Welcome to another episode of the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast. This week we head west to Texas and sit down with leadership author and speaker Stephen Mackey. The episode kicks off with Mackey outlining his "6 Habits of Championship Character," a blueprint for cultivating student-athletes who pursue excellence in every aspect of life. He shares insights on whether these habits follow a specific order and which habit he believes is the essential starting point when developing champions from scratch.

We close with a discussion on excellence — what it truly means, why it is a non-negotiable for leaders, and why so many people settle for less rather than choosing to pursue excellence consistently.

Whether you're an athletic director, coach, educator, or leader in any space, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, authentic encouragement, and actionable strategies for shaping the next generation of leaders. Let’s settle in and get to know Stephen Mackey

Welcome to a special Masters Week edition of the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast. Today we have the distinct honor of sitting down with a man who stands at the helm of one of the most revered institutions in all of sports—Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club.

In this conversation, recorded just days before the azaleas bloom and the world turns its eyes to Augusta, Chairman Ridley takes us inside the inner workings of an event that has become synonymous with tradition, excellence, and vision. We explore what it truly means to lead an organization where the standard is not just maintained—but raised year after year.

We’ll talk about the discipline it takes to manage time when the calendar never slows down, how to lead with purpose at the highest level, and what it takes to turn long-term vision into reality while honoring a legacy that spans generations.

Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, a leader, or simply someone inspired by excellence—you’re in for a rare glimpse behind the green curtain. Let’s settle in and get to know Chairman Fred Ridley.

Today we stay closer to home and sit down with author and speaker Clay Scroggins. His book “How to Lead When You're Not in Charge” is a must for anyone whether they are in a position of leadership or not. Everyone answers to someone, and Clay left us with some great nuggets as we all look to get better in the space and place, we are in currently. Let’s settle in and get to know Clay Scroggins.

Today we stay a little closer to home but revisit the college ranks and sit down with Jim Peeples who serves as the Director of Athletics at Piedmont College in Demorest, GA. Jim is a product of being surrounded by some of the best in the business when he was younger, and he talks about how it shaped him into the leader he is today. He is an intentional servant leader and he left us with some great leadership lessons in this conversation. Let’s settle in and get to know Coach Jim Peeples.

Today is the first for the podcast as we head to South Dakota and sit down with retired AD Joey Struwe. We discuss his military service and how it influenced his leadership as an AD and how, as leaders, we must continually place a focus on the “little things” in order to lead effectively. Let’s settle in and get to know Joey Struwe. 

Today we sit down with Benj Miller who is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, podcast host, and the Co-Founder and CEO of System and Soul, which is a business leadership development company. We talk about the common principles between the athletic and business worlds, the rewarding of failure amongst those we lead and understanding that success is not a straight line. Let’s settle in and get to know Benj Miller.

Today we head back to the great state of Oklahoma and sit down with Amanda Snider who serves as the Deputy Director of Athletics at Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She spoke about the importance of always doing your best because you never know who is watching and the demands the AD position can place on both your work and home families. Let’s settle in and get to know Amanda Snider. 

Welcome to season 6 of the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast. We kick off this season with a top tier AD in the country in Emily Barkley of Union High School or Tulsa Union in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Emily talks about the power of the team that surrounds any athletic leader and the role they play in the success of the overall department and the support they provide the leader in any building. She also speaks to the power of alumni coming back to coach and work at their alma mater and how powerful that can be to the school community. Let’s kick off season 6 and get to know Mrs. Emily Barkley.

We wrap up 2024 with a great conversation with retired athletic director Jean Ashen. The long-time athletic director at North Salinas High School in Salinas, California, Jean talks to us about the close friendships that are made in the athletic administrator community, leading through change, and being an impactful leader to those we serve daily. Let’s settle in and get to know Jean Ashen.

Today we sit down with the last piece of the Pure Athlete podcast in former athletic director and co-founder of Pure Athlete Brad Williams. We talk about marketing your program to your community and building your brand both inside and out with vison and hard work. Let’s settle in and get to know Mr. Brad Williams.