House of Hammers

In this episode of House of Hammers, we welcome Todd Nadeau ’80 — former three-sport athlete at Catholic Central, Albion College basketball player, and respected sports psychology coach who continues to mentor Shamrocks today. Todd shares his journey of overcoming adversity after a high school injury and how that experience ultimately shaped his purpose in helping athletes navigate the mental and...

In Episode 16 of House of Hammers, host Aaron Babicz '93 and special co-host Tory Jackson welcome alumnus TJ Nadeau '24. The conversation centers on the intersection of faith, athletic resilience, and the necessity of high-quality relationships. Nadeau details his transition through the transfer portal, emphasizing the importance of choosing growth over comfort, while Jackson reflects on...

In the wake of Catholic Central's 2026 D1 State Championship, hosts Aaron Babicz '93 and Chris Okoye '14 welcome Head Football Coach Justin Cessante '99 back to House of Hammers. This is more than a championship recap — it's a candid conversation about the personal growth required to lead, the role of faith in athletics, and how the CC Family turns tradition into a launchp...

Episode 14 of the House of Hammers podcast features Jeff Wiska '77, a Michigan State football player and former NFL/USFL professional. The discussion centers on the transition from elite athletics to corporate leadership, emphasizing a "people-first" management philosophy. Wiska maintains that effective leadership is an act of mentorship and love rather than mere process management,...

In this episode of House of Hammers, host Aaron Babicz ’93 welcomes Mike McAndrews — Director of Admissions at Cardinal Mooney and longtime head boys basketball coach with more than 300 career wins. A proud Cardinal Mooney alumnus and former three-sport athlete, Coach McAndrews reflects on a lifetime dedicated to building young men through faith, discipline, and competition. From his days as a fou...

On this episode of House of Hammers , we sit down with Brian Chaney, LMSW-C, C.Ht., founder and CEO of Chane Reaction Counseling Services, to explore the powerful intersection of mental health, athletics, and personal transformation. Brian joins us to unpack how our past experiences shape our reactions, how “sports imitates life,” and why culturally-sensitive support matters now more than ever. Wi...

In this powerful episode of House of Hammers , hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome inspirational speaker and motivator Jacob Brown for a raw and honest conversation about resilience, risk, and fatherhood. Having spoken to audiences at TEDx, Meta, UPS, and schools across the country, Jacob brings a compelling blend of athletic experience, entrepreneurial insight, and hard-earned wisd...

In this episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 sit down with Head Basketball Coach Tory Jackson to talk about leadership, culture, and building young men the right way. Coach Jackson shares his story and philosophy on faith, accountability, and discipline — and how those values shape his approach to coaching both on and off the court. From developing team chemistry...

In this episode of House of Hammers , hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Jon Jansen, former Michigan Wolverine, NFL offensive tackle, and second-round NFL Draft pick. The conversation dives into leadership under pressure, the importance of preparation, and what it truly means to serve others. Jon’s story is a powerful reminder that greatness is built through consistency, humility,...

In this episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Corbin Boone — former Division I wrestler, award-winning student-athlete, coach, and performance specialist at Ethos Performance. Corbin shares lessons forged through years of elite competition, discipline, and leadership. From earning four letters as a starter on the Cleveland State wrestling team to receiving...

In this episode of House of Hammers , hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 sit down with Jason Malloy — Athletic Director at Westland John Glenn, former AD at Robichaud and Wayne Memorial, and a proud Robichaud alum and Western Michigan University football standout. Jason shares his powerful philosophy of leadership: “Students need to know that you care before they care what you know.” Drawi...

In this episode of House of Hammers , hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Jeremy Barkey — executive coach, leadership developer, former Michigan State quarterback, and founder/CEO of Captain’s Light Consulting. The conversation explores what it means to lead with purpose, stay grounded in faith, and maintain focus in a distracted world. Jeremy also discusses his book, The Conqueror’...

In this high-energy episode of House of Hammers , hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Rick Court — a nationally respected strength and conditioning coach with 20+ years of experience shaping elite athletes and championship teams across college and high school sports. Rick shares stories from the weight room to the national stage. Now serving as Director of Strength and Conditioning...

In this inspiring episode of House of Hammers , hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 sit down with Lakenya Burks — mom, coach, mentor, and entrepreneur behind I Am Royalty Custom Apparel , Southfield Ravens , and Greater Metropolitan Youth Sports . Lakenya shares her journey of resilience and purpose — from building her business from the ground up to empowering young athletes and families in...

In this powerful episode of House of Hammers , hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Mitch Hancock ’00 — Assistant Principal, Head Wrestling Coach, and soon-to-be the first lay Principal of Catholic Central. Together, they dive deep into the origins of the House of Hammers name and explore what it truly means to be a “hammer” — a man of faith, discipline, and resilience who builds oth...

In this episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 sit down with Anthony Tomey ’99 — former Catholic Central and Eastern Michigan baseball standout, Detroit Tigers minor leaguer, and now co-founder of The Tomey Group, a powerhouse in hospitality and entrepreneurship. Anthony shares his journey, reflecting on lessons in leadership, humility, and teamwork that have shape...

In the debut episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 set the tone for what this podcast is all about — mindset, faith, and the hard work of building a strong foundation. They share the story behind House of Hammers, what it means to focus on “roots, not fruit,” and how perseverance, humility, and servant leadership shape true success. Join Aaron and Chris as they re...