UpNext with Tommy Lee

In this powerful episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Bishop Jeffrey Dudley Sr., Founding and Senior Pastor of New Life in Christ Church, retired Air Force chaplain, and author of Leading Through Storms, to unpack a lifetime of leadership forged through obedience, obscurity, and unwavering faith. From preaching his first sermon as a teenager to serving as a chaplain around the globe, Bishop...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee speaks with Kim Patton, who shares her journey from growing up in Austin to becoming a leader in restorative practices. They discuss the transformation of Austin, Kim's work in the community, and the challenges of starting a nonprofit organization. Kim emphasizes the importance of faith, listening, and personal growth in her life and work, as well as the dy...

In this episode of Up Next , Tommy Lee sits down with Jon Hirst, Co-Founder of Generous Mind , to explore how nonprofits can pursue innovation with clarity and courage, even in seasons of uncertainty. Jon draws from his experience as a longtime Chief Innovation Officer to unpack the tension nonprofits face between preserving what works and taking bold steps into the unknown. He and Tommy discuss t...

In this episode of UpNext, host Tommy Lee sits down with Pastor Naeem Fazal to talk about his journey of planting a diverse, multiethnic church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Naeem opens up about the personal challenges he faced along the way, the heart behind his book Tomorrow Needs You, and how God brings purpose through pain. This powerful conversation touches on identity, perseverance, and the...

In this inspiring episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Meryl Herr to explore her journey from Birmingham to Athens, Georgia, and her experiences living and working across several cities. Meryl opens up about her career transitions, including her time at Fuller Seminary and the launch of her new consulting venture. They dive deep into the vital role mentoring plays in leadership development...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy chats with Nicholas Rowe and Sheila Wise Rowe to unpack the heart behind their book Healing Leadership Trauma. Together, they explore how personal wounds, cultural backgrounds, and unaddressed emotional pain can deeply impact how we lead. Drawing from their own experiences and cross-cultural insights, Nick and Sheila discuss why true leadership requires inner heali...

This week on UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Bertie Lourens, CEO of Waste Plan, to explore his remarkable journey from the heights of entrepreneurial success to navigating profound business challenges. Bertie opens up about lessons learned through failure, the role of humility in leadership, and the daily discipline of seeking God’s voice through Scripture and prayer. He shares powerful insights...

In this episode, Tommy Lee sits down with licensed counselor, spiritual director, and author Michael Cusick for an honest conversation about pain, identity, and healing in the life of a leader. Michael shares how his early experiences shaped his calling, the critical difference between guilt and shame , and how God’s severe mercy , grace in our broken moments can transform us. They also reflect on...

In this episode, Tommy Lee sits down with Rev. Dr. Paul Hoffman, author, scholar, and lead pastor of Evangelical Friends Church of Newport, Rhode Island, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, writing, and ministry. Anchored in Hoffman’s latest book, AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep: Leading and Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence , the conversation unpacks how emerging...

In this episode, Tommy Lee sits down with Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg, Director of La Mott and Leopard's Leap. Hanneli shares her journey of faith, personal growth, and philanthropic work in South Africa. She discusses her early life challenges, including overcoming cataracts, and how these experiences shaped her perspective on gratitude and service. Hanneli emphasizes the importance of integratin...

In this episode, Tommy Lee speaks with Obakeng Motshome, Johannesburg City Director of Resource Global and the founder of Afrika Dumela (AD), about his entrepreneurial journey in the travel industry. Growing up in Johannesburg, Obakeng navigates the rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and unique challenges of his home city while building his business. The conversation also touches on the significa...

In this powerful conversation, Tommy Lee sits down with Jim Murphy, a renowned Performance Coach, to explore the deeper side of success. Jim shares his personal journey from aspiring athlete to transformational coach, the heart behind his book Inner Excellence, and the spiritual awakening that reshaped his life. Together, they dive into how true greatness goes beyond performance, touching on ident...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee interviews Tom Koos, President and CEO of PrimeSource Building Products. Tom shares his expansive career journey across multiple industries and reflects on the importance of mentorship, personal growth, and the lessons learned along the way. He highlights essential leadership qualities such as listening, team building, and the guiding role of faith in career de...

In this episode, Tommy Lee sits down with Cobus Truter, Co-Founder and CEO of Indlu IO, based in Pretoria, South Africa. They dive into Cobus’ journey through real estate, the importance of mastering the fundamentals before innovating, and the power of teamwork in entrepreneurship. Cobus shares lessons from early ventures, the challenges and risks of pivoting as a company grows, and how his faith...

In this week's episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee speaks with Tracy Thomas, Chief Development Officer at the Museum of the Bible, about her fundraising journey, the importance of relationships in philanthropy, and the collaborative efforts in Bible translation. Tracy shares insights on her career transitions, the significance of the Museum of the Bible, and how AI is enhancing the translation proces...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee interviews Geoffrey Hsu, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Flourish San Diego. They discuss the organization's mission, the challenges of church collaboration, and Geoff’s personal journey in leadership. They also explore the impact of cultural influences, the role of shame, and the transformative power of the gospel in personal growth and community enga...

In this episode of UpNext , Tommy Lee sits down with Jhameson Ko , an Indonesian entrepreneur on a mission to make healthy eating more accessible. From studying social entrepreneurship at USC to launching his own oat milk and healthy snack brand in Indonesia, Jhameson shares the highs and lows of building a purpose-driven business. He discusses the challenges of breaking into the food industry, th...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee and Gabrielle Clowdus dive into the mission of Settled, an organization committed to addressing homelessness by creating intentional tiny home communities on church land. Gabrielle shares her journey from studying international housing to focusing on local poverty, emphasizing the power of community and relationships in driving lasting change. They discuss the...

In this episode of UpNext, Dr. Arianna Molloy explores the role of mentorship, the journey to finding purpose, and the deep connection between calling and burnout. She and Tommy discuss generational differences in work ethics, cultural perspectives on rest, and why true rest is a sacred practice that must be prioritized. Drawing from her latest book, Healthy Calling, Dr. Molloy unpacks how passion...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee and Allen Yeh explore the changing landscape of missions, education, and global Christianity. Allen shares his unique educational journey across Yale, Gordon Conwell, Edinburgh, and Oxford, reflecting on how cultural expectations shaped his career path. They discuss the decline of theological education in the West, the need to invest in local leaders, and the f...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee sits down with Jeff Haanen, founder of the Denver Institute for Faith and Work, to explore the intersections of faith, work, and personal growth. Jeff shares insights from his journey as a father and leader, reflecting on the evolution of the faith and work movement over the years. They discuss generational perspectives on integrating faith into work, the power...

In this episode of UpNext, host Tommy Lee sits down with May Sethaphanich, a senior counsel at a global company, to explore her incredible journey from Singapore to the United States, her faith, and her dynamic career in law and artificial intelligence. #ai #artificialintelligence #aiandministry #faithandwork #christianleadership #Singapore

In this insightful conversation, Tommy Lee sits down with Dr. Rob McKenna, founder of WiLD Leaders, Inc., to explore the deep connection between trust and leadership development. Dr. McKenna shares the inspiration behind the WiLD Trust Index, a tool designed to measure trust at personal, team, and organizational levels. They discuss the challenges of rebuilding trust, the role of vulnerability, an...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee speaks with Scott Elequin, Executive Director of Switchboard, a platform designed to connect volunteers with mission organizations. They discuss Scott's background, the inception of Switchboard, and the challenges faced in the realm of volunteering. The conversation highlights the importance of skills-based volunteering, the dynamics of global engagement, and t...

In this episode of UpNext, Tommy Lee reconnects with Dr. Hannah Stolze, the William E Crenshaw, Endowed Chair of Supply Chain Management at Baylor University. They discuss the evolution of supply chain management, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of understanding global dynamics in this field. Hannah shares insights on emerging markets, the significance of teachin...