Horst Schulze, legendary co-founder and former president of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company shares how his humble beginnings in a small German village and the mentorship of an extraordinary maitre d’ shaped his lifelong philosophy of excellence, purpose, and high intent. Discover how his famous motto, “We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen,” became the gold standard in hospitality and leadership. Tune in for stories, practical wisdom, and the secret sauce behind building world-...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 341
Join us as we sit down with Matt Nicolls, Chief Digital Innovation Officer at Technology Partners, to uncover the unique story behind his creative approach to leadership. Matt shares how his early experiences shaped his passion for visually mapping out solutions, and how this skill has become central to his work in technology. Listeners will hear about the mentors who inspired him, the power of transparency in business, and how bringing “something extra” to the table can make all the difference ...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 340
Leah Spiros, the creative force behind Wrapped + Written, explores how a childhood love for art blossomed into a thriving business in calligraphy, engraving, and live event artistry. Leah shares heartfelt stories about the influence of her mother, the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and the joys and challenges of building a business rooted in faith and family. Whether you’re a fellow creative or just love stories of passion and purpose, this episode will inspire you to find and cel...
Jun 12, 2025•50 min•Ep. 339
Becca Spradlin, founder of On Mission Advisors and author of "Lead On Mission" shares how her upbringing, shaped by faith and entrepreneurial role models, led her to a career helping organizations stay focused on their core mission. From leading microfinance initiatives around the world to launching her own consultancy, Becca reveals practical wisdom for leaders who want to avoid mission drift and create lasting impact. Tune in for heartfelt stories, leadership insights, and a powerful reminder ...
Jun 05, 2025•53 min•Ep. 338
Discover how growing up in a bustling, love-filled St. Louis home shaped Tim Sater’s approach to leadership and life. As the youngest of eight, Tim shares stories of his parents’ kindness, the open-door policy that earned their house the nickname “Grand Central Station,” and the lessons he carries into his role as Vice President of Marketing at AAIM Employers Association. Hear how Tim’s global career in marketing taught him the value of being a lifelong learner and the importance of building gen...
May 29, 2025•49 min•Ep. 337
In this episode, we explore how a passion for helping others was shaped by an unconventional childhood. Gary Baker, President and CEO of Undivided Wealth Management, shares candid stories about growing up with young parents in a chaotic environment, and how the unwavering love he received became the foundation for his resilience and people-centric leadership style. Together, Lisa and Gary reflect on the power of embracing adversity, the importance of community, and the life-changing impact of se...
May 22, 2025•54 min•Ep. 336
Lorraine Heywood, CEO and founder of Augustine Talent Group, explores how faith, leadership, and community come together to create lasting impact. Lorraine shares her journey from growing up in a dynamic, achievement-driven family to launching a successful career in recruiting-and how her love for people and her faith have shaped every step. Discover how Lorraine’s involvement with The Rooted Sisters and her bold move to launch the Houston chapter are empowering women to bring light into their w...
May 15, 2025•54 min•Ep. 335
In this heartfelt episode, Lisa sits down with Dr. Kendall Brune and Dr. Ryan Rogers to explore the transformative journeys of veterans and leaders. Dr. Rogers shares his deeply personal story of military service, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and how mentorship from Dr. Brune helped him find purpose beyond the battlefield. Together, they discuss the importance of community, the impact of unresolved trauma, and how a bias toward action and supportive relationships can change ...
May 08, 2025•56 min•Ep. 334
Dr. Rachel Glik, licensed professional counselor and author of A Soulful Marriage explores how the skills for building lasting, loving relationships, starting with self-love and responsibility, can be learned and practiced by anyone, not just couples. Dr. Glik shares her personal journey from sensitive child to renowned marriage counselor, emphasizing that strong relationships with ourselves and others are foundational to effective leadership and a fulfilling life. Whether you’re single, married...
May 01, 2025•51 min•Ep. 333
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 unexpected opportunities and deeper impact. Tune in for inspiring ...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 332
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 of her comfort zone. Her story is a testament to the power of dete...
Apr 17, 2025•45 min•Ep. 331
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 a leader with a "professional casual" style. The conversation also tou...
Apr 10, 2025•53 min•Ep. 330
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 organizational culture, and living with purpose in every decision. Tune in ...
Apr 03, 2025•55 min•Ep. 329
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, leadership, and obedience, offering wisdom on navigating transitions, building trust in organi...
Mar 27, 2025•58 min•Ep. 328
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 daughter Ally, share a deep connection with Danny, remembering his q...
Mar 20, 2025•33 min•Ep. 18
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 convenient care for women at every stage of life and how AI can give healthcare ...
Mar 13, 2025•39 min•Ep. 327
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! Guest Links: Harsha’s LinkedIn James Avery Jewelry Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols Executive Produce...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 326
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 different areas of their lives and determining what they would do if they were being...
Feb 27, 2025•47 min•Ep. 325
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 episode, Cory shares his insights on balancing leadership, faith, an...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 324
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. Guest Links: Beth’s LinkedIn Susan’s LinkedIn Becki’s LinkedIn Commerce Bank Credits: Host...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 323
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 incredible impact of Global Media Outreach. Guest Links: Yvonne’s...
Feb 06, 2025•57 min•Ep. 322
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 organizations to achieve exponential growth. Tune in as he discusses his journe...
Jan 30, 2025•57 min•Ep. 321
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 solutions and her passion for leadership and community impact. Tune in to hear...
Jan 23, 2025•48 min•Ep. 320
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 reveals how self-awareness, reflection, and meaningful connectio...
Jan 16, 2025•45 min•Ep. 319
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 miss this chance to recharge and set the stage for success in the...
Jan 09, 2025•29 min•Ep. 318
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 miss this chance to recharge and set the stage for success in the...
Jan 02, 2025•28 min•Ep. 317
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 personal lives. Discover why Randy views leadership as a calling and ...
Dec 19, 2024•59 min•Ep. 316
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 transformations and saving $1M in IT costs, Ken’s leadership style focuses on e...
Dec 12, 2024•47 min•Ep. 315
John Coleman, Managing Partner at Sovereign’s Capital and Harvard Business Review contributor, shares his passion for leadership, investing, and helping others build meaningful lives. With experience at McKinsey & Company, Invesco, and as the author of Passion & Purpose and How to Argue Like Jesus, John reflects on lessons from working with thousands of founders and leaders. He dives into the intersection of values and strategy, offering practical advice for leaders striving to create a ...
Dec 05, 2024•56 min•Ep. 314
Following last week's episode on the great work being done by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, check out the inspiring father-son duo behind John’s Crazy Socks, Mark X. Cronin and his son, John. Together, they share their extraordinary journey of building a multi-million-dollar social enterprise with heart. John, who has Down syndrome, never let it hold him back. From starting their sock venture to now being globally recognized advocates for inclusive hiring, they show us how ...
Nov 21, 2024•39 min•Ep. 313
