#221: Josh Pastner is the current head coach of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels men’s basketball program, bringing with him over two decades of collegiate coaching experience and a reputation for program-building and player development. 

A member of the 1997 NCAA National Championship team at the University of Arizona, Pastner began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Hall of Famer Lute Olson. He later served as an assistant at Memphis under John CaliPERRY before being promoted to head coach in 2009 at the age of 31, where he compiled a 167–73 record and earned Conference USA Coach of the Year honors in 2013. His tenure included four NCAA Tournament appearances and consistent national rankings, establishing him as one of the youngest and most promising coaches in the country at the time.

Following his success at Memphis, Pastner took over at Georgia Tech in 2016, leading the Yellow Jackets to an ACC Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 2021, and earning ACC Coach of the Year in 2017.

After two years as an analyst for ESPN and other networks he is now at the helm leading the Runnin Rebels. 

You can find him on social media @coachjpastner as well as the UNLV men’s basketball program @runninrebels 

Enjoy the show!

#220: Mike Beckham is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Simple Modern, a global producer of premium drinkware and lifestyle products. Founded in 2015 and based in Oklahoma, Simple Modern currently generates a nine-figure annual revenue and is committed to generosity, donating at least 10% of annual profits to nonprofit organizations. Under Mike’s leadership, the company has grown into a category leader for Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, serving more than 20 million customers worldwide.

Mike is a teacher, leader, and entrepreneur at heart. Before founding Simple Modern, Mike began his career working for the worldwide Christian ministry CRU. Equipped with a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector, Mike transitioned into the business world and helped found and operate several e-commerce businesses, which cumulatively generated more than $1 billion in revenue. Mike graduated with a degree from the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business, where he currently serves as the senior entrepreneur-in-residence.

For more on Mike you can find him on social media platforms, mikebeckhamblog.com as well as simplemodern.com 

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#219: Dwight Perry is the head coach of the Wofford Terriers men’s basketball program. A walk-on at the University of Kentucky from 2006 to 2009, Perry played in 19 games and earned SEC Academic Honor Roll distinction.

He began his coaching career interning at the Stanford’s men’s basketball program for 2 years and soon moved to VCU as a graduate assistant and video coordinator from 2011 to 2014, during which the Rams posted an impressive 82–26 record and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. Perry then spent five seasons as an assistant at Furman, contributing to three 20-win campaigns and a shared Southern Conference regular-season title.

Perry joined Wofford’s staff in April 2019, was promoted to associate head coach in September 2021, and stepped in as interim head coach on December 5, 2022. After guiding the Terriers to signature wins—including victories over Texas A&M and UNC Greensboro, and finishing 17–16—he was officially named the permanent head coach on March 21, 2023 

In his second full season (2024–25), Perry led Wofford to a Southern Conference Tournament championship and their sixth-ever NCAA Tournament berth.

On the show he shares his story of growing up, playing at Kentucky, getting into coaching, buy in, a walk on mentality of invisibility and visibility, building a culture of resilience, being authentic, the importance of family, and much more. 

You can find Coach Perry on social as well as Woffordmbb on instagram. 

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#218: Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them.

EPM exists to meet the needs of the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled and unsupported people around the world.

A New York Times bestselling author, Randy has written over sixty books, including Courageous, Heaven, The Treasure Principle, and the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home. His books have been translated into over 70 languages and have sold over 12 million copies.
 
Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for fourteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker.* 

Randy has written for many magazines including EPM’s issues-oriented Eternal Perspectives as well as articles for The Gospel Coalition and Desiring God Ministries.  He blogs, is active daily on Facebook and Twitter, and has been a guest on more than 700 radio, television and online programs including Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, and Revive Our Hearts. 

For more on Randy and his books check out EPM.org as well as where books are sold. 

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#217: Ken Anderson is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history and a cornerstone of the Cincinnati Bengals franchise. Over 16 seasons with the Bengals (1971–1986), Anderson was a four-time Pro Bowler, a three-time NFL passing champion, NFL Man of the Year award winner and the league’s Most Valuable Player and Comeback Player of the Year in 1981. That same season, he led Cincinnati to its first Super Bowl appearance (Super Bowl XVI), setting playoff records and solidifying his status as one of the premier quarterbacks of his generation. Anderson led the NFL in passer rating twice and completion percentage three times, finishing his career with over 32,000 passing yards and a then-record single-season completion percentage of 70.6% in 1982.

In addition to his on-field excellence, Anderson was known for his intelligence, leadership, and innovation, having played a key role in the early implementation of Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1980s and is a member of the Bengals Ring of Honor. Following his playing days, he transitioned into coaching, helping develop quarterbacks for several NFL teams, including a stint as the Bengals’ quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. He coached players like Ben Rothleesburger with the Steelers, helping them win a Super Bowl, as well as Byron Leftwich with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Making an impact off the field Ken Started the Ken Anderson Alliance who mission is to create live, work, and play opportunities for adults with disabilities. 

For more info on his non profit check out https://kenandersonalliance.org/

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#216: Micah Lacher is the President and Founder of Anchor Investments, a Nashville-based real estate investment firm with a mission to become the most generous real estate company in America. Anchor specializes in the acquisition, development, and management of commercial properties across the Southeast and Midwest. 

In addition to his real estate ventures, he leads Mission Hotels, a unique hospitality initiative that repurposes historic church buildings into boutique hotels. These hotels operate with a distinctive model: over 50% of their profits are donated to local nonprofits supporting underserved communities, including organizations like Nashville Rescue Mission and Room in the Inn. 

Prior to forming Anchor Investments, he was a local partner in a regional development and brokerage firm as a developer of new retail facilities and residential communities. Along with a local partner, Micah founded and ran the Nashville office.

Prior to that partnership, he had several successful years in brokerage in the Nashville office of Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, which is now called Cushman & Wakefield. Over the course of the last 14 years, Micah has been involved as the managing partner in the acquisition and development of close to 2 million square feet of commercial real estate.

Beyond his professional endeavors, he is deeply committed to community service. He has held board and volunteer positions with several Nashville organizations, such as the Nashville House Foundation for Young Life, The Halftime Institute, and Redbird Ministries. Micah is also a co-founder of Team Chad, a nonprofit that has raised over $1.6 million for leukemia-related charities since its inception in 2007. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Tennessee, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

For more on Micah you can find him on Linkedin as well as achorinv.com and missionhotels.com 

Enjoy the show! 

#215: Paul Mills is the head men's basketball coach at Wichita State University. Prior to his tenure at Wichita State, Mills served as the head coach at Oral Roberts University from 2017 to 2023. Under his leadership, the Golden Eagles achieved significant success, including a historic Sweet 16 appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament as a 15-seed, making them just the second team in history to reach that stage from such a low seed. In the 2022–23 season, Mills guided ORU to a 30–5 record, an undefeated 18–0 run through the Summit League, and a No. 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament. His coaching prowess earned him recognition as a finalist for the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year award and the NABC’s Skip Prosser Man of the Year honor. 

Before his time at Oral Roberts, Mills spent 14 years at Baylor University, initially as a coordinator of operations from 2003 to 2009 and then as an assistant coach from 2009 to 2017. During his tenure, Baylor made seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Elite Eight and four Sweet 16 berths. 

Mills began his coaching career at the high school level, leading his teams to multiple district championships. He also served as the director of basketball operations at Rice University for one year. Mills is a 1996 graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in finance and completed a Master of Biblical and Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2020.

On the show Coach Mills shares his story of growing up, playing basketball, overcoming a career ending injury, getting into coaching, impact, stewardship, service, hard work, deeds over words, sustaining success, faith, and much more. 

Enjoy the show! 

https://x.com/coachmills?lang=en 

https://www.instagram.com/goshockersmbb/?hl=en 

#214: Doug McNamee serves as the President of Field & Stream, where he is leading the revitalization of the iconic outdoor brand. Since assuming the role he has overseen the return of Field & Stream’s print magazine, the launch of the 1871 Club membership program, and the development of strategic partnerships with cultural figures such as Eric Church and Morgan Wallen. Under his leadership, Field & Stream is being positioned as a modern platform that merges storytelling, commerce, and conservation, aiming to reconnect with a multigenerational audience of outdoor enthusiasts.

Prior to joining Field & Stream, Doug was President of Magnolia, the lifestyle and media brand founded by Chip and Joanna Gaines, where he played a key role in its national expansion. He and his wife were actually featured in the very first episode of Fixer Upper. 

Before Magnolia he was the senior associate athletic director at Baylor University running the Bear Foundation and various other responsibilities. He served as a GA with the Baylor men’s baseball program and was a student manager with the men’s basketball team. 

On the show Doug shares his story, getting into athleitcs, perspective on culture, the importance of listening, humility, confidence, vulnerability, family, faith, and much more. 

For more on Doug check him out on social as well as fieldandstream.com 

Enjoy the show

#213: Casey Woods is the Offensive Coordinator for SMU Football. He just recently helped lead SMU to the College Football Playoff. 

A veteran coach with a strong pedigree in both player development and strategic play-calling, Woods has played a pivotal role in shaping some of the most explosive offenses in college football. 

Prior to joining SMU, Woods coached at powerhouse programs including Auburn winning a national championship, Missouri, UAB, Arkansas State, and Tennessee where he worked alongside some of the best coaches in the game and contributed to multiple high-performing teams. His journey through the coaching ranks reflects a deep understanding of the game, from recruiting and player evaluation to game-day execution. A former wide receiver at the University of Tennessee, Woods blends firsthand experience with a keen football intellect.

Beyond the X’s and O’s, Casey Woods is known for his leadership, communication, and the trust he builds with his players. His presence on the SMU sideline marks more than just a strategic advantage—it reflects a commitment to mentorship, culture, and winning the right way.

On the show he shares his story, the influence of his parents, importance of core values, power of genuine relationships, leadership, care, faith, family, and much more. 

Be sure to follow Coach Woods on X @CoachCaseyWoods

Enjoy the show! 

#212: Mike O’Connell serves as the associate lead pastor at Love Church in Omaha, Nebraska. He is also an entrepreneur, speaker and leadership coach. 

Mike’s story has been marked by overcoming obstacles. After a near fatal football injury in 2004, he turned down multiple football scholarship offers to walk on at Iowa. One week after the decision he was denied admission because he wasn’t in the top 50% of his graduating class, even with a 3.3 GPA. While meeting with the provost regarding the situation, he was told statistics indicated he would fail out in his first semester if they granted him admission.

Knowing failure wasn’t an option, he made the bold decision to walk on at Iowa State. With all the odds against him, he survived three coaching changes and went on to earn a scholarship, become a team captain and earn all Big 12 academic honors.

After one season of professional football Mike decided to lay down his dream of playing in the NFL. He moved from Los Angeles, California to Omaha, Nebraska with no job or place to live. Mike went on to work for Stryker as a medical device representative for two and half years before leaving corporate America to pursue his calling as a pastor.

Mike hosts the Backstage with Mike O’Connell podcast, as well as the Lead Different Experience. 

For more on Mike check him out on social, as well as lovechurch.org  and his website at mikeoconnell.com 

Enjoy the show!