Libsyn Directory

Susan Hollern | Founder and President of Hope Haven Rwanda | Living Fully Surrendered to Create Lasting Change

Release Date: 04/30/2025

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,...

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...

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...

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 &...

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...

Bill Johnson | Pastor and Senior Leader at Bethel Church | Living a Lifestyle of Generosity | Part 1

The Wow Factor

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...

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...

Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. | President of the Magis Center | Christ vs. Satan in Our Daily Lives | Part 1

The Wow Factor

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,...

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Susan Hollern is the Founder and President of Hope Haven Rwanda, a transformative educational initiative that empowers students and families in post-genocide Rwanda. Based in Sedalia, Colorado, Susan brings a background in entrepreneurship, real estate, finance, and deep faith to her work—driven by a personal calling to serve others through bold obedience and a surrendered life. Her leadership has turned a humble school under a tree into a thriving institution that now educates over 2,000 students annually, with a vision of raising up the next generation of Christian world leaders.

Susan joins us on The Wow Factor to walk us through her personal and spiritual journey—from growing up in Ohio with a strong work ethic and independent spirit, to experiencing a full surrender to God that changed her life’s trajectory. She shares how a mission trip to the Philippines and a divine encounter at a Rwanda fundraiser set her on a path to found Hope Haven. Susan’s story is full of wisdom, perseverance, and vision. Her mission isn't just to educate students but to support entire families and communities so every child has the chance to thrive—spiritually, emotionally, and academically.

“I kept praying, ‘Use me.’ But when you say that, be ready. Your life will not look the same—but I promise, it’ll be better.” – Susan Hollern

“Hope Haven started under a tree with 97 kids. Now we serve over 2,000 students. That’s a miracle only God could write.” – Susan Hollern

“I had to fully surrender—not just me, but my whole family. Once I did, I saw how much I’d been holding back from God.” – Susan Hollern

This Week on The Wow Factor:

How growing up with a strict work ethic shaped Susan’s sense of independence
The struggle of reconciling hard work with faith—and how surrender changed everything
Her path from horse shows and real estate to founding a school in Rwanda
The catalytic moment that connected her to Rwanda through a book, a handshake, and a mission trip
How Hope Haven Rwanda evolved from a school functioning in a mud house and tent to a primary/secondary school and later adding a leadership institute for students to launch successfully into careers, impacting all 30 districts in the country
Why true transformation goes beyond education—it’s about changing families and entire communities
The power of praying bold prayers, asking God to “use me,” and trusting Him in moments of pain and reversal
Student success stories, including international math, AI, and debate competitions
Her vision of raising Christian world leaders from some of the most underserved communities on the planet

Susan Hollern’s Word of Wisdom:

If you want to live a truly meaningful life, don’t just give part of yourself—surrender everything. It’s not always easy, but it’s the only way to live in full partnership with God’s purpose. When you let go of control, you make space for miracles.

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