What do you do when you inherit something broken? Most leaders will eventually step into a role they didn’t start—whether it’s a ministry, a team, or an organization—and face the challenge of rebuilding trust, culture, and vision. In this episode of The RISE Leadership Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Dr. Nick Floyd sit down with Dr. Jon Chasteen, Lead Pastor of Victory Church in Dallas, former President of The King’s University, and author of ReLeader: How to Fix What You Didn’t Break. Jon shares powerful lessons from leading through crisis, stepping into broken systems, and rebuilding with humility, patience, and faith. He unpacks what it means to be a “ReLeader”—someone who runs toward broken places others might avoid—while offering practical wisdom on honoring what came before, discerning what to change and when, and celebrating small beginnings. This conversation is honest, faith-filled, and full of leadership gold for anyone leading in the real world, not just the ideal one.  

Send us a text

What happens when life throws a curveball you never saw coming? 

Mike Matheny—known as one of the toughest men to ever wear the gear—played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Brewers, Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Giants. After a fastball to the face in 2004, broadcasters began to refer to him as “the toughest player in baseball.” But beyond his reputation for grit, Mike’s story is one of faith, resilience, and learning to trust God when everything changes. 

In this episode of The RISE Leadership Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael sit down with Mike to talk about walking through injury, forced retirement, job loss, and seasons of identity shift. Mike shares powerful stories from behind the plate and the dugout, along with how scripture shaped his faith through those defining moments. 

Whether you’re a leader facing transition, a pastor walking through uncertainty, or simply someone in a hard season, this conversation will pour hope into your soul and give you practical steps to keep your faith steady when life hits hard. 

Books by Mike Matheny:

The Dad Coach: How to Lead Kids to Succeed On and Off the Baseball Field

The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life

Send us a text

Real leadership isn’t tested in calm waters—it’s forged in the storms. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael talk with Dr. Keith McDaniel, Superintendent of Shiloh Christian School and seasoned military veteran, about what resilience really looks like, why it matters, and how to grow it—both in yourself and in teams. 

Keith shares stories from his 17 years in uniform, leading schools through change, and building strong environments where young leaders don’t just survive but thrive. If you’re a young leader feeling stretched, a volunteer trying to carry too much, or someone who wants to help your team grow grit in faith and function, this conversation is for you.

Keith’s Favorite Books on Resilience: 

The Book On Leadership - John MacArthur

12 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - John C. Maxwell

The Advantage - Patrick Lencioni

Why Do I Do What I Don't Want To Do - Jonathan Pokluda

The Sweaty Startup - Nick Huber

Courage Is Calling - Ryan Holiday

Extreme Ownership - Jocko Willink

Grit - Angela Duckworth

Shackleton's Way - Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell

Our Civilizational Moment - Os Guinness

Send us a text

Discover insights with Tim Stevens, Founder and CEO of Leading Smart, a leading consulting firm dedicated to empowering business and church leaders to achieve their full potential. In this episode, Tim shares proven strategies for developing your team from within, key indicators for when to seek external talent, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you're scaling your organization or nurturing your current staff, this conversation will equip you with the knowledge to lead more effectively and build a stronger, more resilient team.

Send us a text

John Rausch, Chairman and CEO of Rausch Companies, joins the podcast to discuss expanding a business begun by his grandfather, leading toward and through a major transition, and maintaining team and organizational culture. 

Send us a text

How do you live out your faith when the cameras are always on? 5News anchor Tiffany Lee joins The RISE Leadership Podcast to share her journey of following Christ while working in the public eye. She opens up about the importance of Biblical community, the challenge of balancing faith with a demanding work schedule, and how she maintains and communicates hope in a profession that often highlights tragedy and darkness.

Send us a text

Josh Carson is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Rausch Companies. Josh joins Jeremy & Phil to discuss how he has been able to create avenues for spiritual conversations and encouragement for his team, and how his own walk with the Lord continues to impact his life as a leader.

Send us a text

Dave Kinney, our Cross Church Pastor of Operations, discusses layers of organizational, personal and regional crisis he has walked through, and leadership lessons that helped him to navigate those seasons. 

Send us a text

In this episode, Phil & Jeremy sit down with Eli Laughlin, College Pastor at Cross Church, to discuss the vision, mission & opportunities of C3. If you are a college student interested in finding community and even looking for your own personal mission, or if you are an adult looking for a way to leave a legacy in the lives of college students, this podcast will introduce you to those possibilities with this behind the scenes look at the college ministry at Cross Church. 

Send us a text

In this episode of The RISE Leadership Podcast, Jeremy and Phil sit down with Brennan Washington—former Cross Church staff member and now a church planter in Kentucky—for a powerful conversation on spiritual leadership that lasts. Brennan shares wisdom on consistency through seasons, the prayer life that anchors a leader, and what it means to honor a legacy while stepping into your own calling.

Reflecting on the recent loss of an amazing father-in-law, Brennan opens up about the grief, gratitude, and growth that come with continuing a legacy. We also talk about the tension and humility required to lead people who are more gifted than you, and why spiritual leadership is less about charisma and more about character and commitment.

Whether you’re leading in the church, the marketplace, or your home, this conversation will encourage you to stay rooted, stay faithful, and play the long game.

Send us a text