Perseverance and Purpose: The Leadership Journey of Adnan Brka

B Excellent: From the Foundation to the Future

In this episode, Josh and Aaron welcome back two very special guests - Eric Deaton, our Chief Operating Officer, and Dr. Clay Runnels, our Chief Physician Executive. Eric and Dr. Runnels were the first guests on the podcast and they return to discuss the impact that B Excellent has had on our organization since launch and where the program is headed in the future.

Perseverance and Purpose: The Leadership Journey of Adnan Brka

In the latest episode, Josh and Aaron travel to Johnson City Medical Center for a discussion with the facility's new Chief Nursing Officer, Adnan Brka. In this episode, Adnan shares his remarkable journey - from moving to the region from Bosnia without speaking English to building a successful career in healthcare leadership. Along the way, he reflects on the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the leadership principles that helped guide his path. He also shares how the support he and his family received from the local community during those early years shaped his journey and continues to influence the way he leads today. It’s an inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and the power of perseverance - and a reminder that leadership journeys often begin with overcoming adversity and embracing opportunities to learn.

A Career Built on Serving Others

Aaron travels to Marion, Virginia to talk with physical therapist Lindsey King, a recent recipient of the prestigious Scott and Nikki Niswonger Servant’s Heart Award. Lindsey shares what inspired her to pursue physical therapy, why she values a career focused on helping others improve their quality of life, and how her faith and commitment to service keep her centered in her work. Her story is a powerful example of our values in action.

Building for Tomorrow: A Conversation with Chris Jett

To launch our 2026 season, Josh and Aaron sit down with Niswonger Children’s Network CEO Chris Jett. Chris shares his career journey leading up to Ballad Health, why the Niswonger Children’s Network is vital to our region, updates on renovations to Niswonger Children’s Hospital, and the leadership lessons he has learned.

Holiday Special

This episode is a festive B Excellent Podcast Holiday Special! In this episode, the podcast crew - Josh, Aaron, Taylor, Tucker, and Toby - reflect on the origins of the show and revisit some of their favorite interviews, moments, and pieces of advice from across the year. It’s a great listen if you’re looking for inspiration, a few laughs, and some meaningful reminders during this season of reflection.