Linch With A Leader

In episode 106 Mike sits down with coach, speaker, author and fellow Liberty University graduate, Stephon Leary.Stephon Leary has a long tenure of basketball success. Coach Leary's athletic career started as a high school player at Madison High School in Houston, TX and finished at Houston Christian Preparatory (now Faith West Academy in Katy, TX) where he led them to an NACA National Championship.  He went on to play Division I basketball at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia from 1987-1992. His college playing career was cut short due to knee injuries.Coach Leary began his coaching career in 1993 at his high school alma mater, Faith West Academy.  He served as the school's Athletic Director and Head Coach for football, basketball, and baseball. He built a competitive athletic program from the ground up with limited funds and facilities at a time when the high school only went through the ninth grade.  He led the high school girls varsity basketball team to five State Championships and guided the boys varsity teams to two State Championships along with several Regional Championship appearances for both teams.  In addition, he coached the high school football team to become the TAPPS 3A State Champions in 2000. Combining all the basketball teams Coach Leary has led, he has accumulated a record of 532 wins and 166 losses.From 2002-2009, Coach Leary has been utilizing his coaching talent in the collegiate ranks.  He returned to his college alma mater, Liberty University, where he was hired to be the Recruiting Coordinator, manage the strength & conditioning program, supervise skill development, and handle scouting.  He spent three years at Liberty helping the team to a Big South Conference 2nd place finish in 2003, 1st place finish in 2004, and 2nd place finish in 2005.  In 2004, Liberty won the Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA National Tournament.He was then offered the opportunity to become a Head Coach and build a championship program at first year NCAA Division II University, Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida.  He spent two years with his teams experiencing success in beating nationally ranked opponents in one of the toughest conferences in the nation for NCAA Division II.You will love this conversation talking about Stephon's time growing up in Houston to his time at Liberty University..  Coach Leary's passion for young lives, basketball and making a difference is fueled by his love of Jesus!

In Episode 105 of the "Linch with a Leader" podcast, Mike sits down with the legendary Dot Richardson. Coach Richardson is currently the softball coach at Liberty University where she has guide the resurgence of the softball program. Under her guidance, she has led the team to a 216-177 overall record while reaching 40 wins in three of those seasons.Prior to her time at LU, Coach Richardson became a household name in the softball world from her time at UCLA as player and her years of representing the USA in Olympic competition. She was a five time All-American at Western Illinois & UCLA. She helped the Bruins win the first of their 11 NCAA national championships in 1982. For all of her accolades, she was named the NCAA "player of the decade".After her collegiate career, she played in the 1996 & 2000 Olympics and helped the USA win the gold in both! She also appeared in five Pan-American games helping the team win the gold medal in all of them!When she retired from softball in 2000, Coach Richardson began to make amazing contributions off the field! Her story is one of faith, persistence, strength & courage and one that you will really enjoy!

In this episode of Linch with Leader, Mike sits down with former college basketball coach and current ESPN & SEC basketball analyst, Jimmy Dykes.Jimmy Dykes first joined ESPN at the start of the 1995-96 men’s college basketball season as a game and studio analyst, and is entering his 20th season with the company, after serving as the women’s head basketball coach at the University of Arkansas from 2014-2017. He led the Razorbacks to one NCAA tournament appearance and finished with an overall record of 43-49.Prior to his career with ESPN, Dykes played three years at the University of Arkansas, playing for the legendary coach Eddie Sutton.  After his playing career ended, he went on to be a graduate assistant for Coach Sutton. Dykes’ coaching career includes a number of assistant coaching stints from Sacramento State to Oklahoma State. He then spent three years as an NBA scout prior to joining ESPN in the mid 90s. He is the author of the challenging book, “The Film Doesn’t Lie”  which will challenge readers to look at their lives and see if their walk and talk match up.  Every leader will be better for their time in this book! Dykes is also a highly sought after motivational speaker for companies, organizations, sports teams, and faith based groups across the country, challenging audiences to a higher level of accountability and tenacious faith.Coach Dykes and his family still make their home in Arkansas.

In episode 103 of the "Linch with a Leader" podcast, Mike sits down with his great friend Scott Pederson. Scott has spent over 35 years of his career marketing some of the most high-profile events, corporations and celebrities in the world. He has staged a World Series while working with the Kansas City Royals, consulted with the NFL, NBA, NASCAR and Major League Baseball. He has also designed numerous programs for major companies such as Miller Brewing Company, Gatorade, and Delta Air Lines. Scott now focuses his efforts on the marketing and development of a program called Positive Athlete which has given away over $350,000 in scholarships to student-athletes who have overcome obstacles, given back to their communities, or been a positive influence in their schools. Recently, Scott published his "Positive Athlete Book" chronicling some of the greatest stories they have received!Mike and Scott dive into not only Scott's story of business but also into the faith that drives Scott! This a fun conversation!

On this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with author, speaker & podcast host, Davey Blackburn, to talk about his journey.  Davey is the host of the wildly popular podcast, Nothing is Wasted, where he shares not only his journey of grief & hope but also shares the stories of others who have found that God never waste their pain.Davey found himself walking into a nightmare in 2015. He was pastoring a growing church and building his life with his wife Amanda and their son, Weston. Tragedy struck Davey and Weston in an unimaginable way when Davey lost his pregnant wife of seven years, Amanda, during a home invasion. Amanda was shot three times in their home on November 10th, 2015, passing away in the hospital just 24 hours later.Through this journey of pain and healing, Nothing is Wasted Ministries was born, and today Mike will talk with Davey about he not only made it through but how God is using his story to help thousands of others!You do not want to miss this conversation! You will laugh, cry, be challenged but most of all be encouraged that God will never waste your story!

In episode 101, Mike sits down with Randy Gravitt. Randy is an exceptional leader and has been leading for over 30 years. Through his company InteGreat Leadership, Randy has been coaching and leading organizations and teams to be their very best and be at the top of their game. Some of his clients have included: Kroger, Grand Hyatt, Pittsburgh Pirates, Buffalo Bills, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Chick-Fil-A among many others! Randy has begun to share his passion for leadership on his new podcast, The Randy Gravitt Leadership Podcast and his YouTube Channel. Today, Mike and Randy talk about all aspects of leadership and how leaders lead and keep their teams moving in the same direction! Such a fun conversation!

In Episode 100, Mike sits down with one of his biggest influences in the area of Spiritual Leadership, Dr. Richard Blackaby! Dr. Blackaby serves as the President of Blackaby Ministries International and has served in that role since 2006. He has authored or co-authored over 36 books such as: Spiritual Leadership, Experiencing God, The Seasons of God Dr. Blackaby not only travels the country speaking but is a coach to many Christian CEO's and business leaders. He also has a popular leadership podcast entitled "The Richard Blackaby Leadership Podcast". He and his wife, Lisa, have three adult children and six grandchildren. They live in Atlanta, GA.

In episode 99 of the Linch with a Leader Podcast, Mike sits down with leader Molly Fletcher.  Molly is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. From her years as a sports agent with client representation in the sports and entertainment market where she earned the moniker "the female Jerry McGuire" to her work as a corporate speaker and podcast host, Molly is a different maker in this generation!Her podcast, Game Changers, has some of the greatest leaders in the business and athletic market! Molly is the author of four books: Fearless At Work; A Winner’s Guide to Negotiating; The Business of Being the Best; and The 5 Best Tools to Find Your Dream Career.Today on the podcast , Mike will talk about lessons learned in leadership and also her newest book The Energy Clock.

In Episode 98 Mike sits down with Toni Nieuwhof to talk about her newest book Before You Split.  Toni Nieuwhof is a family law mediator and former divorce attorney. She is the wife of Carey Nieuwhof, who is an influential leadership author, podcast host, and international speaker. Toni and Carey often speak publicly about their marriage of more than three decades. In her downtime, Toni enjoys outdoor sports and spending time with Carey, their two grown sons, and their extended family and friends.In this conversation, Mike and Toni talk about the stresses and strains of marriage but also the hidden benefits of staying together and "working" it out!  Toni brings such a great perspective not only as a family law mediator but also as a church planter's spouse.  No matter where you find yourself, this conversation will be incredibly powerful for you to hear & share!

In Episode 97 of the Linch with a Leader Podcast, Mike sits down with eight time MLB All-Star and four time World Series Champion Darryl Strawberry to talk about his new book Turn Your Season Around. Darryl not only shares the stories of his time in the MLB with the Mets, Dodgers, Giants & Yankees but also his story of the pains he experienced off the field.Darryl Strawberry is described as a baseball legend by many who have been dazzled by the dynamics of his game. His many accomplishments in the major leagues include four World Series titles, eight All-Star Game appearances, and a nomination to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.He has earned the legendary nicknames and phrases of one of the most feared homerun hitters in the game of baseball: Straw’s Sweet Swing, Strawberry’s Field Forever, and The Legendary Straw Man! Darryl hit 335 homeruns in his MLB career.Though Darryl was extremely successful in his career, his personal life was plagued with addictions, abuse, divorces, cancer, jail time, and other issues. Darryl finally found true redemption and restoration in Jesus Christ. Today, Darryl’s purpose and passion is serving the Lord Jesus Christ by traveling the country, speaking a message of hope and restoration through the power of the gospel.He is the author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller, Straw: Finding My Way (with John Strausbaugh), Don’t Give Up on Me: Shining Light on Addiction with Darryl Strawberry (with Shawn Powell), and The Imperfect Marriage: Help for Those Who Think It’s Over with his wife, Tracy Strawberry. In 2011 Darryl and Tracy founded Strawberry Ministries, and they use their global reach to restore the multitudes through spiritual and practical life applications.This conversation has some baseball but lots of God's love and His unwillingness to ever quit on us! Pull up a chair and listen in!