Linch with a Leader

Please, Sorry, Thanks: These three magic words are the keys to healthy relationships and successful careers. Nothing opens doors like a genuine "please." Nothing resolves conflict like a sincere apology. Nothing incurs favor like heartfelt gratitude. Mike Linch welcomes back Mark Batterson, Pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C., and author of Please, Sorry, Thanks: The Three Words that Change Everything. Mark shares how each of these words are essentially a different posture of the heart, and he explains that our country is in dire need of a “revival of politeness.”In addition to serving as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, one church with multiple locations, Mark serves as lead visionary for The Dream Collective, which equips and supports dreamers who long for revival in the church, reformation in the kingdom, and renaissance in culture.Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the author of 23 books including the New York Times bestselling The Circle Maker as well as In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, Double Blessing, Whisper, and, more recently, Win the Day and Do it for a Day. Mark is married to Lora and they live on Capitol Hill. They have three children: Parker, Summer (married to Austin), and Josiah.

As we officially head into spring and dive into the college baseball season, Mike sits down with Coastal Carolina head coach Gary Gilmore, who began his 28th season at the helm of the Chanticleers’ program in 2023. Sure, Coach Gilmore is one of the most knowledgeable baseball minds you’ll ever meet. But it’s his love for his players and coaches that has set him apart and made the Chants a family. Listen in as Coach Gilmore shares his journey, and how love has made the difference.Gary Gilmore was named the 2016 National Coach of the Year and has seen the Coastal program continually rise in the world of college baseball to a national power. A two-time ABCA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year (2005 and 2016) and a 10-time conference Coach of the Year, Gilmore ranks among the NCAA’s all-time top 25 in wins with 1,293 (through 2022 season) and entered the 2023 season ranked fourth overall in wins among all active NCAA Division I head coaches.Under his guidance, Coastal won the 2016 NCAA College World Series, has made 17 NCAA berths, and advanced to a Super Regional three times. In addition to team success, the program has featured numerous draft picks - including 26 players drafted within the top 10 rounds over the last 15 years and built perhaps the best overall practice and playing facilities in the nation.Gilmore was recently named the 2021 Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award winner presented by Fellowship Christian Athletes (FCA) and will be one of seven individuals inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 Class in January 2023.Since 2000, the Chants have won 11 regular-season championships, 13 conference tournament championship titles, made 17 NCAA Division I Championship appearances, advanced to three NCAA Super Regionals, and won the 2016 NCAA College World Series.

In this episode of Linch with Leader, Mike welcomes back former college basketball coach and current ESPN & SEC basketball analyst, Jimmy Dykes. In this episode, Coach Dykes offers up his assessment of what makes a truly great coach, how a coach can structure his life with balance for the long haul, and how Biblical principles all come into play every day in the life of a coach.Jimmy Dykes first joined ESPN at the start of the 1995-96 men’s college basketball season as a game and studio analyst and is now in his 22nd season with the company, after serving as the women’s head basketball coach at the University of Arkansas from 2014-2017. He led the Razorbacks to one NCAA tournament appearance and finished with an overall record of 43-49.Prior to his career with ESPN, Dykes played three years at the University of Arkansas, playing for the legendary coach Eddie Sutton. After his playing career ended, he went on to be a graduate assistant for Coach Sutton. Dykes’ coaching career includes assistant coaching stints from Sacramento State, Appalachian State, Arkansas-Little Rock, and Oklahoma State. He then spent three years as an NBA scout prior to joining ESPN in the mid-90s. He is the author of the challenging book, The Film Doesn’t Lie which is certain to provoke readers to take an honest, in-depth look at their own life and to live with genuine passion and bold determination. Dykes is also a highly sought after motivational speaker for companies, organizations, sports teams, and faith-based groups across the country, challenging audiences to a higher level of accountability and tenacious faith.Coach Dykes and his family still make their home in Arkansas.

We’ve all heard that inspiration matters in life. But can inspiration be measured? And what true effects does inspiration have on our performance in life – work, athletics, in the classroom? Mike welcomes back entrepreneur and author Kevin Scott to talk through the principles behind his new book, Inspired Every Day. According to what Kevin has uncovered in his research on the topic, the genius of a flashbulb moment happens much more often when a person has developed a lifestyle that blends three indispensable ingredients: a purpose to live for, a problem to tackle, and a partnership with likeminded people. One or two won’t do. It takes all three. Listen in, as Kevin shares his heart behind the book – and see how inspiration can truly transform you or your organization.About Kevin:Kevin Paul Scott has traveled to six continents and spoken to leaders from more than 100 countries. Kevin is the co-founder of ADDO, a leadership consultancy based in Atlanta, Georgia. ADDO exists to inspire people today to impact tomorrow. In addition to working with businesses and brands, ADDO has developed the national Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program, the Atlanta Braves Leadership Institute, and other leadership programs from cradle-through-career. Kevin has been named to the “40 under 40” lists for Georgia Trend and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. In addition to Inspired Every Day, he has authored three books: The Lens of Leadership, 8 Essential Exchanges, and The Lepers’ Lessons.

Some call it grit. Some call it moxie or perseverance. When it comes to the game of baseball, and in becoming a living example to other coaches and players, perhaps the best word to describe Rich Maloney is “steady.” In this episode, Mike sits down with one of the coaching greats in all of college baseball to talk about life and leadership, and the platform God provides each of us to live on mission and impact others.Ball State Head Baseball Coach Rich Maloney has compiled a career record of 917-600-1 (through 2022 season), winning six MAC Conference Regular Season Championships with the Cardinals. Additionally, he has earned MAC Coach of the Year honors four times in his tenure. From 2003-2012 Maloney served as Head Baseball Coach for the University of Michigan, winning three Big Ten Championships, four NCAA Regional appearances, and an NCAA Regional Championship in 2007. He was also a two-time Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year.In his coaching career, Maloney has coached 65 players who were drafted by Major League teams, including six first-round selections (all at Ball State). Maloney has been honored with FCA Baseball's Jerry Kindall Award in January 2017, and was selected as the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) NCAA Division I representative on the executive committee. He served six years as the Division I Chair for the ABCA and served as the President of the ABCA in 2018.Playing Career:Maloney was a Third Team All-American as a senior shortstop at Western Michigan … three-year letterwinner at WMU (1984-86) and a two-time captain … two-time All-MAC first-team selection and was twice named to the all-district squad … Western's team MVP while hitting .362 as a junior in 1985 … twice named the top defensive player on the team (1984, '86) … set the WMU career record for runs scored (124) as a senior … inducted into WMU's Athletic Hall of Fame in November 2004. He was a 13th-round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in 1986 and spent six seasons in the Atlanta Braves organization, earning all-star status in the Appalachian League for the Pulaski Braves and in the South Atlantic League for the Sumter Braves. Maloney played for former Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox manager Grady Little and for current Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker. He retired from pro baseball following the 1991 season at Greenville (AA).

Mike sits down with Reed Livesay, CEO of Pine Cove, a Gospel-centered Christian camp with 12 locations in Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia. Reed shares his unique journey, from being a college athlete to helping startup a business in his 20’s, to finding his way to Pine Cove and expanding the reach of the organization in the state of Texas, to now sitting in the CEO chair. Throughout his life, Reed has found one foundational truth has consistently surfaced wherever he has been: the Lord can be trusted to provide.About Pine Cove:Founded in 1967, today Pine Cove serves more than 45,000 campers each summer and strives to be Christ-centered, others-focused, and seriously fun! To date, more than one million people have experienced the ministry of Pine Cove.

Is there a change you’ve been wanting to make, but you don’t know how? Have you tried it all and still can’t figure out how to move forward? Mike welcomes author and life coach BJ Thompson to the Linch with a Leader podcast to dive into what prevents so many of us from not only making the changes we want to make, but making them stick.BJ is a life coach, speaker, and author who helped launch one of the largest faith movements in recent history – the “116 Movement” with Grammy award winning artist Lecrae. He also served alongside Bryan Loritts to expand groundbreaking racial reconciliation work in Memphis, TN. BJ has worked with tens of thousands of individuals and couples all over the world helping them experience personal and relational growth. Currently BJ serves as the executive director for Build a Better Us. He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in Christian studies from Union University. He has been featured in Relevant Magazine, Propel, Christianity Today, Barna, & other publications. He has also worked with History Chanel, RZIM, ERLC, Desiring God, Universities & other corporations. He and his wife Vanja have been married 16 years and live in Atlanta with their three children.

Ever wondered what holds you back from pursuing your dreams? Or, perhaps you’re trying to figure out what your God-given purpose is in life. In this episode of the Linch with a Leader podcast, Mike sits down with Stephen Chandler, senior pastor of Union Church, to talk about the heart behind his recent book, Stop Waiting for Permission: Harness Your Gifts, Find Your Purpose, and Unleash Your Personal Genius. Stephen believes we each have a specific, life-giving purpose in the world – but that many never discover the unique genius embedded within them by the Creator of the universe. Stop Waiting for Permission offers a four-step process to unlocking your unique calling and activating your innate, God-given strengths.About Stephen Chandler:Stephen Chandler is the senior pastor of Union Church based in Maryland. Since 2011, Union has grown from a group of fifty to thousands of people in weekly attendance, with tens of thousands joining live online every week. Stephen’s obsession with people, systems, and culture resulted in Union Church being named the fastest-growing church in America by Outreach magazine. A sought-after international speaker, he is unapologetic about helping leaders maximize their God-given passion.Stephen’s true legacy is his wife, Zai, and their three beautiful children, Zoe, Roman, and Jade.

If you have been to a mall or shopping center in the past 35 years, you are likely familiar with Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. While you may have enjoyed some of these warm, tasty treats, you likely don’t know the story of the woman whose name has become synonymous with this franchise, which now spans 49 states across America. Mike Linch sits down with “Auntie” Anne Beiler, who has a remarkable story of loss, pain, and despair that was transformed into one of hope, freedom, and healing.Like many “American Dream” stories, Anne Beiler’s had humble beginnings – albeit personally challenging ones. She and her husband went through some difficult times, losing a 19-month daughter in a tragic farming accident, then growing distant as they endured the pain separately, in silence. Anne sought the counsel of a pastor, who took advantage of her vulnerability, to manipulate and abuse her for years. She later shared this with her husband, and the two sought counseling together. God restored their marriage, and her husband, Jonas, felt compelled to help others who were suffering from the same despair they had experienced. He had a vision to help provide free counseling services to their community. To help support and fund this endeavor, Anne bought a stand at a farmer's market in Downington, Pennsylvania in 1988, where she made and sold soft pretzels. Auntie Anne’s was born.Even as her business grew into the world’s largest pretzel franchise, Anne continued to deal with depression, with secrets keeping her in darkness. Desperate to find healing, she began to share her story publicly – and she began to feel lighter! Anne discovered a new passion to help other women experience this freedom, and in 2005 she sold her business to give her the time to speak to others on leadership, purpose, and the power of confession.

Why is prayer such an enigma for most Christians? How has prayer become more of a last resort than a first response? In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with Pastor Chris Hodges and dives into the heart behind his most recent book, Pray First: The Transformative Power of a Life Built on Prayer. Chris has spent years studying the prayers of the Bible and the models of prayer that the scriptures provide for Christians. Now, he shares with readers the teachings and methods he's used to successfully help hundreds of thousands of people understand how to spend time in conversation with God--and enjoy every minute.Chris Hodges is the founding and senior pastor of Church of the Highlands. Since it began in 2001, Highlands has grown to have campuses across the state of Alabama, and we’re known for our life-giving culture and focus on leading people to an intimate relationship with God.Pastor Chris has a deep passion for developing leaders and planting life-giving churches. He co-founded ARC (Association of Related Churches) in 2001, which has launched hundreds of churches across the United States. He also founded Grow, specializing in training and resourcing pastors and churches to help them break barriers and reach their growth potential. Chris is also the founder and Chancellor of Highlands College, a ministry training school that trains and launches students into full-time ministry careers.Chris and his wife Tammy have five children and live in Birmingham, Alabama, where Church of the Highlands began. He speaks at conferences worldwide and is the author of Coming Out of the Cave, Fresh Air, Four Cups, The Daniel Dilemma, and What’s Next?.