The Athletics Of Business
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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What It Takes To Build a Championship Culture with JJ Gottsch
07/22/2026
What It Takes To Build a Championship Culture with JJ Gottsch
What does it take to build a championship team, grow a nationally recognized brand, and create a lasting culture that performs under pressure? In this episode of The Athletics of Business, Ed Molitor welcomes back JJ Gottsch, CEO of the Austin Gamblers. They dive into the leadership, culture, and disciplined execution behind one of PBR Teams’ most successful organizations. JJ shares how the Gamblers’ success began with ownership that did more than set a bold vision. They backed it with trust, resources, and support, giving the team what it needed to build a year-round brand around a five-month competitive season and strengthen a locker room filled with world champions. JJ and Ed also dig into the moments when growth begins with seeing an opportunity others miss. From creating new opportunities for women in bull riding to expanding the team’s international presence, JJ’s stories show what can happen when leaders are willing to ask, “What could this become?” and then bring the right people together to make it real. One of the most powerful stories comes from the team’s annual trip to Brazil. Navigating an unfamiliar language, culture, and daily routine gave the riders a deeper appreciation for what some of their teammates experience while living and competing far from home. What began as a team-building trip became an opportunity to build empathy, deepen trust, and strengthen the way they supported one another. Ultimately, JJ’s stories point back to a simple truth: greatness is rarely complicated. It is built through consistency, discipline, trust, focus, and the willingness to keep showing up and doing the work. OUR GUEST After spending 25 years helping run Nolan Ryan's various sports holdings under the Ryan Sanders Sports & Entertainment Umbrella, JJ made a jump to professional bull riding in February of this year. He's heading up the Austin Gamblers, one of the eight founding franchises of the new PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series. JJ Gottsch is the longest-tenured employee with Ryan Sanders Sports & Entertainment and has played a key role in the development of both the Round Rock Express (Houston Astros Triple-A) and Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros Double-A). He was promoted to his current position, COO, in January 2015. In this role, he oversees all business operations for the Express, RS3 Turf, RS3 Strategic Hospitality, as well as the company’s growing entertainment division. Gottsch was president of the Hooks for the club’s first five years, where his leadership and experience helped them draw more than two million fans in their first four seasons. Prior to his position in Corpus Christi, Gottsch served as assistant general manager for the Express during the first six years of the organization’s existence. Gottsch helped lead the franchise to record-setting attendance numbers, establishing a new Double-A home attendance record with 660,110 fans in the club’s first year, eclipsing the old attendance mark that had stood for 20 years. The franchise would proceed to break its own attendance standard in each successive season with Gottsch on board as a steadying influence. A former player, Gottsch’s professional career included time with the Butte Copper Kings in the Pioneer League and the Perth Baseball Club in the Western Australia Baseball League. At the collegiate level, Gottsch played for Creighton University as well as TCU, where he was a member of the Horned Frogs1994 Southwest Conference Championship and NCAA Regional team. He transferred to TCU after spending three years at Creighton, where he was a shortstop on the 1991 Bluejay team that advanced to the College World Series. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: How the Austin Gamblers created a year-round brand around a five-month competitive season What it meant to represent the United States during America’s 250th anniversary celebrations in Brazil How JJ recognizes opportunities and pressure-tests ambitious ideas before dismissing them Why great ideas depend on the people and resources needed to execute them How the growth of women’s professional sports is creating opportunities across the entire sports ecosystem Why bull riding’s courage, authenticity, intensity, and fast-paced format connect with modern audiences How consistency, discipline, loyalty, trust, and focused execution shape JJ’s definition of greatness RESOURCES & LINKS JJ Gottsch LinkedIn: Facebook: Twitter: Website: Twitter - Facebook - Ed Molitor LinkedIn - Website - YouTube Channel - Timestamps 00:00 – The ownership behind every championship team 01:16 – JJ Gottsch returns to The Athletics of Business 02:02 – Four years of growth across PBR Teams 03:28 – Why success starts and ends with ownership 05:38 – Inside the Austin Gamblers’ championship culture 07:42 – Building stronger relationships through Brazil 10:49 – Representing America during its 250th anniversary 14:47 – The moment the significance finally became real 17:23 – Turning ambitious ideas into meaningful experiences 19:53 – Creating new opportunities for women in bull riding 23:57 – What professional bull riding gets right 27:43 – Building a niche sport versus promoting baseball 31:39 – Why bull riding must be experienced live 33:13 – Trading cowboy boots for dancing shoes 35:46 – The Austin Gamblers lightning round 38:13 – What greatness looks like today 40:58 – Why becoming elite requires focus 43:28 – Final thoughts and closing
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Measuring the Transformational Impact of Coaching with Kyle Craighead & Joshua Childs
07/08/2026
Measuring the Transformational Impact of Coaching with Kyle Craighead & Joshua Childs
What if the most powerful thing a coach does never shows up in a box score? Every athletic department tracks wins and losses. Many track all-state selections, district championships, and tournament appearances. But the metrics that often matter most — the ones tied to connection, resilience, attendance, joy, accountability, academic growth, and long-term student development — have largely gone unmeasured. Until now. In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, Ed Molitor is joined by Kyle Craighead and Joshua Childs to talk about the transformational impact coaches have on student athletes and how data is finally helping bring that impact to light. Their work gives coaches, athletic directors, and school leaders a way to measure what many have always felt but have not always been able to prove: great coaching reaches far beyond wins, championships, and the scoreboard. Kyle and Joshua unpack how the Coaching Effects Survey helps uncover the hidden metrics of coaching, why fun is one of the most overlooked indicators of student engagement, and what the data reveals about the coaches who challenge athletes most effectively. The answer may surprise you. It is not simply the toughest coaches who create the most growth. It is the ones who connect first, build trust, create structure, and then challenge their athletes from a place of care. The conversation also explores one of the biggest issues facing youth sports today: the risk of pricing out and excluding the very kids who could benefit most from having a great coach in their lives. Kyle and Joshua make a powerful case that athletics should not be viewed as an extracurricular activity. It is a co-curricular experience that plays a critical role in shaping young people, building life skills, and keeping students connected to school, community, and purpose. This is a conversation about coaching, culture, data, and what it really means to measure success. Because the true impact of a coach is not always found in the final score. Sometimes, it is found in who a student becomes because someone believed in them, challenged them, and helped them see what was possible. OUR GUESTS Kyle Craighead is the President & Chief Product Officer for EverRise. With over 15 years of experience in public education as a teacher, coach, athletic director, school administrator, and district administrator, he has had the opportunity to serve various grade bands and demographics in the K-12 setting. Kyle has now brought his school-system experience to EverRise the last three years to measure the importance and effectiveness of key relationships, such as teachers with students, coaches with athletes, and administrators with teachers. He has studied the effects of interim assessments and modifying instructional practices that lead to improved outcomes on summative assessments. Kyle is an adjunct professor at Lipscomb University, teaching classes on Strategic Change, Instructional Leadership, Coaching for Change, and Collaborative Leadership in Schools. Kyle is dedicated to improving the educational and athletic experiences of students, student-athletes, teachers, coaches, and all educational leaders. Joshua Childs is the Senior Advisor of Research and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at The University of Texas at Austin. His research examines the role of inter-organizational networks and cross-sector collaborations to address complex educational issues. He also investigates collaborative approaches involving organizations (local, state, and national) that have the potential to improve academic achievement and opportunities for students in urban and rural schools. This includes ways to improve student engagement and attendance in school, interscholastic athletics, and expanding educational opportunities through concentrated policy design and implementation. Joshua is a Co-PI (Principal Investigator) of the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance, a consortium of 30 states focused on broadening participation in computer science. A former Division I athlete, Joshua graduated from Plano West High School (TX). WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: Why the most meaningful impact of coaching often goes unmeasured How student-athlete feedback reveals what coaches truly make possible The six pillars that shape trust, growth, connection, and performance Why connection and psychological safety must come before challenge How great coaches create accountability without fear The overlooked role fun plays in athlete engagement and development How data can strengthen coaching without becoming punitive Why athletics should be viewed as a co-curricular part of education How coaches can help reduce absenteeism and improve student outcomes Why mentorship may be the most valuable outcome sports provide RESOURCES & LINKS Kyle Craighead & Joshua Childs Website - LinkedIn - LinkedIn - Ed Molitor LinkedIn - Website - YouTube Channel - Timestamps [00:00] Dynamic Intro [01:40] Welcoming Kyle Craighead & Joshua Childs [02:17] EverRise’s mission and measuring real coach impact [03:52] The Coaching Effects Survey explained [07:50] The six pillars: Connection, psychological safety, structure, communication, skill development, and challenge [10:35] Thought experiment: The coaches who impacted your life [13:30] Kyle’s journey using these tools as an administrator [18:12] Powerful story of a football coach’s emotional response to his data [24:36] How connection leads to better challenge and resilience [31:28] How data drives daily habits and continuous improvement [35:54] Speaking the language of decision-makers with data [43:40] Joshua’s journey and passion for expanding access to sports [48:22] Where to learn more about EverRise [55:50] Final thoughts and call to action
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Soccer Meets America: Leadership, Culture, and the Stories That Shape Us with Phil Wall
06/24/2026
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: Watch - Available now on the Roku Series GORUCK: Episodes and - Phil Wall's earlier appearance on The Athletics of Business Ed Molitor LinkedIn - Website - YouTube Channel - References - ESPN 30 for 30 documentary (written by Nick Sprague) - Phil Wall's documentary following his father after his mother's death - Phil Wall's previous project - Where to find classic World Cup documentaries - 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
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Yes Your Way to Success: What Endurance Teaches Us About Leadership with Gavin Mlinar
06/17/2026
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 - LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-mlinar-2295b83/ Blog: https://yesyourway.com/blogs/one-more-ascent Book: Ed Molitor LinkedIn - Website - YouTube Channel - The Athletics of Business - 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
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Captain: The Athlete's Guide to Being an Exceptional Team Leader with John O'Sullivan and Dr. Jerry Lynch
06/10/2026
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: Website: Get the Book: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: YouTube Channel: 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
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The Human Side of Leadership: Building a Culture of Purpose-Driven Performance with Jeff Schaffnit
06/03/2026
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: Sanofi: Article: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: YouTube Channel: 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
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From the Foxhole to the Final Four: Roadmap to Coaching Greatness with Coach Bob Starkey
05/20/2026
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 - X (Twitter) - Instagram: Hoop Thoughts Newsletter: Book: Ed Molitor LinkedIn - Website - YouTube Channel - The Athletics of Business - Referenced: — James Kerr — James Clear — Damon West & Jon Gordon / Ryan Holiday — John Wooden
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The Power of Mentorship and Trust in Building a Championship Culture with Scott Howard
05/13/2026
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 - Website - Ed Molitor LinkedIn - Website - YouTube Channel - The Athletics of Business - Referenced: — Pat Riley — Pat Riley 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
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One Team, One Heartbeat: How Human Connection Drives Transformation Before the Scoreboard Shows It with Meghan Long
04/22/2026
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 , Area Vice President of US Surgical Sales at . 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 - 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
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Connecting Like A PRO: The Four Underlying Motivators Every Leader Needs to Master
04/15/2026
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: Speaking: LinkedIn: Book: Connecting Like A PRO®: Instagram: @ Keynote / YouTube speaking clips Ed Molitor 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:
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The Reset Mindset: How Strategic Focus Drives Leadership in a Distracted World
04/01/2026
The Reset Mindset: How Strategic Focus Drives Leadership in a Distracted World
Do you ever feel pulled in a hundred directions at once, with notifications buzzing and priorities constantly shifting? In a world of constant distractions, competing priorities, and unprecedented change, the ability to focus has become one of the rarest and most valuable leadership skills. But according to Penny Zenker, focus isn't just about paying attention. It's about strategically directing your energy toward what truly matters. In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, host Ed Molitor sits down with Penny Zenker, internationally known as "The Focusologist," to explore how leaders can cut through distraction, align priorities, and achieve greater results with less stress. Penny shares the personal tragedy at age 19 that reshaped her entire approach to focus, the simple three step "Reset Practice" she uses with executives around the world, and why she believes we're in a global focus crisis. Drawing from her two bestselling books The Productivity Zone and The Reset Mindset, and her upcoming keynote at the Coaching Effect Summit, Penny delivers a powerful framework for leading with clarity in times of uncertainty. She challenges conventional wisdom about urgency, introduces a new way to think about personalization in the workplace, and reveals why the biggest constraints often unlock the greatest creativity. This conversation is essential listening for any leader feeling overwhelmed by the pace of change, struggling to maintain clarity amid chaos, or looking for practical tools to help their teams stay focused on what actually drives results. Our Guest Penny Zenker is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling author, and strategic business coach known as “The Focusologist,” helping leaders and teams cut through distraction and focus on what truly drives results. With more than two decades of experience building and selling a multi million dollar business, leading corporate turnarounds, and coaching leaders worldwide, Penny brings real world credibility and insight to her work. She is the creator of the Reset Mindset Framework, a powerful approach rooted in behavioral science that helps individuals and organizations reduce overwhelm, sharpen decision making, and lead with clarity in today’s complex and fast changing environment. Her simple three step Reset Practice Step Back, Get Perspective, Realign is widely used by executives to drive focus, adaptability, and high performance. Penny is also a bestselling author of The Productivity Zone and The Reset Mindset, host of a top ranked podcast, and the creator of a TEDx talk, “The Energy of Thought,” which has been viewed by over one million people globally. Her work has been featured on NBC News, Forbes, Inc., ESPN, and Wharton Business Radio. Known for her dynamic and interactive speaking style, Penny combines behavioral psychology, business strategy, and practical tools to help teams and leaders thrive under pressure, eliminate distraction and perfectionism, and create meaningful, lasting impact. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: How a personal tragedy at age 19 shaped Penny’s entire philosophy on focus and acceptance Why we’re in a global "focus crisis" and how it’s affecting decision-making and leadership The critical difference between attention and strategic focus Penny’s simple three-step Reset Practice Why urgency is overrated and how to prioritize based on effort and impact instead How big constraints actually unlock bigger creativity The surprising connection between AI adoption and workplace personalization Why one in three employees would leave an organization that doesn’t offer personalized experiences How leaders can use reset moments throughout the day to show up better for their teams Why future-ready leaders will be defined by their ability to focus Resources & Links Penny Zenker Website: Speaking: LinkedIn: Book: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: YouTube Channel: Timestamps [00:00] Preview [01:02] Introduction to Penny Zenker and the Coaching Effect Summit [03:39] How Penny became "The Focusologist" and what it really means [05:05] The defining moment: Losing her father at 19 and discovering acceptance [07:10] The Serenity Prayer and the power of getting a new perspective [09:07] From middle school confidant to building a multimillion-dollar business [11:28] "If that guy could do it, then I can do it" [12:34] The focus crisis: Why leaders are struggling more than ever [14:08] Purposeful pauses: How to reset without reaching for your phone [16:31] Focus on what deserves your time, not what demands it [18:00] Why urgency shouldn’t be a decision-making criteria [19:10] The Reset Practice: A three-step algorithm for complex problems [21:40] How simplicity creates space for creativity [23:52] The power of constraints: Why bigger limitations lead to bigger innovation [27:01] The energy of thought: A scuba diving story that changed everything [31:14] The Productivity Zone: Moving beyond procrastination and perfectionism [33:51] Why the simpler book came second and what that teaches us about learning [34:38] Using reset moments between meetings to show up intentionally [35:47] New research: Personalization in the workplace and the role of AI [38:56] What to expect at the Coaching Effect Summit in Omaha [41:18] Where to find Penny & her work [41:54] The future of focus: Why clarity matters more than ever in the age of AI
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Leading with Competitive Character: Building Connected Teams That Perform and Care
03/27/2026
Leading with Competitive Character: Building Connected Teams That Perform and Care
In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, host is joined by , Vice President of Sales at . In this encore episode, Will shares insights into his leadership philosophy, drawing from his experiences as a former football player at Indiana University and his current role leading a powerhouse team at Agios. Throughout the episode, Will shares his core values of competitive character, which he defines as the ability to perform under pressure, ethically, and consistently. He dives into how these principles shape his approach to team culture, leadership, and achieving success in the pharmaceutical industry. Will also highlights the power of resilience, mission-driven engagement, and stakeholder connection in his work, offering real-world advice for leaders facing high-pressure situations. He reflects on his experience building and leading a team focused on improving the lives of patients facing rare and often underserved blood disorders, and how resilience plays a critical role in overcoming obstacles in their mission. Will talks about the lessons learned from his time at Indiana University under Coach Cig and how he applies those leadership teachings to his current role. OUR GUEST is a devoted husband to Layla, a proud father to Ailey, Sage, and Liam, and a purpose-driven leader with a passion for delivering significant impact by cultivating high-performing teams. Will serves as Vice President of Sales at in Cambridge, MA, where he leads a team dedicated to providing disease education and access to first and best-in-class therapeutic solutions for underserved patient populations affected by rare diseases, including Thalassemia, Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency, and Chronic Hemolytic Anemia. Prior to Agios, Will was Head of New Product Strategy and Business Development at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Chief of Staff to the Chief Commercial and Global Operations Officer, and the Commercial Integration lead for Alexion into AstraZeneca's rare disease division. His innovative solutions earned him Guiding Star and Excellence Awards. With a diverse background spanning leadership across functional disciplines—including finance, sales, marketing, and strategy—Will has led within biopharmaceutical companies, including Baxter, Baxalta, Shire, and Takeda, and demonstrated his ability to build and lead teams that operate with a sense of urgency in service of others. His professional journey began in finance at Procter & Gamble and includes time as a lecturer at the UNC Kenan-Flagler School of Business. Will holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University, where he excelled as a four-time letterman, senior captain of the Hoosier football team, and President of the Alpha Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Will and his family reside in Houston, where he remains actively engaged in community leadership roles, including serving on the Hermann Park Conservatory Board and as a Senior Fellow at the American Leadership Forum. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE Why elite leaders anchor in the process when outcomes are uncertain How purpose becomes a competitive advantage in building resilience Why communication and connection are the foundation of trust and team success How to align individual motivations with a shared mission for sustained performance How emerging leaders can leverage curiosity and people skills to accelerate their growth How belief fuels the discipline, energy, and resilience required to lead at a high level What it takes to build high-performing teams that are connected, accountable, and committed to something bigger than themselves RESOURCES & LINKS Will Lumpkin LinkedIn - Will Lumpkin - LinkedIn - Agios Pharmaceuticals - Website - Learn more about Thalassemia - Learn more about PK Deficiency - Learn more about opportunities to work with Agios and search their open positions - Ed Molitor LinkedIn - Ed Molitor - LinkedIn - CoEffex - Website - The Athletics Of Business - YouTube Channel - Listen to Will’s prior episodes on The Athletics of Business Podcast Leading with Purpose -
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Ten More Feet: How Resilience and Faith Make the Extraordinary Possible
03/18/2026
Ten More Feet: How Resilience and Faith Make the Extraordinary Possible
Some people chase summits. Others spend the rest of their lives talking about the one they have already reached. Mark Pattison refuses to look in the rearview mirror. In this episode of The Athletics of Business podcast, host Ed Molitor welcomes back Mark Pattison, former NFL wide receiver for the Los Angeles Raiders, mountaineer, entrepreneur, and author of the new book Finding Your Summit: How to Build Resilience and Faith to Rise Above Life’s Challenges. Mark became the first NFL player to climb the Seven Summits, including Mount Everest, but the mountains are only part of the story. This conversation dives into the mindset that drives people to keep climbing long after the spotlight fades. Mark shares how the same principles that guided him from the NFL to the world’s highest peaks now shape his leadership philosophy. From the “pyramid of success” taught by legendary coach Don James to the relentless discipline of focusing on the process instead of the outcome, Mark explains why real growth happens long before the summit. His new book, Finding Your Summit, expands on these lessons, offering a powerful framework for building resilience and navigating life’s toughest challenges. He recounts moments that tested every ounce of his resilience. Surviving violent storms on remote mountains. Climbing through the Everest death zone after days without food. And repeating one simple phrase that kept him alive when quitting seemed like the only option. Ten more feet. Mark also reflects on the challenges that come after success. The loss of identity that many athletes and leaders face when the arena changes. The quiet danger of complacency. And why the most important victories often happen far from the scoreboard. This episode is a powerful conversation about resilience, purpose, and leadership under pressure. It is about learning to stay focused on the next step when the path ahead feels overwhelming. Because the difference between stopping and achieving something extraordinary is often just deciding to go ten more feet. Our Guest Mark Pattison built his life by pushing beyond limits. A standout athlete from an early age, he rose from high school Hall of Fame honors to the University of Washington Hall of Fame before achieving his dream of playing in the NFL. Mark spent five seasons in the league after being drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders and later playing for the New Orleans Saints. Like many professional athletes, Mark faced a profound transition when his football career ended. Searching for a new sense of purpose, he turned to the mountains — ultimately becoming the first former NFL player to climb the Seven Summits, the highest peak on each continent. That journey tested him through brutal storms, snow blindness, near-zero oxygen, collapsing ladders, and the emotional weight of climbing in honor of his daughter Emilia. His Everest expedition and personal story were captured in the Emmy Award–winning documentary Searching for the Summit, which won Best Short Documentary at the Sports Emmy Awards. Mark’s journey through extreme environments and personal reinvention became the foundation for his upcoming book, Finding Your Summit, where he shares the mindset lessons behind his SUMMITS model for resilience, purpose, and leadership. Beyond the mountains, Mark built a successful career in business, helping scale major digital brands at Sports Illustrated before transitioning to keynote speaking, podcasting, and executive coaching. Through more than 275 podcast episodes and keynote presentations around the world, he now equips leaders, teams, and organizations to navigate uncertainty, build resilience, and reach their highest potential. Mark is also deeply committed to philanthropy. Inspired by his daughter Emilia’s battle with epilepsy, he has raised more than $150,000 for charitable causes, including partnerships with the nonprofit Higher Ground in Sun Valley. Today, Mark Pattison speaks globally about endurance beyond the spotlight — and how the lessons learned on the world’s highest peaks can help leaders and organizations find their own summit. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why focusing on the process instead of the result creates sustainable success The powerful “Ten More Feet” mindset that helped Mark survive Everest Why fear is not something to eliminate but something to lean into How small steps compound into extraordinary achievements Why success can quietly lead to complacency and stagnation How preparation builds confidence in high pressure environments Why communication and connection are essential to effective leadership How great leaders measure effort, not just performance Why adversity often becomes the catalyst for life’s greatest breakthroughs How leaders can stay motivated long after achieving major success Resources & LinksMark Pattison Event: Book: Ed Molitor Listen to Mark’s prior episodes on The Athletics of Business Podcast Timestamps [00:00] The mindset of resilience, faith, and rising above challenges [00:45] Welcome back to Mark and his new bestselling book [02:31] Motivation for the book [04:13] Life after NFL: Stagnation, divorce, and rebuilding [06:50] Influence of Coach Don James and Pyramid of Success [07:45] The coaching philosophy behind process-driven success [09:16] Lead vs. lag measures; adjustments on the mountain [10:31] Building skills incrementally: From Kilimanjaro to Everest [14:41] The intimidating challenge of climbing the Matterhorn [15:26] The “Ten More Feet” mindset that drives progress [16:14] Everest summit story: Snow blindness, cyclone, empty stomach, fixed lines [18:01] Staying mentally locked in under life-threatening conditions [23:46] Leadership lessons from Everest and team communication [25:28] Why effort matters more than raw talent [31:08] Avoiding stagnation and continuing to pursue new challenges [33:03] Event details: The vision behind the Seven Summits Summit event [37:58] Where to find Mark Pattison and his book
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Beat Yesterday: Competing Within to Win Together
03/04/2026
Beat Yesterday: Competing Within to Win Together
In this episode of The Athletics of Business, host Ed Molitor is joined by Jake Thompson, the Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day. Jake takes us on a journey through his entrepreneurial path, from starting his brand with t-shirts sold out of his car trunk to building a global movement worn by leaders in 62 countries. Jake discusses his books Compete Every Day, Lead Better Now, The Line, and his upcoming release, Beat Yesterday. He explores how competition and collaboration can be balanced to foster a high-performance culture in both sports and business. Jake shares how we can use self-competition to drive personal growth, why comparison can be both helpful and harmful, and how organizations can implement a framework for sustained success. This episode is packed with valuable insights for leaders and teams looking to thrive under pressure and build cultures that support lasting performance. Join us at The Coaching Effect Summit on May 5-6, 2026, at the Tenaska Center in Omaha, Nebraska, where Jake Thompson will be the featured keynote speaker! Hosted by CoEffex, this summit will highlight the transformative power of coaching, driven by data and fueled by people. Jake, a renowned expert in leadership and performance coaching, will share his insights on how data can amplify coaching effectiveness and elevate both individuals and organizations. Don’t miss the chance to learn from one of the best in the industry and take your coaching game to the next level! Meet our Guest: Jake Thompson is a keynote speaker and the Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day, a brand he started in 2011 by first selling t-shirts out of the trunk of his car and is now worn by leaders in over 62 countries. Jake has spent more than a decade working with leaders and organizations worldwide on how to get better results for themselves and their teams. Through his entrepreneurial sales experience, client work, and research, Jake has built a proven C.O.M.P.E.T.E. framework that helps leaders improve their grit, productive habits, and leadership skills to create more positive influence within their organizations. He has been featured in Forbes and Inc. Magazine, hosts a podcast with over two million downloads, and has directly impacted over 135,000 ambitious leaders. Jake holds an MBA, Mental Performance Master (MPM) Certification, and is one of only 17% of speakers globally to have earned his CSP® (Certified Speaking Professional) through the National Speakers Association. Jake lives in Dallas/Fort Worth with his wife, Elena, and their five “kids,” aka rescue dogs, Sugar, Donut, Snacks, Pop-Tart, & Cookie. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: How to balance competition with collaboration to build a strong team culture The importance of competing with yourself, not others The impact of Beat Yesterday on personal growth and leadership Why is self-awareness essential for leaders to build trust and create accountability How to implement clear standards and expectations within your team The dangers of unhealthy comparison and how to use it effectively How to navigate the inevitable pressures of leadership and organizational growth Jake’s insights on leadership development and coaching for long-term success Resources and Links Jake Thompson Website: LinkedIn: Instagram: Facebook: Twitter/X: Podcast: Ed Molitor Ed Molitor: YouTube Channel: CoEffex Coaching Effect Summit: Timestamps: [00:00] – Why self-leadership and communication are key to great leadership [03:15] – Introduction to Jake Thompson and the Compete Every Day brand journey [06:20] – Jake reflects on his evolution as an entrepreneur and author [09:00] – The power of internal competition and why competing with yourself is crucial [12:45] – Jake talks about his books: Compete Every Day, Lead Better Now, The Line, and the upcoming Beat Yesterday [17:00] – The importance of building a competitive culture while fostering collaboration within teams [21:30] – The dangers of unhealthy comparison and how to use it to fuel growth [25:30] – The Compete Every Day framework: Turning competition into a sustainable habit [28:00] – How leaders can use accountability to drive results and improve team performance [32:15] – Jake shares strategies to keep your team motivated and focused on growth [35:30] – The role of self-awareness in leadership and building trust within teams [39:00] – Jake’s thoughts on handling external pressures and maintaining a growth mindset [42:30] – The importance of defining clear standards and expectations within your team culture [46:00] – Final thoughts on Beat Yesterday and how to approach continuous self-improvement
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Heart Equity: What Great Coaches Teach Leaders About Culture Under Pressure
02/25/2026
Heart Equity: What Great Coaches Teach Leaders About Culture Under Pressure
What if the difference between teams that crumble under pressure and those that rise has little to do with talent or strategy and everything to do with trust? What if the real competitive edge in business is not bigger budgets or better metrics, but genuine vulnerability and a deeper human connection? What if executive isolation is not inevitable, but the result of avoiding hard conversations? And what if the most powerful investment an organization can make is not in technology or talent, but in something far more human, heart equity? In this episode, host Ed Molitor sits down with his good friend Geoff Carlston, former 25-year Division I head women’s volleyball coach and founder of InSystem Leadership. Geoff shares how his championship mindset, developed while leading nationally ranked programs at Ohio State, Ohio University, and Concordia St. Paul, translates directly to helping CEOs, founders, and leadership teams thrive through growth, transition, and adversity. With nearly 500 career wins, Geoff did not coach just for victories. He coached for lifelong growth. Today, through InSystem Leadership, he applies those same principles of purpose, people, and culture alignment to business, proving that when relationships and heart equity come first, performance and retention follow. This deep conversation explores collective character, vulnerability as a leadership superpower, the power of one conversation to change a life, measuring culture in moments, and why disciplined accountability around behaviors, not just outputs, creates unbreakable teams. This is not about cheerleading or motivation hacks. It is about authentic leadership that transforms transactional environments into purposeful, high-performing ones, because in business, as in athletics, culture reveals itself under pressure. Our Guest: Geoff Carlston Geoff Carlston is a leadership coach and elite culture builder whose work spans Big Ten athletics, global service, and executive leadership. He spent 25 years as a Division I collegiate head coach, building nationally ranked programs, winning nearly 500 matches, and earning Coach of the Year honors five times. Today, Geoff works with CEOs and organizations navigating pressure, growth, and transition, coaching leaders one-on-one, helping teams build deep cultures of trust, and integrating emerging and seasoned leaders. He brings championship principles from sport into business, shaping leaders and lives beyond athletics. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why culture is revealed, not built, under pressure The concept of Heart Equity and why it drives retention How character creates trust and trust creates performance Why leaders struggle with isolation and how to break it How to measure culture the way you measure performance The In System Leadership framework for diagnosing team blockages Why shared experiences create transformational teams The danger of leading to being liked instead of respected How disciplined accountability around culture drives ROI Why the locker room must be right before the scoreboard improves Resources & Links Geoff Carlston Website: Email: LinkedIn: Instagram: In-System Leadership Website: Ed Molitor Website - LinkedIn - LinkedIn - ABOUT INSYSTEM LEADERSHIP InSystem Leadership is an executive coaching and leadership advisory firm built on a clear premise: organizations scale faster and healthier when people, culture, and purpose are aligned. Founded to bring the discipline, clarity, and competitive edge of championship coaching into the boardroom, InSystem partners with CEOs, founders, executives, and senior leaders through high-pressure transitions to build trust-based, aligned, resilient cultures. The firm’s work spans founders leading ~$200M companies, VPs reshaping divisional culture, and leaders facing isolation and burnout—using a blend of deep executive coaching, real-time performance feedback, and a practical leadership framework to strengthen decision-making, elevate communication, and improve team execution. The outcome: moving organizations from reactive management to intentional leadership, turning fractured cultures into cohesive teams that trust, last, and perform. Timestamps [00:00] Why character builds trust and trust builds culture [01:02] Introduction to culture under pressure and meet Geoff Carlston [04:12] Geoff’s coaching journey and why leadership transfers beyond sports [06:20] Collective character and defining the locker room in business [10:44] The origin and definition of Heart Equity [12:34] How culture shifts organizations from transactional to transformational [15:44] Building real relationships through intentional one-on-one connections [18:00] The story of one conversation that changed a life [22:15] Mentorship, measurement, and being in the business of people [25:49] The In System Leadership playbook and getting back in system faster [27:34] Connecting younger talent through purpose, value, and coaching [29:27] Diagnosing retention challenges and creating clear action plans [34:36] Viewing business in seasons and leading with Sherpa-style coaching [36:38] The trap of needing to be liked and leading with clarity instead [40:23] What Geoff misses most about coaching and building teams [44:03] Where to find Geoff and In-System Leadership [50:02] Final reflections on shared goals, connection, and leadership legacy
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The New Standard: How BEC and CoEffex Are Redefining Talent Search in Life Sciences
01/14/2026
The New Standard: How BEC and CoEffex Are Redefining Talent Search in Life Sciences
Our Guest: Ted Coss Ted leads the strategic direction of top talent search firm, Buckman Enochs Coss and Associates (BEC) while ensuring outstanding service and measurable results for clients. With a deep passion for life sciences and healthcare, Ted draws from both professional and personal experiences to understand the transformative impact of these industries. Since joining BEC in 1993, Ted has successfully completed hundreds of executive searches including numerous C-level placements and large-scale commercial team expansions. Many of the leaders he has placed have gone on to shape the future of global life sciences companies. Under his leadership, BEC has become a trusted executive search partner with over 40 years of proven success in delivering executive-level talent to life sciences and healthcare organizations. The firm is recognized for building resilient leadership teams that align with aggressive growth goals in biotech, pharma, medical technology, and healthcare services. Ted offers expert consultation to both emerging startups and established enterprises. His sharp executive search acumen, combined with a consultative, high-touch style, continues to help companies scale effectively, strengthen culture, and achieve long-term growth. Prior to joining BEC, Ted worked with Robert Half International and earned a BS in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why today’s talent strategy must extend beyond recruiting How BEC maintains an unprecedented 5.3% turnover rate in a 15% industry The story behind the BEC–CoEffex partnership How to build a true leadership lifecycle—from hiring to development to retention What makes DRO (Direct Recruiting Outsourcing) a game-changing model How assessment and coaching drive measurable ROI Lessons from BEC’s pivot to 100% virtual hiring during COVID Why “running the play of perfection” builds trust and loyalty How shared values and mission alignment create lasting partnerships Resources & Links Ted Coss Website - LinkedIn - LinkedIn - Ed Molitor Website - LinkedIn - LinkedIn -
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Unlocking the Champion’s Soul with Dr. Jerry Lynch
12/31/2025
Unlocking the Champion’s Soul with Dr. Jerry Lynch
Most people chase performance by training the mind and pushing the body. Dr. Jerry Lynch has spent decades proving that’s only part of the equation. Because when pressure hits—when fear shows up, when doubt gets loud, when the moment gets heavy—mindset won’t carry you if your inner foundation is empty. What separates the best isn’t just mental toughness. It’s what champions can access when the stakes are real: meaning, courage, connection, and the soul behind the performance. In his fifth appearance on The Athletics of Business Podcast, Jerry joins Ed Molitor to explore what truly sustains excellence in sport, leadership, and life. Anchored in Jerry’s 20th book, Unlocking the Champion’s Soul, the conversation reframes performance as something rooted not just in the mind or body—but in the soul. Together, Ed and Jerry unpack defining moments, championship environments, and the inner work required to lead and compete with purpose—from fear versus love, to relationships as the ultimate performance multiplier. If you coach, lead teams, work with people, or are committed to becoming a better version of yourself, this episode offers a powerful shift in perspective. Meet Our Guest: Dr. Jerry Lynch Dr. Jerry Lynch is a performance coach, author, and PhD in psychology who has spent decades helping athletes, coaches, and leaders access what he calls the champion’s soul—the inner foundation that drives how we show up when it matters most. Jerry has supported more than 130 championship teams across professional and collegiate sport, and his work is known for going beyond traditional sports psychology. While mindset and mental skills matter, Jerry’s approach centers on something deeper: meaning, purpose, courage, love, and the lived values that shape performance under pressure. His perspective was forged early—not just in locker rooms, but through years as a runner in Colorado, where long mountain runs became a training ground for philosophy, self-awareness, and the kind of inner work that competitors often avoid until life forces it. Jerry is also the author of 20 books, including Unlocking the Champion’s Soul, which brings together his lifetime of coaching, research, and lived experience into a practical path for anyone committed to becoming their best—on the field, in business, and in life. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why performance starts with belonging, not pressure Why relationships are “the business of the soul.” How sport builds “spiritual shape,” not just physical shape Why “feelings equal function” in leadership, coaching, and culture How to create a safe environment where people feel free to fail and grow How sport accelerates self-discovery and reveals who we are under pressure How fear and love shape decision-making, performance, and relationships The RIVER Effect: the five feelings every person craves in a team culture Resources & Links Dr. Jerry Lynch Website: More of Listen to more of Dr. Lynch on The Athletics of Business Podcast: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website:
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The Game of Life: Remembering George Raveling
09/19/2025
The Game of Life: Remembering George Raveling
In this special solocast of The Athletics of Business Podcast, host Ed Molitor takes us on a personal and powerful journey through the life, lessons, and lasting legacy of legendary coach George Raveling. This isn’t about hearing what you want to hear; it’s about hearing what you need to hear. Ed shares how Coach Raveling’s words and philosophies shaped him as a young boy, carried him through dark times, and continue to guide his leadership and parenting today. Through stories of cassette tapes in a hot car, life-changing camp speeches, and powerful lessons on accountability and resilience, Ed paints a vivid picture of a man who impacted thousands, from athletes to leaders to everyday people, striving to be better. In Loving Memory of George Raveling - Extract from letter by The Daily Coach On September 1st, the world lost a remarkable person: George Henry Raveling, our mentor, co-founder, and beloved "Coach." He passed away peacefully at 88, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Coach Raveling was born in 1937 in a world that didn’t recognize his humanity. Despite the challenges of segregation, he overcame adversity with determination and made a significant impact on countless lives. His legacy is more than just his success in sports and leadership; it’s about the people he touched and the transformations he inspired. Coach was a gentle, compassionate, and humble soul. He believed in the importance of relationships over victories. His life was about guiding others, offering wisdom, and caring for people, no matter their background. His approach to leadership was uncommon, challenging the status quo and always staying true to his values. He was a friend, mentor, confidant, and source of inspiration to many. His wisdom and kindness left a lasting impression on all who knew him. Although we are deeply saddened by his loss, we celebrate his 88 years of life—years full of purpose and meaning. Coach’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to pursue what lights up our soul and make a difference in the world. His mantra, “If it is to be, it’s up to me,” embodies his relentless spirit. Coach Raveling's impact transcends accolades. He was simply a good person who lived fully, helping others along the way. He will be remembered for his resilience, curiosity, love for life, and the legacy of kindness he leaves behind. Our condolences and love go to the Raveling family and all who were touched by Coach’s life. We will continue to honor his legacy through how we live, love, lead, and treat others. Rest in peace, Coach. You will always be adored and missed. Our Host Ed is a coach down to the very smallest molecule of his DNA. Whether he’s a husband and father at home or working with a client in the business world, he is an energized, passionate, and near-obsessive coach who is fully invested in showing up with all he’s got to help you show up with all you’ve got. His approach insists on presence. He knows no other way to catalyze change except by getting on the court with you, playing side-by-side, and encouraging you to keep pushing, especially when the going gets tough. In the last 30 years, Ed has developed his leadership skills in both athletics and business. From working as an NCAA Basketball coach at Texas A&M, DePaul NIU, and Lewis University to becoming the Vice President of a national recruiting firm, Ed Molitor has experienced the potential and pitfalls of leadership at every level. As the founder and CEO of The Molitor Group, today Ed guides emerging and established leaders across biopharma and biotech to apply the proven lessons of coaching in their pursuit of inspiring and driving their team’s performance. Through personalized training, workshops, keynote speeches, his writing, and as a podcast host, Ed seeks to empower individuals and their organizations to achieve victory through a focus on transformation, fundamentals, compassion, mental toughness, and vision. Ed graduated from St. Ambrose University with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Economics where he was a member of the Men’s Basketball team serving as the co-captain his Senior year. Before St. Ambrose, he studied business at Creighton University where he played on the Men’s Basketball teams which included a 1989 MVC Regular Season and Tournament Champions, NCAA Tournament, and a 1990 NIT Tournament. What You’ll Learn in This Episode “If it is to be, it’s up to me.” How Coach Raveling’s famous mantra instilled ownership, responsibility, and resilience. The importance of telling people what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. How leadership is less about wins and losses and more about relationships, impact, and transformation. Personal reflections on parenting, leadership, and carrying forward Coach Raveling’s legacy. Why his influence extended beyond basketball shaping culture, mentorship, and even history (including his role in the March on Washington and the creation of Air Jordan). Resources & Links Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: YouTube: Timestamps (00:00) Introduction to Coach George Raveling (01:13) The lasting impact of Coach Raveling's lessons (03:34) "If it is to be, it is up to me": The power of personal ownership (05:42) How Coach's teachings shaped Ed's life and leadership (07:53) The role of mentors in personal growth and leadership (10:45) Coach Raveling’s influence on basketball and beyond (12:18) Stories from Ed's childhood and the influence of Coach Raveling (14:56) The importance of relationships over wins and losses (16:35) Reflections on mentorship and legacy (18:42) Coach Raveling's role in shaping Michael Jordan's partnership with Nike (21:00) The power of community in leadership (23:06) The importance of mentorship for emerging leaders (25:01) Final reflections on living a life of impact and leadership
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From Habits to Impact: Five Principles of High-Impact Coaching
08/27/2025
From Habits to Impact: Five Principles of High-Impact Coaching
In this powerful solo episode, host Ed Molitor reflects on lessons from legendary coaches and his own leadership journey to share a core truth: you can’t give away what you don’t have. Whether you want your team to believe, grow, or stay inspired, you have to model it first. Drawing on the wisdom of John Wooden, Tony Dungy, Greg Popovich, and Marcus Freeman, Ed unpacks five principles every high-impact coaching leader must embrace: fueling yourself, shaping perspective, building habits, avoiding comparison, and focusing on what you have. With stories that connect athletics, business, and life, this episode challenges leaders to look inward, sharpen their daily practices, and multiply their impact. Our Host Ed is a coach down to the very smallest molecule of his DNA. Whether he’s a husband and father at home or working with a client in the business world, he is an energized, passionate, and near-obsessive coach who is fully invested in showing up with all he’s got to help you show up with all you’ve got. His approach insists on presence. He knows no other way to catalyze change except by getting on the court with you, playing side-by-side, and encouraging you to keep pushing, especially when the going gets tough. In the last 30 years, Ed has developed his leadership skills in both athletics and business. From working as an NCAA Basketball coach at Texas A&M, DePaul NIU, and Lewis University to becoming the Vice President of a national recruiting firm, Ed Molitor has experienced the potential and pitfalls of leadership at every level. As the founder and CEO of The Molitor Group, today Ed guides emerging and established leaders across biopharma and biotech to apply the proven lessons of coaching in their pursuit of inspiring and driving their team’s performance. Through personalized training, workshops, keynote speeches, his writing, and as a podcast host, Ed seeks to empower individuals and their organizations to achieve victory through a focus on transformation, fundamentals, compassion, mental toughness, and vision. Ed graduated from St. Ambrose University with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Economics where he was a member of the Men’s Basketball team serving as the co-captain his Senior year. Before St. Ambrose, he studied business at Creighton University where he played on the Men’s Basketball teams which included a 1989 MVC Regular Season and Tournament Champions, NCAA Tournament, and a 1990 NIT Tournament. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How legendary coaches like John Wooden, Greg Popovich, and Tony Dungy modeled habits, connection, and composure Why perspective shapes performance—and how to help your team “see what you see” The power of habits in creating culture and consistency How comparison undermines leadership and why authenticity builds trust Why resourcefulness always beats resources—and how Popovich built a dynasty with fundamentals and culture A simple but powerful weekly challenge to grow yourself and ripple growth to your team Resources & Links Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: YouTube: In this episode: [00:00:01] Introduction – “You can’t give away what you don’t have” [00:02:40] John Wooden and the power of discipline in details [00:03:24] Greg Popovich and investing in humanity before performance [00:05:08] Tony Dungy’s composure on the sidelines [00:07:40] Habits as culture and Wooden’s lesson on socks [00:08:34] Marcus Freeman and authentic leadership at Notre Dame [00:11:54] Popovich on resourcefulness, fundamentals, and culture [00:13:59] Five principles recap + weekly leadership challenge
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Beyond the Finish: The Ironman Bond That Redefined Possible with Brent and Kyle Pease
07/09/2025
Beyond the Finish: The Ironman Bond That Redefined Possible with Brent and Kyle Pease
What would you do if your greatest challenge became your greatest calling? For brothers Kyle and Brent Pease, the answer is racing—together. But what they’ve built goes far beyond the finish line. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Kyle and Brent Pease, co-founders of the Kyle Pease Foundation and Ironman finishers many times over, to talk about what it means to redefine possibility. What began as one race turned into a mission: to make endurance sports more inclusive, and to empower people with disabilities to find their own version of greatness. We dive into the early moments that sparked their journey, how they’ve now completed 150+ races together, and how their work through the foundation is transforming lives—not just through sport, but through employment, leadership, and connection. Kyle opens up about the physical toll of racing 16-hour days from a wheelchair, while Brent shares the emotional impact of being pushed—literally and figuratively—by his brother’s unwavering drive. We talk about their unforgettable races at Kona and Boston, the birth of their inclusive employment program, and the moving story of how “five more feet” kept them going when everything inside told them to stop. At the heart of their message is a simple but transformative belief: endurance creates resilience, and everyone deserves to feel the power of crossing their own finish line. Meet Our Guests: Kyle & Brent Pease Brent and Kyle Pease are brothers, elite endurance athletes, and co-founders of The Kyle Pease Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting inclusion for individuals with disabilities in both sports and the workforce. Their story gained global recognition when they became the first push-assist brother team to complete the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Since then, they've competed in over 150 races together, becoming a symbol of what’s possible when determination and brotherhood collide. Kyle, born with cerebral palsy, has shattered limitations and expectations. With a degree in Sports Management from Kennesaw State University, he not only races with Brent but also works part-time at Publix and Atlanta Braves games, spreading his message of resilience and inclusion. Through the Foundation, Kyle plays a key role in initiatives like adaptive sports equipment, inclusive employment, and scholarships, empowering others with disabilities to chase their goals. Brent, a Florida State University graduate and seasoned endurance coach, serves as the Foundation's Executive Director. His leadership has fueled programs like the Inclusive Employment Program, which helps individuals with disabilities secure meaningful work. Brent’s athletic achievements, combined with his passion for advocacy, have helped raise over $10 million for the cause. Together, the Pease brothers continue to inspire through their racing, public speaking, and book, Beyond the Finish, which tells the story of their journey, their mission, and the power of relentless determination. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: How a single question sparked a life-changing partnership What it takes to complete an Ironman as a team when a wheelchair is involved, why inclusion in sport must go beyond labels and accommodations The moment Kyle realized his story could empower others How the Kyle Pease Foundation is creating jobs, purpose, and possibility The surprising power of “just five more feet” Why your struggles are not in the way—they are the way How real leadership is about showing up—for yourself and for others What Kona and Boston taught them about grace, grit, and growth Resources & Links Kyle & Brent Pease Book: Get a signed copy: Order through their site to receive Kyle’s signature! Website: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn: Join the community, donate, or sign up to race: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website:
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The AI-Driven Leader with Geoff Woods
06/11/2025
The AI-Driven Leader with Geoff Woods
Let’s face it: AI is changing the game in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago. As leaders, we’re at a crossroads—do we learn how to use this new technology to our advantage, or do we risk falling behind? In this episode, I sit down with Geoff Woods, #1 bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader and founder of AI Leadership, to explore how leaders can harness AI not just to automate tasks, but to think bigger, make smarter decisions, and unlock the full potential of their organizations. Geoff shares the journey that took him from asking the right questions in boardrooms to co-founding an executive network, The Collective, where 100+ leaders from around the world collaborate to use AI as a competitive advantage. He pulls back the curtain on his “CRIT” framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) for prompting AI to be more than a tool—it becomes a thought partner that sharpens your vision and reveals the path to 10x growth. We dig into how Geoff overcame massive imposter syndrome when first stepping into AI leadership, the power of reverse engineering your future, and why he believes trying to “know everything about AI” is the surest way to lose. Plus, he shares a powerful story of how an AI-generated interview turned a real estate flipper’s 10K-per-deal hustle into a million-dollar multifamily investment in a single month. At the heart of this conversation is a message every leader needs to hear: real transformation isn’t about learning AI for the sake of it—it’s about using it to build the business (and life) that will stand the test of time. Meet Our Guest: Geoff Woods Geoff Woods is a visionary business leader, bestselling author, and founder of AI Leadership. He’s the host of The AI-Driven Leader podcast and creator of The Collective, a vetted community of executives who are using AI to create future-ready businesses. Geoff previously served as Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel and Power, where he helped grow the company’s market cap from $750 million to $12 billion in just four years. Earlier, he co-founded the consulting company behind The One Thing, advising businesses from $10 million to $60 billion in revenue. His book, The AI-Driven Leader, offers a practical guide for leaders who want to harness AI strategically—not to do more busy work, but to think bigger, move faster, and lead in ways that truly matter. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why “knowing everything about AI” isn’t the goal—mastery of your strengths is Geoff’s “CRIT” framework for using AI as a strategic thought partner How The Collective helps leaders turn insights into action and real revenue The danger of operational overwhelm vs. strategic clarity Why every leader needs to rethink the business that could put them out of business The surprising link between “The One Thing” mindset and AI leadership How Geoff overcame impostor syndrome to become a global AI thought leader Real-world stories of leaders using AI to 10x their businesses How to tap into collective knowledge and stay ahead of rapid change In this episode: [00:00:00] Introduction and setting the stage for AI-powered leadership [00:01:02] Geoff’s journey from asking questions to driving billion-dollar growth [00:03:18] How asking better questions changed Geoff’s approach to AI [00:08:45] Building The Collective: a global network of AI-driven leaders [00:15:00] Using AI to pressure-test your business plan and rethink your North Star [00:21:17] Why AI isn’t about replacing expertise—it’s about amplifying it [00:26:23] The connection between The One Thing and Geoff’s AI philosophy [00:32:31] How Geoff’s team uses AI to turn human strengths into superpowers [00:37:48] Rethinking the business you’re in—and the one that could put you out of business [00:40:39] The future of AI-driven insights and continuous strategic updates [00:43:51] Where to find Geoff’s work and apply to join The Collective [00:44:33] Final reflections on growth, leadership, and staying curious Resources & Links Geoff Woods Book: Get Geoff’s prompt library: Send your book receipt to Join The Collective: Apply at LinkedIn: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website:
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Rare Leadership: Strategic, Human, and Real with Molly Painter
06/04/2025
Rare Leadership: Strategic, Human, and Real with Molly Painter
In this energizing episode of The Athletics of Business, Ed Molitor welcomes Molly Painter, Vice President of Sales and Strategic Accounts at Takeda. Molly leads Takeda’s U.S. Plasma-Derived Therapies business unit and is renowned for her rare blend of strategic clarity and deeply human-centered leadership. Together, they explore what it takes to lead authentically in high-stakes environments, build trust through vulnerability, and drive results without losing sight of people. Molly shares personal stories from her career, her family, and her life-long belief that leadership should be rooted in purpose, agility, and heart. Our Guest Molly Painter is a seasoned executive across both biotech and biopharma, known for her ability to lead with clarity, conviction, and a calm, commanding presence. With deep expertise in rare disease and neuroscience, she has a proven track record of building, launching, and scaling organizations—from early-stage biotech startups to global pharmaceutical business units. Currently Vice President of Sales & Strategic Accounts at Takeda, Molly leads the U.S. Plasma-Derived Therapies Business Unit, driving growth, alignment, and performance across one of the company's most strategic portfolios. She previously served as President of U.S. Orphazyme, where she built a scalable commercial organization from the ground up in just nine months, and as President of Vifor Pharma Group, where she drove topline U.S. sales growth and positioned the company as a leader in the nephrology and cardio-renal therapy space. Molly brings a rare combination of strategic precision and human-centered leadership. She thrives in complex, high-stakes environments and is deeply skilled in interpreting trends, aligning cross-functional teams, and creating cultures of accountability and ambition. She has led all facets of drug company development—from pipeline strategy to in-line commercialization—and is known for her ability to articulate value, influence stakeholders, and accelerate market uptake both domestically and globally. A strong advocate for agile leadership and inclusive growth, Molly holds an MBA from Northwestern University in Management & Organization with an emphasis on Health Enterprise Management. She also serves on several executive boards, including Big Brothers Big Sisters Chicago, the Joffrey Women’s Board, and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA). What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why the combination of strategy and heart is so rare and so powerful The art of having crucial conversations while building psychological safety How to lead with agility in the face of constant change and ambiguity Why vulnerability is a superpower in leadership, not a liability How Molly’s mom, mentors, and real-world reps shaped her coaching style What “air cover” means and why it’s critical for team decision-making How to balance elite performance with empathy, trust, and authenticity The importance of mentoring both inside and outside your company Why being “real” is the key to building loyalty and driving results How to juggle leadership, parenting, volunteer work, and still show up 100 percent Resources & Links Molly Painter Ed Molitor
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The Summit Mindset with Scott Miller
05/21/2025
The Summit Mindset with Scott Miller
How does someone rise from stacking pallets in a Pepsi warehouse to leading a billion-dollar brand? In this episode, I sit down with Scott Miller, former Essentia Water CEO and author of Summit Mindset, to unpack the philosophy that turns relentless ambition into meaningful success. Scott brings his book’s principles to life as he shares the four pillars that ground him Faith, Family, Business, and Others, proving that sustainable achievement begins when people come before profit. He walks us through his Failure → Reflection → Persistence cycle, the daily rituals that fuel high performance, and the game-changing question he asks his team every week: "What did we suck at this time?" because real growth starts with honest reflection. The conversation turns deeply personal as Scott revisits a heart-to-heart with his father on his deathbed, a moment that still shapes his leadership today. At the core of it all? The idea of a North Star, a guiding light that cuts through the noise when data and pressure cloud judgment. Scott challenges us to define ours, lean on our own pillars, and keep climbing, especially when the summit feels out of reach. We wrap up with practical ways to build cultures where vulnerability fuels strength, ambition goes hand in hand with kindness, and true leadership starts within. If you’re ready to rise without leaving your values behind press play and let Summit Mindset show you the way. Meet Our Guest: Scott Miller Scott Miller is a seasoned executive and author renowned for his transformative leadership in the global beverage industry. Now the Co-founder & CEO of YESLY Water, Scott began his career on the warehouse floor at Pepsi, gaining firsthand experience that propelled him through the ranks to executive leadership roles. Miller's people-first approach to business has been a hallmark of his career, emphasizing innovation, corporate social responsibility, and community involvement. Notably, he led the growth and acquisition of Essentia, a national bottled water brand, culminating in its sale to global food and beverage leader Nestlé. In his debut book, The Summit Mindset: Winning the Battle of You Versus You, co-authored with James C. Moore, Miller shares insights drawn from his personal and professional journey. The book serves as a guide for individuals seeking to overcome internal obstacles and achieve personal and professional growth. Miller introduces concepts like identifying one's "North Star" and emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, consistency, and embracing change to reach one's full potential. Miller's philosophy centers on the belief that by confronting our internal challenges and maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement, we can attain both personal fulfillment and professional success. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: The story behind The Summit Mindset and the four pillars that guide Scott’s life Why adversity is the greatest teacher—and how to build consistency through it The power of asking, “What did we suck at?” in high-performance cultures How vulnerability and humility foster stronger, more accountable teams Why protecting your “sense of self” is the most important leadership asset The difference between success that lasts and success that fades How habits create confidence, and confidence creates transformation What it means to serve others while fiercely competing at the highest level How Scott’s health challenges and personal losses shaped his leadership style Resources & Links Scott Miller Book: Instagram: LinkedIn: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: YouTube Channel: Join us at the 2025 Coaching Effect Summit in Kansas City, June 11–12. Email the word “summit” to
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Lead With Love with Dr. Jerry Lynch - The #1 Coaching Success Strategy To Build Strong Relationships And Winning Team
05/07/2025
Lead With Love with Dr. Jerry Lynch - The #1 Coaching Success Strategy To Build Strong Relationships And Winning Team
Our Guest Dr. Jerry Lynch 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 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, and 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. He 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. His profound insights into the inner workings of the human mind and the dynamics of excellence have propelled countless individuals to overcome obstacles, harness their strengths, and achieve unparalleled success. With a unique blend of wisdom, experience, and compassion, Dr. Jerry Lynch has become a trusted mentor and guide, empowering individuals to cultivate resilience, embrace authenticity, and tap into their innate capabilities. His work continues to inspire and elevate the lives of those who seek to reach new heights of achievement and fulfillment. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Insights of Dr. Lynch’s new book “Lead with Love” and Ed Molitor’s opening story in chapter one Why self-love is foundational in leading others Why love is the missing piece in most leadership playbooks How to navigate resistance to emotional leadership in competitive cultures How love sustains performance in high-pressure, high-volatility environments The story of Dr. Lynch’s fire-chief father and the 90-minute lesson that shaped his life How legendary coaches like John Wooden, Phil Jackson, and Steve Kerr used love-driven leadership to build dynasties Resources & Links Dr. Jerry Lynch Website: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jerry-lynch-www-wayofchampions-com-13aa149/ Dr. Lynch's Books: https://www.wayofchampions.com/products Listen to more of Dr. Lynch on The Athletics of Business Podcast: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website:
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The Multiplier Effect: How Great Leaders Make Everyone Smarter
04/30/2025
The Multiplier Effect: How Great Leaders Make Everyone Smarter
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Athletics of Business, Ed Molitor sits down with Liz Wiseman, celebrated leadership researcher, bestselling author of Multipliers, Rookie Smarts, and Impact Players, and CEO of The Wiseman Group. Liz shares transformative insights from her research on leadership effectiveness, accidental diminishing, and how to unlock the full intelligence and potential of teams. She opens up about her early career at Oracle, her rookie mindset, and how feeling like an underdog led to a lifelong pursuit of discovering what truly makes great leaders. This episode is a masterclass in how to lead by amplifying others. Our Guest Liz is the author of New York Times bestseller Multipliers and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Rookie Smarts and Impact Players. She is a researcher and executive advisor, who teaches leadership to executives around the world, and the CEO of The Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. Liz is a former executive at Oracle Corporation, where she worked as the Vice President of Oracle University and as the Global Leader for Human Resource Development. She is a frequent guest lecturer at Brigham Young University and Stanford University. Liz has received the top achievement award for leadership from Thinkers50 and has consistently been named one of the world’s top 50 management thinkers. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The difference between Multipliers and Diminishers and how both show up in everyday leadership Why accidental diminishing is more common (and dangerous) than you think Why sharing your own diminishing tendencies with your team builds trust The five disciplines of Multipliers and how to practice each one with intention The link between psychological safety and high expectations (safety + stretch) How to create debate-driven decision-making that builds buy-in and clarity What leaders get wrong about “helping” and how to avoid over-functioning How Liz sees empathy, evidence, and honesty as vital to coaching and culture The surprising lesson Liz learned leading a third-grade book discussion How Liz’s early career at Oracle shaped her view on vulnerability, rookie smarts, and reaching out Resources & Links Liz Wiseman Website: LinkedIn: Instagram: Twitter/X: Amazon (Books): Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: In this episode: [00:00:00] Introduction to Liz Wiseman [00:02:55] Liz’s unexpected path into leadership and why “being just smart enough” mattered [00:05:04] From Oracle’s hiring model to discovering how smart leaders can shut down talent [00:08:49] Building Oracle University, sweatshirts, Latin mantras, and global rollout [00:13:08] Why vulnerability wasn’t a buzzword, but honesty was everything [00:16:34] Learning to let others take the big shots [00:17:21] The 5 disciplines of Multipliers and why they’re simple but powerful [00:20:11] Creating intensity, not tension as a Liberator [00:24:07] The accidental diminisher: over-helping, over-optimism, and over-energy [00:28:56] The safety + stretch equation: why people thrive when both are present [00:31:22] Leading powerful debates on how to ask for evidence and invite everyone in [00:38:33] What Liz learned from teaching 3rd graders to defend Jack and the Beanstalk [00:42:20] Why micromanaging limits performance and how Investors flip the script [00:47:16] What it means to give someone “51% of the vote and 100% of the accountability” [00:50:22] Being a diminisher to one person and a multiplier to another how it happens [00:54:46] The fastest way to change your leadership? Stop doing it in secret
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The Power of Your Personal Story: How Resilience, Preparation, and Authenticity Drive Success with Bo Eason
04/16/2025
The Power of Your Personal Story: How Resilience, Preparation, and Authenticity Drive Success with Bo Eason
In this milestone episode, former NFL player, acclaimed playwright, and high-performance coach Bo Eason returns to The Athletics of Business podcast to share his insights on the power of personal storytelling and how it can shape leadership, influence, and success. Bo takes us on a journey through his transition from professional sports to Broadway and beyond, discussing how vulnerability, preparation, and relentless commitment define the best in any field. Bo and host Ed Molitor break down why storytelling is the ultimate tool for building trust, inspiring action, and creating meaningful connections in business, sports, and life. Whether you are a leader, an entrepreneur, or an athlete, this episode provides actionable strategies to harness your own story and unlock your potential. Our Guest Bo Eason started his career in the NFL as a top pick for the Houston Oilers. Continuing on with the San Francisco 49ers, during his 5-year career Bo competed beside and against some of the greatest players of his generation. In 2001, Bo wrote and starred in his one-man play, Runt of the Litter, which he performed on Broadway to rave reviews. The New York Times called it, “One of the most powerful plays in the last decade.” Bo toured with the play in over 50 cities and it is now being adapted as a major motion picture. Now in his third act, he speaks to and trains some of the most successful people in the world—athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, C-suite execs—on how to communicate for maximum impact and success. He has consulted for clients like Advisors Excel, Morgan Stanley, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Mass Mutual, Guardian, and Merrill Lynch. His book, There’s No Plan B for Your A-Game: Be the Best in the World at What You Do, hit the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and USA Today bestseller lists. Bo’s training programs on leveraging the power of personal story have transformed the way experts, entrepreneurs, and leaders communicate. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How personal storytelling builds trust, influence, and meaningful connections The role of resilience and endurance in achieving long-term success Insights into transitioning from professional sports to business and leadership Strategies for using vulnerability to foster authenticity and engagement The importance of preparation, practice, and repetition in mastering any skill How to push yourself beyond comfort zones to develop a winning mindset The parallels between leadership in sports, business, and personal growth Resources & Links Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: Bo Eason TAKE ACTION: Start capturing your personal story by downloading Bo’s FREE Story Guide. Text GUIDE to 323-310-5504 or go to For those of you who want to jump right in and train with Bo in-person, register for his signature three-day Personal Story Power Event. Text EVENT to 323-310-5504 or go to Connect with Bo and learn more: Facebook: Instagram: YouTube: Website: Book: LinkedIn: Timestamps [00:00:01] Introduction to Episode 200 & Guest Bo Eason [00:01:03] Bo’s Journey: From the NFL to Broadway to Business Coaching [00:04:24] The Impact of Storytelling on Leadership & Influence [00:10:15] Why the Best Leaders and Athletes Have a History of Rejection [00:17:00] Vulnerability as a Leadership Superpower [00:23:33] The Role of Preparation & Rehearsal in Mastery [00:30:45] The Connection Between Athletics, Business, and Personal Growth [00:38:10] Building Resilience: How to Endure, Adapt, and Thrive [00:44:25] How to Tell Your Story for Maximum Impact [00:50:14] Final Takeaways & How to Connect with Bo
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Distilling Greatness: From MLB to Field of Dreams Whiskey with Drew Storen
04/02/2025
Distilling Greatness: From MLB to Field of Dreams Whiskey with Drew Storen
Our Guest Drew Storen is a former Major League Baseball veteran of 8 seasons. Storen was drafted out of Stanford University by the Washington Nationals in the 1st round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut with the Nationals in 2010 and quickly became a key figure in their bullpen, serving as their closer for several seasons. Storen played for several teams during his career, including the Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds. Storen retired from professional baseball after the 2020 season. After his baseball career, Drew Storen founded the Field of Dreams Whiskey Company, a brand that distills the actual corn from the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa. The company focuses on connecting whiskey and baseball lovers alike through nostalgia and premium bourbon. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Drew’s bullpen mindset helped him thrive as an entrepreneur The story behind Field of Dreams Whiskey and how it came to life Why asking questions and learning from others is a competitive advantage How delayed gratification shows up in business vs. baseball The role of design, storytelling, and nostalgia in building a premium brand Why being coachable and resilient translates across industries How to trust your gut and make decisions under pressure The power of authenticity, humor, and creativity in leadership Resources & Links Drew Storen Website: LinkedIn: Instagram: Check out this and look for your player! Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: Click here to learn More about the
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Game-Changing Leadership: Brian Grawer's Secrets to Biopharma Success
01/29/2025
Game-Changing Leadership: Brian Grawer's Secrets to Biopharma Success
In this engaging episode, Brian Grawer shares his inspiring journey from being a standout basketball player at the University of Missouri to leading successful sales teams in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry. With a unique perspective shaped by his athletic background, Brian discusses the parallels between sports and business, offering practical insights into leadership, team building, and personal growth. Brian opens up about the values instilled in him through basketball, such as preparation, discipline, and coachability, and how these lessons have guided him in fostering authentic leadership and cultivating high-performing teams. Whether you're an athlete, a business professional, or a leader looking to inspire your team, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking reflections. Our Guest Brian Grawer’s leadership journey is rooted in his basketball background. His father, Rich Grawer, is a decorated Hall of Fame Coach in the state of Missouri. Rich has the 2nd most career wins as the Head Coach at St. Louis University and is still recognized as one of the best basketball minds that has coached at both the high school and collegiate levels. Brian was a 2x All-Big XII Honorable Mention awarded player from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was the starting point guard from 1997-2001. Standing only 5’10”, Brian found ways to be effective and impactful as a “little guy” in a “tall man’s game”, through his hard work and mindful approach to the game, his teammates, and his coaches. He ended his career at Mizzou in the top 10 in multiple categories (Steals, 3-pointers made, 3pt %, and Ft %). He held the single-season FT % record (90.5%) for the last 24 years until that record was surpassed in the 2023-24 season at Mizzou. One of his former coaches, Quin Synder, called Brian, “One of the best leaders he has ever seen.” After he finished his playing career, Brian spent 3 years as an assistant coach at the college level. He then took his career to the pharmaceutical/Radiopharmaceutical sales path. Brian is currently the Head of Cardiology Sales at Lantheus, which is a leading radiopharmaceutical-focused company with proven expertise in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing pioneering diagnostic and therapeutic products and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. In his 20+ year career in this industry, he has been in numerous different sales roles, both as an individual contributor and as a leader of a team. Brian has been married to his wife, Angela, for 21 years. They have two children, Addison (18) and Trent (13). What You’ll Learn in This Episode How preparation, purpose, and passion are the foundation of success The role of coachability in personal and professional growth Insights into transitioning from sports to business leadership Strategies for fostering loyalty and authenticity in teams The importance of self-reflection and vulnerability in leadership How to push yourself and your team out of your comfort zones for growth The parallels between leading on the court and in the boardroom Resources & Links Brian Grawer LinkedIn: Website: Twitter/X: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website: Timestamps [00:00:01] Introduction to trust in sales [00:05:12] Lessons learned from a Hall of Fame coaching father [00:12:34] Preparation, purpose, and passion in leadership [00:18:45] The power of coachability and self-reflection [00:25:29] Transitioning from basketball to business [00:30:18] Authentic leadership: Balancing vulnerability and accountability [00:38:45] Building a winning team culture [00:44:10] Advice for emerging leaders [00:50:05] Brian’s most memorable basketball and leadership moments
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Matt Painter's Playbook: Integrity and Culture in College Basketball
12/25/2024
Matt Painter's Playbook: Integrity and Culture in College Basketball
Ed Molitor dives into a recent podcast episode with Matt Painter, Men's Basketball Coach at Purdue University. About Matt Painter One of America's top basketball coaches, Matt Painter enters his 17th year at Purdue. He owns a 355-164 record at Purdue. He has led the Boilermakers to 12 NCAA Tournaments, five Sweet 16s, three Big Ten regular-season championships, a Big Ten Tournament title, an Elite Eight, and an international gold medal. His peers voted him as the NABC National Coach of the Year after leading a team that started with a 6-5 record to the 2019 Elite Eight. Purdue's six straight NCAA Tournament appearances are the seventh-longest active streak in America and Purdue is one of just three teams to have a top-five seed in each of the last five NCAA Tournaments. Off the court, his program had 68 Academic All-Big Ten honorees in his 16 previous years at Purdue, and every player but one who has exhausted his eligibility at Purdue has graduated. About Ed Molitor Ed is a coach down to the very smallest molecule of his DNA. Whether he’s a husband and father at home or working with a client in the business world, he is an energized, passionate, and near-obsessive coach who is fully invested in showing up with all he’s got to help you show up with all you’ve got. His approach insists on presence. He knows no other way to catalyze change except by getting on the court with you, playing side-by-side, and encouraging you to keep pushing, especially when the going gets tough. In the last 29 years, Ed has developed his leadership skills in both athletics and business. From working as an NCAA Basketball coach at Texas A&M, DePaul NIU, and Lewis University to becoming the Vice President of a national recruiting firm, Ed Molitor has experienced the potential and pitfalls of leadership at every level. As the founder and CEO of The Molitor Group, today Ed guides emerging and established leaders across biopharma and biotech to apply the proven lessons of coaching in their pursuit of inspiring and driving their team’s performance. Through personalized training, workshops, keynote speeches, his writing, and as a podcast host, Ed seeks to empower individuals and their organizations to achieve victory through a focus on transformation, fundamentals, compassion, mental toughness, and vision. Ed graduated from St. Ambrose University with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Economics where he was a member of the Men’s Basketball team serving as the co-captain his Senior year. Before St. Ambrose, he studied business at Creighton University where he played on the Men’s Basketball teams which included a 1989 MVC Regular Season and Tournament Champions, NCAA Tournament, and a 1990 NIT Tournament. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Impactful takeaways from Episode 196 with Matt Painter How personal growth is crucial for team performance The importance of transparency in setting recruitment expectations Techniques for developing a culture where expectations are clear and met Insights into managing the complexities of NIL and the transfer portal The need to align winning with ethical practices Resources & Links Matt Painter Website: Website: LinkedIn: Twitter: Instagram: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website:
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Selling in a Post Trust World with Larry Levine
12/04/2024
Selling in a Post Trust World with Larry Levine
In this episode, Larry Levine, author of Selling in a Post-Trust World, dives into the critical role of trust, authenticity, and soft skills in sales. He shares the powerful strategies behind transitioning from transactional to transformational sales, emphasizing the importance of building genuine relationships and truly understanding clients' needs. We explore the "trust formula," a framework for creating meaningful value and cultivating authentic connections that set sales professionals apart in a skeptical world. Larry also highlights the power of continuous learning, networking, and intentional communication for young professionals looking to elevate their confidence and impact. Larry believes that success in sales comes from a commitment to serving others and contributing to a greater cause, which not only leads to personal fulfillment but also elevates the entire sales profession. What you’ll learn in this episode: Insights of Larry’s new book: "Selling in a Post Trust World" The significance of authentic relationships and meaningful value in sales The critical role of trust, credibility, and consistency in building relationships in sales Larry’s 'trust formula' to navigate the sales landscape The impact of the shift from transactional to transformational sales methods The profound impact of coaching on salespeople’s confidence and success, Why sales training should focus on people skills, not just product knowledge. How vulnerability can be a strength in building relationships Resources & Links Larry Levine New Book: Facebook: Twitter/X: LinkedIn: YouTube: Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Website:
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