I’m Dr. Jason Carthen. Some of you know me by “The Leadership Linebacker™” or just Dr. Jason! I’m a former Professional Football Player with the World Champion New England Patriots, a best-selling author, international speaker, avid blogger, media-personality, and philanthropist.
As an Author
I have written several books, most recently 52 Ways To Tackle Leadership for Your Success™. I am also the author of the forthcoming book, Destiny Focused Leadership™ which is on the topic of leading with heart while guided by a long-term vision. I’m also the author of several journal publications academic in research and scope. I was recently inducted into the Business and Leadership Hall of Fame for Regent University. Known as one of the premier business institutions in the country, Regent continues to set the pace for business, entrepreneurship and innovation.
I have received awards from The U.S. House of Representatives for my contributions to the executive coaching and leadership development profession. I am regularly asked to come and provide expert insight on major media outlets such as NBC, ABC, ESPN and TBN along with hundreds of radio programs where I have served as a thought leader on social justice and leading with emotional intelligence.
My work has been featured in Inc. Magazine, Harvard Business, Forbes, E-Magazine and other noteworthy publications such as Christian Leader Today. In 2018 I received the Alumni of the the year award by Regent University for my contributions to entrepreneurship and business.
I regularly speak to Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, Universities, and non-profit entities to help their leadership teams, faculty or student’s produce lasting change and go to the next level in their personal & professional development.
If you bring me in to speak to your group, you can expect a bold and articulate speaker with stories that cross generational, socioeconomic and cultural lines, while providing rich imagery and metaphors that cut right to the heart of the subject matter. In fact, I am willing to go out on a limb and say you will not be the same after taking part in one of my energetic training sessions or hearing a Keynote address.
As a Coach & Consultant
For nearly two decades I have been providing quality training & coaching to thousands of men and women each year – on the subjects of leadership, motivation, team dynamics and organizational culture. I have been recognized by Forbes as one of the top Leadership and Business Coaches in the country. Some of my past clients include General Motors, The Federal Government, Chick-fil-A Corporation, FedEx, The National Football League, The American Dairy Association, Cleveland Clinic Health Systems, and Chevrolet to name a few.
About Me Video
My Content & Blog
I’m known as the Leadership Linebacker™ due to my passion for leadership and the study of human capacities for leadership and follower influence. I train, coach, and provide consultative services in the domain of leadership while making it fun and interesting for my audiences (see Testimonials). I also continue to publish in the areas of Leadership, Motivation and Sales with the goal of providing audiences with a sense of hope and optimism regardless of their current circumstances.
I also have a weekly Radio Show called, “Discover the Leader in You™” which is co-hosted with my lovely wife Mireidy Carthen. The show broadcasts live to over 250,000 people and is also available on iHeart radio and via my mobile app. We cover similar topics as those on the blog. You can watch some episodes on video or listen to it on audio. The show continues to grow in popularity and rank in the iTunes’ Business category.
The goal of my radio show is to provide expert Leadership, Business and Coaching advice that you can put to work in both your personal and professional life. If you consider yourself an overcomer or someone who wants more out of life and your business—then my radio show is for you.
My Biography
Hard work and determination have always been close friends of mine. Despite very humble beginnings and with many odds stacked against me, I have been able to thrive because of my faith and an unlimited amount of resilience. Whether it was from my birth in Alabama or my formative years in Toledo, Ohio, I have not been a stranger to struggle, rejection or dealing with loss.
However, even from my playing days at Ohio University from 1989 through 1992, where I was honored to be one of the most successful & celebrated athletes in Ohio University history, goodwill and favor has also been upon me. After a tremendously successful College Football career where I was elected team captain by my peers and became the All-Time Leader in Sacks, the All-Time Leader in Tackles for Loss, and the All-Time Leader in Caused Fumbles. I was a finalist for the Mid-American Conference player of the year and voted team MVP my senior year.
I would go on to play three-years in the NFL before an injury curtailed my career. I played with the New England Patriots in 1993 to 1994 as an outside linebacker, and then was injured in 1995 after signing a free-agent contract offer with the Jacksonville Jaguars. I would live and play football in NFL Europe for one more season before answering the true call upon my life…helping people to achieve their dreams in life and in business.
After my successful transition from the National Football League, I began my journey in Academia and business by earning a Master’s degree from Malone University, a Business Management Certification from The Harvard Business School and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. I have served for over 25 years in the public and private sectors of leadership in an executive leadership capacity running multiple successful enterprises.
Philanthropy & Civic Engagement
My wife Mireidy and I have a passion for outreach and civic engagement. Whether we are serving others in the community by providing food for families in need, serving missions by providing resources to children in Africa or volunteering to go into some of the toughest prisons in America, we believe in social justice and sharing a message of faith & hope. She and I also regularly compete in marathons to heighten awareness for charitable causes and to provide college scholarships to at risk youth.
Our non-profit organization, The Leaders of Tomorrow Initiative provides mentoring, training and educational initiatives for youth and young adults who make the commitment to live their lives with purpose and passionate intention. Get involved with the Influence Study™!
My Family
I am married to my wonderful wife, Mireidy Carthen (follow her on Twitter), who is crucial to my success due to her love, prayers and unwavering support.
We live outside of Cleveland, Ohio with our daughters.
My blog is built on WordPress (self-hosted). I use the Kallyas Theme, a premium WordPress theme available from Themeforest. I like the theme for its flexibility and ease of use, especially when theme updates are made available or when content additions needed. It has personally helped me to enhance and continue to build my leadership and public speaking brand.
I personally created and designed my website & blog, including the graphics and imagery. I primarily use Helvetica Neue for the body font and the sidebar text, with Times New Roman utilized for the titles and subheads. My beautiful wife Mireidy Carthen took most of my photos.
For blog hosting, I recommend Siteground. It is easy-to-use, reliable, and the 24-7 customer support has been amazing. At this time, it is the only hosting service I would personally recommend.