Tim welcomes Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, longtime president of Paul Quinn College, for a powerful conversation about leadership, upbringing, and how sports helped shape his leadership style. Dr. Sorrell discusses his formative years growing up on the south side of Chicago, describing a childhood surrounded by hardworking entrepreneurs, a loving family, and rich community traditions. He highlights the unique blend of street smarts and formal education shaped by his parents' entrepreneurial success, especially his father's lessons in both business and life.

Dr. Sorrell shares how experiences in competitive sports and challenging academic environments molded his outlook. He talks about having to navigate environments where he was misunderstood or underestimated, particularly as a student-athlete. The episode explores his transition from sports and law to a surprising career in higher education, including pivotal life moments that led him to leadership at Paul Quinn, and how faith and a sense of calling guided his decision-making.

To find out more and connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Dr. Sorrell’s upbringing in Chicago and family background in entrepreneurship
• How exposure to different environments and cultures influenced his worldview
• The importance of community investment and supporting broader communities, not just personal circles
• Lessons learned from both street smarts and formal education
• His journey through sports: from baseball to basketball, and the impact of coaching (positive and negative)
• The experience of being a student-athlete and the challenges and benefits it brought
• Early professional experiences in law, sports management, and business
• Opportunity with the NBA, decision making, and ultimately choosing to lead Paul Quinn College
• The role of faith, calling, and resilience in leadership and personal growth
• The transformation and mission of Paul Quinn College under his presidency

In this episode, Tim welcomes Charles Bryce, the dynamic CEO of Charlin Health Services and a former Division I soccer athlete. Charles brings a unique perspective from his journey, having moved from the discipline of sports to the demands of business leadership, all while navigating the complexities of running a family-owned, faith-based healthcare organization.

Charles shares his honest struggles with leadership and overwhelm, the lessons learned from years as both an athlete and a clinician, and how coaching helped him develop the habits and mindset to serve both his family and his company more effectively. They talk about the parallels between sports and business, the importance of self-care for leaders, and the power of daily routines—and you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how discipline, teamwork, and even a little bit of soccer strategy can transform your approach to leadership.

To learn more about Charles, you can find him at: https://charlinhealthservices.com/

And his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@charlinhealthservices/videos

You can also connect with Tim at www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• The transition from sports discipline to business leadership
• Charles’ background: soccer career, health care, and family business
• The impact of executive coaching on self-awareness and leadership effectiveness
• Building daily habits and routines (“the daily eights”) for self-care and productivity
• Overcoming overwhelm and building confidence as a young leader
• Parallels between playing striker in soccer and solving business challenges
• Navigating the challenges of family-owned businesses and working with loved ones
• Wisdom shared by mentors and the power of learning from others
• Use of AI in healthcare to improve efficiency
• The importance of giving back through coaching and community involvement

In this episode, Tim sits down with Dr. Conway Edwards, the lead pastor of One Community Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They begin by reminiscing about how they first met and the strong emphasis both place on authentic leadership. Dr. Conway shares personal stories from his upbringing in Jamaica, highlighting the impact sports—especially track and field and soccer—had on developing his mindset around competition, teamwork, and leadership.

As the conversation continues, Dr. Conway opens up about the pivotal role of community throughout his life, discussing how lessons from sports translated into leadership, business, and ministry. He explains how his desire for education was born from both necessity and inspiration and breaks down advice for aspiring leaders, stressing the importance of ongoing learning, character development, and community involvement.

To learn more about One Community Church, visit: https://visitonecc.com/

To get more information about Bonafide Leaders, visit: BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• The importance of community and collaboration over individual achievement
• Dr. Conway’s childhood and sports experiences growing up in Jamaica
• The culture of competition in Jamaican schools and its long-term impact
• Dr. Conway’s role models in sports (track and field, soccer) and outside of sports
• Dr. Conway’s journey to the United States for college through sports scholarships
• Lessons learned from setbacks and doors closing (e.g., missed athletic opportunities)
• Why One Community Church prioritizes community and what that means in practice
• Dr. Conway’s educational journey and passion for lifelong learning
• The connection between faith, leadership, and business within the church
• How to cultivate leadership skills over time (learning, mentoring, immersion)
• Honest discussion about the church as both a spiritual and operational organization