Welcome to part two of our episode with PragerU CEO, Marissa Streit. With a background in military intelligence and degrees in Business, Economics, Education, and Non-Profit Management, Marissa Streit has vast experience as an educator, school administrator, and director of a philanthropic institute. Since the launch of PragerU in 2011, Marissa has lead the organization to become one of the most respected online educational resources in the USA.

This week on The WOW Factor, we continue our conversation with Marissa. She shares how PragerU leverages technology to allow them to reach the customer directly and cut out the disconnect between parents and educational institutions. Marissa also dives into why PragerU decided to produce the UnWoke Inc. documentary to demonstrate how people can make a cultural impact by providing woke alternatives in academia, culture, and business. Check out Marissa's new show, Real Talk with Marissa Streit.

"Our education system is eroding America. It's working against us." - Marissa Streit

"God gives every single one of us different buckets of skills." - Marissa Streit

"We nourish America's brain." - Marissa Streit

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Why Marissa's family moved from Los Angeles to Israel and the impact of her military service on her leadership skills

• Why she identified so strongly as an American when she was living abroad

• When her leadership skills first began to emerge

• Why Marissa went into teaching and how she fell in love with working with children

• The key problems in America's education system today

• When Marissa became involved with PragerU and why she believes that her connection with Dennis Prager came about through divine intervention

• How people can access the resources available at PragerU

• What Marissa looks for when she's recruiting new team members

• How PragerU leverages social media for their marketing, and why they prefer to continue the relationship on their own channels

• How and why Marissa encourages people to find mentors

Marissa Streit's Word of Wisdom:

Be willing to do what others are not willing to do because therein lies opportunity. Where is the gap in the market where you can show up and do something totally different that could change the world?

Connect with Marissa Streit:

• PragerU

• Unwoke Inc.

• Marissa Streit on LinkedIn

• Marissa Streit on Instagram

• Real Talk with Marissa Streit

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website

• Connect with Brad Formsma via email

• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn

• Brad Formsma on Instagram

• Brad Formsma on Facebook

• Brad Formsma on Twitter

With a background in military intelligence and degrees in Business, Economics, Education, and Non-Profit Management, Marissa Streit has vast experience as an educator, school administrator, and director of a philanthropic institute. Since joining PragerU in 2011, Marissa has helped lead the organization to become one of the most respected online educational resources in the USA.

This week on The WOW Factor, we welcome Marissa to the show to discuss the duality of being an entrepreneur and an educator. She shares how PragerU leverages technology to allow them to reach the customer directly and cut out the disconnect between parents and educational institutions. Marissa also dives into why PragerU decided to produce the Unwoke Inc. documentary to demonstrate how people can make a cultural impact by providing woke alternatives in academia, culture, and business.

"Our education system is eroding America. It's working against us." - Marissa Streit

"God gives every single one of us different buckets of skills." - Marissa Streit

"We nourish America's brain." - Marissa Streit

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Why Marissa's family moved from Los Angeles to Israel and the impact of her military service on her leadership skills
• Why she identified so strongly as an American when she was living abroad
• When her leadership skills first began to emerge
• Why Marissa went into teaching and how she fell in love with working with children
• The key problems in America's education system today
• When Marissa became involved with PragerU and why she believes that her connection with Dennis Prager came about through divine intervention
• How people can access the resources available at PragerU
• What Marissa looks for when she's recruiting new team members
• How PragerU leverages social media for their marketing, and why they prefer to continue the relationship on their own channels
• How and why Marissa encourages people to find mentors

Marissa Streit's Word of Wisdom:

Be willing to do what others are not willing to do because therein lies opportunity. Where is the gap in the market where you can show up and do something totally different that could change the world?

Connect with Marissa Streit:

• PragerU
• Unwoke Inc.

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Franklin Graham has devoted his life to meeting the needs of people around the world and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The eldest son of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, he serves as President and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Under his leadership, Samaritan's Purse has met the needs of poor, sick, and suffering people in more than 170 countries. As an evangelist for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, he has led crusades around the world.

Join us on The Wow Factor podcast this week as we dive into Franklin Graham's leadership journey, with Samaritan's Purse. He shares a little more about the incredible work the organization does, and how they ensure they're always ready to help those in need. Franklin also shares how his father's advice has helped him over the years, the importance of being a conduit for the Lord's work, and his vision for the next ten years.

"God uses people." - Franklin Graham

"In leadership, you have to make decisions." - Franklin Graham

"God's people want to serve, they want to be involved, and at Samaritan's Purse, we provide a conduit for them to be able to do so.." - Franklin Graham

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• How Franklin came to take a leadership role at Samaritan's Purse and the incredible team that God has helped him build
• What Frankin believes is the problem in creating the next generation of leaders
• Franklin's father, Billy Graham's advice when Franklin first joined the Board of Directors at Samaritan's Purse
• Some of the ways that Samaritan's Purse helps people in need at home in the U.S and abroad How they are supporting people in Ukraine with their food and water distribution
• Giving generously doesn't just involve money; it also includes the time given to serve in Jesus' name at Samaritan's Purse
• Franklin's prayer for the children growing up in America today
• What the next ten years look like for Franklin Graham and Samaritan's Purse

Franklin Graham's Word of Wisdom:

Pray and spend time with Jesus in the Scripture.

Connect with Franklin Graham:

• Samaritan's Purse

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Jay Bennett is a dedicated family man with over 51 years of marriage to his wife, Sally. He has successfully balanced a 40-year career in law and business transactions, both locally in the Twin Cities and internationally. Simultaneously, Jay has been actively involved in Christian ministries for 35 years. In 2000, he founded the National Christian Foundation Twin Cities, merging his passion for Christian service and his desire to see impactful ministries flourish. Jay's commitment extends to serving on various for-profit and non-profit boards, including his current role as Chairman of the National Christian Foundation.

I'm so excited to have Jay Bennett, entrepreneur, lawyer, and philanthropist join us on this episode of The Wow Factor. Jay shares his journey of establishing his own law practice and evolving focus areas throughout his career. We explore the transformative power of generosity and how, when you trust in the Lord your path will be revealed. Jay also discusses some of his personal challenges, including a disorder that temporarily affected his voice and led to a deeper connection with God and family.

"Generosity is a portal to intimacy with the Lord." - Jay Bennett

" The willingness of a person to let the mystery do its work, and not to try to dot every I and cross every T, creates space for the spirit to move, and allows the Lord to guide our path.." - Jay Bennett

"Our life can be the place where the King of Kings takes up residence and leads you into an abundant life for the benefit of others." - Jay Bennett

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• How Jay's entrepreneurial spirit led him to set up his own law practice
• His areas of focus as a lawyer and how they evolved over his career
• The story of how Jay met a significant mentor in his life and how it led to them setting up a private foundation together
• Jay's experience working with Bob Bulford as the Halftime Board Chair
• How to figure out if you're a fisherman or a shepherd and why it's important
• What Jay has learned Mamman to be, and how that learning led to a moment that lasted six years
• The disorder that made Jay lose his voice and how that triggered a renewed intimacy with the Lord and his family
• Jay's belief that generosity is a portal to a better relationship with God
• Jay's role at the National Christian Foundation

Jay Bennett's Word of Wisdom:

Think about the fact that the Kingdom is at hand. You can choose to live a Kingdom life. Your life can be the domicile of a place where the King of Kings takes up residence and leads you into an abundant life for the benefit of others.

Connect with Jay Bennett:

• National Christian Foundation (Twin Cities)

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Mark Johnson is a software development expert, co-founder of Michigan Software Labs, and a trusted partner for Fortune® 500 and high-growth companies. With a mission to deliver top-notch software solutions, Mark's influential presence on the Forbes Technology Council and Fast Company Executive Board has established him as a prominent figure in the industry. Recognized as one of West Michigan's most powerful business leaders and honored as part of the esteemed "40 under 40" list, Mark is driven by his passion to improve lives through technology, whether it's through scalable business software or inspiring leadership videos.

This week on the show, I'm thrilled to welcome Mark Johnson. We delve into Mark's background, including the invaluable lessons he learned about entrepreneurship and the importance of a strong work ethic from his father and grandfather. Mark shares some of the secrets behind Michigan Software Labs' exceptional company culture and their unique approach to recruiting the right team members. We also dive into Mark's philosophy of generously sharing valuable wisdom and insights with others to help them progress on their personal or professional journey.

"It's so important to have a coach and have somebody that's really speaking in your life and giving you wisdom." - Mark Johnson

"In a partnership, if you're both eager to serve each other, there's going to be a good result." - Mark Johnson

"If we can put our focus on really helping enable each other as well as our clients, we're going to be successful." - Mark Johnson

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Mark's background and what he learned about work early on from his father
• Some of the mentors that Mark has had throughout his life and how they have influenced him
• How he got started building apps because of a request from his wife
• Why he and his partner decided to give their first app project away for free
• The Michigan Software Labs company culture and how they recruit team members who are a great fit
• Why they assign each team member an external coach who helps them achieve their goals
• How Mark and his co-founder Josh manage their partnership with empathy and understanding, and listening
• The impact of AI on organizations in the future — how we use it, its benefits and drawbacks
• The process of working with Michigan Software Labs to create an app
• Some of Mark's favorite apps that his team has built
• Some of the regular habits the company has to show their appreciation for their coworkers

Mark Johnson's Word of Wisdom:

I want to encourage leaders to think about how they can use communities like LinkedIn and what value and wisdom they might get from other leaders.

Connect with Mark Johnson:

• Mark Johnson on LinkedIn
• Michigan Software Labs

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

John Clancy is the CEO of Planet Fitness Midwest LLC, a fitness franchise focused on providing affordable and judgment-free workout spaces. With a passion for health and wellness, John has led the company to remarkable growth by expanding its footprint and creating a welcoming environment. Under his leadership, Planet Fitness Midwest has become a beacon of inclusivity, offering fitness opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities. John's commitment extends beyond his role, as he actively engages in philanthropic initiatives and works to make fitness accessible to the community. Through his vision and dedication, John continues to shape the fitness landscape in the Midwest.

On this episode of The Wow Factor podcast, we have the extraordinary John Clancy as our guest. From starting with little and struggling to find low-paying jobs, John shares his remarkable journey of becoming a Broker at Stratton Oakmont and attaining millionaire status in just three years. He opens up about his involvement in one of Wall Street's biggest frauds, the aftermath of its exposure, and the personal challenges he faced. From being a federal target to enduring a difficult jail experience, John's story takes an unexpected turn when he experiences a profound moment of redemption. Learn why he remains dedicated to being a Christian foot soldier and the transformative power of second chances.

"God had given me this talent for sales." - John Clancy

"As God got me more and more exposed to the real world. And I started feeling that emptiness that lack of peace inside was getting bigger and bigger." - John Clancy

"As a Christian businessman, you've got to be radically obedient to the Holy Spirit, and a lot of that is radical obedience to generosity." - John Clancy

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• How John went from being broke and trying to get low-paying jobs to finding a role as a Broker at Stratton Oakmont
• How he became a millionaire in three years
• How John found his inner peace in the middle of professional turmoil
• The experience of being involved in one of the biggest frauds in Wall Street history
• What happened when the fraud was uncovered, and stock prices tumbled
• The first person John called when he found himself on the front page of the Wall Street Journal
• How John felt when he realized he was a federal target and how he made a deal
• What happened when the state then indicted John, and why he didn't take the 'no jail' deal
• Why he illegally fled to the Bahamas, and the horrific experience in jail he suffered on his return
• The moment the Holy Spirit came to him when he was suffering the weight of sin
• What John decided to do when he was acquitted
• Why John still loves being involved with Planet Business

John Clancy's Word of Wisdom:

If you're a Christian, and you own a business, or you want to own a business, or you want to build a business, it is absolutely imperative that you follow the leanings of the Holy Spirit. God answers prayer, but as a Christian businessman, you've got to be radically obedient to the Holy Spirit, and a lot of that is radical obedience to generosity.

Connect with John Clancy:

• John Clancy on LinkedIn
• Planet Fitness Midwest

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

In this episode of the Wow Factor, we have a special guest, Tom Smith, the former CEO of Food Lion. This episode is a tribute to Tom, who passed away recently. It's taken from a private recording that we did for Tom and his family back in April, 2023.

Tom shares his journey from growing up in a rural setting to becoming the CEO of Food Lion. He talks about the importance of setting goals, working hard, and saving money. He also discusses his leadership style, the importance of listening, and his belief in doing for others.

"Look at everything as an opportunity to learn. Everything has something else you can learn." - Tom Smith

"I believe very much in working with the employees, getting their thoughts, their ideas before any decision was made." - Tom Smith

"I always felt that the results were a result of us rather than me." - Tom Smith

This Week On The Wow Factor:

• Tom's early life and the importance of setting goals and working hard.
• His journey from bagging groceries at Food Town (later renamed Food Lion) to becoming the CEO.
• The growth of Food Lion from 200 stores to 1200 stores under his leadership.
• Tom's leadership style and the importance of listening and making decisions together with employees.
• His belief in doing for others, inspired by the teachings of Jesus.
• Tom's generous acts, including donating to various projects that positively impact people.
• His advice on dealing with challenges and the importance of communication.

Tom Smiths Word of Wisdom:

Determine what you want to do and who you want to be. Then, reverse engineer those goals and figure out how to get to where you want to go. It starts by accomplishing one thing at a time.

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Rob Pace is the Founder and CEO of HundredX, a revolutionary customer feedback analytics platform.

HundredX believes that legacy surveys are broken and that social media amplifies the "loud" versus the "crowd". So to source honest data from real customers, HundredX partners with over 1,000 non-profits who receive funding from HundredX when their supporters provide the feedback business leaders need to hear. This creates a unique "data for good" business model that has resulted in HundredX being recognized as one of the top mission based corporations in the U.S.

With a keen understanding of the importance of customer satisfaction, Rob has spearheaded the development of an innovative technology that enables organizations to harness and analyze valuable customer insights in real time. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to improving the customer experience have made HundredX a trusted partner for companies across various industries. With a background in technology and a passion for delivering exceptional results, Rob continues to shape the future of customer feedback management, empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions and achieve unparalleled customer success.

Welcome to this week's episode of the Wow Factor leadership podcast, where we dive into the fascinating journey of Rob Pace, Founder, and CEO of HundredX. We discover how Rob recognized the need to help businesses measure reliable and meaningful consumer data. He shares with us how understanding this data helps growing organizations to better serve their customers and how listening can drive strategic pivots. We'll also learn about the philanthropic arm of HundredX, called HundredX Causes and the generous corporate feedback loop that supports charitable impact. We'll also hear Rob's thoughts on the importance of integrating social impact and purpose into business practices.

"The business problem we're solving is how do you help leaders listen? How do you help them understand where their industry is heading." - Rob Pace

"Consumers are brilliant in terms of helping leaders figure out how to steward their organization."

- Rob Pace

"The whole idea of a listening organization is a game changer." - Rob Pace

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Rob's upbringing, his five life goals as an eighth grader, and how he's achieving them
• The experience of doing an MBA at Harvard and how he got into the program
• What Rob learned from working on Wall St at Goldmann Sachs and where his career subsequently took him
• What led Rob to create HundredX
• Why listening can be transformational for business leaders
• How the company navigates giving generously to charities via corporate feedback
• Why data is so essential for leaders who genuinely want to serve their customer
• Why HundredX is the modern equivalent of a school bake sale
• How the listening piece can help businesses pivot and strategize
• Why the change in the rate of business has never been greater

Rob Pace's Word of Wisdom:

Leaders need to integrate their social impact and purpose with their business instead of merely checking a box. It's tough to gain the trust of your customers if you don't practice what you preach even when no one is watching. g

Connect with Rob Pace:

• Rob Pace on LinkedIn
• HundredX Website

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Rob Hoskins is a highly respected global development leader known for his work with NPO/NGO leaders and his ability to develop sustainable transformation initiatives. He has served major institutions and corporations, helped rehab and revitalize their missions, and scaled growth through successful leadership transitions. Rob has been President of OneHope, Inc. since 2004, which has helped reach over 2 billion children with messages of hope. He has served in various leadership roles in numerous networks and is presently the Senior Advisor to the World Evangelical Alliance. Rob holds degrees in Cultural Anthropology, Theology, and Divinity. Rob and his wife Kim reside in Pompano Beach, Florida, and together they have two daughters and three grandchildren.

In this episode, we sit down with Rob Hoskins, the CEO and President of OneHope, a global ministry that reaches millions of children and youth with the message of the Gospel. Rob discusses the importance of creating a positive organizational transition, explores some of the questions that helped him find his purpose as a leader, and delves into why we should lean into the spiritual when creating our life's vision. Rob also emphasizes the critical importance of being open, honest, and authentic and how this impacts your relationships and leadership style.

"Misionality is in my bloodstream and in my DNA." - Rob Hoskins

"Living a missional life is much more fulfilling than trying to be self-fulfilled." - Rob Hoskins

"Good leadership is about having confidence and being self-aware." - Rob Hoskins

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Robs upbringing as the child of committed missionaries
• What missionality is, and the importance of having a lifelong mission that drives you
• Rob's relationship with his father and why he remains so inspired by him and the way his parents live their lives
• The importance of creating a positive transition in an organization
• How OneHope moved from a Christian publishing house to a user-driven organization
• Why sometimes you have to create the market as an entrepreneur
• Why Rob believes that so many leaders shy away from change
• Some of the components that help you find your purpose as a leader
• The comparison between what younger leaders and older leaders are seeking in their lives
• Why it's so critical to be open, honest, and authentic with your children

Rob Hoskins' Word of Wisdom:

I go back to scripture for this, to the verse that says, we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are unseen, because the things which are seen are temporal, the things which are unseen are eternal.

Connect with Rob Hoskins:

• Rob Hoskins' Website
• OneHope Website
• Rob Hoskins on Facebook
• Rob Hoskins on Instagram
• Rob Hoskins on LinkedIn

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter

Tom recently retired from a 37-year career in banking. For the last twenty years, he ran Leveraged Finance business at Citi (2010-2021), HSBC (2008-2010), and Deutsche Bank (1987-2007). He has held a leadership role in the Manhattan chapter of NCS since its inception in 2008 and has served on the Board of Directors of NCS since 2012, including as Chairman from 2017-2019. He is currently the Founder and President of the advisory firm Narrow Gate Partners. In addition, Tom serves as President and is a founding member of Faith in Financial Services in New York. Tom received his BS degree in Finance from Indiana University and his MBA from the University of Chicago. He and his wife, Kim, reside in Naples, Florida, and they have three adult children Jenna, Tara, and Jonathon.

On this episode of The Wow Factor, we are joined by Tom, who shares his insights and wisdom on the importance of building deeper professional relationships. He discusses his book, The Narrow Gate: Fatherly Advice for Navigating the Pathway to Your Best Life, based on his life's journey and the lessons he learned along the way. Tom also shares more about his long career in finance and talks about how leaders can become more effective by listening to their employees and supporting them through difficult times.

"Chaos provides the opportunity for learning and growth." - Tom Cole

"When you get to the end of your life, the most important thing in your life is going to be the relationships that you've had and how you've impacted other people." - Tom Cole

"Your best life will not be by taking the easiest path... it's most fulfilling when you do the hard things to get to the best result.." - Tom Cole

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Tom's early life and when he began to focus his talents on finance and business
• Some of the ups and downs in Tom's personal life and how that impacted him as a leader
• Tom shares why scripture and God's word steer his life
• Why it was so important to Tom to build genuine relationships in his professional life
• How Tom and his wife look at giving and how they moved from reactionary giving to building an intentional roadmap for their generosity
• Tom's heart attacks and why they were the catalyst for writing his book as a way to share some of his life lessons
• What fulfillment means to Tom and why it's essential to take a moment to take a deep breath and really define your purpose
• Why Tom became involved in New Canaan and how the organization serves men today
• Why being a good listener is the hallmark of a good leader
• Why building a community is the key to intentional decision-making

Tom Cole:

You need to understand your values, have a true north, and know in which direction you're headed. So many people make decisions motivated by desire and emotion rather than knowledge, fact, and truth because they're isolated rather than part of an engaged community.

Connect with Tom Cole:

• The Narrow Gate: Fatherly Advice for Navigating the Pathway to Your Best Life
• Tom Cole at the New Canaan Society

Connect with The WOW Factor:

• The WOW Factor Website
• Connect with Brad Formsma via email
• Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
• Brad Formsma on Instagram
• Brad Formsma on Facebook
• Brad Formsma on Twitter