Linch With A Leader

In episode 124 of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with Pastor, Author, Educator and "Leader of Leaders" Dr. Mark Rutland.  Mike & Dr. Rutland look back at his incredible journey and how God is still using him in big ways in leading leaders.  Dr. Rutland is the picture of "Living Leadership" for leaders at all levels!Dr. Mark Rutland is the Founder and Executive Director of the National Institute of Christian Leadership. He is a New York Times Best Selling author, educator, charismatic leader, businessman and a nationally recognized figure in Christian higher education.He served as the President of two prominent Christian universities from 1999 to 2013. Additionally, Dr. Rutland has served as Senior Pastor of Calvary Assembly of God in Orlando, Florida; and as an Associate Pastor at Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta, Georgia.He is also the Founder of Global Servants, a ministry in Ghana and Thailand. In 1988, Global Servants opened House of Grace. Located in Northern Thailand, House of Grace is a home for tribal girls at risk of being sold into sexual slavery.Dr. Rutland is the author of more than sixteen books including a New York Times Bestseller, ReLaunch. His other books include: Launch Out into the Deep, The Finger of God, Hanging by a Thread, Behind the Glittering Mask, Streams of Mercy, God of the Valleys, Nevertheless, Dream, Character Matters, Power, Holiness, Resurrection, Most Likely to Succeed, and David the Great.Dr. Rutland and his wife, Alison, have one son, two daughters, four grandsons, and two granddaughters.This episode is so full of great wisdom & leadership from Dr. Rutland!  Hope you enjoy!

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with leader Daniel Harkavy who not only leads his company, Building Champions, but coaches some of the greatest leaders in the world!Mike & Daniel not only talk about his spiritual journey but also spend time unpacking his newest book The 7 Perspectives of Effective Leaders!  Here is more on the WHO Daniel is: Daniel Harkavy has been coaching business leaders to peak levels of performance, efficacy, and fulfillment for more than twenty-five years. In 1996 he harnessed his passion for coaching leaders and teams to found Building Champions, where he serves as CEO and Executive Coach. Daniel and his team of coaches have worked with thousands of clients and organizations to improve the way they lead and live.Daniel is a sought-after author and speaker, most recently authoring “The 7 Perspectives of Effective Leaders” which released in October 2020. His book “Living Forward,” a national best seller, was published in March 2016. Daniel also authored “Becoming A Coaching Leader: The Proven Strategy for Building Your Own Team of Champions” in 2007.As an executive coach and trusted confidant, Daniel works with high profile leaders to improve their leadership, decision making, influence, and overall effectiveness. Daniel’s emphatic belief is that self-leadership precedes team leadership, and his goal is to help his clients optimize how they lead themselves first, then focusing on how to best work with their executive teams and all key constituents in their organizations. He engages with clients in many forms including one-on-one executive coaching sessions, executive retreats, speaking engagements and custom experiences.Some of the clients he has worked with include: Daimler, Nike, Chick-fil-A, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Infineum (an ExxonMobil and Shell company), Bank of America, Wells Fargo, MetLife, PrimeLending, US Bank, Northwestern Mutual, Morgan Stanley, Prudential, Merrill Lynch and many others.Daniel lives just outside Portland, Oregon, where he and his wife and family enjoy a little space for gardening and play. Daniel actively serves his community as a member of nonprofit boards and a mentor to those seeking his guidance. His other passions include surfing, snowboarding, and spending time with his family.

In today's episode, Mike sits down with leader & story-teller Bryan Coley.  Bryan is the Chief Imagination Officer of Reel Experiences in Atlanta, Ga.  Bryan used his love & background in film to create a space to help people learn leadership through movies!Bryan said it this way,  "After 20 years working with playwrights and screenwriters, I decided to try out our story development methodologies on "regular people" and that birthed a revolutionary idea called REEL EXPERIENCES. Now, we help corporate teams connect thru their favorite movies, allowing them to see themselves and each other more clearly. During this time of disconnection, we've found a way to create REEL connections."Mike & Bryan walk back into his story and unpack where he is today!  This episode is an amazing one and you will be challenged to lead with your "unique" leadership voice!

In Episode 121 of Linch with a Leader Mike sits down Jeff & Andre' Shinabarger to talk about whether you have to choose between "love & work".  They unpack this couple's newest book along with their journey in life & leadership.Jeff Shinabarger is the founder and executive director of Plywood People, an Atlanta-based non-profit that helps launch and sustain start-ups. He is the author of the book More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity, which challenges readers to become aware of where they have enough and to give away what they have more than enough of, and Yes or No: How Your Everyday Decisions Will Forever Shape Your Life, which gives practical advice for how to make good decisions and say “no” when necessary.Born in Bolivia, André Shinabarger has a deep passion for building community with marginalized people groups. She works for Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta as a Physician Assistant and is an adjunct professor for Emory University and is an Advisor to Plywood People. Together with her husband Jeff, she co-hosts the podcast Love or Work, where they ask, “Is it possible to change the world, stay in love, and have a healthy family?”This is a fun one!  Buckle up & listen in!

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with author, consultant & leader Brad Lomenick. Brad is one of America's greatest thought leaders and his website is a go-to for leaders from all walks of life! From his time at Catalyst to today, Brad has had a front row seat to observe leadership and today spends time talking with Mike about what makes great leaders great!

Episode 119 finds Mike sitting down with Super Bowl Champion and former NFL player, Chris Maragos.  Chris took a crazy road in his travels to the National Football League.  After walking onat Western Michigan and then transferring to the University of Wisconsin as a walk-on, Chris established himself on the field as he moved from wide receiver to the defensive side of the ball.  After concluding his career as a Badger, Chris became an undrafted free agent and ended up winning two Super Bowls with the Seahawks and Eagles while playing in 92 games in his career.Chris was known as a leader on & off the field and was very open about his faith in Christ!  Chris now co-host a phenomenal podcast "Mission of Truth" with Nick Foles.  In today's conversation, Mike talks to Chris about his amazing career journey and lessons he learned on & off the field!  This is a fun one!!

Episode 118 finds Mike sitting down with Christina Hovestadt of the NFL. When she's not working in community relations at the national football league, Christina has dedicated her life to giving back and making a difference; one that empowers those that she reaches to walk in the fullness of who they were created to be. Christina partners with athletes, celebrities and every day people to inspire, empower and equip them to leave a legacy bigger than themselves. Christina is the founder of a seat at the table for women in sports & entertainment, a community of women in sports who are dedicated to equipping and empowering the next generation of female gamechangers through mentorship.As a former collegiate volleyball player, Christina knew the impact that a teacher and coach could have on a student's life. After a brief stint of working in television news, Christina decided to take her passion for the youth into the classroom and on the court as a high school Educator & Coach in Jacksonville, Florida. From passionately teaching students who couldn't pass the state standardized assessment in reading, to showing tough love and motivating players on the court who desperately needed a mentor, encouraging youth quickly became a passion that turned global when she began her work as Executive Director of the Rashad Jennings Foundation - led by former NFL RB and Dancing With The Stars Champ, Rashad Jennings.After branding programs for NFL players around the 32 teams through the RJF, Christina took a leap of faith and moved to New York City in February 2018 to begin her position with the NFL.Christina is passionate about combining her faith with philanthropy and using sports for positive social change. She loves empowering communities with a focus on building and equipping people to live purpose-driven lives. Because she's experienced the impact of sports on her own life, she loves to empower teams & players from around the 32 teams to realize the platform they have to make a difference in communities nationwide. In addition to her work at the NFL, Christina founded A Seat At The Table, who is partners with Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s Mentor Makers Movement, and she was featured on the Nasdaq Billboard in Times Square in New York City. Christina also received the Power of Influence Award during Super Bowl LV week in Tampa, Florida. Christina is a trusted speaker at public and private schools and organizations around the nation.Mike & Christina talk today about not only the journey to get to this point but also the faith that drives her passion to live out her purpose!

In this episode Mike sits with the incredible Pastor of one of America's largest churches, Church of the Highlands, Pastor Chris Hodges! He is the founding and senior pastor of Church of the Highlands. Since it began in 2001, Highlands has grown to have campuses across the state of Alabama, and we’re known for our life-giving culture and focus on leading people to an intimate relationship with God.Pastor Chris has a deep passion for developing leaders and planting life-giving churches. He co-founded ARC (Association of Related Churches) in 2001, which has launched hundreds of churches across the United States. He also founded Grow, specializing in training and resourcing pastors and churches to help them break barriers and reach their growth potential. Chris is also the founder and Chancellor of Highlands College, a ministry training school that trains and launches students into full-time ministry careers.Chris and his wife Tammy have five children and live in Birmingham, Alabama, where Church of the Highlands began. He speaks at conferences worldwide and is the author of Fresh Air, Four Cups, The Daniel Dilemma, and What’s Next?.On today's episode, Mike discusses Pastor Chris's raw and authentic journey which led him to write his newest book, Out of the Cave! This is a must listen for every leader!

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with Mayor Tommy Allegood to talk about his leadership journey and his faith that drives him!TOMMY ALLEGOOD was raised in Atlanta, GA. Tommy is a 1970 graduate of Gordon Military College and served as a cadet in the ROTC program, and is a 1972 graduate of the University of Georgia. When he graduated, he began a management career with Lowe's Companies which has always kept him in the building and development field. His leadership skills have enabled him to bring people together to accomplish goals and objectives as a team.Tommy was elected to the Acworth city council in 2000 and then elected as Mayor in 2002. He is serving in his fifth unopposed term as Mayor where the city has since doubled in population to 24,000 residents. During his first days as Mayor, Tommy developed a “Quality of Life” campaign that has made the city of Acworth the fastest growing city residentially and commercially in Cobb County. Under his leadership in 2010, Acworth received the distinction of "All-America" CityTommy is a member of NorthStar Church, Acworth Business Association, Cobb County Chamber of Commerce Northwest, PTA Partner at McCall Primary and Acworth Elementary, Partner in Education at Barber Middle School and North Cobb High School, Member of the Calvary Children's Home Advisory Board, and serves on President's Advisory Board at Kennesaw State University.With personal expertise in team building, developing leadership, building and project development … Tommy is very active in the local community. He and wife Carol, a local artist and Signature Member of the Georgia Watercolor Society, have restored and live in a 100+ year old home in Acworth. Together they have four children and seven grandchildren.Mike and his good friend Mayor Tommy unpack what it looks like to live out a life of "Faithful Leadership"!

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with the amazing Rebekah Lyons. Rebekah Lyons is a national speaker, host of the Rhythms for Life podcast, and bestselling author of Rhythms of Renewal, You Are Free, and Freefall to Fly. An old soul with a contemporary, honest voice, Rebekah reveals her own battles to overcome anxiety and depression—and invites others to discover and boldly pursue their God-given purpose. Alongside her husband, Gabe, Rebekah finds joy in raising four children, two of whom have Down syndrome. She wears her heart on her sleeve, a benefit to friends and readers alike. Her work has been featured on The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CNN, FOX News, Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review, and more.Mike and Rebekah today talk about the incredible journey of that she has been on of finding the rhythm that God created for her as a follower of His and as a wife, mom and as a leader! This episode is full of so much wisdom from Rebekah's journey!