STL Leaders Podcast

Kyle McClellan was born in Florissant, MO and grew up in the St. Louis metro area. He graduated from suburban Hazelwood West High School in 2002. While there he was a three-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball. McClellan was a two-time All-State selection at both pitcher and first base. McClellan's older brother Matt served as his high school pitching coach. McClellan signed with the Cardinals after being drafted by the club in 2002 and made his professional debut with St. Louis' rookie franchise in Johnson City. He started out as a relief pitcher but in 2003 and 2004 pitched exclusively as a starting pitcher. Kyle made the Major League roster with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008, and won a World Series with the Cardinals in 2011. 

Mitch Meyers was Co-Founder and President of an award-winning marketing and communications agency, which employed 350 people, with offices in 5 states, and revenue exceeding $42 MM annually. She was the AdWoman of the Year, CEO and Pilot of the famed Zipatoni, and the mother of Bud Light, her 25+ years in the marketing and communications space was spent building, launching, and consulting for brands of major Fortune 100 companies, startup businesses, various advisory boards, and non-profit organizations.

Jeff Koziatek is the CEO of Core Authenticity. Jeff is a speaker, a author, and a coach. Jeff works with top performers to help them gain more personal freedom and professional success by equipping them with the super power ability to say NO.

Josh Turner is a Wallstreet Journal Bestselling Author, and is the Founder and CEO of LinkedSelling. He is also the founder and CEO of Connect 365. Listen as we talk to Josh about starting his business, growing his business and how LinkedIn can and should be a part of your business strategy. 

Ben Lawler is the Regional Vice President for The Tom James Company, the world’s largest manufacturer and retailer of custom clothing, and the engine behind some of the world’s most established tailored clothing brand. Ben is also the President of The St. Louis Suit project where his nonprofit gives back to the community through suits and business clothing in areas of need. Ben Lawler is a inspiration with his positive attitude and vision for success. He is also the host of the Podcast Level 10 Mastery where he speaks to individuals about what it takes to have the right mindset that leads to success.

Sylvester Williams is a defensive end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2013 NFL Drafter. He played college football at North Carolina, where he earned All-American honors.

Williams was born here in St. Louis, MO, into a family with three older sisters and one younger brother. He attended Jefferson City High School, and played football for only one season in high school, and started only one game. Not being recruited by college programs, he assembled radiator parts for large combines before deciding to walk-on at Coffeyville Community College. He had 52 tackles and two sacks in 2010.

Williams transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011, and played for the North Carolina Tar Heels Football team in 2011 and 2012. As a junior in 2011, he had 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The following season, Williams was named to the All-ACC first team. He was also named an All-American by Pro Football Weekly.

In 2013 the Denver Broncos selected Williams in the First Round. Since then, Sylvester has won 2 AFC Championships & was Super Bowl Champion with the Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

John Launius is the President of Vidzu Media and the Author of The Life & Times of Missouris Charles Parsons, Between Art & War. John has a long background ranging from Radio, to Tacticl Training with Government Contracts to now running Vidzu Media. John is a firm believer in the power of relationships, networking and giving back to the commnunity of St. Louis. John is on the board for several non profits and gives back to the St. Louis community in many ways.

Jason Simontacchi is a former Major League Baseball player and former St. Louis Cardinal. Today Jason is an assistant pitching coordinator in the Kansas City Royals organization. He was the pitching coach for the Springfield Cardinals, an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, from 2014–2018. He was a starting pitcher for four years in Major League Baseball, from 2002-2004, and 2007. He made is MLB  debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in May of 2002 and was a part of the 2004 St. Louis Cardinals team who won the NLCS and made it to the world series for the first time in St. Louis since 1987.

Today we will talk to Jason about his career in MLB, his time now as a coach and how COVID impacted the game of baseball over the last year. We will also discuss where technology has started to play a role in baseball and our youth. 

Greg Holder is the Pastor at The Crossing, in Chesterfield, MO. In 1997, Greg accepted the position of lead pastor at The Crossing, a small startup church in the St. Louis area with less than 100 people. Over 20 years later, The Crossing reaches nearly 10,000 people in person and online. 

Kwinton Scarbrough is the CEO & Founder of PawConX. PawConX is an app that is avaliable on the Apple App store that allows dog owners to connect at the dog park. Kwinton had an idea on how to break down the social anxiety for dog owners and connect them and their pups while enjoying time at the dog park. Listen in as we talk about the idea, the development and the marketing behind PawConX. www.pawconx.com