Playing With A Purpose Podcast

Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he sits down with the NAIA's Director of Student Athlete and Experience, Mrs. Sara Eckinger, and Vice President of Membership Value and Governance, Mrs. Chesney Sallee, to discuss the NAIA Champions of Character initiative. In this episode, we dive into the latest updates from the NAIA's Champions of Character program—an initiative that continues t...

In this episode, Dr. Matt Barker sits down with Park University Athletic Director, Kristin Gillette, to explore what it means to be a positive influencer in the world of sports—both on and off the field. Throughout the episode, Kristin shares insights regarding her work mentoring student-athletes, her thoughts on the evolving role of influence in sports culture, and how coaches, players, and organ...

In this episode, Dr. Matt Barker sits down with Freed-Hardeman Head Men's Basketball Coach, Mr. Drew Stutts, to explore the powerful intersection of success and humility. Throughout his young career that has consisted of his teams earning an NAIA National Championship title, excelling in high-pressure moments, and developing young athletes, Coach Stutts shares the challenges often associated w...

What separates a good player from a great leader? In this episode, Dr. Matt Barker sits down with Freed-Hardeman Head Women’s Basketball coach Ms. Abby Stutts, as she breaks down the qualities she looks for in a team captain. From leading by example to navigating tough locker room moments, Coach Stutts shares real-life experiences and advice for anyone stepping into a leadership role.

In this episode, Dr. Matt Barker sits down with Dr. Rob Ramseyer—Host of the Beyond Coaching Podcast, Director of the Impactful Coaching Project, and Vice President of Athletics and Strategic Expansion at Friends University—to explore the vital role of unity in building successful teams. Drawing from years of coaching and academic research, Dr. Ramseyer shares insights on how trust, culture, and l...

Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode of the Playing With A Purpose Podcast, as he sits down with Bruce Brown, founder of Proactive Coaching, whose decades of experience as a coach, athletic director, and speaker have impacted thousands of athletes, parents, and coaches across the country. The mission of Proactive Coaching is to transform the culture of sports by focusing on character-based coachi...

Join Dr. Matt Barker for this week's episode of the "Playing With A Purpose" podcast, as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman Professor of Bible, Dr. Josh Ketchum, to discuss the topic of "Church Family and Faith" and how church families can positively influence young people today and contribute to their moral identity, character development, and overall sense of belonging. Dr....

Join Dr. Matt Barker as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman Counseling Center Director, Mr. Nathan Judd, to discuss the topic of Mental Health and Character Development. Nathan has spent a majority of his career in the Counseling field assisting young people through mental health struggles, trauma, and addiction. In this episode, he discusses the common mental health challenges faced by college stude...

Join Dr. Matt Barker as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman Associate Professor of Bible and Philosophy, Dr. Matt Sokoloski, to discuss the topic of Ethical Decision Making and how approaching ethical decisions and moral dilemmas in the right way can lead to character development.

Join Dr. Matt Barker, as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman Business Instructor, Amy Sewell, to discuss the topic of Time Management and how it relates to the development of core values, character, and overall purpose in life. Throughout this episode, Sewell provides strategies regarding how athletes can develop effective time management skills while utilizing their skills in their careers, communic...

Dr. Matt Barker sits down with Freed-Hardeman Associate Professor of Communication, Dr. Janine Dunlap, to discuss the topic of "Public Image and Integrity" and how athletes and young people can maintain a positive public image in an ever-changing world of social media, high-pressure environments, and a media-driven world. Dr. Dunlap has taught Public Relations courses at Freed-Hardeman f...

Dr. Matt Barker sits down with Freed-Hardeman University Professor of Bible, Dr. Matt Cook, to discuss the topic of "Faith and Spirituality" and its influence on character development and integrity for collegiate athletes and young people.

Dr. Matt Barker sits down with Freed-Hardeman Head Men's Soccer Coach Jason Elliott to discuss the topic of "Dealing With Adversity" and how learning to deal with adversity and struggles throughout your life can lead to character development. Coach Elliott has coached at Freed-Hardeman for over 25 years and shares a lot of great information about his experience with coaching and how...

Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode as he talks with Freed-Hardeman Head Softball Coach Todd Humphry on the topic of "Leadership Through Sports." Humphry has coached at Freed-Hardeman for over 25 years. In this episode, we discuss Humphry's experience coaching two teams at the collegiate level, his leadership style, and how he empowers his athletes to take on leadership opportuniti...

Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode as he interviews Rob Miller and discusses the "Foundation of Character." Miller was instrumental in implementing the NAIA Champions of Character when it first began back in 2000. Miller also speaks to over 150 athletic programs each year through "Proactive Coaching", where he focuses on the importance of character development through athlet...

Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman University Dean of Student Life Tony Allen and discusses the topic of Community Responsibility as it relates to character development in young people. Tony discusses the impact of Freed-Hardeman's annual "University Servants Day" on the students who participate and the individuals who are served throughout this...

Dr. Matt Barker sits down with Freed-Hardeman University Head Men's Basketball Coach Drew Stutts to discuss the transformative power of teamwork and collaboration. Coach Stutts is in his 6th season as the Head Coach at Freed-Hardeman and shares his experience regarding how working together has not only led to success for his team (2024 NAIA National Champions) but also how teamwork and collabo...

Join Dr. Matt Barker as he interviews Freed-Hardeman University Athletic Director Jonathan Estes about the impact of coaching and mentorship on the character development of collegiate athletes and young people.

Join host Dr. Matt Barker for the Playing With A Purpose Podcast, where he'll explore topics related to the moral development of collegiate athletes and young people as it relates to character, experiential learning, and leadership. Listen to the Playing With A Purpose Podcast on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. You can also catch the Playing With A Purpose Podcast on the Freed-Hardeman...