Thinking That Matters with Elizabeth Mahusay

What if the most powerful prison isn't made of bars—but of your beliefs?

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I sit down with David Rose—ordained minister, author of Resurrecting David, Christian rap artist, and Assistant Director of Fresh Start Christian Sober Living. David shares his powerful story of addiction, redemption, and the daily choice to renew his mind through God’s Word.

What...

What if the solution to your health isn’t another pill?

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I sit down with Kelly Turns—pharmaceutical rep, co-owner of Botanic Life, and advocate for holistic wellness. What began as a personal health crisis at 45 led Kelly to question everything she knew about medicine. Her journey—from chronic fatigue and seven medications to discovering gluten as the root cause of ...

What would shift in your workplace if failure wasn’t feared—but embraced as a tool for trust, growth, and innovation?

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I sit down with my friend and Leadership McKinney classmate Joshua Munoz, Production Manager at Encore Wire. Joshua leads a high-stakes operation where precision is critical—but what makes his leadership remarkable is the culture he helps foster: on...

What if your biggest career breakthrough came from saying “yes” to something that wasn’t part of the plan?

In this episode, I’m joined by Aaron Werner, Executive Director of Visit McKinney, as we explore his inspiring journey from Florida to Texas—and how a passion for community turned into a fulfilling career in municipal leadership.

First off, Aaron shares how an unexpected start in marketin...

Have you ever felt a shift in your passions—and wondered if it was okay to change direction?

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow Leadership McKinney classmate, Molly Courtright. Molly shares her remarkable journey from a lifelong passion for theater to her current role as Events and Community Engagement Director at the McKinney Chamber of Commerce.

Together, we e...

What if the very thing you’ve spent your life trying to fix… isn’t broken?

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Nina and Lee Reeves—two passionate professionals reshaping the way we think about stuttering. Nina is a nationally recognized speech-language therapist specializing in children and adolescents who stutter. Lee, a retired veterinarian and lifelong stutterer, offers powerful i...

What happens when you lead from a place of authenticity, stay curious about others, and lean into what lights you up? In this heart-centered episode of Thinking That Matters, I sit down with my fellow Leadership McKinney classmate, Miranda Talley.

Miranda is the General Manager of Community Impact for McKinney, a role she never expected but one that fits her perfectly. Together, they explore...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Buggs, a seasoned higher education administrator with nearly 20 years of experience, to explore her journey of transforming educational environments and championing student success.

Michelle shares how her own college experience gave her the support and visibility she had longed for—igniting a passion to create those same empowering spaces for othe...

How Do You Lead With Impact Across Different Companies and Industries?

Leadership isn’t about where you work—it’s about how you show up.

Navigating different corporate environments requires adaptability, strong decision-making, and the ability to build lasting relationships. Whether stepping into a new role or leading an established team, successful leaders understand how to create impac...

Are You Focused on Bringing Value or Just Making the Sale?

In a world full of distractions and sales gimmicks, what truly sets apart those who succeed?

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I sit down with my friend Lyndol Woodruff to talk about what really matters in sales, business, and life—bringing value, making smart decisions, and building real connections.

As the ...

What if the key to thriving in leadership is learning to let go of pride and embrace mentorship?

In this insightful episode of Thinking That Matters, I sit down with Keturah Boston, a Children's Ministry Pastor and dynamic leader with a passion for organizational structure, strategy, and leadership development. From her roots in Brooklyn, New York, to her current role in North Dallas, Ketura...

Are you running your business, or is it running you?

Many business owners get so caught up in the daily grind that they never take a step back to plan for the future. Without financial strategy and leadership, growth can feel like a guessing game. So, how do you take control?

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I sit down with Graham Brooks, Managing Partner...

How do you go from feeling out of place in a networking event to running a thriving business? What happens when you step into a networking event for the first time and feel completely out of place? 

Jason Liu, owner of NSW Electric (Never Stop Working), shares how he went from feeling like an outsider to building a thriving electrical business through persistence, relationship-building, and a willingness...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ken Ussery, a life coach, and founder of Family Redesign. Ken shares his incredible journey from 40 years in ministry to creating a nonprofit that helps blended families navigate their unique challenges. With personal stories of faith, resilience, and transformation, Ken reveals key insights on overcoming hardships, embracing change, and ...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I sit down with Trish and Mark Littlejohn, the dynamic duo behind Trimark Home Construction. As business partners and life partners, they share their journey of entrepreneurship, overcoming challenges, and the values that drive their success. 

Trish and Mark Littlejohn open up about their unique career paths and the story behind Trimark Home Construction. Trish, a ...

Today, I sat down with Jeffery Mercier, a project manager at Blue Hawk Construction and a passionate advocate for personal development. Jeffery shares his powerful journey of overcoming addiction, finding confidence through Toastmasters, and learning the importance of vulnerability in both life and business.

We discuss:
✅ His path to sobriety after a 2020 DWI and the lessons learned
✅ How To...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I had the pleasure of chatting with Davina Gazo Stampfel, executive director of McKinney Repertory Theater (MRT) and a passionate advocate for the arts. As a fellow member of Leadership McKinney’s Class of 2025, I was excited to dive into how theater isn’t just about performing—it’s about building connections, fostering empathy, and transforming lives.

Davina’s lov...

In this episode, I had an incredible conversation with Bryan Driscoll, author of The Goodness Game.

Bryan, a Pittsburgh native and father of three, shared his inspiring journey from a troubled youth to a successful entrepreneur and advocate for small acts of kindness. While he owns a digital marketing company that generates leads for real estate investors, his true passion lies in making a difference in t...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I have the privilege to sit down with a friend and management consultant, Christina N Nwachukwu. Christina shares her journey of immigrating to the United States from South Sudan at the age of 10, describing the significant cultural adjustments she faced. 

Our conversation delves into Christina's rich background, her career in management consulting, and her deep ...