Linch with a Leader

What if the biggest challenge for a leader isn’t doing more… but seeing God, Scripture, and themselves correctly?In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch sits down with Marty Solomon for a conversation that reframes how we read the Bible, understand discipleship, and live out our faith as leaders.Marty, host of the BEMA Podcast, has spent years helping people rediscover the Scriptures through a Jewish lens, bringing fresh depth, context, and meaning to stories many of us have heard our entire lives. What emerges is not a new Bible, but a fuller, richer understanding of the one we’ve always had.Mike and Marty explore what happens when leaders move beyond surface-level faith and step into a deeper, more curious walk with God. They challenge the idea that the Bible is something to be solved and instead invite us into a lifelong journey of mystery, growth, and transformation.Marty shares how understanding Scripture in its original context can bring it to life in powerful ways, why leaders must never stop learning, and how rediscovering our identity as “beloved” changes the way we engage with God and others.Whether you’re leading a church, building a business, coaching a team, or simply desiring a deeper relationship with God, this conversation will challenge your assumptions, expand your perspective, and invite you into a more authentic and transformative faith journey.Leadership Lessons from Marty Solomon• The Bible is not just a puzzle to solve, it’s a mystery to walk through.• When leaders stop learning, their leadership becomes dangerous.• You are not just a sinner to be fixed, you are beloved.• God is not distant or disappointed; He is inviting you into relationship.• Discipleship is not a weekly habit, it’s a way of life.• Our assumptions about God can limit our growth if we never challenge them.• True leadership flows from identity, not performance.• Hope, not fear, is the story God is telling.Read: The Gospel of Being Human ( https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Being-Human-Questions-Reveals/dp/1641589485 )

This episode features a deep discussion on leadership, risk-taking, mentorship, and faith-based decision making, with insights from Mike Linch and Stephanie Ford. They explore how leaders can navigate risks, the importance of mentors, and embracing failure as feedback.

What if the biggest risk a leader faces isn’t failure… but never stepping into the season God is calling them to?In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch sits down with Elizabeth Dixon, former Chick-fil-A Support Center leader, CEO of the Trilith Foundation, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Slumber Sleepwear—for a conversation every leader eventually faces: how to recognize a new season, take a strategic risk, and trust God when the future feels uncertain.After two decades helping shape the customer experience culture at Chick-fil-A and leading the Trilith Foundation alongside visionary leaders, Elizabeth stepped into a completely new season, launching her own businesses and consulting work. Her story is a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful leadership moments happen when we’re willing to leave stability in order to pursue calling.Mike and Elizabeth unpack what it means to make a strategic bet in leadership. They talk about the tension between security and purpose, how wise leaders weigh risk and reward, and why some of the greatest opportunities in life only appear after you step out in faith.They also explore the difference between failure and feedback, why fear of failure holds so many leaders back, and how our identity can come under attack when we step into new territory.Elizabeth shares how entrepreneurship has deepened her dependence on God, why abiding matters more than striving, and how leaders can move forward with confidence, even when they don’t have every answer.Whether you’re leading a church, building a business, raising a family, or discerning what God’s next season might be for your life, this conversation will encourage you to think bigger, trust deeper, and take the kind of risks that shape a meaningful life.Leadership Lessons from Elizabeth Dixon• Risk isn’t just what you stand to gain, it’s what you stand to lose.• Sometimes others believe in us more than we believe in ourselves.• Strategic bets close the gap between where we are and where we could be.• Failure isn’t a verdict on your identity, it’s feedback that helps you grow.• The greatest regret isn’t failure; it’s never trying.• The enemy often attacks our identity when we step into new territory.• God didn’t call us to be the vine, He called us to be the branch.• Leaders who take bold steps of faith often discover opportunities they couldn’t see before.

In this episode, Mike Linch discusses the importance of shared vision, encouragement, and leadership legacy, with insights from Pastor Ray Johnston. Topics include how to foster ownership in vision, stay encouraged as a leader, and leave a lasting family legacy.

What if the most important thing a leader does isn’t casting vision…but staying encouraged enough to live it?In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch sits down with Ray Johnston, Senior Pastor of Bayside Church, founder of the Thrive Conference, and one of the most influential leadership voices in the American church. Together, they dive into a conversation every leader needs: how to cultivate fresh vision, stay deeply encouraged, and lead in a culture that often does everything it can to tear leaders down.From building a church of over 20,000 people…to coaching pastors around the world…to raising a family that genuinely loves each other and the church they serve,Ray’s story is a blueprint for leaders who want to last; not just succeed.Mike and Ray unpack the kind of leadership that doesn’t burn out, doesn’t lose heart, and doesn’t rely on charisma alone. They dive into the power of shared vision, why “announced vision” rarely works, and how Ray built a leadership culture where people don’t just follow... They own the mission.They explore how to lead with resilience, how to stay encouraged when criticism comes, and why the greatest impact you’ll ever make might show up in your home long before it shows up on a stage.Whether you’re pastoring a church, leading a company, coaching a team, or simply trying to influence the people around you, this episode will strengthen your heart, sharpen your leadership, and remind you what really matters.Mike’s Leadership Lessons from Ray Johnston:• “People don’t support what you announce. They support what they create.”• Encouragement isn’t optional, it’s a leader’s greatest responsibility.• Vision isn’t something you share at people; it’s something you build with them.• The leaders who last are the ones who stop reading their critics.• Fresh vision requires fresh air from God.• Legacy grows at home before it ever grows at church.• A great leader is a shock absorber, not a spotlight chaser.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction and Shared Experiences04:27 The Essence of Leadership06:46 Creating Shared Vision11:57 The Importance of Encouragement in Leadership21:30 Navigating Challenges as a Leader32:01 Balancing Leadership and Family Life33:47 Parenting as a Leader51:24 Building a Healthy Family Tree

This episode features Mike Linch discussing leadership principles, the importance of wisdom over knowledge, leading with empathy, and overcoming imposter syndrome, with insights from his conversations with Dawn and upcoming interview with Ray Johnston.

What if the biggest thing holding your leadership back isn’t your circumstances… but the story you still believe about yourself?In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch sits down with Dawn Cazedessus, Regional Director for Keller Williams’ Southeast Region overseeing 17,000+ agents, entrepreneur, ultramarathon runner, and author of Trailer Park CEO, to unpack a leadership journey built on grit, discipline, and unshakable faith.From growing up in poverty in rural Louisiana: to battling imposter syndrome at the highest levels of leadership…to learning the difference between grinding and “gritting on purpose,”Dawn’s story is a masterclass in resilience, self-awareness, and leading on assignment.Together, Mike and Dawn explore what it really means to build success without losing your soul, how faith reshapes ambition, how discipline fuels longevity, and why failure is often the foundation of future influence.They talk about overcoming scarcity thinking, leading with empathy in high-performance environments, building kingdom impact in the workplace, and why your leadership ceiling is often tied to your internal healing.Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or wrestling with whether you’re “ready” for your next assignment — this episode will challenge how you define success and encourage you to lead with purpose.Mike’s Leadership Lessons from Dawn:• Stop grinding. Start gritting on purpose.• You can leave your past physically, but growth requires leaving it mentally.• Self-awareness removes ego and strengthens influence.• Failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s the foundation of it.• Discipline isn’t intensity. It’s consistency.• Movement is not achievement. Alignment is.• You are not in control — and that’s where freedom begins.Welcome to the Linch with a Leader Podcast, where you’re invited to join the spiritual principles behind big success, with host Mike Linch.Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode:Watch: @linchwithaleaderPrefer just listening? SUBSCRIBE to the podcast here:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dJfeLbikJlKlBqAx6mDYW?si=6ffed84956cb4848Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/linch-with-a-leader/id1279929826Find show notes and more information at: www.mikelinch.comFollow for EVERYDAY leadership content and interaction:Follow on X: https://x.com/mikelinch?s=20Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikelinchJOIN Mike for a Sunday at NorthStar Church:www.northstarchurch.orgWatch: @nsckennesawRead 'Trailer Park CEO: https://a.co/d/01kkvPeATIMESTAMPS:00:00 Dawn's Early Life and Challenges10:25 Lessons from Adversity20:02 Empathy and Leadership24:32 Understanding Grit in Leadership34:57 The Power of Discipline39:05 Wisdom vs. Knowledge in Leadership43:20 Finding Purpose and Calling

In this conversation, Casey Linch and Mike Linch explore the nature of leadership, emphasizing the importance of stewardship, team alignment, trust, and prioritizing family. They discuss how leaders can effectively steward their roles, build cohesive teams, and maintain trust for long-term success, while also addressing the common pitfalls of neglecting family in pursuit of professional recognition.

What if the greatest tool in your leadership arsenal isn’t charisma but clarity?In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch sits down with Rod Olson, better known as Coach O, a former college football coach turned trusted voice to elite performers, from Navy SEALs to CEOs to professional athletes.Rod Olson has spent decades inside the pressure cookers of high performance first on the sidelines, and now in the boardrooms, battlefields, and locker rooms of America’s most demanding leadership environments.From helping leaders find their “sweet spot”…to coaching instead of motivating…to building cultures where character beats talent every time,Rod’s wisdom is equal parts tough love, tactical clarity, and transformational vision.Together, Mike and Coach O unpack the biggest challenges today’s leaders face—and what separates those who flame out from those who finish well.They explore how to lead without ego, how to shape culture with your words, and why the greatest leadership moments often happen when no one is watching.Whether you’re coaching a team, leading a business, mentoring the next generation, or navigating your own leadership crossroads this episode will sharpen your edge and remind you that clarity is the new charisma.Mike’s Leadership Lessons from Coach O:• “You don’t motivate Navy SEALs. You coach them.”• Talent might get you the job, character keeps you in it.• Leaders don’t rise to the level of hype they fall to the level of systems and clarity.• The best cultures are built on language, not slogans.• You can’t lead what you don’t love. And you can’t love what you don’t know.• Legacy isn’t what you build, it’s what you leave in people.Welcome to the Linch with a Leader Podcast, where you’re invited to discover the spiritual principles behind big success—with host Mike Linch.🎯 Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode:📺 Watch: @linchwithaleader🎧 Prefer just listening? SUBSCRIBE to the podcast here:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dJfeLbikJlKlBqAx6mDYW?si=6ffed84956cb4848Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/linch-with-a-leader/id1279929826📓 Find show notes and more info: www.mikelinch.com📱 Follow for EVERYDAY leadership content and interaction:Twitter (X): https://x.com/mikelinch?s=20Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikelinch/🙌 JOIN Mike for a Sunday at NorthStar Church:www.northstarchurch.org📺 Watch: @nsckennesawTIMESTAMPS:00:00 The Journey to Leadership Passion09:22 Integrating Faith and Coaching14:30 The Changing Landscape of Leadership19:40 Identifying True Leadership22:56 Excellence Across Domains26:45 Understanding Team Dynamics and Accountability28:04 Lessons from Working with Elite Leaders33:56 Navigating Personal Challenges and Growth39:08 The Role of Family in Leadership and Values

In this episode, Casey and Mike discuss the importance of emotional health in leadership, the challenges leaders face, and the concept of creating margin for personal growth and healing. They explore the idea of God's presence in difficult times and the significance of simply being present for others in their struggles. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to navigate their own storms while supporting those around them.