In this episode of Leaders in the Arena, we sat down with Pat Raynor to explore leadership through a distinctly Christian lens—one rooted not in status or authority, but in calling, character, and responsibility. Pat shares his personal leadership journey, reflecting on the moments and mentors that shaped his approach to leading with humility and conviction.Together, we'll unpack the turning point when leadership became more than a title, but a responsibility to serve others well. Pat also walks us through a defining leadership moment where values, people, and outcomes were all at stake, offering an honest look at how faith impacts decision-making under pressure.We’ll also discuss how Pat’s faith and spiritual formation continues to shape his leadership today, and close with the guiding wisdom that anchors his work and influences how he leads others.Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at brockbarnes.covenant.edu.

A special pre-Brock forum episode with Newt Crenshaw, president of Young Life.

In this episode, Newt Crenshaw draws on decades of leadership experience across both corporate and ministry contexts, to examine the challenges and responsibilities of leading with integrity, humility, and courage in a rapidly changing world. He shares practical insights on authentic Christian leadership in practice, reflects on the realities of leading across generations—including lessons learned from working closely with Gen Z and Gen Alpha—and challenges listeners to think deeply about the stewardship of influence and responsibility.

At the heart of innovation and community growth lies a mindset: “Yes, And.” Rather than seeing constraints as limitations, “Yes, And” invites possibility, collaboration, and co-creation across sectors and perspectives. Under Bridgett Massengill’s direction, Thrive’s recent Tri-State Summit adopted “Yes, And” as its theme to unite business, civic, and community leaders toward shared progress. Thrive Regional Partnership

In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, we explore how “Yes, And” thinking becomes more than a conference motif—it becomes a leadership posture, a tool for resilient communities, and a driver for inclusive growth. Bridgett shares stories and lessons from Thrive’s work in the Chattanooga / Tri-State region, and insights about how other leaders and communities can apply this mindset in their own contexts.

Key Topics:

• • “Yes, And” as a Leadership Mindset: The philosophy behind the phrase—how it shifts conversations from opposition to possibility, from either/or to both/and.
  • Bridging Differences to Build Community: Ways the “Yes, And” approach helps reconcile varied interests—economic development, environmental concerns, equity, infrastructure—into joint solutions.
• • Growth Through Generative Collaboration: How community and regional progress can emerge when stakeholders adopt “Yes, And” thinking—co-creating rather than competing.

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  Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

Healthcare marketing is undergoing a seismic shift, powered by AI and emerging digital technologies. From real-time personalization to predictive patient engagement, these tools are reshaping how providers connect with communities and build trust.In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, hear from Danny Fell, Health Systems Practice Lead at Unlock Health, for a conversation on the practical ways AI is being used in healthcare marketing today—and what leaders need to know to stay ahead. Drawing on his decades of experience and his new role leading Unlock Health’s health systems practice, Danny shares insights into how AI, data, and digital design can strengthen brand equity and transform patient experiences.Key Topics:• The New Marketing Toolkit: How AI and emerging tech are changing the way healthcare organizations approach brand, messaging, and engagement.• Personalization at Scale: Using AI to deliver tailored content, outreach, and support based on patient preferences and behavior.• Data-Driven Journeys: Turning insights into engagement strategies that guide patients seamlessly from awareness to care.Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

In a world where design increasingly underpins competitive differentiation, innovation, and market relevance, how can leaders embed inclusive design in ventures so that business value, culture, and community impact move forward together? In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, hear a compelling conversation with Dr. Tiffany Bussey, a visionary in advancing minority entrepreneurship and inclusive economic ecosystems in Atlanta and beyond. As the founding Director of the Morehouse Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC), Dr. Bussey has championed initiatives that empower underrepresented founders and shape more equitable growth. Recognized as one of the Atlanta Business League’s “100 Women of Influence,” her leadership bridges design, strategy, and inclusion. Morehouse NewsroomIn this session, Dr. Bussey will share how to integrate design thinking, equity, and business strategy to create ventures that reflect, serve, and uplift the full diversity of communities.Key Topics:• Inclusive Design as Business Value: How designing with marginalized voices and underserved communities in mind can unlock new markets, brand trust, and competitive distinction.• Culture & Identity in Ventures: Embedding cultural insight, equity principles, and purpose into the very DNA of a company—and not as an afterthought.• Scaling Inclusive Innovation: Models and practices Dr. Bussey has used at MIEC to support startup founders from underrepresented backgrounds (training, consulting, infrastructure)Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

How do you grow from an individual contributor to a confident owner and culture-builder? In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, Caroline Lewis shares her path from Director of Operations to CEO/Owner at Lawson House, and the lessons she learned leading a creative services firm through growth, team development, and client impact. We’ll unpack the mindset shifts, operating rhythms, and people practices that helped her move from “supporting the work” to owning the vision—and how she equips her team to thrive.

Key Topics:

• The Inflection Point: Recognizing when operational leadership becomes enterprise leadership—what changed in goals, time use, and decision rights.
• Building a Team You Trust: Hiring for values and capability; setting standards; moving from “doer” to “developer of others.”
• Personal Leadership Practices: Leadership style, engaging the team, and learning loops that keep a founder grounded and a team energized.

Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

In today’s complex business environment, design is no longer just about aesthetics—it is a critical driver of value, innovation, and culture. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, join Strat Parrott, a thought leader in integrating design with business strategy to create distinctive solutions for clients. With a proven record of helping organizations bridge design and business, Strat offers practical guidance on how leaders can use design to fuel innovation, enhance culture, and deliver competitive advantage.

Key Topics:

• Design as a Business Value Multiplier: How design moves beyond visuals to influence strategy, performance, and client relationships.
• Integrating Design into Organizational Culture: Why design thinking must be embedded into culture, not treated as a one-off tool or workshop.
• Distinctive Solutions that Differentiate: Real-world examples of how design-led strategies deliver unique outcomes and set companies apart in crowded markets.

Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, we’re joined by Charlie Ursell, Managing Director at Tidal Strategies.

Charlie is a seasoned transformation leader with deep expertise in strategic collaboration, co-design, and unlocking group intelligence to drive innovation and lasting impact.

This session focuses on one of the most timely and critical topics facing leaders today: how to harness group intelligence as a driver of innovation and transformative change.

During this session, we explore:

• What makes large-scale transformation so difficult in today’s environment?

• What are the real keys to mobilizing people toward change?

• How can leaders tap the full creativity and insight of their teams?

• What role can generative AI play in elevating collaboration?

• Why is this more important now than ever before?

• What practical steps can leaders take to build this capability?

If you're leading transformation or looking to elevate how your team thinks and works together—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5