Leaderbyte Stories

Working on the road can bring it's own set of challenges.  On this episode of Leaderbyte Stories Chester talks with Ralton Emory, Membership Manager for an International Professional Society who shares his own story and tips for maintaing your health and wellness, and healthy relationships from the road as well as tips and lessons he's learned from Spartan obstacle course races.  Don't miss it!  BIO: Ralton Emory from Kingston TN, travels the US as Membership Manager for a large International Professional Society.   Twitter: @raltonemory  Insta: RaltonbrentEmory Influencer he follows: Tim Ferris, Joe Gibbs, Al Mohler, Jocko Willink  Books he's reading: Extreme Ownership: Jocko Willink, Understanding Church Leadership by Dr. Mark Dever  

The one where Leaderbyte Listeners interview Leaderbyte Host, Chester Goad about his weightloss journey and his quest to tick things off his never-ending life list.  In this episode, listeners submitted questions about weightloss, food, fitness, faith, and life. Chester answers those questions with some back story and fills us in on his year of pursuing new opportunities like working at the Veterinary Hospital, the Bakery, and his favorite local coffee shop-- that's in addition to losing almost 70 lbs! Listeners should come away encouraged, and inspired to follow their dreams--and put some goals in action. For Chester, it was Consistency for the Win in 2017.  It's a leadership conversation worth having.  Subscribe to the podcast!  Show Note Links:  Follow Chester on Twitter Grinderhouse coffee Best Friends Veterinary Amy Roloff  Watch Jimmy Fallon Rock Purple Rain Podcast Movement John Denver Back Home Again Spankies in Cookeville, TN (Yummy Bread) Bono on Jesus Bob Goff author of Love Does Tim Tebow Jared Easley Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest

Leaderbyte host, Chester Goad talks with Spoken Word artist, author, leader Amena Brown about life, leadership, and her new project, How to Fix a Broken Record. Bio:  Amena Brown is an author, spoken word poet, speaker, and event host. The author of five spoken word albums and two non-fiction books, Amena performs and speaks at events from coffeehouses to arenas with a mix of poetry, humor, and storytelling. She and her husband, DJ Opdiggy, reside in Atlanta, GA. Follow Amena Brown    

Katie Davis Majors discusses Uganda, Life, & Hope with Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad. You won't want to miss this unique episode in following God's lead to live out your purpose.  Learn more about Katie's new project Daring to Hope and Amazima ministries.  Katie Davis Majors BIO:  Katie Davis Majors moved to Uganda over a decade ago with no idea that this would be the place that God chose to build her home and her family. Today, she is a wife to Benji and mama to her fourteen favorite people. Katie and her family invest their lives in empowering the people of Uganda with education, medical care, and spiritual discipleship. She is also the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that cares for vulnerable children and families in Uganda and the author of the New York Times bestseller Kisses from Katie. Learn more about Katie Davis Majors Learn more about her book, Daring to Hope & Amazima  Follow Katie Davis Majors on Twitter  

Your host, Chester Goad recently connected with Kraig Thompson, Manager of Mobilization for The Seed Company--a company committed to ending Bible poverty. Over a billion people still don't have access to the Bible in their Heart Language. Learn how The Seed Company is changing that. This is not your typical Leaderbyte episode, but it's fascinating! We couldn't help but share! Learn more about The Seed Company. Did you know?  "The Deaf population of Brazil uses LIBRAS (Lingua Brasileira de Sinais, or Brazilian Sign Language) as their first language. These people are a microcosm of the nation, coming from both indigenous Brazilians and from among the many major worldwide ethnicities that have immigrated into Brazil in the past 200 years. Although their racial backgrounds differ, the Deaf in Brazil share more in common with one another than they do with the wider hearing population. Because there are more opportunities for education and employment for the Deaf (and others with physical challenges) in urban areas, many families with deaf children move from the countryside into cities. Companies are legally required to maintain a certain percentage of physically challenged employees, but many businesses circumvent or ignore the laws. This practice limits the real opportunities available to the Deaf, and as a result, forces many into low-salaried positions creating a Deaf community majority with serious economic problems." --The Seed Company  The Seed Company is working to change that and to provide Bible translation in the deaf culture's heart language, "Brazilian Sign Language."  They're doing amazing things to #endbiblepoverty  Follow The Seed Company on Twitter: @theseedcompany   

Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad, learns leadership insights like how to kill spiders and more from author, artist, speaker, Carlos Whittaker aka "Los Whitt".  Bio: Carlos (or Los for short) Whittaker, is an author, speaker, moment maker, spider killer, and hope dealer. You might know him from his first book Moment Maker, or the Beyonce “Single Ladies” viral video that received a People’s Choice Award. But you need to know him from his latest book, "Kill the Spider".  Learn more about the book, and some leadership insights, on this episode of The Leaderbyte Podcast.  

Jeff Bagwell, Co-Founder of Phoenix Roasters Coffee sets down with Leaderbyte Host, Chester Goad, to talk about how coffee can lead the way to change in local and global communities, and the cycle of relief.      What about Phoenix Roaster's Coffee?   Aware of the importance of accountability and relationships, at Phoenix Roasters we purchase our coffee direct from the coffee farm at a price substantially more than the “fair-trade” minimum. Purchasing direct ensures maximum compensation to our farmers and their workers resulting in daily wages over 300% more than other farms.Each bag of Phoenix Roasters sold also resources domestic relief projects such as ending the commercial exploitation of children, ending homelessness, restoring abuse victims, supporting single mothers, and much more.       

This week Chester picks the brain of Mealfit entrepreneur Thomas Cox.  They talk business and bartering, leadership, lifestyle, priorities, and more. Thomas tells his story in his own unique direct way and he doesn't mince words. He spares nothing with his frank advice for leaders or anyone ready to take their passion to the next level. And while he believes owning your destiny whether it's in business or in wellness is not for the lazy, Thomas is clear that anybody willing to put in the time, can do it. Lots more tips, insight, and tough love from Thomas Cox on this episode of The Leaderbyte. Don't let the tough love fool you, Thomas Cox cares about people, and wants them to be successful, healthy, and happy. It's true or Mealfit wouldn't be nearly as successful! Oh, and Thomas was into Crossfit before Crossfit was cool. For tough tips to success and motivation to start pursuing your passion today--- click play, then share with a friend.  Thomas Cox bio: Thomas Cox is a former college football coach turned nutrition entrepreneur. He is a husband, father, mentor and life changer. He began his business mealfit in 2013 from his kitchen table. A friend came to him with a dilemma of how to eat healthy and Thomas used his expertise in meal planning to help this friend. This quickly turned into hundreds. Mealfit is founded on making eating easier and healthier. He feels motivating people through food and lifestyle is the way he can truly impact this world. As an entrepreneur, Thomas has grown a very successful online, retail and catering business through his holistic grassroots approach. He has seen profits double in every year of business through his knowledge of marketing and customer service.  Check out Mealfit here!  Follow Thomas and the Mealfit story on Instagram Follow Thomas and Mealfit on Facebook Subscribe to the Mealfit Youtube Channel (Hint cooking tips, inspiring stories here)  

Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad, talks with emerging, faithbased writer Carole Sparks who offers insight into her own creative process, advice on being a better leader, and the ultimate influence and inspiration for her writing. This was a deep and intriguing leadership conversation worth having--and one you don't want to miss.     Who is Carole Sparks? Carole took a round-about path to writing after graduating from both architecture school (BArch 1996) and seminary (MATh 2003) with top honors. Having journaled for years, she began sharing weekly “God thoughts” with a small circle of fellow Christ-followers. More than three years ago, the “God thoughts” morphed into a blog where Carole expounds on the Word of God as it applies to everyday life (and occasionally other relevant topics). In 2014, God called Carole to share the things He had taught her by writing Bible studies. These flow out of the blog posts as the Holy Spirit connects various Scriptures to each other and to the present day. Having travelled far and read widely, Carole approaches life with the attitude that our experiences are our classroom and that there is something to be learned from every person. She asks, “What does God want to teach me here?” and “What is God saying through this person?” Quotes like, “The unexamined life is not worth living” (Socrates) linger in her mind. Some call it “navel-gazing,” but the time spent in reflection provides her with fodder for writing. More importantly, however, it reveals God’s glory like a silver thread woven through every moment of life—the good and the bad. The tone of her writing reflects that teachability and the idea of working through things together. Connect with Carole Sparks on Twitter:  @Carole_Sparks  Check out her website here at carolesparks.com  Read her latest blog posts on NotAboutMe Like Her Facebook Page   Connect with Leadebyte Host Chester Goad on Twitter: @chesterwgoad 

Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad interviews Scott Kimsey, Director of Basketball Operations for the Tennessee Fury. Scott talks about how leadership, sports, mission and purpose have impacted his life and gives us insight into staying motivated and grounded.  Chester and Scott reminisce about growing up, college, and old friends and laugh a lot.  Treat yourself to this very authentic conversation that only has a couple of hiccups!  This was definitely a leadership conversation worth having. We're proud of Scott's commitment to sports, youth, faith, and community, and we're also impressed that he can tackle himself.  Who is Scott?  Scott Kimsey is Director of Operations for the Tennessee Fury and Knoxville Youth Sports.  In the past, he administered a large Upward Basketball program and he developed a similar middle school league.  Scott has contributed to long-term basketball development in two African nations, working overseas for eight years and traveling to various countries for basketball camps etc.  He has played and coached recreationally, mentored college athletes, and raised funds for athletic organizations. Having experienced the positive impact of team sports on young people, Scott believes basketball builds core values of integrity, team work, community, and perseverance. Combined with a strong faith, these values develop leaders both on and off the court.     Learn more about Knox Youth Sports and Tennessee Fury     **This episode is dedicated to our late friend, Andy Botkin who always made us laugh.          

Nancy Hamilton, seasoned speaker and leader and small business owner shares leadership wisdom and encouragement to leave people better than we found them. Nancy's background includes service with churches, non-profits, higher education, counseling, and business. Nancy also shares how to deal with leadership disallusionment and disappointment.  Don't miss this episode of The Leaderbyte, you'll want to share it with friends and family.   Be sure to Follow Nancy on Twitter @NANCYLHAMILTON.  As always, you can follow your Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad @CHESTERWGOAD  Keep leading, learning, and living!      

I recently met up with my friend Adam Meyer to pick his brain on his thoughts on the benefits of intentional living. In this episode, Adam, a higher ed professional and fellow leadership and disability advocate, share his own story about intentional living, leadership, and priorities especially as they relate to family and faith. Check out these tips for living a happier, more efficient and fulfilling life all from simply living intentionally.  Note from your Leaderbyte Host, Chester Goad:  Dear Leaderbyte Listeners and Friends, so I was down in Florida and realized I didn't have all of my recoridng equipment, specifically an extra mic. I decided to use the internal microphones from my recording device, but didn't account for location, etc.  Unfortunately it sounds somewhat like we're in a bucket even after editing. The content is excellent though, so I hope you'll give this unintended bucket episode a listen, and check out Adam Meyer's tips for living intentionally. You'll be glad you did! All my best, Chester 

Is authenticity overrated? Is perception important?  And how does Sir Winston Churchill factor in? In this summer solo episode, Leaderbyte Host, Chester Goad shares thoughts on authenticity, and the "Perception is Reality" lie. Tweet Chester and let him know what you think @chesterwgoad.   

Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad talks about leadership related to social outreach and specifically homelessness with Alan Graham is the president, CEO, and founder of Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Mobiles Loaves & Fishes, is a social profit enterprise that delivers meals and provides homes to homeless people on the streets of Austin, San Antonio, New Orleans, Nashville, Minneapolis, Providence, and New Bedford.  Alan co-founded the Lynxs Group, which built the air cargo facility at Austin’s new airport in 1997, and went on to build similar facilities at airports around the country.  Alan left the Lynxs Group in 1997 and managed Austin’s cargo port as the new airport was opening. At the same time, Alan had the seed of the idea for Mobile Loaves & Fishes. He and the other founders started by making sack lunches and serving them from the back of a green minivan. His focus now is the development and building of the Community First! Village, a 27-acre master-planned community that provides affordable, sustainable housing and a supportive community for the disabled and chronically homeless in Austin. Show Note Links:  Visit Mobile Loaves and Fishes Website Learn about Community First! Learn about the Truck Ministry     Watch the Community First! Video     Purchase Welcome Homeless

Amy Roloff joins Leaderbyte Host, Chester Goad to discuss her Second Act, life changes, and how leaders move forward.  From faith and family, to leadership, and work, Amy gives us some authentic insight into her life, and lends the listeners some wisdom gained in her journey. Amy is a reality star, enterpreneur, advocate for women, a cook, an author, philanthropist, speaker, and more importantly a mom, and everyday awesome person.  You don’t want to miss this episode! It's a fun, genuine, raw, leadership conversation worth having. Be sure to visit the websites listed in the show notes, and connect with Amy Roloff and Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad on your favorite social media.  Amy J. Roloff website  Amy Roloff Charitable Foundation Roloff Farms Salsa Beating 50% Learn more about Jeremy and Audrey's Beating 50% Project, and keep up with their journey.  TLC's Little People Big World: Visit the show's website and watch episodes.  Connect with Amy on Twitter @amyroloffCF Connect with Amy on Instragram: @amyjroloff Connect with Chester Goad on Twitter: @chesterwgoad Connect with Chester Goad on Instagram: @cgoad09

Ever figure out what you thought was your dream may not be your calling, and that maybe God wanted more for you? Are you young and searching for direction or next steps? (or maybe just young at heart)?  Paul Sohn is an award winning blogger, author, coach and speaker. His blog has been listed in the Top 15 of Leadership Blogs to Follow worldwide. Christianity Today named him as one of 33 under 33 to watch, and he's a John Maxwell, Top 100 speaker. More importantly, Paul is a great person of purpose living intentionally to reach those in their twenties and thirties and helping them and others find their purpose.  In this discussion, we talk about what it's like to realize your calling and change professions and essentially walking away from a seemingly safe dream job and then out on faith to live the life God wants for you! Paul talks about his own journey, and shares some insight and relevant points for all of us to consider. Paul has a new book "Quarter-Life Calling" releasing on April 4, 2017, and has recently founded a new online community for 20-Somethings called QARA (Pronounced CAR-A).  Links are in the notes below!  Follow Paul on Twitter and elsewhere. This was definitely a conversation worth having, and Paul is definitely a leader worth getting to know.    Paul Sohn's Website The New Qara Community  Paul Sohn on Twitter  Get Paul's book, Quarter-Life Calling 

Leaders often never really set out to be leaders. They just are.  The journey to becoming a leader in your field can take you places you never expected and sometimes it's amazing to look back at how it all came about.  In this episode, Dr. Sills a leading expert in reproductive endocrinology talks about his journey and what he's learned along the way.  He gives insight into how he's serving countless couples and families and particularly how he's helping military families. He'll discuss human dignity, and lend some insight into what you need to do to be a leader in your field too.  Dr. Sills has appeared on CBS The Doctors, and other media outlets. He's an author, and an all-around great guy.  Dr. Scott Sills bio:  Scott resides in Orange County, California and is a 7th-generation Tennessean. He has edited or written five books with publishers in Europe and USA, and has a further two medical reference books now under contract. He received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt and holds a PhD (molecular biology) from London's University of Westminster. Dr. Sills was awarded the MD degree from University of Tennessee in 1992. After gynecology training at NYU Downtown Hospital, Dr. Sills completed his sub-specialty fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Cornell University. From 2008-2011, he served on the New York State Board for Medicine. Dr. Sills is Board Certified both by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and the National Board of Physicians & Surgeons; he holds elected Fellowships with the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, American College of Surgeons, and the Royal College of Physicians (Ireland). Dr. Sills is registered and/or licensed for medicine in California, New York and the United Kingdom. He presently serves as Medical Director for the Center for Advanced Genetics, based in Carlsbad, California.  Links:  Center for Advanced Genetics    Fighting at the Fertility Front: A Navigational Guide to Infertility for US Military, Veterans, & Their Partners   Books by Dr. Scott Sills on Amazon

What's your first impression? Leaders proactively seek the truth in the answer to that question.  Greg Atkinson, Founder of Worsip Impressions, Executive Director of ExPastors.com, author, speaker, and coach, shares leadership tips from his experience as a consulting church mystery guest. Greg visits and arranges mystery visits for churches, businesses, and non-profits seeking truth about their first impressions.  Your Leaderbyte Host, Chester Goad dives into deep conversation that's sure to provide some tips and resources to improve your leadership.  Greg Atkinson: Greg Atkinson is the Founder of Worship Impressions and Executive Director of ExPastors.com. Greg is an author, leadership coach, and consultant. Greg has worked with churches of all stages and sizes, including some of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country, as well as with businesses, non-profits, and organizations such as Josh McDowell Ministries. Worship Impressions Expastors Expastors Survey (for ALL pastors: current and former)

Erskin Anavitarte, is a Texas Born, Nashville based singer songwriter. He spends a lot of time on the road, nationally and globally, out sharing a message of hope out in communities, coffee shops, and concert venues.  He and Leaderbyte Host, Chester Goad, discuss family, creativity, music, and more. Don't miss his thoughts on leadership, or his take on the journey of a creative and his recent tour to India. Chester and Erskin share their favorite Christmas gift growing up, and they also talk advocacy. Check it out! Helpful links below:  http://www.erskinmusic.com/# https://www.holtinternational.org/    

In this solo episode, your Leaderbyte host shares 5 Gifts Every Leader Should Give the Team and a special Christmas message!  If you're struggling with what to give your team, or even friends and family this season, you won't want to miss this episode of the leaderbyte!  This is our 11th episode, we're still amateurs, but we're thankful to be building an audience, and that you're a part of it! Merry Christmas! 

Taylor Tagg offers some practical "how-to" advice on forgiving others. It's a challenge to lead when you haven't let go of something. Taylor helps leaders, business executives and everyday individuals from all walks of life, take those first steps toward actually forgiving someone. We often discuss the "why" of forgiveness but we almost never consider that there may be practical steps to take to actually do it! It's an interesting conversation and you'll find some nuggets of wisdom to apply to your own life here. This episode offers a different perspective, and is definitely another leadership conversation worth having.

Your Leaderbyte Host, Chester Goad talks with The Skit Guys about laughter, leadership, and their partnership with the Stupid Poverty Project and how you can help. You'll learn more about their backgrounds, whether or not they get self-conscious and what you need to do when you're feeling self-conscious and why it's important to be encouraging.  www.skitguys.com www.stupidpoverty.org     

One Direction's Drummer Josh Devine, and former Kutless Drummer Jeff Gilbert now of FH, and ES Collective join the show to discuss their unique partnership and efforts to provide relief to Rwanda, and there's a really cool way you can involved.  Fans can win One Direction’s world-famous drum kit now through December 31 by visiting http://www.thehardestplaces.com/sweepstakes and making a donation that will help make a difference. The more you donate, the more you'll be entered to win.  To learn more about Food for the Hungry or FH check out the website. Follow Josh Devine on Twitter @joshdevinedrums  Follow Jeff Gilbert on Twitter @jeff_gilbert  Follow the Leaderbyte Host, Chester Goad on Twitter @cgoad09      

In Part Two of Leading through Ugliness, we discuss Hurricane Matthew and disaster relief with veteran disaster volunteer and site director, Bill Fogarty.  Bill began his Disaster Relief journey with Hurricane Katrina, and has since become a leader in several disaster relief volunteer efforts.  Currently Bill Fogarty provides leadership to 14 Hurricane Matthew sites in North Carolina. In this Bonus episode, our Host Chester Goad, continues to dig deep into leading through ugly situations. What sort of person volunteers for disaster relief? What are the most important things leaders must remember during crisis situations?  North Carolina and communities all along the coast are still hurting. Is volunteering for you? How can you help?  Hurricane Matthew Stats: Hurricane Matthew (October) - 634,157 meals prepared, 153 clean up jobs; 7,379 showers provided; 2,593 loads of laundry   Additional SBDR Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Stats W.Va. Flood (June) - 127,583 meals prepared, 535 clean up jobs; 5,228 Showers provided; 1,550 loads of laundry South Louisiana Floods (August) - 680,888 meals prepared, 2,882 clean up jobs; 13,511 Showers provided; 6,344 loads of laundry 2016 TOTALS:  1,442,628 meals prepared 3,570 clean up jobs 26,118 showers provided 10,487 loads of laundry  [Totals include above disasters and St. Louis Flood (December 2015); Louisiana Flood (March); East Texas Floods (March); Ft. McMurray (Canada) Fire (May); Texas Floods (May)]

Part One of Leading through Ugliness. Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad talks leadership strategy with experts leading massive volunteer relief efforts in the midst of disasters like Hurricane Matthew and ongoing efforts to end Human Trafficking. Guests are: David Melber, Vice President of Faith-Based relief organization SEND Relief and Mickey Caison, Executive Director of the Faith-Based SBDR, who is also a national emergency and disaster relief veteran. These organizations operate the largest disaster relief efforts in the United States. In the next episode, Part Two we'll dig deeper and discuss Hurricane Matthew with a SEND Relief/ SBDR volunteer for a "boots on the ground perspective" and current efforts in North Carolina.  Learn more about SEND Relief. 

Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad, talks zombies, film, family and leadership with Actor Jason Vail. Jason has been in over 60 movies. He's appeared on The Originals, Sleepy Hollow, Drop Dead Diva, and has had recurring roles on a variety of soaps, and played John Wilkes Booth in Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies! Most recently he can be seen in "Boo! A Madea Halloween", and a horror flick called, "Family Possessions". This spring you can catch Jason on Tyler Perry's "The Haves and The Have Nots", the History Channel's new Navy Seals Drama "Six", and more.

Check out this introductory episode of The Leaderbyte Podcast to learn more about your host Chester Goad, the format of the show, and more! 

Host Chester Goad picks the brain of Gary Bennett, a Catalyst attender who happens to be a school leader. Get ready for some interesting insights on Catalyst, Leadership, School Leadership, and more. And this school leader has some thoughts and insights to share for emerging leaders and established leaders as well, in this last of 3 Leaderbyte Episodes from Catalyst Atlanta.There's plenty more Leaderbyte Podcast coming soon! 

 Chester Goad sits down with Mike Foster, Founder of Second Chance, and author of the book, People of the Second Chance.  Listen to Mike's take on leadership, family, and more, and get ready for some great tips for emerging and established leaders, as well as his thought-provoking take on a leader's greatest threat.

Leaderbyte episode 1 is a conversation with Catalyst Atlanta's Tyler Reagin. Leaderbyte, Host Chester Goad sits down with Tyler to discuss leadership, faith, and family as well as tips and threats for emerging and established leaders.