Linch with a Leader

Mike Linch
  • 5.0 (180)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Biweekly

What if you were able to sit down with some of the greatest leaders in the world? What would you ask? What would they say? Welcome to the “Linch with a Leader” Podcast with Mike Linch, where you are invited to join us in learning the spiritual principles behind big success.

  1. 6d ago

    Les McKeown on Why Growing Organizations Start to Break and How to Fix It

    Why does an organization often start feeling harder to lead just as it becomes more successful? In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch sits down with bestselling author and Predictable Success founder Les McKeown to explore the predictable stages that businesses, churches, nonprofits and teams experience as they grow. Drawing from decades of experience building, advising and studying organizations, Les explains why growth inevitably creates complexity—and why the leadership practices that helped an organization succeed early can eventually begin holding it back. Mike and Les unpack Les’s Predictable Success framework, including Early Struggle, Fun, Whitewater and Predictable Success, and explore the leadership roles of the Visionary, Operator, Processor and Synergist. Les explains why Visionaries need Operators, why organizations begin dropping the ball as complexity increases, why systems become necessary, and why too much process can eventually become its own problem.   They also discuss one of the most difficult realities of organizational growth: sometimes the people who helped build an organization aren’t the people who can take it into its next stage. And for visionary leaders, Les offers a powerful challenge: Do only what only you can do. If you lead a business, church, nonprofit, ministry or team, and growth has made your organization feel more complicated instead of less, this conversation will help you identify where you are, why you’re experiencing it and what your leadership may need next. Les McKeown is the Founder and CEO of Predictable Success and the bestselling author of Predictable Success, The Synergist, Do Lead and Do Scale. His work focuses on helping leaders build scalable, sustainable organizations and high-performing leadership teams.

  2. Aug 26

    Why God Gave You Your Gifts | Inside Out

    Why did God give you the gifts, talents, and abilities you have? In this Inside Out episode, Mike Linch builds on his recent conversation with bestselling author and communication expert Nancy Duarte to explore a powerful idea: stewardship. First Peter 4:10 tells us that God has given each of us gifts and calls us to use them to serve one another. That means your gifts aren’t ultimately just about what you’re good at, what you can accomplish, or how successful you can become. God gave you your gifts for the benefit of other people and for His glory. Mike unpacks what it means to steward something that ultimately belongs to God, how our natural talents and spiritual gifts can work together, and why failing to use what God has entrusted to us affects more than just ourselves. Whether your gift is speaking, serving, encouraging, leading, helping, discerning, or something else, the question is the same: Are you using what God gave you for the purpose He gave it to you? Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10–11 Inside Out takes a spiritual truth or theme from Mike’s latest Linch with a Leader conversation and explores what Scripture has to say about it.

  3. Aug 17

    Nancy Duarte on How Great Leaders Communicate, Tell Stories & Move People

    What separates a good communicator from one who can actually move people to action? Mike Linch sits down with bestselling author, communication expert, and Duarte, Inc. CEO Nancy Duarte to explore how the world’s most effective leaders communicate with clarity, empathy, conviction, and story. Nancy shares what she’s learned studying communicators like Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jesus, including her fascinating analysis of the Sermon on the Mount, and explains why your audience should always be the hero of the story. You’ll learn how to use Nancy’s “What Is / What Could Be” framework, why great leaders prepare more than people realize, how introverts can become powerful communicators, and why communication is ultimately about serving the people entrusted to your leadership. To watch the episode visit: https://www.youtube.com/@linchwithaleader

  4. Aug 12

    What It Really Means to be a New Creation in Christ

    👇 SUBSCRIBE TO LINCH WITH A LEADER and help us equip more Christian leaders to lead with their faith out front. @linchwithaleader What actually happens when you give your life to Jesus? 2nd Corinthians 5:17 tells us that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. But becoming a new creation doesn’t only change where you’ll spend eternity, it changes your identity, your purpose, your calling, and the way you live right now. In this Inside Out episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch reflects on his conversation with author and CEO Charlie Watkins and unpacks 2 Corinthians 5:17–18. Paul tells us that when we are reconciled to God through Christ, we’re also given something extraordinary: the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, Christians aren’t only called to know Jesus. We’re called to make Jesus known. Mike explores what it means to: - Find your identity in Christ - Become a new creation - Understand God’s purpose for your life - Live out the ministry of reconciliation - Use your gifts and influence for God’s purposes - Make Jesus known wherever God has placed you - Lead people instead of simply managing positions - Whether you’re leading a business, church, team, classroom, family, or organization, your purpose is bigger than your position. Know Him. Make Him known. 📖 SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 5:17–18

  5. Aug 3

    Identity in Christ, Biblical Success and Waiting on God with Charlie Watkins

    Charlie Watkins has led companies, survived cancer and open-heart surgery, experienced business successes and failures, and spent decades mentoring Christian men and leaders. But his definition of success is not built around a position, income, accomplishment, or title. In this conversation, Charlie joins Mike Linch to explain why a leader’s title is temporary, how to build an identity rooted in Christ, and what it means to discover God’s will and calling for your life. Charlie shares the story of meeting Jesus aboard a nuclear-powered Navy cruiser after encountering a ship’s doctor whose integrity and compassion looked like Christ. He also discusses waiting on God, healing through suffering, creating sacred daily rhythms, stewarding time and money, leading through influence, loving your family well, and building a spiritual legacy that changes generations. Charlie and Mike discuss: • Why your leadership title can never sustain your identity • How to ground your identity in what God says about you • Why “Jesus moves at the speed of healing” • The difference between waiting and waiting on the Lord • How suffering prepares leaders to handle prosperity • Why Christian leaders need sacred morning rhythms • Bringing Jesus into meetings and business decisions • Stewarding your time, money, talents, and relationships • Leading with strength without becoming hard • How one faithful Christian can change a family’s trajectory • Becoming the husband, father, grandfather, and leader God has called you to be • Building a spiritual legacy that reaches future generations Charlie reminds us that biblical success is not ultimately about reaching the highest position. It is about discovering and walking faithfully in the will of God for your life.

  6. Jul 29

    The Cost of Following Jesus | Inside Out

    What does it really mean to surrender your life to Jesus? Is following Christ simply about believing the right things, attending church, and trying to live a good life? Or did Jesus call His followers to something much deeper? In this Inside Out episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch reflects on his conversation with College Football Hall of Famer David Pollack and explores one of the defining themes of David’s life: complete surrender to Jesus Christ. Looking at Jesus’ words in Matthew 16, Mike unpacks what it means to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Christ, not just once at salvation, but through daily surrender. Whether you’re leading in ministry, business, athletics, or your home, this episode is a challenge to examine whether you’ve truly placed every area of your life under the Lordship of Jesus.

  7. Jul 20

    David Pollack on Adversity, Your Identity, and Making Everyday Count

    What happens when the dream you’ve built your life around suddenly disappears? How do you find your identity when success, career, or the thing you’ve always known is taken away? And what does it really look like to follow Jesus through adversity instead of simply talking about faith when life is easy? In this episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch sits down with David Pollack—College Football Hall of Famer, three-time All-American at the University of Georgia, former first-round NFL Draft pick, ESPN college football analyst, author, and founder of the Pollack Family Foundation. David opens up about his incredible journey from Shiloh High School to Georgia football, the NFL, and beyond. He shares how a career-ending neck injury reshaped his identity, how coaches like Mark Richt and mentors helped form his faith, and why suffering became one of God’s greatest tools for transforming his life. These are the leadership principles you won’t want to miss: Your Identity Is Bigger Than Your Career Why David says football became “a terrible god”—and how losing the game he loved ultimately strengthened his relationship with Christ. Adversity Is God’s Greatest Classroom How career-ending injury, personal hardship, and family trials taught David to trust God more deeply and discover purpose beyond success. The Power of Coaches and Mentors Why the right coach can change the trajectory of a young person’s life—and how Mark Richt, Kevin Hines, and others modeled authentic Christian leadership. Sharing Your Faith Starts With an Invitation The simple invitation that introduced David to Jesus and why living a life worth emulating is often the most powerful witness. Habits Shape Your Future How daily disciplines, intentional rhythms, and spiritual habits create leaders who remain faithful when life gets difficult. Leading With Faith Every Day David explains why following Jesus isn’t about rules—it’s about freedom, purpose, and becoming the same person on and off the field.

  8. Jul 15

    What If God Believes in You More Than You Believe in Yourself?

    What if the biggest obstacle between you and God’s calling isn’t your ability… but your fear? In this Inside Out episode of Linch with a Leader, Mike Linch reflects on one of the most powerful themes from his conversation with professional baseball coach, author, and speaker Billy Horton. While Billy shared incredible insights on leadership and baseball, one truth stood above the rest: fear of failure keeps too many people from stepping into the calling God has placed on their lives. Using the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14, Mike unpacks a powerful perspective on faith, calling, and why God often sees more in us than we see in ourselves. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re qualified, wondered if you’re capable, or allowed fear to keep you from taking the next step, this conversation is for you. These are the leadership principles you won’t want to miss: God Sees More in You Than You See in Yourself What if Jesus wasn’t questioning Peter’s faith in Him—but Peter’s faith in what God could do through him? Discover why God often believes in us long before we believe in ourselves. Fear Is the Enemy of Calling Fear of failure doesn’t just keep us from failing—it keeps us from obeying. Learn why so many people never pursue what God has placed on their hearts. Faith Requires Taking the First Step Peter didn’t experience the miracle until he stepped out of the boat. God often calls us to move before He reveals what’s next. Opportunity Lives on the Other Side of Risk Every great leader eventually reaches a moment where faith demands action. The difference isn’t talent—it’s the willingness to trust God enough to move. Stop Letting Your Doubts Speak Louder Than God’s Voice Your limitations don’t define your future. God’s calling does. Learn how to replace self-doubt with confidence rooted in His promises. The Question Every Christian Leader Must Answer What is God calling you to do that you’ve been too afraid to try? The greatest regret isn’t failing; it’s never stepping out in faith at all.

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5
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About

What if you were able to sit down with some of the greatest leaders in the world? What would you ask? What would they say? Welcome to the “Linch with a Leader” Podcast with Mike Linch, where you are invited to join us in learning the spiritual principles behind big success.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Linch
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    296
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Northstar Church - GA
  • Show Website
    Linch with a Leader

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