Libsyn Directory

Ralph C. Stayer | Founder of Johnsonville | Building Business With a People First Attitude

Release Date: 07/23/2025

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...

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...

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...

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...

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Ralph Stayer, is the founder of Johnsonville Sausage, 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 create a company culture grounded in empowerment, service, and stewardship. From mentoring his team to consulting for hospitals and leading charitable initiatives that raise tens of millions for children, Ralph’s life is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.

“You’re not building sausage. You’re building people who make sausage.” - Ralph Stayer

“Capitalism isn’t a tool of the rich—it’s God’s gift to the poor.” - Ralph Stayer

“There’s only one real measure of success: hearing, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’” - Ralph Stayer

This Week on the Wow Factor:

Ralph’s early life working summers in the Johnsonville factory and walking the riverbanks with a .22
The pivotal leadership shift that came after a frustrating period of rapid growth and employee disengagement
How consultant Lee Thayer helped Ralph see that the real value of a company is its people
The transformation from being a boss to building a culture of empowerment and trust
Why Ralph believes businesses must talk openly about God and purpose at work
The revelation that led Ralph to embrace giving not just money, but time and wisdom
Why the phrase “give back” needs to be rethought—and how capitalism enables human flourishing
Ralph’s involvement in raising over $33 million in a single afternoon for children’s charities through the Naples Winter Wine Festival

Ralph’s Word of Wisdom:

There’s really only one measure of real success—and that’s whether you hear, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’ That’s what I’m working toward. Not money. Not fame. Not status. Just that.

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