The Athletics of Business

Ed Molitor
  • 5.0 (49)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semimonthly

Our Athletics of Business podcast provides leaders with invaluable practical lessons framed by the competitive nature of sport and life. Here we share a mindset built on the foundational belief that the skills and behaviors of high-performing teams, elite athletes, and high-impact coaches are also the key to your business success. This perspective is a direct result of Ed Molitor's experiences—as both a college athlete and a coach—that helped shape his core values: work ethic, positivity, enthusiasm, passion for life, loyalty, and commitment to relentlessly pursuing excellence.

  1. Soccer Meets America: Leadership, Culture, and the Stories That Shape Us with Phil Wall

    Jun 24

    Soccer Meets America: Leadership, Culture, and the Stories That Shape Us with Phil Wall

    What happens when a sport's history is bigger, deeper, and more culturally revealing than the story most people have been told? Soccer has always been part of the American sports landscape. Union soldiers played it during the Civil War. Crowds of 46,000 showed up for soccer in New York in the 1920s. Pelé brought nearly 200 journalists with him when he played for the New York Cosmos. But the real story is not just about soccer. It is about how culture is built, how momentum grows, how narratives take shape, and how the stories we choose to tell can either limit what people see or expand what they believe is possible. In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, Ed Molitor welcomes back filmmaker Phil Wall to talk about his latest project, the three-part Roku docuseries Soccer Meets America. What started as a project without a personal hook became a discovery process. Phil uncovered a rich and surprising history of soccer in the United States while exploring a bigger question: what happens when we stop asking whether something matters and start looking at the impact it has already made? He also opens up about the leadership lessons behind the camera: directing a larger production team, learning to delegate, admitting what he did not know, and trusting others to help bring the vision to life. The conversation then moves into one of Phil's greatest strengths: storytelling. He shares why the best stories are not about the teller, but the audience. For leaders, coaches, and business professionals, that is where the real lesson lives. This is a conversation about culture, leadership, humility, and the power of stories to shape how people see themselves, their teams, and what is possible next.   OUR GUEST Phil Wall is an award-winning writer, director, and showrunner working across features, series, and commercials. His work is rooted in nonfiction storytelling, with an interest in character-driven stories across scripted, documentary, and hybrid forms. He is the showrunner, director, and writer of Soccer Meets America, a three-part docuseries produced with Vox Creative in association with Verizon and now streaming on The Roku Channel. His feature documentaries include The Book Keepers, winner of both the Jury Prize and Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Austin Film Festival, and The Standard, which debuted at #4 on the iTunes documentary chart.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: How Phil Wall uncovered the deeper story behind Soccer Meets America Why soccer's roots in America go far beyond the 1994 World Cup How the 1994 World Cup helped shape the future of professional soccer in the U.S. Why St. Louis became a powerful example of how local culture is built How media, technology, and pop culture helped bring soccer into the mainstream Why Phil believed soccer's place in America no longer needed to be defended How the next wave of U.S. soccer challenges us to rethink what success really means What leading a larger creative team taught Phil about delegation, trust, and clarity Why admitting what you don't know can build stronger trust as a leader How great storytelling starts with the audience, not the storyteller   RESOURCES & LINKS  Phil Wall Website: philwall.film Watch Soccer Meets America - Available now on the Roku Series GORUCK: www.goruck.com Episodes 135 and 136 - Phil Wall's earlier appearance on The Athletics of Business   Ed Molitor LinkedIn - Ed Molitor Website - coeffex.com YouTube Channel - The Athletics of Business   References The Two Escobars - ESPN 30 for 30 documentary (written by Nick Sprague) The Book Keepers - Phil Wall's documentary following his father after his mother's death The Standard - Phil Wall's previous project The FIFA+ app - Where to find classic World Cup documentaries Telstar - The first international transatlantic broadcast satellite (1962   Timestamps   [00:00] Dynamic intro [01:28] Welcoming Phil Wall back to the podcast [02:13] The origin story behind Soccer Meets America [03:26] How personal relationships helped launch the project [05:11] Discovering the forgotten history of soccer in America [06:19] The World Cup bid that changed everything [07:19] St. Louis and America's early soccer culture [10:23] Soccer's rise, disappearance, and reemergence in American media [14:31] Commercialization, broadcasting, and soccer's unique challenges [16:23] The business side of building professional soccer [17:52] Technology, television, and the growth of the sport [19:43] The untold story of women's soccer in America [21:20] The future of soccer heading into the 2026 World Cup [31:23] Why soccer no longer needs validation [33:27] How this project stretched Phil as a filmmaker [35:37] Learning to lead and collaborate on a larger team [38:24] Where to watch Soccer Meets America [39:21] The fundamentals of great storytelling [45:55] Final reflections and closing thoughts

    46 min
  2. Yes Your Way to Success: What Endurance Teaches Us About Leadership with Gavin Mlinar

    Jun 17

    Yes Your Way to Success: What Endurance Teaches Us About Leadership with Gavin Mlinar

    Most people spend their lives trying to avoid failure. Gavin Mlinar has built his life around walking straight into it. From leaving home to pursue freestyle skiing as a teenager, to returning after multiple knee injuries to earn a starting role on the football field, to walking away from a successful executive career without a clear plan for what came next, Gavin has repeatedly chosen uncertainty over comfort. And more often than not, those decisions began with a simple phrase: "Yes, I'll figure it out." In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, Ed Molitor is joined by Gavin Mlinar,  a former Wall Street equity research founder, VP at a Japanese company, and two-time finisher of the 29,029 Everesting challenge. Together, they explore the surprising connections between endurance athletics, leadership, and the art of saying "yes" before you figure it out. Gavin shares his journey from Division III football and the USA Junior Olympic ski team to corporate leadership, startup life, and the humbling world of 36-hour vertical climbing challenges. He opens up about fainting before lunch on his first attempt, ignoring his coaches for 20 weeks, and finally finishing under the worst weather conditions in event history. But the real throughline? A philosophy he learned from his father, a 747 pilot who treated everyone like they were in his home: lead with help, and let the rewards take care of themselves. Because success isn't about controlling outcomes. It's about enjoying the process, embracing toddler logic, and showing up for others without expecting anything in return.   OUR GUEST Gavin Mlinar is the CEO and Founding Member of Blacklisted Consulting, a sourcing and procurement consulting firm that helps organizations save money while optimizing the way they buy goods and services. A former Wall Street Equity Analyst and Investment Banker, Gavin has leveraged his negotiating and communication skills, industry expertise, and passion for problem-solving into a successful career in sourcing, procurement, and supply chain leadership. Throughout his career, he has negotiated large, complex, multi-million and multi-billion-dollar agreements with many of the world's leading IT, Professional Services, and Corporate Services suppliers, helping organizations drive efficiency, accelerate growth, and achieve significant cost savings. But Gavin's journey has been guided by a philosophy that extends far beyond business: say YES, then figure it out. That mindset has shaped everything from earning a starting spot on his high school varsity football team without a reputation, to competing on the USA Junior Olympic skiing team, to launching multiple businesses and leading teams through change and uncertainty. A husband of 19 years, proud father of two, and lifelong believer in growth over comfort, Gavin brings a practical, relatable perspective to leadership and performance. One of his proudest accomplishments was completing the 29029 Everesting Challenge on his third attempt after failing twice—a powerful reminder that failure is only final when you stop showing up. Whether negotiating billion-dollar contracts, leading organizations through transformation, or speaking to audiences about leadership and resilience, Gavin's message remains consistent: success is rarely about having all the answers. It's about having the courage to take the next step, learn along the way, and keep moving forward.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: Why failure is often learning in disguise Lessons from elite athletics that translate directly into leadership and business How endurance challenges reveal strengths and blind spots under pressure The importance of listening beyond simply hearing words How feedback loops accelerate growth and performance Why preparation matters more than motivation during difficult challenges How leaders learn to embrace diverse perspectives and different motivations What toddler logic teaches us about learning, resilience, and persistence Why relationships create opportunities that strategy alone cannot How serving others first can become a powerful business advantage    RESOURCES & LINKS  Gavin Mlinar Website - http://yesyourway.com LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-mlinar-2295b83/ Blog: https://yesyourway.com/blogs/one-more-ascent Book: https://www.amazon.com/Yes-Your-Way-Success-Dont/dp/B0FC5M9GHQ   Ed Molitor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/ Website - https://coeffex.com/podcast YouTube Channel - The Athletics of Business - https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticsofbusiness   Timestamps [00:00] Dynamic intro [01:35] Meet Gavin Mlinar [02:35] Building businesses and embracing entrepreneurship from an early age [04:00] Learning communication through cold-calling and rejection [05:07] From freestyle skiing to collegiate football [09:48] Choosing between athletic dreams and practical realities [12:52] The "Say Yes and Figure It Out" mindset [13:50] COVID, burnout, and a life-changing turning point [15:40] Discovering the 29,029 Everesting challenge [18:39] The first endurance challenge and a humbling setback [21:31] Missing the lessons hidden in plain sight [22:42] Heart rate training and endurance fundamentals [25:19] Why failure became one of Gavin's greatest teachers [27:44] Patience, listening, and slowing down [29:10] Leadership lessons from managing people with different motivations [31:27] Toddler logic and the power of continuous learning [33:49] Building systems, feedback loops, and preparation habits [36:37] Learning from mistakes and improving performance [38:17] Family challenges, Alzheimer's, and staying focused [40:14] Finishing the challenge and trusting the process [41:46] The success of Say Yes and Figure It Out [42:19] Leading with generosity and helping others first [43:12] The influence of Gavin's father and treating people with respect [46:55] How helping others unexpectedly created new opportunities [49:20] Final reflections and closing thoughts

    51 min
  3. Captain: The Athlete's Guide to Being an Exceptional Team Leader with John O'Sullivan and Dr. Jerry Lynch

    Jun 10

    Captain: The Athlete's Guide to Being an Exceptional Team Leader with John O'Sullivan and Dr. Jerry Lynch

    What if the best captain on your team is not the loudest, most talented, or most popular player? For John O'Sullivan and Dr. Jerry Lynch, true captaincy is not about status. It is about skill, choice, relationships, and the daily behaviors that help a team become more connected, accountable, and resilient. In this episode of The Athletics of Business, Ed Molitor is joined by  John and Jerry to discuss their new book, Captain: The Athlete's Guide to Being an Exceptional Leader. Together, they unpack why leadership in sports is often misunderstood, why teams should stop automatically handing captaincy to the best player, and why every athlete has the ability to develop leadership from the inside out. John and Jerry explore what great captains actually do: they build trust, model the standard, serve their teammates, communicate with courage, and protect the culture when things get hard. They also explain why influence is relational, not positional, and why the most effective leaders are often the ones willing to do the unseen work. From self-awareness and servant leadership to tough conversations, kindness, accountability, and gratitude, this conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership is not something you wait to be given. It is something you choose to practice every day.   OUR GUESTS John O' Sullivan John O'Sullivan is an internationally known TEDx Speaker and the founder of the Changing the Game Project, which he started in 2012.  He is the author of two #1 Bestselling books, Changing the Game and Every Moment Matters, and a leading youth sports blogger, while being a host of the Way of Champions Podcast, one of the top-rated podcasts in the world for coaches. Former collegiate and professional soccer player, and has coached for over 20 years on the youth, high school, and college levels. He has consulted with US Olympic Committee, US Soccer, USA Football, US Lacrosse, USA Swimming, Ireland Rugby, Aussie Rules Football, and many more John is on the National Advisory Board for the Positive Coaching Alliance and the National Association for Physical Literacy.   Dr. Jerry Lynch Jerry first learned about extraordinary performance and excellence as a nationally ranked competitive athlete sponsored by Nike, running world-class times from 5,000 meters to the marathon, setting an American record in the half-marathon, winning a National Championship, and many other races against athletes half his age.  He took what he learned about himself and life from his competitive days and parlayed it into a dynamic, successful career helping athletes and coaches in all sports to use his performance and leadership strategies to up their game and discover the best version of themselves. Dr. Lynch has been recognized as one of the top five in his profession nationwide. He has worked with teams, coaches, and athletes in the NBA, Pro Lacrosse, Major League Soccer, with men's and women's basketball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, golf, and other sports at the universities of North Carolina, Duke, Maryland, California, Syracuse, Stanford, Harvard, and Middlebury. Dr. Lynch is the author of 18 books in over 10 languages and the founder and director of WAY OF CHAMPIONS, a human potential and performance consulting group helping others master the deeper inner game for sports, business, and life. Jerry is a dynamic, entertaining, inspirational, provocative, and humorous teacher and speaker with topics on leadership, coaching, team culture building, winning the relationship game, and core value development.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: Why captaincy is a skill that can be taught, practiced, and developed. Why the best player is not always the best leader on the team. How coaches and teammates can identify real leaders through behaviors, traits, and trust. Why influence comes from relationships, not titles or positional power. How captains serve as the bridge between coaches, teammates, and the team culture. Why great leaders must learn to have hard conversations with courage and respect. The difference between being liked, being respected, being nice, and being kind. Why self-awareness is the foundation of exceptional leadership. How elite athletes like Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant modeled servant leadership. Why gratitude, joy, and service can elevate both leadership and performance.   RESOURCES & LINKS John O' Sullivan & Dr. Jerry Lynch Website: https://changingthegameproject.com/  Website:  www.wayofchampions.com  Get the Book: Captain: The Athlete's Guide to Being an Exceptional Team Leader Way of Champions Podcast on Apple Podcast Jerry's LinkedIn  Jhon's LinkedIn    Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Ed Molitor  Website: CoEffex YouTube Channel: The Athletics of Business   TIMESTAMPS ● 00:01:07 Why winning takes more than talent ● 00:02:00 Introducing Captain: The Athlete's Guide to Being an Exceptional Leader ● 00:03:10 Why teams often choose captains for the wrong reasons ● 00:05:24 Why captaincy should be treated as a skill ● 00:10:08 Why captains are connectors between coaches and teammates ● 00:11:53 Why influence comes from relationships ● 00:14:45 The hardest conversations captains must learn to have ● 00:16:00 Why respect matters more than being liked ● 00:19:15 The three-part structure of Captain ● 00:26:44 Why self-awareness is the competitive advantage ● 00:33:45 The difference between being nice and being kind ● 00:39:18 Tim Duncan and the power of leading by example ● 00:42:37 How Kobe Bryant learned to bring teammates along ● 00:45:36 Where to find the book, podcast, and leadership resources

    49 min

  4. Jun 3

    The Human Side of Leadership: Building a Culture of Purpose-Driven Performance with Jeff Schaffnit

    What changes when the work you lead is deeply personal? For Jeff Schaffnit, his career in the pharmaceutical industry is directly connected to his son, Carter, who was born with severe hemophilia. That personal experience shaped not only the work Jeff chose to pursue, but the kind of leader he strives to be. In this episode of The Athletics of Business, Ed Molitor and Jeff dive into what it takes to build a culture where purpose and performance strengthen one another. Jeff shares why patient stories serve as a North Star for his team, how he evaluates talent through the lens of heart, mind, and execution, and why great teammates put the patient and the team ahead of individual recognition. He also explores the human side of leadership: building trust, calling out silos, coaching instead of simply telling, developing future leaders, creating space for vulnerability, and helping people manage their time and energy in demanding environments. As AI continues to influence healthcare and business, Jeff offers a powerful reminder: technology may change how the work gets done, but the future still belongs to leaders and organizations that keep humanity at the center.   OUR GUEST Jeff Schaffnit is the General Manager and Head of Rare Blood Disorders at Sanofi, where he leads work focused on serving patients and families impacted by rare blood disorders. With more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Jeff is known for his ability to build and inspire high-performing teams, design effective commercial organizations, and translate complex challenges into clear, pragmatic strategies that deliver results. His leadership approach combines a strong strategic lens with disciplined execution, enabling teams to perform in dynamic and highly regulated environments. His connection to this work is deeply personal. Jeff's son, Carter, was born with severe hemophilia, an experience that helped shape Jeff's career and continues to influence the way he leads. For Jeff, the mission is not abstract. It is about helping patients live fuller lives and building teams that understand the responsibility and privilege of serving them. At his core, Jeff believes that performance is built through people—through clarity, alignment, trust, and a shared commitment to purpose. And ultimately, the true measure of success is the impact that work has on patients' lives. Jeff holds an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: How Jeff's son's hemophilia diagnosis shaped his career and personal mission. Why patient stories keep teams connected to the meaning behind their work. How Jeff builds culture around purpose-driven performance. Why he looks for heart, mind, and execution when building a team. What great teammates understand about collaboration, ego, and accountability. Why trust begins with listening, especially when leading new people or teams. The difference between coaching someone and simply telling them what to do. How leaders can model wellness, boundaries, and energy management. Why Jeff's team encourages people to "Find Your Five" and reclaim meaningful time. Why vulnerability has been one of Jeff's most important leadership growth areas. How leaders can transform while performing without losing sight of the human impact. Why a leader's most important job is developing the team. Why Jeff believes the future of leadership and healthcare must remain human first.   RESOURCES & LINKS  Jeff Schaffnit LinkedIn: Jeff Schaffnit Sanofi: Sanofi US Article: To Drive Value in Hematology Research, We Must Prioritize the Patient Experience   Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Ed Molitor  Website: CoEffex YouTube Channel: The Athletics of Business   TIMESTAMPS 00:01:19 What gets Jeff out of bed every morning 00:02:18 Jeff's personal connection to hemophilia 00:04:40 Why patient stories anchor the team's purpose 00:06:31 AI in healthcare and the importance of human connection 00:07:46 Building culture through heart, strategy, and execution 00:09:55 What makes someone a great teammate 00:10:53 Calling out silos and protecting the culture 00:12:51 How patient stories bring culture to life 00:16:08 The damage caused by micromanagement 00:17:06 How leaders build trust with new team members 00:24:42 Owning your mindset as a leader 00:32:20 Why vulnerability does not always come naturally 00:35:00 Why a leader's real job is developing the team 00:37:16 Development is a two-way street 00:38:28 Advice Jeff would give his younger self 00:39:54 Building meaningful networks and mentorships 00:40:50 Why the future of leadership is still human first

    42 min

  5. May 20

    From the Foxhole to the Final Four: Roadmap to Coaching Greatness with Coach Bob Starkey

    What keeps a coach grounded after more than 40 years, over 900 wins, 27 NCAA Tournament appearances, five consecutive Women's Final Fours, and a national championship? For Bob Starkey, the answer has never been about the record.  It has always been about the relationships. In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, Ed Molitor is joined by one of the most respected assistant coaches in women's college basketball for a conversation about leadership, preparation, connection, and the standards that build great teams. Bob traces his coaching philosophy back to Alan Osborne, the junior high coach who invested in him not just as a player, but as a young person. From there, he shares the lessons he learned from some of the most influential leaders in sports, including Dale Brown, Don Meyer, Sue Gunter, George Raveling, Nick Saban, and John Wooden. Those lessons shaped the way Bob approaches everything: loyalty, work ethic, initiative, preparation, failure, resilience, and the daily discipline of becoming the best version of yourself. Bob also opens up about the personal journey that has shaped his leadership, including his wife Sherri's battles with MS and breast cancer, and how her attitude through adversity taught him the power of perspective, gratitude, and choosing your response every single day. From the Foxhole Test and defensive sticker helmets to journaling, rereading books, morning meditation, and the "Next Best Action" mindset, this episode is filled with practical wisdom for coaches, leaders, and anyone committed to building something real. Because great teams are not built by talent alone. They are built through trust, preparation, connection, accountability, and the people willing to stand in the foxhole with you.   OUR GUEST Bob Starkey is one of the most accomplished assistant coaches in the history of women's college basketball. He has been part of nearly 1,000 collegiate victories, 27 NCAA Tournaments, 10 Elite Eight appearances, and five consecutive Women's Final Fours. In 2023, he was part of the LSU Tigers staff that won the national championship under head coach Kim Mulkey. Bob served as acting head coach for LSU during its 2007 Final Four run and has coached at Marshall University, West Virginia State, LSU under Dale Brown, Sue Gunter, and Kim Mulkey, as well as Texas A&M under Gary Blair. He is the author of The Art of Being an Assistant Coach and publishes Hoop Thoughts, where he shares insights on coaching, leadership, and personal development. Bob is also deeply committed to community impact and serves on the board of directors for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, supporting the fight against cancer.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: How a junior high coach shaped Bob Starkey's lifelong approach to leadership Why the greatest coaches measure impact through relationships, not records Lessons on leadership from Dale Brown, Don Meyer, George Raveling, Nick Saban, and John Wooden Why loyalty, work ethic, initiative, and preparation remain timeless standards How failure becomes a teacher when leaders are willing to examine it honestly Why "the process" starts with controlling today and taking the next best action How daily habits, reflection, reading, and journaling build consistency over time Why storytelling creates buy-in, belief, and deeper connection with a team What the "Foxhole Test" reveals about trust, accountability, and true teammates How transformational leadership stays rooted in connection, attitude, and hard conversations RESOURCES & LINKS  Bob Starkey Visit LSU Website to learn more about Coach Starkey - https://lsusports.net/sports/wbball/roster/coach/bob-starkey/  X (Twitter) - https://x.com/CoachBobStarkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopcoachbobstarkey/ Hoop Thoughts Newsletter: https://hoopthoughts.blogspot.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Being-Assistant-Coach-coaching/dp/B0006QL0FM Ed Molitor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/ Website - https://coeffex.com/podcast YouTube Channel - The Athletics of Business - https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticsofbusiness  Referenced: Legacy — James Kerr Atomic Habits — James Clear The Coffee Bean — Damon West & Jon Gordon The Daily Stoic / Ryan Holiday The Pyramid of Success — John Wooden

    57 min

  6. May 13

    The Power of Mentorship and Trust in Building a Championship Culture with Scott Howard

    What does it take to build a championship culture that lasts? For Scott Howard, it starts with mentorship, trust, relationships, and a commitment to putting the team above yourself. In this episode of The Athletics of Business, host Ed Molitor reconnects with longtime friend Scott Howard, currently completing his 11th season with the Denver Nuggets organization after nearly four decades in basketball, including 17 years coaching in the college game and over two decades in the NBA. At the heart of this conversation is what truly builds championship culture. Scott shares how growing up in Iowa Falls, Iowa shaped his values around humility, community, accountability, and relationships. He reflects on the mentors who changed his life, including the legendary George Raveling, Pat Riley, and Leonard Hamilton, and the lessons they taught him about leadership, trust, consistency, and serving something bigger than yourself. From stories about Pat Riley's "Core Covenant" and "Disease of Me," to George Raveling's philosophy of giving without keeping score, this episode is filled with practical leadership lessons for coaches, executives, team builders, and anyone trying to create an environment where people can thrive together. Scott also opens up about the evolution of his own leadership journey, what he learned through decades in coaching and the NBA, and why the strongest organizations are built on alignment, trust, accountability, and relationships that endure long after the scoreboard changes. If you care about leadership, mentorship, culture, and the kind of trust required to build winning teams, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.   OUR GUEST Scott Howard is completing his 11th year with the Denver Nuggets front office and his first as Director of College Scouting. He was originally hired as Director of College Scouting before the 2015-16 season. He was General Manager of the Nuggets' GLeague team, the Grand Rapids Gold from 2021-2023, and Director of Player Personnel from 2021-2025. Prior to joining the Nuggets, Howard was part of the Charlotte organization, both the Bobcats and then the Hornets, as their Director of Scouting. He spent the previous season as a scout with the Milwaukee Bucks. His next stop was with the Toronto Raptors as Director of International Player Personnel, where he was responsible for all aspects of player personnel outside of North America and coordinated player workouts ahead of the NBA Draft. He also served as a scout for the Washington Wizards from 2000-2004. Howard also spent 17 years as a collegiate coach, including seven seasons at the University of Miami, three seasons at the University of Nebraska, and one season each at Southern Illinois, Drake, and Southern California. In addition to his Nuggets career, Howard has a company called "Winning Matters Most" where he does public speaking and consulting. Howard received his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1983 from Iowa State University, where he was a two-year letterman for the basketball team. He earned his master's degree in educational administration from the University of Iowa in 1985 while serving as a volunteer assistant and graduate assistant coach.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: How growing up in a small town shaped Scott's lifelong commitment to relationships, community, and giving back Why some of the hardest moments in your career can become the foundation for long-term growth What true mentorship really looks like and how it shapes who we become How George Raveling modeled generosity, curiosity, and paying it forward The difference between being motivated "to have" vs "to be" and why it changes everything Why trust is essential to building a championship culture How Pat Riley's concepts of the "Core Covenant" and the "Disease of Me" apply far beyond sports Why some of the most impactful mentors in your life may be younger than you What it means to "borrow other people's brilliance" and how humility accelerates growth How alignment, accountability, and trust shape winning teams and sustainable organizations RESOURCES & LINKS  Scott Howard LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/scott-howard-789927158/ Website - https://www.nba.com/nuggets/ Ed Molitor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/ Website - https://coeffex.com/podcast YouTube Channel - The Athletics of Business - https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticsofbusiness Referenced: The Winner Within — Pat Riley Showtime — Pat Riley Unraveling George Documentary Timestamps [00:00] Introduction [01:00] Introduction to Scott Howard & his Denver Nuggets journey [03:01] Reconnecting after 20+ years [04:27] Iowa Falls: small towns, great people [08:23] Walking on at Iowa State & pursuing D1 coaching [11:44] The price: fired 3x, volunteer coaching, never quitting [12:07] Resilience & reframing through setbacks [13:32] "I'm not letting someone else define who I am." [15:20] The Unraveling George doc & Coach Raveling [17:26] Raveling: educator first, rare in coaching [20:12] Preparing coaches for life, not just the game [21:56] Losing Raveling and his mother in the same season [26:07] "I don't keep score," Raveling's most powerful line [28:47] "Never forget the bridges that got you across" [37:07] The Kevin McKinnon story: players leading players [39:11] Doing work that matters, not climbing the ladder [43:01] Pat Riley as mentor & the book that changed everything [44:00] The Winner Within: Innocent Climb & Disease of Me [45:04] Motivated "to be" vs. "to have" [50:38] The "best day" problem in pro sports [52:38] When trust breaks, the blame game starts [53:41] Learning from mentors

    56 min

  7. Apr 22

    One Team, One Heartbeat: How Human Connection Drives Transformation Before the Scoreboard Shows It with Meghan Long

    Why do the same teams keep winning without the most talent? Is it because they've learned to embrace the grind, celebrate small wins, and lead people as humans first—so they'd run through a wall for each other? In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, host Ed Molitor is joined by Meghan Long, Area Vice President of US Surgical Sales at BioTissue. As a former Division I Lacrosse captain at UNC-Chapel Hill, Meghan understands what it takes to build a winning culture. Today, she brings those same principles into her work, leading high-impact growth and turnaround efforts across the medical device, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries over the past 14 years. Meghan shares how the core principles of elite athletics—direct communication, discipline, working within constraints, and genuine care for people—translate directly into building high-performing teams in business. She opens up about taking over a team that hadn't hit quota in 13 years, and how she rebuilt trust, created alignment, and generated momentum by focusing on people first, not just performance. Throughout the conversation, Meghan reinforces a simple but powerful truth: when people feel seen, supported, and challenged, they respond differently. They take ownership. They commit to each other. And that's where real performance begins. If you've ever faced a turnaround, stepped into a struggling team, or are looking to elevate how you lead and develop people, this conversation will give you a practical and grounded perspective on what it takes to build a culture that lasts. Listen now to learn how to create belief before the scoreboard reflects it—and how to build a team that competes, connects, and wins together.   OUR GUEST Former Athlete, Forever Leader. Meghan Long is a veteran sales leader with 14 years of experience driving high-velocity growth across Medical Device, Biotech, and Pharma. Currently serving as Area Vice President of US Surgical Sales at BioTissue, Meghan has delivered some of the most remarkable turnarounds in her industry — including hitting quota for the first time in 13 years, growing a region 248% year-over-year, and leading a division to $50M in revenue. She's worked with private equity-backed organizations, launched new products, and built winning cultures from the ground up. A UNC Chapel Hill graduate and former Division I lacrosse captain, Meghan brings the same competitive drive and leadership to the boardroom that she brought to the field.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: How discipline, consistency, and effort shape high-performing teams Why direct, honest communication builds trust faster than avoiding hard conversations The role of small wins in creating momentum before results show up How constraints can drive better thinking and stronger execution What it takes to rebuild a struggling team without focusing on the past Why "one team, one heartbeat" cultures outperform individual-driven teams How treating people as humans—not roles—drives commitment and effort The importance of leveraging individual strengths to elevate team performance How listening, vulnerability, and connection strengthen leadership impact Why repetition and belief are essential to building and sustaining culture  RESOURCES & LINKS  Meghan Long LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/meghan-l-083805a Website - https://biotissue.com/   Ed Molitor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/ Website - https://coeffex.com/podcast YouTube Channel - The Athletics of Business - https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticsofbusiness    2026 Coaching Effect Summit – Driven by Data, Powered by People May 5‑6 in Omaha, NE (Tenaska Center) CLICK HERE TO JOIN US: https://coeffex.com/2026-coaching-effect-summit   Timestamps [00:00] Dynamic Intro [00:59] Introduction to Meghan Long [02:34] Meghan's background: athletics, leadership, and UNC [05:40] Early influences and discipline from a young age [07:39] Choosing UNC and the impact of Coach Jenny Levy [08:46] The power of direct communication in leadership [11:35] Growth through tough feedback and early setbacks [14:09] Building confidence through effort and consistency [17:49] Why small wins create winning cultures [18:01] Rebuilding teams and achieving turnaround success [20:11] Innovation and creativity under constraints [24:33] "There's a time to carry and a time to be carried." [28:20] Empowering and leveraging individual strengths [31:21] Building "one team, one heartbeat." [33:44] Rewriting team identity and future vision [35:08] Adapting to change in a fast-moving industry [35:59] Developing talent and promoting from within [37:57] What prepares someone for leadership [40:00] Why transformation journeys are most fulfilling [40:40] Mentoring women in male-dominated industries [43:18] The impact of mentorship and giving back

    45 min

  8. Apr 15

    Connecting Like A PRO: The Four Underlying Motivators Every Leader Needs to Master

    What if every frustrating conversation, every missed connection, and every stalled coaching moment with your team could be traced back to just four hidden forces, forces you've never been taught to see? In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, host Ed Molitor is joined by Paul Bramson, elite leadership trainer, global keynote speaker, and author of Connecting Like A PRO®, to explore the hidden drivers behind every conversation, conflict, and coaching moment. Paul reveals the four underlying motivators that shape how we respond under pressure: the Need to Be Liked, the Need to Be Safe, the Need to Be Right, and the Need to Look Good. He explains why most leaders unintentionally coach from their own underlying motivator instead of their team members', and how that mismatch quietly erodes trust. You'll learn how to spot motivators in real time, prepare for pressure-tested conversations, and use emotional agility to connect with anyone, even when the stakes are high. Drawing on more than two decades of work with over 500,000 professionals, Paul challenges conventional thinking around "soft skills", making the case that self-awareness plus self-regulation is the ultimate competitive advantage in leadership today. If you've ever wondered why some people shut down, push back, or smile and then do the opposite, this conversation will fundamentally change how you show up as a leader. Listen now and start connecting with your team in a way that builds real trust, elevates performance, and drives measurable results.   Our Guest Paul Bramson is a global keynote speaker, elite leadership trainer, and author of Connecting Like A PRO® – Unleash Your Superpower. For more than two decades, Paul has worked with leaders and high performers inside Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, technology and SaaS firms, and global sales organizations, helping them elevate communication, strengthen leadership, drive sales performance, and build stronger connections that drive results. Over the course of his career, Paul has delivered keynotes and training programs to more than 500,000 professionals and partnered with some of the most recognizable organizations in the world. His proprietary Connecting Like A PRO® framework reveals the underlying motivators that drive how people communicate, make decisions, and perform when it matters most. Through his practical leadership, sales, and communication programs, Paul inspires people to raise their game by learning how to connect more effectively with the people around them.   What You'll Learn in this Episode: Why connection is a critical leadership skill, not a "soft skill" The four underlying motivators that drive human behavior and communication How a lack of emotional agility limits leadership effectiveness The difference between intent and impact in communication Why trust is built (or broken) through how leaders show up under pressure How to prepare for difficult conversations using motivator awareness Why self-awareness + self-regulation is the ultimate competitive advantage How leaders can create momentum by adapting to individual team members Practical ways to identify and respond to your team's motivators in real time Why emerging leaders should start developing connection skills early   Resources & Links    Paul Bramson Website:  https://paulbramson.com/  Speaking: https://paulbramson.com/schedule-with-paul/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbramsonofficial/  Book: Connecting Like A PRO®: https://amzn.to/3OHgTBV  Instagram: @OfficialPaulBramson Keynote / YouTube speaking clips Highlight Reel: https://youtu.be/2cbXOmbCFCs?si=TthjdPQnH_55z_Cq  If You Hate To Lose: https://youtu.be/YAXfbD4auPs?si=PcpqJkEYC5tW1yaB  The Real Test Comes After The Applause: https://youtu.be/hlP9wuLV6Ic?si=bPUWi6PJq3Tui5kv  Ed Molitor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/  Website: https://coeffex.com/podcast  The Athletics of Business YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticsofbusiness JOIN US at The Coaching Effect Summit, May 5‑6 in Omaha, NE (Nesca Center) – Driven by Data, Powered by People Click here to register: https://coeffex.com/2026-coaching-effect-summit

    52 min
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Our Athletics of Business podcast provides leaders with invaluable practical lessons framed by the competitive nature of sport and life. Here we share a mindset built on the foundational belief that the skills and behaviors of high-performing teams, elite athletes, and high-impact coaches are also the key to your business success. This perspective is a direct result of Ed Molitor's experiences—as both a college athlete and a coach—that helped shape his core values: work ethic, positivity, enthusiasm, passion for life, loyalty, and commitment to relentlessly pursuing excellence.

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