A Coach's Perspective

Topic: Justin Pickens beat the odds — turning a childhood marked by hardship into a career shaping young lives as a teacher and coach. This week, he shares how the people who believed in him helped him become a first-generation college graduate with two master's degrees.Guest: Justin Pickens

Topic: This week on A Coach's Perspective, we sit down with former arena football players Matt Rush and Kendrick Payne to talk about life in one of the fastest, most physical games in sports. They dive into the mental toughness it takes to compete in tight quarters, bounce back from mistakes, and stay locked in when the margin for error is razor-thin. It's a candid look at the grit and mindset...

Topic: Dana Fredrick and Coach Jeremy Mullins, fathers of athletes, shared their wisdom and insights with us on what it takes to be a positive sports parent and the rewards and challenges of raising competitors. Drawing from their own experiences, they offered honest advice on balancing support with independence, handling the pressures that come with athletics, and keeping perspective on what...

Topic: J.J. Adamson and Ryan Touhey, fathers of athletes, shared their wisdom with us on what it takes to be a positive sports parent and the rewards and challenges of raising competitors. Drawing from their own experiences, they offered honest advice on balancing support with independence, managing the pressures that come with athletics, and keeping perspective on what truly matters.Guests: Ryan...

Topic: Tom Sutherland and Jack Carter, fathers of elite athletes, shared invaluable wisdom with younger sports parents about the rewards and challenges of raising high-level competitors. Drawing from their own experiences, they offered honest advice on balancing support with independence, managing the pressures that come with elite athletics, and keeping perspective on what truly matters. This...

Olympic swimming legend Ryan Lochte joins us to share his remarkable journey in the pool and beyond. A 12-time Olympic medalist with six gold medals, Ryan dominated the backstroke and individual medley events, competing across four Olympic Games and becoming one of swimming's most decorated athletes. Through triumph and adversity alike, he's demonstrated the resilience, competitive drive, and...

Topic: In this episode, we revisit my conversation with former NFL superstar and current NFL analyst Rob Gronkowski from the Boys and Girls Club Steak & Steak fundraiser in Springfield, Missouri. He shares stories from his playing days, insights on the state of football today, and why giving back to the community is so important to him. This was a wonderful conversation, and Rob was...

Kathy Taylor - Episode 430 June 3, 2026A Coach's Perspective – Tough Love: What Real Coaching Looks LikeTopic: On this episode, successful college lacrosse coach Kathy Taylor shares her insights on coach and player dynamics. Coach Taylor, a positive and encouraging coach who also believes in discipline and holding her players accountable, wrote an article titled "Tough Coaching Isn't the Problem;...

Topic: In this episode, we celebrate the career and retirement of Coach Ryan Schafittzel, one of the most knowledgeable and dedicated high school baseball coaches to coach the game in Springfield, Missouri. Surprise guests – my thanks to Logan Counts, Justin Skinner, Byron Hagler, Terri Schafittzel, Brant Schafittzel, and Brock Schafittzel!Guests: Ryan Schaffitzel

Topic: Don Louzader joins us as Loren Broaddus brings his new baseball poetry book, Wasn't Any Maybe So, as we explore the Negro Baseball League through the lens of Kansas City Monarchs second baseman Newt Allen.Guests: Loren Broaddus, Don Louzader