Linch With A Leader

On this episode of the Linch with a Leader podcast, Mike sits down with one of his heroes, Dr. Dwight "Ike" Reighard. Ike has pastored the great New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, GA and helped oversee their growth from a small country church to the 2nd fastest growing church in the Southern Baptist Convention. After his time at New Hope, he was at FBC Atlanta and then founded NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, GA where he served for six years. Ike then went on to become the Chief People Officer of Homebanc Mortgage Company in Atlanta. The company was voted for four straight years as one of Fortune's Magazines Best Places to Work. In 2006 Ike became the interim pastor of Piedmont Church where he still pastors today. Because of Ike's leadership, Piedmont went from a church in decline to a growing vital part of the East Cobb Community. In 2007 Ike became the President and CEO of Must Ministries, a non-profit ministry located in Marietta, GA. Ike has written four books: Treasures from the Dark, Discovering Your NorthStar, Discovering Your NorthStar Journal and co-authored a devotional with Zig Ziglar called Daily Insights. Ike is married to Robin and has two daughters, Danielle & Abigail and is the proud grandfather of Addison Ruth.Mike and Ike talk about Ike's story, his journey in leadership and how God has seen him through!

In Episode 76 of Linch with a Leader Mike sits down with author, speaker & leadership expert Jenni Catron. Jenni and her team at the 4Sight Group come alongside leaders to help them navigate the complex world that we live in. Jenni not only founded and leads the 4Sight Group but also has been the author several books including Clout:Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence and The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership. Mike & Jenni about not only talk about her extensive background in leadership but also her faith that drives her as she leads. Before her work at the 4Sight group, Jenni had been a founding member and Executive Director of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN. She helped during the growth from 500 to 6000 and helped lead the expansion to five locations. She also served two years as the executive pastor at Menlo Park in California. She was recognized by Outreach Magazine as one of the thirty emerging influencing church leadership.

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with a leader of leaders, Brad Lomenick. Brad made his name with the Catalyst movement and spent over 12 years helping to pour into this young generation of leaders. He interviewed such outstanding leaders such as Malcom Gladwell, Simon Sinek, Rick Warren, Dave Ramsey among many others! Prior to his time with Catalyst, Brad made his name with Life@Work Magazine and did management consulting for the Cornerstone Group. Currently Brad is still convening leaders and doing consulting through Blinc consulting! Brad has authored two books – The Catalyst Leader and H3 Leadership.Mike & Brad talk about not only leadership now but where it is going in this coming generation! No matter what part of leadership you find yourself in, Mike’s conversation with Brad will help you become in becoming the leader that God created you to be!

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with apologist, author, pastor & leader - Lee Strobel. Lee is known for his best selling books: The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, The Case for Grace, The Case for Miracles among many others! They have sold over 14 million copies in total. The Case for Christ was made into a movie as well chronicling his journey from award winning legal editor from the Chicago Tribune to his accepting of Jesus as his savior! Lee was educated at the University of Missouri (journalism) and Yale Law School (Master of Studies in Law).Mike and Lee talk not only about Lee's story but about what he wishes every Christian knew about what they believe!! Lee also shared about his newest endeavor with Colorado Christian University and their Lee Strobel Center of Evangelism and Applied Apologetics. What a way to kick off Easter week with this conversation with one of the world's leading experts on the resurrection of Christ!!

In this episode of "Linch with a Leader' Mike sits down with former MLB manager and player, Clint Hurdle.  Hurdle, a first round draft pick,  was heralded at the age of 20 by Sports Illustrated as a "phenom".  He went on to play 515 games at the major league level with:   Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals.After retiring as a player, Hurdle went on to become a manager of the Colorado Rockies for eight season where he helped guide them to their first pennant in 2007.  After his time with the Rockies, he managed the Pittsburgh Pirates for nine seasons.  In 2013 he was named the NL Manager of the Year.  During his time with the Rockies & Pirates he guided them to 1269 wins.Mike talks to Coach Hurdle about not only his playing career and time as a manager but also about the work that Jesus has done and is doing in his life!

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with legendary college baseball coach Keith Madison. While serving as the head coach of the University of Kentucky for 25 seasons, Coach Madison accumulated 737 wins before retiring in 2003.  His incredible coaching achievements led to his being inducted into three prestigious Hall of Fames:  University of Kentucky Athletic,  Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches  and the American Baseball Coaches Association.  In  2013 Madison was awarded the prestigious Lefty Gomez Award for his contributions to amateur baseball.Since 2006, Madison has served with Christian mission organization, SCORE International, and has helped to lead hundreds of baseball players and coaches on dozens of short term baseball mission trips to the Dominican Republic.Madison is also the publisher of baseball magazine, Inside Pitch. Inside Pitch is the official magazine of the American Baseball Coaches Association.  Coach Madison and his wife Sharon still reside in Kentucky.

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with Pastor & Author Joshua Gagnon!!  Josh pastors Next Level Church which has been recognized as one of America's fastest growing churches.   Next Level Church exists to lead people to life in Christ by being loving, relevant, and life-giving.  His new book, It's Not Over, releases today!  Josh not only shares his story in this work but also shares with the readers how to overcome life's disappointments and learn how to dream again!!

In today's episode, Mike sits down with one of the Atlanta Braves all time greats - Sid Bream.  Sid shares his journey of faith and his passion for the Lord and why it drove him to be the player that he was in the MLB.Sid signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in June of 1981. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1985. He became a Free Agent in 1991 and signed a 3-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. In 1994, he became a Free Agent again and signed with the Houston Astros. In 1995, he retired from baseball.Sid played in four consecutive National League play-offs; one with Pittsburgh and three with the Braves. He has also played in 2 World Series, while playing with the Braves. One was against the Minnesota Twins and the other was against the Toronto Blue Jays. Sid had many memorable moments, but the one that meant the most was sliding home in the 1992 National League Championship Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 7th game.Sid was born in Carlisle, Pa. and raised in Mt. Holly Springs, Pa. He now resides in Zelienople, Pa., with his wife, Michele and his family. Sid is an avid outdoorsman and loves to talk about God's awesome handprint across this world. He attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. He graduated with a Physical Education Major. Today, after baseball, Sid is spends most of his time speaking in churches, youth groups and schools all over America.

In this episode Mike sits down with Sam Collier to talk about his "greater story". Sam is a communicator at Northpoint Ministries (founded by Andy Stanley) as well as the Director of City Strategy for The reThink Group (founded by Reggie Joiner). He is also a nationally syndicated radio host. His radio show is in 45 cities across the country. Lastly, Sam is a top 20 Gospel Billboard producer and founder of No Losing, Inc. – In these roles, he has empowered over 80k young people to have a winning mindset in life to achieve their goals by creatively making education relevant to young people. Sam is an Atlanta, Georgia native! You are going to love Sam's passion for leadership and for Jesus! His podcast "A Greater Story" is a must listen to for leaders!

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with author, speaker & serial entrepreneur Jordan Raynor. Jordan has been starting and leading entrepreneurial endeavors his entire career. Prior to leading Threshold 360, which he is currently executive chairman, he was the co-founder of Citizinvestor, which at the time was the world’s largest crowdfunding platform for government projects. In 2011, his first company (a digital agency for political campaigns) was acquired by the mega-interactive agency, Engage.Throughout his career, he has been invited to speak on faith, work, and entrepreneurship at some pretty amazing places, including Harvard University, SXSW, and TEDx. Twice he has been selected as a Google Fellow and had the incredible honor of serving in the White House under President George W. Bush.His newest book is, The Master of One, which has as it's core premise is that we best glorify God and love our neighbors as ourselves when we find, focus on, and master the work we were created to do.