Episode 118 finds Mike sitting down with Christina Hovestadt of the NFL.

When she's not working in community relations at the national football league, Christina has dedicated her life to giving back and making a difference; one that empowers those that she reaches to walk in the fullness of who they were created to be. Christina partners with athletes, celebrities and every day people to inspire, empower and equip them to leave a legacy bigger than themselves.
Christina is the founder of a seat at the table for women in sports & entertainment, a community of women in sports who are dedicated to equipping and empowering the next generation of female gamechangers through mentorship.

As a former collegiate volleyball player, Christina knew the impact that a teacher and coach could have on a student's life. After a brief stint of working in television news, Christina decided to take her passion for the youth into the classroom and on the court as a high school Educator & Coach in Jacksonville, Florida. From passionately teaching students who couldn't pass the state standardized assessment in reading, to showing tough love and motivating players on the court who desperately needed a mentor, encouraging youth quickly became a passion that turned global when she began her work as Executive Director of the Rashad Jennings Foundation - led by former NFL RB and Dancing With The Stars Champ, Rashad Jennings.

After branding programs for NFL players around the 32 teams through the RJF, Christina took a leap of faith and moved to New York City in February 2018 to begin her position with the NFL.
Christina is passionate about combining her faith with philanthropy and using sports for positive social change. She loves empowering communities with a focus on building and equipping people to live purpose-driven lives. Because she's experienced the impact of sports on her own life, she loves to empower teams & players from around the 32 teams to realize the platform they have to make a difference in communities nationwide.
In addition to her work at the NFL, Christina founded A Seat At The Table, who is partners with Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s Mentor Makers Movement, and she was featured on the Nasdaq Billboard in Times Square in New York City. Christina also received the Power of Influence Award during Super Bowl LV week in Tampa, Florida.

Christina is a trusted speaker at public and private schools and organizations around the nation.

Mike & Christina talk today about not only the journey to get to this point but also the faith that drives her passion to live out her purpose!

In this episode Mike sits with the incredible Pastor of one of America's largest churches, Church of the Highlands, Pastor Chris Hodges! He is the founding and senior pastor of Church of the Highlands. Since it began in 2001, Highlands has grown to have campuses across the state of Alabama, and we’re known for our life-giving culture and focus on leading people to an intimate relationship with God.
Pastor Chris has a deep passion for developing leaders and planting life-giving churches. He co-founded ARC (Association of Related Churches) in 2001, which has launched hundreds of churches across the United States. He also founded Grow, specializing in training and resourcing pastors and churches to help them break barriers and reach their growth potential. Chris is also the founder and Chancellor of Highlands College, a ministry training school that trains and launches students into full-time ministry careers.

Chris and his wife Tammy have five children and live in Birmingham, Alabama, where Church of the Highlands began. He speaks at conferences worldwide and is the author of Fresh Air, Four Cups, The Daniel Dilemma, and What’s Next?.

On today's episode, Mike discusses Pastor Chris's raw and authentic journey which led him to write his newest book, Out of the Cave! This is a must listen for every leader!

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with Mayor Tommy Allegood to talk about his leadership journey and his faith that drives him!

TOMMY ALLEGOOD was raised in Atlanta, GA. Tommy is a 1970 graduate of Gordon Military College and served as a cadet in the ROTC program, and is a 1972 graduate of the University of Georgia. When he graduated, he began a management career with Lowe's Companies which has always kept him in the building and development field. His leadership skills have enabled him to bring people together to accomplish goals and objectives as a team.

Tommy was elected to the Acworth city council in 2000 and then elected as Mayor in 2002. He is serving in his fifth unopposed term as Mayor where the city has since doubled in population to 24,000 residents. During his first days as Mayor, Tommy developed a “Quality of Life” campaign that has made the city of Acworth the fastest growing city residentially and commercially in Cobb County. Under his leadership in 2010, Acworth received the distinction of "All-America" City

Tommy is a member of NorthStar Church, Acworth Business Association, Cobb County Chamber of Commerce Northwest, PTA Partner at McCall Primary and Acworth Elementary, Partner in Education at Barber Middle School and North Cobb High School, Member of the Calvary Children's Home Advisory Board, and serves on President's Advisory Board at Kennesaw State University.

With personal expertise in team building, developing leadership, building and project development … Tommy is very active in the local community. He and wife Carol, a local artist and Signature Member of the Georgia Watercolor Society, have restored and live in a 100+ year old home in Acworth. Together they have four children and seven grandchildren.

Mike and his good friend Mayor Tommy unpack what it looks like to live out a life of "Faithful Leadership"!

In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with the amazing Rebekah Lyons. Rebekah Lyons is a national speaker, host of the Rhythms for Life podcast, and bestselling author of Rhythms of Renewal, You Are Free, and Freefall to Fly. An old soul with a contemporary, honest voice, Rebekah reveals her own battles to overcome anxiety and depression—and invites others to discover and boldly pursue their God-given purpose. Alongside her husband, Gabe, Rebekah finds joy in raising four children, two of whom have Down syndrome. She wears her heart on her sleeve, a benefit to friends and readers alike. Her work has been featured on The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CNN, FOX News, Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review, and more.

Mike and Rebekah today talk about the incredible journey of that she has been on of finding the rhythm that God created for her as a follower of His and as a wife, mom and as a leader! This episode is full of so much wisdom from Rebekah's journey!

In this episode of "Linch with a Leader" Mike sits down with author Ethan Bryan and talks about his newest book "A Year of Playing Catch". Ethan D. Bryan is a storyteller whose narratives explore what it means to live a good story.

At the age of six, he lost all of his hair due to an immune-system disorder called alopecia. Ethan knows about overcoming personal obstacles and being bullied. He also understands the power of hope, persevering through hundreds upon hundreds of manuscript rejections.

The author of ten books, his writings earned him an opportunity to speak at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, an invitation to the White House for the Royals World Series championship, and endorsements from several former MLB players including Jim “The Rookie” Morris.

Ethan has appeared ever so briefly in an ESPN 30-for-30 (#BringBackSungWoo) and as a background ballplayer in an Emmy-award winning documentary (First Boys of Spring). He still dreams of playing baseball (throwing out a first pitch) for his beloved KC Royals.

A major fan of both Dr Pepper and donuts, Ethan was one of the best benchwarmers on his high school junior varsity baseball team.

Ethan played catch every single day of 2018, an effort that came to be known as Catch 365. He documented the whole journey through a daily blog. Day #1 can be found here.

During this episode, Mike & Ethan talk about not only his year spent playing catch but also the lessons learned in the process!

In episode 113 of LInch with a Leader, Mike sits with Bill Purvis who is a best-selling author, coach, and speaker. Bill began as a pastor to a church of 32 people on Easter Sunday and guided this ministry at Cascade Hills Church to exceeding over 10,000 people in attendance for the last 5 Easter services of his leadership. Since 2015, Cascade Hills Church has baptized a new believer every single day of the week.

Bill has been growing leaders for over 36 years. He is the founder of BP Leadership, a leadership development company that provides monthly leadership material for personal growth to people all around the world and has done so for the past 17 years. The company has also launched its very own podcast, The BP Leadership Podcast, on all major streaming services.

Bill has had the honor of being selected to speak at his friend and mentor, John C. Maxwell’s “Challenge 1000” for two years. You also may have seen him on Fox & Friends, USA Radio Network “Point of View”, 100 Huntley Street, and The Leon Show International, to name a few.
He has been a guest speaker at the following corporate events; Restaurant Concepts, Inc., Goodwill Industries International, and many more. He also has been featured in Solutions Magazine, Shattered, Charisma, and others.

His books The Emotion Driven Life, Pray for Your Pastor, and Make a Break For It have all been widely read, with the latter one being a best seller.

Bill’s main career goal is to add value to people’s lives by providing proven leadership and life tools as well as pouring his passion for leadership into others.

In this episode, Mike will talk with Bill not about leadership but how Jesus has led him each step of the way! Buckle up for this powerful episode!

Episode 112 finds Mike sitting down with author, speaker, leader and good friend Kit Cummings.  Kit is passionate about making a difference in this generation.

In 2010 Kit founded the Power of Peace Project. Using the experience he gained resolving conflict in some of the most dangerous areas in the world, he applies his principles to bring about change in prisons, schools, corporations and the faith-based community. On MLK Day 2020, Kit was recognized by the NAACP receiving their Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Award for his contribution to civil rights and his work with at-risk youth and prison reform. He was also appointed to the Georgia House of Representatives Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission as a result of the passing of the anti-gang bill HB750 under Chairman Rep. Carl Gilliard. The majority of Kit’s work now focuses on interrupting and redirecting at-risk youth.

Kit has been in over a hundred prisons, jails, detention centers, and rehab facilities and worked with over ten thousand prisoners and offenders. He has journeyed on tours through Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, and has negotiated peace between some of the most notorious gangs inside the U.S. prison system. He delivered an address about his powerful peace projects at the Gandhi Global Peace Summit in Durban, South Africa to representatives from the Gandhi, King, and Mandela organizations, as well as other iconic peacemakers from around the world. Kit has taken his Forty Days to Freedom program into dangerous La Mesa prison in Tijuana, Mexico to teach prisoners nonviolence, as well as working with addicts and at-risk youth in some of the toughest areas of that cartel war-torn border city. Kit has planted seeds of peace all around the world.

Kit has authored six books, including the award-winning Peace Behind the Wire, a Nonviolent Resolution which has been endorsed by the King Family. His latest book, The New Convict Code, Bringing Peace to the Streets from Behind the Wire, flips the script on prison reform and aims to shatter the pipeline from schools to prisons.

Mike & Kit talk about Kit's journey with the Lord and his passion to change lives!

Today, Mike sits down with Pastor, Podcast Host & Author Rusty George.  Rusty pastors the dynamic Real Church in Southern California and also is the host of the popular podcast, Leading Simple with Rusty George. 

Beyond leading his church of 6,000+ members every weekend, Rusty is a global speaker, leader and teacher focusing his message on helping people find and follow Jesus. Rusty has also written several books and writes regularly here at pastorrustygeorge.com.  Today, Mike & Rusty talk about his journey in leadership and his newest book "After Amen"

Aside from being a loyal Chiefs, Royals and Lakers fan, Rusty is first and foremost committed to his family. Rusty has been married to his wife, Lorrie, for over twenty years and they have two daughters, Lindsey and Sidney. As a family they enjoy walking the dogs, watching the Food Network and playing board games together.

Episode 110 finds Mike sitting down with author & speaker Daniel Ritchie. Daniel has spent his life being an overcomer and his story will inspire you in huge ways!

Daniel was born without arms and spent the majority of my life being told that he was a hopeless mistake and woefully insufficient to lead a full life.  Yet, at the age of 15, God used a preacher to tell him of God’s love and that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139).  His overcoming faith began when he asked Christ into his heart!

After coming to know Christ, Daniel gave his life to going into full-time Christian ministry.  He has traveled the country speaking & teaching to not churches and conferences but also to corporate events and sports teams.  His first book, My Affliction For His Glory, released in April 2018 and his second book is set to release in late 2021.

Daniel is married to his wife Heather and they have two amazing children: Teague and Elliott.  Daniel and Mike will talk today about his journey and how his faith has driven him to who he is today!

In this episode of the Linch with a Leader podcast, Mike sits down with Audrey LeClair. Audrey is the daughter of legendary college baseball coach, Keith LeClair. LeClair began his college head coaching career at Western Carolina and then spent his next seasons at East Carolina University. From 1992-2002, LeClair collected 441 wins.

Coach LeClair spent his final years battling ALS. Audrey, in this episode, shares her memories of her father and encourages everyone to donate to help find a cure to this dreaded disease. Her faith and lessons learned from her dad will inspire you to be your best and live your life to its fullest! Audrey is currently in medical school.