UpNext with Tommy Lee

In this week's episode of UpNext with Tommy Lee, guest host Bob Doll, President, CEO & CIO of Crossmark Global Investments, sits down with Ram Gidoomal , entrepreneur, humanitarian, author of My Silk Road , and Chairman of the External ESG Advisory Board at SHEIN. From becoming a refugee twice to leading global businesses and serving the worldwide Church, Ram shares the lessons that shaped his...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Leisle Chung , CEO of Vanguard Skin Specialists , to explore faith, leadership, purpose, and what it means to build an integrated life. A Yale graduate, who studied theology at the University of Edinburgh, earned her MBA from Harvard Business School, and spent nearly a decade at Bain & Company, Leisle shares how God has shaped her journey thr...

In this episode of UpNext, guest host Bob Doll, President, CEO, and CIO of Crossmark Global Investments, sits down with Robin John , CEO and Co-Founder of Eventide Asset Management, to explore a vision of investing that goes far beyond financial returns. Drawing from Robin's book, The Good Investor , they discuss how our resources ultimately belong to God, why work is a sacred calling, and how...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Daniel and Loredana Lar for a compelling conversation set in the heart of Cluj, Romania, a city shaped by resilience, innovation, and faith. Together, they reflect on Cluj’s transformation from a modest town into a growing center of entrepreneurship and cultural renewal. Daniel shares his journey from aspiring pastor to executive leader and Portf...

In this episode of UpNext, Bob Doll sits down with Dr. Joe Stowell, writer, pastor, and former president of Moody Bible Institute and Cornerstone University, or a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation on faith, leadership, and legacy. Dr. Joe reflects on his life journey through ministry and higher education, sharing hard-earned lessons about conviction, humility, and the central role of rel...

In this inspiring episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with social entrepreneur Veronica Colondam, founder of YCAP, to share her powerful journey from young mother to leader in youth empowerment across Indonesia. Veronica opens up about the challenges, risks, and bold decisions behind building a mission-driven organization that equips young leaders through education, character, and economic oppo...

In this episode of UpNext , Tommy Lee sits down with J.R. Briggs, founder of Kairos Partnerships, for a thoughtful conversation on the transformative power of asking better questions. J.R. shares his journey from serving as a young pastor to becoming a trusted coach and consultant for leaders seeking clarity, courage, and wisdom. Together, they explore why great leaders don’t just give answers, th...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Paul Amos , founder of The Redeemed and former president of Aflac, for an inspiring conversation on faith, leadership, and purpose. Paul opens up about his transition from decades in the corporate world to launching a ministry focused on helping men find freedom and redemption through Christ. He shares lessons learned from leadership, the importa...

In this episode of UpNext , Tommy Lee sits down with Rev. Dr. Erin Moniz , Associate Chaplain and Director for Chapel at Baylor University, for a deeply engaging conversation on faith, intimacy, and connection in a modern world. Dr. Moniz shares her journey in ministry and the lessons she’s learned guiding students through questions of purpose, faith, and relationships. Drawing from her latest boo...

In this episode of UpNext , Tommy Lee sits down with Dr. Felicia Wong , Deputy Chief Executive of the Christian Medical Fellowship and co-founder of She Sells Purple , to explore her inspiring journey of integrating faith and purpose into her work in medicine and leadership. Dr. Wong shares how her cultural background and calling shaped her path in healthcare, and how she’s using her platform to e...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Talaya Frazier, Co-founder of Flourish Lifestyles Wellness Retreats, Founder of CC4C, Owner of Talaya's, to explore her remarkable journey from personal pain to purpose. What began as a mother’s fight to help her child has grown into a powerful movement supporting families of children with rare and undiagnosed conditions. Talaya shares how ru...

In this episode of UpNext , Tommy Lee sits down with Kevin Washington , Associate Athletics Director at Baylor University , to explore his inspiring journey from aspiring NFL player to leader in sports ministry. Kevin shares how faith, mentorship, and community have guided his path, shaping his approach to leadership, purpose, and personal growth. Through powerful reflections and real-life experie...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Paul Martel, Executive Director of Global. Church , a visionary leader reimagining digital infrastructure for the global Church. From his early studies in criminology to pioneering faith-based technology, Paul shares his remarkable journey of purpose and innovation. Discover how his passion for community and collaboration led to the creation of G...

In this episode of UpNext, guest host Bob Doll sits down with Dr. Nicole (Massie) Martin for a powerful conversation on faith, leadership, and the cost of calling. Drawing from her experience in both corporate and ministry contexts, Dr. Martin shares deep insights on the role of suffering and surrender in shaping effective leaders. Together, they explore the challenges of modern leadership, from s...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Promod Haque, Member of the Board of Directors at Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) and one of the most respected venture capitalists in the industry. From his early days in India to his transformative career in Silicon Valley, Promod shares lessons on entrepreneurship, investing, and living a life anchored in faith and integrity. Discover how his e...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Andrew Pottinger, a dynamic entrepreneur and tech leader, to trace his journey from Silicon Valley to Austin. Andrew opens up about his time at Meta, the challenges of balancing work and family, and his vision for using technology to advance the Gospel. He also shares how faith shapes his leadership and fuels his passion for innovation in the fas...

In this episode of Up Next, host Tommy Lee sits down with Tony Bancroft, Director, Animator, Podcaster, and Lipscomb University Professor, to discuss his latest project, Light of the World, a groundbreaking 2D animated feature about Jesus. During his 12-year career with Disney Studios, Tony helped bring to life some of the most beloved characters in animation history: Pumbaa in The Lion King, Kron...

What does it mean to be a good bandmate, in music, in leadership, and in life? In this episode, Tommy Lee sits down with Stu Smith, Head of Design at Atlassian , to trace his journey from worship bands in Texas to leading design for global products like Confluence and Trello. Stu shares how music opened the door to design, how “cave time” and “spike time” fuel creativity, and how he learned to lea...

In this episode of UpNext, Yonilda Varner shares her remarkable journey from California to Austin, where family circumstances and a heart to support her mother shaped her path. With over 25 years at AT&T, she reflects on how servant leadership and meaningful workplace relationships defined her career. Yonilda and Tommy also discuss the evolution of training methods in a rapidly changing cultur...

In this episode of UpNext , Lauren Gill takes us from her rural roots in Kentucky to her role as Senior Director of the Global Faith and Work Initiative at Redeemer City to City in New York City. She shares how her early passion for acting and producing shaped her perspective on vocation, faith, and the dignity of all work. Lauren also unpacks cultural differences in the global faith-and-work conv...

This week on UpNext with Tommy Lee , we sit down with Ilaria Chan, a dynamic leader who’s navigated the worlds of finance, technology, and social impact. From her early days at Goldman Sachs to her pivotal role at Grab and the founding of the Tech for Good Institute, Ilaria shares her journey of ambition, leadership, and personal growth. She opens up about balancing high-level professional achieve...

After 35 years in the semiconductor industry, Larry Smith is pivoting from corporate boardrooms to the frontlines of homelessness advocacy. In this episode, he shares how his military roots, faith, and leadership lessons shaped his passion for serving veterans and building Community First! Village, a revolutionary housing model for the chronically homeless in Austin. Want to lead with purpose? Be...

In this episode of UpNext , Tommy Lee speaks with Angie Ward, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program and Associate Professor of Leadership & Ministry at Denver Seminary. Angie shares her journey from sports journalism to theological education, offering insight into the evolving landscape of ministry today. She highlights the need to broaden our understanding of ministry roles, the importan...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee speaks with Timothy Dalrymple, President and CEO of Christianity Today, about his journey from elite gymnastics to theological study and media leadership. Timothy shares how a life-altering injury led him to deeper faith and purpose, offering insight on suffering, identity, and calling. They also discuss the role of global storytelling in the Church and how Tim...

In this episode of UpNext , Tommy Lee speaks with Missy Wallace, Strategic Leader for 90Seventeen and founder of the Nashville Institute for Faith and Work. Missy shares her transformative journey of integrating faith and vocation, unpacking how a deeper understanding of God’s purpose for work shaped her career and calling. From honoring the dignity of “invisible” work to navigating seasons of tra...