Join Dr. James Knight in this inspiring episode of Humble Conversations as he sits down with Rob Montague, CEO of Licking Memorial Hospital. With over 33 years in healthcare leadership, Rob shares his remarkable journey from starting as a file clerk at $3.80 an hour to leading a thriving community hospital system.

In this candid conversation, Rob discusses the importance of authentic leadership, emphasizing that "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care" He reveals how his experience working at different levels within the organization shaped his leadership philosophy, stating "I don't appreciate any task any more or less than the others, and I'm willing to do it.

Key topics covered include:

• The power of humble leadership and taking responsibility while giving credit to others
• How Licking Memorial Hospital is addressing social determinants of health, including restarting public transportation and operating the largest food pantry distribution site
• The importance of culture in healthcare organizations - Rob speaks to every new employee during orientation
• Leadership lessons learned from sports and the value of staying calm under pressure
• Building authentic relationships and creating a workplace where every job matters

In this episode of Humble Conversations, Dr. James Knight sits down with Judge Michael Ryan, whose story moves from the Longwood projects and childhood trauma to becoming one of the youngest judges ever appointed to the Ohio Court of Appeals. Judge Ryan opens up about navigating poverty, abuse, and instability—and how faith, resilience, and the consistent belief of others shaped his path. He shares how humility keeps him grounded, how representation in the courtroom matters, and why purpose is often birthed through pain.

This conversation is raw, inspiring, and a reminder that where you start does not determine where you finish. If you need proof that transformation is possible, this episode will show you why nothing is wasted when we lead with courage and humility.

In this inspiring episode of Humble Conversations, Dr. James Knight sits down with Dr. Kim Byas, Vice President of Community Engagement at Well Link (formerly The Center for Health Affairs), to explore what authentic leadership really looks like. With over 50 years of experience in healthcare and community development, Dr. Byas shares powerful insights from his research on successful leaders — revealing that every great leader has one thing in common: mentorship and the ability to compartmentalize emotions under pressure.