Something Extra

Step into the powerful journey of Ladi Adefala, a world-renowned cybersecurity strategist, founder and CEO at Omega316, and board chair at Delta Dental of Missouri, as he shares profound insights on navigating difficult career transitions and unexpected "wilderness" seasons. This episode delves into the importance of shifting focus from seeking immediate validation to understanding the long-term c...

From the national gymnastics stage to the front lines of community revitalization, Erika Johnson, Founder of Juice EJ, has dedicated her life to building a healthier, more equitable future. In this inspiring conversation, she opens up about a profound family health crisis that completely shifted her trajectory and sparked her booming wellness brand. Unpacking her journey through pageantry, entrepr...

Uncover what happens when a leader completely flips the corporate hierarchy to focus entirely on the people loading the trucks and running the welding lines. Robert Griggs, Founder and Chairman of Trinity Products, joins the conversation to reveal how he scaled a business from nothing into a massive manufacturing leader. He dives deep into the ultimate power of financial transparency, the critical...

This episode features a conversation with leadership veteran Jim Brown, founder of OrgHealth and author of the new book The Imperfect CEO , about how executives can build high-performing organizational cultures by embracing vulnerability and human limitations. Brown discusses the "org health ascent model," explaining how breaking down internal competition and modeling accountability allows a team'...

Discover what it truly means to lead with impact as Dr. Andrea Jackson-Jennings, Managing Director of the Regional Response Team, shares her extraordinary journey from university cashier to champion of vulnerable communities. She opens up about the front-line realities of managing explosive budget growth during global crises and the vital importance of building long-term, trust-based relationships...

This week’s episode features Tom Manenti, the former Chairman and CEO of MiTek, who shares his masterclass in leadership forged over a 40-year career. He shares a wealth of wisdom on building world-class organizational cultures, his unique experience reporting directly to Warren Buffett, and the "10/10/10 rule" that can save or shatter customer trust. Listen in to discover how a bedrock of faith,...

Discover the power of radical helpfulness and building long-term trust with John Hall, speaker, author, and Managing Partner at Relevance. In this episode, John details how his entrepreneurial mindset evolved from a third-grade lunch brokerage to a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio, all centered around identifying what people truly value. He shares practical insights on mastering delibera...

Matt Lashoff, a former NHL defenseman and current Strategic Leader with Oak View Group and Founder of Vesta Legacy Group, shares how the grueling discipline of professional hockey prepared him for the complexities of global sports business and entrepreneurship. He discusses his unconventional path of balancing a career in the rink with his passion as a recording artist, highlighting how the vulner...

Stop viewing your professional success and family life as competing interests and start seeing them as a singular, powerful legacy. Lance Welch, Business and Legacy Building Coach and Author of  The Legacy Navigator , breaks down the "Legacy Table" framework to help you transfer vision, values, and knowledge to those who matter most. By exploring the staggering 40% spike in divorce...

In this week's episode, Mike Sharrow, CEO of The C12 Group, offers a powerful model for intentional leadership. Discover how shifting from a success mindset to a significance mindset can turn any business into a platform for changing the world. He introduces the profound blue marble practice to help you steward your limited time and explains why true l...

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,...