I like talking to interesting people who are living INPowered lives. They demonstrate a Spirit of Leading that is
- Service-oriented,
- Self-less, and
- Sincere.
They come from all walks of life and all generations. They are the doers who simply look for ways to improve their surroundings and impact the lives of all they touch as a result. Each of the guests I invite to the podcast has three things in common:
- They have an identifiable cause or objective, even if it is an individual effort.
- They are the founding leader or a principal in that cause.
- They have demonstrated their application of the Spirit of Leading principles. They walk the talk.
I hope that the Spirit of Leading podcast will help you find ways to get the most out of your current circumstances as you practice living INPowered in every aspect of your life: at home, at work, and in your community.
Occasionally, I offer my opinions on matters where I feel compelled to take a stand. A collection of those commentaries also have a separate page.
092: Tim Herbel—the “Accept-ional” Not Your Average Joe coffee shop employee
Up to 80% of disabled people are unemployed or underemployed. Tim Herbel intends to put a dent in that number by employing 10-12 “accept-ional” people in jobs that engage the public when he opens a Not Your Average Joe coffee shop.
091: Sheril Menefee—building character is education
Most parents are interested in more than grades when it comes to educating their children. They want good kids. By that, I mean children who know how to play well with others, who show respect, who behave appropriately, who demonstrate good...
090: Kody Suanny—Returning home to serve
Kody Suanny is a third-generation resident of Hobart, Oklahoma, where she was born. Her commitment to living in a small town represents the millions across our country who find a quality of life in small towns worth their investment of personal treasure...
089: Kenneth Corn—Leading in small towns
Kenneth Corn tells his story of public service on this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast and why he is an advocate of growing small towns. His service has left him with an intense commitment to developing excellence in leadership at all levels...
088: Matt Hangen–FIRE and Water4
Matt Hangen believes in the power of locally owned businesses to help people solve some of their own community problems. To prove it, he is trying to put the charity he runs out of business. Water4 is a testimony to how private enterprise can drive...
087: Breea Clark, Mayor City of Norman, OK—partisan politics doesn’t fill potholes
Breea Clark was elected mayor of Norman, OK in 2019 as the youngest woman and the first Millennial generation leader to hold that position. Clark says she prides herself on making thoughtful, data-driven decisions. No doubt, that perspective is shaped by...
086: Evan Dougoud and the BeHeard Movement
Evan Dougoud had to couch surf as a teenager and relied on the kindness of friends, teachers, and a grandmother to help him finish high school in his native Virginia. Today, with the help of supporters who have said "yes" to his prayers, Evan founded the...
085: Jarrett Jobe, making student leadership real
Cultivating student leaders who can relate academics to real-life experience is a passion for Jarrett Jobe, assistant vice president for student leadership at the University of Central Oklahoma. On this edition of the Spirit of Leadership podcast, Jobe...
084: Coffee House Culture—Shay Hayes & Heather Wheeler
Coffee house culture has a specific meaning to Shay Hayes, founder and owner of Viridian Coffee. He, and Heather Wheeler, director of marketing and training, live it and teach it to all recruits and employees who put on the Viridian Coffe name tag....
083: Dawn Tree—expressing joy and hope through abstract art
Dawn Tree calls herself an abstract folk artist, but she's clear about the message she wants to share. On this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, Dawn shares her insights into racial and social justice and the hope she has that her art will have an...
082: Ashley Coffey—Emerging opportunities for women in technology
Ashley Coffey is a rising star in the Women In Technology movement in Oklahoma. She is a tireless advocate for increasing the number of women in the ranks of STEM jobs. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In this episode of...
080: Lawton Proud, Vested in the Vision—Tiffany Vrska and Albert Rivas
Vesting in the vision of one's own hometown is a major theme of Lawton Proud, a community project supported by government and business partnerships. The co-coordinators are Tiffany Vrska, Community Relations Director for the City of Lawton and Albert...