IgniteCast - Official Podcast of the Ignite Leadership Conference by CDF

What does it really mean to put people first? In the Season 9 premiere of Ignitecast, Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor sit down with Jay Carney, senior pastor of Life at Tupelo Church, for a conversation about servant leadership, the Law of Addition in John Maxwell's 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Jay shares lessons from his journey from the construction industry to ministry, his experience with John Maxwell and Maxwell Leadership, and why he believes great leaders equip and empower the peopl...

What can adults learn from kids? Quite a lot, actually. In this special bonus episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor welcome campers from Wear It Well Kids Day Camp back to the studio for the second year in a row to share their thoughts on leadership, teamwork, kindness, and purpose. The campers tackle big questions with remarkable wisdom: What makes a great leader? What advice would they give adults? How do you become a better teammate? And if they were principal for a day, what...

What does it take to lead a team of creative thinkers while building a business that serves clients across the South—all from Tupelo, Mississippi? In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor sit down with Josh Mabus, founder and CEO of The Mabus Agency, to explore the leadership principles that have helped grow one of the region's leading marketing agencies. From launching his business in the Renasant Center for IDEAS to mentoring entrepreneurs through the CDF Pitch Competitio...

What happens when a Gen Z student, a Millennial entrepreneur, a Baby Boomer nonprofit leader, and a Gen X host all sit down at the same table? A lot of laughs—and a few leadership lessons. In this special episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor welcome Autumn Simmons, a Tupelo High School graduate and ICC sophomore; Zell Long, retired CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi; and Luis Sosa, manager of Loco Taco, for a fun, game-show-style conversation exploring how d...

In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor sit down with Molly Nolan, Executive Director of the GumTree Museum of Art, to discuss leadership, confidence, community impact, and the power of stepping into opportunities before you feel fully ready. Molly shares her journey from graphic designer and startup employee to leading one of Tupelo’s most treasured cultural institutions. She reflects on the importance of understanding the people you lead, finding purpose in your work, an...

Season 8, Episode 2: Leading with Kindness with Lori Dillon What if one of the most powerful leadership strategies is also one of the simplest? In this episode of Ignite Cast, Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor sit down with Lori Dillon, Director of Marketing at Absolute Restoration, community advocate, wife, mother, and self-described "goldendoodle in a room full of people." Lori shares how kindness, authenticity, and intentional connection have shaped her leadership journey—from growing up at the...

Season 8 of Ignite Cast kicks off with one of the most recognizable voices in Mississippi weather — Matt Laubhan. In this episode, Matt sits down with hosts Taylor and Judd to share the story behind launching Mississippi Live Weather after stepping away from his longtime role as chief meteorologist. Matt opens up about leadership, faith, overcoming uncertainty, and what it takes to build something from the ground up. From creating a culture people want to be part of to navigating fear, ...

In this episode of Ignite Cast, Judd Wilson sits down with Bernard Bean of the Eat With Us Group (https://eatwithusrestaurants.com) for a conversation about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build a strong team. Bernard shares how his organization transformed retention by focusing on three simple but powerful principles: hire right, train right, and treat right. He talks about the importance of never stopping the search for great people, listening to employee feedback, acting o...

What does leadership look like for Gen Z? In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson sits down with Jenna Hope Harris to talk about mentorship, mindset, and what it really means to “be the leader you would love to follow.” As a Gen Z leader deeply engaged in her community and passionate about growth, Jenna shares how cross-generational leadership can strengthen organizations instead of divide them. From investing in other people’s dreams to understanding the science behind how our thoughts sh...

What do a bold 1970s visionary, a tornado displaced football team, and a regional ice storm have in common? They reveal what real leadership looks like. Serving. In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson talks with Mike Clayborne, President of the Create Foundation, about leadership that brings people together and makes life better for others. They reflect on the legacy of George McLean and Jim Ingram, the partnership between Create and the Community Development Foundation, and why regional ...

Artificial Intelligence is here, and it is not slowing down. In this episode of IgniteCast, Ashley and Chris Elkins, founders of Vitality South and leaders across multiple technology ventures, join the conversation to unpack what it truly means to lead in the age of AI. From startup growth to scaling companies, they share how vision, culture, and leadership discipline shape innovation rather than fear it. Using the powerful “baby tiger” analogy introduced at Ignite by Noelle Russell, th...

In this episode of IgniteCast, Judd Wilson sits down with Kim Rushing, Community Development & Outreach Coordinator for the City of Tupelo, and Captains Michael and Schelika Chisolm of The Salvation Army in Tupelo, to talk about what it means to lead through partnerships. Each guest shares practical leadership insight centered on presence, readiness, humility, and stepping up when you see a need. The conversation makes it clear that strong leadership often begins with simply showing up an...

Judd Wilson is joined by Ignite co-host and CDF team member Carol Ann Padgett for a candid conversation about leadership, clarity, and what it really takes to bring Ignite to life each year. From Andy Stanley’s powerful reminder that “people follow clarity” to the intentional process of selecting speakers who motivate, teach, and challenge leaders, this episode pulls back the curtain on the vision calls, post-event debriefs, and audience surveys that shape Ignite’s impact. You’ll hear reflect...