EPISODE 6: Anthony Bonelli

EPISODE 6: Anthony Bonelli

Welcome back to the UNF Leadership Podcast! After a quick summer break, we’re excited to return to weekly conversations with some of our favorite leaders. Today’s guest is a special one: my teammate, motivational speaker and longtime college and high school basketball coach, Anthony Bonelli.  Anthony and I first met at the Bruce Beck & Ian Eagle Sportscasting Camp in 2010. Since then, he’s gone on to coach and consult basketball at Drew University, Rutgers University, and several boys and girls high schools programs – including winning multiple division and county championships.  Anthony has battled cerebral palsy his entire life. But it’s never stopped him from chasing his dreams and making an impact on our world.  Even after we pressed “stop record,” Anthony still had lessons he wanted to share – including the importance of discovering and embracing each team’s unique identity, and coaching them based off of that ethos. That’s just who AB is.  This is “Voices of Leadership: Anthony Bonelli."

EPISODE 5: Jamy Bechler

Welcome back to the UNF Leadership Podcast! Before we take a quick summer break: this week’s guest is longtime coach and athletic director-turned-search consultant and executive business trainer, Jamy Bechler.  Jamy has coached men’s and women’s basketball at the high school, NAIA, Division III, and Division I level. In 2016, he transitioned into full-time leadership training and motivational speaking. He’s authored more than half-a-dozen books and is the host of the popular “Success is a Choice” podcast. More recently, he started “Bechler Leadership Search” which helps identify candidates for coaching and administrative positions at the high school and college level.  If you are a sports fan, athlete or coach – and you are on social media – there’s a good chance you’ve seen one of Jamy’s viral posts about leadership on your timeline at some point.  This is “Voices of Leadership: Jamy Bechler”

EPISODE 4: Captain Rick Hoffman

Welcome back to the UNF Leadership Podcast.  This week, we’re excited to bring you our first in-person conversation of our summer season and one of our favorite guest lecturers at the University of North Florida: Captain Rick Hoffman. Stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Captain Rick commanded the USS De Wert and USS Hue City. Upon retirement, he founded Orion Solutions, a defense contracting firm, and became even more involved in our Northeast Florida community – including serving on the UNF Student Affairs Community Council since 2013. He also hosts two syndicated TV programs: “Legacy of Leaders” and “From Sea Suite to C-Suite.”  While he served in the United States Navy for 28 years, Captain Rick likes to say he’s served his country 51 years – because of his service to the Jacksonville community as a leader and entrepreneur, even beyond the ships he led.  This is “Voices of Leadership: Captain Rick Hoffman”

EPISODE 3: Joshua Medcalf

After a brief hiatus, the UNF Leadership Podcast is back for a summer series of conversations with some of our favorite leaders. Episode 3 features renown author and sports psychologist, Joshua Medcalf.  After playing college soccer at Vanderbilt and Duke University, Medcalf embarked on a fascinating journey, ranging from serving as the sports psychologist for national champion UCLA Women’s Basketball to living and working in a homeless shelter while his former classmates sought degrees at Ivy League universities. It’s a journey he details in our conversation and which led to the near-dozen books he has now authored.  Many in Jacksonville know who Joshua is without knowing him. In addition to being a friend of Jon Gordon, last week’s guest on this podcast, Joshua’s book “Chop Wood, Carry Water” is regarded as an essential read by many in the sports business world. Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington popularized the phrase and book after meeting Joshua at a golf event in Arizona in 2023. It’s how I first came to know of Joshua, and why I sought out connecting with him.  This is “Voices of Leadership: Joshua Medcalf”  #leadershipmatters #inspirechange #swoop

EPISODE 2: Jon Gordon

Welcome back! After a brief hiatus, the UNF Leadership Podcast is back for a summer series of conversations with some of our favorite leaders. Kicking us off is longtime friend of the Taylor Leadership Institute, Jon Gordon. If you’re listening to this podcast, there’s a good chance you’ve read one of Jon’s 30-plus books – from “The Energy Bus” to “The 7 Commitments of a Great Team” to his newest and upcoming book, “The Power of Positive Habits.” If you haven’t read them, we encourage you to visit www.jongordon.com to learn more. Our discussion with Jon today is specific to his work with professional sports teams – including the local Jacksonville Jaguars – on identifying and building culture. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, this conversation with Jon is sure to have you ready to rally YOUR TEAM, wherever they may be. This is “Voices of Leadership: Jon Gordon” #leadershipmatters [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leadershipmatters] #inspirechange [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/inspirechange] #swoop [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/swoop]