Drew Storen is a former Major League Baseball veteran of 8 seasons. Storen was drafted out of Stanford University by the Washington Nationals in the 1st round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut with the Nationals in 2010 and quickly became a key figure in their bullpen, serving as their closer for several seasons.

Storen played for several teams during his career, including the Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds. Storen retired from professional baseball after the 2020 season.

After his baseball career, Drew Storen founded the Field of Dreams Whiskey Company, a brand that distills the actual corn from the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa. The company focuses on connecting whiskey and baseball lovers alike through nostalgia and premium bourbon.

• How Drew’s bullpen mindset helped him thrive as an entrepreneur
• The story behind Field of Dreams Whiskey and how it came to life
• Why asking questions and learning from others is a competitive advantage
• How delayed gratification shows up in business vs. baseball
• The role of design, storytelling, and nostalgia in building a premium brand
• Why being coachable and resilient translates across industries
• How to trust your gut and make decisions under pressure
• The power of authenticity, humor, and creativity in leadership

Drew Storen

• Website: https://drinkfieldofdreams.com/
• LinkedIn: Drew Storen
• Instagram: @drinkfieldofdreams

Check out this PLAYER SERIES BOTTLE LOOKUP and look for your player!

Ed Molitor

• LinkedIn: Ed Molitor
• Website: https://www.themolitorgroup.com/

Click here to learn More about the 2025 Coaching Effect Summit

In this engaging episode, Brian Grawer shares his inspiring journey from being a standout basketball player at the University of Missouri to leading successful sales teams in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry. With a unique perspective shaped by his athletic background, Brian discusses the parallels between sports and business, offering practical insights into leadership, team building, and personal growth.

Brian opens up about the values instilled in him through basketball, such as preparation, discipline, and coachability, and how these lessons have guided him in fostering authentic leadership and cultivating high-performing teams. Whether you're an athlete, a business professional, or a leader looking to inspire your team, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking reflections.

Brian Grawer’s leadership journey is rooted in his basketball background. His father, Rich Grawer, is a decorated Hall of Fame Coach in the state of Missouri. Rich has the 2nd most career wins as the Head Coach at St. Louis University and is still recognized as one of the best basketball minds that has coached at both the high school and collegiate levels.

Brian was a 2x All-Big XII Honorable Mention awarded player from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was the starting point guard from 1997-2001. Standing only 5’10”, Brian found ways to be effective and impactful as a “little guy” in a “tall man’s game”, through his hard work and mindful approach to the game, his teammates, and his coaches. He ended his career at Mizzou in the top 10 in multiple categories (Steals, 3-pointers made, 3pt %, and Ft %). He held the single-season FT % record (90.5%) for the last 24 years until that record was surpassed in the 2023-24 season at Mizzou. One of his former coaches, Quin Synder, called Brian, “One of the best leaders he has ever seen.”

After he finished his playing career, Brian spent 3 years as an assistant coach at the college level. He then took his career to the pharmaceutical/Radiopharmaceutical sales path. Brian is currently the Head of Cardiology Sales at Lantheus, which is a leading radiopharmaceutical-focused company with proven expertise in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing pioneering diagnostic and therapeutic products and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. In his 20+ year career in this industry, he has been in numerous different sales roles, both as an individual contributor and as a leader of a team.

Brian has been married to his wife, Angela, for 21 years. They have two children, Addison (18) and Trent (13).

• How preparation, purpose, and passion are the foundation of success

• The role of coachability in personal and professional growth

• Insights into transitioning from sports to business leadership

• Strategies for fostering loyalty and authenticity in teams

• The importance of self-reflection and vulnerability in leadership

• How to push yourself and your team out of your comfort zones for growth

• The parallels between leading on the court and in the boardroom

Brian Grawer

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-grawer/

• Website: www.Lantheus.com

• Twitter/X: https://x.com/bgrawer?lang=en

Ed Molitor

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/

• Website: https://www.themolitorgroup.com/

• [00:00:01] Introduction to trust in sales

• [00:05:12] Lessons learned from a Hall of Fame coaching father

• [00:12:34] Preparation, purpose, and passion in leadership

• [00:18:45] The power of coachability and self-reflection

• [00:25:29] Transitioning from basketball to business

• [00:30:18] Authentic leadership: Balancing vulnerability and accountability

• [00:38:45] Building a winning team culture

• [00:44:10] Advice for emerging leaders

• [00:50:05] Brian’s most memorable basketball and leadership moments

Ed Molitor dives into a recent podcast episode with Matt Painter, Men's Basketball Coach at Purdue University.

About Matt Painter

One of America's top basketball coaches, Matt Painter enters his 17th year at Purdue. He owns a 355-164 record at Purdue. He has led the Boilermakers to 12 NCAA Tournaments, five Sweet 16s, three Big Ten regular-season championships, a Big Ten Tournament title, an Elite Eight, and an international gold medal. His peers voted him as the NABC National Coach of the Year after leading a team that started with a 6-5 record to the 2019 Elite Eight.

Purdue's six straight NCAA Tournament appearances are the seventh-longest active streak in America and Purdue is one of just three teams to have a top-five seed in each of the last five NCAA Tournaments.

Off the court, his program had 68 Academic All-Big Ten honorees in his 16 previous years at Purdue, and every player but one who has exhausted his eligibility at Purdue has graduated.

About Ed Molitor

Ed is a coach down to the very smallest molecule of his DNA.

Whether he’s a husband and father at home or working with a client in the business world, he is an energized, passionate, and near-obsessive coach who is fully invested in showing up with all he’s got to help you show up with all you’ve got. His approach insists on presence. He knows no other way to catalyze change except by getting on the court with you, playing side-by-side, and encouraging you to keep pushing, especially when the going gets tough. In the last 29 years, Ed has developed his leadership skills in both athletics and business.

From working as an NCAA Basketball coach at Texas A&M, DePaul NIU, and Lewis University to becoming the Vice President of a national recruiting firm, Ed Molitor has experienced the potential and pitfalls of leadership at every level. As the founder and CEO of The Molitor Group, today Ed guides emerging and established leaders across biopharma and biotech to apply the proven lessons of coaching in their pursuit of inspiring and driving their team’s performance. Through personalized training, workshops, keynote speeches, his writing, and as a podcast host, Ed seeks to empower individuals and their organizations to achieve victory through a focus on transformation, fundamentals, compassion, mental toughness, and vision.

Ed graduated from St. Ambrose University with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Economics where he was a member of the Men’s Basketball team serving as the co-captain his Senior year. Before St. Ambrose, he studied business at Creighton University where he played on the Men’s Basketball teams which included a 1989 MVC Regular Season and Tournament Champions, NCAA Tournament, and a 1990 NIT Tournament.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• Impactful takeaways from Episode 196 with Matt Painter
• How personal growth is crucial for team performance
• The importance of transparency in setting recruitment expectations
• Techniques for developing a culture where expectations are clear and met
• Insights into managing the complexities of NIL and the transfer portal
• The need to align winning with ethical practices

Watch Episode 196 with Matt Painter on YouTube

Matt Painter

• Website: https://www.purdue.edu/
• Website: https://purduesports.com/
• LinkedIn: Purdue University
• Twitter: @BoilerBall
• Instagram: @boilerball

Ed Molitor

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/
• Website: https://www.themolitorgroup.com/

In this episode, Larry Levine, author of Selling in a Post-Trust World, dives into the critical role of trust, authenticity, and soft skills in sales. He shares the powerful strategies behind transitioning from transactional to transformational sales, emphasizing the importance of building genuine relationships and truly understanding clients' needs.

We explore the "trust formula," a framework for creating meaningful value and cultivating authentic connections that set sales professionals apart in a skeptical world. Larry also highlights the power of continuous learning, networking, and intentional communication for young professionals looking to elevate their confidence and impact.

Larry believes that success in sales comes from a commitment to serving others and contributing to a greater cause, which not only leads to personal fulfillment but also elevates the entire sales profession.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Insights of Larry’s new book: "Selling in a Post Trust World"

• The significance of authentic relationships and meaningful value in sales

• The critical role of trust, credibility, and consistency in building relationships in sales

• Larry’s 'trust formula' to navigate the sales landscape

• The impact of the shift from transactional to transformational sales methods

• The profound impact of coaching on salespeople’s confidence and success,

• Why sales training should focus on people skills, not just product knowledge.

• How vulnerability can be a strength in building relationships

Resources & Links

Larry Levine

• New Book: https://sellinginaposttrustworld.com/

• https://www.sellingfromtheheart.net/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larry.levine.1992/

• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Larry1Levine

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SellingFromtheHeart

Ed Molitor

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/

• Website: https://www.themolitorgroup.com/

One of America's top basketball coaches, Matt Painter enters his 17th year at Purdue.

He owns a 355-164 record at Purdue. He has led the Boilermakers to 12 NCAA Tournaments, five Sweet 16s, three Big Ten regular-season championships, a Big Ten Tournament title, an Elite Eight, and an international gold medal.

His peers voted him as the NABC National Coach of the Year after leading a team that started with a 6-5 record to the 2019 Elite Eight.

Purdue's six straight NCAA Tournament appearances are the seventh-longest active streak in America and Purdue is one of just three teams to have a top-five seed in each of the last five NCAA Tournaments.

Off the court, his program had 68 Academic All-Big Ten honorees in his 16 previous years at Purdue, and every player but one who has exhausted his eligibility at Purdue has graduated.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• The principles that have guided Matt Painter's coaching journey
• The importance of honesty and integrity in recruiting
• The value of player development and the value of redshirting
• How to balance talent with character and work ethic in players
• How to build and maintain a strong team culture
• The role of communication and accountability within the team
• How to adapt coaching philosophy to evolving game dynamics
• The power of handling adversity and learning from mistakes in a competitive environment
  
  

Resources & Links

Matt Painter

• Website: https://www.purdue.edu/
• Website: https://purduesports.com/
• LinkedIn: Purdue University
• Twitter: @BoilerBall
• Instagram: @boilerball

Ed Molitor

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/
• Website: https://www.themolitorgroup.com/

Youth sports are more than just games—they foster personal growth and shape future success. They teach values like teamwork and resilience that impact both personal and professional development. For parents, it’s a balancing act between supporting their child and trusting the coach’s role in building character. These shared experiences strengthen family bonds, while also preparing young athletes to navigate challenges both on and off the field.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Jerry Lynch and John O'Sullivan, the authors of The Champion Sports Parent.

Our Guests

John O'Sullivan is a TEDx speaker and founder of the Changing the Game Project, which he launched in 2012. He's the author of two bestselling books, Changing the Game and Every Moment Matters, and hosts the popular Way of Champions podcast.

A former collegiate and professional soccer player with over 20 years of coaching experience, John has worked with top organizations like the US Olympic Committee and USA Soccer. He serves on advisory boards for the Positive Coaching Alliance and the National Association for Physical Literacy.

Dr. Jerry Lynch is a former Nike-sponsored athlete and national champion who transformed his experience into a career coaching elite athletes. He has worked with NBA teams, Major League Soccer, and top universities like Duke and Stanford.

Dr. Lynch, author of 15 books, founded the Way of Champions, a performance consulting group. Recognized as one of the top in his field, he focuses on leadership, culture building, and personal growth in sports and life.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• Key lessons from the book "The Champion Sports Parent"
• The importance of allowing children to experience failure
• The power of self-awareness and reflection in parenting
• How to balance discipline and enjoyment
• How to navigate pressure and expectations in youth sports
• The crucial role of trust and communication with coaches
• How sports can drive personal growth and family bonding

Resources & Links

John O'Sullivan and Jerry Lynch

• Website: https://changingthegameproject.com/

• Website: www.wayofchampions.com

• Get the Book: The Champion Sports Parent

• Way of Champions Podcast on Apple Podcast

• Jerry’s LinkedIn

• John’s LinkedIn

Ed Molitor

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup/

• Website: https://www.themolitorgroup.com/

As a former University of Tennessee Assistant Coach and now a Founding Partner of Axiom Wealth Management, Mark Pancratz knows the value of developing and connecting leaders.

During his seven years with Coach Bruce Pearl at UT, Mark worked specifically in player development and scouting. His ability to coach talent and enhance skills while thinking strategically set him up to shift his focus to growing a multi-million dollar financial planning service.

Mark also serves as one of the top youth basketball coaches in Knoxville. Building the next generation of leaders while equipping them to not lose themselves in a game sets him apart from many coaches. Through coaching and leading his business, Mark has had the privilege to work with other high-impact leaders, coaches and teams to grow their faith, health and wealth.

Most importantly, Mark is the lucky husband to Brooke and a father to three beautiful daughters, Charli (13) and Landri (10) and Jovi (7) - providing him with plenty of opportunities to continue coaching the sport he loves.

You can find out more about Mark through his monthly newsletter, The Starting Five at markpancratz.substack.com.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• How to fuel professional success with personal fulfillment
• How to build authentic relationships in leadership
• The importance of mentorship and support systems
• How accountability impacts coaching and long-term development
• How to navigate transitions and build meaningful connections along the way
• The role of vulnerability and transparency in effective leadership
• The significance of clear communication and expectations in relationship building
• How to empower others to reach their potential in both sports and business

Resources & Links:

• Mark’s LinkedIn
• www.axiom.nm.com
• https://markpancratz.substack.com/