Something Extra

Discover how lived experiences can transform into a catalyst for global innovation with guest Jim Atwater, Founder and CEO of InReturn Strategies and Aptly.org. In this episode, Atwater opens up about navigating progressive hearing loss and how those pivotal moments inspired him to revolutionize the way businesses view untapped talent. Tune in to explore how shifting the conversation from social charity to an $18 trillion economic market can unlock untapped business potential and redefine modern leadership.

Guest Links:

• Jim’s LinkedIn
• InReturn Strategies
• Aptly

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

What does it take to lead with deep purpose and resilience in healthcare? Sonya Engle, Chief Operating Officer at Sonora Quest Laboratories, shares her remarkable journey from starting on the front lines as a specimen processor to leading the nation's largest integrated laboratory network. She dives into her powerful personal story as a two-time cancer survivor and advocate, offering profound lessons on overcoming adversity, building a culture of trust and integrity, and leading with true humility and passion. Tune in to explore how putting people over profits transforms both workplace culture and patient lives.

Editor's Note: During this episode, Sonora Quest Laboratories' annual testing volume was inadvertently misstated. The correct figure is 100 million diagnostic tests performed annually.

Guest Links:

• Sonya’s LinkedIn
• Sonora Quest Laboratories

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

What does it take to transition from a manager who tells people what to do to a leader who empowers great minds to innovate? Andrew Wilder, Chief Security Officer at Vetcor, shares his wisdom gained from over 25 years of building robust cybersecurity systems from the ground up at global giants like Nestle and Hillenbrand. He dives into the tactical realities of managing cybersecurity risk in the boardroom, adapting to the exponential rise of AI, and the profound impact of cultivating empathy in leadership. Unpack the invaluable lessons of ruthless prioritization, utilizing early retirement programs during reorgs, and why no one will ever care more about your career than you do.

Guest Links:

• Andrew’s LinkedIn
• Vetcor

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

Step inside the strategy behind modernizing Rawlings Sporting Goods with Mark Haubein, the Senior Vice President of Information Technology, as he shares how he guides an iconic heritage brand through massive digital transformations by focusing on team empowerment and autonomy. He breaks down why up to ninety percent of all project failures stem from communication breakdowns rather than technical glitches, offering practical strategies to ensure true alignment across an organization. Listeners will walk away with his secrets for staying calm under intense pressure, the value of overcoming blind spots through feedback, and why humility is the foundational trait every impactful leader must possess.

Guest Links:

• Mark’s LinkedIn
• Rawlings

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

Step into the powerful journey of Ladi Adefala, a world-renowned cybersecurity strategist, founder and CEO at Omega316, and board chair at Delta Dental of Missouri, as he shares profound insights on navigating difficult career transitions and unexpected "wilderness" seasons. This episode delves into the importance of shifting focus from seeking immediate validation to understanding the long-term compounding effects of daily habits, continuous learning, and personal growth. Listeners will walk away inspired by a captivating message about building strategic advantages, relying on resilience during adversity, and why every impactful leader needs trusted guidance to remember who they are called to be.

Guest Links:

• Ladi’s LinkedIn
• LadiAdefala
• Omega316

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

From the national gymnastics stage to the front lines of community revitalization, Erika Johnson, Founder of Juice EJ, has dedicated her life to building a healthier, more equitable future. In this inspiring conversation, she opens up about a profound family health crisis that completely shifted her trajectory and sparked her booming wellness brand. Unpacking her journey through pageantry, entrepreneurship, and faith, she shares powerful insights on mastering the art of detachment and finding absolute balance in high-impact leadership.

Guest Links:

• Juice EJ Instagram

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

Uncover what happens when a leader completely flips the corporate hierarchy to focus entirely on the people loading the trucks and running the welding lines. Robert Griggs, Founder and Chairman of Trinity Products, joins the conversation to reveal how he scaled a business from nothing into a massive manufacturing leader. He dives deep into the ultimate power of financial transparency, the critical role of taking calculated risks, and how a devastating early-career betrayal shaped his unbreakable commitment to radical honesty and corporate integrity. If you want to learn how going the extra mile for your workforce can automatically transform your customer satisfaction and take the pressure off your shoulders, this episode provides the definitive roadmap.

Guest Links:

• Robert’s LinkedIn
• Trinity Products

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

This episode features a conversation with leadership veteran Jim Brown, founder of OrgHealth and author of the new book The Imperfect CEO, about how executives can build high-performing organizational cultures by embracing vulnerability and human limitations. Brown discusses the "org health ascent model," explaining how breaking down internal competition and modeling accountability allows a team's collective strengths to thrive. He also shares powerful personal insights on prioritizing family over career demands and utilizing faith-driven disciplines like conversational journaling to navigate leadership challenges.

Guest Links:

• Jim’s LinkedIn
• OrgHealth
• Jim's Instagram
• Book: The Imperfect CEO

Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

Discover what it truly means to lead with impact as Dr. Andrea Jackson-Jennings, Managing Director of the Regional Response Team, shares her extraordinary journey from university cashier to champion of vulnerable communities. She opens up about the front-line realities of managing explosive budget growth during global crises and the vital importance of building long-term, trust-based relationships across public and private sectors. Listen in to learn how pairing humility with curiosity can transform your leadership approach and help you leave your community better than you found it.

Guest Links:

• Andrea’s LinkedIn
• Regional Response Team

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

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

This week’s episode features Tom Manenti, the former Chairman and CEO of MiTek, who shares his masterclass in leadership forged over a 40-year career. He shares a wealth of wisdom on building world-class organizational cultures, his unique experience reporting directly to Warren Buffett, and the "10/10/10 rule" that can save or shatter customer trust. Listen in to discover how a bedrock of faith, healthy empowerment, and level-five humility can transform your leadership and help you build a lasting legacy.

Guest Links:

• Dare 2 Share
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes

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

Something Extra with Lisa Nichols