IgniteCast - Official Podcast of the Ignite Leadership Conference by CDF
Ignite your leadership passion with Ignitecast, the official podcast of the Ignite Leadership Conference in Tupelo, MS. IgniteCast features content from past Ignite speakers along with insights from local leaders. Each episode will be a short, engaging 20-to-30-minute conversation designed to highlight the impact of leadership and economic development in Tupelo and Lee County. Our purpose is to tell the Community Development Foundation’s story by showcasing how we create more and better jobs, attract top talent, and foster leadership growth within the community. Through these conversations, we aim to strengthen talent retention, support business expansion, and ensure that Tupelo, Lee County, and CDF remain relevant and forward-thinking.
Episodes
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 connectio...
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. Fro...
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 sea...
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 oth...
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 Creat...
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 &l...
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...
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...
In this episode of IgniteCast, hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with David Rumbarger for a practical conversation on leadership fundamentals that never go out of style.
David shares why moving from Good to Great starts with doing things right the first time, putting in the work on the front end, and embracing the timeless truth of the 5 P’s: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. He reflects on the idea that lead...
In this special New Year’s Day episode of Ignite Cast, hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with John Darnell, CEO of Global Outreach International, to talk about goal setting with purpose.
As the leader of a mission-sending organization headquartered in Tupelo and working around the world, John shares how he approaches setting goals that are both vision-driven and flexible, especially when leading people across culture...
In Episode 4 of Season 6, IgniteCast hosts Taylor and Judd sit down with Kristen Long, Chief Nurse Executive at North Mississippi Medical Center, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about leadership, burnout, and building resilient teams.
Kristen shares how relationship-building shapes every aspect of patient care, why listening is a leader’s most important tool, and what it really took to guide frontline nurses through ...
IgniteCast S6 E3: “Rolling With the Dough & the Punches” Featuring Tiffany Grice of Kreechers Creations
In this inspiring episode of IgniteCast, hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with local entrepreneur Tiffany Grice, owner of the beloved French-inspired bakery Kreechers Creations. From buttery croissants to bold business moves, Tiffany shares the real story behind her rapid rise—from baking out of a ...
In Episode 2 of Season 6, Taylor and Judd sit down with Amy Tate, State Director for Government & Community Relations at TVA and a longtime champion of leadership, mentorship, and community impact. From her new favorite leadership mantra — “clarity is kindness” — to her firsthand experience navigating male-dominated spaces, Amy brings honesty, humor, and wisdom to every minute of this episode.
Amy shares ...
In the Season 6 premiere of Ignite Cast, hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson welcome Dr. Jay Allen, President of Itawamba Community College, and Chief of Staff Tyler Camp for a powerful conversation on leadership, growth, and community impact.
From servant leadership and student empowerment to building a culture where failure fuels innovation, this episode dives deep into how ICC is shaping the next generation of leaders—both i...
In this special bonus episode of IgniteCast, hosts Taylor Tutor and Judd Wilson sit down with renowned management expert and seminar leader Glenn Shepard. With over 30 years of experience helping professionals become better managers and leaders, Glenn shares powerful insights on servant leadership, employee engagement, and the real-world challenges of supervising teams.
From humorous anecdotes about his early career to thought-provo...
🎙️ Episode 6: Driving Leadership — Inside the Culture of Toyota Mississippi
In this episode of IgniteCast, we sit down with Derric Morrison and Tiffannie Hedin from Toyota Mississippi — two local leaders shaping one of the region’s most respected workplaces. Both graduates of the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute, Derric and Tiffannie share how Toyota’s people-first culture fuels innovation, loyalty,...
In this special episode of IgniteCast, we gather around the table with members of the Ingram family to reflect on the life and legacy of Jim Ingram — a beloved leader, mentor, and the namesake of the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute. Nearly two decades after his passing, his words, values, and leadership style continue to shape meetings, decisions, and leaders across Tupelo and Lee County.
You’ll hear personal s...
In this powerful episode of IgniteCast, we sit down with Chief John Quaka, Tupelo’s Chief of Police and former FBI agent, to discuss what it means to lead in moments of crisis. From witnessing 9/11 unfold as an FBI agent to handling high-pressure situations here in Tupelo, Chief Quaka shares how preparation, training, and most importantly, relationships built before the crisis make all the difference.
You’ll hear his jou...
Building Dreams, Backed by Community
In this inspiring episode of IgniteCast, we sit down with Matt and Sarah Anderson, owners of Mae's To-Go Cup, a family-run coffee shop that has quickly become a community favorite. From launching out of a 14-foot trailer to opening their second brick-and-mortar location, their journey is one of grit, faith, and relentless community support.
Matt and Sarah open up about the risks of leaving behind ...
Season Kickoff: A Look Back & A Look Ahead
We’re kicking off a brand-new season of IgniteCast with a conversation that blends the best of the past with the excitement of what’s ahead for the Ignite Leadership Conference 2026.
Join hosts Judd Wilson and Taylor Tutor as they reflect on past Ignite highlights, share behind-the-scenes insights on how speakers are chosen, and revisit powerful moments from keynote voices li...
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