Advertise on podcast: Leaders in the Arena

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we work, learn, create, and connect—but what will these changes mean for our communities and the people within them? Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Tim Estes, pioneering AI entrepreneur and founder of Angel AI, guest hosted by Dr. Lance Wescher of Covenant College. Together, they’ll explore where AI is headed, its potential to advance—or challenge—human flourishing, and the responsibility leaders have to shape how these technologies are used. The conversation will challenge leaders to consider not only what AI can do, but how we can ensure it serves people, strengthens communities, and contributes to a future worth building. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What does it look like to lead organizations that achieve results while genuinely helping people grow, contribute, and flourish? Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Ralph Romero, Chief People Officer at Southern Champion Tray, where he leads the company's people strategy, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and culture initiatives. Throughout his career spanning manufacturing, transportation, technology, and logistics, Ralph has focused on a central leadership challenge: how do organizations develop people in ways that strengthen both performance and purpose?  Drawing on decades of experience in talent management, leadership development, and organizational transformation, Ralph brings a unique perspective on the intersection of business strategy and human flourishing. His work has centered on helping organizations navigate growth, develop leaders at every level, and create cultures where individuals are equipped to contribute their best work while continuing to grow personally and professionally. His leadership philosophy combines data-driven organizational effectiveness with a deep commitment to developing people.  At Southern Champion Tray, a company whose mission emphasizes valuing people, serving customers, and glorifying God, Ralph operates within an organizational culture that seeks to integrate business excellence with stewardship, service, and community impact. Together, we'll explore how leaders build cultures that not only drive results but also cultivate trust, engagement, and long-term flourishing for individuals, teams, and organizations.  Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What does faithful leadership require as artificial intelligence reshapes how we work, learn, create, and make decisions? Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Dr. Andrew Yuengert, Professor of Economics at Pepperdine University, and Dr. Michael Rhodes, Dean of Faculty and Lecturer in Old Testament at Carey Baptist College, guest hosted by Dr. Lance Wescher of Covenant College. Drawing from economics, theology, Scripture, and Christian social thought, the conversation explores human dignity, work, wisdom, and flourishing in the age of AI. The guests also reflect on themes raised in Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on artificial intelligence, including the need to protect the human person, resist reducing people to tools of technology, and approach AI as a moral—not merely technical—question. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What does it take to build an organization where people thrive, culture matters, and operational excellence follows? Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Joey Ballard, Chief People & Safety Officer at Covenant Logistics, where she leads enterprise-wide initiatives in safety, human resources, recruiting, talent development, and employee retention. With more than 27 years of leadership experience, Joey has helped build a culture where servant leadership, operational excellence, and genuine care for people reinforce one another. From developing future leaders and strengthening organizational culture to advancing safety and employee engagement, her work demonstrates that sustainable organizational success begins by investing in people. Beyond the workplace, Joey's commitment to mentoring women leaders and serving organizations such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes reflects a leadership philosophy grounded in stewardship, service, and lasting impact. Join us as we explore how leaders can build organizations where people are known, valued, and equipped to flourish while pursuing excellence with humility, integrity, and purpose. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

How do leaders bridge the gap between organizational objectives and individual values to build teams that truly thrive? Listen to this episode of Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Hudson Brock, founder of AlloHire. Hudson is a Chattanooga-based strategist and team-building expert who is redefining how modern organizations approach culture, talent acquisition, and leadership development. Drawing on his experience building AlloHire—a boutique recruiting agency defined by its allocentric approach of centering interest and attention entirely on others—Hudson embodies what it means to lead by serving. He will unpack his signature framework for helping individuals and teams create actionable roadmaps (the How) that deeply integrate personal values (the Why) with professional responsibilities (the What). This conversation invites leaders to move beyond cold HR metrics and view team building as a high-stakes responsibility. By centering leadership around true relationships, deep alignment, and a willingness to put others first, Hudson demonstrates how prioritizing people is the ultimate catalyst for organizational excellence and long-term retention. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

How can leaders expand their mission and increase Kingdom impact in ways that are sustainable, relational, and deeply aligned with their calling? Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Ashley and Ben Baldwin of Mission Increase Chattanooga as we explore how nonprofit and ministry leaders can strengthen organizations through intentional stewardship, relational generosity, and mission-centered leadership. Drawing on their experience coaching and equipping nonprofits across Chattanooga, Ashley and Ben will share practical insights on developing healthy organizational cultures, building strong donor and stakeholder relationships, and creating strategies that expand mission impact while remaining grounded in purpose and service. This conversation invites leaders to rethink fundraising, leadership, and growth—not as isolated activities, but as part of faithfully stewarding people, resources, and opportunities for greater Kingdom impact. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

How should Christian leaders faithfully engage emerging technologies in ways that honor God, serve others, and promote human flourishing? Join Leaders in the Arena for a special AI edition featuring Dr. Lance Wescher as guest host. Drawing on his expertise in artificial intelligence, economics, technology, and higher education, Lance will help establish a thoughtful framework for engaging one of the most significant technological developments of our time. Rather than beginning with what artificial intelligence can do, this conversation begins with a more fundamental question: How should Christian leaders think about technology? Together, we'll explore how biblical principles of stewardship, wisdom, and human dignity provide a foundation for faithfully evaluating, adopting, and leading through technological change. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What does it mean to lead with humility, integrity, courage, and stewardship in a world that often rewards self-promotion and short-term results? For young leaders, the answer often starts not with a title, but with the mentors who show them the way. In this episode of Leaders in the Arena, hear a conversation with Covenant College graduate Payton Prys and current student Jonathan Marshall. Together, we explore how some of the core characteristics of servant leadership shape the next generation of leaders to act with character, make bold decisions, and manage responsibility well. Rather than viewing leadership as a one-size-fits-all formula, Payton and Jonathan share personal stories of the influential mentors who poured into them, demonstrating how different people can uniquely encompass these traits. You’ll hear how a young leader can balance deep curiosity with making a tangible impact, choosing collaboration over dominance. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Craig Wood, distinguished attorney and longtime Covenant College trustee, as he reflects on servant leadership in the legal profession and institutional life. Drawing from decades of experience, Craig shares how Christian conviction shapes ethical decision-making, steady influence, and leadership marked by integrity under pressure. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Books referenced in this episode:  On Being a Christian and a Lawyer, Thomas L. Shaffer, 1981 The Servant Lawyer, Robert F. Cochran, interVarsity Press, 2024

Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), a global movement uniting over 300 organizations, churches, and leaders to care for vulnerable children and families. Drawing on decades of leadership across government, nonprofit, and global networks, Jedd will explore how leaders engage complex challenges—like foster care, adoption, and family vulnerability—not through simple solutions, but through collaboration, formation, and faithful, well-informed action. Together, we’ll consider how leadership rooted in practice, community, and spiritual formation can sustain long-term impact—and how leaders today can help build systems and communities where every child is known, loved, and able to flourish. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Institutions matter. The way they are built, renewed, and led shapes communities for generations. Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Corey B. Holstege, a transformation leader who has guided major enterprises such as Shaw Industries and The Home Depot through complex operational and digital change. Drawing on his experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives, Corey will reflect on what it takes to renew institutions responsibly—balancing data, design, and operational rigor with the deeper calling to steward people, culture, and long-term impact. This session explores how enterprise transformation can align with our broader calling as servant leaders: to faithfully build organizations and communities that participate in Christ’s work of making all things new. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Values-based leadership begins with integrity and is sustained through faithful stewardship of people, culture, and responsibility. At its best, leadership is not just about results, but about how leaders care for what has been entrusted to them and create environments where others can grow. Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Carter Helm, an experienced leader known for his focus on team development, customer experience, and operational innovation. Drawing on his leadership within a high-performance service environment, Carter will explore how values-driven leadership shapes culture, strengthens teams, and drives sustainable results. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What does it mean to lead with humility and integrity in a world that often rewards self-promotion and short-term results? Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Covenant College student Ian Fanning ’26 as we explore how humility and integrity shape servant leaders who act with character while building trust and stewarding responsibility well. Leaders who embrace humility and integrity lead with authenticity, earn credibility, and shape cultures where people and organizations thrive. You’ll also learn how intentional servant leadership formation comes to life through our new Leadership Fellows program—preparing Covenant students to lead with humility, integrity, courage, and stewardship as part of Christ’s work of making all things new. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

​​What does it take to lead with courage and steward responsibility well when the stakes are real? Join Leaders in the Arena for a conversation with Covenant College student Eric Sonnenschein ’27 as we explore how courage and stewardship shape leaders who act with conviction while faithfully caring for what has been entrusted to them. This episode explores key characteristics of servant leadership and the responsibility leaders carry in navigating uncertainty, making difficult decisions, and building organizations that endure. We’ll reflect on how courage and stewardship work together to guide thoughtful action, wise judgment, and long-term impact. You’ll also learn how intentional servant leadership formation comes to life through our new Leadership Fellows program—preparing Covenant students to lead with humility, integrity, courage, and stewardship as part of Christ’s work of making all things new. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Leadership is not static—it evolves as responsibility deepens and people depend on you. Listen to this episode of Leaders in the Arena for a thoughtful conversation with John Plating, Director of the Center for Calling & Career at Covenant College and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. Drawing on decades of leading complex organizations, educating others, and serving in high-stakes environments, Dr. Plating explores how leadership changes over time, the role of responsibility in shaping leaders, and how leaders can steward their influence with integrity and purpose. This session offers practical insight for students, professionals, and community leaders alike. Leaders in the Arena is a podcast from the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership at Covenant College. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brockbarnes.covenant.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.