Youth Worker On Fire Podcast

Coaches Rich and Betsy Billings are inspiring people each accomplished in their fields. Rich was the youngest varsity baseball head coach hired in the nation. Coached at LSCC, FAU, Leesburg High School, and now at LSSC. He met the love of his life, Betsy, at FAU where she was an Athletic Trainer. Betsy, a graduate of Troy State U., interned at Mercer U. There they had incredible things to say about her as an athletic trainer and a person and she is now Athletic Trainer at LSSC. They volunteer together as FCA Huddle Coaches at LSSC. During the pursuit of their relationship at FAU, Rich found a way to see Betsy personally on a daily basis as a coach until they went on their 1st date and the rest is history. Youth Worker Nation, you are going to love their story.

The lady I'm about to talk to is known to her friends and hometown as Amanda Hitchcock. To her husband Larry she is Amanda Stephens. To her children, she is mom. To her twin sister Valerie and baby sister Vickie, she's Amanda, to her parents she is their daughter. But in the eyes of many who she has encountered at FSU and to the Greek sororities of UCF, she is known as their mentor. She is known as the person who showed them the Way. My wife Colleen and I have worked with many incredible young ladies who we watched grow up from middle school to high school to college and into their adult years but Amanda, really I didn't see coming. She seems to have had it all together almost all of her life. Amanda was Salutatorian at Umatilla High School but it was in college, when I found her fallen on the ski slope during our college retreat to Colorado, sitting in the snow, was when our journey of understanding each other began. From there I got to watch a diamond being formed from a distance for years to come. This is

Michael Geoffrion is an AP History teacher who was voted Teacher of the Year in 2016 at Eustis High School.  He talks with Doug about his love for history and the importance of working your passion. If you work your passion, you'll never work a day in your life. Michael also has a podcast called Mr. Geoffrion's World History Podcast.  It's designed to be a brief and informative podcast for history students at all levels, from high school to college. Mr. Geoffrion can also be found at MrGeoffrion.com

Dr. Gordon Greenhalgh has been a good friend for many years. We started Campus Life and Youth Guidance for YFC when we were in our 20s. He's a surfer. I witnessed him surfing with whales in California. He was a high school wrestler and more. Gordon is a licensed psychotherapist, has been in practice over 25 years counseling individuals, couples and families. He has a Master's Degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling and a Ph.D. in Psychology. He talks about the importance of youth workers and volunteers taking care of themselves, both mentally and physically, so you can better care for others. Dr. Gordon is a father and a husband. He's the homerun hitter that I send families to when they have real problems with their adolescents and young adults. I've seen him change the lives of inner-city students in Orlando, FL as a Youth Guidance Director/YFC. Outside he looks like a calm cool individual but inside he is full of fire to help those who are hurting. Get his books and go online to www.AskDrGordon.com 

Part 2 Dr. Jay Strack talks about living in 6 foster homes growing up. He is the creator and CEO of SLU, Student Leader University, Rock The Universe at Universal Studios and Youth Pastor Summit. He has spoken to over 10 million high school students in school assemblies. He is about to make his hundredth trip to Israel. Jay has also started a virtual school in China. Jay shares his heart for helping young people and training the leaders of tomorrow.

Dr. Jay Strack talks about living in 6 foster homes growing up. He is the creator and CEO of SLU, Student Leader University, Rock The Universe at Universal Studios and Youth Pastor Summit. He has spoken to over 10 million high school students in school assemblies. He is about to make his hundredth trip to Israel. Jay has also started a virtual school in China. Jay shares his heart for helping young people and training the leaders of tomorrow.

John is an entrepreneur owning his own business developing software for the real estate industry and working from home. He graduated from Duke University with a degree in Public Policy Studies. He is a husband, a dad and his parents were educators. He is well respected in his home town and in business. He and his wife Heather are very family focused and committed to homeschooling their children. A lot of great value from a great man on this episode.

It Destroys Dreams. Perfection is not obtainable but Excellence is according to many authors of blogs, articles and books. Until someone tells you you probably won't believe it and then most of us are in denial and have excuses as to why we are proud to be a perfectionist. It takes a Team to be excellent. That is the Maker of Dreams come true...TEAM. Philippians 3:13 NLT "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on...Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead," Paul the Apostle

Matt Ferguson, managing partner at Eric Mower & Associates, shares his story about growing up in a small town, playing football at Florida State University and his relationship with Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Lori, have 5 children.

Mike Matulia, Athletic Director for Lake-Sumter State College, shares his life experience as a father, baseball coach and the importance of being a volunteer in your community.  

Mark McCoy has been a personal trainer for over 20 years and is a personal training certification instructor and instructor for the United Trainers Association. He is also head of Tomorrow's Champion - Giving you the tools you need to gain back control over your health and propel your fitness to the next level. http://tomorrowschampion.com/  Mark shares about the influences in his life and the Four F's - Faith, Family, Fitness and Finance.  

Don Levonius is principal consultant at Victory Performance Consulting. His company provides training in the areas of employee and company morale, performance, ethics and leadership. VictoryPerformanceConsulting.net  Don shares with us his background in training employees and management at the Walt Disney Company. He also encourages everyone, whether you love your job or not, to have their "own thing" on the side. Whether it's tutoring, multi-level marketing or just a part time thing, don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Kevin is a personal trainer and former SEC football player, husband, father and home schooler. He and his wife, Debbie, started Journey Fitness in Longwood, Florida. jfaw.com. Growing up, his family moved around the country many times and he ultimately found stability in sports. A number of coaches had a positive impact on his life.

Megan Hinton was a high school senior at the time of this interview and is now a freshman in college.  Megan was considered one of the best students in her media production class and someone to be sought after by businesses. She is highly respected by her former media production teacher, Mr. Mike Ligler. Megan has a bright future ahead of her in the area of filming, editing and a great work ethic.

Mike Ligler is the media production instructor at an area high school and was voted Teacher of the Year by his peers. He shares the importance of being there for the students as a mentor and leader.  Mike trains 160 students in video production throughout the year in the public school system. He's a community leader and is a bridge to the business sector by allowing his students to produce for local business and charity.

Sammie Smith has had an amazing career playing football at Florida State University and as a professional NFL player for the Miami Dolphins and the Denver Broncos.  He's had ups and downs, incredible family support, and heros that came back into his life from the college coaching team when he needed them the most.

High School Assistant Principal, Tracy Clark, shares the story of how he went from a businessman to a volunteer to a public education professional.

Darla Huddleston has had many titles but only 1 purpose educate adolescence and parents about abstinence. While many voices say its not possible for adolescence Darla's organizations and volunteers have seen teen pregnancy statistics drop continually in the counties that her team educates. Preventative verses post active. Its better to stop problems before they start than figure out solutions after the fact. Preventative saves a lot of heartache, pain, embarrassment and money. How does one person make a difference? Heres how. 

This was recorded at Podfest 2018 where Kenn and I met for the first time. He was a Marine who guarded President Ronald Reagan, was later nearly abducted by terrorists in Brazil while a marine in the USAmerican Embassy. He became a C.I.A. agent then was married after a very unusual love story and courtship. Father of, now, 2 grown children whose dad became an assistant pastor and then a pastor to his online congregation through his Speak Life podcast show. This is a great story which will inspire you to treat every adolescent with respect because someday they may be working in the White House or with the C.I.A. You plant the seeds and watch young students become powerful mighty people off God in a Big World and making a difference for Jesus Christ and His Church. They just might grew a family of honor and service. Either way its a Great story of inspiring people for youth pastors and youth workers, volunteers to grow with and share with their youth groups and student ministry leadership groups.

These two sisters, Trisha and Laci Page, have embarked on a journey with their siblings, mother and their ministry, BuildingADifference.com as they travel the country and the world.  They're creating documentaries as they work with a variety of organizations and charities to build a difference in the lives of people in desperate need. Hear how their own family was brought closer together through this unique journey.