Swim Lessons

Head coach Jason Schwarz sits down less than 24 hours after cutting down the nets at the Bismarck Event Center. Fresh off being named Coach of the Year, Coach Schwarz breaks down the Majettes' state title run in a raw, long-form conversation. From the preseason predictions to the locker-room breakthroughs, Jason walks through the moments that changed everything for Minot basketball. We get into ho...

On this episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, we sit down with Minot High legends LeeLee Bell and Maggie Fricke to talk dominance, adversity, and what's next after rewriting the record books for the Majettes. We talk about watching film, work ethic, skill development, leadership, and the mindset that separates good varsity kids from all-time greats. They open up about injuries, rehab, confidence, a...

Mataya Messer didn't just put up points for St. Mary's… she built a legacy. In this episode, we sit down with one of North Dakota's premier high school hoopers to unpack the story behind the stat sheets. From her 47-point outburst to the quiet moments nobody sees. Mataya breaks down what it really took to bring a program to a school and change its basketball culture.

Two hoopers walk into a gym. One builds the program. One is the problem. Jason Horner and Jonathan Roubideaux sit down for a conversation about hoops, culture, and what it actually feels like to chase greatness at Legacy High School.  Jason Horner is the head boys basketball coach at Legacy High School. Sitting next to him is 6'8" forward Jonathan Roubideaux, a 2026 prospect for Bismarck Legacy an...

Jordan Wilhelm is the head coach of the Bismarck High Demons and a former Demon himself, leading one of the toughest programs in North Dakota high school basketball. Artie Carlow is a senior leader and standout player on a team that just won the West Region and heads into the WDA tournament with a target on its back. In this episode, we talk culture, leadership, pressure, and what it really takes...

Darin Mattern is the head boys basketball coach at Century High School, a three-time state champion and national Coach of the Year finalist. In this episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, we talk coaching, culture, leadership, and what it really takes to build and sustain a championship program.

In this episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, we sit down with Mandan girls' basketball head coach Tanner Purintun. We talk about his journey from the gridiron to the hardwood and why he believes Mandan can hang more banners soon. We get into culture, toughness, small‑town North Dakota pride, and what it really takes to turn a program into a year‑in, year‑out contender.

From a childhood filled with struggle to leading young women on the court, Coach Ty Terry's journey is nothing short of powerful. In this episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, Ty opens up about the pain he faced growing up, how he almost lost himself, and the way basketball became his lifeline when everything around him felt like it was sinking. Now the head girls basketball coach at St. Mary's Hig...

On this episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, we sit down with Dan Carr. Coach Carr is North Dakota's all-time winningest basketball coach, he breaks down the habits, mindsets, and game-changing decisions that built a legacy. From locker room leadership to clutch game strategies, Dan shares untold stories, tough losses that taught him more than wins, and the exact routines he used to turn programs...

Dakota Brekhus is a Purple Heart recipient who was shot twice in Afghanistan and is now the Head Golf Coach at Minot State. In this raw unfiltered episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, Dakota walks me through a year in combat. He talks about the day that changed everything, the long road back to civilian life, and how he turned trauma into purpose on the golf course. We dig into surviving firefight...

You don't win two state championships by accident. You don't earn the respect of an entire state for decades without a profound philosophy. In this episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, we sit down with North Dakota basketball legend Coach Rick Smith. Rick is the head boys coach at Four Winds. Beyond the trophies and the wins, Coach Smith reveals the core principles that have shaped his program, pr...

On today's show, we sit down with Troy Roness. Troy is a licensed therapist, TEDx speaker, survivor, and author. He's spent years in the trenches of K-12 schools, college campuses, and therapy rooms, navigating the complex terrain of the mind. This conversation goes beyond the therapy acronyms to the raw, unvarnished truth about trauma, recovery, and what it means to build a life you don't constan...

What does it truly take to build a college basketball program from the ground up? It's not just about plays and drills, it's about alchemy. Turning struggle into strength and individual players into an unbreakable team. In this raw and revealing episode of Swim Lesson the Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Clark, the head women's basketball coach at Minot State University. We go far beyond the scorebo...

In this episode, we sit down with James Staub of Tag Firearms for a conversation that goes far beyond hunting. James is a lifelong outdoorsman, firearms professional, and someone who lives the lifestyle he represents. We talked about the hunting culture, the mindset it builds, and how time in the outdoors shapes a person in many ways. From firearms and conservation to personal growth, responsibili...

This episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast brings together two generations of Ray Jays basketball. For over 54 years, Arley Larson has lived the game. Coaching, mentoring, and shaping young athletes far beyond the scoreboard. Sitting alongside him is Michael Bergstrom, the current head coach of the Ray Jays. Michael is carrying that tradition forward and building something special for the future. To...

Cory MacIver is the head girls basketball coach for the South Prairie-Max Royals. In this Podcast, Cory opens up about coaching basketball, raising strong daughters, and the incredible resilience that defines his family's story. Cory shares what it means to lead young athletes, build character, and stay grounded through life's toughest challenges.

In this powerful episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, Melissa Spelchen opens up about the battles no one sees. Trauma, healing, recovery, and the strength it takes to keep going. A Hall of Fame athlete at Minot State, Melissa's volleyball career was incredible… But the real story is the life she's built beyond the court as a mental health advocate, mentor, and voice for athletes who struggle in si...

It's that time again — college football is getting real. In this week's episode of The People's GameDay, brought to you by Swim Lessons Productions, we're breaking down everything happening across the college football world — the upsets, the playoff chaos, the Heisman hype, and our biggest game picks of the week. From wild finishes to bold predictions! Dalyss Hanson, Josh Borm, and Jordan Neuwirth...

In this episode of Swim Lessons The Podcast Darik Dissette talks about life, basketball, and everything in between. This isn't just a basketball conversation — it's a story about heart, doubt, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become. Darik takes us inside the highs and lows of his journey… The pressure of being "the guy" The setbacks no one sees The work that nobody talks about And th...

From the sidelines of Beaver Stadium to the big lessons of life, Jay Paterno has lived through it all. In this episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, Jay opens up about football, leadership, legacy, and what it really means to build something that lasts beyond the game. We talk about growing up around greatness, the lessons learned from his legendary father Joe Paterno. As well as how those values s...

Back… back… back we go! College football gave us upsets, blowouts, and pure mayhem last week, and we're breaking it all down the only way we know how. Hot takes, bold bets, and a little Berman flair. From wild finishes to statement wins, The People's Game Day crew dives into everything that made last Saturday electric. Who's rising, who's falling, and who's making us question our picks! 💰 Betting...

What does it take to train champions? In this episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, we sit down with Steve Keplin Jr. Fresh off of winning his first leading traniner title at Assiniboia Downs. From long days at the track to building unbreakable bonds with the horses he trains, Steve shares his journey, his philosophy, and the mindset that drives success.

College football delivered another weekend of upsets, thrillers, and nail-biters, and we've got ALL the highlights right here on The People's Game Day!  From shocking SEC shakeups to Big Ten battles and Pac-12 chaos, we break down the biggest wins and toughest losses from Week 6. Plus, we give our fearless predictions for this week's can't-miss matchups.

Every program starts with a vision — and at Minot North, that vision belongs to Head Coach Jacob Hoelman. In this episode of Swim Lessons the Podcast, Coach Hoelman sits down to talk about the challenges and triumphs of building a brand-new football program from the ground up.    

Week 4 of college football did not disappoint. From Alabama sneaking past Georgia in Athens, to Oregon's double-OT thriller at Penn State, to Illinois shocking USC in Champaign — this weekend had it all. In this episode of The People's Game Day, we recap every big moment and give you our fearless predictions for next week's slate. Who's hot? Who's overrated? And who's about to get upset?