Libsyn Directory

Jerry Foster | Founder of Foster Group | Generosity, Legacy, and the Three Seasons of a Life Well Lived

Release Date: 05/14/2025

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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In this heartfelt and personal episode, Brad reconnects with long-time friend and returning guest Jerry Foster, founder of Foster Group. Jerry opens up about his journey—from early financial and marital struggles to building a thriving business and redefining what it means to live a wealthy life. Together, they explore how meaningful conversations shape families, how true leadership often means letting go, and what it looks like to enter a new season of life with faith, purpose, and generosity.

Whether you’re leading a business, a family, or facing a major transition, Jerry’s story will challenge you to reflect on your mission, your relationships, and your definition of success.

Jerry Foster is the founder of Foster Group, a Des Moines-based financial planning and investment firm managing nearly $4 billion in assets. His path into finance was anything but conventional—no business degree, no formal training, and a rocky financial start in his early marriage. But that moment became a turning point, sparking a mission to help others pursue meaningful living and generous giving. Jerry is also the author of Life Focus: Achieving a Life of Purpose and Influence, a sought-after speaker on legacy and generosity, and a cancer survivor who lives what he teaches.

“That was the genesis of Foster Group—my wife tossing the checkbook at me in the driveway saying, ‘You need to learn this.’” - Jerry Foster

“Wealthy is a person who has great relationships, peace with God, good health. Money was always last on the list.” - Jerry Foster

“ It seems crazy that a financial planner would stand in front of his clients and tell them that early in his marriage he nearly went broke and couldn't balance his checkbook. But for me, I'm not ashamed, because that is part of my story." - Jerry Foster

This Week on The Wow Factor:

Jerry’s early money struggles and how it shaped Foster Group
How a rare cancer diagnosis led to deeper family conversations and succession planning
Building a culture of meaningful conversations—both at home and at work
Why every Foster Group employee takes the Kolbe and StrengthsFinder assessments
The three seasons of life: Foundation, Framework, Finish—and how to thrive in each
Creating legacy through intentional family meetings and giving structures
The role of faith, vulnerability, and generational generosity
How small one-degree changes (vectors) can radically alter your life’s direction

Jerry Foster’s Word of Wisdom

The most influential season of your life might come after you stop chasing titles. Be present, listen deeply, and build a culture of meaningful conversations—first in your home, then in your work.

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