William Vanderbloemen | CEO & Founder of Vanderbloemen Search Group | Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits That Separate the Best from the Rest
Release Date: 04/23/2025
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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The Wow Factor
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The Wow Factor
is the former President and CEO of , one of America’s most beloved ice cream brands. After 43 years with the company, Ricky's leadership legacy is steeped in faith, humility, and an unwavering commitment to people and product integrity. From a young territory manager trying to conquer a new market to leading the company through one of its biggest crises, Ricky’s story is a testament to servant leadership and doing business the right way—one scoop at a time. In this episode, Brad sits down with Ricky for a rich and honest conversation about faith, leadership, crisis, and of course… ice...
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The Wow Factor
Ari Sacher has spent more than three decades working at , Israel’s premier developer of missile technology, where he played key roles in the creation of the Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Ari’s journey took him from upstate New York and Toronto to Israel in 1982—and he never looked back. An electrical engineer educated at Israel’s Technion (often called “Israel’s MIT”), Ari has been at the forefront of developing systems that protect millions of lives, all while holding fast to his faith and deep love for family....
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Jim Towey | Founder of Aging with Dignity | Serving the Poor and Powerless with Faith and Grace
The Wow Factor
Jim Towey is the former lawyer for Mother Teresa and the founder of , a nonprofit based in Falls Church, Virginia. He is the creator of the widely used Five Wishes advance directive. His story is as unique as it is powerful—marked by a journey from Capitol Hill to Calcutta, from chasing influence in Washington to walking alongside Mother Teresa and advocating for those society often forgets. As a former lawyer to Mother Teresa, White House staffer, and spiritual seeker, Jim has seen the best and worst of power, and ultimately chose a path of service, faith, and purpose. In this episode of...
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The Wow Factor
Ralph Stayer, is the founder of , one of America's most beloved family-owned food companies. From humble beginnings in a small Wisconsin town of just 65 people, Ralph helped grow Johnsonville from an 8-person operation into a global brand by radically rethinking leadership, purpose, Capitalism, and what it means to build a business with heart. In this episode, Brad sits down with Ralph in sunny Naples, Florida, for a deep conversation about faith, capitalism, giving, and legacy. Ralph shares how his own leadership transformation began in frustration and burnout, eventually leading him to...
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J. Mark McVey | Broadway Performer | How Music, Faith, and Gratitude Can Change a Life
The Wow Factor
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The Wow Factor
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Ryan Leak | Speaker and Best Selling Author | How to Work With Complicated People and Live Generously
The Wow Factor
From receiving life-altering generosity in his youth to helping global audiences navigate complicated people and personal growth— journey is one of resilience, faith, and intentional leadership. In this episode, Ryan shares the early experiences that shaped his calling, how generosity became a family legacy, and why working well with others starts with owning your own complexities. A sought-after speaker, content creator, and the author of Leveling Up and Chasing Failure, Ryan’s newest book offers a deeply practical roadmap for thriving in diverse workplaces. Drawing from personal...
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Honoring Dr. John Rooney | Former President at Rooney and Associates, Inc | Leading with Purpose
The Wow Factor
Today we honor Dr. John Rooney, formerly the President of Rooney and Associates, Inc. John provided strategic guidance and innovative solutions to numerous organizations over the years. John's expertise in strategic planning, business development, and organizational management earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in the business community. John was also actively involved in philanthropic efforts and remained dedicated to helping organizations thrive in an ever-changing global marketplace until his passing on April 7, 2025. This week on The Wow Factor, we honor Dr. John Rooney, who...
info_outlineWilliam Vanderbloemen is the CEO and Founder of Vanderbloemen Search Group, an executive search firm that serves faith-based organizations, churches, schools, and nonprofits around the world. With over 15 years of experience in executive search and leadership consulting, William and his team have conducted over 30,000 interviews and helped thousands of organizations find mission-aligned leaders. Before launching Vanderbloemen, he served as a senior pastor and worked in the corporate HR space at a Fortune 200 company. He’s also the author of several books, including his latest, Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits That Separate the Best from the Rest, which is rooted in insights gleaned from decades of leadership and hiring experience.
William joins us on The Wow Factor to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, from paperboy to pastor to founder of a top-tier executive search firm. He shares the story behind starting Vanderbloemen, how he navigated the 2008 financial crisis while launching the company, and why responsiveness, authenticity, and purpose are key markers of top-performing leaders. We also dive into his new book and explore a few of the 12 habits that define “unicorn” candidates—those rare individuals who leave a lasting impression and drive long-term success.
“Speed wins. You get back to people, you win. It’s the lowest-hanging fruit, and hardly anyone’s picking it.” – William Vanderbloemen
“If you want to be interesting, be interested. Turn the conversation back to the person you’re talking to.” – William Vanderbloemen
“The higher and nobler the North Star, the farther that person goes in accomplishing their mission.” – William Vanderbloemen
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- How William’s early entrepreneurial mindset emerged from delivering newspapers in a small North Carolina town
- His journey from Princeton Theological Seminary to a 15-year career in pastoral leadership
- The surprising catalyst that led him to launch Vanderbloemen after working in HR at a Fortune 200 company
- The challenges of starting a business in 2008 and how his wife Adrian played a crucial role in saying yes to the vision
- How Vanderbloemen has facilitated over 30,000 in-person interviews and built a reputation for matching great leaders with aligned missions
- The core concept behind Be the Unicorn and why responsiveness is one of the most underrated leadership habits
- A breakdown of several unicorn habits including: being fast, authentic, agile, prepared, likable, and purpose-driven
- Real-world hiring lessons drawn from churches, nonprofits, and corporate organizations
- Tips on running more effective meetings—like turning productivity into a game and calculating the cost of every meeting in real time
- Why asking better questions is one of the most powerful things a leader can do to develop others
William Vanderbloemen’s Word of Wisdom:
If you want to lead well, stop giving directions and start asking better questions. Great leaders don’t just provide answers—they develop the next generation of leaders who do.
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