Beyond Coaching: An Impactful Coaching Project Podcast

In this special Best of edition, we revisit some of the most meaningful conversations from August on Beyond Coaching . These highlights capture the real work of coaching—leading people, shaping environments, and creating cultures that last. Featured Segments Jason Schmidt on Early Coaching Lessons Jason reflects on stepping into a head coaching role at a young age, learning the hard truth that lea...

In this episode of the Beyond Coaching podcast, host Rob Ramseyer talks with Jayson Schmidt — a branding consultant for college athletic departments and a former Division II women’s lacrosse head coach — about the realities of leading in today’s sports landscape. Jayson’s journey took him from corporate marketing into coaching, where he quickly learned that leadership is less about titles and more...

This Best of July episode highlights the most impactful moments from recent conversations on Beyond Coaching . The theme that emerged again and again: congruence. Luke Jones of Reclaimed Today reframes authenticity as the alignment between what we say and how we live—something Gen Z athletes are craving more than ever. We also revisit core pillars of the Impactful Coaching Project: competence and...

In this episode, Rob and Dustin dive into The Messiah Method —a book that explores how Messiah College built one of the most dominant college soccer programs from 2000 to 2010. But this isn’t just about winning. It’s about the why behind the success: building an intentional environment where athletes grow, thrive, and represent something greater than themselves. Key Themes: Environment > Scoreb...

In this episode, we dive into Congruency Coaching for Gen Z Athletes as Rob speaks with Luke Jones, Partnership Liaison for Reclaim Today—a division of Our Daily Bread Ministries focused on engaging millennials and Gen Z. Luke shares valuable insights into the challenges Gen Z faces, including information overload, skepticism towards authority, and their deep craving for authenticity. Together, th...

In this short episode, Rob and Dustin revisit the foundational framework that launched the Impactful Coaching Project: The Three C’s — Competence, Care, and Constant . Originally introduced in an early Substack post, these three traits remain core to how they think about leadership, coaching, and building trust. Whether you're a new coach trying to build credibility or a seasoned one navigating th...

In this "Best of" episode, we revisit the most compelling insights from June's conversations on coach development, support systems, and navigating the changing landscape of youth and high school sports. Highlights from the Episode: 1. Why Coach Retention Matters Dr. Pete Van Mullem shares why coach turnover is more than a staffing issue—it’s tied to the overall health of sport participation and at...

Dr. Pete Van Mullen joins Rob to explore the intersection of coaching, teaching, and long-term retention. A former college basketball coach turned professor, Pete shares insights from his research on coach support systems, readiness assessments, and why teaching skills are essential for coaching success. The conversation offers practical takeaways for administrators and coaches looking to build su...

Beyond Coaching Podcast - Best of May Episode In this special "Best of May" episode of  Beyond Coaching , Dr. Rob Ramseyer revisits some of the most insightful and impactful moments from recent episodes. With guest experts Mitch Hull, David Shapiro, and Dr. Wendy Moehler Seib, Kelli Wegerer, and also parts of a recent podcast interview Rob did talking about team unity and culture with Matt Barker ...

In this short episode, Rob and Dustin take on one of the dilemmas coaches face: Would you bench a key player to uphold team standards—even if it means sacrificing a win? They reflect on real stories, personal missteps, and the evolution of their coaching philosophies—highlighting the difference between rules and standards, gray areas in leadership, and what fairness really looks like. Key themes i...

In this episode, Rob is joined by David Shapiro—longtime nonprofit leader and national voice in youth development and mentoring. The conversation covers the complexity of mentoring, how trust is built through consistency, and why coaches must balance results with relationships. David shares stories from his time leading MENTOR and now the YMCA of Greater Boston, offering practical advice for both ...

In this special episode of  Beyond Coaching , Rob is joined by Dr. Wendy Moeller-Sieb, Assistant Professor of Theology at Friends University, and recent graduate Kelli Seiwert to explore the groundbreaking research they've conducted on the intersection of  faith, identity, and college athletics . Together, they dive into how student-athletes at a Christian university understand the body, spiritual...

In this episode of Beyond Coaching, Rob sits down once again with Mitch Hull to explore a surprising idea: stress isn't the enemy—how we view it is. Drawing on Kelly McGonigal’s TED Talk and Carol Dweck’s mindset research, Mitch shares practical strategies for reframing stress in high-performance settings, whether you're a coach, athlete, or parent. Episode Highlights [00:47] Kelly McGonigal’s TED...

In this “Best of” episode, we revisit the most impactful conversations from April on the Beyond Coaching podcast. Whether you're mentoring young coaches, navigating the transfer portal era, managing stress, or trying to create practices that actually teach—this episode brings you the best lessons, stories, and strategies from four incredible guests. If you're looking for one episode to share with...

In this episode of Beyond Coaching , we sit down with John Kessel, the retired Director of Sport Development at USA Volleyball. With over five decades of coaching experience and contributions spanning nearly 100 countries, John shares his enduring coaching philosophy grounded in curiosity, critical thinking, and adaptation. His unique take on "motor learning," failure, and feedback provides transf...

In this episode of Beyond Coaching , Rob and Dustin respond to a question from a college coach about recruiting and retaining athletes in the era of the transfer portal. Drawing from the Impactful Coaching Project’s core philosophy of building a “sticky” program culture, they explore how the same environment that attracts transfers is also what helps retain freshmen—and why clarity, consistency, a...

In this episode of Beyond Coaching , host Rob Ramseyer welcomes back Rob Miller , a respected national speaker, seasoned coach, and recent inductee into the NAIA Hall of Fame . Drawing from his extensive experience working with high school and college athletic programs across the country with Proactive Coaching, Miller offers deep insights into the evolving challenges of coaching in today’s sports...

In this episode of Beyond Coaching , Rob welcomes back Mitch Hull from the 3D Institute for a follow-up discussion to the popular episode, Does Winning Matter? This conversation dives deep into the tension between winning, success, and significance in coaching, athletics, and life. Mitch shares insights from his own Olympic journey, stories from elite athletes, and practical advice for coaches on...

In this podcast short, we discuss one of the most common mistakes coaches make—talking too much after games. Post-game talks often happen in highly emotional moments, and saying the wrong thing can damage trust, hurt team culture, and ultimately be ineffective. We cover: Why post-game talks should be under three minutes The risks of emotional reactions and credibility loss The importance of having...

In this episode of Beyond Coaching , we sit down with Colonel James Cheatham, a 30-year educator, football coach, and Oklahoma Air National Guard officer. Colonel Cheatham shares his unique journey through coaching and leadership, discussing his time as a head football coach, a junior college defensive coordinator, and his transition into full-time military service. The conversation dives deep int...

We're diving into a thought-provoking question from one of our first paid Substack subscribers: Does winning really matter? It’s a loaded question, and we tackle it head-on—exploring the balance between success, growth, and the process of improvement. Can two teams have equally meaningful experiences, even if one wins more? Is winning the ultimate goal, or is the pursuit of excellence what truly c...

In this episode of Beyond Coaching , we sit down with Joey Reinart, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Tonkawa High School in Oklahoma. Joey shares his journey from volunteer coaching little league baseball to leading transformational change as a head football coach and now as an athletic director. Joey dives into how he built a championship culture at Chisholm High School, turning a str...

In this episode of Beyond Coaching , Rob is joined by Troy Black and Dylan Heath , two experienced coaches working with junior high and high school athletes at Wichita (KS) Collegiate School. They discuss the evolving landscape of youth sports, from fostering a fun and engaging environment to managing competitive expectations. The conversation explores building successful programs, balancing paren...

In this episode of Beyond Coaching , Rob sits down with Kirk Kelley , the Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan University . With over 35 years of experience in athletics , Kirk shares his coaching journey, the power of building authentic relationships, and how he balances leading both athletes and fellow coaches. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, Kirk’...

In this episode, Rob and Dustin explore the idea of being the coach you wanted as an athlete —but is that really the best approach? They dive into the balance between authenticity and adaptability, how coaching styles must evolve with different personalities and team dynamics, and the importance of systems over attitudes in leadership. Key Topics: ✅ Why the coach you wanted may not be the coach y...