Bonafide Leaders

Tim welcomes Dr. Monica G. Williams, the inaugural president of Texas Woman’s University’s Houston campus. Tim continues his conversation about Leaders From the Brink, exploring how Dr. Williams navigated significant life challenges and developed her approach to leadership. She shares candid stories from her upbringing, including her experience as a teenage mother and the support systems that helped her redefine her path.

Dr. Williams discusses the influence of family, mentors, and community in her development as a leader. She covers mistakes she made early in her career, especially around not demanding the resources needed for her teams, and how these lessons have shaped her current leadership style. The episode also features insights into her work in various educational institutions, the importance of nurturing those who are often overlooked, and her commitment to kindness, grace, and student-centered leadership.

Resources Discussed in this Episode:

Texas Southern University: https://www.tsu.edu/ (her alma mater)

Prairie View A&M University: https://www.pvamu.edu/ (her alma mater)

UNICEF (where she worked) https://www.unicef.org/

Rice University (where she worked) https://www.rice.edu/

Bob Mong, Former University of North Texas At Dallas President (former boss referenced and still prominent in DFW today) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mong

University of North Texas at Dallas https://www.untdallas.edu/ (where she worked)

Texas Woman’s University Main Campus https://twu.edu/

(125-year anniversary in 2026, educating women for the workforce since 1901)

Where Dr. Monica serves as the inaugural President:

Texas Woman’s University, Houston Campus https://twu.edu/houston/

To learn more about Tim and his work, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed

• Dr. Monica G. Williams’ early life, family background, and experiences growing up
• Becoming a teenage parent and the impact on her personal development
• Importance of mentors, family, and community support
• Lessons learned from leadership failures, particularly not advocating for necessary resources
• The role of grace, kindness, and empathy in effective leadership
• Experiences at different educational institutions, including historically black colleges and international non-profits
• The mission and impact of Texas Woman’s University, particularly in empowering women and underserved communities
• Encouragement for leaders to meditate, reflect, and give themselves grace during challenging moments

Tim sits down with Richard Miles to hear his powerful story of wrongful conviction, survival through incarceration, and his commitment to helping others re-enter society. Richard recounts his arrest at age 19 for a crime he did not commit, the 15 years he spent in the Texas prison system, and the persistence required—emotionally and legally—to eventually prove his innocence and regain freedom.

The conversation explores the psychological toll incarceration takes, particularly on those who are innocent, and highlights the role of hope and community. They discuss the importance of support systems both inside and outside prison, and Richard describes how his experience led to the founding of Miles of Freedom, an organization dedicated to supporting formerly incarcerated individuals. The discussion also touches on broader themes of faith, perspective, leadership, and how small acts of empathy can transform lives.

Resources:

The Richard Miles Act https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/pdf/HB01125I.pdf

Movie - Shawshank Redemption summary on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shawshank_Redemption

Movie - Just Mercy summary on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Mercy

Miles of Freedom Non Profit Website https://milesoffreedom.org/ & Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/milesoffreedomorg/

Key Topics Discussed:

• Richard's wrongful conviction and arrest at age 19
• The pre-trial and trial process and challenges of the criminal legal system
• Emotional impact and psychological survival during lengthy incarceration
• The importance of support, hope, and mindset while navigating prison life
• Turning points: discovering exculpatory evidence and regaining hope
• The long legal process toward exoneration and release
• Experiences readjusting to society after release
• The founding and mission of Miles of Freedom
• The role of faith, self-worth, and active hope in overcoming setbacks
• Advice to listeners facing adversity

Tim sits down with Michael Horne, President and CEO of Parkland Health Foundation. Michael shares his upbringing in New York, highlighting the influence of family, the arts, and early experiences with educational inequities that shaped his passion for service and leadership. They discuss Michael’s early professional roles, his transition from education to healthcare, and the key lessons that he’s carried throughout his journey.

In line with this season's theme, the conversation focuses on a major setback Michael faced during his doctoral studies—a near-dismissal from Harvard due to difficulty balancing a full-time job, family, and academic research. Michael explains how he confronted the challenge, leaned on his support network, especially his wife, and developed a disciplined plan to finish his dissertation. Michael also shares reflections on transparency in leadership, the value of failure, and his current work at Parkland Health Foundation, including a call to action for community involvement.

Resources Mentioned:

Parkland Health - https://www.parklandhealth.org/home

Parkland Health Foundation - https://parklandhealthfoundation.org/

KIPP Texas - https://kipptexas.org/

Key Topics Discussed:

• Michael Horne’s upbringing in New York and family influence
• The role of arts and culture in shaping leadership values
• Experiences with educational inequity and tracking in schools
• Career journey: from education to healthcare leadership
• Setbacks faced during doctoral studies at Harvard
• Importance of support systems and transparent communication
• Turning failure into leadership growth
• Practical advice for leaders facing setbacks
• Overview of Parkland Health Foundation’s mission and community impact
• How listeners can support or get involved with Parkland

Tim welcomes Brian Williams, CEO of Perspectivity International, to discuss resilience, personal setbacks, and the journey through crisis during the tumultuous year of 2020. Brian shares his story, beginning with his upbringing in San Antonio, the lessons he learned from his environment, and how these experiences shaped his drive and approach to life and work.

Brian and Tim discuss how the convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, caused a significant personal and professional crisis. Brian speaks openly about the emotional toll of losing business, navigating deep fear for his and his family’s safety, battling stress-induced health issues, and the humbling experience of seeking help. They also talk about humility, truth, and self-awareness as essential pillars for overcoming life's valleys, especially for leaders accustomed to winning.

To Learn More and Connect with Brian:

https://www.perspectivityintl.com/

linkedin.com/in/brianwilliamsurl 

Resources Mentioned In the Episode:

Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/ 

Texas A&M University https://www.tamu.edu/index.html Alma mater

INROADS - https://inroads.org/ High school and college internships

Panic attack resources: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms

The Seven Primal Questions book by Mike Foster: https://www.mikefoster.tv/book

Key Topics Discussed

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his business and family life
• The emotional and psychological strain after the murder of George Floyd
• The physical effects of chronic stress, can lead to a health crisis
• The challenge and importance of seeking help, including therapy and support
• Learning from mistakes driven by fear, including financial decisions
• The process of pivoting his business from in-person to virtual during COVID
• The power of humility and living in truth, especially during hardship
• The significance of community, self-care practices, and spiritual grounding
• Reflections on losing, self-worth, and breaking through old ways of coping

Tim kicks off season 4 alongside co-host Erin Gregor, focusing on the valuable lessons that setbacks, failures, and challenges can teach leaders at every stage of their journey. Tim opens up about his personal experiences, taking listeners through a difficult four-year stretch in his late teens and early twenties when his dream of becoming a professional basketball player unraveled despite his hard work and ambition. He describes the disappointment and emotional toll of missed opportunities and false promises, highlighting how these valleys in his life ultimately led to deeper resilience, self-awareness, and a new direction in business and leadership.

They also discuss how leaders can benefit from reframing their perspective during hard times. Instead of asking "why me," Tim encourages people to ask, "what can I learn from this?" This shift in mindset, he explains, helped him process setbacks and eventually led to breakthroughs in his career and personal growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The importance of authentic leadership and focusing on real impact, not just titles
• Tim's personal story of pursuing a basketball dream, facing repeated setbacks, and learning from disappointment
• The transition from athletics to a business career, and how those lessons shaped his approach to leadership
• The value of reframing how we process setbacks—asking what instead of why
• Insights into resilience, emotional growth, and owning your path, even when it strays from your original plan
• The intention for season 4: to share candid stories of failure and resilience in leadership

Tim sits down with Dr. Ashley Spector, a chiropractor with a diverse background in sports and science, to discuss her journey from being a Navy brat who moved frequently as a child, to a Division 1 collegiate rower, and ultimately to running her own chiropractic practice. Dr. Ashley shares how her early experiences with various sports shaped her understanding of teamwork, resilience, and leadership, and how those lessons have been influential in her business and personal life. She also opens up about the challenges of starting a business, the importance of mentorship, and the skills learned through sports that translate directly into professional and leadership success.

The conversation covers Dr. Ashley’s passion for movement, her holistic approach to health, and her insight on leadership—especially when it comes to empowering and trusting staff. Dr. Ashley discusses how sports taught her discipline, prioritization, the value of "enjoying the suck" in tough times, and the skills she applies daily as a business owner and leader.

To find out more about Dr. Ashley's practice, visit: https://spectorchiropracticdfw.com/index.html

Key Topics Discussed:

• Dr. Ashley’s upbringing as a Navy brat and frequent moves
• Early exposure to a wide variety of sports (gymnastics, figure skating, martial arts, volleyball, rowing)
• Transition into team sports later in childhood
• Experiences and lessons from playing team and individual sports
• Rowing at the Division 1 college level and the discipline it required
• The connection between athletic experiences and her career in chiropractic
• Academic and career pivot from chemistry to chiropractic
• Starting and running her own chiropractic practice
• The business, leadership, and personal challenges of entrepreneurship
• The importance of mentorship in business
• Applying lessons from sports to leadership and managing a team
• Adapting leadership communication styles for different generations
• The role of movement and self-care for business owners and mental wellbeing
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, especially without a business background

Tim welcomes Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, longtime president of Paul Quinn College, for a powerful conversation about leadership, upbringing, and how sports helped shape his leadership style. Dr. Sorrell discusses his formative years growing up on the south side of Chicago, describing a childhood surrounded by hardworking entrepreneurs, a loving family, and rich community traditions. He highlights the unique blend of street smarts and formal education shaped by his parents' entrepreneurial success, especially his father's lessons in both business and life.

Dr. Sorrell shares how experiences in competitive sports and challenging academic environments molded his outlook. He talks about having to navigate environments where he was misunderstood or underestimated, particularly as a student-athlete. The episode explores his transition from sports and law to a surprising career in higher education, including pivotal life moments that led him to leadership at Paul Quinn, and how faith and a sense of calling guided his decision-making.

To find out more and connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Dr. Sorrell’s upbringing in Chicago and family background in entrepreneurship
• How exposure to different environments and cultures influenced his worldview
• The importance of community investment and supporting broader communities, not just personal circles
• Lessons learned from both street smarts and formal education
• His journey through sports: from baseball to basketball, and the impact of coaching (positive and negative)
• The experience of being a student-athlete and the challenges and benefits it brought
• Early professional experiences in law, sports management, and business
• Opportunity with the NBA, decision making, and ultimately choosing to lead Paul Quinn College
• The role of faith, calling, and resilience in leadership and personal growth
• The transformation and mission of Paul Quinn College under his presidency

In this episode, Tim welcomes Charles Bryce, the dynamic CEO of Charlin Health Services and a former Division I soccer athlete. Charles brings a unique perspective from his journey, having moved from the discipline of sports to the demands of business leadership, all while navigating the complexities of running a family-owned, faith-based healthcare organization.

Charles shares his honest struggles with leadership and overwhelm, the lessons learned from years as both an athlete and a clinician, and how coaching helped him develop the habits and mindset to serve both his family and his company more effectively. They talk about the parallels between sports and business, the importance of self-care for leaders, and the power of daily routines—and you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how discipline, teamwork, and even a little bit of soccer strategy can transform your approach to leadership.

To learn more about Charles, you can find him at: https://charlinhealthservices.com/

And his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@charlinhealthservices/videos

You can also connect with Tim at www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• The transition from sports discipline to business leadership
• Charles’ background: soccer career, health care, and family business
• The impact of executive coaching on self-awareness and leadership effectiveness
• Building daily habits and routines (“the daily eights”) for self-care and productivity
• Overcoming overwhelm and building confidence as a young leader
• Parallels between playing striker in soccer and solving business challenges
• Navigating the challenges of family-owned businesses and working with loved ones
• Wisdom shared by mentors and the power of learning from others
• Use of AI in healthcare to improve efficiency
• The importance of giving back through coaching and community involvement

In this episode, Tim sits down with Dr. Conway Edwards, the lead pastor of One Community Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They begin by reminiscing about how they first met and the strong emphasis both place on authentic leadership. Dr. Conway shares personal stories from his upbringing in Jamaica, highlighting the impact sports—especially track and field and soccer—had on developing his mindset around competition, teamwork, and leadership.

As the conversation continues, Dr. Conway opens up about the pivotal role of community throughout his life, discussing how lessons from sports translated into leadership, business, and ministry. He explains how his desire for education was born from both necessity and inspiration and breaks down advice for aspiring leaders, stressing the importance of ongoing learning, character development, and community involvement.

To learn more about One Community Church, visit: https://visitonecc.com/

To get more information about Bonafide Leaders, visit: BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• The importance of community and collaboration over individual achievement
• Dr. Conway’s childhood and sports experiences growing up in Jamaica
• The culture of competition in Jamaican schools and its long-term impact
• Dr. Conway’s role models in sports (track and field, soccer) and outside of sports
• Dr. Conway’s journey to the United States for college through sports scholarships
• Lessons learned from setbacks and doors closing (e.g., missed athletic opportunities)
• Why One Community Church prioritizes community and what that means in practice
• Dr. Conway’s educational journey and passion for lifelong learning
• The connection between faith, leadership, and business within the church
• How to cultivate leadership skills over time (learning, mentoring, immersion)
• Honest discussion about the church as both a spiritual and operational organization

In this episode of the Bonafide Leaders podcast, Tim continues to explore the intersection of sports, business, and leadership by drawing parallels between experiences on the basketball court and in the workplace. Tim shares insights from his journey as a student athlete, focusing on the valuable, transferable skills he developed through sports, such as load management, resilience after losing or failing, perseverance, work ethic, and understanding the nuances of human relationships. He discusses how these skills have shaped his professional and personal life, providing examples from his college years balancing academics, athletics, and relationships, as well as early lessons learned about winning, losing, and maintaining perspective.

The conversation then moves to Tim’s transition into coaching, highlighting the importance of understanding various roles—player, coach, spectator, and official—and how knowing one's current role can be vital for success and growth. Tim recounts his early coaching experiences, from youth camps to running an AAU boys’ basketball team, and details the responsibilities involved in coaching, such as recruiting, practice planning, motivating players, team budgeting, and managing parents expectations.

To learn more or connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

References from the Episode:

Book references:

First Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham

Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni

Movie Reference:

King Richard (Venus and Serena)

Key Topics Discussed:

• The four key roles in sports and how they relate to business teams
• Five essential transferable skills Tim learned as a player:
• Tim’s transition from player to coach and early coaching experiences
• Recruiting and developing talent in both sports and business
• The importance of effective communication and giving feedback
• Handling conflict, negotiation, and adaptability in leadership
• Creating structure and value in meetings
• Continuous reflection and analysis for growth
• Encouragement for listeners to get involved in coaching and leadership opportunities