Something Extra

In this heartfelt episode of the Something Extra podcast, Matt and Maria Granados, founders of the Take Part Foundation, explore how faith and intentionality shape their lives and leadership. From their unique beginnings at Eagle U—a program dedicated to equipping young people with real-world success skills—to their entrepreneurial journeys and service-driven careers, Matt and Maria share how listening to their calling has led to u...

Daniela Linero, Chief Customer Officer at Ontop, explores her inspiring journey from Santa Marta, Colombia, to becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur and leader. She recounts pivotal moments, such as moving to Barcelona for an exchange program and founding her first company, Licify, at just 21 years old in the male-dominated construction industry. In this episode, Daniela reflects on lessons in leadership, courage, and stepping out o...

In this week’s episode, Jeff Brittain, Managing Director at FedEx Institute of Technology, University of Memphis, and seasoned global IT leader, shares his journey into leadership, his career path from engineering to IT leadership, and the life lessons he's gained along the way. He emphasizes the importance of communication, adaptability, and maintaining positivity in leadership roles, while reflecting on his own evolution as ...

In this episode, Lisa sits down with Dave Peacock, CEO of Advantage Solutions, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, faith, and intentionality. Dave shares his journey from humble beginnings to leading major organizations like Anheuser-Busch and Schnucks, emphasizing how pivotal life moments shaped his leadership style. Together, they explore the importance of building meaningful connections, fostering a strong organizati...

What happens when you leave a successful 20-year career as a managing partner at a national CPA firm with no clear plan? Vonna Laue, author of "Glad I Didn't Know: Lessons Learned Through Life's Challenges And Unexpected Blessings" shares her remarkable journey from small-town South Dakota to partner at a national CPA firm to board chair at World Vision USA. Tune in as she reflects on lessons of trust, leadershi...

This week, we honor Danny Ludeman, who recently passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A visionary leader, Danny made everyone feel seen and valued. Though not a St. Louis native, he embraced the city with unmatched passion. His episode was #18 of the Something Extra podcast, which aired in February of 2019. More than 300 episodes later, his message still resonates. Greg and Lisa Nichols, along with their dau...

Join Lisa Nichols as she interviews Pallavi Chandak, CIO at Axia Women's Health, about leveraging technology to improve women's healthcare. Pallavi shares her journey from electrical engineering in India to becoming a healthcare technology executive, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making and innovative AI solutions. Discover how Axia Women's Health is using technology to provide comprehensive and ...

Lisa Nichols interviews Harsha Bellur, CIO of James Avery Jewelry, revealing the secrets to his success in tech and leadership. Harsha shares how growing up in India and working in his father's iron and steel business from a young age shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and approach to customer relationships. This episode is a masterclass in turning timeless business principles into a thriving career!

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In this episode, Dr. Margie Warrell discusses her new book, "The Courage Gap: Five Steps to Braver Action," which is inspired by her experiences during the pandemic. Margie shares insights on the importance of focusing on what you most want, not on what you fear, and emphasizes that courage isn't about eradicating fear, but managing it. She encourages listeners to identify their personal courage gap by assessing diff...

Many leaders excel in their careers but struggle to maintain the same level of success at home. Cory Carlson, Executive Coach, Keynote Speaker, and Co-Founder of RISE Community, knows this challenge well—and he’s on a mission to change it. With years of experience coaching business leaders, Cory helps them overcome burnout, develop their teams, and lead with greater purpose in both their professional and personal lives. In this epi...

Meet three incredible leaders from Commerce Bank on this week's episode of the Something Extra podcast. Beth Feuring, Susan Kalist, and Becki Feldmann bring a wealth of experience across culture, commercial banking, and brand management. Tune in as they discuss the role of company culture in banking, how to balance innovation with customer relationships, and the something extra that fuels their leadership.

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Yvonne Carlson, CTO of Global Media Outreach, is on a mission to share Jesus with the world—one digital connection at a time. As a leader at the forefront of faith-based technology, Yvonne leverages cutting-edge tools to reach people across the globe, nurture their faith, and connect them to Christian communities. In this episode, she shares how emerging tech is shaping global evangelism, the power of digital discipleship, and the ...

What happens when collaboration becomes your superpower? Tom Muccio, a seasoned leader with over three decades at Procter & Gamble and the visionary behind Muccio Consulting, joins Lisa to share his insights on leadership, relationship building, and the art of "Collaborative Disruption." From his groundbreaking work with Walmart to advising top executives worldwide, Tom has mastered the ability to unite teams and orga...

Fresh off being named the Global Recipient of the 2024 St. Louis CIO ORBIE Award, Amanda McClerren joins the podcast to share her insights on leading digital transformation at Bayer Crop Science. As CIO, Amanda drives innovation that empowers farmers and supports Bayer’s mission of "health for all, hunger for none." In this episode, she reflects on her journey, from pioneering digital platforms to building sustainable sol...

Jae Chung, Managing Partner at Bespoke Compass, shares his powerful journey from feeling lost and isolated at the height of his career to becoming an executive coach dedicated to helping leaders find purpose and fulfillment. With a unique background spanning molecular biology, theology, intellectual history, and two decades of ministry across the globe, Jae brings a rich perspective to the challenges of success. In this episode, he...

Join us for a special highlight reel in this episode of Something Extra. We’ve handpicked standout moments and compelling insights from our incredible guests throughout 2024. Reflect on the stories that inspired us, the lessons that shaped us, and the wisdom that continues to light the way forward. Let their advice and vision pave the way for your journey into what we hope will be your most impactful and remarkable year yet. Don’t ...

Join us for a special highlight reel in this episode of Something Extra. We’ve handpicked standout moments and compelling insights from our incredible guests throughout 2024. Reflect on the stories that inspired us, the lessons that shaped us, and the wisdom that continues to light the way forward. Let their advice and vision pave the way for your journey into what we hope will be your most impactful and remarkable year yet. Don’t ...

What does it take to lead with authenticity and integrity? Randy Gravitt, renowned business coach, author, and speaker, joins us on this episode of the Something Extra podcast to share his insights on cultivating integrity-driven leadership. With over a decade of experience at Lead Every Day, Randy has dedicated his career to helping leaders create clarity, expand their capacity, and achieve growth in both their businesses and pers...

Ken Somogyi, a 2024 St. Louis ORBIE CIO of the Year winner and VP of IT at Spinrite, joins the Something Extra podcast to share his journey as a transformative IT leader. With over two decades of experience spanning retail, insurance, manufacturing, and non-profits, Ken has a track record of aligning technology with organizational goals to drive results. From implementing metrics-based service models to leading agile transformation...