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
At just 10 years old, Juliette Blake started doodling “cool girls” that would later spark a movement. Now the founder and CEO of Moxies, she joins Lisa to share how her childhood sketches evolved into entrepreneurship and STEM initiatives. Juliette discusses how a moment at her sister’s birthday party revealed alarming early confidence issues in young girls—and how that insight launched a lifelong mission. With last month's launch of Moxies, Juliette is continuing to help girls see what's possible when they feel seen, supported, and inspired. Tune in to learn how purposeful media can inspire girls to thrive in STEM and beyond.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Explore how life’s unexpected turns can shape our deepest passions and purpose. Susan Flippen, CEO of The Flippen Group, shares her inspiring journey from a childhood in foster care to leading a company dedicated to bringing out the best in people—whether in schools, corporations, or communities. Discover how Susan’s early dreams and challenges fueled her commitment to supporting educators and building cultures where everyone can thrive. Tune in for uplifting stories, leadership wisdom, and a reminder that every experience can help us connect the dots toward a life of impact and generosity.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Explore the power of storytelling and the impact of nurturing childhood passions with this week's guest, Will Parker Anderson, Senior Editor at Penguin Random House Christian. Will & Lisa discuss his journey from writing poems as a kid to editing bestselling books and developing engaging content for projects like "The Chosen," all while reflecting on the importance of encouragement and intentionality in both family and professional life. Tune in for inspiring insights on how early influences and supportive mentors can shape a career—and a life—dedicated to meaningful stories.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media
Horst Schulze, legendary co-founder and former president of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company shares how his humble beginnings in a small German village and the mentorship of an extraordinary maitre d’ shaped his lifelong philosophy of excellence, purpose, and high intent. Discover how his famous motto, “We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen,” became the gold standard in hospitality and
leadership. Tune in for stories, practical wisdom, and the secret sauce behind building world-class teams and relationships—at work and at home.
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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 as we sit down with Matt Nicolls, Chief Digital Innovation Officer at Technology Partners, to uncover the unique story behind his creative approach to leadership. Matt shares how his early experiences shaped his passion for visually mapping out solutions, and how this skill has become central to his work in technology. Listeners will hear about the mentors who inspired him, the power of transparency in business, and how bringing “something extra” to the table can make all the difference in driving innovation and building strong teams.
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Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media