"Life Lessons to Share" with Tom

Today's episode is a big one. My guest today, our 25th to the podcast, has spent his entire life in the "419" of Ohio. Absolutely, one of the most respected leaders in Ohio high school basketball.  I've known John Cahill for nearly 30 years as a rival,  as an official, and a friend. From building a powerhouse at Clyde, to raising a family of champions, to giving everything he h...

Thanks for showing up for today's incredible episode. If you're looking for a politically correct episode that stays on the fence in the middle, you've come to the wrong place. My guest today is direct, honest, and unapologetic about the 24/7/365 commitment he has given his elite high school softball program the past 25 years as head coach. He's a leader who has a gift in balan...

Hi, welcome to today's episode. I'm so glad you're here...  This podcast is built on the idea that everyone has a story and the events inside that story help us really get to know that person. Today's episode is proof of that.  I actually taught for years right alongside today's guest's wife, yet I knew very little about the man himself. That is, until he reached out...

My guest today is Coach Bob Bergman, architect of one of the very elite high school wrestling programs in the state of Ohio. Bob just completed his 16th season as head coach. His teams have won 4 state titles in Ohio, 11 league titles and 386 dual meets. He has led his individual wrestlers to 69 league championships. He's had 54 state qualifiers, 34 state placers, and 16 state champs.  Ingrai...

Welcome back! I am so glad you are here... This is part two of my conversation with Jerry Snodgrass. Jerry is the 21st guest to the podcast and brings so much experience and insight. He has spent nearly 50 years in the world of high school athletics as a Coach, Athletic Director and former Executive Director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. If you haven't listened to part one yet...

Welcome... I'm so glad you're here! This Episode 31 (Part 1) is one that I think is going to hit close to home for you in so many ways.  My guest today is Jerry Snodgrass, former Executive Director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Jerry has spent nearly 50 years in the world of high school athletics. As a coach, an athletic director and as a mentor to countless young people...

This episode is one you don't want to miss. Today, I talk with Steve Boehle, the 20th guest to the podcast. He's a former multi-sport, high school athlete turned marketing executive.  It was a moment in a school cafeteria, sitting across from a young boy who told Steve, "school was the only place I get any food to eat". That changed everything for Steve. That experience motivat...

Today's episode is about "coming full circle" and "unfinished business". My unfinished business is reconnecting with Mike Vicars. It's been 15 years since we last talked. What's most important is not why it's been 15 years. What's most important is how we got here, today. We both reached out, we both showed up and we both hope you enjoy the life lessons...

Hi, thanks for being here. Today, I look back on an episode I did one year ago, "Life Changing Decisions to Make". As you know, this is my audio diary. If you ever get a chance, it's a great idea to make an audio diary or just simply journal. To be able to sit down and reflect on life as it's unfolded and that journey is really a cool experience. Something I've enjoyed in...

This month marks one year since I started doing my podcast. This is the 27th episode. I've shared with 17 guests in the first 26 episodes. Today, I share life lessons with my 18th guest, good friend and personal trainer, Tyson Smith. Tyson's story is one we all can relate to so very well. From growing up with divorced parents, the relationships with his brothers, becoming a husband and g...

In Episode 26 (encore), I get to share with you stories with the one person who has been the biggest part of my story, my wife, Lynne.  Lynne, and I look back on our life together over the past 45 years.  We laughed, we cried, and most of all, we talked about all our life lessons straight from the heart. There wasn't ever any schedule of what we were going to talk about. We just started at th...

In today's episode, I talk to Steve Arnold, Morgan Arnold-Slone and Dr. Madison Arnold... a dad and his two daughters. We talk "Family Dynamics in Sports". What made it work? Was it all worth it?... and the life lessons they learned along their journey. Team Arnold, indeed a dynamic family with great life lessons to share. This is an episode every family involved in sports should li...

My guest today, Kevin Katafias, is someone I've known for over 30 years. He was my principal in the school district where I taught, a fellow high school basketball official and someone I'm fortunate to call a friend. Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge and life lesson experiences to us all. He recently retired after 35 years in education. Kevin was a classroom teacher for six years, then...

Today my guest is young, Mr. Noah Roundy. What's unique about this conversation with Noah is, as we were talking, I suddenly realized this was literally the first time he had ever taken the time to look back on his own story. Noah talks about how sports made a major impact on his life, family relationships and his own coaching journey. Also, the life lessons three influential coaches each tau...

"In the end... YOU are the one you've been waiting for!" You may or may not know my guest today, Suzanne McCulley, but after you listen to her story of life lessons, I promise, you'll want to be the first one in line to become a member of Suzanne's Fan Club. After listening to her story and her wisdoms, you'll want to do the same thing I wanted to do... just give her...

As you travel on your journey in life, there are times you meet people who just make a major impact on your life. My guest today is one of those people, my friend,  Drew Grahl.  Drew was my athletic director for six years of my basketball coaching career. He came into my coaching life at a time when I was at my very lowest. This is a masterclass from one of the great leaders and great high school...

 In today's episode, I talk with my very first guest on the podcast, John Cullen. When you listen to my conversation with John, you're going to hear and feel the wisdoms of John's words. We share our life lessons: being grandpas, a great time in both of our lives how grateful we both are to enjoy our grandkids, their activities, sports and lives the importance of just showing up and...

Did you get your 3-wins to start your day? Jack, the Cart Guy, makes a visit.  In today's episode, I'm sharing a story with one of my all time coaching rivals, Matt Hoiles. My story with Matt begins as intense rivals and grows into mutual respect.  We talk about... The rivalry of our very proud high school softball programs.  Matt's authentic story of growing up and coaching in his...

Did you get your 3 wins in today? Jack, the cart guy, asks us... "Did you put your cart away?"  In today's episode, I talk with my very good friend, the one and only, Art Eli.  This is a story of two guys who meet for the first time one night at a local high school basketball game some 20 years ago in 2005.  Artie and I meet, we talk and we go on our journey together of basketball,...

Did you get your 3 wins in today? Jack, the Cart Guy, makes a visit! Dear Teaching Friends (and, all Friends), as the school year starts... I miss you all Be sure to take care of yourself The most important person, You Don't let the bad days win Where have all the leaders gone? The Man in the Arena (poem) Don't Quit (poem) Send us Fan Mail To Share Your Thoughts... email Tom at: lifeless...

Did you get your 3 wins in today? Did you put your cart away? My original plan when I started to edit this episode was to start with the "Then and Now" segment. But after my life lesson experience this weekend, I wanna share with you that segment first. The experience this weekend was so touching, I have to share it without any delay. Segment One A "Celebration of Life" Ceremon...

In today's episode, I'm going to bring out four life lesson topics to share with you and see if we can make a connection. I suppose they could be considered a little deep, but just give me a chance to talk it through and let's see what happens. I separated them into four chapters... Chapter One / Self-Esteem and The Mirror Test Chapter Two / Taking Control of My Life Chapter Three /...

Doing this Part 2 with my wife, Lynne, sure brought us many laughs and great memories! We hope you are able to relate to some of our short-stories and have some laughs too! We travel back in time over the last 42-years of our marriage. We had so much fun looking back and reminiscing. We laughed about most of the stories now, but not so much when we were living them at the time ;) These short-stori...

Episode 14 is finally here! I have been looking forward to this. I get to share with you stories with the one person who has been the biggest part of my story, my wife, Lynne.  Lynne, and I look back on our life together over the past 45 years.  We laughed, we cried, and most of all, we talked about all our life lessons straight from the heart. There wasn't ever any schedule of what we were g...

Did you get your 3 wins to start your day?  In today's episode... I'm going to ask you, the listener, questions from life lessons my youngest daughter, Allie, and I talked about in Episode 12. Two very special guests are going to visit the podcast, as well. My famous grandson, Eli, and my famous granddaughter, Ella. We have one of the greatest five minute conversations a grandpa could ev...