This week, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Lara Nichols, senior vice president, state and federal regulatory legal support for Duke Energy. Lara is responsible for advancing rate and regulatory initiatives and updating regulatory models. In addition, her team provides legal advice on state and federal public utility regulatory matters. Since joining the company in 1998, she has held several prominent positions at Duke Energy, including serving as vice president, nuclear and environmental, health and safety, legal support for Duke Energy, and the Secretary of the Operations and Nuclear Oversight Committee of the Duke Energy Board of Directors. Lara graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and holds a Juris Doctor degree, with high honors, from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Lara reflects on her leadership journey, her gravitation towards collaborative work, the value of building empowered teams, and the importance of empathy and humility in leadership. She also shares her passion for Duke Energy’s mission, supporting her team and encouraging team members to take risks, and her powerful advice to young leaders, including balancing being ambitious and focusing on the job at hand.

Other Topics Discussed Include:

• Lara’s Leadership Journey 
• Early Inspirations Who Encouraged Lara’s Leadership
• How Lara Provides Her Team with the Opportunity to Grow and Take Risks
• Growing and Learning from Mistakes
• Showing Up with Empathy and Humility as a Leader
• Lara’s Daily Disciplines to Lead Effectively 
• Leadership Resources
• Lara’s Actionable Advice to Young Leaders
• People Without Big Titles Who Had an Impact on Lara

Additional Resources: 

Lara’s Actionable Advice to Young Leaders:

• Take ownership of your development and speak up about what you are interested in
• Seek out a mentor you connect with
• Ask people how they got to where they are
• Ask what it would take to be a viable candidate for your next role and get genuine feedback on what it will take to get there

Charity

• This episode is in support of Lara’s designated charity, the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. We have made a donation to the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy as a thank you to Lara for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, please visit https://charlottelegaladvocacy.org/

Books:

• Smart Brevity by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler 
• Feminist Fight Club by Jessica Bennett

Duke Energy

• Website: https://www.duke-energy.com/home

Contact Lara Nichols

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larasimmonsnichols/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Misty Miller to the Everybody Leads podcast. Misty is the Senior Vice President of Organizational Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, one of the nation’s largest youth-serving nonprofits. The non-profit has more than 5,500 locations serving more than 4.2 million kids and teens annually. Misty has dedicated her career to Boys & Girls Clubs of America for nearly 25 years, including past roles as director of operations, director of resource development, and president and CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain in eastern North Carolina. Before her time with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Misty served as a nonprofit consultant, advising organizations on complex projects, capital and annual fundraising campaigns, and board development. Misty is a proud alumna of East Carolina University and serves on the Board of Directors for the ECU Foundation.

Misty discusses her leadership journey, the importance of being authentic and showing up as your best self, and the value of seeking out feedback and relying on colleagues. She also shares more about the history, mission, and impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and its efforts to work through a trauma-informed lens. She offers insights into the importance of staying connected with your organization’s purpose, taking advantage of opportunities to grow as a leader, and bringing others along with you as your organization scales and grows. 

Other Topics Discussed Include:

• Misty’s Leadership Journey
• The Mission and Impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• Consistency and Showing Up as Your Best Self
• Connecting With the Purpose of Your Organization as a Leader
• Increased Challenges of Youth Across the Country
• How Ideas of Leadership are Infused in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• Individuals Who Encouraged Misty’s Leadership
• Turning Mistakes into Learning Opportunities
• Leadership Resources that Have Helped Misty 
• Advice to Young Leaders
• Impactful Individuals Who Lead Without a Title 
• Ways to Connect and Support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Additional Resources:

Charity

• This episode is in support of Misty Miller’s designated charity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. We have made a donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of America as a thank you to Misty for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America, please visit https://www.bgca.org/

Contact Misty Miller

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-miller-06785b1b/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

In this special episode of the Everybody Leads podcast, New York Times bestselling authors Daniel Pink and Bob Goff join Tim Lupinacci to discuss insights from Tim’s highly anticipated book Everybody Leads: How You Lead and Why It Matters. The book delves into many of the leadership insights shared on the Everybody Leads podcast; it also features a foreword by Bob Goff and a review by Daniel Pink. 

Daniel Pink is the author of several bestselling books on science, business, and creativity. His books include the New York Times bestsellers The Power of Regret, Drive, and To Sell is Human.

Bob Goff is an author, attorney, and Honorary Consul to the Republic of Uganda. He is also the founder of Love Does, a global non-profit human rights organization. His books include the New York Times bestsellers Love Does and Dream Big.

Daniel and Bob discuss their endorsement of Tim’s Book, Everybody Leads: How You Lead and Why It Matters, and how their work influenced Tim’s leadership journey, as well as the practical tips shared in the book.

Other Topics Discussed

• The Value of Offering Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose to Your Team
• Intensifying Purpose with Anchoring Devices
• The Idea that Everybody Leads 
• How Looking Backwards Moves Us Forward
• Not Letting Closed Doors Steer You from Your Goals 
• Dinner Table Diplomacy and Being in Community 
• The Importance of Reflection and Sabbath 
• Lessons From Lost: The Idea of the Others 

Additional Resources:

Books

• Books by Daniel Pink: https://www.danpink.com/books/
• Books by Bob Goff: https://www.bobgoff.com/books/

Everybody Leads: How You Lead and Why It Matters

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Everybody-Leads-How-Lead-Matters-ebook/dp/B0FJ8Z2QKZ
• Alabama Booksmith (Signed First Edition): https://www.alabamabooksmith.com/signed-copies/everybody-leads-how-you-lead-and-why-it-matters

Contact Daniel Pink

• Website: https://www.danpink.com/about/

Contact Bob Goff

• Website: https://www.bobgoff.com/about/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci sits down with Pam Mims, Deputy General Counsel of Amwins Group Inc., a leading excess and surplus lines specialty insurance broker. Pam leads and supports various legal initiatives in the insurance industry, with over 20 years of experience. She collaborates with leaders who are navigating high-stakes decisions and managing risks from the boardroom to the courtroom. In her role with Amwins, Pam oversees litigation matters across the company and works closely with the company's brokers and underwriters, with counseling on E&O risk mitigation. She received a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from Baylor University and a Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law Houston. Pam is passionate about delivering legal excellence and value to her team and organization.

Pam shares insights into her leadership journey and approach, from setting clear goals and holding herself accountable to positively dealing with tough lessons. She emphasizes the value of having empathy as a leader and listening to your team. Pam also shares the importance of understanding your why and figuring out the steps you need to take to accomplish it. 

Other Topics Discussed:

• Pam’s Leadership Journey
• Early Inspirations Who Encouraged Pam 
• Pam’s Leadership Approach
• Learning From Mistakes and Setbacks
• How Pam Shows Up as Her Best Self
• Managing Priorities and Setting Goals
• Leadership Resources
• Encouraging Her Team to Find Their Purpose
• Traits Pam Looks for in Trusted Advisers
• People Who Inspire Pam and Had a Positive Impact on Her

Additional Resources:

Charity

• This episode is in support of Pam Mims’ designated charity, Community Matters Insurance Partners of Charlotte. We have made a donation to Community Matters Insurance Partners of Charlotte as a thank you to Pam for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about Community Matters Insurance Partners of Charlotte, please visit https://communitymatterscharlotte.org/

Books:

• Find Your Why by Simon Sinek, David Mead, and Peter Docker
• Atomic Habits by James Clear

Amwins Group:

• Website: https://www.amwins.com/

Contact Pam Mims:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-mims-390133bb/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Craig Glidden, Former President and Chief Administrative Officer of Cruise and Executive Vice President of Legal and Policy at General Motors. Under his leadership, General Motors developed a bipartisan policy team that has been influential in navigating the changing domestic and geopolitical environment and working with officials at all levels of government. Craig has had an extraordinary career in private practice and serving as in-house counsel. He previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for LyondellBasell Industries and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. Craig received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University and a Juris Doctorate with high honors from Florida State University, where he served as editor-in-chief and managing editor of the Florida State University Law Review. In February of 2025, Craig was awarded the ABA’s Spirit of Excellence award, which represents the highest recognition of lawyers who have dedicated their careers to advancing diversity in the legal profession. 

Craig shares his leadership journey and reflects on the positive impact of individuals from his community in Florida. He provides insights on the value of taking risks, embracing new opportunities, prioritizing one-on-one meetings with your team members, and being an agile leader. Craig also shares his daily practices and valuable leadership resources that can help you grow as a leader. 

Other Topics Discussed:

• Craig’s Leadership Journey
• The Influential Impact of Craig’s Mother 
• Craig’s Admiration of Abraham Lincoln’s Leadership Journey 
• Learning from Setbacks and Embracing New Opportunities
• Transitioning From Private Practice to In-House Counsel
• The Art of Effectuating Change in an Organization
• Becoming an Agile Leader by Building Relationships
• Prioritizing One-On-One Meetings
• How Individuals Can Grow Their Leadership and Impact
• People Without Big Titles Who Had an Impact on Craig 

Additional Resources:

Charity:

• This episode is in support of Craig Glidden’s designated charity, the International Center for Dispute Resolution (ICDR). We have made a donation to ICDR as a thank you to Craig for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about ICDR, please visit https://www.icdr.org/

Books:

• The Trusted Advisor by David H. Maister, Charles H. Green, and Robert M. Galford
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey 
• Books by Jim Collins
• Books by Patrick Lencioni
• Books by Adam Grant

Contact Craig Glidden:

LinkedIn:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-glidden/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Lang Wiseman, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel for First Horizon Corporation. Lang is responsible for overseeing all company legal matters, including compliance with securities, corporate, banking laws, and government relations. He joined First Horizon in 2024 from Baker Donelson, where he represented a diverse portfolio of clients across various industries. Lang holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Tennessee (UT), where he starred as a guard under Vols head coach Wade Houston from 1989-1993. He is a former Academic All-American, an SEC Basketball Legend, and the most decorated scholar-athlete in Tennessee basketball history. After completing his years at UT, Lang received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

Lang has held various prestigious roles throughout his career, including counsel to the U.S. Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, deputy governor and chief counsel under Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and law clerk for the Honorable Harry W. Wellford of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He has also served in extensive civic and non-profit leadership roles, including on the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, the Governor's Council for Judicial Appointments, the Tennessee Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, and the University of Tennessee Athletics Foundation.

Lang discusses his leadership journey and shares insights on the importance of authenticity, transparency, and preparation in leadership. He emphasizes the value of being genuinely invested in the success of your team, being deliberate and becoming an expert in your craft, and learning from setbacks. 

Other Topics Discussed:

• Lang’s Leadership Journey and Leadership Style
• Lang’s Success at the University of Tennessee 
• Early Inspirations and Influences 
• Building Relationships at a New Organization
• Ways to Approach Setbacks and Disappointments
• Lang’s Daily Disciplines to Show Up as His Best Self 
• Leadership Books and Resources
• The Concept of Hanging Around the Basket and Doing the Work
• Advice for Young Leaders Starting Their Career 
• People Who Have an Influence and Impact Without a Big Title

Additional Resources:

Charity

• This episode is in support of Lang Wiseman’s designated charity, Agape Memphis. We have made a donation to Agape Memphis as a thank you to Lang for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about Agape Memphis, please visit https://agapemeanslove.org/

First Horizon Corporation

• Website: https://www.firsthorizon.com/

Contact Lang Wiseman

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/langwiseman/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Monique Trusclair Maddox, President and CEO of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation, and Father Timothy Kesicki, Chair of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Trust, which funds the work of the foundation. The Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partnership that works to mitigate the dehumanizing impact of racism while dismantling the continuing legacy of slavery in America through truth, racial healing, and transformation. The foundation provides scholarships, housing support for the elderly, and supports important racial healing programs. 

Monique Trusclair Maddox holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University. With more than 30 years of corporate experience, including a career in IT leadership and leading her own consultancy firm, Macrame Technologies, Monique has helped companies of all sizes make pivotal decisions that have facilitated their growth and success. Following a life-altering discovery about her family, Monique cast a vision to grow the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation to positively impact current and future generations of descendants.

Father Timothy Kesicki entered the Society of Jesus in 1984 and was ordained a priest in 1994. He worked as a priest at the Jesuit Refugee Service in Uganda, as part of an educational relief effort. Before becoming chair of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Trust, Father Kesicki served as President of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, the Provincial of the Chicago-Detroit Province of the Society of Jesus, and President of Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Monique and Father Kesicki discuss their leadership journeys and breakthroughs, leading with humility, engaging in restorative justice, and the power of reflection and dialogue. They emphasize that healing must be descendant-led and rooted in listening and honoring past commitments.

Other Topics Discussed

• Monique’s Leadership Journey 
• Father Kesicki’s Leadership Journey 
• Acknowledging the Jesuits’ Ties to Slavery
• Incorporation of The Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation
• The Positive Movement Facilitated by the Foundation 
• Steps to Take for Reflection and Healing 
• Confronting the Past and the Joy of Doing the Work
• Individuals Without a Big Title Who Have Had an Impact on the Foundation 
• Ways to Connect and Get Involved with the Foundation 

Additional Resources:

Charity:

• We have made a donation to Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation as a thank you to Monique Trusclair Maddox and Father Timothy Kesicki for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more, please visit https://www.descendants.org/

Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation

• Website: https://www.descendants.org/

Contact Monique Trusclair Maddox

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemaddox/
• Email: m[email protected]

Contact Father Timothy Kesicki 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kesicki-9574a4a9/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Lindy Cleveland, founder and executive director of Unless U, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting adults with developmental disabilities academically, spiritually, physically, socially, and vocationally. Inspired by her brother Jordan, Lindy founded the organization in 2014 to provide continued education and job training for adults with developmental disabilities. Lindy obtained a bachelor’s degree in human development and family life education from Samford University. She has been featured by various media outlets, including Al.com, Birmingham Business Journal, and TEDx. Lindy is passionate about serving Unless U students and their families through servant leadership and creating an environment that promotes belonging and independence. 

Lindy discusses her leadership journey, the vision and core values for Unless U, and driving the most value by trusting others and delegating responsibilities. Lindy emphasizes the importance of assessing pride, growing and scaling by building community and culture, and speaking life into others. 

Other Topics Discussed:

• Lindy’s Leadership Journey
• The Inspiration and Vision Behind Unless U
• Lessons Learned from Running a Non-profit
• Delegating Responsibilities 
• Instilling Culture into the Unless U Team
• Moving Forward from Challenges and Mistakes 
• Pouring into the Unless U Team 
• Advice to Young Entrepreneurs 
• Inspiring Leaders Who Lead Without a Big Title

Additional Resources:

Charity

• This episode is in support of Lindy Cleveland's designated charity, Unless U. We have made a donation to Unless U as a thank you to Lindy for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about Unless U, please visit https://www.unlessu.org/

Book

• The Bible Recap by Tara Leigh Cobble

Contact Lindy Cleveland

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindy-cleveland-unlessu/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci sits down with Jody Luke, president of Love Does, a nonprofit founded by Bob Goff that fights for human rights, cares for the vulnerable, and provides education in conflict zones worldwide. Under her leadership, Love Does has expanded internationally to 14 countries while broadening its reach domestically to help refugees, single moms, and the incarcerated. Jody has an accounting and business administration background and has served as a chief financial officer for various companies. Over the past 20 years, she’s guided businesses and nonprofits in a leadership capacity, both as an officer and a board member.

Jody shares her remarkable leadership journey and provides insights on the value of listening and becoming a student of your staff, taking risks, recognizing challenges as opportunities, and being intentional about developing the leadership potential of your team. She also reflects on the impact of Love Does, advocating for youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the stories of inspiring individuals who lead without a title. 

Other Topics Discussed Include:

• Jody’s Leadership Journey
• Inspirations That Encouraged Jody
• Being Comfortable with Failure and Learning from It
• Advocating for Youth During the Pandemic
• The Mission and Global Impact of Love Does
• Daily Disciplines and Prioritizing Time
• Leadership Books and Resources
• Developing the Leadership Potential of Others
• Love Does’ Dream Big Program
• Inspiring Individuals Who Lead Without a Title

Additional Resources: 

Charity:

• This episode is in support of Jody Luke's designated charity, Love Does. We have made a donation to Love Does as a thank you to Jody for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about Love Does, please visit https://lovedoes.org/donate/

Books

• Leading with Significance by Joey Havens
• Developing the Leaders Around You by John C. Maxwell

Contact Jody Luke:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-luke-6475416/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo

This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci welcomes Jonathan Litt, Principal, Co-Founder, and Board Member of MONTICELLOAM, LLC, a specialized multifamily and seniors housing lending firm with expertise in providing bridge loans and managing credit risk. Jonathan has over 30 years of experience as an owner/operator and lender in the multifamily and senior housing industry. He serves as Chief Compliance Officer and oversees investor relations at MONTICELLOAM. Jonathan also leads the firm's seniors housing advisory services and workout group. He serves as the Vice President of the Grateful Americans Charity, a non-profit organization that provides resources aimed at ending Veteran homelessness and combating post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Jonathan discusses his leadership journey, learning from great leaders, leading by doing, and the value of having others as a sounding board and a gut check. He also shares leadership lessons from leaders who have inspired him, the importance of finding time to give your mind a break, and being intentional about helping team members grow professionally. 

Other topics discussed include:

• Jonathan’s Leadership Journey
• Emulating Great Leaders 
• Implementing Discipline to Drive the Organization Forward
• Building Trust and Helping Team Members Grow from Mistakes 
• Focusing on Time Management 
• Daily Habits to Manage Stress
• Leadership Books and Resources
• Work with Grateful Americans Charity
• Supporting Team Members at MONTICELLOAM
• People Who Have an Influence and Impact Without a Big Title 

Additional Resources: 

Charity:

• This episode is in support of Jonathan Litt's designated charity, Grateful Americans Charity. We have made a donation to Grateful Americans Charity as a thank you to Jonathan for joining Everybody Leads. To learn more about the Grateful Americans Charity, please visit https://www.gratefulamericanscharity.org/. 

Books:

• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins.
• Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher, William L. Ury, and Bruce Patton.

MONTICELLOAM, LLC: 

• Website: https://monticelloam.com/

Contact Jonathan Litt:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-litt-95060b17/

Thank you for listening, and please join us again to hear from more exceptional leaders.

Click for more: 

• https://everybodyleads.org
• https://www.bakerdonelson.com

Producer: Jason Plank
Intern: Claudia Bonney Amamoo