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.

Guest Links:

• Sam’s LinkedIn
• Brinkmann Constructors

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.

Guest Links:

• Sam’s LinkedIn
• samgoodwin.com
• Book: Saving Sam: The True Story of an American’s Disappearance in Syria and His Family’s Extraordinary Fight to Bring Him Home

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.

Guest Links:

• Greg’s LinkedIn
• John Foley Inc.

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.

Guest Links:

• Suda’s LinkedIn

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.

Guest Links:

• Bill’s LinkedIn
• Tingle Leadership

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.

Guest Links:

• Anne’s LinkedIn
• AnneLester.com
• Your Best Financial Life: Save Smart Now for the Future You Want

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.

Guest Links:

• Joe’s LinkedIn
• Legacy Minded Ministries
• The Five and a Half Questions Everyone Must Answer
• 5 Mandates of a Legacy Minded Man

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.

Guest Links:

• The Staenberg Group
• MichaelStaenberg.com

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.

Guest Links:

• Ann’s LinkedIn
• AnnEileenThompson.com

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.

Guest Links:

• Chris’ LinkedIn
• United Sugar Producers & Refiners Cooperative

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