UpNext with Tommy Lee

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...

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...