This podcast explores the world of leadership and the power of culture through conversations with CEOs and school Superintendents.
Go to https://www.phoenixperform.com/
Beyond the Classroom: Creating Real-World Opportunities for Students
In this episode of the Culture Eats Everything podcast, Tom Willis sits down with Emily Callahan, a school superintendent from Indiana, to explore her journey from struggling student to teacher, principal, and superintendent. Emily shares how a visit to an innovative public school in San Diego completely changed the way she viewed education and inspired her to create new opportunities for students.
Emily and Tom also discuss redesigning the traditional high school experience, including student-run businesses, entrepreneurship, mastery-based education, and helping students discover their strengths, interests, and values from an early age. They explore the importance of allowing students to experience failure, take risks, and learn through real-world experiences.
Click here to buy our book: 📚✨
🔗 https://geni.us/the-great-engagement
🔹 Guest: Emily Callahan
🔹 Host: Tom Willis
🌐 Phoenix Performance Partners Website:🔗 https://www.phoenixperform.com/
🎭 Interchange:🔗 https://www.phoenixperform.com/interchange
🎙 Listen to Culture Eats Everything Podcast:🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/culture-eats-everything/id1526731051
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1utf9dZh2PRQKxe6qg5I5M
Tom Willis:📖 Check out our book:🔗 https://www.phoenixperform.com/book
👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more leadership insights!
#CultureEatsEverything #Leadership #EducationLeadership #SchoolLeadership #Superintendent #TEDx #StudentLeadership #EducationalInnovation #LeadershipDevelopment #StudentAgency #EmilyCallahan #TomWillis
15 Jul 2026
Culture Before Strategy: Why People Always Come First
In this episode of the Culture Eats Everything podcast, Kevin Davis sits down with David Brooks, Executive Director of St. Anne's Terrace in Atlanta, to discuss what it really takes to build and sustain a thriving organizational culture. Having worked his way up from driving the bus and washing dishes to leading the entire community, David shares how every role shaped his leadership philosophy.
The conversation explores the importance of hiring for attitude over experience, creating a workplace where employees genuinely enjoy coming to work, and why culture is the greatest competitive advantage in attracting and retaining both staff and residents. David also reflects on the challenges of stepping into executive leadership, learning to trust his team, embracing vulnerability, and understanding that great leaders don't have all the answers—they empower others to contribute theirs.
Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or aspiring to grow into leadership, this episode is packed with practical insights on servant leadership, transparency, humility, and building a culture people never want to leave.
Click here to buy our book: 📚✨
🔗 https://geni.us/the-great-engagement
Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-brooks-15889826a/
Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinjohndavis
🌐 Phoenix Performance Partners Website:
🔗 https://www.phoenixperform.com/
🎭 Interchange:
🔗 https://www.phoenixperform.com/interchange
🎙 Listen to Culture Eats Everything Podcast:
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/culture-eats-everything/id1526731051
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1utf9dZh2PRQKxe6qg5I5M
📖 Check out our book:
🔗 https://www.phoenixperform.com/book
👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more leadership insights!
8 Jun 2026
Cultures Within Cultures: Leadership, Assumptions, and Adaptation
In this episode of the Culture Eats Everything podcast, Tom Willis sits down with Dr. Stephen Bigelow, an experienced educator and former superintendent who traded Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for life and leadership in Salvador, Brazil. Together, they explore the concept of “cultures within cultures” and discuss how living and leading in a completely different environment challenged Stephen’s assumptions about healthcare, education, relationships, and leadership itself.
Stephen shares how confronting his own preconceived notions opened the door to deeper learning, stronger relationships, and a greater appreciation for cultural differences. The conversation highlights the importance of humility, adaptability, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking. They also discuss how leadership principles remain universal even when cultural norms, communication styles, and expectations vary dramatically.
Click here to buy our book: 📚✨
🔗 https://geni.us/the-great-engagement
🔹 Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-bigelow/
🔹 Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasawillis/
🌐 Phoenix Performance Partners Website: https://www.phoenixperform.com/
🎭 Interchange: https://www.phoenixperform.com/interchange
🎙 Listen to Culture Eats Everything Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/culture-eats-everything/id1526731051
https://open.spotify.com/show/1utf9dZh2PRQKxe6qg5I5M
Tom Willis:
📖 Check out our book: https://www.phoenixperform.com/book
👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more leadership insights!
#Leadership #CultureEatsEverything #OrganizationalCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #EducationalLeadership #InternationalLeadership #CrossCulturalLeadership #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipPodcast #CultureWithinCulture #Adaptability #LeadershipLessons #TomWillis #StephenBigelow #CultureMatters
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
50
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Culture Eats Everything
Who hosts Culture Eats Everything?
Tom Willis host the show. Published by Phoenix Performance Partners.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Culture Eats Everything take guests?
The show does not typically feature guests, based on episode analyses.
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