Something Extra

Hosted by Technology Partners

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Episodes

400

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

My name is Lisa Nichols, and I have spent the last 30 years as both the CEO of Technology Partners and as the mother to Ally, our daughter with Down syndrome. Down syndrome occurs when someone is born with an extra chromosome, but for Ally, her “something extra” goes beyond her DNA. She is one of the funniest, kindest, mostly joyful people you have ever met. Learning from Ally has taught me to look for the “something extras” in everyone I encounter. Join me as I interview leaders from around the world as they share their stories and show us what it takes to influence, encourage, and be a true leader in our daily lives. Welcome to Something Extra.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 20, 202649 min

Designing Healthcare Around the Human Experience w/ Dr. Hossain Marandi

Step inside the mind of Dr. Hossain Marandi, President of Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and SVP of SSM Health Pediatric Services, as he shares how merging clinical insight with business strategy elevates the standard of care. Discover the thoughtful, inclusive process behind building a family-centered pediatric campus designed to bring comfort, spiritual support, and world-class care to patients. Tune in to gain practical wisdom on servant leadership, empathy-driven decision-making, and the ultimate key to rallying a team around a shared vision: the power to create belief. Guest Links: Dr. Marandi’s LinkedIn SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

August 13, 202648 min

Human-Centric AI and the Art of Leadership w/ Ryan Schlimpert

In this episode, Ryan Schlimpert, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Drury Hotels, breaks down how modern technology leaders can drive innovation without losing the human touch. He explores the power of human-centric AI, explaining how automating backend processes creates more space for meaningful, real-world customer connections. Discover actionable wisdom on shifting from hands-on problem-solving to empowering teams, navigating organizational change, and viewing ROI as relentless ongoing improvement. Guest Links: Ryan’s LinkedIn Drury Hotels Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

August 6, 202647 min

Redefining Inclusion as an Economic Opportunity w/ Jim Atwater

Discover how lived experiences can transform into a catalyst for global innovation with guest Jim Atwater, Founder and CEO of InReturn Strategies and Aptly.org . In this episode, Atwater opens up about navigating progressive hearing loss and how those pivotal moments inspired him to revolutionize the way businesses view untapped talent. Tune in to explore how shifting the conversation from social charity to an $18 trillion economic market can unlock untapped business potential and redefine modern leadership. Guest Links: Jim’s LinkedIn InReturn Strategies Aptly Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

July 30, 202645 min

The Power of Integrity, Courage, and Communication w/ Sonya Engle

What does it take to lead with deep purpose and resilience in healthcare? Sonya Engle, Chief Operating Officer at Sonora Quest Laboratories, shares her remarkable journey from starting on the front lines as a specimen processor to leading the nation's largest integrated laboratory network. She dives into her powerful personal story as a two-time cancer survivor and advocate, offering profound lessons on overcoming adversity, building a culture of trust and integrity, and leading with true humility and passion. Tune in to explore how putting people over profits transforms both workplace culture and patient lives. Editor's Note: During this episode, Sonora Quest Laboratories' annual testing volume was inadvertently misstated. The correct figure is 100 million diagnostic tests performed annually. Guest Links: Sonya’s LinkedIn Sonora Quest Laboratories Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

July 23, 202644 min

The Beauty and the Beast of AI: Cybersecurity Insights w/ Andrew Wilder

What does it take to transition from a manager who tells people what to do to a leader who empowers great minds to innovate? Andrew Wilder, Chief Security Officer at Vetcor, shares his wisdom gained from over 25 years of building robust cybersecurity systems from the ground up at global giants like Nestle and Hillenbrand. He dives into the tactical realities of managing cybersecurity risk in the boardroom, adapting to the exponential rise of AI, and the profound impact of cultivating empathy in leadership. Unpack the invaluable lessons of ruthless prioritization, utilizing early retirement programs during reorgs, and why no one will ever care more about your career than you do. Guest Links: Andrew’s LinkedIn Vetcor Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

July 16, 202648 min

Solving the Human Element in a Fast-Paced Tech World w/ Mark Haubein

Step inside the strategy behind modernizing Rawlings Sporting Goods with Mark Haubein, the Senior Vice President of Information Technology, as he shares how he guides an iconic heritage brand through massive digital transformations by focusing on team empowerment and autonomy. He breaks down why up to ninety percent of all project failures stem from communication breakdowns rather than technical glitches, offering practical strategies to ensure true alignment across an organization. Listeners will walk away with his secrets for staying calm under intense pressure, the value of overcoming blind spots through feedback, and why humility is the foundational trait every impactful leader must possess. Guest Links: Mark’s LinkedIn Rawlings Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

July 9, 202657 min

Finding Peace in the Pivot w/ Ladi Adefala

Step into the powerful journey of Ladi Adefala, a world-renowned cybersecurity strategist, founder and CEO at Omega316, and board chair at Delta Dental of Missouri, as he shares profound insights on navigating difficult career transitions and unexpected "wilderness" seasons. This episode delves into the importance of shifting focus from seeking immediate validation to understanding the long-term compounding effects of daily habits, continuous learning, and personal growth. Listeners will walk away inspired by a captivating message about building strategic advantages, relying on resilience during adversity, and why every impactful leader needs trusted guidance to remember who they are called to be. Guest Links: Ladi’s LinkedIn LadiAdefala Omega316 Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

July 2, 202639 min

Finding True Beauty and Balance in Leadership w/ Erika Johnson

From the national gymnastics stage to the front lines of community revitalization, Erika Johnson, Founder of Juice EJ, has dedicated her life to building a healthier, more equitable future. In this inspiring conversation, she opens up about a profound family health crisis that completely shifted her trajectory and sparked her booming wellness brand. Unpacking her journey through pageantry, entrepreneurship, and faith, she shares powerful insights on mastering the art of detachment and finding absolute balance in high-impact leadership. Guest Links: Juice EJ Instagram Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

June 25, 202641 min

Radically Honest Leadership w/ Robert Griggs

Uncover what happens when a leader completely flips the corporate hierarchy to focus entirely on the people loading the trucks and running the welding lines. Robert Griggs, Founder and Chairman of Trinity Products, joins the conversation to reveal how he scaled a business from nothing into a massive manufacturing leader. He dives deep into the ultimate power of financial transparency, the critical role of taking calculated risks, and how a devastating early-career betrayal shaped his unbreakable commitment to radical honesty and corporate integrity. If you want to learn how going the extra mile for your workforce can automatically transform your customer satisfaction and take the pressure off your shoulders, this episode provides the definitive roadmap. Guest Links: Robert’s LinkedIn Trinity Products Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols

June 18, 202655 min

The Power of Imperfection w/ Jim Brown

This episode features a conversation with leadership veteran Jim Brown, founder of OrgHealth and author of the new book The Imperfect CEO , about how executives can build high-performing organizational cultures by embracing vulnerability and human limitations. Brown discusses the "org health ascent model," explaining how breaking down internal competition and modeling accountability allows a team's collective strengths to thrive. He also shares powerful personal insights on prioritizing family over career demands and utilizing faith-driven disciplines like conversational journaling to navigate leadership challenges. Guest Links: Jim’s LinkedIn OrgHealth Jim's Instagram Book: The Imperfect CEO Credits: Host: Lisa Nichols, Executive Producer: Jenny Heal, Marketing Support: Joe Szynkowski & Dylan Price, Podcast Engineer: Portside Media Something Extra with Lisa Nichols