Leading Adam with Adam Binkerd

S3E4: Raised in Pain, Rooted in Peace: Sara Sanders’ Story of Grit and Grace

In this heartfelt episode, Adam and Erika sit down with Sara Sanders to explore what real success looks like—beyond social media highlights and stereotypes. Sara opens up about her remarkable journey from a difficult childhood and foster care to earning multiple degrees, becoming an executive enrollment counselor, and raising two children with faith and perseverance. Through her story of grit, grace, and unshakeable love, Sara reminds us that peace, healing, and purpose come from walking in love and doing the hard work each day.

S3E3: From Safety Pins to Service: The Grit and Grace of Diane Binkerd

In this heartfelt episode, hosts Erika Crabtree and Adam Binkerd sit down with Adam’s mother, Diane Binkerd, to explore a lifetime defined by faith, grit, and compassion. Diane shares her story growing up in a strict but loving Christian home, becoming a nurse, raising a family, starting a wallpaper business, and founding a nonprofit to help others with transportation and care. Through humor and humility, she reflects on perseverance, service, and finding joy in every season of life.

S3E2: From Addiction to Authentic Leadership: Cody Knuckles’ StoryFrom Addiction to Authentic Leadership: Cody Knuckles’ Story

In Season 3, Episode 2, we sit down with Cody Knuckles, a plumber from Indiana whose journey from addiction and incarceration to leading 40 employees across five locations is nothing short of remarkable. Cody shares how he started as a drain cleaner, built a department, broke sales records, and now serves as a mentor and leader at Summers Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. He opens up about his struggles, faith, and the lessons in resilience, authenticity, and leadership that continue to guide his life and work. 00:00 Introduction & Cody's Early Struggles 01:48 What Drives People?—Podcast Overview 03:02 Meet Cody Knuckles: Background & Family 04:41 Cody’s Career Growth & Leadership Role 07:01 Handling Leadership Pressure 10:21 From Hands-On Work to Leading Teams 13:46 Starting From Nothing: Cody’s Turning Point 17:58 Building Skills and Gaining Confidence 21:25 Mentorship, Growth, and Leaving the Comfort Zone 24:28 Breaking Sales Records & Leading Bigger Teams 27:33 Reflecting on a Wild Career Journey 30:33 Cody's Early Life & Path to Addiction 32:36 Years Incarcerated—Dark Times and Rock Bottom 35:36 Transformation Through Faith—and Recovery 39:41 Rebuilding After Prison: Mindset & Moving Forward 43:03 Discovering Calling & Purpose 46:54 Value, Belonging, and Feeling Unconditional Love 48:46 Remaining Authentic in All Areas of Life 51:24 Influence of Role Models & Importance of Vulnerability 54:28 Celebrating Small Wins and Building Teams 56:04 The True Meaning of Authenticity 01:00:06 The Power of Authentic Leadership 01:02:30 Knowing Your Why—and How It Changes 01:03:45 Final Lessons for Leaders: See the Whole Person 01:05:46 From a Number to a Name—Claiming Your Identity 01:07:32 Reflections, Farewell & Final Thoughts

S3E1: "Brick by brick": Building an ordered life through grit with Chris Spangle

Hosts Adam Binkerd and Erika Crabtree open season three of Leading Adam with a deeply personal conversation with Chris Spangle—director of digital content at IBJ, former Bob & Tom digital lead, and longtime host of The Chris Spangle Show. Spangle shares his journey from early success in radio and podcasting to a season of loss, depression, and faith that reshaped his life. He talks candidly about therapy, breaking unhealthy cycles, and choosing family over workaholism. A podcast editor, co-host of The Patdown and featured juror on BET’s Ms. Pat Settles It, he shares where he thinks media is heading. This episode sets the tone for a season focused on “leading inward,” exploring grit, resilience, and the quiet work of building an “ordered life” brick by brick. 00:00 Intro & New Season Kickoff 01:07 New Set, New Energy 02:04 Introducing Chris Spangle 05:56 Why Chris? Production & Connection 08:30 Season 3: Leading Inward 13:01 Chris's Journey: Podcasting & Growth 20:53 The Granular Skills That Built a Career 24:53 Getting Personal: Lessons from Childhood 31:31 Finding Grit in Insecurity 38:56 Faith, Recovery, and Second Chances 44:52 Formulas for Values & the Ordered Life 50:59 Balance, Vocational Choices & Family 01:00:10 Building Community & The Future of Relationships 01:13:02 Parenting, Role Models & Generational Growth 01:18:10 Authenticity, Judgment, and Social Barriers 01:21:31 Lessons Learned & Season Wrap-up

S2E13: Are You Unknowingly Hurting Your Team?

Adam Binkerd and Erika Crabtree reflect on the subconscious habits and societal norms that may be sabotaging leadership efforts—often without the leader realizing it. Drawing from over 30 recent coaching sessions, Adam unpacks his approach to helping executives identify and remove hidden barriers to a healthy human experience in the workplace. From misapplied work ethic to generational shifts in leadership expectations, the conversation dives deep into how unexamined beliefs can unintentionally damage team dynamics—and what leaders can do about it.