Admiral Vern Clark | Retired Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy | The Power of Covenant Leadership | Part 2
Release Date: 04/09/2025
Dr. Rick Lytle | President & CEO of CEO Forum | Shaping Spiritual Leaders in the Marketplace
The Wow Factor
Dr. Rick Lytle is the President and CEO of the , a ministry organization that mentors and disciples Christian CEOs and senior executives leading companies with $100M+ in revenue. With a background in academia and a Ph.D. in marketing, Rick spent years as a professor and business school dean before stepping into his role at the CEO Forum. His mission? To support leaders in building lives and legacies marked by character, competence, and calling—both at work and at home. In this episode of The Wow Factor, Brad sits down with Dr. Rick at the home studio in Irvine,...
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Brent and Tracey McKee | Founders of McKee & Company | Designing a Business That Feels Like Home
The Wow Factor
Brent and Tracey McKee are the visionary founders behind , a luxury furniture and interior design business that’s been redefining the Southern California design landscape for over 26 years. Known for their thoughtful, timeless style and deep commitment to quality and service, the McKees have built more than a business, they’ve built a trusted, relationship-driven brand. Now, they’re stepping into a new chapter with a reimagined space that blends elevated design, hands-on collaboration, and a curated client experience like no other. In this episode of The Wow Factor, Brad visits...
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Tia Newcomer | CEO of CaringBridge | Leading with Heart in the For-Impact World
The Wow Factor
is the CEO of , a nonprofit providing a vital digital platform where families can communicate, receive support, and rally their communities during health journeys. With a career that spans Revlon, PepsiCo., Hewlett-Packard, and multiple health tech ventures, Tia brings a rich background from the for-profit world into the heart of the nonprofit sector, or as she prefers to call it, the for-impact space. In this episode of The Wow Factor, Brad sits down with Tia to unpack her career journey across four pivotal pillars, from consumer goods to tech, healthcare, and now mission-driven...
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John O’Leary | Speaker and Coach| Inspiring Change Through Personal Struggle
The Wow Factor
In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given a 1% chance to live. This epic story of survival was first showcased in his parents’ book, Overwhelming Odds, in 2006. It was this book that first invited John to embrace his miraculous recovery and share it with the world. John inspires nearly 75,000 people at 100+ events each year. John’s first book, , was an instant #1 National Bestseller; his Live Inspired Podcast is a top 20 for business on iTunes &...
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Bill Johnson | Pastor and Senior Leader at Bethel Church | Living a Lifestyle of Generosity | Part 2
The Wow Factor
Bill Johnson serves as the Senior Leader of in Redding, California. Known globally for his teaching on revival, faith, and the Kingdom of God, Bill’s ministry has been marked by a consistent focus on gratitude, generosity, and living a life shaped by God’s presence. Through decades of leadership, he has taught that generosity is more than financial giving—it’s a lifestyle of humility, kindness, and service that reflects God’s design for humanity. In this episode, Brad sits down with Bill to talk about gratitude, generosity, and why the two are inseparably linked. Bill shares...
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Bill Johnson | Pastor and Senior Leader at Bethel Church | Living a Lifestyle of Generosity | Part 1
The Wow Factor
Bill Johnson serves as the Senior Leader of in Redding, California. Known globally for his teaching on revival, faith, and the Kingdom of God, Bill’s ministry has been marked by a consistent focus on gratitude, generosity, and living a life shaped by God’s presence. Through decades of leadership, he has taught that generosity is more than financial giving—it’s a lifestyle of humility, kindness, and service that reflects God’s design for humanity. In this episode, Brad sits down with Bill to talk about gratitude, generosity, and why the two are inseparably linked. Bill shares...
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Stephen Auth | EVP & CIO of Equities at Federated Hermes | The Missionary of Wall Street
The Wow Factor
Stephen Auth is the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Equities at in New York City, overseeing more than $85 billion in assets. A Princeton graduate with a lifelong interest in both finance and art, Stephen is known for his strategic leadership on Wall Street and his bold work as an author, missionary, and Catholic lay leader. Alongside his wife, Evelyn, he has written books including The Missionary of Wall Street and Pilgrimage to the Museum, blending faith, story, and culture to point people toward Christ. In this episode, Brad sits down with Stephen to talk...
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Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. | President of the Magis Center | Christ vs. Satan in Our Daily Lives | Part 2
The Wow Factor
Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, philosopher, educator, author, and the President of the . Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he went on to study at Gonzaga University, the Gregorian University in Rome, and the Catholic University of America, where he earned a PhD in philosophy. He later served as President of Gonzaga University, where he became known for blending academic excellence with faith formation. Today, Father Spitzer leads the Magis Center, which produces resources on the intersection of faith, science, and reason, and he continues to write and speak...
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Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. | President of the Magis Center | Christ vs. Satan in Our Daily Lives | Part 1
The Wow Factor
Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, philosopher, educator, author, and the President of the . Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he went on to study at Gonzaga University, the Gregorian University in Rome, and the Catholic University of America, where he earned a PhD in philosophy. He later served as President of Gonzaga University, where he became known for blending academic excellence with faith formation. Today, Father Spitzer leads the Magis Center, which produces resources on the intersection of faith, science, and reason, and he continues to write and speak...
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Jimmy Mellado | President & CEO of Compassion International | Becoming Before Doing
The Wow Factor
Jimmy Mellado leads , a global, church-driven ministry serving children in poverty across 29 countries. Born in El Salvador (full name: Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado), he grew up across Latin America and Asia, ran decathlon at SMU, and later represented El Salvador in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. His life and leadership are anchored in faith, family, and a deep conviction that true impact starts with who we’re becoming—then flows into what we do. In this episode, Brad sits down with Jimmy at Compassion’s global ministry center in Colorado Springs for a candid conversation about identity,...
info_outlineAdmiral Vernon Eugene Clark is a retired four-star admiral who served as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for the United States Navy. He retired on July 22, 2005, after five years in the role—making him the second-longest serving CNO in history, after Arleigh Burke. During his distinguished military career, Admiral Clark received numerous awards, including four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, three Navy Distinguished Service Medals, and three Legions of Merit. Following his retirement, he was further recognized with the Eisenhower Award from the Business Executives of North America, the Distinguished Sea Service Award from the Naval Order of the United States, and the Distinguished Service Medal from the Military Order of the World Wars.
He holds an undergraduate degree from Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri, and an MBA from the University of Arkansas. He has also received honorary doctorates from the University of Toledo, Old Dominion University, Northwest University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Today, Admiral Clark continues to share the leadership insights gained throughout his Navy career. He reflects on major challenges—such as the Navy’s high attrition rates when he became Chief—and the steps he took to address them. He unpacks what “alignment” means in a leadership context and why it became one of his top priorities. He also discusses the importance of vision in leadership, and how that principle shaped his actions in the aftermath of 9/11.
“It's been said before that I bring a little bit of passion to the game.” - Admiral Vern Clark
“Alignment is really about communication.” - Admiral Vern Clark
“More is caught than taught.” - Admiral Vern Clark
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- The five principles on which Admiral Vern founded his leadership
- The importance of culture in a large organization
- The importance of getting buy-in from the sailors and how Admiral Vern brought his Master Chiefs on board with his plans
- Admiral Vern’s goals of equipping and empowering the whole team
- How Admiral Vern and his team solved the problem of attrition
- Where Admiral Vern was when the tragic events of 9/11 occurred and his immediate response to deploy loaded aircraft carriers and destroyers to strategic positions
- When Admiral Vern first met President Bush at his inauguration and the promise he made him
- The story of Admiral Vern’s relationship with Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense
- The importance of listening as a leader
- Why Admiral Vern feels that the Lord was watching over him throughout his career
Admiral Vern Clark’s Word of Wisdom:
Having a strategic communications plan that moves you forward as a team or organization is vital.
Connect with Admiral Vern Clark:
- Any questions for Admiral Clark can be sent to Brad
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