Linch with a Leader

Something we don’t see quite as celebrated today as in decades past is longevity: the ability to last and stick with something for a long time. In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike sits down with one of the legends in American high school football history, Coach Philip Haywood. In his conversation with Mike Linch, Coach Haywood shares how his role as a coach is far more than about winning; it’s about changing lives.Haywood is the head football coach at Belfry High School in Belfry, Kentucky. He is the winningest high school football coach in Kentucky history, amassing more than 465 wins over 47 seasons, including eight state runner-up finishes and seven state championships. Haywood has been honored by his peers on numerous occasions, being named the Louisville Courier-Journal overall Coach of the Year numerous times, and either Class AA or Class AAA Coach of the Year seven times. In 2013, he was voted USA Today’s Best High School Football Coach, and in 2017 was named Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.One of Haywood’s biggest trademarks is his off-the-field activities related to youth and church activities. He has been the FCA huddle leader at Belfry for more than 35 years and is presently a youth leader at his church. He speaks regularly at churches, youth meetings, and various functions. When speaking at football clinics, he quickly turns to one of his favorite topics related to why we coach and the values we should be teaching our kids.Coach Haywood was indicted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. He is also the author of Faith, Family, and Football, in which he shares his life story through the vehicle of his career in coaching and the three most important things in his life: faith, family, and football. Beyond a sports story, Faith, Family, and Football is a playbook for a successful life whether you are a coach, athlete, or parent.

What does it look like to lead from the “blank page” every day? That’s what Mike Linch discusses with bestselling author Charles Martin in this episode of the Linch with a Leader podcast. Charles shares about his dream of becoming a professional football player, and how God used a devastating, career-ending injury in college to help shape what would become an incredible career in writing. From humble beginnings, to the struggles he has faced as an author, Charles is an open book in how God has continued to pen his story through the years. You will be blessed!Charles Martin is a New York Times bestselling author of 18 previous novels, including his most recent, The Record Keeper. His work is available in 35+ languages. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife and their three sons.

Mike welcomes back author and speaker Annie F. Downs to the Linch with a Leader Podcast for an encore, as they pull apart what it takes to be an effective leader. But, even further than that, Mike and Annie discuss what it takes to be a healthy leader, given the stressors leaders face regularly.Annie F. Downs is a best-selling author, nationally known speaker, and podcast host based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God.Annie is the author of multiple best-selling books, including Remember God and 100 Days To Brave. By weaving together personal stories, humor, and Scripture, she invites those reading to experience fulfilled lives with a God who made them on purpose and loves them deeply. While she loves writing- books, blogs, articles, thank-you notes- Annie also enjoys traveling around the world speaking at events, conferences, and churches. Annie’s podcast- That Sounds Fun Podcast - releases new episodes every Monday and Thursday. Authors, pastors, musicians, comedians, chefs, athletes- Annie has them all and calls them all friend. You’ll love the conversation in every episode.

Dr. Sam Chand becomes Mike’s first three-peat guest, as they discuss Dr. Chand’s most recent book, “Change Has Changed.” The pace of change was accelerating before, according to Dr. Chand. But the pandemic pressed the pedal to the floor. In his new book, Sam sets out to help leaders understand the evolving nature of change so that they can guide their organizations with wisdom and confidence. He examines three major shifts that he likens to three simultaneous earthquakes:Our environment has changed.We have changed.The people around us have changed. More about Dr. Chand:Sam Chand is a former Pastor, college President, Chancellor and now serves as President Emeritus of Beulah Heights University. In this season of his life, Sam Chand does one thing—Leadership. His singular vision for his life is to Help Others Succeed. Sam consults with large churches and businesses on leadership and capacity enhancing issues, and has been named in the top-30 global Leadership Gurus list. He is the Founder & President of Dream Releaser Coaching and Dream Releaser Media & Publishing.

Leaders face numerous obstacles, but one might just take the cake, as it is self-imposed – comparison. In this episode, Mike sits down with author and speaker Shannon Popkin to talk about the comparison game that all leaders face and wrestle with. Much of their discussion centers around Shannon’s most recent book, Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World.About Shannon:As an author and speaker, Shannon loves combining her gifts for humor and storytelling with her passion for Jesus and the truth of God’s Word. She speaks for ladies’ events, retreats, and conferences, and also hosts the Live Like It’s True Podcast. In addition to Comparison Girl, she has authored Influence and Control Girl.  She has also had the privilege of being featured on FamilyLife Today, Revive Our Hearts, Proverbs 31, and other ministries.

Mike sits down with President and CEO of Compassion International, Jimmy Mellado, to discuss his leadership journey, from humble beginnings in El Salvador to leading one of the most influential organizations in the world. How can serving a great cause be dangerous for our souls and for our walk with the Lord? Jimmy answers this question, and shares the only true motivation we should have for serving and ministering to others.Prior to joining Compassion in June of 2013, Jimmy was president of the Willow Creek Association (WCA) – a global ministry completely dedicated to helping local churches thrive. Additionally, Jimmy was key in launching and hosting The Global Leadership Summit, an annual not-for-profit event created to address the dire need for excellent leadership training in local churches and other people-centered organizations around the world.He is also an accomplished athlete. In college, Jimmy was a member of the 1983 NCAA Division I Indoor & Outdoor National Championship team at SMU, where he competed in the decathlon and held the school record. After college, Jimmy went on to place 4th at the 1987 Pan American Games and 26th in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, competing for the country of his birth, El Salvador.

In a special Father’s Day episode, Mike sits down with Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield, author of Let’s Talk: Conversation Starters for Dads and Daughters. It can be a daunting task for dads and daughters to talk about the hard stuff, the deep stuff, the vulnerable stuff, and the complex stuff. According to Dr. Canfield, when a daughter opens her mouth, her heart opens. And when a daughter’s heart is open, her dad’s heart automatically opens. Dr. Canfield’s goal with Let’s Talk is to help dads close the communication gap with their daughters by showing them how to listen and build trust with insights and scripted questions that equip them to move from fun get-to-know-you chats to deep discussions that dive into their daughters’ struggles, hurts, fears, and hopes. About Dr. Michelle Watson CanfieldDr. Canfield holds a PhD in Health Psychology, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. In 2010, she founded The Abba Project, where she leads dads of daughters ages 13 to 30 to dial in with more intention and consistency to their heart space. Additionally, she serves as co-chair of the Father-Daughter Initiative at the National Center for Fathering. Dr. Canfield has authored two books: Dad, Here’s What I Really Need from You: A Guide for Connecting with Your Daughter’s Heart, and Let’s Talk: Conversation Starters for Dads and Daughters. She also hosts The Dad Whisperer Podcast, where her purpose is to provide practical resources for dads, especially those with daughters.

Why is staying connected to God paramount in our faith journey? That’s the question Kevin Queen answers as he shares his life journey, as well as his ministry journey with Mike in this week’s episode of Linch with a Leader. Kevin talks about his personal wrestling matches with God, how vital prayer and fasting have been for him when facing tough decisions, and how to prevent yourself from manipulating life, and allowing God to move on your behalf. About Kevin:Kevin Queen is a husband, father, pastor, and communicator. Born and raised in the Atlanta area, he’s a graduate of the University of Georgia, New Orleans Seminary, and Bethel Seminary. Before joining Cross Point’s staff in August 2017, Kevin served for 14 years on staff at 12Stone Church, a large multi-site church with 8 campuses in Metro Atlanta. During his last 10 years at 12Stone, he served as both a campus pastor and teaching pastor.

Have you ever wondered if there is a more emotionally and spiritually whole way to connect at work and home? That’s the question behind Karen Hardwick’s book, The Connected Leader. Mike sits down with Karen to walk through several strategies designed to help empower your true self and inspire others along the way.Karen Hardwick is a psychotherapist-turned-leadership consultant who claims to have the “best two jobs in the world: being her son, Matthew’s, mother and helping leaders have “eureka” moments that transform them. She considers both jobs more “callings” than work. In addition to being a speaker and author, Karen also hosts a podcast called “Saving You a Seat,” where she and her guests dig deep into life’s messiness and share how connection is the antidote.