Living well takes effort, but it isn’t rocket science.  If you want to make positive change in your life, you must simply get up and start walking in the right direction.  I learned this truth from some hard, personal experiences, but also from the example set by two of the most influential people in my life - my parents. I’ve had extra cause to reflect on this, as mom recently passed into the eternal, and it's been both comforting and inspiring to recognize how the decisions she and my dad made to live well, continue to affect and influence me today. By the end of this episode of ChalkTalk, my hope is that you realize how positive change, no matter how small, can alter the trajectory of your life and those that follow you in ways unimaginable. 

Sometimes what we view as an inconvenience is simply God’s way of putting us back on the right path. In today’s episode of Higher Leading, Crystal Allen shares the story of how a broken shoe on the way to an important meeting led her to the Boys & Girls Club of Dayton.  As the current CEO, Crystal is extremely clear on her vision to become the premiere youth development organization in the region. Some of the topics Crystal and I discuss include the importance of mentorship, pouring ourselves into the development of others, and leading ourselves well so that we can lead others well.  I challenge anyone who listens to this episode to resist being inspired by Crystal’s intensely palpable passion for her work!  

One of the biggest challenges leaders face today is conquering negative thinking. Researchers say that 80% of our daily thoughts are negative!  That means that the majority of our daily thoughts are lies that the devil feeds us to prevent us from being our very best selves. Higher Leaders fight back every single day to check those thoughts, recognize their harm and renew their minds. Join me on today’s ChalkTalk with Jay, as I share some scripture that backs up this belief, as well as the tools I use regularly to make sure my thoughts are TOVO – Thoughts Of Value Only.   

In today’s episode of Higher Leading, Gina McFarlane-El and I talk about the importance of communication in leadership, and how making communication easy between all members of a group or organization should be on every leader’s priority list. We also discuss how “planting seeds” in the minds and hearts of those we lead can yield incredible results! As a college student, the idea of earning a master’s degree was planted in Gina’s mind, and she went on to earn TWO in Public Health and Business Administration. Currently, Gina is the CEO of Five Rivers Health Center where she manages one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in Ohio.

The word visionary can be defined as “a person who thinks about or plans for the future with imagination and wisdom”. I cannot think of a person I know who embodies that definition better than Vanessa Ward. She is the current President of the Omega Community Development Corporation, and a leader behind the new Hope Center in Dayton, Ohio. There are so many insightful and inspiring moments in my discussion with Vanessa. If you want to lead higher, and you need another example of how to do it with incredible success, you will not be disappointed with this episode!

February is Black History month, so I thought it would be the perfect time to speak about servant leadership with a friend from the African-American community.  I met Dr. Edmund Moore less than a year ago, but in that short amount of time, I have been so impressed with his wisdom, humility and faith. Edmund is an accomplished engineer who holds multiple degrees.  He is also the author of several books and serves as Co-Chair of Parity, Inc., a non-profit organization serving and advocating for social and economic equity within the African-American community. In this episode of Higher Leading, Edmund and I talk about everything from racism, to education, to golf, to God!

Today, I am introducing the first of many "ChalkTalks with Jay."  I love interviewing other Higher Leaders, because I learn something truly valuable with each discussion.  But I also have some personal thoughts on leading to the beat of a higher purpose, and so about once-a-month on "ChalkTalk," I want to speak directly with my listeners on some lessons and reflections from my own journey as a Higher Leader. 

In this inaugural episode, I tell a bit of my personal story.  Since 1987, I have been in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.  The one thing that really pulled me back from this lowest point in my life (and frankly, has also sustained me for the 35+ years since) has been learning to live each and every day from the inside out.  Find out what that -- and my favorite acronym, P.E.A.C.E. -- means in this episode of Higher Leading. 

My friend, Tony Miltenberger, is the host of the Reclamation Podcast and the current Director of Leadership and Discipleship at Spirit & Truth.  In this episode of Higher Leading, Tony shares his deeply rooted belief that we are all made by God to live life in intentional community, creating disciples along the way and proving that following God really is a team sport!  Take special care to listen for a creative concept that Tony calls “spiritual grandparenting.”  It’s a theory that really got me thinking about the ripple effect of positively influencing others through higher leading.    

In this episode, I speak with Doug Meyer, CEO of accounting firm, Brixey & Meyer.  It’s no wonder Doug’s organization has been honored multiple times as one of the area’s “Best Places to Work”.  The culture at Brixey & Meyer is extremely employee-centered, and Doug explains how genuine and intentional effort was required to build it.  Doug also shares how striving daily to exhibit his firm’s founding values from the very top, as well as being a vulnerable leader, has helped him create an elite organization with little client turnover.  Keep your ears open for a phrase that self-described, “impatient Doug” whispers to himself multiple times a day, as he relies on his faith to get him through hard times and hard decisions.  Like me, you’re going to find both humor and wisdom in it.  Enjoy!

From the ashes of addiction, Doug Van Dyke found a second chance and built a small business (Van Martin Roofing) that quickly grew into much more than just a professional endeavor. In this episode of the podcast, Doug discusses his mission of providing others in need of a second chance a place to learn, grow and belong.  He explains how waking up every day to focus on the world God desires versus the world he desires allows him to take on the important responsibility of making a positive difference in the lives of others.  Doug’s newest venture, the Emerge Recovery and Trade Initiative, is an exciting new model for substance abuse recovery and workforce development.  (To learn more, visit www.emergerecoverytrade.com). You're going to find Doug and his aspiration to exemplify Jesus in his own daily walk extremely inspiring.