Ryan Leak | Speaker and Best Selling Author | How to Work With Complicated People and Live Generously
Release Date: 06/04/2025
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_outlineFrom receiving life-altering generosity in his youth to helping global audiences navigate complicated people and personal growth—Ryan Leak’s 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 How to Work With Complicated People offers a deeply practical roadmap for thriving in diverse workplaces. Drawing from personal stories, biblical principles, and years of executive coaching, Ryan helps us rethink how we view conflict, collaboration, and character.
Whether you're leading a team, navigating difficult relationships, or trying to grow in self-awareness, Ryan’s wisdom will shift your mindset and challenge your assumptions about leadership, giving, and grace.
“If everybody else doesn’t change, it doesn’t mean I can’t.” – Ryan Leak
“Nobody believes they’re the toxic one. But the truth is, we’re all complicated.” – Ryan Leak
“If you make your life about giving more than getting, you’ll always have the life you actually want.” – Ryan Leak
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- How a stranger’s generosity kept Ryan in private school—and changed his trajectory
- The values of giving without keeping score
- Why “working with complicated people” starts with personal reflection
- How to lead with grace and expect humanity, not perfection
- The inspiration behind Ryan’s book and how it’s designed to help workplaces thrive
- What Cornelius in the Bible taught Ryan about inclusive leadership
- The discipline of creating content that adds value—whether in 60 minutes or 60 seconds
- Why Ryan’s favorite act of generosity is paying off someone’s debt with one phrase: “Not anymore”
Ryan Leak’s Word of Wisdom:
If you make your life about giving more than getting, you’ll always have the life you actually want.
Whether it's your time, resources, encouragement, or presence—when you walk into every room looking to give rather than receive, you shift not only the environment but your own fulfillment. Giving isn’t about keeping score. It’s about creating impact that outlives you.
Connect with Ryan Leak:
- Ryan Leak’s Website
- Ryan Leak’s LinkedIn
- Ryan Leak’s YouTube
- Ryan Leak’s Instagram
- Ryan Leak’s Facebook
- Ryan Leak’s TikTok
- The Ryan Leak Podcast
- How To Work With Complicated People
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