In this week's episode, Aaron Sanders, President of TN Yield Co, explains how he transitioned from a successful 16-year career in finance to revitalizing underutilized church properties into vibrant community hubs. He details the implementation of the "friendship bench" model and "intentionally awkward seating" to foster genuine human connections and combat rising rates of isolation. The discussion reveals how integrating the Hebrew concept of "Avoda" allows for a seamless blend of work and service that transforms local neighborhoods.

Guest Links:

• Aaron’s LinkedIn
• AVODA Holdings
• 1819 Coffee

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

From the edge of despair to a life defined by purpose, Nick Vujicic’s story is one of the most powerful you’ll hear. The internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and founder of Attitude is Altitude shares how faith, gratitude, and perspective reshaped his life, along with five practical steps anyone can use to move through dark seasons. His message is simple but challenging. If you’re not receiving a miracle, you can still become one.

Guest Links:

• Nick’s LinkedIn      
• NickVujicic.com      
• YouTube: Nickvofficial.com      
• Film: Nickvfilm.com      
• Latest Book: Be the Hands and Feet: Living Out God's Love for All His Children

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

Josh Allen explains how he scaled Companion Baking from a local St. Louis startup to a national supplier by remaining agile through industry challenges like the pandemic and shifting dietary trends. He details his commitment to the 1% for the Planet initiative and food insecurity causes, proving that a company's internal soul is just as important as its external success. The conversation offers profound insights into maintaining grit and fostering deep-rooted relationships with employees and vendors to leave a lasting legacy of integrity.

Guest Links:

• Josh’s LinkedIn
• Companion Baking
• The Baked-In Podcast

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

From the high-pressure courts of the US Open to the boardrooms of the Fortune 500, Larry Bonfante, Founder and CEO of CIO Bench Coach, has mastered the art of leading through the "messiness" of human nature. He reveals why technical acumen is never enough to reach the C-suite and how shifting your focus from the "how" to the "why" can secure multi-million dollar investments and deep-rooted team loyalty. Discover how to build a leadership brand that commands respect without self-promotion and why the most impactful leaders are those who prioritize the success of others over their own next promotion.

Guest Links:

• Larry’s LinkedIn
• CIO Bench Coach
• Book: Lessons in IT Transformation: Technology Expert to Business Leader
• Book: Reflections of an Executive Coach

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

Explore the powerful story of Brandon Bettis, Director of Client Enrichment at EPIC Holistic Partners, who transitioned from the "Valley of Death" in Afghanistan to a high-stakes career in financial services. Despite reaching the summit of professional success and personal stability, Brandon reveals the hidden struggle of wearing a mask while battling deep internal hopelessness. He shares the pivotal moment in the Ohio wilderness where he traded his self-reliance for a life of surrender, offering profound insights into the humility and resilience required to lead with true impact.

Guest Links:

• Brandon’s LinkedIn
• EPIC Holistic Partners
• Mighty Oaks

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

In this special tribute episode, we honor the life and legacy of Bob Chapman, former CEO and Chairman of Barry-Wehmiller, following his recent passing. Bob shares the defining experiences that shaped his belief that “everybody matters,” from his upbringing in Ferguson to reconnecting with his father. This episode reflects his commitment to building people-first cultures and redefining what leadership should look like. Listeners will walk away with a renewed perspective on empathy, responsibility, and leading with care.

Guest Links:

• Barry-Wehmiller
• Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute
• Everybody Matters Podcast

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

Award-winning recording artist and songwriter, Rachael Lampa, opens up about the pivotal moment she walked away from a massive music career at age 20 to find her own voice. After years of living on autopilot, she discovered that true identity is not found in metrics or accolades but in the quiet rhythms of serving others through Nashville's homeless community and women's prison ministries. This episode explores how her son Leo has taught her to embrace the superpower of connection over the constant hurry of life. Listeners will learn how to transition from a mindset of perfection to one of harmony while guarding their intrinsic worth as a child of God.

Guest Links:

• RachaelLampaMusic
• "Perfectly Loved"
• "Superpowers"

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

Explore the transformative power of "wisdom work" with Betsy Cohen, a Philanthropic Futurist at the consultancy Future Good. After a 33 year career at Nestle Purina and over a decade spent building the St. Louis Mosaic Project, Betsy reveals how leaders can transition from achievement-driven success to a legacy of purpose and community connection. This episode dives into the evolving landscape of generational generosity, the impact of AI on nonprofits, and why the most effective leaders prioritize empathy and the "power of one" to create a lasting ripple effect.

Guest Links:

• Betsy’s LinkedIn
• FutureGood 

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Discover what happens when a high-achieving Wall Street veteran receives a "seven-figure check" and realizes it doesn't hold the fulfillment he spent decades chasing. Jeff Thomas, Author and Founder/CEO of Arcos Global Advisors, shares his powerful journey of walking away from a billion-dollar book of business to scale a mission-driven firm rooted in biblical wisdom. This episode challenges conventional leadership by prioritizing "narratives before numbers" and revealing how a life tethered to God can turn a standard career into a global mission field.

Guest Links:

• Jeff’s LinkedIn
• Arkos Global Advisors
• Book: Trading Up: Moving From Success to Significance on Wall Street

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Discover how to transform your leadership style from "command and control" to a sophisticated, person-centered approach that thrives in the age of artificial intelligence. Jeremie Kubicek, Co-founder of GiANT and Author of The Voice-Driven Leader, reveals the secrets to "calling yourself up" every morning and navigating the complex dynamics of team personality. This episode dives deep into the "Development Square," providing a practical roadmap for onboarding and multiplying talent while using AI to bridge communication gaps between different personality types. Gain a distinct competitive edge by learning to apply the Platinum Rule to foster a culture of psychological safety and high performance.

Guest Links:

• Jeremie’s LinkedIn
• JeremieKubicek.com
• GiANT Worldwide
• Workplace
• 5 Voices
• Episode 271: Become a Leader Worth Following with Jeremie Kubicek
• Latest Book: The Voice-Driven Leader

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Landon Burke and Joe Szynkowski, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media