It's all about the Team

Anthony Gonzalez’s journey is one of the most remarkable transformations in modern leadership — from catching touchdowns in the NFL, to shaping policy as a U.S. Congressman, to now leading in the business world as a CEO. In this powerful conversation with Jim Tressel, Gonzalez opens up about what he learned from Tony Dungy, how the locker room prepared him for the halls of Congress, and why leader...

🏈 From 4 Super Bowls to 4 Cancer Battles — Jim Kelly’s Story Will Inspire You In this powerful episode, Jim Kelly sits down with Jim Tressel to talk about football, family, faith, and what it really means to never give up. From growing up in East Brady, PA, to leading the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls, Jim Kelly knows what it takes to win — and lose — with grace. But his biggest vict...

🌟 Ep. 56 | Lee Thomas, Bill Summers, & Mark Summers 🌟 What do sports, brotherhood, and leadership have in common? Everything. In this powerful episode of It’s All About the Team, Coach Jim Tressel sits down with Lee Thomas, Bill Summers, and Mark Summers to talk about lessons that go beyond the field: ✅ How teamwork and accountability shape your future ✅ The importance of mentors and learn...

What does it really take to build a winning culture — on the field, in business, and in life? 🏆 In this powerful conversation between Jim Tressel and bestselling author Andy Andrews, you’ll hear stories that will change the way you think about leadership, resilience, and success. From living under a pier after losing both parents at 19, to writing a book rejected by 51 publishers before becoming...

In this episode of "It's All About the Team," we're joined by two of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of football, Mike Tomczak and Bernie Kosar. They share incredible stories and life lessons from their time in the NFL, discussing championship teams, impactful teammates, and the importance of perseverance. 00:00:00 - Introductions 00:02:38 - The Chicago Bears Championship Team 00:05:26 -...

🔥 Back in the Huddle: The ULTIMATE Team-Building Playbook! 🔥 Ever wonder what makes a truly great team? We're diving back into the best of "It's All About the Team" to bring you 4 game-changing strategies that will revolutionize how you build and lead! In this power-packed episode, you'll discover: The #1 Key to Success: Why hiring the RIGHT staff is non-negotiable for ANY organization, big or s...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Drew Sparacia from GBX Group, as he reveals the incredible work of revitalizing commercial historic buildings across the nation! In this eye-opening episode, discover how GBX Group has successfully transformed over 200 properties, preserving history and breathing new life into urban centers. From identifying and acquiring to rehabilitating and preserving,...

Join us for an incredible episode of "It's All About the Team" featuring Esther Buschau, a true force in the world of commercial real estate! ✨ Discover the fascinating story behind The Cafaro Company, one of the nation's largest privately held shopping center developers with 30 million sq ft across 14 states! Esther reveals how her unique upbringing – from learning hospitality with "an extra emp...

Join us for an electrifying new episode of "It's All About the Team" with legendary Coach Cheri Harrer, the winningest coach in Ohio Athletic Conference history! 🏆 Get ready for unforgettable insights as Coach Harrer reveals her secrets to building championship teams – on and off the court. Learn why "How you do anything is how you do everything" is her core philosophy and how it applies to your...

NEW EPISODE with TRENT DILFER! Get ready for an EXPLOSIVE conversation with NFL legend & UAB head coach Trent Dilfer! From heartfelt parenting wisdom to gritty coaching truths (“Best players, hardest workers!” ), Trent drops game-changing insights on leadership, family, and turning teams around. Hear how he transformed a struggling program, trained confidence, and learned from icons like Ray L...

Join us for an epic episode of It’s All About the Team featuring NFL veteran Teddy Ginn Jr. and legendary Coach Darrell Hazell! From heartfelt lessons learned at home in Cinnaminson, NJ, to the gritty brotherhood of Ohio State and the high-stakes NFL, these two share unforgettable stories of sacrifice, leadership, and team-building that will inspire you! Hear about Teddy’s hilarious cheerleader co...

🔥 New Episode with Coach P.J. Fleck — One of the Most Passionate Leaders in College Football! 🛶🏈 In this powerful and inspiring episode, P.J. Fleck opens up about his journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming the head coach at the University of Minnesota. He shares the struggles, setbacks, and lessons that shaped him along the way — and how every moment prepared him to lead at the highes...

Ever wondered how to turn a struggling startup into a retail empire? Join us in Episode 45 as we sit down with Rick Blase, the mastermind behind Rick’s Boot Factory! Starting with just 72 pairs of boots and 500 empty boxes in Youngstown, Ohio, Rick faced crushing lows—like selling everything but his house to survive the rise of online shopping. Yet, through grit, teamwork, and a bold pivot to manu...

Ep. 44 | Dana Bronsord: From Soccer Fields to Hurricane Hero – The Ultimate Teamwork Story! Join us for an unforgettable episode of It’s All About the Team as we dive into the incredible journey of Dana Bronsord, a Youngstown State soccer star turned physical therapist and hurricane relief leader! From her small-town roots in Wellsburg, WV, to building thriving teams in healthcare and spearheading...

🔥 Welcome back to "It’s All About the Team" – where leadership, culture, and purpose come together. In this episode, we dive deep into some of the most powerful stories and insights shared by coaches, educators, and leaders across the country. From choosing growth over prestige, to understanding the role of trauma in leadership, and even building elite teams behind the scenes, this one is packed...

Ep. 42 of 'It’s All About the Team' brings you Laurie Brlas – a Youngstown State legend who went from mom of two to #1 CPA in the WORLD! Join host Jim Tressel as Laurie spills the secrets behind her meteoric rise: acing global exams, climbing the corporate ladder to CFO of giants like Newmont Mining, and mastering the art of teamwork. How did she juggle family, study, and success? What’s the ONE l...

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of Matt Campbell, the dynamic head coach of Iowa State Football. Discover how Campbell has transformed Iowa State into a powerhouse, emphasizing discipline, culture, and a relentless focus on development. Learn about his approach to recruiting, building winning teams, and how he inspires his players to buy into the process. Whether you're a Cyclones f...

Brandon Chrostowski is changing lives one plate at a time. 🍽️💯 Through his program at EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, he’s giving former prisoners and convicts a second chance by training them to become professional chefs. 👨‍🍳🏆 Brandon believes that everyone deserves a fresh start and that skills learned in the kitchen can lead to a better future. His mission isn’t just about coo...

Success in football isn’t just about X’s and O’s—it’s about building the right team. Few coaches understand this better than Alex Golesh. From his early days breaking into the coaching world to leading programs at the highest level, Golesh has mastered the art of team-building, leadership, and culture. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Golesh’s journey from a young coach to a top program leader 🏆...

What happens when a football coach trades the playbook for a business plan? 💼🏆 Sal Guagliardo made the bold move from coaching on the sidelines to leading his family’s dairy company, proving that leadership, discipline, and teamwork translate far beyond the football field. In this episode, Sal shares: ✅ How coaching prepared him for running a business ✅ The challenges of stepping into a multi-...

Ted Ginn Sr. isn’t just a coach—he’s a football legend. 💯 As the head coach of Glenville High School, he’s turned the program into a pipeline for Ohio State and even the NFL. From shaping young athletes to producing top recruits year after year, Ginn’s impact on the game is undeniable. 🏆 How does he do it? What makes Glenville one of the most recruited high schools in the country? And how has he...

Dr. Jennifer Merritt is making a powerful impact by teaching trauma-informed awareness to help children overcome adversity and graduate high school. 🎓💙 Her work is changing the game for students who have faced trauma, giving them the support, understanding, and tools they need to succeed. Watch how she’s transforming education and shaping brighter futures! 🙌 #traumainformedcare 00:30 - The Powe...

🔥 New Podcast Episode: Jon Gruden! 🏈 Legendary coach Jon Gruden joins us for an uncensored, all-access conversation about football, leadership, and the game’s biggest moments. From coaching Super Bowl champions to building elite quarterbacks, Gruden shares behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. 💡 What You’ll Get in This Episode: ✅ The truth about coaching in the NFL and what s...

🎙️ Inside YSU: Dr. Jennifer Pintar on Teamwork & Leadership In this exclusive podcast episode, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Pintar, Provost of Youngstown State University, to gain a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to lead and foster teamwork at YSU. From her journey in higher education to the strategies she uses to inspire collaboration, Dr. Pintar shares valuable insights that resona...

🎙️ Inside the Mind of a Business Icon: Jay Schottenstein Shares All 💡🌍 In this exclusive podcast episode, we sit down with Jay Schottenstein, the visionary leader behind a global retail empire. From navigating challenges to driving innovation, Jay shares his journey of leadership, growth, and building a legacy that goes beyond business. 💬 What you’ll learn: ✅ How to turn challenges into opport...