The Chad Carden Podcast

Unlock the secret to sustainable success rooted in authenticity, leadership, and meaningful impact. This episode exposes the core principles that transformed Ron Dunford from a night-shift janitor to the CEO of an $8 billion global food powerhouse — and how those same principles can elevate your leadership and life. Ron shares the five foundational principles he lives by — Dream Big, Expect Succes...

Most successful leaders don’t just grow their companies—they grow themselves. Nick Thummel’s journey from humble beginnings on a pig farm in Iowa to leading a 175-truck trucking company exemplifies a powerful philosophy: day-by-day service, authentic relationships, and quiet humility drive lasting success. In this rare, candid conversation, Nick shares the core principles behind his leadership—tru...

Unlocking the Future of Education: How Schools Are Evolving to Prepare Students for a Rapidly Changing World Traditional education is facing a seismic shift, and the smartest schools are already reimagining what learning looks like in the 21st century. If you’re a parent, educator, or student yearning for a system that’s more aligned with how knowledge and skills are acquired today, you can’t affo...

Unlock the future of work with Hasan Rafiq , a visionary HR leader and AI pioneer, who reveals how embracing diversity, technology, and curiosity can revolutionize your organization. Discover why most companies are unintentionally sabotaging their growth strategies and how a holistic approach to DEI can turn challenges into competitive advantages. Hasan shares his global journey—from Pakistan to t...

Most retail brands struggle with staying relevant in a rapidly changing landscape — but what if the secret to thriving is not just adapting faster, but understanding why you do what you do? Courtney Hawkins reveals the proven mindset shifts that help legacy brands transform, innovate, and capture long-term growth. In this episode, Courtney shares her inspiring journey from a childhood fascination...

Most entrepreneurs and high performers feel the pull between success and fulfillment—but BJ Windhorst 's journey reveals the secret to doing both. After 25 years in coaching and a successful career in business, BJ took a daring leap that transformed his life and unlocked a new level of freedom, financial security, and purpose. His story isn’t just about risk-taking; it’s about understanding th...

Most successful professionals have a secret: a steadfast work ethic combined with a genuine curiosity that fuels their growth—and Jared Welch an Attorney/Litigator who embodies both. In this candid conversation, Jared shares over two decades of insights from running a thriving law practice, navigating change, and building a network that spans from small towns to the metro areas. Discover how his d...

What does it really take to rise, lead, and thrive in a fast-changing industry like fashion? This week, Carolyn Glynos, President of French Connection North America, joins Chad Carden to share her remarkable journey—from climbing the ranks in fashion to leading through some of the industry’s most defining moments. In this episode, Carolyn unpacks:1. Her path to leadership and the role of passion i...

In this powerful and purpose-driven episode, we sit down with Christina Reagle , Director of Corrections Innovation at Mi-Case, as she shares her bold journey from the world of finance into the field of corrections. Christina opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her path, the courage it took to pivot industries, and why advocating for yourself is not optional — it’s essential. From navig...

What does real success look like at the executive level? In this powerful new episode of The Chad Carden Podcast, Chad sits down with Steve Light , Executive Vice President of Category Development, Purchasing & Supplier Management + eCommerce at L&R Distributors. With decades of leadership experience in high-level retail strategy, supplier management, and eCommerce growth, Steve shares the...

In this powerful episode of The Chad Carden Podcast, Chad sits down with Terri Stockton Foulks, Executive Coach at Epic Rivers Leadership and a seasoned Human Capital & Governance Strategist, for a deep conversation on what it truly means to lead when everything is on the line. Terri shares her hard-earned insights from guiding leaders through high-pressure environments, organizational disrupt...

From setbacks to the Super Bowl stage In this powerful episode, Chad Carden sits down with Sylvester Williams — former NFL athlete, Super Bowl Champion, entrepreneur, and speaker — as he opens up about the journey behind the success. From facing failures and adversity to developing the discipline and resilience required to compete at the highest level, Sylvester shares the mindset that shaped his...

In this episode, we sit down with Clint McKinney, Vice President of Retail Execution at BODYARMOR Sports Nutrition, to unpack what it really takes to build and sustain elite performance—both in business and in life. Clint shares hard-earned insights from the front lines of retail execution, leadership, and brand growth, diving into the power of Mission, the discipline required to maintain Momentum...

In this episode of The Chad Carden Podcast, Chad sits down with Jared Eardley, Vice President of Central Operations at Norco, Inc., for a compelling conversation on what happens when purpose and leadership truly align. Jared shares hard-earned insights from leading large, complex operations while staying anchored to purpose—especially in environments where performance, people, and pressure collide...

In this episode of The Chad Carden Podcast, Chad sits down with Jon Doolittle, President and CEO of the Missouri Hospital Association, for a powerful conversation on leadership at the highest levels of healthcare. Jon shares the mindset required to lead in one of the most complex, high-pressure industries—where decisions impact lives, teams are deeply mission-driven, and trust is non-negotiable. H...

In this episode, Chad Carden sits down with longtime friend and leadership expert Stephen Giordano, founder of Day One Group, to explore what it truly means to lead with authenticity, clarity, and care. From his roots in education to decades of shaping leaders around the globe, Stephen shares how family, faith, and purpose have shaped his leadership philosophy. Together, they unpack what it takes...

In this episode of The Chad Carden Podcast , Chad sits down with Bridget Feagler , Vice President of Product for K–12 Education at ACT , to explore how education and assessment are being reimagined for the next generation. Bridget is a visionary, results-driven executive with a deep passion for transforming education through innovation, strategic leadership, and scalable solutions . She shares how...

What if the real competitive advantage isn’t strategy, technology, or speed — but how you treat people? In this episode, we dive inside Sargento’s people-first culture, where hiring for fit, authentic recognition, and treating employees like family isn’t a slogan — it’s a system. From leadership accountability to intentional recognition and long-term growth, this conversation reveals why strong cu...

In this episode of The Chad Carden Podcast , Chad sits down with Richard Fisher , Director of Operations at Crate & Barrel , to explore a leadership approach that’s reshaping teams from the inside out. Richard shares why comfort isn’t the opposite of performance —it’s the catalyst for it. From building environments where people feel safe to speak up, to creating rhythms that reduce burnout and...

In this powerful episode, Chad Carden sits down with Joe Greco — a man whose life and leadership have been shaped by grit, mindset, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth. Joe opens up about the pivotal “winning moments” that defined his journey, including the unexpected breakthrough that reshaped how he sees success, failure, and purpose. From navigating challenging seasons to embracing...

In this powerful episode of The Chad Carden Podcast, Chad sits down with Jordan Sharp — servant leader, husband, father, culture keeper, and the heartbeat behind the mantra “We Are One.” Jordan opens up about his personal journey from fear to purpose, revealing the real moments that shaped his leadership philosophy. From overcoming internal battles to discovering what true servant leadership means...

In this episode, Chad Carden sits down with visionary entrepreneur Jack Miller, Founder of True Media and CEO of True Independent Holdings, to unpack what it really takes to build, scale, and sustain a thriving business in a changing world. From starting in radio at 16 to creating one of the most respected marketing agencies in the country, Jack shares his journey of recognizing shifts before they...

In this episode, Chad Carden sits down with Jason Lewis, Deputy Division Director for the Missouri Department of Corrections, to unpack what it truly takes to transform one of the toughest work environments in the country. From his coaching roots to leading multiple state institutions, Jason shares his remarkable 25-year journey of resilience, culture change, and people-first leadership. They expl...

In this new episode of The Chad Carden Podcast, Chad sits down with Kara Corches, President and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to discuss her powerful transition from doer to leader. Kara shares candid insights about stepping into executive leadership, building trust in her team, and learning the art of letting go. From managing deep-rooted organizational culture shifts to d...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Chad Carden Podcast , Chad sits down with Tagen Higgins — an athlete, outdoorsman, and survivor whose life changed in an instant. Tagen shares his journey from growing up playing football, baseball, and basketball to facing an unimaginable tragedy in early 2022 when he was accidentally shot by his best friend. What followed was a story of pain, p...