The Coaching Life Podcast

112: New Season Means Getting Better!

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We are excited to bring a brand new season of The Coaching Life Podcast. We kick this one off with a conversation about a national coaches conference ...

111: Good Is The Enemy Of Great

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the last podcast conversation of 2021, and we want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of our listeners who are on the journey with us to...

110: Good Player But Not A Good Teammate

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do you handle a situation where you have a very talented player who doesn't adhere to many of the values you desire for your team members to have?...

109: Future Focus Can Rob The Present Experience

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This conversation is based on an article written by Coach Mike Deegan of Dennison University. Coach Deegan had planned to join us on this episode but ...

108: Another Special Coaching Life Announcement

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

By the time this episode airs it might not be "breaking" news, but it is BIG news nonetheless. Chris Stewart conducts an interview with a very special...

107: How To Get Ready, Stay Ready, BE READY!

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you are always ready, then you will have a great advantage to seize opportunities when they come to you.  Chris and Pat would like to wish a...

106: Finding Joy

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There is an underlying state of being that both Chris and Pat have. We would like to share it with you and tell you how you can find it. 

105: Hustle vs False Hustle

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What does "hustle" look like? What does it NOT look like? 

104: Leadership That People Want To Follow

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Using examples from the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, we discuss leadership and team dynamics. 

103: I Don't Want To Play Anymore

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It can be scary to hear your youth athlete say the words, "I don't think I want to play the sport anymore." This scenario actually happens a lot, and ...

102: World's Worst Mom

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The topic of conversation today is "safetyism." Safetyism is defined as culture that allows the concept of "safety" to creep so far that it equates em...

101: Coulter Cleland – A Journey From High School To The Next Level

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We conduct our first ever interview of a high school athlete. But, when you listen to this young man you will be very surprised that he is a high scho...

100: Highlights From The First 100

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

THANK YOU to all of our listeners who have been part of our 100-episode conversation. We hope to continue for 100 more! 

99: Matthew Blanchard – Discipline and Determination

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with Matthew Blanchard, JUCO freshman at Bryant and Stratton College in Cleveland, OH about how he powered through some of the setbacks his hi...

98: Responding to Our Failures

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Failure is part of life. If you're not failing, you're not living.  Take note, this is not just an abstract conversation. In this episode, we'll ...

97: When Kids' Passion Does Not Match Ours

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What do we do when our kids' passion doesn't seem to meet our expectations? How can we GIVE more passion to people? 

96: Get Stronger To Get Better

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE TO LISTENERS: This episode ends a little abruptly due to some technical issues that was causing hiccups in the recording and making it un-listena...

95: The Power of Roles, Expertise, and Relationships

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There are three very powerful things that we can all be more intentional at developing with our teams. 

94: Welcome Back!

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes it's good to take a little break to recharge and remind yourself of why you do what you do. After a couple months off, the guys are ready to...

93: A Community Champion

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is a special episode dedicated to one of our podcast hosts. Pat Martin embodies what The Coaching Life is about, and there is much we can all gai...

92: Don't Worship the Heartache

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pat and Chris connect for an episode about bad breaks, disappointing moments, and how we handle those. 

91: The Final Inning

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat connect for an important, touching conversation. You'll just have to listen. 

90: The In-Between Moments

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Every moment matters. Whether we're playing a game, practicing, or throughout our lives in general, the "in-between" time is going to either make or b...

89: Opening Day

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat recorded this episode on the eve of the first high school baseball game of 2021. There was a lot to talk about, so we just titled this e...

88: Cancelled No More and Mentally Stronger

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One year ago this week is when Chris and Pat recorded the last podcast in studio together. All throughout the week of March 13-19 of 2020,  thing...

87: You Have To Love It Or You Won't Do It

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The fellas have a conversation about the many "other" responsibilities that comes with coaching and being a Head Coach in particular. There are many t...

86: Steve Miller – A Culture of Winning

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat invite a very special guest onto the podcast to talk about his soon to be released book, "Awakening Courage: Stories of Grit, Resilience...

85: A Special Coaching Life Announcement

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pat Martin breaks some big news in this episode and conducts an interview with a special "guest." 

84: Throw It As Hard As You Can

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Chris and Pat break down one of the most important fundamentals and something we all teach our children to do when they are very youn...

83: Brody Rodgers – Earn It! From Walk On To Scholarship

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pat and Chris interview special guest, Brody Rodgers, offensive lineman for the Ohio University Bobcats football team, entering his redshirt senior ye...

82: New Year Renewed Purpose

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The fellas bring in the new year with discussions on a variety of topics. We even considered titling this episode: Tangents! I guess we just had so mu...

81: Be a Coach or Have Friends?

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ambitions of being a coach, then you should probably first play the old game of "Would you rather?" Would you rather... A) Be a coach B)...

80: What We CAN Do

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For the past 9 months, we have been told over and over again what we CAN'T do. In this episode, Chris and Pat speak candidly and passionately about th...

79: Positive Energy Teammates

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The guys continue a series on practical ways to be a great teammate. This is a pursuit that we desire to see everyone embrace. The conversation today ...

78: How To Be A Great Teammate

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat begin a conversation that we believe will be extremely practical and useful, as we explore 21 ways to be a great teammate. 

77: Oh Crap! What Next?

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Unexpected events, failures, injuries, devastating losses... can all have a way of putting us into a holding pattern of shock and disorientation. What...

76: Getting the Most Out of the Tryout Experience

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat cover a lot of ground regarding the total tryout experience and offer tips and recommendations for everyone involved –– players, coa...

75: How To Handle Success

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We have talked quite a bit about how to handle failure, but what about success? Have you ever considered an intentional approach for preparing to hand...

74: Tough Times Tougher People

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat share an inspirational story that we hope will be a blessing to our listeners. 

73: The Struggle

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Finding the struggle is linked to finding success. Areas that require us to fight... to increase our effort... are the very areas through which achiev...

72: You Win Some You Learn Some

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is a SPECIAL EDITION of The Coaching Life Podcast, where the guys step back from the normal conversations about coaching, parenting, or playing a...

71: FYI... Random Thoughts

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Chris and Pat bring up a variety of topics and discuss them separately, in multiple short-but-sweet segments. The conversation consis...

70: The Most Overlooked Factor In Development

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What would you say is the most overlooked aspect of youth and high school athletes' development? To be honest, it's probably the same thing that gets ...

69: Let It Go

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss a very important rule to put into practice: the "not two in a row rule." Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone makes errors. E...

68: The "It" Factor

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the realm of sports as well as in other areas of life, you may experience someone look at another person and say of them, "He has the IT factor."&n...

67: Simplify Your Focus

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat have a conversation about a very important practice among those who are great at something. It doesn't matter if you are a coach, a play...

66: SEASON 3 – It's All About The Kids

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat open up a new season of The Coaching Life Podcast by taking time to talk with those who matter most when it comes to the topics this pod...

65: One Year Anniversary of Coaching Life

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The guys received an invitation from local journalist, Alex Hawley, to be interviewed for a newspaper article about the podcast, and so this episode i...

64: Should Unwritten Rules Be Followed?

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The guys give their thoughts about unwritten rules in sports. Why do they seem so important to some people? And should we give much credence to them? ...

63: Being Elite, For Real

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The word "Elite" is used to describe a lot of youth sports teams, but do we really ever pause to consider what it means to be elite? That is the topic...

62: Helping Players Take Ownership

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever considered the many ways we could be helping our kids to learn the valuable life lesson of taking ownership when they are playing a game...

61: Self-Evaluation Process for Players

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 61, Chris and Pat discuss an important role of coaching... helping our players to evaluate themselves.  It is important to consider wh...

60: You Create Your Opportunity

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After four weeks of silence, Chris and Pat are back to share some insight about how kids in all areas of the country, large cities AND small towns, ca...

59: The Importance of Wearing One

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Chris and Pat talk about something we may not always think about much or pause to consider as we are coaching today's youth athlet...

58: The Car Ride Home

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat *revisit a conversation about what really matters when it comes to evaluating our kids' sports performances. Too often, the car ride hom...

57: Return To Play Perspective

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Chris and Pat talk about their own experiences with returning to play baseball after a long break caused by COVID-19 pandemic lock...

56: Play Ball!

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The guys are excited to be able to talk about youth sports and baseball in the present tense, as teams are beginning to take the field again!  In...

55: Revisiting Mistakes

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat *revisit a conversation about how teams, families, businesses, etc. can tend to create a culture of mistake avoidance. The idea for this...

54: Fred Gibson (Gibby) Part 2 – Sharing Is The Most Important Thing

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second half of our two-part episode with Coach Fred Gibson. At this point, the conversation goes into many different directions as the guy...

53: Fred Gibson (Gibby) - A Lifetime of Coaching, Part 1

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It was just like going back into the dugout again with the old ball coach and mentor! Chris and Pat talk with Little League Sr. Division World Series ...

52: Butch Chaffin - Coaching Is Life

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What a pleasure it was to be able to talk about coaching with one of the absolute legends of the coaching world. Coach Chaffin has devoted the majorit...

51: What We Are Missing Most With No Sports

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pat and Chris have a candid and reflective conversation about things they are missing the most in a world with no sports.   ______________ We'd ...

50: Kevin Wilson - Hitting Is A Conversation

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Wilson is regarded by many as one of the most respected hitting coaches in the game of baseball. He works behind the scenes as a private hitting...

49: Coach Mike Deegan - Denison University Baseball

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Coach, author, speaker, mentor... Mike Deegan brings his A-Game on the podcast, discussing leadership, coaching, parenting, youth sports, his book, an...

48: Luke Steiner – The Adapting and Changing World of Sports

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The guys chat with Scripps College of Communication Journalism student, Luke Steiner, about a variety of things... being a college student during COVI...

47: Micaiah Branch – Building Strength With Less Resources

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The guys have a really insightful conversation with personal strength trainer, Micaiah Branch, who explains in layman's terms the science behind what ...

46: Your Response Is The Difference-Maker

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

While doing our part to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 spread throughout the state of Ohio and USA, Chris and Pat keep The Coaching Li...

45: Word of 2020 - CANCELED

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has shocked our world. Pat and Chris sat down and discussed in real-time how it was impacting the world of sports, locally and ...

44: The Adultification of Youth Sports

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris is in Myrtle Beach watching his daughter's college softball team and Pat is at home in Ohio, but the guys connect remotely and have a conversati...

43: How To Be A Great Assistant Coach

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today Chris and Pat speak to one of the most important groups of people in the sports world... the assistant coach! There are many ways to be a great ...

42: Parents Are Crazy

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Don't get too angry with us just yet! We are including ourselves in the craziness! Using a chapter from Coach Mike Deegan's new book, Let It Rip, Chri...

41: Habits That Kill Teams

17 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Chris and Pat open a few pages from Coaching Life, a book written by Chris Stewart and discuss Three Habits That Kill Teams as wel...

40: Embracing Discomfort

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Don't miss this episode! So many have the desire to be great. To be the best. To play, work, live at your highest potential. Yet, only a few actually ...

39: Brendan Leister - Pro Football Focus

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pat and Chris talk with Brendan Leister, analyst for Pro Football Focus and Quarterbacks Coach at Avon High School in Avon, Ohio. Brendan has coached ...

38: What Can We DO?

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If all we were to accomplish on this podcast is talking about doing things a better way, then it would be a complete waste of time. We aren't interest...

37: Just A Kid From Athens – What We've Always Known About Joe Burrow

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat bring back a previous guest to talk about the things that make Joe Burrow great. Those of us who watched him grow up have known for a lo...

36: Discipline and Significance

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we present a challenge to all Coaching Life listeners in the form of two words.  Follow us on Twitter @TheCoachingLife and by...

35: Coach Brett Shimek - Waynesburg University Softball

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat talk NCAA DIII softball with Head Coach of the Waynesburg University Jellow Jackets, Brett Shimek. 

34: One Word for 2020

30 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris and Pat reflect on the past year, which concludes the first season of The Coaching Life Podcast. The guys look toward the new year and discuss a...