Discover how childhood magic shows and a gas station job laid the foundation for a legendary career in customer service and experience. This episode features Shep Hyken, the Chief Amazement Officer at Shepard Presentations, as he breaks down the "I’ll Be Back" philosophy and the distinction between repeat business and true brand loyalty. Gain actionable insights on operationalizing feedback, leading through a crisis, and why the most successful organizations prioritize a "hospitality mentality" to outshine their competition.

Guest Links:

• Shep’s LinkedIn
• Shepard Presentations, LLC

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

Discover how a former criminology major and aspiring actor transitioned from a curious subcontractor to a powerhouse executive in the tech industry. Michael Smith, Partner at Fortium Partners, shares his "business-first" philosophy on IT, explaining why technology is most powerful when it is used to create a competitive advantage rather than just being a set of widgets. He dives deep into the high-stakes world of global digital transformations and the hard-won lessons learned from "failing safe" under great mentors.

Guest Links:

• Michael’s LinkedIn
• Fortium Partners

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

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 2025. 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 year ahead!

Guest Links:

• EP335 - Lorraine Heywood
• EP336 - Gary Baker
• EP340 - Matt Nicolls
• EP341 - Horst Schulze
• EP345 - Joni Eareckson Tada
• EP354 - Michael Staenberg

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

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 2025. 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 year ahead!

Guest Links:

• EP319 - Jae Chung
• EP322 - Yvonne Carlson
• EP323 - Commerce Bank
• EP327 - Pallavi Chandak
• EP329 - Dave Peacock
• EP332 - Matt & Maria Granados
• EP334 - Dr. Kendall Brune & Dr. Ryan Rogers

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

In this dynamic episode, Bennetta Raby, also known as Coach Bee, shares her powerful, decades-long journey as a transformation expert, starting from restoring her grandmother's furniture to orchestrating global strategic alignment for Fortune 500 companies. She reveals the deeply personal crisis of fulfillment that led her to discover her true calling. Hear Coach Bee unpack the "legions of things" that hold leaders back and the critical need for self-reflection and emotional intelligence to lead a life of authentic purpose, emphasizing that "vulnerability has to be present for transformation to happen."

Guest Links:

• Coach Bee’s LinkedIn
• Runnvation LLC

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

This episode features Eric Stone, founder and CEO of Clear Path Ventures, discussing how to build a high-performance workplace culture based on his experience leading a highly successful region at Enterprise. He emphasizes the non-negotiable commitments developed through a peer-nominated "think tank," the importance of continuous training, and his five factors of engagement: relationships, communication, resources, development, and recognition. Stone also stresses that culture is measurable and predictable, and highlights the need for leaders to consistently have a presence and communicate clearly using his ABCs - Amplify, Buffer, and Convey.

Guest Links:

• Eric’s LinkedIn
• Clear Path Ventures
• EricDStone.com
• Book: Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture

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

Discover the extraordinary journey of Jonathan Shroyer, Co-founder of Quimbi AI. This episode explores how growing up in a massive family taught him the importance of influence over command, which he later applied in his career by intentionally mastering emotional intelligence. Learn his powerful strategy for creating "bi-directional value" for customers and talent, his belief that data - not your product - is your company's secret weapon, and the essential leadership attribute he credits for his success across global companies like Microsoft and Symantec. Hear his inspiring personal story, rooted in hope, which fuels his pioneering spirit to reverse-engineer the future of customer experience with agentic AI.

Guest Links:

• Jonathan’s LinkedIn
• Quimbi.ai
• Book: The Little Lion, Lioness, and Llama: Based on a true story

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

CFO of Brinkmann Constructors, Sam Cook, shares the remarkable journey that propelled her from a small, humble border town in Mexico to a leader in the US construction industry. Discover how her upbringing sparked a relentless curiosity and a drive to constantly seek the next level, leading her to start college at 16, and transition from architecture to high-stakes finance. Gain insights into her leadership philosophy, including why it's vital to be emotionally ready to execute a plan and the value of having a good team while navigating rapid company growth.

Guest Links:

• Sam’s LinkedIn
• Brinkmann Constructors

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