J. Mark McVey | Broadway Performer | How Music, Faith, and Gratitude Can Change a Life
Release Date: 07/10/2025
Mark Batterson | Pastor of National Community Church and Bestselling Author | The Power of “Gradually, Then Suddenly” in Faith, Leadership, and Life
The Wow Factor
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of in Washington, D.C., and a prolific bestselling author known for his ability to blend faith, leadership, and personal growth into practical, lived-out wisdom. With more than two decades of writing and nearly 30 years of pastoral leadership, Mark has built a legacy centered on long obedience, bold vision, and unwavering trust in God’s timing. In this episode, he joins Brad to unpack the core idea behind his latest message: “gradually, then suddenly.” Brad and Mark explore the tension between patience and ambition, and why most meaningful growth...
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Josh Block | CEO of Block Imaging and Author of People Matter at Work | Building Cultures Where Team Members Thrive and Everyone Wins
The Wow Factor
Josh Block is the longtime leader of , a global healthcare equipment company known for its distinctive people-first culture and multigenerational family leadership. After unexpectedly stepping into the president’s role at just 29 years old, Josh spent the next decade and a half guiding the organization’s growth from a $30 million business into a thriving enterprise of over 425 team members. In this episode, he joins Brad to share insights from his new book, , a practical framework for helping leaders create cultures where team members feel safe, seen, and successful, and where the...
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Dr. Emerson Eggerichs | Author & Speaker | Light Bulb Moments in Marriage and the Path Back to Love and Respect
The Wow Factor
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is a longtime marriage teacher, speaker, and author, that has helped couples for decades. A former senior pastor at Trinity Church in East Lansing, Michigan, Emerson’s work blends pastoral experience, biblical study, and real-world marriage dynamics into practical tools couples can use immediately. In this episode, he joins Brad for his third visit to this time to talk about his newest book, , a collection of insights and stories designed to bring clarity when couples feel stuck, distant, or worn down by years of misunderstanding. Brad and Emerson dig into why...
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David McDonald | Owner of Escalante Golf | Entrepreneurship, Stewardship, and Building a Golf Culture Rooted in Service
The Wow Factor
David McDonald is the owner of and a third-generation car dealer originally from Roswell, New Mexico, raised in the Denver area. A former college tennis player at the University of Oklahoma, David carries deep work ethic values shaped by family, faith, and decades of business leadership. Today, he leads Escalante Golf with a long-term stewardship mindset, building private clubs and experiences that prioritize customer service, culture, and community. Brad sits down with David to explore how Escalante Golf was born out of a simple observation: golfers, especially young golfers, weren’t...
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Dick Stricklen: Owner of Motor City Auto | Focusing on Company Culture Rather Than Profits
The Wow Factor
Dick Stricklen is the owner of Motor City Auto Center in Bakersfield, CA, a sprawling campus which includes a Buick/GMC dealership, a Lexus dealership, and a large used car & truck operation. Dick’s team devote themselves to helping and serving their customers and providing staff with the opportunity to develop their skills and interests. Dick took over the GMC dealership at the age of 19 after his father’s death and since then has followed his passion for building authentic relationships with team members and clients alike. Dick joins me on the show today to share how he started in...
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Gracie Formsma | Co-Founder of Love Gives & Storyteller for Generous Family | Calling, Vulnerability, and a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in John 3:16
The Wow Factor
Gracie Formsma is a college student at Samford University, co-founder of , a hat brand in the ecosystem. She’s also the daughter of The Wow Factor host, Brad Formsma. Originally from Michigan, Gracie moved with her family to California about a decade ago, growing up in a home shaped by faith, generosity, and the gritty reality of launching the nonprofit I Like Giving and its Generous Family initiative. Today, she brings her marketing eye, creative direction, and heart for discipleship to Love Gives, a lifestyle brand built around the simple but profound truth of John 3:16. Brad sits...
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Ron Blue | Founder of Kingdom Advisors & Pioneering Christian Financial Planner | Calling, Generosity, and God’s Perspective on Money
The Wow Factor
is a pioneering Christian financial planner, longtime CPA, and founder of the firms and ministries that helped shape today’s faith-based financial movement. After growing up in Indiana, studying at Indiana University, and working for KPMG in New York, Dallas, and San Francisco, Ron returned home to start his own CPA firm in 1970. That firm would grow into one of the top 50 accounting firms in the country, and later, Ron would go on to launch a fee-based financial planning firm for Christians, work closely with Campus Crusade (Cru), and help birth and related initiatives that now...
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Sandra Teplinsky | Former Attorney & Author of Why Still Care About Israel | Scripture, Antisemitism, and God’s Heart for Israel
The Wow Factor
is an American-Israeli Messianic Jew, former attorney, and author based in Jerusalem. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Sandra experienced antisemitism early in life—an upbringing that shaped both her faith journey and her long-term focus on helping the church understand Israel through a biblical lens. Through decades of study and ministry, she has written and updated to address common theological misconceptions, church-history blind spots, and the interpretive frameworks that still shape how many Christians think about Israel today. In this episode of The Wow Factor, Brad sits...
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Jordan Raynor | Author, Entrepreneur & Executive Chairman at Threshold 360 | Why Your Work Matters for Eternity
The Wow Factor
is a bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, and the Executive Chairman of , a venture-backed tech company. A sixth-generation Tampa native, Jordan has built and exited multiple startups, served in the political arena, and now devotes his life to helping Christians connect the gospel to their everyday work. Through his books, podcasts, and speaking, Jordan’s mission is to equip believers to see their daily tasks, whether in tech, teaching, or making coffee as sacred and significant. In this rich and thought-provoking episode of The Wow Factor, Brad sits down with Jordan to explore the...
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Matt McPherson | Founder of Mathews Archery & McPherson Guitars | Building a Business That Funds the Kingdom
The Wow Factor
Matt McPherson is an inventor, entrepreneur, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ whose companies have reshaped two industries, archery and high-end guitar manufacturing. As the founder of , one of the most respected names in hunting and bow technology, and , known for their unique design and pristine tone, Matt has spent decades building world-class products from the woods of Sparta, Wisconsin. But his bigger mission? Funding global ministry and sharing the Gospel with clarity and creativity. In this milestone 300th episode of The Wow Factor, Brad reconnects with his longtime friend...
info_outlineFrom the stages of Broadway to school classrooms and men's ministries, J. Mark McVey’s journey is one of persistence, transformation, and service. Best known for his role as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, J. Mark brings not only vocal talent but also deep wisdom on living a life with purpose and impact.
In this episode, J. Mark shares how his upbringing in Huntington, West Virginia, shaped his love of music and gratitude. He reflects on the grind of New York theater life, how faith transformed his approach to performance, and why leading from a place of humility—not ego—is his guiding principle. You’ll hear about the unexpected audition that changed his career, a powerful 22-year collaboration with legendary composer Marvin Hamlisch, and how he's now channeling his talents into helping the next generation discover their gifts.
Through music, mentorship, and ministry, J. Mark shows what it means to perform for an audience of one—and how living with intention creates lasting ripple effects far beyond the spotlight.
“You’re either going to step on people on the way up—or you’re going to help them climb.” – J. Mark McVey
“At the end of my life, I want to hear ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ That’s the only audience I’m focused on.” – J. Mark McVey
“A great leader doesn’t end up on the mountaintop alone. That’s not a leader—that’s a hiker.” – J. Mark McVey
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- How a childhood filled with song and gratitude shaped J. Mark’s artistic identity
- The six-year college journey that led to a bold move to New York City
- What it’s really like to perform on Broadway under constant pressure
- Why storytelling at a 12-year-old’s level is J. Mark’s secret to audience connection
- The pivotal moment that transformed his faith and redirected his career
- Behind-the-scenes stories from Les Misérables and singing for presidents
- The unlikely invitation that led to decades of collaboration with Marvin Hamlisch
- How J. Mark uses performance and prayer to lead with love backstage
- His new mission: helping students identify their gifts and find confidence early in life
J. Mark McVey’s Word of Wisdom:
A great leader is always in a supportive role. Leadership isn’t about being at the front—it’s about listening well, serving others, and keeping your hand out to help the next person up the ladder. You don’t climb alone, and you don’t perform alone. The best impact comes from giving, not taking.
Connect with J. Mark McVey:
Visit jmarkmcvey.com to learn more about upcoming concerts, speaking events, and his work with schools and ministries.
Connect with The Wow Factor: