Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

Episode 072: Ken Coleman, host of the EntreLeadership Podcast

Ken Coleman is host of The Ken Coleman Show and the top-rated EntreLeadership Podcast, and author of One Question: Life-Changing Answers from Today’s Leading Voices. Ken interviewed big-time people in this book asking them just one question. He talked with President Jimmy Carter, Tony Robbins, Pat Summitt, Malcolm Gladwell, John C. Maxwell, and Senator John McCain to name a few.

An acclaimed interviewer and broadcaster, Coleman equips, encourages and entertains listeners through thought-provoking interviews, helping them grow their businesses, pursue their passions, and move toward a fulfilled purpose. Coleman joined Ramsey Solutions in 2014 and frequently guest hosts The Dave Ramsey Show—the third-ranked nationally syndicated talk radio show in America.

Ken has published articles with The Huffington Post and Success Magazine and has been called a “young Charlie Rose” by legendary Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. Talk radio icon Dave Ramsey has labeled him “one of the best interviewers in the country.” Most importantly, Ken is blessed to be Stacy’s husband and Daddy to Ty, Chase, and Josie. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Why asking good questions matter whether you are a radio host or not
  • How Ken got connected with Dave Ramsey
  • Interviewing President Jimmy Carter about reinventing himself

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Episode 071: Shoshanna Gabriel, Christian Inspirational Fiction Writer

Shoshanna Gabriel is a Christian inspirational fiction writer. She has a very unique story as she was was previously known as Shoshanna Evers, a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author who wrote erotic fiction from 2009-2015 and was published by large New York publishing houses. At the end of 2015, after much thought and prayer, she changed her life and career path to be for God’s glory completely, giving up a new six-book contract and literary agent for the privilege of starting over to write for God’s glory as Shoshanna Gabriel.

No one expected a Jewish erotic romance author from New York to move to the country and find Jesus, least of all Shoshanna herself… but God has a sense of humor, and that’s what happened. She took 2016 off from publishing to raise her new boy/girl twins(!), and started writing sweet Christian inspirational cowboy romance novels set in north Idaho, where she lives with her husband, homeschools their three kids, wrangles three big dogs named after flowers, and takes in the wonder of the incredible evergreen-covered mountain landscape.

While published as Shoshanna Evers, Amazon had listed her as one of the “Most Popular Authors in Romance,” as well as one of the “Most Popular Authors in Contemporary Romance”. Reviewers have said Shoshanna has “…beautiful writing, and a truly imaginative and wonderfully descriptive storyline” (Night Owl Reviews) with stories where “the plot is fresh and the pacing excellent, the emotions…real and poignant.” (The Romance Studio). She hopes to bring the gift of storytelling that God blessed her with to her new inspirational books written under the Gabriel name.

Shoshanna used to work as a syndicated advice columnist in NY and a registered nurse, but now she’s a full-time author, home-schooling mom, and the co-founder of SelfPubBookCovers.com, the world’s leading marketplace of high-quality, affordable premade book covers for indie authors, available instantly.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Writing fiction stories and the life of a writer
  • Conversion from Orthodox Jew to Born-Again Christian
  • Going from writing best-selling erotic novels to Christian romance novels
  • How authors can get high-quality and low priced book covers

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Episode 070: Tim Elmore, President of Growing Leaders

Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and president of “Growing Leaders”.  He founded it in 2003. Growing Leaders is a global nonprofit that encourages and equips young adults to take on real-life opportunities and challenges in the classroom, in their careers, and in the community.

Growing Leaders does this by partnering with organizations to teach practical life and leadership skills using real stories, intriguing images, and engaging experiences that are relatable and memorable. The process and resources are grounded in research and a unique understanding of the emerging generations, and recognize that leading others at any level begins with learning how to lead yourself.

Tim spends his time teaching leadership courses and speaks at schools, universities, business, and athletic programs. He has trained thousands of leaders in partnership with nationally renowned schools and organizations like the San Francisco Giants, Stanford University, Virginia Tech, University of Alabama Athletics, Duke University, University of Texas, Chick-fil-a, Cici’s Pizza, Delta, and more.

Dr. Elmore has also authored more than 30 books including: Habitudes®: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes, Artificial Maturity: Helping Kids Meet the Challenge of Becoming Authentic Adults, Generation iY: Secrets to Connecting With Today’s Teens & Young Adults in the Digital Age, 12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid, Life Giving Mentors, and Nurturing the Leader Within Your Child. His newest book is Marching Off The Map: Inspire Students to Navigate a Brand New World

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • How to reach this current generation of students
  • What does the phrase “habitudes” mean
  • What is the differences between generations
  • Stories about James Bond and Jim Harbaugh

[Read more…]

Episode 069: NFHS Executive Director Bob Gardner

Bob Gardner has been the executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations since May of 2010. He will be retiring from this position in August of 2018 after nearly 50 years of serving in secondary education. Gardner was only the fifth full-time executive director for the NFHS since 1940.

During his 18 years on the NFHS staff in Indianapolis, participation in high school sports has increased by almost 400,000, including the expanded opportunity for students with disabilities in high school sports. Gardner has led the organization’s focus on risk minimization in high school sports, with particular emphasis on concussion awareness, and has brought a heightened national presence to the work of the NFHS and its member state associations.

In addition to the continual expansion of the NFHS Learning Center during his tenure, Gardner is credited with starting the NFHS Network, the first-of-its-kind digital coverage of high school sports with more than 25,000 events covered during the 2016-17 school year.

He spent his career in Indiana as a teacher and coach at three schools for eight years and as an athletic director. In 1978, Gardner became principal of Milan Junior-Senior High School, followed by a stint as superintendent of the Milan Community Schools.

After serving on the Indiana High School Athletic Association board of directors during his time at Milan, Gardner joined the IHSAA staff in 1985 as assistant commissioner. He served 10 years in that role prior to becoming commissioner in 1995.

Gardner joined the NFHS staff in 2000 as chief operating officer and served in that position for 10 years prior to becoming executive director. During this time, he chaired the NFHS Rules Review Committee and was responsible for day-to-day operations of the organization. He has served on the board of directors for USA Football, USA Basketball and the Indiana Sports Corp. He is a member of the Indiana High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • His career serving student-athletes
  • The movie Hoosiers and the real-life story
  • The future of High School sports

[Read more…]

Episode 065: Executive Director of the NCCAA Dan Wood

Dan Wood is the Executive Director of the National Christian College Athletic Association. He joined the NCCAA national office staff in 2000. Dan was the recipient of the 2016 Professional Excellence Award from Southern Wesleyan University’s (SWU) School of Education. He serves on the Advisory Board of Sports Spectrum Magazine, is a member of Greenville Connect Ministry, and as a member of ALIVE Wesleyan he has provided leadership in building and capital campaigns and youth ministry. Prior to his time with the NCCAA, he was involved in Christian Higher Education, beginning in 1987 as a professor, coach, and Athletic Director at Christian universities. Dan was awarded NCCAA and NAIA Coach of the Year in Men’s Soccer and Men’s Golf; received the NCCAA Meritorious Service Award; and was inducted into SWU and Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • What the NCCAA does
  • Why Christian Higher Education is important
  • The high level athletics played at the NCCAA level
  • How he overcame cancer and losing an eye during his life

[Read more…]

Episode 063: Travis Daugherty, Sports Parenting Author and Basketball Coach

Travis Daugherty is the author of “The Lens: Raising a Champion Athlete and Man in Today’s Myopic World”. He is also the head boys basketball coach at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Indiana.  Entering the 2017-18 season, he has a career record of 172-122 in 13 seasons as a head coach. Daugherty’s head coaching career started at Tipton High School from 2004-2009, where his teams won back-to-back sectional and conference championships. In 2008, he received the Indiana Basketball Coach’s Association Bob King Coach of the Year award.  From 2009-2013, Travis served as the Head Coach at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, and he started at Mt. Vernon in 2013-14.  He won a state championship for Alexandria-Monroe H.S. and then went on to have a stellar collegiate career at Anderson University. In addition to coaching responsibilities, Travis also serves as a high school English teacher at Mt. Vernon.  His most important job in life is his role as a husband and father.  He and his wife, Jessica, were married in 2003 and have three children:  Aden, Owen, and Leah.  

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Why he wrote a book on parenting
  • What good and bad parenting looks like
  • How writing this book has changed him as a coach and parent

[Read more…]

Summer Reading Bucket List

“The education of a man is never complete until he dies.” (Robert E. Lee)

I’m an avid reader of motivational, success and leadership books. I have written about some of the best leadership books and coaching books that I have read.

Each summer, I try to knock out a few new ones.  This upcoming summer, I plan on reading the following 16 books to further develop my thinking.

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