Something Extra

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

In this episode, Eileen Spinner, Licensed Professional Counselor, Author, and Public Speaker, reveals how capturing a person’s story can become a profound tool for healing and reconciliation. Eileen details her work with the Lumina program, creating tangible legacy pieces that ensure a person's light continues to shine for future generations. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that every leader has a unique gift to share and that our stories are the most valuable inheritance we can leave behind.

Guest Links:

• Eileen’s LinkedIn
• Eileen Spinner
• BJC Hospice

• Books:
• Mom, Tell Me Why You're Catholic and Everything Else You Love: A Faith-Based Guided Journal
• Dad, Tell Me Why You're Catholic and Everything Else You Love
• Friend, Tell Me About Your Faith and Everything Else You Love

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

Discover how a tech entrepreneur turned her basement startup into one of the most successful IPOs in history and eventually managed a $3 billion budget as a cabinet secretary. Caren Merrick, Tech Founder, Private Equity Advisor, and Author, discusses the "Power of Insight" and why cultivating clarity is the essential discipline every modern leader must master to avoid the traps of bureaucracy and "scope creep." Learn why the most effective leadership begins with uncomfortable self-awareness and the willingness to ask, "What is it like to be on the other side of me?"

Guest Links:

• Caren’s LinkedIn

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

Paul Hood, CPA, Personal Financial Specialist, and CEO of PaulHood, joins the show to share a raw and transformative journey from "the wrong side of the tracks" to the helm of the nation’s largest single-owner CPA firm. He opens up about the grit required to break generational cycles of addiction and incarceration, and the humbling moment a Christian counselor challenged his entitlement, ultimately saving his 38-year marriage. Listeners will discover how adopting a "Kingdom stewardship" mindset can replace fear-based ambition with profound joy and explosive professional growth.

Guest Links:

• Paul’s LinkedIn
• PaulHood
• 94X
• Book: Roadkill Tastes Like Chicken

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

Discover how to navigate the "valleys" of life with Steve Sewell, a renowned Author, Speaker, and Grief Specialist who has dedicated his life to walking alongside others through crisis. Steve shares profound insights on why naming your grief is the first step toward healing and how leaders can banish management burnout by learning to "go to work, but live at home". This episode offers a unique perspective on leadership, revealing how acknowledging our own personal losses can become a powerful tool for mentoring and supporting those we lead.

Guest Links:

• Steve’s LinkedIn
• Encouraging Hope, Inc.

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

Discover how childhood magic shows and a gas station job laid the foundation for a legendary career in customer service and experience. This episode features Shep Hyken, the Chief Amazement Officer at Shepard Presentations, as he breaks down the "I’ll Be Back" philosophy and the distinction between repeat business and true brand loyalty. Gain actionable insights on operationalizing feedback, leading through a crisis, and why the most successful organizations prioritize a "hospitality mentality" to outshine their competition.

Guest Links:

• Shep’s LinkedIn
• Shepard Presentations, LLC

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

Discover how a former criminology major and aspiring actor transitioned from a curious subcontractor to a powerhouse executive in the tech industry. Michael Smith, Partner at Fortium Partners, shares his "business-first" philosophy on IT, explaining why technology is most powerful when it is used to create a competitive advantage rather than just being a set of widgets. He dives deep into the high-stakes world of global digital transformations and the hard-won lessons learned from "failing safe" under great mentors.

Guest Links:

• Michael’s LinkedIn
• Fortium Partners

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