Leaders in the Arena

Hosted by The Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Facebook Instagram

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Each episode features conversations with leaders doing the real work of leadership—where decisions matter, values are tested, and faith is lived out in practice. Guests share practical wisdom shaped by Christian conviction, offering insight into leading with integrity, stewardship, humility, and care for others. Join us for thoughtful conversations that explore what faithful leadership looks like in a changing world.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 202632 min

Stewarding Transformational Change | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

Institutions matter. The way they are built, renewed, and led shapes communities for generations.Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Corey B. Holstege, a transformation leader who has guided major enterprises such as Shaw Industries and The Home Depot through complex operational and digital change. Drawing on his experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives, Corey will reflect on what it takes to renew institutions responsibly—balancing data, design, and operational rigor with the deeper calling to steward people, culture, and long-term impact.This session explores how enterprise transformation can align with our broader calling as servant leaders: to faithfully build organizations and communities that participate in Christ’s work of making all things new.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

June 9, 202637 min

Values-Driven Leadership | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

Values-based leadership begins with integrity and is sustained through faithful stewardship of people, culture, and responsibility. At its best, leadership is not just about results, but about how leaders care for what has been entrusted to them and create environments where others can grow.Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Carter Helm, an experienced leader known for his focus on team development, customer experience, and operational innovation. Drawing on his leadership within a high-performance service environment, Carter will explore how values-driven leadership shapes culture, strengthens teams, and drives sustainable results.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

June 1, 202623 min

Forming Servant Leaders: Humility & Integrity with Ian Fanning | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

What does it mean to lead with humility and integrity in a world that often rewards self-promotion and short-term results?Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Covenant College student Ian Fanning ’26 as we explore how humility and integrity shape servant leaders who act with character while building trust and stewarding responsibility well.Leaders who embrace humility and integrity lead with authenticity, earn credibility, and shape cultures where people and organizations thrive.You’ll also learn how intentional servant leadership formation comes to life through our new Leadership Fellows program—preparing Covenant students to lead with humility, integrity, courage, and stewardship as part of Christ’s work of making all things new.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

May 25, 202620 min

Forming Servant Leaders: Courage & Stewardship with Eric Sonnenschein | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

What does it take to lead with courage and steward responsibility well when the stakes are real?Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Covenant College student Eric Sonnenschein ’27 as we explore how courage and stewardship shape leaders who act with conviction while faithfully caring for what has been entrusted to them.This episode explores key characteristics of servant leadership and the responsibility leaders carry in navigating uncertainty, making difficult decisions, and building organizations that endure. We’ll reflect on how courage and stewardship work together to guide thoughtful action, wise judgment, and long-term impact.You’ll also learn how intentional servant leadership formation comes to life through our new Leadership Fellows program—preparing Covenant students to lead with humility, integrity, courage, and stewardship as part of Christ’s work of making all things new.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

May 11, 202628 min

Leadership Evolved: Decisions, Responsibility, and Calling with John Plating | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

Leadership is not static—it evolves as responsibility deepens and people depend on you. Listen to this episode of Leaders in the Arena for a thoughtful conversation with John Plating, Director of the Center for Calling & Career at Covenant College and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. Drawing on decades of leading complex organizations, educating others, and serving in high-stakes environments, Dr. Plating explores how leadership changes over time, the role of responsibility in shaping leaders, and how leaders can steward their influence with integrity and purpose. This session offers practical insight for students, professionals, and community leaders alike.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

May 4, 202629 min

Leadership for Growth with Don Sweeney | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

What does it take to lead not just organizations—but cultures?In this episode of Leaders in the Arena, hear a conversation with Don Sweeney, retired Ernst & Young partner and leader in the firm’s healthcare consulting practice. During a period of rapid growth and disruption, Don helped lead the Quest Leadership Program, an initiative designed to shift EY’s culture from technical expertise to transformational leadership.Drawing on his experience guiding large-scale organizational change, Don reflects on what it takes to develop leaders who build strong relationships, shape culture, and sustain long-term impact. From global consulting to nonprofit board leadership, this conversation explores how leadership is ultimately expressed not in position, but in the quality of relationships leaders cultivate.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

April 7, 202632 min

Innovation as Leadership Discipline with Patrick Miles | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Patrick Miles, Senior Project Lead on Chick-fil-A’s Innovation Services team. Drawing from his experience equipping innovation within a high-performing enterprise, Patrick will explore how leaders cultivate thoughtful experimentation, ask better questions, and ensure innovation strengthens rather than distracts from institutional purpose.This session invites students and professionals alike to consider innovation not as a department, but as a leadership practice.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

March 30, 202631 min

Servant Leadership in Practice with Scott Quatro | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Scott Quatro, leadership scholar, educator, and consultant, as he explores what servant leadership looks like in today’s complex organizational environments. Drawing on his work with executives and his research on leadership and management, Scott offers practical insight into how leaders can lead with humility, purpose, and a genuine commitment to the growth of others. Whether you lead a team, an organization, or a classroom, this conversation will provide grounded wisdom for leading in ways that reflect both competence and Christlike character.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠.

March 23, 202635 min

Sending Out Builders: Servant Leadership, Flourishing, and the Future of Covenant College with Brad Voyles | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

Join Leaders in the Arena for a special conversation with Brad Voyles, President of Covenant College, as he shares the vision shaping Covenant’s next chapter.At the heart of Covenant’s strategy is a bold commitment to send out builders—graduates formed in faith, courage, and calling, prepared to serve the church and the world as participants in Christ’s work of making all things new. Under President Voyles’ leadership, Covenant has experienced record enrollment growth, signaling renewed momentum and confidence in its mission. This session will explore the theological vision behind this strategy, the Flourish initiative’s role in shaping vocational calling through place-based engagement, and what faithful, servant leadership looks like when guiding institutional transformation.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠.

March 5, 202632 min

Permanent Equity, Purpose, and Leadership: A Conversation with Brent Beshore | Leaders in the Arena Podcast

Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Brent Beshore, Founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, joined by David Caines, Chief Operating Officer of Kenco Group, as they explore a distinct approach to investment and leadership built on long-term commitment, cultural alignment, and stewardship.Unlike traditional private equity models focused on short-term exits, Permanent Equity partners with companies for the long haul—prioritizing people, trust, and sustainable value creation. In this session, Brent and David will discuss what sets this model apart, how values shape leadership decisions, and how these themes connect to Brent’s upcoming visit to Covenant College as Executive in Residence, sponsored by the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠.