Podcasts

In this episode, Bailey Erickson sits down with Scott Latham, CEO of the Alabama Bankers Association. They discuss the issues facing community banks, both nationally, and in the state of Alabama. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState…

In this episode, Caleb Stevens sits down with Dee Ann Turner, former Chick-fil-A executive, bestselling author, and leadership expert, to discuss the principles behind enduring leadership, remarkable culture, and talent selection. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState…

Today, we’re sharing an episode from BJ Green’s podcast, Leadership is Everything. In it, David Salyers, former Vice President of Marketing at Chick-fil-A and co-author of Remarkable!, tells us how a leader can create environments where people thrive, customers become advocates, and purpose drives performance. David shares lessons from working alongside Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, the power…

In this episode, Chris Nichols sits down with Sarah, an F-22 Raptor pilot stationed in Okinawa, to discuss her journey from aviation student to combat-ready fighter pilot and instructor candidate. What can bankers learn from fighter pilots? Sarah shares insights on mission planning, continuous learning, decision-making under pressure, and the importance of rigorous debriefs. She…

In this episode of The Community Bank Podcast, SouthState’s Tara Edmonds joins Caleb Stevens to unpack one of banking’s hottest topics: stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the future of money movement. Tara explains what community bankers need to know, why regulatory clarity is accelerating adoption, and how emerging payment technologies could reshape deposits, customer relationships, and the…

Today, we sit down with banking industry veteran Jim Marous. Jim joins Caleb Stevens to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing community banks: preparing for the future without being constrained by the past. They explore leadership transitions, AI adoption, deposit growth, and why digital resilience may become the defining factor separating future winners from…

In this episode, Chris Nichols sits down with Walt Wear, SouthState’s AI Enablement Manager, to discuss the bank’s Copilot adoption journey, lessons learned from scaling AI across the organization, and what’s next as the industry moves toward agentic AI. Walt shares how a community-first approach, weekly office hours, AI Central, and a crowdsourced prompt library…

Today, we’re sharing BJ Green’s pilot episode from his new podcast, Leadership is Everything. In it, SouthState Bank’s CEO, John Corbett, explores what it takes to build and scale a successful banking organization. From starting a de novo bank to leading a $68 billion institution, Corbett breaks down the principles that guide effective leadership: alignment, accountability,…

Today on the show Caleb Stevens sits down with Ed Kofman to discuss 4 key drivers of profitability for today’s community banks.  Download our newest eBook: The Community Bank Performance Engine! Click Here to Book a Call with Ed The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved…

In this episode, Tom Fitzgerald sits down with economist Joseph Keating to discuss the economic outlook amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, evolving Federal Reserve policy, and rapid investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The conversation provides an essential and timely look at the key economic forces shaping the remainder of 2026 and the path into 2027. Register…

Today we sit down with Scott Cocanougher, CEO of First Community Bank in Shelbyville, Tennessee and Randy Goggans, founder of the company BankerBounty. Together we discuss the keys to creating change inside your organization and how to create an effective referral program. Click Here to Book a Free Strategy Call. The views, information, or opinions…

In this episode of The Community Bank Podcast, Caleb Stevens sits down with attorney Mark Kanaly to explore the fundamentals of effective strategic planning for community banks. They discuss how strong leadership, clear alignment, and thoughtful preparation can turn strategy from a one-time exercise into a living, actionable roadmap. Mark shares practical insights on fostering collaboration,…

In this episode, Chris Nichols and Caleb Stevens sit down with Brennan Perkins, a recent Citadel graduate, to explore how early leadership experiences translate into a career in banking. From learning how to be an effective follower to leading peers under pressure, Brennan shares key lessons on servant leadership, attention to detail, and building influence…

In this episode, Chris Nichols and DJ Seeterlin explore what banks can learn from Trader Joe’s approach to strategy, focusing on clear customer segments, intentional trade-offs, and delivering value over price. They discuss how aligning products, people, and experiences around a defined audience can help banks stand out, and how these same principles apply to…

In this episode, Chris Nichols is joined by Samer Saab of Alloy Labs to explore the growing tension between a traditional “debt mindset” and a more forward-looking “equity mindset” in banking. While banks are built to minimize risk and protect principal, that same instinct can limit innovation, partnerships, and long-term growth. Samer shares practical ways…

In this episode, Chris Nichols sits down with Jack Henry’s Lee Wetherington to unpack the biggest strategic shifts facing community banks today. From deposit pressures and the rise of small business banking to the growing importance of data strategy and payments, the conversation highlights how banks must rethink their approach to growth. The discussion makes…

In this episode, Caleb Stevens talks with Eva Daniel, founder of The Speak Shop, about why effective communication is a critical leadership skill. Eva shares why every professional should have a signature message, common mistakes leaders make when presenting, and how thoughtful storytelling and structure can dramatically increase clarity and credibility. Tune in to learn…

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Udell, a former community banker turned AI advisor, to break down what AI actually means for banks today and how to start using it in practical ways. Ben shares how bankers can use AI to save time, sharpen decision-making, and enhance relationships. From turning voice notes into…

Today we speak with Erik Weiner, CEO of de novo Portrait Bank.  We discuss his banking background, why he started Portrait bank, the capital raise process, attracting talent, and building out a tech stack.  Click Here to Register for the 3rd Annual Elevate Banking Forum!   The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show…

Recorded live from the Financial Brand Fourm on April 14th, Caleb Stevens sits down with Dan Marks, President of OptimaFI, to talk about what bank marketers should actually be focused on today. They dig into using data to prove ROI, aligning marketing with lending and finance, avoiding “shiny object” syndrome, and where AI can genuinely…