Dr. David Lesch — former LA Dodgers first-round draft pick turned Middle East scholar — joins Dr. Dan alongside his biographer, award-winning author Catherine Nixon Cooke, to discuss From Dodgers to Damascus: David Lesch's Journey from Baseball to the Middle East. This powerful biography traces David's extraordinary path from nearly hitting Ron Cey in the head with his first pitch to becoming an advisor to five U.S. presidential administrations on Middle East conflicts. Through Catherine's research and over 50 interviews, the conversation explores how resilience, humility, and integrity shape a meaningful life—and how lessons from failure on the pitcher's mound translate into peacemaking in war zones. From "threads" of common ground in a Texas blues bar to being a "possibilist" instead of an optimist, this episode reminds us that connection, courtesy, and hope are choices we make every day.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
How failure prepares you for life's biggest challenges—whether on the mound or in conflict zones
Why integrity (doing the right thing when no one's looking) attracts like-minded leaders
How to find "threads" of common ground with people who seem polar opposite to you
Why the best leadership emerges naturally rather than being sought for its own sake
What it means to be a "possibilist" instead of an optimist—focusing on small changes happening now
The power of pausing to listen and understand another person's conceptual paradigm
LEARN MORE
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October 23, 2025
Dr. David Lesch and Catherine Nixon Cooke
Resilience, Integrity, and Finding Common Ground: From Dodgers to Damascus
"At the core of sports is failure—and learning how to fail prepares you for life."
TIMESTAMPS
08:11 – First day of spring training: Nearly hitting Ron Cey in the head
11:45 – Resilience and failure: The core of baseball and life
19:23 – Humility from childhood through stardom: Friends' perspective
22:12 – What drew David to the Middle East: The people, not just the history
24:55 – "People of the Trash": A seminal moment witnessing true poverty and hospitality
31:30 – Meeting Bashar al-Assad: When academic study became diplomacy
47:39 – Defining integrity: Doing the right thing when no one's looking
52:20 – Leadership that emerges: Being drawn to the mission, not seeking power
57:51 – "Threads": Finding positive common ground in a Fredericksburg blues bar
01:02:21 – Courtesy and listening: What we've lost and need to reclaim
01:04:15 – How to keep hope: Being a "possibilist" (Bill Ury's answer)
SHOW NOTES
Dr. Dan welcomes Dr. David Lesch, acclaimed scholar and former Los Angeles Dodgers draft pick, and Catherine Nixon Cooke, award-winning author and explorer, to discuss Dodgers to Damascus: David Lesch's Journey from Baseball to the Middle East a powerful biography that traces David’s extraordinary path from the baseball diamond to international diplomacy.
Dr. Dan, David, and Catherine discuss how resilience, humility, and integrity shape a meaningful life—and how lessons from the pitcher’s mound can translate into peacemaking in the Middle East. Catherine shares insights from her deep research and collaboration with David, revealing universal truths about leadership, empathy, and service.
This inspiring conversation reminds us that connection and courtesy can heal divides, that listening is an act of courage, and that being a “possibilist”—someone who sees what can be—is how we move forward as individuals and as a global community.
LINKS & RESOURCES
The Book
From Dodgers to Damascus: David Lesch's Journey from Baseball to the Middle East — Available on Amazon and Trinity University Press
Written by Catherine Nixon Cooke
Connect with the Guests
Dr. David Lesch — Instagram: @drdavidlesch
Catherine Nixon Cooke — Website: catherinenixoncooke.com, Instagram: @catherinenixoncooke
Trinity University — trinity.edu (David's institution)
Key Concepts
Threads — Finding positive common ground with people who seem polar opposite; choosing to focus on shared humanity (music, family, travel) rather than differences
Possibilist — Term from mediator William Ury: not an optimist, but someone who focuses on small changes happening now rather than distant future hope
Integrity — David's definition: "Doing the right thing when no one's looking"
Pause and listen — Understanding another person's conceptual paradigm before reacting
Courtesy — What allows us to truly listen, connect, and move toward understanding
Failure as teacher — Baseball's core lesson: you fail most of the time, but you keep showing up
Humility — Natural leadership quality that draws others rather than seeking power
Leadership that emerges — Best leaders don't seek positions; people gravitate to them naturally
People Referenced
Ron Cey ("The Penguin"), Steve Garvey, Tommy Lasorda — LA Dodgers legends
Sandy Koufax — David's mentor
Lou Cantori, Robert Friedman — David's professors at University of Maryland who brought Middle East alive
GUEST BIO
Dr. David Lesch is Distinguished Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Trinity University and an acclaimed scholar, educator, and conflict resolution specialist. The #1 draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980, David has advised five U.S. presidential administrations on Middle Eastern affairs and is the author or editor of 18 books on the region, including biographies of Bashar al-Assad and Hafiz al-Assad. He has worked extensively in Syria and across the Middle East on conflict resolution and diplomatic initiatives.
Catherine Nixon Cooke is an award-winning author of seven books, including In Search of Tom Slick: Explorer and Visionary (produced as a podcast starring Owen Wilson and Sissy Spacek, currently optioned for film). Early in her career, she served as Coronet magazine's youngest editor-in-chief. She has led major nonprofits including Mind Science Foundation, World Affairs Council, and Mountain Institute. An elected fellow and medalist of the International Explorers Club, she has carried the club's flag on expeditions to remote corners of the world.
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