The Community Bank Podcast

Today we feature another backstage conversation from our 2026 Elevate Banking Forum. We sit down with Billy Boughey, keynote speaker and Founder of Elevate Experiences.... and the first ever guest on the Community Bank Podcast! The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today we share a special backstage interview from our 2026 Elevate Banking Forum with Dr. Elliot Eisenberg. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today on the show, Caleb unpacks the top 10 mistakes banks make in their marketing and how to avoid them. Click Here to Book a Marketing Strategy Call with Our Team Donald Miller's StoryBrand Framework: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFDJYdMd1wU&t=242s Previous Podcasts on AI and Marketing: AI Basics for Bankers: https://southstatecorrespondent.com/podcast/ai-basics-for-bankers-with-ben-udell/ Using AI to Personalize Your Bank's Marketing with Karan Bhalla: https://southstatecorrespondent.com/podcast/using-ai-to-personalize-your-banks-marketing-with-karan-bhalla/ The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 of purpose-driven leadership, and why the most successful businesses focus on creating value rather than extracting it. He also explores the role culture plays in organizational success, how leaders build environments that attract exceptional talent, and why truly remarkable brands are willing to make trade-offs their competitors won't. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 also explains how visualization, preparation, and accepting feedback are critical to success in one of the world's most demanding professions. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 banking industry itself. Register for the Elevate Banking Forum here. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 everyone else. Jim also shares practical insights on customer relationships, data-driven growth, and how banks can use modern tools to deliver the personalized experiences customers increasingly expect. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 helped drive adoption rates above Microsoft's benchmark while empowering employees to work more efficiently and expand their skill sets. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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, and affinity. The discussion highlights key themes like decentralized decision-making, the importance of culture, and how leaders can balance growth with maintaining strong local connections. He also shares insights on navigating uncertainty, making high-stakes decisions, and empowering teams through trust and responsibility. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 for the Elevate Banking Forum here. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC SouthState Wealth is a trade name (doing business as) of SouthState Private Capital Management LLC ("SSPCM"). SouthState Wealth represents the collective wealth management departments and subsidiaries of SouthState Bank, N.A. The following content is for informational purposes only. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank, N.A., its employees, or its affiliates. No portion of this content serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from SouthState Wealth. Securities involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal. Investment products and services are not bank deposits, nor are they insured, and are not backed or guaranteed by SouthState Bank, N.A. or its affiliates.

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 expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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, avoiding common pitfalls like over-dominating voices, and ensuring teams stay disciplined in execution. Click Here to Book a Free Strategy Call. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 without authority. The conversation highlights how discipline and structure can coexist with creativity and problem-solving, and why curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn are critical for success early in a banking career. Ultimately, it offers a fresh perspective on how foundational leadership principles can shape future leaders in financial services. Download our newest eBook: The Community Bank Performance Engine! The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 areas like AI, where technology should enhance the human connection. Download our newest eBook: The Community Bank Performance Engine! The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 banks can rebalance risk and reward by moving faster, experimenting more, and treating new initiatives as scalable capabilities rather than one-off projects. Download our newest eBook: The Community Bank Performance Engine! The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 one thing clear: success in the next phase of banking will depend on how well institutions leverage data, adapt their payment strategies, and evolve alongside rapidly changing customer behaviors, especially among Gen Z and small business owners. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

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 the hidden career advantage of strong public speaking and how you as a leader can elevate your own. Click Here to Register for the 3rd Annual Elevate Banking Forum! The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC