Catalysts for Change

Adam Lister
  • 5.0 (33)
  • MANAGEMENT

Catalysts for Change is a podcast about leaders who drive meaningful impact by balancing strategy, purpose, and action. Hosted by Adam Lister, each episode dives into the pivotal moments, values, and lessons that shape how change really happens in business, government, education, and beyond.

  1. 1D AGO

    ENCORE: From Grit to Grace: Sunny Bray on Purpose, Loss, and Leading Out Loud

    Encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes.  In this episode, Adam Lister sits down with Sunny Bray, founder of Catalyst Collective and a champion for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, from her early days in corporate sales to launching a community-first consultancy. Sunny shares how grief, grit, and bold purpose shaped her path. With honesty and insight, she reflects on building a business rooted in values, relationships, and the belief that nonprofit work deserves abundance, not scarcity.    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  Why Sunny built a consultancy that puts nonprofit missions, not metrics, at the center of the work. How grief, motherhood, and mentorship reshaped her approach to leadership and boundaries.Why nonprofits need trusted partners, not just service providers—and how to find the right support.How to lead authentically, say no with confidence, and prioritize what truly matters.Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

    48 min

  2. MAY 19

    Institutions, Influence, and the Long Game with David McIntosh

    David McIntosh has spent four decades at the center of the American conservative movement. First, co-founding the Federalist Society as a law student, then serving in the Reagan and Bush administrations, authoring the Congressional Review Act as a freshman congressman, and leading the Club for Growth into one of the most influential political organizations in the country. In this conversation, Adam and David explore the principles behind building institutions that outlast their founders, the role of networks as the true currency of influence, and how to balance principle with pragmatism when the political process is designed to slow you down. David shares hard-won lessons from a loss in the Indiana governor's race that reshaped how he leads. He opens up about navigating the tension between free market orthodoxy and modern populism, when to take half a loaf and when to walk away, and why telling the truth, even when it's inconvenient, is the foundation of every lasting relationship in politics and in life. This episode is for anyone building something bigger than themselves and who wants to understand how ideas actually become impact. Catalysts for Change is brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit catalystsforchangepod.com. Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

    54 min

  3. MAY 12

    Lead Like a Marine: Running Toward Challenges with John Warren

    What does leadership look like when the stakes are at their highest? In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with former Marine infantry officer, entrepreneur, and author John Warren for a conversation on resilience, integrity, and leading through uncertainty. From leading more than 300 combat missions in Ramadi during the Iraq War to building one of the nation’s leading real estate investment lending companies, John shares the lessons that shaped his approach to leadership under pressure. Together, they explore the importance of core values, leading from the front, building high-performing teams, political courage, and why trust is earned most in difficult moments. John also reflects on the transition from combat to business, his run for governor of South Carolina, and the leadership principles behind his bestselling book, Lead Like a Marine. This episode is a candid and deeply practical conversation for leaders navigating pressure, responsibility, and the challenge of building mission-driven teams in uncertain environments. Catalysts for Change is brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit catalystsforchangepod.com. Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One 12 Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

    53 min

  4. MAY 5

    From the Inside Out: Stephanie Coleman on Growth, Grit, and Getting It Right

    What does it look like to lead an organization you've spent nearly two decades growing inside of? In this episode of Catalysts for Change, host Adam Lister sits down with Stephanie Coleman, President and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, for a candid conversation about stepping into the top seat and everything that comes with it. Stephanie joined the Chamber in 2008 and served in six different roles before being named CEO in 2025. She opens up about the real shift in mindset that comes with moving from deputy to chief, from executing plans to casting vision,  and why leading at a sustainable pace matters just as much as leading with urgency. Stephanie discusses the Chamber's Partnership 2030 economic development strategy and its three pillars: community vitality, mobility, and character, as well as bold goals, such as growing Chamber membership by 50% in five years.  The conversation also gets personal. Stephanie reflects on the hardest leadership lesson she's learned, how she stays grounded outside the office, and what she wishes she had known in her first year as CEO.  Thoughtful, honest, and full of practical wisdom, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating a leadership transition or driving meaningful change in their community. Catalysts for Change is brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit catalystsforchangepod.com. Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

    58 min

  5. APR 28

    Arresting the Problem, Not the Person with Sheriff Daron Hall

    Season 3 of Catalysts for Change launches with a powerful conversation between Adam Lister and Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall, a leader who has spent more than two decades rethinking what public safety can look like. Sheriff Hall shares the defining question that has guided his career: not who commits crimes - but why. That perspective has led him to challenge long-held assumptions about incarceration, mental health, and the role of the criminal justice system. From his early fascination with criminology to his eye-opening experience representing the United States abroad, Hall reflects on the moment he realized the system wasn’t just imperfect, it was fundamentally misaligned. In many cases, he argues, jails have become the default solution for mental health crises, creating cycles that don’t address root causes. The conversation explores how Hall helped lead a bold shift in Nashville: building a behavioral care center alongside the jail to divert individuals in crisis away from incarceration and toward treatment. Along the way, he shares hard-earned lessons about leadership, navigating politics, building unlikely partnerships, and why meaningful change often requires both strategy and courage. This episode sets the tone for the season, highlighting leaders who are willing to question the system, rethink the problem, and take action to create lasting impact. Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

    53 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    Lessons in Leadership from Tennessee’s First Female Speaker, Beth Harwell

    In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister sits down with Beth Harwell, Tennessee’s first female Speaker of the House and one of the state’s most influential political leaders. Over three decades in public service, Harwell helped shape landmark policy on education, welfare reform, taxation, and public health—often bridging deep divides through civility and pragmatic compromise. Harwell shares her journey from a young political science professor inspired by the Watergate hearings to becoming Speaker during one of Tennessee’s most transformative eras. She reflects on lessons learned from both sides of the aisle—why compromise isn’t weakness, how to lead in complex times, and why making people feel seen is the cornerstone of effective leadership. From repealing the state’s inheritance tax and advancing Tennessee Promise to navigating fierce debates over charter schools and even wine in grocery stores, Harwell reveals what it really takes to move meaningful change through divided government. This conversation is a study in humility, perseverance, and principled leadership—offering wisdom not just for public servants, but for anyone leading in high-stakes, high-pressure environments. Register to vote at https://vote.gov/. Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

    51 min

  7. 10/07/2025 ·  BONUS

    BONUS EPISODE: The Listener Mailbag

    In this special bonus episode of Catalysts for Change, host Adam Lister addresses questions directly from listeners and community conversations—covering a range of topics, including politics, leadership, burnout, advocacy, and AI. Adam opens up about the myths around “buying politicians,” what frustrates him most about today’s political climate, and how he defines his work in strategy and advocacy. He also shares lessons on consistency, resilience, and the importance of staying mission-focused in a noisy, fast-changing world. You’ll hear stories about the origins of One12 Strategies, the philosophy behind small actions that lead to big impact, and candid reflections on leadership, burnout, and authenticity. If you enjoy this format, let us know! Comment on LinkedIn, send in your questions, and we’ll keep building future bonus episodes around the topics you care about most. Resources & Links to include: Catalysts for Change WebsiteFollow Adam on LinkedInLearn more about One12 Strategies Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

    25 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    No Act Too Small: Alex Nelson’s Journey of Healing and Advocacy

    In this powerful episode of Catalysts for Change, Adam Lister talks with Alex Nelson, a corporate leader and dedicated community advocate whose journey from trauma to healing has shaped her life and leadership. By day, Alex drives global supply chain strategy in Nashville’s tech industry. Beyond her corporate role, she serves on the board of the Nashville Sexual Assault Center, where she has become a tireless advocate for survivors. Alex opens up about her own path through therapy, the courage it took to share her story publicly, and the lessons she’s learned about empathy, authenticity, and servant leadership. From organizing an art room at the Center to co-chairing its largest fundraising gala, Alex shows how small acts of service can lead to transformative change. She also reflects on policy advocacy, community building, and why sharing our stories—no matter how painful—can break shame and open the door to healing. This conversation is a reminder that vulnerability is strength, that leadership begins with empathy, and that no act of service is ever too small to make a difference. Catalysts for Change is an initiative of One Twelve Strategies, brought to you in part by the Southern Research Collaborative

    49 min
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5
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33 Ratings

About

Catalysts for Change is a podcast about leaders who drive meaningful impact by balancing strategy, purpose, and action. Hosted by Adam Lister, each episode dives into the pivotal moments, values, and lessons that shape how change really happens in business, government, education, and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Lister
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Catalysts for Change
  • Show Website
    Catalysts for Change