Coaching Culture

In this episode, host Tracey Fuchs reflects on her impactful career as a field hockey player, coach and 2024 National Champion. Renowned for her contributions to the sport, Tracey shares insights into her leadership style, emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships with teammates. She discusses her belief that a team's success relies on the collective strength of its members,...

Are your athletes struggling with "stress" and "anxiety"? They might be mislabeling their emotions! 🤔 In this insightful podcast episode, Dr. Nick Holton dives deep into the crucial skill of emotional granularity and how it impacts performance, resilience, and even team culture. He challenges the common misconception that everything is "stress" or "trauma"...

In this episode of the Coaching Culture Podcast, hosts Nate Sanderson and Betsy Butterick welcome Dr. Nick Holton, a consultant and coach specializing in optimizing performance and well-being. The conversation tackles the perception that "kids these days are soft" and encourages a shift from complaining about fragility to fostering anti-fragility in young individuals. Dr. Holton shares insights fr...

🔥 Ever feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster as a coach? 🎢 In this episode of the Coaching Culture Podcast, we dive deep into the intense world of a coach's emotional journey. From the highs of victory to the crushing lows of defeat, we explore how our emotions are inextricably linked to our team's performance. We discuss: 🤯 The struggles of managing your emotions when the...

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of coaching coaches, whether in youth sports or at a professional level. We discuss the difficulties of providing feedback to fellow adults and the need for patience and relinquishing control as a coach. The conversation features insights from coach developer Rob Mason of Port Adelaide Football Club, who shares practical strategies for fostering a suppo...

In this episode of the Coaching Culture Podcast, host JP Nerbun is joined by special guest Rob Mason, a full-time coach developer at the Port Adelaide AFL Club in Australia. They explore the importance of coaching for coaches themselves, discussing the necessity of being vulnerable, curious, and committed to learning in order to be coachable. The conversation emphasizes the shift from results-driv...

It’s Part 2 of our live Q&A session with real listeners of the Coaching Culture Podcast with J.P. Nerbun, Nate Sanderson, and Betsy Butterick. In the second part we cover questions from a highschool coach who is seeking to gain confidence in giving assistant coaches feedback to foster their growth, a coach needing advice on how to promote alignment between administration and all programs at a...

In this exciting episode of the Coaching Culture Podcast, hosts J.P. Nerbun, Nate Sanderson, and Betsy Butterick engage in a live Q&A session with real listeners, fostering an interactive dialogue about leadership and coaching. In the first part we cover questions from a first year football coach who is navigating some resistance, a homeschool volleyball coach needing advice on raising the sta...

In this episode of the Coaching Culture Podcast, hosts JP Nerbun and Nate Sanderson welcome back Joe Brown, an athletic director from Colorado, to discuss creating a transformational culture within athletic departments and organizations. They emphasize that while mission statements and core values are important, true culture is experienced through what you feel, see, and hear in an environment. Jo...

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of communicating a leadership philosophy within an organization, particularly in the context of sports. We discuss the importance of co-creating a culture that reflects not only a leader's vision but also incorporates the diverse philosophies of team members. Joining the conversation is Joe Brown, the Athletic Director at Niwot High School in Colorad...

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of truth within the coaching context. Hosts Betsy, JP, and Nate discuss the common struggle coaches face when athletes claim they want the truth but react negatively when it's delivered. The conversation highlights the differing perceptions of truth between generations, using relatable anecdotes, including a story about a teacher's interaction with s...

In this episode, we explore the critical theme of self-awareness as highlighted by various influential leaders and coaches, including Shaka Smart and Dr. Michael Gervais. Our guest, Dolores Stevens shares insights into the "Above and Below Line" framework developed by Jim Detmer and the Conscious Leadership Group, an organization renowned for its work with top leaders and CEOs. We delve into the t...

In this episode, we explore the impactful ideas presented in Jonathan Haidt's books, "The Coddling of the American Mind" and "The Anxious Generation." The discussion highlights how well-intentioned safety culture and overprotection are increasing anxiety and fragility among young people, as well as the significant role that smartphones and social media play in the youth mental health crisis. The e...

In this second part of our two-part series on discipline and accountability in coaching, we delve deeper into common discipline scenarios faced by coaches. We recap the principles of transformational discipline, emphasizing the importance of shifting focus from behavior change to mindset change for effective accountability. The episode highlights the ineffectiveness of traditional accountability m...

In this episode, we delve into the critical balance coaches must strike between permissiveness and authoritarianism. We explore the reasons coaches may lean towards permissiveness, such as the desire to win, avoiding conflict, and fostering a positive environment for players. The discussion highlights common justifications for accepting subpar performances and behaviors that don't meet team standa...

In this episode of the Coaching Culture Podcast, hosts JP & Nate welcome back John O’Sullivan and Dr. Jerry Lynch, two esteemed guests with a wealth of experience in sports and parenting. With their children having gone through collegiate sports, John and Jerry share valuable insights and lessons learned from their journeys. John, founder of the Changing the Game Project and author of several...

In this episode of the Coaching Culture Podcast, hosts JP Nerbun and Betsy Butterick welcome Coach Bre, a certified mental performance coach and co-founder of The Elite Competitor. With a focus on empowering female athletes in high school sports, Coach Bre shares her innovative mom-daughter approach to mental training, which has positively impacted thousands of families. She discusses science-back...

In this episode, we delve into the significant challenges that coaches face when they transition into head coaching roles or advance in their careers. We discuss the intricate dynamics of leading adult coaching staff, emphasizing the importance of building trust, hiring the right individuals, and developing their skills. Key topics include the complexities of delegating roles and responsibilities,...

In this episode of the Coaching Culture Podcast, hosts JP Nerbun and Betsy Butterick welcome back Dr. Michael Gervais to continue their discussion on mindfulness, meditation, and the importance of engaging with wise individuals. Dr. Gervais emphasizes the role of these mentors in providing reflective insights rather than just offering advice. The conversation delves into how coaches can cultivate...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Michael Gervais, a leading high-performance psychologist and the founder of the Finding Mastery podcast. With a wealth of experience working with top professionals across various fields, Dr. Gervais shares insights into the crucial relationship between the mind and human performance. Our conversation focuses on the role of coaches as performers, exploring themes of...

In this episode, we explore effective communication techniques that foster connection and understanding, particularly in challenging conversations. The episode emphasizes the importance of building bridges through emotional validation in both coaching and personal relationships, providing listeners with valuable insights on how to improve their own communication skills. Tune In wherever you get yo...

In this episode of the Coaching Culture Podcast, hosts JP Nerbun and Nate Sanderson welcome back CJ Stewart. The discussion centers around the concept of accountability in coaching, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards while adopting a trauma-informed approach. CJ shares insights from his experiences, highlighting how research and science inform their coaching methods at LEAD....

In this Coaching Culture Podcast episode featuring CJ Stewart, a former professional baseball player and founder of the LEAD organization, the discussion centers around the critical role of values in coaching young Black men. CJ emphasizes that while talent and opportunity are essential, they are not sufficient for long-term success. Instead, a strong value system is crucial for personal and profe...

Exploring the concept of coaching your team versus coaching individual players, JP, Nate & Betsy reflect on a phrase from an interview with Shaka Smart, head men's basketball coach at Marquette University. They discuss the distinction between team and player coaching, pondering how the two intersect when it comes to team culture. Drawing insights from their conversation, they delve into th...

In this episode, Shaka Smart delves into how coaches navigate challenges like losing and self-doubt. He emphasizes mindset, behaviors, and personal disciplines such as journaling. Shaka goes beyond coaching cliches to demonstrate how to embody these principles and grow as a leader. Tune in to the Coaching Culture Podcast for valuable insights on leadership and team culture. Get the Podcast Notes a...