In this dynamic episode, Bennetta Raby, also known as Coach Bee, shares her powerful, decades-long journey as a transformation expert, starting from restoring her grandmother's furniture to orchestrating global strategic alignment for Fortune 500 companies. She reveals the deeply personal crisis of fulfillment that led her to discover her true calling. Hear Coach Bee unpack the "legions of things" that hold leaders back and the critical need for self-reflection and emotional intelligence to lead a life of authentic purpose, emphasizing that "vulnerability has to be present for transformation to happen."
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
This episode features Eric Stone, founder and CEO of Clear Path Ventures, discussing how to build a high-performance workplace culture based on his experience leading a highly successful region at Enterprise. He emphasizes the non-negotiable commitments developed through a peer-nominated "think tank," the importance of continuous training, and his five factors of engagement: relationships, communication, resources, development, and recognition. Stone also stresses that culture is measurable and predictable, and highlights the need for leaders to consistently have a presence and communicate clearly using his ABCs - Amplify, Buffer, and Convey.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Discover the extraordinary journey of Jonathan Shroyer, Co-founder of Quimbi AI. This episode explores how growing up in a massive family taught him the importance of influence over command, which he later applied in his career by intentionally mastering emotional intelligence. Learn his powerful strategy for creating "bi-directional value" for customers and talent, his belief that data - not your product - is your company's secret weapon, and the essential leadership attribute he credits for his success across global companies like Microsoft and Symantec. Hear his inspiring personal story, rooted in hope, which fuels his pioneering spirit to reverse-engineer the future of customer experience with agentic AI.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
CFO of Brinkmann Constructors, Sam Cook, shares the remarkable journey that propelled her from a small, humble border town in Mexico to a leader in the US construction industry. Discover how her upbringing sparked a relentless curiosity and a drive to constantly seek the next level, leading her to start college at 16, and transition from architecture to high-stakes finance. Gain insights into her leadership philosophy, including why it's vital to be emotionally ready to execute a plan and the value of having a good team while navigating rapid company growth.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
In this unforgettable episode, world traveler, author, and speaker Sam Goodwin explores the power of perseverance, faith, and family through gripping stories of adversity and triumph. Sam shares how competitive sports shaped his mindset, recounts his harrowing experience of 63 days in a Syrian prison, and reveals the miraculous series of events that led to his release - thanks to the unwavering support of his family and faith community. Listeners will discover how Sam’s encounters around the globe taught him powerful lessons in gratitude, forgiveness, and resilience, and why taking risks can lead to unexpected silver linings. Tune in for practical wisdom, inspirational anecdotes, and a heartfelt reflection on what it truly means to have "something extra" as a leader and a human being.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
What does it take to lead one of the most elite, high-stakes teams in the world? Retired U.S. Naval Officer and three-time Blue Angels Flight Leader, Captain Greg "Boss" Wooldridge, reveals the mindset required to lead pilots who fly inches from disaster. Discover how the Blue Angels harness the power of vulnerability and fearless feedback using a structured debriefing process to build radical trust and achieve peak performance. From the importance of being both confident and humble to the impact of finding a mission "bigger than just air shows," this is an indispensable masterclass in leadership.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Dive into a masterclass on global leadership with Suda Suvarna, Retired Global Chief Digital Solutions Officer at Deloitte. He shares his remarkable journey from growing up in India to leading massive international teams and navigating some of the most complex business transformations in the world. Discover his foundational principles for inspiring trust, the critical role of cultural awareness and curiosity in leadership, and why he believes AI is the "multiplier" that will transform the future of business.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Bill Tingle, a former CIO, shares profound lessons learned from his diverse career, including his time at Enterprise and Pods, and how early life experiences shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses the transformative power of ontological coaching, emphasizing the critical role of precise language, clear commitments, and shared understanding in building trust and driving results. Dive into a conversation about how leaders must learn to flourish, not fear, the power of AI to gain more capacity, and why the ultimate goal is creating organizations that act as a dream maker for every employee.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Discover how to transform your relationship with money from a source of stress and shame into a tool for empowerment and choice. Anne Lester, a former Managing Director and Head of Retirement Solutions at JP Morgan, opens up about her own journey from being maxed out on credit cards to designing and launching target date funds, a process that revealed she wasn't "uniquely terrible" at managing money. This episode offers practical, non-judgmental advice—rooted in behavioral economics—on setting up guardrails for a secure financial future, the single most important habit for young professionals, and why being a little uncomfortable is a powerful lesson in resilience. Tune in to uncover how to align your financial actions with your goals and start living your best financial life.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Discover how to live a life of intentional impact with Joe Pellegrino, Founder and President of Legacy Minded Ministries and Not Just an Average Joe. Joe shares his profound concept of being a "dash enhancer" - maximizing the life (the dash) between your birth and death dates to positively affect generations to come. He opens up about overcoming a lonely, challenging youth to become a successful author and mentor, revealing how his commitment to perseverance transformed his trajectory. You'll also learn why asking the right questions is the key to unlocking your true purpose.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
In this episode, Michael Staenberg, Founder & Owner of The Staenberg Group, reveals the childhood lessons his father taught him about the importance of being a partner and the wisdom of "staying in your lane" learned from delivering newspapers to Warren Buffett. He also shares the personal philosophy behind his "converging ripple theory" and why his company's philosophy extends beyond the boardroom to a commitment to community transformation. This conversation is a compelling reminder that the biggest legacies aren't just built with bricks and mortar, but with a compassionate heart and the humility to learn from every experience.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Ann Eileen Thompson, a faith-driven career and leadership coach, author, and speaker, shares her incredible journey of trusting in uninhibited faith. From her early days at Macy's and a successful corporate career at Procter & Gamble, Ann reveals how she learned to embrace her entrepreneurial spirit and a "something extra" that led her to co-found The Garage Group. She delves into the pivotal moments that taught her to release control and how a seemingly simple Bible study reshaped her perspective on work and identity. Ann's story is a powerful testament to the idea that our careers are not just jobs but divine assignments, and true leadership often requires letting go to receive what's next.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Join us for a dynamic conversation with Chris Moore, the Vice President of Information Technology at United Sugar Producers and Refiners Cooperative. Chris, a veteran in the tech world with a 20-year career, reveals how his experiences, including a life-changing assignment in Singapore, taught him that the most effective leaders are those who truly connect their work to a powerful mission. He shares his invaluable insights on nurturing talent, the importance of mentorship, and how to stay grounded and energized in a demanding role. This episode provides a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and purpose, and Chris makes a compelling case for why every leader's something extra must be a belief in the mission.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Cindy Davis, a Global Brand Expert and Board Director, as she shares her journey from aspiring tax attorney to leading some of the world's most iconic brands. Discover how a college pivot from accounting to marketing set her on a path to working with giants like Walmart, Disney, and Sam's Club. Cindy reveals the crucial leadership lessons she learned along the way, including the immense power of relationships preceding results and the importance of modeling healthy behavior for your team. This episode is a masterclass in building a culture of trust, embracing personal growth, and understanding that your greatest legacy is the positive impact you have on others.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Zach Lewis, Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, as he reveals the surprising parallels between homesteading and cybersecurity. Discover how his experience with chickens and fences led to a philosophy of "defense in depth" that protects critical data. Zach shares his journey from individual contributor to award-winning leader, emphasizing the importance of raising your hand for new challenges and empowering your team to succeed. This episode is packed with wisdom on building trust before a crisis, navigating change, and leveraging AI for personal and professional growth. You won't want to miss his insights on what it takes to protect an organization and how he’s normalizing the conversation around cybersecurity breaches in his new book, Locked Up.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
This week, Pete Hogan, Senior Vice President of Technology at Compana Pet Brands, shares his journey from a systems integrator to an award-winning CIO, revealing how he navigates a complex, multi-brand landscape to drive growth and innovation. Learn how Pete unified disparate IT teams into a single, cohesive unit and successfully led a rapid cloud upgrade with zero major issues. He discusses his philosophy of shifting from a "player coach" to a "mentor contributor," empowering his team to become strategic business partners. From handling rapid-fire acquisitions to leveraging AI for company-wide training, Pete offers invaluable wisdom on strategic thinking, humility, and the power of giving back to the community that shaped his career.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Join us for a conversation with Jyotsna Gupta, the VP and Chief Information Officer at Bi-State Development Agency, as she reveals how her father's strategic planting of fruit trees taught her the value of leaving a legacy. Discover how her early passion for turning waste into art and her self-taught automation skills laid the foundation for a career defined by innovation, problem-solving, and a deep commitment to customer service. Learn how she leads with empathy, navigates the complexities of AI in a regulated environment, and believes that every person has a "something extra" to offer—they just have to be brave enough to chip away the clay and reveal the pure gold beneath.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Leadership isn't about the Xs and Os; it's about people, culture, and connection. This episode features Sean Glaze, an author, speaker, and the owner of Great Results Team Building. Sean, who transitioned his coaching and teaching skills to the corporate world, shares invaluable lessons on why culture should be a leader's top priority. He shares insights from his latest book, "What Effective Leaders Do," and explains how focusing on self-development and intentionally designing experiences are crucial for success in any organization.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
In this insightful episode of the "Something Extra" podcast, Lisa Nichols welcomes Jessie Minton, the Vice Chancellor for Technology and Chief Information Officer at Washington University. Minton delves into how her extensive background in equestrian competitions shaped her leadership philosophy, emphasizing partnership and resilience. She also recounts a pivotal "falling off the horse" moment early in her career, offering valuable lessons on adapting communication to different organizational cultures. The discussion further explores Minton's strategic initiatives at Washington University, including the implementation of a multi-year cybersecurity program , and the exciting, game-changing applications of AI in clinical, research, and administrative spaces.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Uncover profound leadership insights with Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends. In this episode, Joni shares her incredible journey from a diving accident that left her a quadriplegic to founding Joni and Friends, a global ministry serving millions with disabilities worldwide. Discover how she leverages weakness for God's glory, leading with transparency and inviting others to embrace their own stories of redemption. Joni also discusses her latest book, 'The Practice of the Presence of Jesus,' and the power of practicing Christ's presence daily to navigate life's challenges with hope and contentment.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media