Something Extra

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

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Cindy Davis, a Global Brand Expert and Board Director, as she shares her journey from aspiring tax attorney to leading some of the world's most iconic brands. Discover how a college pivot from accounting to marketing set her on a path to working with giants like Walmart, Disney, and Sam's Club. Cindy reveals the crucial leadership lessons she learned along the way, including the immense power of relationships preceding results and the importance of modeling healthy behavior for your team. This episode is a masterclass in building a culture of trust, embracing personal growth, and understanding that your greatest legacy is the positive impact you have on others.

Guest Links:

• Cindy’s LinkedIn

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

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Zach Lewis, Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, as he reveals the surprising parallels between homesteading and cybersecurity. Discover how his experience with chickens and fences led to a philosophy of "defense in depth" that protects critical data. Zach shares his journey from individual contributor to award-winning leader, emphasizing the importance of raising your hand for new challenges and empowering your team to succeed. This episode is packed with wisdom on building trust before a crisis, navigating change, and leveraging AI for personal and professional growth. You won't want to miss his insights on what it takes to protect an organization and how he’s normalizing the conversation around cybersecurity breaches in his new book, Locked Up.

Guest Links:

• Zach’s LinkedIn
• University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy St. Louis
• The Homesteading CISO
• Book: Locked Up: Cybersecurity Threat Mitigation Lessons From a Real-World LockBit Ransomware Response

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

This week, Pete Hogan, Senior Vice President of Technology at Compana Pet Brands, shares his journey from a systems integrator to an award-winning CIO, revealing how he navigates a complex, multi-brand landscape to drive growth and innovation. Learn how Pete unified disparate IT teams into a single, cohesive unit and successfully led a rapid cloud upgrade with zero major issues. He discusses his philosophy of shifting from a "player coach" to a "mentor contributor," empowering his team to become strategic business partners. From handling rapid-fire acquisitions to leveraging AI for company-wide training, Pete offers invaluable wisdom on strategic thinking, humility, and the power of giving back to the community that shaped his career.

Guest Links:

• Pete’s LinkedIn
• Compana Pet Brands

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

Join us for a conversation with Jyotsna Gupta, the VP and Chief Information Officer at Bi-State Development Agency, as she reveals how her father's strategic planting of fruit trees taught her the value of leaving a legacy. Discover how her early passion for turning waste into art and her self-taught automation skills laid the foundation for a career defined by innovation, problem-solving, and a deep commitment to customer service. Learn how she leads with empathy, navigates the complexities of AI in a regulated environment, and believes that every person has a "something extra" to offer—they just have to be brave enough to chip away the clay and reveal the pure gold beneath.

Guest Links:

• Jyotsna’s LinkedIn
• Bi-State Development Agency

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

Leadership isn't about the Xs and Os; it's about people, culture, and connection. This episode features Sean Glaze, an author, speaker, and the owner of Great Results Team Building. Sean, who transitioned his coaching and teaching skills to the corporate world, shares invaluable lessons on why culture should be a leader's top priority. He shares insights from his latest book, "What Effective Leaders Do," and explains how focusing on self-development and intentionally designing experiences are crucial for success in any organization.

Guest Links:

• Sean’s LinkedIn
• Great Results Team Building
• Book: What Effective Leaders Do

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