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

Release Date: 09/17/2025

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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Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, philosopher, educator, author, and the President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith. 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 globally on subjects ranging from metaphysics to moral theology to spiritual warfare.

In this episode, Brad sits down with Father Spitzer at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, for a candid conversation about his book Christ vs. Satan in Our Daily Lives and the reality of spiritual battle. Father Spitzer shares formative stories from his upbringing in Hawaii, his Jesuit formation, and the pivotal moments when challenges like vision loss became turning points for deeper faith. He unpacks the eight deadly sins, the tactics of the evil one, and the role of prayer, confession, and the Eucharist in resisting temptation. Along the way, he offers practical wisdom on discernment, the power of gratitude, and why the rosary remains one of the strongest weapons in spiritual life.

“To live without thankfulness is the most self-centered way to live.” – Father Spitzer

“Lord, you are the just judge. You take care of it.” – Father Spitzer

“Nip temptation in the bud early. Don’t wait until it grows into something that can destroy you.” – Father Spitzer

This Week on The Wow Factor

Growing up in Honolulu and how his parents shaped his faith and values
Discovering proofs of God’s existence in philosophy and science during college
How his mother’s prayers and wisdom steadied him in seasons of doubt
The diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa and how it reshaped his calling
Discernment of spirits: learning to reject the “rhetoric of damaged goods”
Why the devil’s greatest lie is convincing people he doesn’t exist
The eight deadly sins, their tentacles in modern life, and how to resist them
Practical tools for spiritual resilience: Eucharist, confession, daily prayer, and the rosary
Why 90% of the fruit of prayer comes outside of prayer
Encouragement for parents: the power of modeling prayer and faith for their children

Father Spitzer’s Word of Wisdom

Bring every temptation and struggle to God. Don’t fight it in your own strength. Dependence on Him, daily prayer, and trust in His unconditional love are the surest path to freedom and joy.

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