The Forward Thinking Podcast, Powered by FCCS

Most listeners give a communicator a mere 30 seconds to set a message direction for their storyline. How can you quickly set the hook? Today's podcast focuses on strategies to frame a message quickly to keep the listener involved and engaged. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton, and Hurst Williamson, author and Head of Sal...

Today's conversation hits at the heart of what many lenders are feeling, but aren't saying out loud. The pressure on farmers right now is real and increasing, and it is showing up on lender balance sheets. The question is no longer if risk will surface, but when and how prepared are we to see it coming? Do you know how to lead through uncertainty without waiting for the warning signs to become pro...

For leaders, growth often means change. Throughout a career, many leaders step into a new role, expand their responsibilities, and have a larger scope of influence. Moving into a new role doesn't always mean that leadership evolves in the way it needs to. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Nicole Brusewitz, FCCS VP of...

The ability to have difficult conversations is one of the most essential skills of an effective leader. Whether addressing performance, navigating conflict, or working through disagreements, the way the conversation begins often determines how it will end. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Jeannie Clinnkenbeard, Dire...

Innovation is a word we hear often, but how often to we ask what it means in practice? Is innovation focused on technology, product development, and disruption; or is it more about how leaders think, collaborate, and create connections for those new ideas to take root? This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and SystemX MC and...

Whether you're leading an organization, your team, or even your own next chapter, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about limits, resilience, and the circle of possibilities. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and FCCS Learning Exchange keynote speaker Tom Turcich, author, speaker, and one of the 1...

From boardrooms to headlines, vendor pitches to strategy decks, AI is suddenly everywhere. For many leaders, the conversations surrounding AI can be confusing and overwhelming. Is AI really helpful, or just overhyped? This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Michael Thomas, Chief Data Scientist at Ketchbrook Analytics for a...

What happens when governance goes wrong? A set of negative patterns is usually the culprit, with small breakdowns quietly building over time until boards find themselves struggling with trust, clarity, or effectiveness. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton, Chad Klawetter, Vice President of Board Governance and Development...

There is a path in career advancement that isn't always easy to navigate – the spot between individual contributor and seasoned manager. How can you be an influence at work when you don't have authority? Communicating and influencing effectively requires shifting from a tactical mindset to a more strategic view. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Commun...

In a time when organizations are navigating generational change, evolving leadership expectations, and shifting workforce dynamics, cooperative boards have a unique opportunity to lead differently, anchored in values, purpose, and shared ownership. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton, Vice President of Organizational Devel...

Cyberthreats are everywhere, and while they may be inevitable, their impact can be manageable. Institutions who are prepared for cybersecurity disruptions are proactive and collaborative about their response. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton, Lisa Parrinello, FCCS VP of Risk Management & Insurance Services and Naomi Bau...

How strong are your conversation skills? Whether you are stepping into a boardroom, attending a networking event, or connecting with coworkers over coffee, the way you show up in conversations matters. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Tracy Hooper, founder of the Confidence Project and author of The NOW Hello . Thei...

Today's topic is positioned at the intersection of technology and humanity. How do we stay truly human in the age of digital intelligence? This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Lisa Waldren, storyteller, speaker and coach. She highlights what it really means to stay human, shares strategies for leaders to balance efficie...

In today's dynamic lending environment, meeting client needs requires more than individual excellence; it demands shared ownership and accountability across every level of the organization. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Mike Evans, author and speaker on leadership, and speaker at the upcoming Sales Leaders Confere...

Forward thinking leaders know that fostering innovation, developing company culture and effective communication always starts at the top. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Tom Truitt, CEO of Horizon Farm Credit and winner of the FCCS 2024 Accelerator of the Year Award. Together, they define acceleration in the face of...

From cloud confusion to AI overload, tech myths can hold teams back from working smarter, faster and more securely. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Egnyte Banking and Credit Practice Lead Charlotte Li. Together they dive into the world of digital transformation and unpack some of the most common – and costly – misco...

In this special episode recorded live at the 2025 FCCS Learning Conference, host Stephanie Barton , SVP of Marketing and Communications for FCCS sits down with keynote speaker Tom Morrison to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern organizations—and how leaders can harness it to expand capacity, not replace people.   "As leaders, we need to focus on sharpening the uniquely human...

Obstacles and challenges are inevitable, but what if they are a catalyst for growth, opportunities, and transformation? This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and speaker, coach and thought leader Rousawn Dozier. Together, they consider the possibilities of navigating adversity with courage and confidence. They explore what ha...

Where are all the good ideas? And why don't the good ideas ever seem to get implemented? The disconnect between leaders and employees is holding back innovation and an environment of psychological safety is key to cultivating a courageous culture that fosters innovation. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Karin Hurt, F...

Generative AI is developing at an exciting pace, transforming compliance, risk management, and the customer experience. It's potential also requires financial institutions to navigate ethical dilemmas, security risks, and implementation challenges. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Kris Stewart, a certified regulatory...

Burnout is affecting everyone in farm credit, from individual contributors and managers to senior leaders. The recent FCCS Employee Engagement survey revealed that while everyone is feeling burnout, the why behind burnout varies based on each individual association This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and FCCS Organizational...

Engaging in deliberate practice, continuous learning, and fostering open communication are critical for building antifragile leadership. Antifragility challenges the way leaders think about resilience, adaptability, and growth. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton is joined by Nicole Brusewitz, VP of Leadership Development, Learn...

Accountability without compassion creates negative cultures that can't retain talent, while compassion without accountability creates avoidant cultures that can't perform. The need for both compassion and accountability is greater than ever before. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton is joined by Nathan Regier, CEO of Next Eleme...

Keeping up with the rapid pace of technology and process changes is a challenge for organizations worldwide. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton welcomes Greg DeVore, co-founder and CEO of ScreenSteps for a discussion about creating smoother transitions and stronger team performance. They cover strategies for developing adaptabl...

A company that values and celebrates performance has unlocked the first step to creating a culture that employees resonate with. The transformative power of creating a culture of recognition is a critical component of employee satisfaction and company success. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton is joined by Don Nielsen, Employe...