Amy Folan is proof that bold leadership can elevate an athletics department to extraordinary new heights.

Since taking the helm at Central Michigan University in 2020, Amy has launched a $25 million fundraising campaign, secured a $5 million health partnership, and delivered the department's best-ever fundraising year. All while keeping the focus where it belongs: on the student-athlete experience.

In this episode, Amy shares her journey from compliance professional to athletics director, the leadership philosophy that drives her decisions, and what she's learned about building culture and leading change at the highest level.

A conversation worth hearing for anyone passionate about leadership and college athletics.

In this episode of Front Lines of Leadership, we sit down with Byrd Baggett, founder of TrueGrowth Leadership and a lifelong champion of authentic leadership. Byrd shares what it truly means to lead from the inside out — how embracing who you really are isn't just a personal philosophy, but a competitive edge that transforms teams, cultures, and the people you lead. From his life purpose of inspiring hope in others to the practical principles behind TrueGrowth, this is a conversation for any leader ready to stop playing a role and start making a real impact.

In this episode of Front Lines of Leadership, we sit down with Kyle Spackman, a digital health executive who helped take Sword Health from $0 to $225 million in revenue. Kyle shares what it really takes to build and lead elite sales teams in one of the most competitive spaces in healthcare — from hiring and culture to the commercial strategies that drive results at scale.

In this episode of The Front Lines of Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Stark, retired U.S. Navy SEAL and founder of The Arete Path, to explore what it truly means to lead under pressure. Drawing from over 25 years of experience developing elite teams, Kevin shares powerful lessons from SEAL training, including his time as a lead instructor during Hell Week, and how those principles translate into business, athletics, and everyday leadership.

We dive into building resilient teams, performing at a high level in demanding environments, and the mindset required to sustain excellence. Kevin also breaks down how leaders can blend discipline, purpose, and process to create lasting impact—both in their organizations and in their personal lives.

In this episode of The Front Lines of Leadership, Gary Peterson—former EVP of Supply Chain and Production at O.C. Tanner—breaks down the foundation of high-performing teams: trust, relationships, and culture. He shares why leaders must create environments where people feel both inspired to perform and safe to make mistakes—and how that balance drives real growth. From the front line to the executive level, Gary explains how strong relationships aren’t just a “soft skill,” but a true competitive advantage in building lasting success.

In this episode of Front Lines of Leadership, I sit down with Joe Nabrotzky—co-founder and managing partner of Global Leader Group—to explore what it truly means to lead “from the boardroom to the family room.” Joe shares powerful insights from his experience in a Fortune 100 company and beyond, breaking down how great leadership isn’t just about business success—it’s about showing up with purpose, integrity, and impact in every area of life.

In this episode of The Front Lines of Leadership, I sit down with Nate Meikle—KU Business professor, Stanford Law graduate, former BYU football player, and host of the Meikles & Dimes podcast.

We discuss leadership through the lens of experience and research, focusing on discipline, perception, and bias. Nate shares lessons from athletics, academia, and his work studying how people judge and understand others—highlighting why great leadership starts with understanding people and processes.

In this episode of The Front Lines of Leadership Podcast, Jackson Taylor sits down with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Joe Byerly, founder of the widely respected leadership platform From the Green Notebook.

After 20 years of Army service—including combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and command of a cavalry squadron in Europe—Joe shares the leadership lessons that shaped his career and inspired him to build a community dedicated to developing thoughtful, reflective leaders.

Joe explains why leadership is ultimately about behaviors and actions, not titles, and discusses how great mentors influenced his leadership philosophy. The conversation explores the power of reading, writing, and reflection as tools for personal growth, the importance of learning from both great and poor leaders, and how documenting lessons in their own “green notebook” can help leaders continually improve.

Joe also shares insights from his work writing for publications like Military Review, Foreign Policy, and Strategy Bridge, and how his platform encourages leaders around the world to reflect on their experiences and share what they’ve learned.

This episode is a powerful conversation about self-awareness, mentorship, and the habits that help leaders grow over a lifetime.