IgniteCast - Official Podcast of the Ignite Leadership Conference by CDF

Season 8 of Ignite Cast kicks off with one of the most recognizable voices in Mississippi weather — Matt Laubhan. In this episode, Matt sits down with hosts Taylor and Judd to share the story behind launching Mississippi Live Weather after stepping away from his longtime role as chief meteorologist. 

Matt opens up about leadership, faith, overcoming uncertainty, and what it takes to build something from the ground up. From creating a culture people want to be part of to navigating fear, mentorship, and entrepreneurship, this conversation dives into the mindset that helped him turn a difficult season into a new opportunity.

The episode also explores the importance of trust, teamwork, innovation, and community partnership, plus the vision behind Mississippi Live Weather and how it’s changing the way people consume weather coverage across the state.

Whether you’re leading a business, navigating change, or simply looking for encouragement to take the next step, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

🎧 Tune in to hear why sometimes the biggest setbacks can become the foundation for your greatest purpose.

Big thanks to iHeartMedia—our Presenting Sponsor for the entire IgniteCast podcast and the powerhouse fueling this season’s episodes! 🔊🔥 

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com

In this episode of Ignite Cast, Judd Wilson sits down with Bernard Bean of the Eat With Us Group (https://eatwithusrestaurants.com) for a conversation about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build a strong team. Bernard shares how his organization transformed retention by focusing on three simple but powerful principles: hire right, train right, and treat right. He talks about the importance of never stopping the search for great people, listening to employee feedback, acting on it, and creating a work environment where people feel valued and heard.

Bernard also reflects on the growth of the family business, the lessons learned through years in the restaurant industry, and why great leadership starts with personal responsibility, humility, and a genuine commitment to people. This episode is full of practical wisdom for anyone leading a team, building a culture, or trying to create an organization where both employees and customers thrive.

Big thanks to iHeartMedia—our Presenting Sponsor for the entire IgniteCast podcast and the powerhouse fueling this season’s episodes! 🔊🔥 

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com

What does leadership look like for Gen Z? In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson sits down with Jenna Hope Harris to talk about mentorship, mindset, and what it really means to “be the leader you would love to follow.” As a Gen Z leader deeply engaged in her community and passionate about growth, Jenna shares how cross-generational leadership can strengthen organizations instead of divide them. From investing in other people’s dreams to understanding the science behind how our thoughts shape our actions, this conversation explores how mindset becomes a leader’s greatest asset. Jenna also shares her personal dream of speaking on stages like Ignite and how authenticity, vulnerability, and consistency shape lasting influence. Whether you’re leading a team, building culture, or simply trying to grow personally, this episode will challenge you to examine your mindset and lead with intention

Jenna Hope Harris' website:  https://www.jennahopeharris.com/

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com

What do a bold 1970s visionary, a tornado displaced football team, and a regional ice storm have in common? They reveal what real leadership looks like. Serving.

In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson talks with Mike Clayborne, President of the Create Foundation, about leadership that brings people together and makes life better for others. They reflect on the legacy of George McLean and Jim Ingram, the partnership between Create and the Community Development Foundation, and why regional collaboration matters more than ever.

At its core, this conversation reminds us that leadership is not about title or spotlight. It is about service, vision, and the courage to put others first.

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com

Artificial Intelligence is here, and it is not slowing down. In this episode of IgniteCast, Ashley and Chris Elkins, founders of Vitality South and leaders across multiple technology ventures, join the conversation to unpack what it truly means to lead in the age of AI. From startup growth to scaling companies, they share how vision, culture, and leadership discipline shape innovation rather than fear it. 

Using the powerful “baby tiger” analogy introduced at Ignite by Noelle Russell, the discussion dives into how AI can be both incredibly useful and potentially risky. Leaders must embrace the opportunity while building guardrails, maintaining discernment, and understanding that AI is a tool, not a replacement for critical thinking. From role-playing with AI for strategic insight to understanding the dangers of blind trust, this episode explores practical ways leaders can responsibly integrate AI into their organizations. 

Most importantly, this conversation is not just about technology. It is about vision, collaboration, and stepping away from the daily grind long enough to think bigger. If you are leading a company, building a team, or simply trying to navigate the rapid changes AI is bringing to business, this episode will challenge you to lead with courage, clarity, and intentionality in a rapidly evolving world.

Big thanks to iHeartMedia—our Presenting Sponsor for the entire IgniteCast podcast and the powerhouse fueling this season’s episodes! 🔊🔥 

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com

In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson sits down with Kim Rushing, Community Development & Outreach Coordinator for the City of Tupelo, and Captains Michael and Schelika Chisolm of The Salvation Army in Tupelo, to talk about what it means to lead through partnerships. Each guest shares practical leadership insight centered on presence, readiness, humility, and stepping up when you see a need. The conversation makes it clear that strong leadership often begins with simply showing up and working together.

Kim Rushing explains how the City of Tupelo brings nonprofits, churches, and community organizations together to share resources and solve problems collaboratively. Captains Michael and Schelika Chisolm discuss how partnerships help remove barriers such as housing instability, transportation challenges, and lack of documentation, giving people the opportunity to move forward. This episode highlights how real impact happens when leaders align their strengths, support one another, and commit to serving the community as one team.

Big thanks to iHeartMedia—our Presenting Sponsor for the entire IgniteCast podcast and the powerhouse fueling this season’s episodes! 🔊🔥 

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com

Judd Wilson is joined by Ignite co-host and CDF team member Carol Ann Padgett for a candid conversation about leadership, clarity, and what it really takes to bring Ignite to life each year.

From Andy Stanley’s powerful reminder that “people follow clarity” to the intentional process of selecting speakers who motivate, teach, and challenge leaders, this episode pulls back the curtain on the vision calls, post-event debriefs, and audience surveys that shape Ignite’s impact.

You’ll hear reflections on standout moments from Ignite 2026, including Justin Forsett’s message that “greatness grows best in the shadows,” and how growth often comes through challenge, change, and uncertainty.

If you’ve ever wondered how Ignite comes together — or how strong leadership is built behind the scenes — this episode is for you.

🎙️ Go forth. Lead well. And embrace the climb.

Big thanks to iHeartMedia—our Presenting Sponsor for the entire IgniteCast podcast and the powerhouse fueling this season’s episodes! 🔊🔥 

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com

In this episode of IgniteCast, hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with David Rumbarger for a practical conversation on leadership fundamentals that never go out of style.

David shares why moving from Good to Great starts with doing things right the first time, putting in the work on the front end, and embracing the timeless truth of the 5 P’s: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. He reflects on the idea that leaders can’t lead people further than they’ve been themselves—and why personal growth must come before organizational growth.

This episode is packed with real-world wisdom for leaders at every stage, reminding us that strong leadership isn’t flashy—it’s intentional, prepared, and rooted in consistency.

And, as always, David leaves us with a charge worth remembering:
 Go forth and do good things.

🎧 Tune in for a grounded, motivating conversation on leadership done the right way.

Big thanks to iHeartMedia—our Presenting Sponsor for the entire IgniteCast podcast and the powerhouse fueling this season’s episodes! 🔊🔥 

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com

In this special New Year’s Day episode of Ignite Cast, hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with John Darnell, CEO of Global Outreach International, to talk about goal setting with purpose.

As the leader of a mission-sending organization headquartered in Tupelo and working around the world, John shares how he approaches setting goals that are both vision-driven and flexible, especially when leading people across cultures and continents. The conversation explores aligning personal goals with organizational mission, leading teams through uncertainty, and staying focused on long-term impact rather than short-term wins.

John also offers insight into how leaders can begin a new year with clarity, intentionality, and humility—setting goals that not only move organizations forward, but also serve people well.

Whether you’re starting fresh on January 1 or simply re-centering your leadership priorities, this episode will challenge you to think differently about success, service, and the goals that truly matter.

🎧 Start the year inspired—because strong leadership begins with clear purpose.

Big thanks to iHeartMedia—our Presenting Sponsor for the entire IgniteCast podcast and the powerhouse fueling this season’s episodes! 🔊🔥 

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com

In Episode 4 of Season 6, IgniteCast hosts Taylor and Judd sit down with Kristen Long, Chief Nurse Executive at North Mississippi Medical Center, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about leadership, burnout, and building resilient teams.

Kristen shares how relationship-building shapes every aspect of patient care, why listening is a leader’s most important tool, and what it really took to guide frontline nurses through one of the toughest seasons in modern healthcare. From navigating the height of COVID-19 to creating a culture where humor, trust, and purpose still thrive, Kristen offers honest insight every leader can learn from.

She also discusses her own leadership journey, the mentors who helped shape her, and how she now identifies and develops future leaders within the hospital system. Whether you're in healthcare or simply leading people through hard seasons, this episode is full of practical wisdom, encouragement, and heart.

Tune in and be inspired to lead with compassion, clarity, and courage.

Big thanks to iHeartMedia—our Presenting Sponsor for the entire IgniteCast podcast and the powerhouse fueling this season’s episodes! 🔊🔥 

🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader—right where you are.

Want to learn more about the Ignite Leadership Conference?
 Visit 👉 www.igniteleadership.com