The Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life-giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

Caleb & John are proving that joy and hope belong at the center of Christian music. With a #1 Christian Radio hit under their belt (Somebody Like Me), and two viral videos that lit up Facebook, this high-energy duo is keeping their foot on the gas with their newest single, Finished — an upbeat, anthemic reminder that no matter what life looks like, God isn’t done yet.

The duo came to music through totally different paths. Caleb, a pastor’s kid and classically trained musician, grew up on Christian radio. John, one of six kids and the only boy, taught himself guitar and piano through YouTube videos and leaned toward a gritty, rootsy sound. While touring and playing for artists like Sam Hunt, CAIN, Katy Nichole, and Anne Wilson, the two were introduced by a mutual friend. What started as a casual jam session quickly turned into something deeper — a creative connection that brought out the best in both of them.

Their blend of Caleb’s pop sensibilities and John’s raw edge has given them a signature sound: joyful, bold, and soaked in truth. Hallelujah Feeling, their debut single, hit #3 on the charts and introduced fans to their vibrant style. But it was Somebody Like Me — a heartfelt anthem featuring CAIN — that struck a deeper chord, landing them their first #1 on Christian radio and opening doors to a rapidly growing fanbase.

Now with Finished, Caleb & John are doubling down on their mission to spread hope. It’s a song for anyone who’s felt like giving up — a declaration that even when we feel broken, God is still writing our story.

Two different backgrounds. One unified message. Caleb & John are just getting started — and the joy is contagious.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

Brian Smith ran track and cross-country at Wake Forest University, where he graduated with a communications and journalism degree. He has been on staff with Athletes in Action for the past 15 years, helping athletes and coaches live biblically at the intersection of faith and sport. He is the author of The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports and coauthor of Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. He resources the athletic community at The Christian Athlete. 

Ed Uszynski (PhD, Bowling Green State University) has been a content specialist for Cru, Athletes in Action, and FamilyLife for over three decades. He also serves as a oneness and diversity consultant for church and parachurch organizations. He has written for a range of online platforms such as Desiring God, Mockingbird, and The Washington Times. He is a frequent speaker and podcaster on topics of race, sport culture, and marriage.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

Bill Simmons is President and CEO of American Leprosy Missions (soon to be Hope Rises International), part of his two-decade journey leading national and international organizations. Bill brings deep insight to the intersection of organizational leadership and spiritual formation, and is currently pursuing post-graduate studies in spiritual formation at Gordon Conwell Seminary. Bill holds a BA from the University of Tennessee. Bill and his wife Cindi live in Greenville, SC.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

Today on the podcast, Jeff flies solo and shares some thoughts and insight on various topics.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

Dr. J.R. Briggs lives with a clear and focused calling: to serve, guide, and equip hungry leaders who want to grow healthier and thrive.

His work seeks to bridge the gap between spiritual formation and actionable leadership practices, aiming to help faith leaders and their organizations grow both in their faith and their impact on their communities.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

Will Severns and his beyond-compare wife, Lauren, live in Kansas City with their two children, Branch and Wynnie. Together, the couple owns and operates Qwill Creative – a content marketing company centered on words that move people to think and act differently.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

Jacob Hotchkiss is a pastor in Springfield, MO within a network of house churches. His greatest desire is to help build up the Body of Christ, which he believes requires considerable reform in both theology and practice. To this end, he relishes the opportunity to teach and encourage God’s people through both speaking and writing. He is also a husband and a father.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is the 2025-26 Karlson Scholar at Bethel Seminary. She is a reader, writer, and speaker. She is an author of many books and has contributed to others. She has a monthly column for Religion News Service. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, and various other places. She hosted the podcast Jane and Jesus. Karen gives frequent lectures and talks on her work. 

She is a contributing writer at The Dispatch, a Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum, a research fellow at Comment, and is a former member of the Faith Advisory Council of the Humane Society of the United States. She and her husband live on a 100-year-old homestead in central Virginia with dogs, chickens, and lots of books.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

Peter Greer is the president and CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered nonprofit working to alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship and discipleship in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. He is a bestselling coauthor of over 15 books, including Mission Drift, Rooting for Rivals, Lead with Prayer, and How Leaders Lose Their Way. Before joining HOPE, Peter worked internationally in microfinance in Cambodia, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda and holds a graduate degree from Harvard Kennedy School. While his sports loyalties remain in New England, Peter and his family live in Lancaster, PA.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let’s step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let’s get the good and the gold from today’s guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.

David Tyree graduated from Montclair High School in 1998 with a full four-year athletic scholarship to Syracuse University. Through unparalleled work ethic and endurance, he excelled as a wide receiver and special teams player. David was then drafted in the 6th round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the New York Giants (211 overall). Despite humble beginnings and personal challenges, he was named to the 2006 Pro Bowl and was responsible for making NFL history with what many consider to be the greatest catch in Super Bowl history.

In addition to his success on the football field, David Tyree has also enjoyed a successful career off the field as well. After his retirement from the NFL as a player, he spent two years at NFL League Headquarters in NYC, working in the Player Engagement Department. In July of 2014, he received a second homecoming when the New York Football Giants named him as the Director of Player Development. Since leaving that position in 2019, David is making headway as an entrepreneur and sports analyst. Starting in 2021, he began co-hosting “Odds with Ends” on MSG alongside former Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka.

David is happily married to the wife of his youth for more than 15 years (and counting), and they have the privilege of parenting seven excellent children! He has a zealous passion in serving others and sharing the importance of remaining steadfast in the ways of Jesus Christ.