They’re teaching 12-year-olds how to pass laws.

In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark sits down with Cheryle Totten to discuss the Youth Legislature program in Louisiana—a powerful middle school leadership program that teaches students how the legislative process works through hands-on civic engagement.

For more than 25 years, Youth Legislature has empowered middle school students to write, debate, and pass mock legislation while building confidence, public speaking skills, and real leadership experience. This nonprofit youth program is helping shape informed voters, engaged citizens, and the next generation of leaders across Louisiana.

In this conversation, we cover:

00:00 Coming up

01:10 Theme Song

01:35 Introduction to Youth Legislature and Its Impact

06:27 Understanding the Youth Legislature Program

14:00 The Importance of Civic Engagement in Middle School

18:22 Expanding the Program Statewide

24:09 Challenges of Nonprofit Management

32:57 The Role of Educators in Youth Legislature

33:25 Cheryl's Journey to Leadership

41:58 Leadership Lessons and Recommended Reads

47:41 How to Get Involved and Support Youth Legislature

If you're passionate about leadership development, youth empowerment, civic education, nonprofit impact, or preparing the next generation of leaders, this episode is for you.

Connect with Aaron Clark:

Website: https://coachaclark.com

Email: aaron@coachaclark.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/coach_a_clark

Podcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/clarkconnectionpodcast

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Dr. Robert W. Smith DC, DABCI Chiropractic Internist

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#LeadershipDevelopment #YouthLeadership #CivicEngagement #MiddleSchoolLeadership #YouthLegislature #StudentLeadership #EducationMatters #NonprofitImpact #LouisianaLeadership #PublicSpeakingSkills #FutureLeaders #CommunityEngagement #CivicEducation #LeadershipPodcast #ClarkConnectionPodcast

#CivicEngagement #MiddleSchool #Louisiana

In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark sits down with legendary high school football coach and mentor Bob Becnel to unpack what real leadership looks like when pressure hits.

Coach Becnel shares his journey from a young coach finding his way to leading a championship-level program at Belle Chasse, breaking down the lessons that shaped his coaching philosophy along the way. From building a strong team culture and earning trust, to developing young men beyond the field, this conversation goes far beyond football.

You’ll hear powerful insights on mentorship, communication, organizational leadership, and resilience—especially how his team navigated adversity in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Coach Becnel also explains why winning starts with vision and buy-in, why continuous learning is non-negotiable for leaders, and how faith and values play a role in sustainable success.

Whether you’re a coach, leader, educator, entrepreneur, or someone responsible for developing people, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and impact.

Connect with me on my website www.coachaclark.com

or

social media @coach.a.clark

Got Questions?? Ask THE Coach! Submit your questions here:

https://forms.gle/CxAoZ2xw6Z8aDifg8

Premium Sponsor:

Vicki with Hubbard Flooring Studio

Call: 225-924-1582

Website: www.hubbardflooringstudio.com

Address: 11880 Boylan Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Sponsors:

Brian with Steadfast Electric

call: 225-457-7957 or website: https://steadfastelectric.com/

Bobbie with A Comfy Quest, LLC

Call: 225-773-0307 or visit https://www.massagebook.com/biz/AComfyQuestLA9521

Andrew with Automate Integrate Professional Services

Visit: Https://automate-integrate.com or email andrew@automate-integrate.com

Dr. Robert W. Smith DC, DABCI Chiropractic Internist

Visit: https://www.brspine.com/ or Call: 225-291-2626

00:00 The Importance of Leadership and Buy-In

01:15 Theme Song

01:40 Welcome!

02:22 Sponsors

05:44 Introduction to Coach Becnel

06:21 Coaching Journey: From River Oaks to Bell Chase

11:50 Building a Winning Culture

17:57 Overcoming Adversity: The Katrina Experience

23:56 The Rivalry and Team Unity Post-Katrina

28:58 High School Football Triumphs

39:02 Lessons in Leadership and Success

42:52 The Importance of Continuous Learning

54:08 Reflections on Coaching and Mentorship

#coaching #leadership #mentorship #football #resilience #personalgrowth #teamculture #winningmindset #coachlife #developingleaders #education #community #highschoolfootball #leadershipdevelopment

In this episode of The Clark Connection Podcast, Aaron Clark aka THE Coach sits down with Brian Belliveau, Chief Growth Officer at Columbia Southern University, to talk about leadership, mentorship, and long-term growth.

Brian shares his journey from military service to education leadership and the lessons he’s learned along the way about patience, ownership, and making career decisions that hold up over time. The conversation dives into why mentorship matters, how feedback accelerates growth, and why mastering the basics of leadership is essential for anyone who wants to move from good to great.

This episode is packed with practical insight for leaders, professionals, and anyone serious about personal and professional development. If you’re focused on growth, value, and becoming a better leader — this one’s for you.

Chapter List

00:00 Coming Up

01:05 Theme Song

01:29 Welcome and Sponsorship Shout outs

04:54 The Journey to Leadership

09:47 The Importance of Patience in Leadership

15:11 Learning Through Experience

20:01 The Role of Mentorship in Development

25:09 Long-Term Thinking vs. Short-Term Gains

30:41 The Journey of Mentorship and Connection

33:39 The Gift of Feedback and Personal Growth

34:36 Leadership Basics: Blocking and Tackling

36:17 Consistency Over Trends in Leadership

39:13 The Value of Mentorship in Leadership

40:08 Learning from Observations and Tough Moments

42:07 The Importance of Preparation and Learning

44:29 Ownership and Responsibility in Leadership

47:41 Recommended Reads for Leaders

52:11 Striving for Greatness Over Goodness

54:30 The Heart of Columbia Southern University

Connect with me on my website www.coachaclark.com

or

social media @coach.a.clark

Got Questions?? Ask THE Coach! Submit your questions here:

https://forms.gle/CxAoZ2xw6Z8aDifg8

Premium Sponsor:

Vicki with Hubbard Flooring Studio

Call: 225-924-1582

Website: www.hubbardflooringstudio.com

Address: 11880 Boylan Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Sponsors:

Brian with Steadfast Electric

call: 225-457-7957 or website: https://steadfastelectric.com/

Bobbie with A Comfy Quest, LLC

Call: 225-773-0307 or visit https://www.massagebook.com/biz/AComfyQuestLA9521

Andrew with Automate Integrate Professional Services

Visit: Https://automate-integrate.com or email andrew@automate-integrate.com

Dr. Robert W. Smith DC, DABCI Chiropractic Internist

Visit: https://www.brspine.com/ or Call: 225-291-2626