Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome New York Times bestselling author Paul Young. Originally written as a Christmas gift for his children, The Shack has gone on to sell more than 25 million copies, and became a major motion picture starring Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, and Tim McGraw. Paul's journey is anything but conventional. Raised among a Stone-Age tribe in the highlands of New Guinea, he later worked three jobs while writing The Shack on a commuter train. After twenty-six publishers rejected the book, he and two friends self-published it with just three hundred dollars in marketing — and watched it become one of the most-read books of the 21st century. The real story behind The Shack is the eleven-year unraveling that came before it — a story of failure, forgiveness, and the kind of grace that only shows up when you've stopped pretending. Join us as we talk about leading through hidden pain, the cost and freedom of forgiveness, and his long-awaited sequel, Return to the Shack.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:12 Paul Young Intro

01:06 Welcome Paul Young

01:25 Paul’s Journey - A Rough Start

03:43 Bringing Troubles Into Marriage

05:21 Seeking Help And Healing

07:23 The Birth Of The Shack

09:40 Longing For Authenticity

11:19 Living Out That Authenticity

13:40 Advice For Those On The Path To Rock Bottom

15:37 Mending His Relationship With His Father

16:43 How To Live Without Expectations

19:08 Dangers Of Hiding Behind A False Persona

20:52 Being Remembered Only For Your Worst Day

23:33 The Themes Behind The Shack

25:14 From Christmas Gift To Best Seller

27:21 The Impact Of The Shack

29:07 Unrighteous Wealth Vs. Self Giving

30:54 The Film Adaptation

33:04 The Right Time To Give Away The Movie

35:11 Return To The Shack

36:57 Death Row And The Sequel

39:19 “Our Prison Is Obvious”

41:22 A Journey Into Redemption

43:54 Living A Life Of Gratitude And Forgiveness

46:15 Ten Rapid-Fire Questions

48:34 Importance Of A Servant Leadership Podcast

49:06 Closing

Learn more about Paul here:

https://wmpaulyoung.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-paul-young-podcast/id1733287109

Preorder Return to the Shack:

https://www.amazon.com/Return-Shack-Journey-into-Redemption/dp/154600887X

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

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Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome Jimmy Song. Jimmy is one of the most respected voices in the Bitcoin world and known to many as the Bitcoin cowboy. After years in the startup space, he made the jump into Bitcoin early and has since become a developer, educator, and author dedicated to helping people actually understand Bitcoin. He is the author of multiple books, including Programming Bitcoin, Thank God for Bitcoin, and FIAT Ruins Everything. What makes Jimmy's perspective stand out is that he does not talk about Bitcoin simply as a technology or an investment. He talks about money as a moral issue, about Bitcoin as a human rights tool, and about sound money as a form of stewardship. Join us as we talk about how Bitcoin works, why it's different from the money most of us use every day, and the practical first steps for people who want to understand Bitcoin and blockchain.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:29 Jimmy Song Intro

01:21 Welcome Jimmy Song

01:29 Jimmy’s Journey - The Bitcoin Cowboy

02:54 What Is Bitcoin?

06:25 Why Make The Jump?

09:57 Bitcoin vs. Standard Currency

12:18 A Fixed Supply

14:58 How Bitcoin Holds Value

18:13 The Advantage Of An Absolutely Scarce Currency

20:21 Morals And Money

21:24 Historical Analysis Of Currency

23:41 Morality With Vulnerable Currency

28:02 Bitcoin As A Human Rights Tool

31:37 Bitcoin As A Tool For Stewardship

34:41 Faith And Bitcoin

36:21 A More Subtle Approach

37:07 Application To Sharing Faith

40:35 A Tight-Knit Community In Bitcoin

43:44 Bitcoin vs. Altcoins

45:41 Double-Edged Sword Of Centralization

47:16 Unpredictability Of Market Response

49:41 How To Get Into Bitcoin Today

53:18 Ten Rapid-Fire Questions

55:34 Importance Of A Servant Leadership Podcast

56:59 Closing

Learn more about Jimmy here:

https://jimmysong.org/

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servant-leadership-podcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/servant_podcast

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. All views and opinions expressed by the host are solely his own. Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investments are highly volatile and involve significant risk. Always do your own research and consult with a licensed professional before making any financial decisions.

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome Jeremie Kubicek, co-founder of GiANT Worldwide and one of the most recognized thought leaders in the leadership development space. Jeremie is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose work has shaped how executives, teams, and organizations around the world think about influence, communication, and self-awareness. His books, including 5 Voices, 5 Gears, and The 100X Leader, have given leaders practical, visual frameworks to become more effective at home and at work. His newest book, The Voice-Driven Leader, takes everything he's learned about developing people and distills it into a modern playbook for leaders who want to bring out the best in the voices around them. In this episode, Jeremie unpacks how the Peace Index can transform the way you lead yourself before leading others, and what a modern, balanced approach to servant leadership actually looks like in practice. Join us as Jeremie shares why great leaders learn to both challenge and support the people around them and how great cultures are built by making sure every voice is heard.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:20 Jeremie Kubicek Intro

01:23 Welcome Jeremie Kubicek

01:27 Jeremie’s Journey - Authentic Thought Leadership

02:58 Servant Leadership - The Voice-Driven Leader

04:58 The 5 Voices - Finding Your Voice

06:15 The 5 Gears

08:18 How Objective Language Mitigates Drama

10:34 The Peace Index

11:51 The 5 Components To Peace

15:47 Servant Leadership - Support Matrix

18:32 Elevating Challenge Positively

19:34 How To Avoid Being Passive

22:46 The 5 Voices And AI

24:46 Visualizing Information

27:15 The 100X Leader Toolkit

28:24 How To Narrow An Idea Into A Visual Tool

28:55 The Duality Of Influence

32:57 When Do You Adjust To Others

34:37 Implementing The 5 Voices

36:59 Avoiding A Business Inside A Business

38:57 Ten Rapid-Fire Questions

41:58 Importance Of A Servant Leadership Podcast

43:43 Closing

Learn more about Jeremie or take the 5 Voices Assessment here:

https://www.jeremiekubicek.com/

https://5voices.com/

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servant-leadership-podcast/

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Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome Dr. Everett Piper, President Emeritus of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and the best-selling author of Not a Day Care: The Devastating Consequences of Abandoning Truth. For seventeen years, Everett led Oklahoma Wesleyan from relative obscurity and the brink of financial collapse to a position of national recognition and influence, eliminating the school's debt, more than doubling its revenue, and completing over $17 million in capital improvements along the way. At the heart of that turnaround were his Four Ps — the Primacy of Christ, the Priority of Scripture, the Pursuit of Truth, and the Practice of Wisdom — a framework that shaped every decision he made and every challenge he faced as a leader. Everett gained national attention in 2015 when his viral essay, "This Is Not a Day Care. It's a University!," sparked a cultural conversation about courage, conviction, and what it truly means to educate the next generation. A recipient of the Jeane Kirkpatrick Award for Academic Freedom and a columnist for The Washington Times, Everett has built his life's work around leading with clarity and standing firm when it's easier to stay silent. Join us as we talk about leading with boldness, knowing when to step into the gap, and how to finish well when it's time to hand the baton to the next leader.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:42 Everett Piper Intro

01:57 Welcome Everett Piper

02:51 Everett’s Journey - Road To Oklahoma Wesleyan

04:29 Turning Down The Offer

06:05 Inheriting Failure As A Blessing

07:13 Craft A Mission

09:05 Budgeting For Depreciation

10:11 Know Your Mission

11:53 The New Mission - The 4 Pillars

14:18 OKWU’s Rise To Fame

17:09 Believe In Your Sales Pitch

18:10 Meeting With The Drakes

21:25 Not A Day Care

23:25 The Controversial Chapel

25:34 Valuing Truth Over Feelings

28:14 Overwhelming Support

29:43 Servant Leadership - Love And Discipline

32:03 Tolerance And Affirmation Can Be Harmful

34:09 Application In Sports And Music

36:24 Leaving While Strong

39:19 Leading When You Are Gone

40:30 One Thing For Young Leaders

43:26 Always Look For A Broom

44:53 Ten Rapid-Fire Questions

50:42 Importance Of A Servant Leadership Podcast

53:19 Closing

Learn more about Everett here:

https://dreverettpiper.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.EverettPiper

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servant-leadership-podcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/servant_podcast

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome Brian Mueller, President of Grand Canyon University — the largest Christian university in the world. Brian's path to leading GCU is one of the most unlikely stories in American higher education. A high school teacher and basketball coach turned tech-driven education executive, Brian first helped grow the University of Phoenix to 400,000 students and a $16 billion market cap. After his success at the University of Phoenix, he decided to go to Grand Canyon University, which at the time was a struggling Christian university $20 million in debt, with fewer than 1,000 students, in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Phoenix. Today, GCU has grown to over 100,000 students and invested over 2 billion dollars into the campus, which ranks among the most beautiful in the country — all while holding tuition flat for the last 17 years. What makes Brian's story truly remarkable isn't the growth, it's the why behind it. From producing 26,000 teachers and the largest nursing program in the country, to rehabbing over 600 homes and awarding 2,300 full-ride scholarships to local kids living below the poverty line, GCU has become inseparable from the community it serves. Join us as we talk about what happens when you build a university around untapped potential, why every vocation is a sacred calling, and hear how vision is one of the most important traits a leader can have.

Timestamps:
00:00 Opening
00:31 Brian Mueller Intro
01:52 Welcome Brian Mueller
02:05 Brian’s Journey - Becoming The Leader Of GCU
04:05 Recruiting Students At University Of Phoenix
06:57 Grand Canyon Calls
09:50 Servant Leadership - Accepting God’s Plan
13:20 The Vast Amount Of Untapped Potential
15:36 Helping Fight The Teacher Shortage
18:11 Using AI To Increase World Productivity
20:06 AI Programs At GCU
22:03 Create Workers, Not Welfare Dependents
23:04 Investing In The Community Around You
25:09 Fighting The Poverty Line
28:02 CityServe - Serving The Phoenix Community
31:00 Sending Students Out Better Than They Came In
32:35 Change The World By Changing The Workplace
34:11 How To Make The Pie Bigger
35:44 Growth Of The Early Church
37:05 The Irresistible Christian Philosophy
39:12 How To Maintain Energy Amidst Failure
41:03 Modernized Programs
42:39 Meeting The Needs Of Education
44:21 The 360 Teacher Program
46:28 Making College What It Should Be
48:41 Ten Rapid Fire Questions
52:17 The Importance Of Servant Leadership
53:56 Closing
Learn More About GCU:
https://www.gcu.edu/

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

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Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome John K Solheim, the President and CEO of Ping Golf. PING is one of the most iconic and innovative golf brands in the world. John is the grandson of Ping's founder, Karsten Solheim, and has carried a multigenerational legacy of engineering excellence and customer-first thinking into a new era. Under John's leadership, Ping has seen record year after record year, growing to nearly 2,000 employees worldwide. Under John's leadership, PING rose to the number one market share position in Japan — the second largest golf market in the world. John's leadership journey took him from engineering clubs on the production floor to running Ping's entire Japanese operation before stepping into the CEO role here in the United States. His approach to leadership is rooted in empowering great people, building strong processes, and embracing a heritage of innovation rather than resting on past success. Join us as we talk about what it takes to lead a family legacy into its third generation, the power of counter-cultural thinking in business, and how faith and servant leadership have shaped one of golf's most enduring brands.

Timestamps:00:00 Opening

00:17 John K Solheim Intro

01:24 Welcome John K Solheim

01:29 John’s Journey - Raised In The PING-dom

03:49 PING’s Expansion Overseas

04:50 Gains In Japan

06:04 The Size Of Golf In Japan

06:54 Rise Of Golf During The Pandemic

07:30 Golf For The Younger Generations

08:26 John’s First Steps Into Leadership

10:13 Servant Leadership - Empowering Your People

12:05 Surviving 3rd Generation Business

13:32 Thoughts About The 4th Generation

14:37 Keeping Up A Legacy Of Innovation

15:41 The Data Behind Golf Equipment

17:33 PLD Custom Putters

18:41 Custom Clubs Beyond The Putters

19:34 Creating Relationships Early

20:58 PING’s Main Concerns

22:02 The Future Of Golf

23:31 Leadership Lessons

25:22 Counter-Cultural Decisions

27:44 Treating Everyone The Same

28:41 The Business Process Of PING

31:11 Making The Fitting Process Easy

33:15 Momentum In The Market

35:05 Working Alongside His Father

36:57 Ten Rapid-Fire Questions

43:59 Importance Of A Servant Leadership Podcast

45:07 Closing

Learn more about John here:

https://ping.com/en-us/discover-ping/history

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servant-leadership-podcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/servant_podcast

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome John A. Solheim, the Chairman of PING Golf, one of the most iconic and innovative golf companies in the world. John grew up working alongside his father, Karsten Solheim — the engineering genius who invented the PING putter in his Redwood City garage. Under John's leadership, PING became a dominant force in professional golf, at one point holding 70% of putters on tour. The Solheim Cup, created by John's parents, has turned into one of the most premier events in golf. John has led with a simple but powerful philosophy: take care of your people, and they'll work their hearts out for you. John is now in his third generation of family stewardship, having handed the CEO role to his son John K., while continuing to pour into the company's design and direction. His faith, his family, and his love of engineering have always been at the center of everything he does. Join us as we talk about leading a family business across generations, the servant leadership culture that has defined PING from the very beginning, and why taking care of people is still the greatest competitive advantage of all.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:14 John A Solheim Intro

01:17 Welcome John A Solheim

01:26 The Birth Of PING

04:13 From Aircraft Landing Gear To Putter

05:57 Care In Making Putters

07:48 Switching To High Quality Materials

10:00 Changing The Design To Get With The Times

11:24 Path To The Largest Family Name In Golf

12:18 The Solheim Cup

14:14 John’s Journey - From Architecture Student To PING Exec

17:13 ROTC Time And Nearly Going To War

20:28 Donation Clubs For Veterans

21:29 Charitable Act Rewarded

22:34 Servant Leadership - Take Care Of Your People

25:56 Protecting The Golf Pros

27:34 The Solheim Family Members’ Roles

31:21 Succession At PING

32:59 Stewarding The 3rd And 4th Generation

34:25 Family Working As A Team

36:38 How To Set Your Family Up For Success

38:49 Leading With Faith

40:17 The Constant Evolution Of Golf

41:54 Ten Rapid-Fire Questions

48:09 Importance Of A Servant Leadership Podcast

49:48 Closing

Learn more about PING here:

https://ping.com/en-us/discover-ping/history

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servant-leadership-podcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/servant_podcast

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome New York Times bestselling author, Jon Acuff. His books that have sold more than one million copies include Soundtracks, Finish, and All It Takes Is A Goal. Jon was named one of the top leadership speakers in the world by Inc Magazine and he has been able to help some of the biggest brands on the planet rethink their approach to potential and performance. From his early days in corporate marketing to speaking on global stages, Jon shares how people can overcome overthinking and finish what matters most. Join us as we talk about the gift of invisibility and walk through the art of the "Dream, Plan, Do, and Review" process from his new book Procrastination Proof.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:38 Jon Acuff Intro

01:15 Welcome Jon Acuff

01:39 Jon’s Journey - Marketing To Author And Speaker

02:33 Taking A Bet On Yourself

04:19 The Hidden Grind Behind Being A Speaker

06:25 Pouring Into Future Leaders

08:26 Procrastination Proof

10:44 Dream Plan Do Review

12:30 The Success Loop

13:30 How To Put Handles On Ideas

14:11 How To Lead People Not Like You

17:21 The Price To Be Remarkable

19:06 How To Be More Remarkable

21:26 What Is The Mark Of A Remarkable Person?

23:05 Empathy - Read Less Minds, Ask More Questions

24:24 Character Is Pliable

26:55 Who You Keep In Your Corner

28:11 Five Reasons People Procrastinate

31:25 They Want You To Win

34:13 Soundtracks - Repetitive Thoughts

36:50 When You Actually Try, You Will Wish You Started Sooner

38:51 Ten Rapid-Fire Questions

42:52 Importance Of A Servant Leadership Podcast

44:26 Closing

Learn more about Jon here:

https://jonacuff.com

https://jonacuff.com/books

https://jonacuff.com/quiz

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servant-leadership-podcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/servant_podcast

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome Larry Hartmann, the CEO of ZRG Partners. ZRG is one of the largest and fastest-growing executive search and talent management firms in the world. Under Larry’s leadership, ZRG has expanded across five continents, growing to a global powerhouse with over 700 employees and on their way to one billion dollars in revenue. Larry’s journey is a quintessential example of the American dream. He started his first financial services company right out of college eventually taking it public on the NASDAQ before successfully selling the business to American Express. Larry then went on to help grow his lifestyle business to the full-scale global vision that ZRG has become. Join us as we talk about Larry’s Seven Pillars of Inspired Leadership and practical frameworks that will help you become a better servant leader.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening

00:18 Larry Hartmann Intro

01:05 Welcome Larry Hartmann

01:12 Larry’s Journey - The Road To A Public Company

02:40 The Birth Of ZRG

04:00 Growth Through Acquisition

05:58 How To Not Lose The Vision

07:28 Inspiration For The Seven Pillars

09:52 Casting A Vision That Captures Hearts

12:23 Communication To Connect

15:42 Finding Great Talent

18:18 Assemble An Expert Team

21:05 People Work For People

22:46 The Concept Of E.T.C.H.

24:02 Putting Them All Together

25:33 Balancing Work And Life

28:43 The Importance Of Using Capital

29:44 Patience With Business Growth

32:07 Every “No” Gets You Closer To “Yes”

34:50 Discerning Where To Spend Your Time

36:46 Key Leadership Qualities In Potential Acquisitions

38:41 Ten Rapid-Fire Questions

40:42 Importance Of A Servant Leadership Podcast

41:58 Advice For Recruiters

44:42 Closing

Learn more about Larry here:

https://zrgpartners.com/

https://www.7pillarbook.com/

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servant-leadership-podcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/servant_podcast

Today on the Servant Leadership Podcast, we welcome Mark Batterson, the Lead Visionary of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. Mark is a New York Times bestselling author of over 20 books, including The Circle Maker, Win the Day, and Gradually then Suddenly, which have impacted millions of people. Under his leadership, NCC has become one of the most innovative and influential churches in America, famous for its "marketplace" approach to ministry. NCC owns multiple properties near "Capitol Hill" and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, the largest fair-trade coffeehouse in D.C. Mark’s journey is a masterclass in holy curiosity and the power of dreaming big while staying humble. He also shares the concept of the "Double Blessing"—the radical idea that God doesn’t bless us just to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving. Join us as we talk about building a culture of innovation, the importance of long-term stewardship, and how to lead with a posture of service in the heart of the marketplace.

Timestamp:

00:00 Opening

00:24 Mark Batterson Intro

01:03 Welcome Mark Batterson

01:34 Mark’s Journey - Failure And Starting Over

03:12 Called To Write

05:49 Prayer Is A Form Of Dreaming

06:29 A Prayer Walk Around The Future

08:06 Goals And Who You Become In The Process

11:24 Taking Notes To Keep The Writing Flowing

13:22 Gradually Then Suddenly

15:14 From Crackhouse To Coffee Shop

17:29 Just Crazy Enough - A 3 Million Dollar Risk

19:05 Bouncing Back From A Failure

21:12 Flesh And Blood Over Brick And Mortar

23:21 Make History - Dare To Be Different

25:18 Living A Life Worth Telling Stories About

27:24 Turning Financial Goals Into Giving Goals

28:27 Success You Didn’t Sign Up For

29:57 Establish Boundaries To Protect Your Priorities

31:18 Creating Good Habits

33:59 Know How Much You Don’t Know

35:24 “I Reserve The Right To Get Smarter, Later”

37:43 Ten Rapid-Fire Questions

41:22 Importance Of A Servant Leadership Podcast

43:05 Closing

Learn more about Mark here:

 https://www.markbatterson.com/

Servant Leadership:

URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servant-leadership-podcast/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/servant_podcast