The Wow Factor
Brad Formsma
All episodes
Best episodes
Top 10 The Wow Factor Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Wow Factor episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Wow Factor for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Wow Factor episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
12/07/22 • 45 min
Brad Freels joined Midway in May 1983, became a partner in 1990, and currently serves as the Chairman. Brad is a member of Midway’s leadership team and investment committee. Under his leadership, Midway has prospered and become one of the most active developer/investment owners in the greater Houston area. Brad received both his BBA and MBA from Texas A&M University. He is involved with numerous national and local businesses, educational, Christian, and charitable organizations.
Brad joins me on the show this week to talk about what happens when vision and resources come together. He shares his journey as a leader, how he has honed his skills at Midway, and why it’s so crucial to appreciate and respect those around you. Brad also describes some of the projects he is involved with, including one on the riverfront in Houston designed to bring the community together by giving them a beautiful leisure space.
“It's just being intentional and having some level of care in your heart.” - Brad Freels
“We have such an incredible group of people around here with big hearts.” - Brad Freels
“Making money should never be your goal.” - Brad Freels
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- Brad’s family background and his achievements growing up
- How having a mentor helped Brad in his business
- Why initiative is the key to success
- How to use the wisdom of wise people as a motivator
- What happened when Brad took the reins at Midway and why he moved the company HQ to Houston
- Why it is so vital to pour love and encouragement into your team and the people around you as a leader
- Why every opportunity we have is given to us by God, and why it’s so essential for Brad to acknowledge that
- The East River project and why it’s going to be a game changer for the Houston community
- How Brad has built great strategic relationships with other extremely talented people to help them achieve their creative vision
- Some of the trials Brad has gone through that have helped move him forward
Brad Freels’ Word of Wisdom:
Making money should never be your goal because if that's your goal, you're going to compromise yourself and your integrity. Just do what you do well, and the money is a byproduct of success for what you do.
Connect with Brad Freels:
Connect with The WOW Factor:
03/22/23 • 48 min
Steve White has more than 25 years of experience in the cable industry. He currently serves as the President and Special Counsel for Comcast. He is responsible for leading all operations, including sales, marketing, engineering, and customer service, across 15 states. Steve is also a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion and has been recognized as one of the most influential Black executives in America.
Steve joins us on The Wow Factor podcast to share his experiences and insights on leadership, diversity, and inclusion and how building a diverse and inclusive workplace contributes to the success of an organization. He discusses the challenges he faced while leading high-performance teams and how he overcame them. Steve also discusses his involvement with ACE Scholarships, an organization providing financial scholarships to low-income families, and why he believes education is critical to social mobility.
"Everyone's watching the leader, and they pick up the habits of the leader." - Steve White
"Everything starts with awareness." - Steve White
"Education is about knowledge and awareness and reflection. It's not about two plus two; it’s about why you've been placed on this earth." - Steve White
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- Steve's background and how he got started in the telecommunications industry
- The importance of developing talent and creating a culture of innovation
- How Steve stays motivated and inspires others to achieve their goals
- The importance of setting clear expectations as a leader
- Strategies for building a diverse and inclusive workplace that values and leverages differences
- The role of communication in effective leadership and how to create a culture of trust and transparency
- The challenges of leading during a crisis and how to navigate through uncertainty and change
- The importance of mentorship and sponsorship in developing the next generation of leaders
- Strategies for managing stress and maintaining work-life balance in a fast-paced and demanding environment
- The impact of technology on leadership, and how to leverage it to drive innovation and growth
- Steve's involvement with ACE Scholarships and his thoughts on the importance of education in creating social mobility
Steve White’s Word of Wisdom:
The five or six people we spend the majority of our time with are who we will become. So be careful how you select your friends, be careful who you spend your time with, and ensure they're pouring into you in a positive way.
Connect with Steve White:
Connect with The WOW Factor:
04/14/21 • 50 min
Buzz Baker has served as Network Funding, LP’s President, since he co-founded the business in 1998. With more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Buzz and his partner have expanded Network Funding into one of the fastest-growing mortgage companies in the nation, employing over 500 originators in 38 states with licenses to do business in 47 states. Before founding his own company, Buzz worked first as a loan officer and then a producing manager for North American Mortgage Company. He holds a degree in Finance from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Buzz is also proud to serve as one of the trustees on the Star of Hope board, a charity that supports the homeless in Houston, Texas.
Buzz joins me on the show to share why he changed his college major from PE to Finance and the mentor that helped him make that pivotal decision. He discusses the processes of navigating business partnerships and how setting ground rules ahead of time together with his long-standing business partner gave them a firm and positive foundation for Network Funding, LP. Buzz also shares his philosophy of investing eternally and why charitable giving is so important to him personally and to the business.
"We're just trying to be a good steward, make wise decisions, and pray for wisdom.” - Buzz Baker
“When the hard things come along, you’ve got to get counsel, and I still get counsel.” - Buzz Baker
“What we try to do is find good people and build it around them.” - Buzz Baker
This week on The Wow Factor:
- Buzz’s experience of growing up in Houston, Texas, as the youngest of three boys
- How his parents helped their sons develop a strong work ethic and the jobs he did as a youth, from delivering papers to selling Christmas trees
- What Buzz got out of working at Lockheed for two years and how he knew it was time to spread his wings
- The colossal risk Buzz took when he moved to North American mortgage and why he took the leap
- How Buzz blended fear of the unknown with an absolute trust in God
- Why Buzz is a fan of outsourcing tasks that lie outside your zone of genius
- Why he embraces the servant leadership model
- The principles that are central to their business
- The highs and lows of Network Funding LP, and what happens in the financial sector when the rates spike up or drop low
Buzz Baker’s Words of Wisdom:
Pray for wisdom — pray for wisdom and discernment. Pray for good ideas, and when you get them write them down and put them somewhere safe, then you’ll have several years of ideas in hand.
Connect with Buzz Baker:
- Network Funding LP Website
- Network Funding LP on Facebook
- Network Funding LP on Instagram
- Network Funding LP on Twitter
Connect with The WOW Factor:
Richard Watts was admitted to the California State Bar to practice law in 1982 and is an alumni of the Harvard Business School. He is a renowned speaker and contributor to national publications such as Forbes, Huffington Post, NPR, Variety Magazine, Washington Times, and CNBC, PBS, and has appeared on national television programs to spread his positive message of making your family strong. He is also the author of Fables of Fortune: What Rich People Have that You Don’t Want and Entitlemania: How Not to Spoil Your Kids, and What do Do if You Have. A resident of Laguna Beach, California, Richard is the proud father of his three sons; Aaron (wife Rene), Todd (wife Stephanie), and Russell (wife Natalie), and has three granddaughters; Maclane, Lucy, and Chandler, as well as two grandsons; Bennett and Ford.
Richard Watts, founder and President of Family Business Office®, joins me on The Wow Factor podcast today to share his valuable insights into why he moved away from a traditional lawyer role and started a company with a real mission connected to it. He describes the key differences between those who have worked hard to make money and the subsequent generations who have inherited it. He emphasizes the value of thoughtful transitional wealth planning. Richard also discusses the need to have a spiritual connection to the world around you.
“The behavioral fork in the road begins early. You can choose the easier path and placate your children but, but pay the price later. Or you can choose the bumpier road now and use every opportunity that presents itself to teach your kids that taking the shortcut now will cause their life to be rougher as they mature.” Richard Watts, Entitlemania
“There comes a time in your life, and often more than one time, where it's really important to exercise the control over your life that you believe your faith has. If you really say I'm a man of faith, then at some point, you have to exercise that faith.” - Richard Watts
"People that are wealth creators will spend their entire lives being considerate of building wealth. But when it comes to their estate plan, they're not going to be here to worry about it. So, they don't put the same amount of effort in looking at and recognizing what the ramifications may be of a poor plan.” - Richard Watts
“Often the wanting turns out better than the having. If you can teach yourself that the wanting is often more enjoyable than having; that the journey is more appealing than the destination, you have taught yourself a most valuable life lesson that your kids will learn without words. Teach them not to confuse wants with needs...there are few things more rewarding than needing less.” Richard Watts, Entitlemania
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- The goal behind Family Business Planning and how they help clients with comprehensive family office services
- How Richard grew the business from six initial client families
- Why a sense of value tends to fade away when money is no object
- What ‘option fatigue’ is and why it can prevent you from feeling positive about your life
- Why newly wealthy people, famous or not should practice not having the things that they want
- How to encourage people to maintain a servant mindset even when they achieve material success
- The Importance of clever, forward-thinking wealth planning
- Why drone parents who are strategic in ensuring that their kids don’t fail or struggle are doing their kids a disservice
- Why Richard feels that it’s important to stay sharp in terms of your spiritual capital and how he maintains his faith
Richard Watts’s Words of Wisdom:
The spiritual muscle is one that most people don't take the time to exercise, so it can get a little atrophied — but when those spiritual muscles begin to be used and exercised, we begin to recognize spiritual connections all around us and that’s such a key element of an optimistic and fulfilled life.
Connect with Richard Watts:
- Family Business Office Website
- Entitlemania Book Website
- Author Richard Watts on Facebook
- Richard Watts on Twitter
Connect with The WOW Factor:
Dick Stricklen: Owner of Motor City Auto | Focusing on Company Culture Rather Than Profits
The Wow Factor
11/03/21 • 53 min
Dick Stricklen is the owner of Motor City Auto Center in Bakersfield, CA, a sprawling campus which includes a Buick/GMC dealership, a Lexus dealership, and a large used car & truck operation. Dick’s team devote themselves to helping and serving their customers and providing staff with the opportunity to develop their skills and interests. Dick took over the GMC dealership at the age of 19 after his father’s death and since then has followed his passion for building authentic relationships with team members and clients alike.
Dick joins me on the show today to share how he started in the automotive business and why he’s grateful to his late father for starting him as a porter at the dealership at a very early age, allowing him to learn from the ground up. He tells the story of how he managed to put together a proposal that saw him successfully take over one of his father’s businesses, and why he walked away from a critical bank loan at the 11th hour. Dick also shares the core values of Motor City Auto Center and why promoting the company culture is so important to him as a leader.
“Let's all get focused on what we have control over.” - Dick Stricklen
“I always get in the other person's shoes; I develop a relationship with them a personal relationship.” - Dick Stricklen
“Bottom line is important to manage, but that's not what we're about. The bottom line is a result of the major motive, and that is to help people get what they want, see them grow, give them opportunities.” - Dick Stricklen
“We are really in the people business that just happens to sell cars.” – Dick Stricklen
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- Why Dick switched his sales team from wearing suits and ties to casual wear and how that small decision impacted his business
- How Dick developed the core values of Motor City Auto
- Why the fuel shortages of the 1970s and the jump in interest rates caused Dick to think creatively about how to pull his team together
- Some of the things that Dick as a leader has found to be helpful in growing and developing the people in his stores
- How Dick felt during the recession of the late 2000s and the implications for the business
- Dick’s philosophy on developing his team members
- Dick speaks to the moment in his life when he realized that making money was not his true purpose in life
- What inspired Dick to write down the guiding principles of his company and why he believes that those principles are at the source of his success
Dick Stricklen’s Words of Wisdom:
Take time, either with prayer or just quiet time, analyzing yourself to figure out what gives you the greatest heartfelt satisfaction in life. Examine your motives and align your behavior as a leader with the values that are truly important to you.
Connect with Dick Stricklen:
Connect with The WOW Factor:
Jeffrey Rosen: CEO of The National Constitution Center | Giving People Access To The US Constitution Online
The Wow Factor
01/26/22 • 44 min
Jeffrey Rosen is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Constitution Center (NCC), a nonpartisan nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate the public about the U.S. Constitution. He became President and CEO in 2013 and has developed the Center’s acclaimed Interactive Constitution, which brings together the top conservative and liberal legal scholars in America to discuss areas of agreement and disagreement about every clause of the Constitution. Jeffrey is also a professor at The George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic. He is an acclaimed journalist and author of six books, including Conversations with RBG: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty, and Law. He is a graduate of Harvard College; Oxford University, where he was a Marshall Scholar; and Yale Law School.
I’m delighted to welcome Jeffrey to the podcast to share why it’s so meaningful for him to be involved with the only institution in America to be created to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people on a nonpartisan basis. We dive into the philosophical principles behind the creation of the Constitution and what the Founding Fathers envisioned when creating it. Jeffrey also explains why he is so passionate about giving people access to the Constitution in a way that genuinely allows them to learn and understand what it stands for and how the Interactive Constitution does just that.
“It is such a meaningful, crucial mission in these polarized times where people disagree so much about politics, to be able to convene conversations about areas of agreement and disagreement about this one document of human freedom that unites us — which is the US Constitution!” - Jeffrey Rosen
“Ultimately, we feel better when we act selflessly, and that's why we're hardwired to do it.” - Jeffrey Rosen
“What all of the founders agreed about is we have the capacity to try. They had such faith in the potential of the human mind to cultivate our faculties of reason and reflection.” - Jeffrey Rosen
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- How Jeffrey’s outstanding high school experience influenced his later life and career
- Some of his teachers and professors at Harvard and how they inspired his love of American literature and history
- Why the NCC created the Interactive Constitution for people to access online
- The fantastic scholars who have contributed to the learning platform
- How the constitution came into being and why it’s so miraculous
- How Jeffrey experiences the Constitution and what he has learned from it
- Why the Founders believed we the people as individuals and in self-government need to be virtuous so that we can achieve what they called the social or benevolent passions and emotions
- What the Founders meant when they talked about the pursuit of not feeling good, but doing good
- How the Constitution is based on faith traditions in that it exhorts us to be kind and to serve others
- The difference between self-discipline and self-mastery, and why it’s so critical to think about what will allow us to achieve our potential so that we can serve others and the common good
- Jeffrey’s unique conversation town hall with Justice Gorsuch
Jeffrey Rosen’s Words of Wisdom:
Slow down and read, and you'll discover that the fountain of wisdom flows through books. It’s ancient Greek wisdom, but it applies as much today as it ever did. Taking the time to read, learn, and grow is a capacity we all have within us every day. None of us is perfect, and we're never going to achieve our potential every day, but we can always try.
Connect with Jeffrey Rosen:
- National Constitution Center Website
- National Constitution Center on Facebook
- Interactive Constitution
- An Evening with Justice Neil M. Gorsuch Town Hall Video
- My Voice Will Go With You by Dr. Sidney Rosen
- Understanding Ericksonian Hypnotherapy: Selected Writings of Sidney Rosen
Connect with The WOW Facto...
Bob Woodson is Founder and President of the Woodson Center and 1776 Unites. He is an influential leader on issues of poverty alleviation and empowering disadvantaged communities to become agents of their own uplift. Woodson is a frequent advisor to local, state and federal government officials as well as business and philanthropic organizations. His social activism dates back to the 1960s, when as a young civil rights activist he developed and coordinated national and local community revitalization programs. During the 1970’s he directed the National Urban League’s Administration of Justice division. Later he served as a Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Currently he is the Founder and President of The Woodson Center where he’s on a mission to help residents of low-income neighborhoods address the problems of their communities.
Bob joins me today to discuss his approach to dealing with race relations in America and what he believes is a huge problem; the disconnection between work and income, in underserved communities.
“People are inspired to change and improve and cooperate when you can show them examples of victories that are possible, not always reminding them of injuries to be avoided.” - Bob Woodson
One of the most powerful metaphors about that makes a difference is that to some on the left, Hank Aaron was the strikeout king. But to some of us who look at the glass as being half full, he was the home run king. It depends upon what your perspective is. - Bob Woodson
“You should always look for antibodies. Even in the worst communities, there are healthy elements that I call community antibodies. If you say that 70% of the people in that community are raising children that are dysfunctional, it means 30% or not. You can learn nothing from studying failure except how to create failure.” - Bob Woodson
This week on The Wow Factor:
- How Bob’s upbringing inspired him to work in Civil Rights
- The breakdown of the traditional American Family
- Why you can’t define Black America by slavery
- The importance of looking for the solution to every problem
- Why you can’t judge people by their past
- When you give freely, don’t give with the expectation that you will be thanked
- Why you must stay faithful to what you do and not be so attached to the outcome of what you’re doing
- Why America is a country of redemption
Bob Woodsons Words of Wisdom:
When you give freely, don’t give with the expectation that you’re going to be thanked. Give out of Godly responsibility, rather than compassion.
Connect with Bob Woodson:
Connect with The WOW Factor:
Emerson Eggerichs: Public Speaker and Author | Honoring Marriage and The Four Wills of God
The Wow Factor
02/14/24 • 57 min
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is an internationally known public speaker on marriage, parenting, and communication. Based on over three decades of counseling and scientific and biblical research, Dr. Eggerichs developed the Love and Respect Marriage Conference, which he presents to live audiences around the country. Emerson has authored several books, including Love and Respect in the Family, Mother & Son: The Respect Effect, and the New York Times bestseller Love and Respect. Emerson is also the Founder and President of Love and Respect Ministries.
I welcome Emerson to the Wow Factor today to discuss how God directs our steps and frees us to use our free will to direct our own lives. He believes that the Bible prompts people to recognize the answers to the big questions in life by understanding the four wills of God, which he calls the B.A.G.S, (Believe in Jesus, Abstain from sexual immorality, Give thanks always, Submit to the Lord). Emerson also shares how he realized that men and women communicate differently and why he was prompted to set up the Love and Respect conferences.
“It doesn’t hurt to ask God to bring about a coincidence every once in a while, and see what might happen.” - Emerson Eggerichs
“The two key ingredients for a successful marriage are love and respect.” - Emerson Eggerichs
“I just want to see the hand of God in my life; I really don’t care what’s in it.” - Emerson Eggerichs
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- How the challenges in Emerson’s family situation prompted him to know Christ and lead his family to Christ
- What Emerson learned about leadership in the early years of being a senior pastor
- Why Emerson made the decision not to write any books until he was 50
- Why Emerson was inspired to develop some way to help people experience, love, and respect
- Emerson describes the four wills of God and shares why they remain central to almost every part of life
- What the ‘crazy cycle’ is and how it can damage a marriage
- The importance of being honest with yourself about where you can do better in your life
- How the Bible gives us constant reminders of the critical factors in life
- Emerson’s thoughts on the state of marriage in the US today
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs’ Words of Wisdom:
God is using you to lead, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be rich, but the most successful people in life are those that have loved God and loved others.
Connect with Dr. Emerson Eggerichs:
Connect with The WOW Factor:
Erik Weir: Founder and Principal of WCM Global Wealth | Using Adversity To Build Strength In Life and Business
The Wow Factor
05/11/22 • 47 min
Erik is the founder and principal of WCM Global Wealth, a firm that serves more than fifty families ranging from successful business owners to several families listed on the Forbes billionaires list. WCMGW provides a unique approach to money management with a focus on alternative assets. Erik is a life-long student who has earned degrees and certificates from Georgia State University and Harvard Extension School. He is an accomplished martial artist and a multi-engine and instrument-rated pilot of twenty-five years. He is a father of five sons and has recently published his debut book entitled Who’s Eating Your Pie?
Erik joins us on the Wow Factor Podcast this week to discuss how developing a stutter as a young child actually pushed him to achieve much more than other people predicted was possible, including making an annual income of $1 million by the time he was 30 years old. He outlines the importance of perseverance and not being afraid to make mistakes in moving forward to achieve your goals. Erik also shares the wisdom and insights he has learned from some of his most prominent clients on living a generous life.
“Give back, and the person you bless the most is actually yourself. You're not even intending to, but you're the most blessed by giving back.” - Erik Weir
“Just look at the massive things that people can accomplish by making just a little bit of change at a time.” - Erik Weir
“The reason people miss opportunity is that opportunity is usually dressed in overalls and looks like work. You have to show up and keep showing up and keep showing up even when things are hard.” - Erik Weir
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- The accident that led Erik to develop a stutter and how his parents helped him find ways to communicate with people
- His first foray into entrepreneurship as a young man
- Why Eric left Merrill Lynch and formed his own company
- The impact of COVID-19 on Erik’s personal and professional life
- Erik’s 1% philosophy of change and how making small incremental changes can have a significant impact on your life
- Why people overestimate the amount of change they can make over the short term and underestimate the amount of change they can make over the long term
- Moving beyond limiting thoughts and developing a growth mindset
- What a victory book is and how it can help you achieve your goals
- The 5F framework that helps Erik get clear on what he wants to accomplish
- Why living generously staves off the scarcity mindset
Erik Weir’s Words of Wisdom:
Leaders always need to be learners — you’ve got two ears and one mouth, so listen more, be open and lead unselfishly.
Connect with Erik Weir:
Connect with The WOW Factor:
11/11/20 • 53 min
Bob Woodson is Founder and President of the Woodson Center and 1776 Unites. He is an influential leader on issues of poverty alleviation and empowering disadvantaged communities to become agents of their own uplift. Woodson is a frequent advisor to local, state and federal government officials as well as business and philanthropic organizations. His social activism dates back to the 1960s, when as a young civil rights activist he developed and coordinated national and local community revitalization programs. During the 1970’s he directed the National Urban League’s Administration of Justice division. Later he served as a Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Currently he is the Founder and President of The Woodson Center where he’s on a mission to help residents of low-income neighborhoods address the problems of their communities.
Bob joins me today to discuss his approach to dealing with race relations in America and what he believes is a huge problem; the disconnection between work and income, in underserved communities.
“People are inspired to change and improve and cooperate when you can show them examples of victories that are possible, not always reminding them of injuries to be avoided.”
- Bob Woodson
This week on The Wow Factor:
- How Bob’s upbringing inspired him to work in Civil Rights
- The breakdown of the traditional American Family
- Why you can’t define Black America by slavery
- The importance of looking for the solution to every problem
- Why you can’t judge people by their past
- When you give freely, don’t give with the expectation that you will be thanked
- Why you must stay faithful to what you do and not be so attached to the outcome of what you’re doing
- Why America is a country of redemption
Connect with Bob Woodson:
Connect with The WOW Factor:
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does The Wow Factor have?
The Wow Factor currently has 279 episodes available.
What topics does The Wow Factor cover?
The podcast is about Kindness, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Love, Wisdom, Podcasts, Entrepreneurs, Leaders, Business and Christian.
What is the most popular episode on The Wow Factor?
The episode title 'Mark Roesler: The Importance of Philanthropy Within Your Company' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Wow Factor?
The average episode length on The Wow Factor is 47 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Wow Factor released?
Episodes of The Wow Factor are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Wow Factor?
The first episode of The Wow Factor was released on Dec 24, 2019.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ