Mark Batterson | Pastor of National Community Church and Bestselling Author | The Power of “Gradually, Then Suddenly” in Faith, Leadership, and Life
Release Date: 03/18/2026
Dr. Neil Anderson | Founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries | Faith, Spiritual Freedom, and Finding Your Identity in Christ
The Wow Factor
Dr. Neil Anderson is the founder of , an author, theologian, and former professor at Talbot School of Theology. Raised on a farm in Minnesota, Neil's journey took him from serving in the Navy to working as an aerospace engineer before discovering a calling in Christian ministry. Through decades of teaching, counseling, and writing, he has dedicated his life to helping believers understand their identity in Christ and experience spiritual freedom. His influential books, including Victory Over the Darkness and The Bondage Breaker, have helped shape his ministry, which has expanded to more...
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Dan Dolsen | Founder of The Fatherhood Project | Faith, Intentional Fatherhood, and Building a Lasting Family Legacy
The Wow Factor
Dan Dolsen is the founder of , an initiative dedicated to helping fathers become more intentional in their relationships with their children. A University of Michigan graduate, Dan spent much of his professional career in commercial real estate, eventually becoming a leading advisor in healthcare real estate and working with major corporations through CBRE. Alongside his business career, Dan has remained deeply involved in faith-based leadership and ministry. His passion for helping men grow as fathers led him to develop The Fatherhood Project, which equips dads with practical tools...
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Richard Watts | Founder of Family Business Office | Legacy, Generosity, and the Power of Showing Up
The Wow Factor
is an attorney, author, and founder of Family Business Office, where he has spent decades advising some of the world's wealthiest families on estate planning, family dynamics, and the transfer of wealth across generations. Drawing from more than 40 years of firsthand experience working with families, Richard has developed a unique perspective on the difference between inheritance and true legacy. His latest book, Legacy Redefined, is the third and final installment in his Wisdom series and challenges the traditional idea that a person's legacy is defined by the wealth they leave behind....
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Mike Anderson | Co-Founder of Kiierr | Entrepreneurship, Purpose, and Building a Business That Helps People
The Wow Factor
Mike Anderson is the co-founder of , a company he launched with his wife, Jolene, after their own search for a better approach to hair loss. With a background in marketing and business growth, Mike initially built his career helping companies expand before deciding he wanted his work to have a more direct impact on people's lives. When Jolene experienced significant postpartum hair loss, their search for a solution introduced them to low-level laser therapy and ultimately inspired them to build a company around making the technology more accessible. Mike joins me today to share how his...
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Scott Wozniak | CEO of Swoz Consulting | Leadership, Legacy, and Building an Intentional Family
The Wow Factor
Scott Wozniak is the CEO of , a leadership consultant, speaker, author, and former leader at the Chick-fil-A Support Center. For nearly a decade, Scott worked alongside Chick-fil-A's executive team, studying exceptional organizations around the world and turning those insights into improvements in customer experience and operations. Today, he advises leaders and multi-generational families on building strong organizations, creating meaningful legacies, and developing systems that turn their values into action. Scott joins me today to share how his early friendship with members of the...
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Peter Palivos | Attorney, Philanthropist & Veterans Advocate | Honoring Those Who Served Through Gratitude, Service, and Action
The Wow Factor
is an attorney, entrepreneur, and nationally recognized advocate for America's veterans. While building a successful legal career, Peter has dedicated decades to serving military families through philanthropy, veteran support initiatives, and large-scale community events. His passion for honoring those who have served recently culminated in bringing more than 40,000 people together at Allegiant Stadium for one of the nation's largest celebrations of veterans and military families. Peter joins me today to share how five generations of military service shaped his love for...
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Christine Dold | Owner of The Bakery on the Corner | Craftsmanship, Community, and the Joy of Meaningful Work
The Wow Factor
Christine Dold | Owner of The Bakery on the Corner | Craftsmanship, Community, and the Joy of Meaningful Work Christine Dold is the owner of The Bakery on the Corner in Hart, Michigan, a beloved small-town bakery that has been serving the community for generations. After an unexpected career path led her into the baking industry, Christine and her husband, Greg, purchased the historic bakery in 2017 and have continued its nearly century-long tradition of handcrafted donuts, fresh-baked bread, and exceptional customer service. Through countless...
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Tim Eaton | Founder & CEO of NutraMedix | Stewardship, Natural Health, and Building a Business That Gives Back
The Wow Factor
Tim Eaton is the Founder and CEO of , a company dedicated to developing plant-based nutritional supplements while operating from a mission far greater than business success. A former missionary pilot in Peru, Tim's journey took him from flying supplies into remote villages to learning about medicinal plants from indigenous communities, ultimately leading him to build a company centered on helping people pursue better health while giving generously to ministries around the world. His story is one of faith, stewardship, and a lifelong commitment to serving others. Tim joins me today to...
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Lee Greenwood | Grammy Award-Winning Artist and Creator of “God Bless the USA” | How Faith, Hard Work, and Gratitude Shape a Life of Purpose
The Wow Factor
Lee Greenwood is an award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and American icon best known for writing and performing “,” one of the most recognized patriotic songs in American history. With a career spanning decades, Lee has earned numerous industry honors, including multiple Male Vocalist of the Year awards, while using his platform to celebrate faith, family, freedom, and service. From his early days growing up on a sharecropper’s farm to performing for presidents and supporting America’s military families, Lee’s journey is a testament to perseverance, gratitude, and the power...
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Bob Woodson | Founder and President of The Woodson Center and 1776 Unites | How To Focus on Solutions Instead of Fixating on Problems
The Wow Factor
In honor of the life and legacy of Bob Woodson, we are re-airing this special conversation. Bob, Founder and President of the and , dedicated his life to poverty alleviation and empowering disadvantaged communities to become agents of their own uplift. His decades of service, wisdom, and commitment to helping communities discover their own solutions left a lasting impact on countless lives. Bob Woodson was an influential leader on issues of poverty alleviation and empowering disadvantaged communities to become agents of their own uplift. Woodson was a frequent advisor to local, state and...
info_outlineMark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church 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 in life and leadership doesn’t happen overnight. They talk through the discipline of long-term vision, the importance of honoring those who came before us, and how setbacks often become the catalyst for greater opportunities. Mark shares stories from his own journey, from starting with just 19 people and $2,000 a month to leading a thriving, debt-free organization, and reflects on the deeper meaning of legacy: not what you accomplish, but what others accomplish because of you.
“God has a way of showing up and showing off, almost every ‘suddenly’ is preceded by a whole lot of ‘gradually.” - Mark Batterson
“We overestimate what we can do in a year or two, but we underestimate what God can do in 10, 20, or 30.” - Mark Batterson
“Legacy is not what you accomplish; it’s what others accomplish because of you.” - Mark Batterson
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- The concept of “gradually, then suddenly” and how it applies to faith, leadership, and long-term success
- Why we overestimate what we can do in the short term and underestimate what’s possible over decades
- The discipline of “long obedience in the same direction” and resisting the pull of instant results
- How honoring mentors and spiritual leaders can shape your path and perspective
- Why most “overnight success” stories are actually built over 10–20 years behind the scenes
- The difference between action regret and inaction regret, and why missed opportunities matter most over time
- How to think about legacy as influence that multiplies through others, not just personal achievement
Mark Batterson’s Wow Moment:
Mark reminds us that real growth, impact, and transformation rarely happen on our timeline. The most meaningful things in life, faith, leadership, relationships, and legacy, are built slowly, through consistent inputs and daily obedience.
Connect With Mark Batterson:
Connect With National Community Church:
- National Community Church Website
- National Community Church Instagram
- National Community Church YouTube
Connect With Brad Formsma: