In this episode of Caller ID, B. Davis Wells talks with his friend and former bandmate Mike Parker about identity, calling, and the career shifts that followed a difficult season. Mike traces his path from studying business to nearly 20 years in youth and pastoral ministry, describing how being labeled “pastor” changed relationships and intensified imposter feelings. He shares how pressure to appear calm left him carrying unprocessed emotions until repeated personal and professional brokenness led to anxiety, panic, and his body shutting down, and how learning to process grief and lament became essential. Mike explains his transition into real estate—drawn by business interest and relational “ministry of presence”—and the stress of commission work, his resistance to “salesy” tactics, a grounding personal mantra, and his focus on family, balance, rest, and helping his kids know they’re loved.

00:00 Emotional Weight in Ministry

01:46 Show Intro and Guest Setup

03:53 Meeting Through Music

05:01 Career Arc in 90 Seconds

06:24 Pastor Life and Imposter Syndrome

10:31 Rethinking Calling Beyond Ministry

14:04 Personal Mantra for Anxiety

19:01 Mindfulness and Grounding Rituals

20:31 Pressure to Appear Calm

24:24 Why Real Estate

25:18 House Flips and Crash

25:58 Why Real Estate Fit

26:52 Commission Rollercoaster

29:06 Building Consistent Business

30:24 Selling Without Sleaze

33:10 Ministry Skills in Realty

34:12 Marriage Through Uncertainty

35:24 Ted Lasso vs Larry David

40:28 Presence and Success

43:54 Fatherhood and Love

45:26 Advice to Younger Self

47:18 Closing Reflections

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New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

On Caller ID, Brandon Davis Wells talks with JD, a longtime NCAA staffer and former ESPN spotter, about identity beyond work and the behind-the-scenes roles that keep college sports running. JD explains his current job as assistant director of playing rules and officials for men’s basketball and women’s lacrosse, including work with rules committees, officials, and game-flow emphases like traveling enforcement. He traces his path from sports information at Ole Miss and Purdue to the NCAA (since 2003), a 2020 COVID-era departure, and a return in a new role after time with Genius Sports and as courtside administrator for the Indiana Pacers. JD shares a passion for servant leadership—creating special opportunities for others—while admitting the burden of people-pleasing and his commitment to therapy. He highlights mentors, pride in speaking up about building a new Omaha stadium, and the joy of seeing teams raise trophies when athletes’ experiences aren’t disrupted.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.

Adam Amin, the Chicago Bulls’ TV voice and a versatile play-by-play broadcaster for Fox Sports, reflects on finding joy in broadcasting despite early family skepticism shaped by his Pakistani immigrant upbringing, including his mother telling relatives he was in medical school until his first national TV break at 24 changed their view. He recounts falling into the craft through encouragement from an older friend at Valparaiso, learning through volume and repetition, and gradually replacing imposter syndrome with confidence—especially by understanding when to “lay out” and let the moment breathe. Amin discusses handling praise and criticism as human psychology in the social media era, building his voice by borrowing from many broadcasters, and valuing teamwork as a central professional lesson. He explains leaving ESPN after nine years for Fox and the Bulls role, and shares how DJing—started at 13—returned as a creative outlet alongside ongoing nerves, travel stress, and advice to trust your path while acknowledging struggles with drinking and depression in his 20s.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Caller ID.

You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it.

New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well.

I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.