The Current with Jayson French

SummaryWhat happens when you walk away from a successful career to chase something bigger than yourself?On this episode of The Current with Jayson French, former MLB player Adam LaRoche talks about leaving baseball to fight human trafficking and serve veterans through the E3 Ranch Foundation. He covers what trafficking investigations are like, how his team earns survivors’ trust, and how faith keeps them going through hard work. He also talks about the harm pornography does, why accountability matters, and the value of helping one person at a time instead of being overwhelmed by how big the problem is. Along the way, he shares stories from his playing days.It’s a reminder that success and significance aren’t the same thing. So what has God put in front of you that you need to say yes to?Links and Important Info Learn more about the E3 Ranch Foundation: https://e3rf.org/ Connect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericepperson The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY: https://ciy.com/Help expand the ministry of CIY and reach more students with the Gospel. $1/day opens a seat for 2 students. Get involved at http://ciy.com/give.  Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson. Key TakeawaysPurpose doesn't end with a career. Adam's story illustrates how life beyond professional sports can become an opportunity to serve others.Rescue requires relationships. Helping trafficking survivors often means establishing trust, meeting basic needs, and remaining committed even when recovery takes time.You don't have to solve the entire problem. Focusing on the next person who needs help can make an overwhelming mission manageable.Faith and accountability matter. Prayer, transparency, and honest conversations help people face difficult work and personal struggles.Your choices have consequences. The conversation challenges listeners to examine how pornography, secrecy, and isolation can affect others.You don't need every credential to take the first step. Start learning, explore the opportunity, and respond to the burden or calling in front of you.Build a legacy, not just a résumé. The goal is not simply to achieve success, but to live with significance and leave a meaningful impact.Chapters02:37 — The complexity of human trafficking investigations06:12 — Safe houses, aftercare, and supporting victims07:33 — Why rescue is about relationships, not just raids10:50 — Patterns Adam has seen in human trafficking14:27 — How everyday choices can support exploitation17:03 — Faith, prayer, and protecting your heart in difficult work18:56 — Returning to baseball: stories from Adam's career23:27 — E3 Ranch Foundation: how to get involved27:40 — Walking away from success and stepping into purpose31:46 — Why retirement shouldn't mean abandoning purpose33:04 — Success versus significance37:45 — Work as a gift and a calling40:10 — Confession, accountability, and finding freedom41:04 — Why transparency and brotherhood matterKeywords Baseball, Adam LaRoche, leadership, faith, personal growth, purpose, veterans, human trafficking, MLB, sports, calling, ministry 

Summary What happens when the career you built your identity around comes to an end? In this episode, we sit down with former MLB player Adam LaRoche to talk about what happens when success gives way to significance. Adam shares the story behind his decision to walk away from professional baseball, the experiences that opened his eyes to the realities of human trafficking, and how God redirected his life toward serving others. Today, through the E3 Ranch Foundation, Adam works with combat veterans and participates in counter-human-trafficking and crisis-response efforts. From baseball locker rooms to a ranch in Kansas, from serving veterans to confronting some of the darkest places in the world, Adam's story is ultimately about purpose, obedience, and being willing to follow where God leads. Links and Important Info Learn more about the E3 Ranch Foundation: https://e3rf.org/ Connect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericepperson The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY: https://ciy.com/Help expand the ministry of CIY and reach more students with the Gospel. $1/day opens a seat for 2 students. Get involved at http://ciy.com/give.  Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson. Key Takeaways Success and significance aren't the same thing. What we accumulate isn't necessarily what we leave behind in other people. Your career doesn't have to be your identity. When one chapter ends, it can create space for a new assignment. Don't assume your best contribution is behind you. There may still be a mountain to climb and meaningful work to do. Sometimes obedience means walking away. Adam's story demonstrates the willingness to leave something successful when he believed God was calling him somewhere else. Pay attention to the people around you. Adam's biggest career regret wasn't about baseball — it was the opportunities he missed to invest in teammates. Purpose can come after your career. Retirement or the end of a profession doesn't have to mean the end of meaningful contribution. Stay available. Sometimes the next chapter begins simply by being willing to respond when an opportunity to serve appears. Chapters00:00 — From Success to Significance 02:18 — What Is Your Identity Built On? 04:25 — Die With Zero 07:01 — Welcome, Adam LaRoche 09:42 — Horseback Riding, Fly Fishing & Going Offline 11:03 — Finding God's Light in Dark Places 15:15 — The Intentionality of Slowing Down 16:29 — Life After Baseball 18:35 — Thailand Changed Everything 21:00 — Knowing When It's Time for a New Mission 26:38 — The Regret That Had Nothing to Do With Baseball 30:21 — “Sneak Attack Jesus” 32:10 — From Veterans to Human Trafficking Response 33:39 — Stay Ready. Stay Available. Keywords Baseball, Adam LaRoche, leadership, faith, personal growth, purpose, veterans, human trafficking, MLB, sports, calling, ministry 

SummaryWhat if the detour is actually preparation?On this episode of The Current, Jayson French talks with Marc Taylor about calling, faith, leadership, and risk. Marc traces his path from college and NBA mascot - 16 years pro, including a wild trip to Argentina and the risky mascot tricks that are anything but routine - to pastor. Along the way, seemingly unrelated stops: owning a trampoline park, managing employees, volunteering at church, leading a fatherhood program, and teaching Sunday school, turned out to be preparation for ministry.Jayson, Eric, and Marc also explore what it means to recognize God's work when you can't see the bigger picture, how parents can think differently about success, and how our identity is shaped by more than what we do for a living.We wrap up the episode by asking him all of our mascot questions, and Eric shares the riskiest thing he’s ever done in costume.Marc’s Mascot HighlightsSeattle Stunts and Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEWyqHAqJJgRumble’s First Game in OKC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbLjpO1dreAStay in the Current at http://ciy.com/thecurrentExpand the ministry of Christ In Youth by opening a new seat at an event in 2027: http://ciy.com/giveConnect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericeppersonThe Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY at ciy.com.   Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson. Key TakeawaysGod can use seemingly unrelated seasons of your life to prepare you for something you never expected.You don't always need to know the entire plan; you often just need to recognize the opportunity in front of you and take the next step.Sometimes we only recognize how God was working when we look backward.Great leaders can change the "temperature" of a room and influence people's experience even when they can't control the ultimate outcome.Experiences from one career or season can become valuable preparation for an entirely different calling.Your calling may take decades to become clear, and that doesn't mean God wasn't working along the way. Chapters00:00 — Looking Back and Seeing God's Work02:19 — Discovering a Calling to Ministry at 1204:33 — From Bison to Pastor09:12 — The Trampoline Park09:57 — Building a Fatherhood Program11:09 — When Sunday School Became Ministry16:46 — Launching a New Church Campus19:52 — Recognizing God's Direction in Everyday Life20:47 — Lessons From Marc's Parents24:18 — The World of NBA Mascots28:21 — Keeping the Mascot Identity Secret30:38 — Marc's Craziest Mascot Stunt34:22 — A Surprise Return to the NBA Finals40:08 — Books, Leadership, and AI41:40 — The Unexpected Proposal Story47:11 — What Is God Putting on Your Heart?48:50 — Identity Is More Than What You Do KeywordsNBA mascot, leadership, faith, personal growth, career transition, basketball, mentorship, community, sports, ministry, personal growth, OKC Thunder

What happens when the path God has for your life looks nothing like the one you expected?In this episode, we sit down with former NBA mascot, pastor, and business owner Marc Taylor.Marc shares how struggling with ADHD and dyslexia in school helped shape his personality, how performing as his high school mascot opened an unexpected career path, and how a series of relationships and opportunities eventually took him from Colorado State University to professional sports.He also discusses the influence of his mother, the value of allowing children to discover who God created them to be, and why parents may need to reconsider how they define success.Throughout the conversation, Marc explains how his years as a mascot prepared him for ministry by teaching him how to connect with people, remove barriers, and make others feel welcome.Key TakeawaysOpportunities often come from unexpected places-like powder puff football leading to a career in mascots.Leadership is about being present and aware that someone is always watching. You’re on stage even when you aren’t on stage.Pay attention to moments; God works and opens doors in crazy ways.Parenting is a long-term relationship that requires patience, humility, and long-term vision.Marc’s Book Recommendations and Mascot HighlightsDoing Life with Your Adult Children: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310353777The Meaning of Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593545427Seattle Stunts and Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEWyqHAqJJgRumble’s First Game in OKC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbLjpO1dreAStay in the Current at http://ciy.com/thecurrentExpand the ministry of Christ In Youth by opening a new seat at an event in 2027: http://ciy.com/giveConnect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericeppersonChapters00:00 When God redirects your plans03:00 Different kinds of calling05:34 What calling have you ignored?07:15 Introducing former NBA mascot Marc Taylor09:40 The best mascot in professional basketball11:47 Seeing God through creation14:15 Growing up with ADHD and dyslexia15:37 Discovering a love for entertaining people16:39 Becoming the Alamogordo Tigers mascot19:03 Community college and taking the difficult path20:34 Becoming Cam the Ram at Colorado State23:12 Landing an audition with the Seattle SuperSonics29:27 Success, identity and the pressure parents place on children30:26 Books that changed Marc’s approach to parenting31:47 Maintaining influence with adult children32:58 What an NBA mascot audition looks like34:12 The infamous cougar-chicken costume36:01 “Anytime someone sees you, you’re onstage”38:17 The broken spring that saved the auditionKeywordsNBA mascot, leadership, faith, personal growth, career transition, basketball, mentorship, community, sports, ministry, leadership, opportunities, OKC Thunder

In this insightful interview, Dr. Tim Elmore shares his extensive research on Gen Z, leadership, and how to effectively mentor and lead the next generation. Discover practical strategies, leadership myths, and inspiring stories that will transform your approach to developing young leaders. Five Takeaways Leaders are teachable. We never arrive and sometimes we need a little sandpaper on our leadership style. Connect before you correct. Relationships drive leading Gen Z. 26 is the new 18. Become your own best friend. Be kind to yourself. You need it more than you know. Do young leaders want to stick around? Ask them what they want to learn. Sign up to stay connected and be entered into a chance to win the latest giveaway at ciy.com/thecurrent.   Connect with Dr. Tim Elmore on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or at timelmore.com Connect with Jayson French on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at ciy.com/jayson-french.   The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY at ciy.com.   Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson.   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Conversation 04:53 Meet Dr. Tim Elmore: Leadership Development Expert 10:56 Understanding Gen Z: Challenges and Opportunities 12:25 The Peter Pan Paradox: Authority vs. Maturity   20:36 Work-Life Balance: Gen Z's Perspective 23:52 Career Aspirations of Gen Z: Gigs vs. Calling 27:47 Shifting Leadership Paradigms 30:00 Navigating Failure and Growth 34:15 Retaining Gen Z Talent 36:10 Onboarding and Mentorship Strategies 43:00 Preparing for Leadership Succession  52:00 Understanding and Empowering Gen Z 57:00 Personal Insights and Future Aspirations 1:01:12 Closing Discussion and Challenge  RESOURCES Growing Leaders - https://www.growingleaders.com  The Future Begins with Z (Book) - https://a.co/d/02JTTp2v  KEYWORDS Gen Z, leadership, mentoring, leadership development, future of work, generational differences, leadership myths, organizational success