Summary
Trinity University historian David Lesch, Ph.D., reflects on the unexpected path that led him from a promising baseball career to becoming one of the world’s leading experts on the Middle East in an interview on the Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan podcast. His story explores how resilience, humility, and a commitment to dialogue have shaped his scholarship, diplomacy, and approach to leadership.
In a recent episode of Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan, Trinity University’s David Lesch, Ph.D., Ewing Halsell Distinguished Professor of History, speaks with Dan Peters about his journey from baseball to the Middle East. Their conversation traces how Lesch became a leading Middle East historian and diplomatic advisor, highlighting how setbacks and a career-ending sports injury redirected his life. Lesch recounts how lessons from the pitcher’s mound have translated into peacemaking, leadership, and bridge-building in the Middle East. Listen to the full podcast here.