Linch With A Leader

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!

In Episode 96 of Linch with a Leader Mike sits down with speaker, coach & author Brett Pyle. Brett enjoyed a 30-year global business career with Andersen Consulting, oil giants Amoco & BP, and Vistage Worldwide — living, leading and learning in over 70 countries on six continents. Along the journey, he discovered we’re all created for a purpose and gifted with unique skills, ideas and passions that the world desperately needs! Today, Brett speaks and inspires over 100 times each year — delivering in-person and virtual keynote addresses and conducting leadership development workshops & retreats around the globe — building bridges that connect people to their purpose to deliver breakthrough results that truly matter to the world.Brett says his mission is to, "inspire people and organizations to find and connect to their ‘Extraordinary Why’ (Their purpose) to empower them to make significant, meaningful contributions that truly matter to the world!" This conversation with Brett & Mike is one you do not want to miss!

In Episode 95 of the Linch with a Leader podcast, Mike sits down with Nancy Grace. An outspoken, tireless advocate for victims’ rights and one of television's most respected legal analysts, Nancy Grace was the powerful force behind CNN Headline News’ (HLN) top-rated Nancy Grace. A former prosecutor with an unparalleled record of success, she has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil and Larry King Live, among others, dispensing her firebrand take on the modern justice system. She is the New York Times bestselling author of four books and the executive producer of a on-going series of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries films based on the characters from her novels. In 2011, Grace was named one of the most impactful and powerful women in entertainment by both leading industry trade magazines, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.You can listen to Nancy daily via her Crime Online Podcast , Sirius XM radio show or on Fox Nation. Her newest book is Don't Be a Victim where Nancy shares her passion about fighting back against America's crime wave.

In episode 94, Mike sits down with Jesse Bradley.Jesse is a pastor, former professional soccer goalkeeper (played in Zimbabwe Africa, Aberdeen Scotland, and Minnesota), radio host, author, and speaker. A graduate of Dartmouth College, his curiosity about faith and Jesus began there. In an Introduction to World Religions course, he began to read the Bible for the first time. Jesse graduated with a Master's Degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary.Jesse really enjoys authentic conversations with people of all ages and cultures. After surviving several close calls with death, Jesse is truly grateful for every new day and opportunities to encourage people in their journey and faith. Adoption and God's greater work of unity in the Sound and the nation are close to his heart. Jesse and his wife Laurie have four children and a fun dog named Bella.This is a great conversation about sports, leadership, pastoring and the faith that drives Jesse!

Episode 93 finds Mike sitting down with Dr. Jay Strack, President & Founder of Student Leadership University talking about leadership & the faith journey that Dr. Strack has been on!   Highly acclaimed as a dynamic preacher, Jay Strack has spoken to an estimated 15 million people in his 35 years of ministry in thousands of churches, over 10,000 high schools and hundreds of area-wide, inter-denominational and inter-racial crusades. He has spoken before government entities, corporate groups, and numerous professional sports teams in the NFL, NBA, and MLB and more than 100 universities. Dr. Jay Strack has shared Christ through his message to both Air Force Academy students and faculty, and was the featured speaker for the 1998 NBA All-Star Chapel.Dr. Jay Strack is an effective communicator, author and minister from Orlando, Florida. He has devoted his life to helping people become winners. Having overcome his own drug addiction as an adolescent, he believes, "If I can overcome, anyone can overcome." Acclaimed as a dynamic speaker by leaders in the business and educational sectors, as well as the religious arena, Dr. Strack has spoken to an estimated 15 million people in his three decades of ministry.His organization, Student Leadership University, which is the premier organization of student leadership development.  He has successfully merged the classroom with behind the scenes “edu-tainment” experiences in Orlando, San Diego, San Antonio, Washington D.C., England, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, China and Africa, thus providing a customized environment for learning.

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with Dr. Diane Pearce, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Dr. Diane has provided counseling full time in a private practice setting since 1984. She also provides Clinical Supervision to those seeking a license in the Mental Health industry. She counsels individuals, couples, and families and does so with a practical and passionate approach so that others are equipped to have a positive influence on those they encounter.Diane specializes in relationship and marriage issues, including affair prevention and recovery. In addition, she treats those with depression, anxiety, abuse, and attachment challenges.Diane and her husband have been married since 1987. She enjoys being a wife and mother who is passionate about leaving a Legacy of her own as well as equipping others with the tools that are necessary for them to leave a divinely appointed Legacy.ADDITIONALLY:Diane provides local community development through public speaking engagements and has done extensive radio work including co-hosting the "Marriage and Family Today" radio show on WAFS AM 920 (Moody Radio) for several years. She currently serves as Director and Consultant at Legacy Strategy, Inc. in Kennesaw, Georgia and as faculty at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.Diane has been a Fellow with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy since 1984 and a Clinical Supervisor with the aforementioned association since 2011.

In this episode of Linch with a Leader Mike sits down with a legend in the sports training industry, Chip Smith. Chip Smith, founder of Chip Smith Performance Systems (CSPS) has trained more professional athletes than any other coach or training facility in the world.  He and his staff have trained over 1600 NFL players to date, countless MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and olympic athletes dating back over 30 years.  He has been called the "Godfather" of the sports performance training industry, and continues to train athletes on a daily basis in our Atlanta facility.  CSPS trains and manages programs for all our professional athletes.We offer a wide variety of services for our professional athletes.  Our individual offseason and preseason training programs will prepare you for the rigors of professional sports.  You will get a custom tailored program designed specifically for your needs and goals.  Whether its speed/agility and conditioning, strength training, weight loss/weight gain, comprehensive nutrition, or return to play after injury we can accommodate your every need.

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with leader David Hoyt.  David is a  Principal Consultant for The Table Group and Founder & President of The Principle Group.In partnering with The Table Group, David brings over 20 years of experience in leading people and organizations. Recognized as a trusted advisor for leaders, he is known for his ability to connect with people and think strategically. David is driven to see organizations create healthy cultures and teams where individuals can thrive. He knows that the key to achieving desired organizational results is to develop teams that embody trust, model healthy conflict, display commitment, practice accountability and focus on collective outcomes. Currently, David works with CEOs and executive teams to consistently and effectively apply the concepts captured in all of Pat Lencioni's books. Whether he’s facilitating offsite meetings, or leading a workshop, or coaching leaders one-on-one, David brings a passion for organizational health as well as a practical approach. Prior to partnering with The Table Group, David had the privilege of serving as an executive leader with John Maxwell for 19 years. As part of Maxwell’s inner circle, he ran a significant portion of John's business interests and most recently served as President of The John Maxwell Company. In addition, he’s served as a speaker and trainer for the nonprofit organization EQUIP, where he has led 20 global leadership conferences throughout Europe and South America. David and his wife Lori are blessed with two teenage children and live in metro Atlanta.

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with best-selling author, pastor & leader Mark Batterson to talk about his newest book God Speaks in Whispers! Mark shares how much fun this project was to do with his daughter Summer! Mike & Mark unpack how God only speaks this way to children but also to adults! This is a FUN episode for any leader!! Mark is one of the kindest & sharpest leaders out there!Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. One church with seven locations. NCC is focused on reaching emerging generations and meets in theaters throughout the DC metro area. NCC also owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, as well as the DC Dream Center. NCC is also redeveloping a city block located at the intersection of the Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, and Riverfront neighborhoods. The Capital Turnaround will be a mixed-use space, including event venue, child development center, marketplace, and co-working space. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of 18 books including, The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase and has recently released Double Blessing, Whisper, and Play the Man. Mark is married to Lora and they live on Capitol Hill with their three children: Parker, Summer, and Josiah.

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with legendary football coach Mark Richt. Coach Richt shares his journey through the game of football and also his faith story of how he gave his heart to Christ!Coach Richt's Georgia teams won two (SEC) championships, five SEC division titles, and one ACC division title while at the University of Miami. He was a two-time SEC Coach of the Year (2002, 2005), the 2017 ACC Coach of the Year, and the winner of the national 2017 Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award.Prior to his coaching days, Mark Richt played quarterback at the University of Miami and then was a graduate assistant at Florida State University for hall of fame coach, Bobby Bowden. Coach Richt is currently an analyst with the ACC Football Network.