The Current with Jayson French

Summary

What happens when you walk away from a successful career to chase something bigger than yourself?

On this episode of The Current with Jayson French, former MLB player Adam LaRoche talks about leaving baseball to fight human trafficking and serve veterans through the E3 Ranch Foundation. He covers what trafficking investigations are like, how his team earns survivors’ trust, and how faith keeps them going through hard work. He also talks about the harm pornography does, why accountability matters, and the value of helping one person at a time instead of being overwhelmed by how big the problem is. Along the way, he shares stories from his playing days.

It’s a reminder that success and significance aren’t the same thing. So what has God put in front of you that you need to say yes to?

Links and Important Info 

• Learn more about the E3 Ranch Foundation: https://e3rf.org/ 
• Connect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericepperson 
• The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY: https://ciy.com/
• Help expand the ministry of CIY and reach more students with the Gospel. $1/day opens a seat for 2 students. Get involved at http://ciy.com/give.  
• Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson. 

Key Takeaways

• Purpose doesn't end with a career. Adam's story illustrates how life beyond professional sports can become an opportunity to serve others.
• Rescue requires relationships. Helping trafficking survivors often means establishing trust, meeting basic needs, and remaining committed even when recovery takes time.
• You don't have to solve the entire problem. Focusing on the next person who needs help can make an overwhelming mission manageable.
• Faith and accountability matter. Prayer, transparency, and honest conversations help people face difficult work and personal struggles.
• Your choices have consequences. The conversation challenges listeners to examine how pornography, secrecy, and isolation can affect others.
• You don't need every credential to take the first step. Start learning, explore the opportunity, and respond to the burden or calling in front of you.
• Build a legacy, not just a résumé. The goal is not simply to achieve success, but to live with significance and leave a meaningful impact.

Chapters

02:37 — The complexity of human trafficking investigations

06:12 — Safe houses, aftercare, and supporting victims

07:33 — Why rescue is about relationships, not just raids

10:50 — Patterns Adam has seen in human trafficking

14:27 — How everyday choices can support exploitation

17:03 — Faith, prayer, and protecting your heart in difficult work

18:56 — Returning to baseball: stories from Adam's career

23:27 — E3 Ranch Foundation: how to get involved

27:40 — Walking away from success and stepping into purpose

31:46 — Why retirement shouldn't mean abandoning purpose

33:04 — Success versus significance

37:45 — Work as a gift and a calling

40:10 — Confession, accountability, and finding freedom

41:04 — Why transparency and brotherhood matter

Keywords 

Baseball, Adam LaRoche, leadership, faith, personal growth, purpose, veterans, human trafficking, MLB, sports, calling, ministry 

Summary 

What happens when the career you built your identity around comes to an end? 

In this episode, we sit down with former MLB player Adam LaRoche to talk about what happens when success gives way to significance. 

Adam shares the story behind his decision to walk away from professional baseball, the experiences that opened his eyes to the realities of human trafficking, and how God redirected his life toward serving others. Today, through the E3 Ranch Foundation, Adam works with combat veterans and participates in counter-human-trafficking and crisis-response efforts. 

From baseball locker rooms to a ranch in Kansas, from serving veterans to confronting some of the darkest places in the world, Adam's story is ultimately about purpose, obedience, and being willing to follow where God leads. 

Links and Important Info 

• Learn more about the E3 Ranch Foundation: https://e3rf.org/ 
• Connect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericepperson 
• The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY: https://ciy.com/
• Help expand the ministry of CIY and reach more students with the Gospel. $1/day opens a seat for 2 students. Get involved at http://ciy.com/give.  
• Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson. 

Key Takeaways 

• Success and significance aren't the same thing. What we accumulate isn't necessarily what we leave behind in other people. 
• Your career doesn't have to be your identity. When one chapter ends, it can create space for a new assignment. 
• Don't assume your best contribution is behind you. There may still be a mountain to climb and meaningful work to do. 
• Sometimes obedience means walking away. Adam's story demonstrates the willingness to leave something successful when he believed God was calling him somewhere else. 
• Pay attention to the people around you. Adam's biggest career regret wasn't about baseball — it was the opportunities he missed to invest in teammates. 
• Purpose can come after your career. Retirement or the end of a profession doesn't have to mean the end of meaningful contribution. 
• Stay available. Sometimes the next chapter begins simply by being willing to respond when an opportunity to serve appears. 

Chapters

00:00 — From Success to Significance 

02:18 — What Is Your Identity Built On? 

04:25 — Die With Zero 

07:01 — Welcome, Adam LaRoche 

09:42 — Horseback Riding, Fly Fishing & Going Offline 

11:03 — Finding God's Light in Dark Places 

15:15 — The Intentionality of Slowing Down 

16:29 — Life After Baseball 

18:35 — Thailand Changed Everything 

21:00 — Knowing When It's Time for a New Mission 

26:38 — The Regret That Had Nothing to Do With Baseball 

30:21 — “Sneak Attack Jesus” 

32:10 — From Veterans to Human Trafficking Response 

33:39 — Stay Ready. Stay Available. 

Keywords 

Baseball, Adam LaRoche, leadership, faith, personal growth, purpose, veterans, human trafficking, MLB, sports, calling, ministry 

Summary

What if the detour is actually preparation?

On this episode of The Current, Jayson French talks with Marc Taylor about calling, faith, leadership, and risk. Marc traces his path from college and NBA mascot - 16 years pro, including a wild trip to Argentina and the risky mascot tricks that are anything but routine - to pastor. Along the way, seemingly unrelated stops: owning a trampoline park, managing employees, volunteering at church, leading a fatherhood program, and teaching Sunday school, turned out to be preparation for ministry.

Jayson, Eric, and Marc also explore what it means to recognize God's work when you can't see the bigger picture, how parents can think differently about success, and how our identity is shaped by more than what we do for a living.

We wrap up the episode by asking him all of our mascot questions, and Eric shares the riskiest thing he’s ever done in costume.

Marc’s Mascot Highlights

Seattle Stunts and Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEWyqHAqJJg

Rumble’s First Game in OKC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbLjpO1dreA

Stay in the Current at http://ciy.com/thecurrent

Expand the ministry of Christ In Youth by opening a new seat at an event in 2027: http://ciy.com/give

Connect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericepperson

The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY at ciy.com.   

Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson.

Key Takeaways

• God can use seemingly unrelated seasons of your life to prepare you for something you never expected.
• You don't always need to know the entire plan; you often just need to recognize the opportunity in front of you and take the next step.
• Sometimes we only recognize how God was working when we look backward.
• Great leaders can change the "temperature" of a room and influence people's experience even when they can't control the ultimate outcome.
• Experiences from one career or season can become valuable preparation for an entirely different calling.
• Your calling may take decades to become clear, and that doesn't mean God wasn't working along the way.

Chapters

00:00 — Looking Back and Seeing God's Work
02:19 — Discovering a Calling to Ministry at 12
04:33 — From Bison to Pastor
09:12 — The Trampoline Park
09:57 — Building a Fatherhood Program
11:09 — When Sunday School Became Ministry
16:46 — Launching a New Church Campus
19:52 — Recognizing God's Direction in Everyday Life
20:47 — Lessons From Marc's Parents
24:18 — The World of NBA Mascots
28:21 — Keeping the Mascot Identity Secret
30:38 — Marc's Craziest Mascot Stunt
34:22 — A Surprise Return to the NBA Finals
40:08 — Books, Leadership, and AI
41:40 — The Unexpected Proposal Story
47:11 — What Is God Putting on Your Heart?
48:50 — Identity Is More Than What You Do

Keywords

NBA mascot, leadership, faith, personal growth, career transition, basketball, mentorship, community, sports, ministry, personal growth, OKC Thunder

What happens when the path God has for your life looks nothing like the one you expected?

In this episode, we sit down with former NBA mascot, pastor, and business owner Marc Taylor.

Marc shares how struggling with ADHD and dyslexia in school helped shape his personality, how performing as his high school mascot opened an unexpected career path, and how a series of relationships and opportunities eventually took him from Colorado State University to professional sports.

He also discusses the influence of his mother, the value of allowing children to discover who God created them to be, and why parents may need to reconsider how they define success.

Throughout the conversation, Marc explains how his years as a mascot prepared him for ministry by teaching him how to connect with people, remove barriers, and make others feel welcome.

Key Takeaways

• Opportunities often come from unexpected places-like powder puff football leading to a career in mascots.
• Leadership is about being present and aware that someone is always watching. You’re on stage even when you aren’t on stage.
• Pay attention to moments; God works and opens doors in crazy ways.
• Parenting is a long-term relationship that requires patience, humility, and long-term vision.

Marc’s Book Recommendations and Mascot Highlights

• Doing Life with Your Adult Children: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310353777
• The Meaning of Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593545427
• Seattle Stunts and Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEWyqHAqJJg
• Rumble’s First Game in OKC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbLjpO1dreA

Stay in the Current at http://ciy.com/thecurrent

Expand the ministry of Christ In Youth by opening a new seat at an event in 2027: http://ciy.com/give

Connect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericepperson

Chapters

00:00 When God redirects your plans
03:00 Different kinds of calling
05:34 What calling have you ignored?
07:15 Introducing former NBA mascot Marc Taylor
09:40 The best mascot in professional basketball
11:47 Seeing God through creation
14:15 Growing up with ADHD and dyslexia
15:37 Discovering a love for entertaining people
16:39 Becoming the Alamogordo Tigers mascot
19:03 Community college and taking the difficult path
20:34 Becoming Cam the Ram at Colorado State
23:12 Landing an audition with the Seattle SuperSonics
29:27 Success, identity and the pressure parents place on children
30:26 Books that changed Marc’s approach to parenting
31:47 Maintaining influence with adult children
32:58 What an NBA mascot audition looks like
34:12 The infamous cougar-chicken costume
36:01 “Anytime someone sees you, you’re onstage”
38:17 The broken spring that saved the audition

Keywords

NBA mascot, leadership, faith, personal growth, career transition, basketball, mentorship, community, sports, ministry, leadership, opportunities, OKC Thunder

In this insightful interview, Dr. Tim Elmore shares his extensive research on Gen Z, leadership, and how to effectively mentor and lead the next generation. Discover practical strategies, leadership myths, and inspiring stories that will transform your approach to developing young leaders. 

Five Takeaways 

• Leaders are teachable. We never arrive and sometimes we need a little sandpaper on our leadership style. 
• Connect before you correct. Relationships drive leading Gen Z. 
• 26 is the new 18. 
• Become your own best friend. Be kind to yourself. You need it more than you know. 
• Do young leaders want to stick around? Ask them what they want to learn. 

Sign up to stay connected and be entered into a chance to win the latest giveaway at ciy.com/thecurrent.   

Connect with Dr. Tim Elmore on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or at timelmore.com 

Connect with Jayson French on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at ciy.com/jayson-french.   

The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY at ciy.com.   

Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson. 

CHAPTERS 
00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Conversation 
04:53 Meet Dr. Tim Elmore: Leadership Development Expert 
10:56 Understanding Gen Z: Challenges and Opportunities 
12:25 The Peter Pan Paradox: Authority vs. Maturity   
20:36 Work-Life Balance: Gen Z's Perspective 
23:52 Career Aspirations of Gen Z: Gigs vs. Calling 
27:47 Shifting Leadership Paradigms 
30:00 Navigating Failure and Growth 
34:15 Retaining Gen Z Talent 
36:10 Onboarding and Mentorship Strategies 
43:00 Preparing for Leadership Succession  
52:00 Understanding and Empowering Gen Z 
57:00 Personal Insights and Future Aspirations 
1:01:12 Closing Discussion and Challenge 

RESOURCES 

Growing Leaders - https://www.growingleaders.com  

The Future Begins with Z (Book) - https://a.co/d/02JTTp2v  

KEYWORDS 

Gen Z, leadership, mentoring, leadership development, future of work, generational differences, leadership myths, organizational success

What happens when God's plans are bigger than ours? Join us as we explore the extraordinary revival at Southeastern University with campus pastor Jonathan Rivera. He recounts how spiritual awakening unfolds in real time, the leadership challenges involved, and the practical logistics of stewarding a move of God. In this inspiring conversation, Rivera shares firsthand insights, emphasizing the importance of creating space for the Spirit to move, the role of prayer and logistics, and how leaders can respond to spiritual movements in their communities.

Five takeaways

1. Spontaneous spiritual awakening requires prayer and thoughtful responses.
2. If you didn’t start it, it’s not your job to keep it going.
3. Revival begins, and is sustained, though prayer.
4. Your culture, and what is most important to you, will determine your response. If your leadership is bought in 24/7, the response when the moment happens is automatic.
5. Water is spiritual. Get outside and get around a body of water.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

05:37 Jonathan Rivera

09:42 Finding Life and Peace in Nature

14:30 The Revival at Southeastern University

15:50 The Power of Confession and Repentance

20:14 Stewarding a Movement of God

21:52 Navigating Institutional Challenges

26:15 Creating Space for Spiritual Movement

29:12 The Theology of Logistics in Ministry

33:28 Preparing for the Unexpected in Ministry

36:22 Handling the Aftermath of Spiritual Awakening

44:10 The Movement of a Generation

49:38 Creating Space for the Holy Spirit

51:50 Sustaining Spiritual Movements

54:30 Cultivating a Culture of Prayer

59:00 The Correlation Between Repentance and Revival

59:40 Personal Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

1:02:40 Closing Discussion and Challenge

Sign up to stay connected and be entered into a chance to win the latest giveaway at ciy.com/thecurrent. 

Connect with Jonathan Rivera on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at jonathanarivera.com.

Connect with Jayson French on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at ciy.com/jayson-french. 

The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY at ciy.com. 

Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson.  

Keywords 

revival, Southeastern University, spiritual awakening, leadership, church revival, campus ministry, religious movement, faith, prayer, spiritual culture revival, Holy Spirit, campus ministry, prayer, spiritual awakening, leadership, church renewal, generation Z, spiritual movement, revival stories

Summary 

In this conversation, Jayson and Eric discuss leadership challenges with Aaron Brockett, the lead pastor of Traders Point Christian Church. They explore the journey of leading a growing church, the importance of maintaining a healthy culture, and the personal practices that help Aaron navigate the pressures of leadership. The discussion touches on the significance of community, personal development, and the balance between growth and care for individuals within the church. In this conversation, Aaron Brockett discusses the evolution of his leadership style, the importance of confidence rooted in faith, and the challenges of navigating rapid growth within a church context. He emphasizes the need for authentic relationships among leaders and the significance of clarity in communication with their congregations. Brockett also shares insights on the future threats facing the church, particularly the blending of secular ideologies with Christianity, and the necessity for leaders to remain grounded and connected to their communities.

Five Takeaways 

1. Leadership is about serving the mission, not protecting the institution. 
2. Healthy church growth is a byproduct of spiritual health. 
3. Systems and processes should care for people, not treat them as cogs in a machine. 
4. Continuous personal development is essential for effective leadership. Confidence comes from faith, not just self-assurance. 
5. Building genuine friendships is crucial for leaders. Leaders need to be proactive in cultivating friendships and connections. 

Chapters  

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Challenges 
11:54 Gifts and Personal Connections 
14:56 Finding Balance in Leadership 
18:21 Maintaining a Healthy Church Culture 
22:22 Navigating Growth and Personal Development 
24:20 Reflections on Leadership Journey 
30:45 The Roots of Confidence 
32:30 Navigating Leadership Challenges 
33:40 The Weight of Growth and Leadership 
38:30 Building Authentic Relationships 
44:20 Anticipating Future Threats in Leadership 

Sign up to stay connected and be entered into a chance to win the latest giveaway at ciy.com/thecurrent. 

Connect with Jayson French on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at ciy.com/jayson-french. 

The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY at ciy.com. 

Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson.  

Keywords 

leadership, church growth, personal development, community, church, faith, leadership systems, evangelism, ministry