Lead To Greatness Podcast

Cedric Francis

Hosted by entrepreneur, CEO, and public speaker Cedric Francis, the Lead to Greatness Podcast helps leaders reach their greatest potential and together change the world. Over 20+ years of leadership experience. Whether you are leading a non-profit or for-profit corporation, you'll learn tips on leadership and business from some of the top leaders today.

  1. 12/22/2025

    230. Boost Your Sales Engagement Strategies with John Donelly | Cedric Francis

    John Donnelly serves as the Executive Director of Sales at Service First Mortgage, a company dedicated to community enrichment and financial empowerment. Passionate about leadership development, John focuses on fostering growth and achievement through speed, service, and synergy. He believes success stems from strong leadership, a growth mindset, and partnering with organizations that deliver excellence. Committed to making a lasting impact, John strives to be an influential leader in both the professional and personal lives of his team.    CONNECT WITH John Donnelly Website: https://playbig.mortgage/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohndonnelly/       JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY   Join the fight against food insecurity here in the U.S. DONATE TODAY at Meet the Streets Outreach, INC. to fight hunger!    Meet the Streets Outreach provides essential support to Houston's food-insecure communities by offering over 2,100 hot meals each month. With your help, we can continue to serve those in need. Your support ensures that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Houston's most vulnerable residents. Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in the well-being of our community.   Food Insecure Households For many families in the U.S., the past several years have been difficult. Higher food prices, economic instability, and other factors have made providing for a family even harder. 1 in 8 households in the U.S. is food insecure. That means these families don't have enough money or resources to buy enough food for everyone in their household. As recently as 2022, 7.3 million children lived in food insecure households. Also, 16.9% of children live in poverty.   SNAP Benefits More than 22 million U.S. households use SNAP benefits to help with food costs, as of April 2023. Sometimes known as "food stamps," SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. People who receive SNAP benefits can use it to buy groceries, seeds, and plants for food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase hot food or household items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, or diapers.   CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: https://www.lead2greatness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis X: https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedricbfrancis/ • • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-b-francis-a0544037/

    37 min
  2. 12/08/2025

    229. Creating A Great Culture with Justin Long | Cedric Francis

    JUSTIN LONG is an author, podcast host, and the hospital administrator for Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic, which he owns with his wife, Dr. Erica Lacher. Known for fostering a strong culture of learning and mentorship, their clinic has helped shape the careers of many future veterinarians. Justin is passionate about the power of positive culture, mental health, and effective teamwork—values he had to learn the hard way after struggling with insecurity and toxicity early in his life. Today, he's a dedicated advocate for helping young people thrive both personally and professionally.   CONNECT WITH Justin Long Website: https://jboydlong.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.long.906 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JBoydLong Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07WVF9W95/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=81816796-ee63-4803-9c94-0a32c70ac6d     JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY   Join the fight against food insecurity here in the U.S. DONATE TODAY at Meet the Streets Outreach, INC. to fight hunger!    Meet the Streets Outreach provides essential support to Houston's food-insecure communities by offering over 2,100 hot meals each month. With your help, we can continue to serve those in need. Your support ensures that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Houston's most vulnerable residents. Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in the well-being of our community.   Food Insecure Households For many families in the U.S., the past several years have been difficult. Higher food prices, economic instability, and other factors have made providing for a family even harder. 1 in 8 households in the U.S. is food insecure. That means these families don't have enough money or resources to buy enough food for everyone in their household. As recently as 2022, 7.3 million children lived in food insecure households. Also, 16.9% of children live in poverty.   SNAP Benefits More than 22 million U.S. households use SNAP benefits to help with food costs, as of April 2023. Sometimes known as "food stamps," SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. People who receive SNAP benefits can use it to buy groceries, seeds, and plants for food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase hot food or household items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, or diapers.   CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: https://www.lead2greatness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis X: https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedricbfrancis/ • • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-b-francis-a0544037/

    36 min
  3. 11/18/2025

    228. Building A Brand Of Gratitude with Chris Bilyk | Cedric Francis

    Chris Bilyk is the founder and CEO of State of Gratitude, a purpose-driven lifestyle brand focused on recovery, intention, and building community. He is a recovering drug and alcohol addict who turned his own sobriety journey into a movement that empowers others dealing with addiction by offering handmade apparel and philanthropic initiatives supporting individuals new to recovery. Born and raised in Florida, Chris has openly shared his story of addiction and recovery.    CONNECT WITH Chris Bilyk Website: https://www.stateofgratitude.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/state.of.gratitude IG: https://www.instagram.com/bilykcj/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofgratitudeusa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbilyk/   JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY   Join the fight against food insecurity here in the U.S. DONATE TODAY at Meet the Streets Outreach, INC. to fight hunger!    Meet the Streets Outreach provides essential support to Houston's food-insecure communities by offering over 2,100 hot meals each month. With your help, we can continue to serve those in need. Your support ensures that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Houston's most vulnerable residents. Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in the well-being of our community.   Food Insecure Households For many families in the U.S., the past several years have been difficult. Higher food prices, economic instability, and other factors have made providing for a family even harder. 1 in 8 households in the U.S. is food insecure. That means these families don't have enough money or resources to buy enough food for everyone in their household. As recently as 2022, 7.3 million children lived in food insecure households. Also, 16.9% of children live in poverty.   SNAP Benefits More than 22 million U.S. households use SNAP benefits to help with food costs, as of April 2023. Sometimes known as "food stamps," SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. People who receive SNAP benefits can use it to buy groceries, seeds, and plants for food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase hot food or household items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, or diapers.   CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: https://www.lead2greatness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis X: https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedricbfrancis/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-b-francis-a0544037/

    31 min
  4. 11/03/2025

    227. Breaking Free Of Financial Sabotage with Michelle Campbell | Cedric Francis

    MICHELLE CAMPBELL was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and began her educational journey in South Dakota before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, to continue her studies. During her academic pursuits, she launched a real estate investment firm, marking the beginning of her entrepreneurial path. Over the years, Michelle expanded her ventures into various industries, including horticulture, where she founded an interiorscape company, and logistics, where she established a commercial trucking business. Drawing on the insights and expertise gained across these diverse fields, she transitioned into a career in the financial services industry.    CONNECT WITH Michelle Campbell Website: https://bymichellecampbell.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561259970143 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebirdmemoir/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-c-1a697b318/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taxshell X: https://x.com/tax_shell YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taxshell6072     JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY   Join the fight against food insecurity here in the U.S. DONATE TODAY at Meet the Streets Outreach, INC. to fight hunger!    Meet the Streets Outreach provides essential support to Houston's food-insecure communities by offering over 2,100 hot meals each month. With your help, we can continue to serve those in need. Your support ensures that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Houston's most vulnerable residents. Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in the well-being of our community.   Food Insecure Households For many families in the U.S., the past several years have been difficult. Higher food prices, economic instability, and other factors have made providing for a family even harder. 1 in 8 households in the U.S. is food insecure. That means these families don't have enough money or resources to buy enough food for everyone in their household. As recently as 2022, 7.3 million children lived in food insecure households. Also, 16.9% of children live in poverty.   SNAP Benefits More than 22 million U.S. households use SNAP benefits to help with food costs, as of April 2023. Sometimes known as "food stamps," SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. People who receive SNAP benefits can use it to buy groceries, seeds, and plants for food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase hot food or household items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, or diapers.   CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: https://www.lead2greatness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis X: https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedricbfrancis/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-b-francis-a0544037/

    38 min
  5. 10/20/2025

    226. Thriving In Competitive Markets with Nicolas Breedlove | Cedric Francis

    Nicolas Breedlove is a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO of NVB Playgrounds, a company dedicated to creating safe, engaging, and inclusive play spaces that bring communities together. With over a decade of experience in the playground industry, Nic has revolutionized how schools, parks, and organizations approach play design by offering innovative solutions that combine creativity, safety, and durability. Under Nic's leadership, NVB Playgrounds has become a trusted partner for clients across the country, helping them navigate the challenges of planning, budgeting, and building exceptional play areas.   CONNECT WITH Nicolas Breedlove Website: https://www.playgroundequipment.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-breedlove/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolas.breedlove     JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY   Join the fight against food insecurity here in the U.S. DONATE TODAY at Meet the Streets Outreach, INC. to fight hunger!    Meet the Streets Outreach provides essential support to Houston's food-insecure communities by offering over 2,100 hot meals each month. With your help, we can continue to serve those in need. Your support ensures that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Houston's most vulnerable residents. Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in the well-being of our community.   Food Insecure Households For many families in the U.S., the past several years have been difficult. Higher food prices, economic instability, and other factors have made providing for a family even harder. 1 in 8 households in the U.S. is food insecure. That means these families don't have enough money or resources to buy enough food for everyone in their household. As recently as 2022, 7.3 million children lived in food insecure households. Also, 16.9% of children live in poverty.   SNAP Benefits More than 22 million U.S. households use SNAP benefits to help with food costs, as of April 2023. Sometimes known as "food stamps," SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. People who receive SNAP benefits can use it to buy groceries, seeds, and plants for food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase hot food or household items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, or diapers.   CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: https://www.lead2greatness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis X: https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedricbfrancis/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-b-francis-a0544037/

    36 min
  6. 10/13/2025

    225. How Great Leaders Inspire Action with Kash Rocheleua | Cedric Francis

    KASH ROCHELEAU served as the chief financial officer for Icon Foods soon moving into the CEO role (as of May 10, 2024). She oversees the financial operations, reporting, and compliance of these organizations, as well as drives their growth and profitability. She has a strong background in legal matters, such as acquisition negotiation, trademark applications, regulatory compliance, and contract drafting, which enables her to handle complex and diverse transactions and issues. She currently holds an MBA degree from Eastern Washington University, with a focus on accounting and finance, to further enhance her skills and knowledge in this field. In her free time, she loves to be with her family, spend time outdoors, and golf.   CONNECT WITH Kash Rocheleua Website: http://www.iconfoods.com LinkedIn(1): www.linkedin.com/in/kash-rocheleau-a0678528 LinkedIn(2): https://www.linkedin.com/company/icon-foods-ingredients/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/iconfoodsingredients?_rdc=1&_rdr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icon_foods/     JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY   Join the fight against food insecurity here in the U.S. DONATE TODAY at Meet the Streets Outreach, INC. to fight hunger!    Meet the Streets Outreach provides essential support to Houston's food-insecure communities by offering over 2,100 hot meals each month. With your help, we can continue to serve those in need. Your support ensures that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Houston's most vulnerable residents. Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in the well-being of our community.   Food Insecure Households For many families in the U.S., the past several years have been difficult. Higher food prices, economic instability, and other factors have made providing for a family even harder. 1 in 8 households in the U.S. is food insecure. That means these families don't have enough money or resources to buy enough food for everyone in their household. As recently as 2022, 7.3 million children lived in food insecure households. Also, 16.9% of children live in poverty.   SNAP Benefits More than 22 million U.S. households use SNAP benefits to help with food costs, as of April 2023. Sometimes known as "food stamps," SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. People who receive SNAP benefits can use it to buy groceries, seeds, and plants for food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase hot food or household items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, or diapers.   CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: https://www.lead2greatness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis X: https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedricbfrancis/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-b-francis-a0544037/

    34 min
  7. 10/06/2025

    224. The Strength Of True Followship with Jim Matuga | Cedric Francis

    JIM MATUGA, founder of InnerAction Media and author of the new book Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership, is on a mission to spark a conversation about the overlooked power of followership. In a world obsessed with leadership, Jim flips the script showing how everyday people, not just those in charge, hold the keys to real, lasting impact. Humble Influence combines powerful stories, timeless principles, and a message that speaks to business leaders, nonprofit teams, faith communities, and anyone looking to make a difference from where they stand. Jim offers fresh, insightful conversations on leadership, purpose, influence, humility, and faith. He brings decades of media and marketing experience, along with real-world wisdom and a heartfelt message for today's listeners.   CONNECT WITH Jim Matuga Website: https://humbleinfluencebook.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmatuga/ X: https://x.com/jmatuga Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimmatuga   JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY    Join the fight against food insecurity here in the U.S. DONATE TODAY at Meet the Streets Outreach, INC. to fight hunger!     Meet the Streets Outreach provides essential support to Houston's food-insecure communities by offering over 2,100 hot meals each month. With your help, we can continue to serve those in need. Your support ensures that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Houston's most vulnerable residents. Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in the well-being of our community.   Food Insecure Households For many families in the U.S., the past several years have been difficult. Higher food prices, economic instability, and other factors have made providing for a family even harder. 1 in 8 households in the U.S. is food insecure. That means these families don't have enough money or resources to buy enough food for everyone in their household. As recently as 2022, 7.3 million children lived in food insecure households. Also, 16.9% of children live in poverty.   SNAP Benefits More than 22 million U.S. households use SNAP benefits to help with food costs, as of April 2023. Sometimes known as "food stamps," SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. People who receive SNAP benefits can use it to buy groceries, seeds, and plants for food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase hot food or household items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, or diapers.   CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: https://www.lead2greatness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis X (twitter): https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedricbfrancis/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-b-francis-a0544037/

    36 min
  8. 09/29/2025

    223. Creating Massive Impact in Your Business with Luke Mickelson | Cedric Francis

    No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in my Town — that is the mission driving Luke, the Founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a nonprofit building and delivering beds for kids in need.   What started as a holiday project in Luke's garage is now a life-changing initiative helping 250,000+ kids, who have comfortable beds to sleep in. SHP's movement is only growing, with 350 chapters across 4 countries, and a volunteer force averaging 550,000+ hours of service.       CONNECT WITH Luke Mickelson Website: https://shpbeds.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shpbeds/ LinkedIn(B): https://www.linkedin.com/company/shpbeds/posts/?feedView=all LinkedIn(P): https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-mickelson-126aa8152/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHPbeds/     JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY   Join the fight against food insecurity here in the U.S. DONATE TODAY at Meet the Streets Outreach, INC. to fight hunger!    Meet the Streets Outreach provides essential support to Houston's food-insecure communities by offering over 2,100 hot meals each month. With your help, we can continue to serve those in need. Your support ensures that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Houston's most vulnerable residents. Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in the well-being of our community.   Food Insecure Households For many families in the U.S., the past several years have been difficult. Higher food prices, economic instability, and other factors have made providing for a family even harder. 1 in 8 households in the U.S. is food insecure. That means these families don't have enough money or resources to buy enough food for everyone in their household. As recently as 2022, 7.3 million children lived in food insecure households. Also, 16.9% of children live in poverty.   SNAP Benefits More than 22 million U.S. households use SNAP benefits to help with food costs, as of April 2023. Sometimes known as "food stamps," SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. People who receive SNAP benefits can use it to buy groceries, seeds, and plants for food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase hot food or household items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, or diapers.   CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: https://www.lead2greatness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis X: https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedricbfrancis/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-b-francis-a0544037/

    54 min
4.9
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Hosted by entrepreneur, CEO, and public speaker Cedric Francis, the Lead to Greatness Podcast helps leaders reach their greatest potential and together change the world. Over 20+ years of leadership experience. Whether you are leading a non-profit or for-profit corporation, you'll learn tips on leadership and business from some of the top leaders today.