Fund has delivered food and the hope of the gospel to children in need, serving thousands of churches and distributing hundreds of millions of meals around the world. In this conversation, you’ll hear how Children's Hunger Fund grew from a gara...

Tom Hsieh might be one of the most humble servant leaders you will ever meet. He helped grow Earthlink into a billion-dollar company, but chose a radically different path, capping his income at the national median and investing the rest into revitalizing communities like Pomona in California. Today, he’s leading an airline company, supporting nonprofits, and still living with the same open-handed...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Stephen Cloobeck — a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and leader best known for founding Diamond Resorts and appearing on Undercover Boss. From studying neuroscience and psychology to building one of the largest hospitality brands in the world, Stephen has always looked for ways to solve problems, build strong teams, and lead with both compas...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Pastor Matthew Barnett—founder of the Dream Center in Los Angeles and one of the most hands-on leaders I’ve ever met. At just 20 years old, Matthew took over a struggling church in the middle of gang-ridden LA. What started as a temporary assignment turned into a lifelong mission to serve people at rock bottom—from the homeless and addicted...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we hear from Ed Moy —trusted advisor to President George W. Bush and former Director of the U.S. Mint. From helping lead a presidential transition to overseeing national coin production during 9/11, and managing record-breaking demandduring the 2008 financial crisis, Ed shares what servant leadership looks like when pressure is at its highest. Raised in a C...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by David Ratcliff—a business leader turned global influencer with a passion for the next generation and servant leadership. With a background in publishing and business development, David has led multiple companies and now channels that experience into global initiatives—mentoring leaders and helping build sustainable impact in developing count...

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Bob Thomas—an NFL record-setting kicker turned Illinois Supreme Court Justice. Bob spent over a decade in the NFL, including 10 seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he became one of the Bears' all-time leading scorers.  After football, Bob's journey took an unexpected turn. He pursued law, eventually serving as a Justice on the Illinois Sup...

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Rich Lowry—Editor-in-Chief of National Review and one of the most influential voices in American media and culture. For decades, Rich has helped shape the national conversation, leading a publication founded by William F. Buckley Jr. and dedicated to timeless conservative values. Under his leadership, National Review has expanded across prin...

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Alan Barnhart—an industrial CEO whose life and business model turn conventional success upside down. Alan leads Barnhart Crane & Rigging, a company with over 60 branches and over twenty-five hundred employees. What makes his story remarkable isn’t just the scale of the business—it’s the conviction behind how they run it. From the very be...

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Henry Cloud—one of the most influential voices in leadership and psychology. For decades, he’s coached top executives, advised Fortune 500 companies, and helped leaders navigate the toughest challenges that come with influence. Henry's books have transformed the way millions of people approach leadership, decision-making, and relationshi...

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome Ryan Leak—a best-selling author, leadership coach, and sought-after speaker. Ryan is a leading voice on risk-taking, growth, and leadership transformation. He challenges leaders to step outside their comfort zones and embrace failure in order to thrive. His book Chasing Failure reveals how the greatest leaders take risks and use failure as fuel t...

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we hear from Leanne Jamison, the Executive Director at Prestonwood Pregnancy Center. Leanne is an inspiring leader who has grown Prestonwood to be one of the largest pregnancy centers in the United States. Her dedication to servant leadership shines through in her unwavering commitment to empowering women, cultivating a culture of compassion, and ensuring t...

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Bern Bertsche, former Owner & President of Camcraft—a world-class precision machining company that has grown into a trusted partner for some of the largest automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing companies around the world—including SpaceX, Caterpillar, Cummins, Bosch, and more. For Bern, success was never just about busines...

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we hear from Cheryl Bachelder, a highly respected business leader who transformed Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen into one of the most successful restaurant brands in the world. Cheryl has built a career on servant leadership, leading with purpose, and driving results. As the former CEO of Popeyes, she took the company from declining sales and struggling franchis...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Al Gombis, a 30 year veteran and leader of the U.S. Department of State. Al’s career offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of America’s most fascinating and impactful institutions. From navigating global diplomacy to preserving the rich history of the State Department, Al has been at the forefront of critical foreign policy in...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome PJ Huizenga. PJ’s story is deeply rooted in a multigenerational legacy of entrepreneurial grit and vision. His great-grandfather began a waste collection business that grew into Waste Management, now the largest waste disposal company in the world. His family’s legacy also includes early investments in companies like Blockbuster Vi...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome Heather Larson, a visionary leader dedicated to helping people live more generous lives and make a meaningful impact with their resources. Heather’s journey began at the American Red Cross, progressed to helping lead Willow Creek, one of the largest churches in the world, and now centers on guiding some of the wealthiest families in the world to...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re honored to welcome Carlos Campo. Carlos’s story is deeply rooted in his parents’ inspiring legacy—his father, a Cuban immigrant and the first Hispanic bandleader on national television, and his mother, a pioneering performer and sister to Rosemary Clooney. These influences shaped Carlos into a humble, passionate servant leader who values authenticity...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Mike Sharrow, the dynamic CEO of C12, the largest network of Christian CEOs and executives across the country. Mike’s story isn’t just about leading one of the most influential faith-based business networks—it’s about reshaping how leaders think about success, purpose, and impact. Under Mike's leadership, C12 has empowered thousands of execu...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast Brian Smith, the visionary founder of Ugg, shares his remarkable journey. From introducing sheepskin boots to America to transforming UGG into a global powerhouse, his story is a testament to resilience, passion, and unwavering determination. But success didn’t come easy. Before UGG became a billion-dollar brand, Brian faced the unthinkable—losing ownership...

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Julie Yurko, the inspiring President and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. Julie leads one of the world’s largest food banks with a mission to ensure that every neighbor has access to the food they need to thrive. Julie’s story is one of personal surrender, hardship, resilience, and purpose. Julie started her career in nonprofit fundraisin...

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re thrilled to have Dan Pallotta with us to share his thoughts on innovation, leadership, and challenging the status quo in the nonprofit sector. Dan is a trailblazer in the world of philanthropy and social entrepreneurship. He’s known for creating the multi-day charitable event industry with events like the AIDS Rides and Breast Cancer 3-Days, which hav...