Linch With A Leader

This month’s podcast features Chris Hogan, who is a part of the Dave Ramsey team.Chris Hogan received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, where he was a star on the football team as he became an All-American. After graduating from college, he transitioned to the coaching side of football while completing his graduate degree. Chris found lots of success in the business world, as he climbed the ladder becoming the vice president of a prestigious company. However, Chris felt the call to do more than sit behind his desk, and watch clients struggle with their finances. Shortly thereafter, he connected with Dave Ramsey and a new career opportunity emerged. Now, Chris helps spread the message of financial hope to audiences all over the country. He is an expert on subjects like mortgages, healthcare, and investing. Chris Hogan is also considered one of America’s leading voices regarding retirement, and has authored the book Retire Inspired.In this episode, our host, Mike Linch, has a discussion with Chris Hogan about the leadership lessons he took away from his time playing collegiate football, his incredible story that led to meeting Dave Ramsey, the lessons America needs to learn about retirement, and the correlation he sees between financial freedom and spiritual leadership.

This month’s podcast features the founder of the L.E.A.D. Academy in Atlanta, CJ Stewart.Stewart was born and raised right in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. Baseball became a part of his story early on in life, and was an outlet that led to the career path he would one day follow. He had the opportunity to play competitively in high school, which eventually lead to a scholarship to play at Georgia State University. After his time as a Panther, CJ was drafted by the Chicago Cubs giving him a chance at professional baseball. Once his playing career ended, it did not end his influence and involvement in the game of baseball. After serving a short time as an area scout, he became the founder and CEO of Diamond Directors. In his years in player development, he has worked with players such as Jason Heyward, Dexter Fowler, and Andrew McCutchen. Stewart is also the founder of a non-profit called L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct). He and his wife, Kelli, have the goal of creating positive outcomes for inner-city youth by engaging the relationships between education, athletics, and service. To date, 100% of L.E.A.D.’s Ambassador Student-Athletes have graduated from high school and enrolled in college, while 92% have received baseball scholarship opportunities. In this episode, our host, Mike Linch, has a deep discussion with CJ Stewart, not only about player development and his passion with L.E.A.D, but the role that race has in it, all from a spiritual context.

This extra podcast features the Head Baseball Coach of Sam Houston State University, Matt Deggs.On top of being a highly successful baseball coach, Deggs’ has also authored a book and frequently speaks in the off-season. He has worked his way up the coaching ranks, finding success at about every stop from Northwestern State to Texas A&M University. Deggs’ teams are known for a ‘Pack’ philosophy that focuses on creating a positive and transformational culture within a team. Most recently, Matt Deggs has helped lead Sam Houston to back-to-back 40-win seasons, and the first ever NCAA Super Regional birth in 2017. Deggs’ has also authored a book entitled 15 to 28, which highlights his journey and the work that the Lord has done in life.In this interview, Mike and Matt Deggs dive into what it’s like to have your identity wrapped up in baseball, the difference between transactional and transformational leadership, the difficulties of dealing with addiction, and how Jesus overcame it all in his life.

This month’s podcast features the founder of inteGrREAT, and speaker/author, Randy Gravitt.Randy Gravitt describes himself as a C.E.O. (Chief Encouragement Officer), who is looking to help leaders grow. After attending seminary, he began teaching and coaching at a local Christian school. He then went on staff at Crossroads Church in Newnan, Georgia. Since then his career in the leadership industry has taken off. Not only has he authored and become a keynote speaker, but he created inteGREAT Leadership, which helps organizations create a culture of leadership that is built off of integrity. Through this, he has worked with organizations such as: Chick-fil-A, Advocare, Arrow Exterminators, the WinShape Foundation, Georgia Southern University, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. In this episode, Mike Linch talks with Randy Gravitt about the journey that has led him to this leadership platform he now has through inteGREAT. Throughout the discussion, Randy talks about the intangibles he sees that make certain leaders great, how leaders apply leadership to all aspects of their lives, tips for young leaders, and resources that Randy uses to grow as a leader.

This month’s podcast features the third base coach of the Texas Rangers, Tony Beasley.Tony has had a long and impressive resume in the game of baseball, with his collegiate career taking place at Liberty University, where he was a teammate of podcast host, Mike Linch. In 1989, he was selected in the 19th round of the MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles. He played professional baseball until 1998, spending his time in both the Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates systems. In his career, he was a two-time Carolina League All-Star and a Southern League All-Star in 1996. He began his managerial career in 2001 with the Williamsport Crosscutter, and garnered back-to-back Low Class-A Manager of-the-Year selections by Baseball America at the helm of the Hickory Crawdads. Beasley began his major league coaching career in 2006, serving as the third base coach for the Washington Nationals. He then spent time between Pittsburgh and Washington, serving in multiple capacities for both organizations. In 2014, he was hired by the Texas Rangers to serve as their MLB third base coach. In 2016, Beasley was diagnosed with rectal cancer, forcing him to miss some of the 2016 season. He was declared cancer-free in December of 2016.In this episode, our host, Mike Linch, catches up with his former teammate and friend about not only the ups-and-downs of professional sports, but also the role his faith plays in not only how he coaches, but how he relied on Jesus in his battle with cancer.

This month’s podcast features sports agent, attorney, and the Founder and President of Kelli Masters Management “KMM Sports,” Kelli Masters.Kelli attended the University of Oklahoma, and was named Miss Oklahoma in 1997. She began practicing Business Litigation in 2000, and became a partner and shareholder of the firm from 2005-2012. Now, she is the Founder and President of Kelli Masters Management, and was named a SuperLawyers Rising Star in 2011 and 2012. She has been noted for her fantastic reputation with not only coaches and owners, but as well with the NFLPA for her work with her professional football clients. In 2014, she was named to the 25 Most Influential Women in Sports by Bleacher Report.In this episode, Mike Linch talks with Kelli Masters about her thoughts on building and leading a legal agency. They also discuss the difference between leadership and spiritual leadership, and how those principles influence her day-to-day work. She also gives advice to athletes on things she has seen in the sports world, as well as her advice to women working in leadership positions.

This month’s podcast features the eighth, and current President and CEO of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Shane Williamson. Shane attended Wofford receiving a degree in biology as well as playing football. He then went on to get his master’s degree from Converse College in secondary education. He started his career as a teacher and coach in the South Carolina school system, and serving as an FCA sponsor at the schools. After 2002, he began his journey with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, eventually working his way up to becoming the President and CEO in the beginning of 2017.In this episode, Mike Linch talks with Shane Williamson about the impact that coaches have had on Shane’s life and why they are such important figures in the lives of young people. He also discusses where the Fellowship of Christian Athletes currently stands, and some of his dreams for FCA.

This month’s podcast features prominent speaker, and author Jon Gordon.Jon Gordon has captivated millions throughout his incredible career as both a best-selling author and keynote speaker. Whether he is speaking to a Fortune 500 company, or professional sports team, his leadership conversations have influenced a countless number of men and women. Jon is a graduate of Cornell University, and received his Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He is also a well-known, and popular author with five of his 15 books becoming best-sellers, including: The Energy Bus, The Carpenter, Training Camp, You Win in the Locker Room First and The Power of Positive Leadership. He is truly one of the positive leadership experts of this generation.In this episode, Mike Linch talks with Jon Gordon about his upbringing and what launched him into the positive leadership culture, searching for your purpose in life, the relationships he’s built through his leadership journey, the importance of loving the people you lead, and some of his projects that he has loved the most.

This month’s podcast features the Executive Director of the NFL Legends Community, and NFL veteran, James Trapp.James Trapp, originally from Greenville, South Carolina, became a household name when he starred as a Clemson Tiger from 1989 until 1993. Not only known for achievements on the football field, but he was also a two-sport athlete with the Tigers, also participating in track and field. Trapp became a 14-time ACC champion and 10-time All-American on the track team, which eventually led to a trip to the Olympics as an alternate for the United States team in 1992 4x100 meter relay. However, many remember Trapp for his play on the football field. He was a third-round selection in the 1993 NFL Draft, to the Los Angeles Raiders, where he spent six seasons in Los Angeles and Oakland. In his time at Clemson and as a Raider, Trapp was known as one of the meanest players in the league, however, when he signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 1999 the Lord began to transform his life. He was a member of the Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars for his last five seasons in the NFL, which culminated with a Super Bowl XXV championship with Baltimore in 2000. After retiring from the NFL, Trapp has served as the team chaplain for the Atlanta Falcons and Clemson Tigers, and then serving as the assistant director of Player Engagement for the Buffalo Bills in 2015. Today, James Trapp, works for the NFL league office, his role is to “lead the league’s ongoing efforts to assist players in successful transition into their post-playing experience,” according to NFL Operations. In this episode, Mike Linch talks with James Trapp about his career in athletics and the lessons he learned, as well as the spiritual transformation that took place in his life while playing for the Ravens. James also discusses how his relationship with the Lord influences his leadership in his life away from playing football, things he learned from Coach Dabo Swinney in his time serving at Clemson University, and his battle off the field after being diagnosed with leukemia.

This month’s podcast features the Lead Pastor of Gwinnett Church, and prominent speaker, Jeff Henderson.Jeff attended the University of Georgia, in Athens, Georgia, where he received his degree in journalism and advertising. He spent the first years of his professional career in the world of marketing. He worked for many prominent companies and organizations such as the Atlanta Braves and Chick-fil-A, Inc., in his 21-year marketing career. After his marketing career, Jeff joined North Point Ministries, and became the Lead Pastor of Buckhead Church. At the time, it made Jeff Henderson, the first lead pastor of a North Point multi-site location. Currently, he serves as the Lead Pastor of Gwinnett Church. Gwinnett Church was the fourth multi-site church plant site made by North Point Ministries. In this episode, Mike Linch gains some great leadership and life insights from Jeff Henderson. They discuss what the role of a North Point multi-site pastor looks like, as well as communication and leadership lessons that he has learned from working alongside Andy Stanley. They also talk about some of the principles that Jeff has taken from his career in marketing, and how they influence his disciplines and culture that they have built at Gwinnett Church. Finally, we learn some personal lessons from Jeff Henderson, and what spiritual leadership looks like and means to him.