The Joy of Leadership

In Episode 62 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Lee Glover, drama teacher at Hebron Christian Academy. They discuss the remarkable year of productions that have graced the stage, then explore Lee’s faith and professional journey that led her to HCA. They conclude their conversation by looking ahead to the future of the drama program. Ep. 62 Breakdown (0:00) Introduc...

In Episode 61 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Sophia Burnet and Sarah Mix, the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of 2026 at Hebron Christian Academy. Both are headed to Emory University in the fall. They reflect on their combined 23 years at HCA, sharing the successes and challenges they experienced throughout their academic journeys. They also discuss t...

In Episode 60 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Christi Thomas, the new Head Girls Basketball Coach at Hebron Christian Academy. They discuss Christi’s extensive basketball background, including her time playing at Buford High School, the University of Georgia, and professionally in the WNBA and overseas. They also explore her faith journey and how God worked in her...

Ep. 59 – Hope Against Trafficking (Emily Leatherbarrow) In Episode 59 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Emily Leatherbarrow, President and Founder of Sisters of Grace, a ministry in Northern Thailand that provides a safe haven for girls at risk of human trafficking in the surrounding region. They discuss the mission and vision of Sisters of Grace, her personal calli...

In Episode 58 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Malcolm Mitchell, former UGA football standout, NFL Super Bowl Champion, author, and literacy advocate. They discuss his journey from a football-centered childhood in Valdosta, Georgia, to becoming a Super Bowl champion and passionate advocate for literacy. Malcolm shares how faith, family, and key mentors shaped his l...

In Episode 57 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Quentin Davie, the new Head Football Coach of Hebron Christian Academy. They discuss Coach Q’s upbringing and background as a college and professional football player, as well as his experience coaching at the high school level. The conversation also explores his spiritual life and his desire to point young men to Jesu...

In Episode 56 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Nashville-based musician and recording artist Garrett Adair. They discuss life in Nashville and the grind of launching a music career in today’s industry, as well as the growing desire for authenticity in a world increasingly shaped by AI-generated music. Garrett also shares insights into his creative process and expla...

In episode 55 of The Joy of Leadership podcast , Dr. James Taylor sits down with Anson McMahon, Lead and Planting Pastor of Emmaus Church. They discuss Emmaus’ recent purchase of 31 acres for the construction of their new church home, the steps Anson takes to avoid burnout and protect his family relationships as a pastor, and his personal faith journey and path to ministry. Ep. 55 Breakdown (0:00)...

In episode 54 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Joel Cobb and Nick Cornwell, cofounders of H2ALL and Generation U. They discuss the mission of H2ALL and Generation U to address the African water crisis, share their personal backgrounds and journeys, and explore their current operations as well as their vision for the future. Ep. 54 Breakdown (0:00) Introduction (0:3...

In episode 53 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Sgt. Tim Walker, former Gwinnett County Police officer, current Barrow County Commissioner, and HCA’s Security Supervisor. They discuss his career in law enforcement, his current roles in leadership and service, and the ways faith has guided his life. Ep. 53 Breakdown (0:00) Introduction (0:41) Beginning a political ca...

In episode 52 of The Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Dr. Brad Christensen, Director of STEM at Hebron Christian Academy. They discuss Dr. Christensen’s background and expertise in STEM education, how project-based learning is transforming the way STEM is taught at HCA, and how the study of science ultimately points us back to God, the intelligent designer behind it all....

In episode 51 of the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Autumn Bailey-Ford, a film producer based in the Atlanta area. They discuss the role of a producer in film and television, the business side of the industry, and how Georgia has become a hub for filmmakers. Autumn shares insights into her work on various films, her journey from a challenging childhood to pursuing her f...

In episode 50 of the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Scott Fuller, Vice President of Advancement at Murphy-Harpst, an organization dedicated to the care of Georgia’s at-risk youth in the foster care system. They discuss Murphy-Harpst's mission and history, the programs it offers for vulnerable children and their foster parents, and Scott's personal calling to serve the L...

In episode 49 of the Joy of Leadership podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Katie Beth Mock and Marco Perez, Hebron Christian Academy’s Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. They discuss their future plans, accomplishments, and experiences at HCA, as well as the people who have significantly impacted their lives. They also share their excitement about stepping into adulth...

In episode 48 of the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Alisa Childers, a former member of ZOEgirl who is now an author, apologist, and podcast host. Alisa shares insights into her upbringing influenced by her father's musical career, her experiences in the Christian music industry, and her connections to the movie Jesus Revolution. She also discusses her journey from quest...

In episode 47 of the Joy of Leadership Podcast , Dr. James Taylor sits down with Kenny Dallas, Hebron Christian Academy’s new head football coach. Dallas shares his experience of getting established at HCA, the support he received from his family, the influential men and pivotal moments that shaped him, his marriage and parenting advice, his efforts in starting a support group for fathers, and his...

In episode 46 of the Joy of Leadership Podcast , Dr. James Taylor sits down with Dr. Sebastian Vaduva, a professor with Emanuel University in Oradea, Romania as well as a consultant and entrepreneur. He shares his background as a child leaving communist Romania to the United States and then overcoming adversity to start his entrepreneurial profession at a young age and eventually coming to Emanuel...

In episode 45 of the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Lizzy Sutton, a legendary math teacher at HCA with 52 years of teaching experience. As she prepares to step into a new chapter of life this summer, Lizzy shares how she knew she wanted to teach early in life, discusses her family and future plans for retirement in Montana, reflects on how the landscape of education has...

In episode 44 on the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Ryan Bomberger, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer of The Radiance Foundation. He shares the vision of the Radiance Foundation to create a culture that believes that every human life has purpose, his personal story of being adopted and its profound impact on his life, and his call to “factivism” over activism to f...

In episode 43 on the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Matt Schaub, former NFL quarterback and current analyst for Virginia football’s radio program. He shares about his upbringing in sports and how the world of youth & college sports has changed, his path to the NFL and success at the quarterback position, and how his faith journey has impacted his life. Ep. 43 Breakd...

In episode 42 on the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Sarah (Isaacs) Hopkins, an HCA alum and Systems Engineer with Amentum, which is a subcontractor for NASA and the Artemis Program. She shares about her career path, how faith impacts her views on space, the challenges of being a woman in aerospace engineering, and the exciting developments that are occurring in space ex...

In episode 41 on the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Mark McMinn, the school chaplain at Hebron Christian Academy. He shares about this vital new role at HCA, how jiu-jitsu is being used to raise up young men, his personal upbringing & testimony, and how he has learned to value the small things. Ep. 41 Breakdown (0:00) Introduction (0:50) The purpose of HCA’s chaplai...

In episode 40 on the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor & Cornel Potra sit down with Dr. Paul Negrut, president of Emanuel University of Oradea in Romania. He shares about his professional accomplishments, how Emanuel University began in the midst of Communist Romania, and how it is raising up Christian leaders in Europe and around the world. Ep. 40 Breakdown (0:00) Introduction (1:01...

In episode 39 on the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Jason Berry, the Senior Pastor of 12Stone Church. He shares about his succession from Pastor Kevin Myers, his plans for future leadership at 12Stone, how 12Stone operates and grows, and how he balances his family life and pastoral responsibilities. Ep. 39 Breakdown (0:00) Introduction (0:50) Pastoral succession at 12St...

In episode 38 on the Joy of Leadership Podcast, Dr. James Taylor sits down with Drs. Randy and Destiny Prezzano, veterinarians and owners of Apalachee River Animal Hospital in Dacula, GA. They share about their decisions to become vets at a young age, the process of becoming a veterinarian, the impact faith has had on their lives, & advice for those looking to pursue their calling. Ep. 38 Brea...