Success Leaves Clues with Jon Karcich

Failure isn’t the enemy — it’s the system. Lessons from Thomas Edison and Elon Musk show why iteration, ownership, and staying in the process are how real growth happens. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a hi...

What actually separates athletes who keep rising from those who stall? In this episode of The Athlete’s Porch , Jon Karcich sits down with Stanford alum and professional left-handed pitcher Drew Dowd to talk about the mental side of development ... failure, habits, comparison, patience, and staying in your lane. Drew shares what he learned from: Failing early at Stanford and learning how to separa...

Hard work is required—but it’s not what separates athletes anymore. This episode explains why intent, preparation, and sharpening your process matter more than doing everything. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform...

You must act, think and behave a certain way before you become that way. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failure is feedback....

College baseball recruiting and MLB scouting go far beyond stats and highlight videos. In this episode, former Division I recruiting coordinator Jon Karcich breaks down the five traits college coaches and professional scouts actually look for when evaluating players. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University...

If you want to get recruited, how you communicate matters more than most athletes realize. In this episode, I break down why texting slows trust, hides real communication skills, and what college coaches actually look for when evaluating recruits. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athlet...

This episode of The Athlete’s Porch breaks down why championships aren’t built on hype, motivation, or trying to be special — they’re built on normal habits done consistently over time . In this episode of The Athlete’s Porch , I break down what winning teams and elite athletes actually do daily — and why the most successful programs often look boring from the outside. Using examples from Indiana...

Every athlete competes differently under pressure, but most fall into one of three categories: the overthinker, the spotlight player, or the hybrid. Awareness is the first step toward growth — reflect honestly and keep playing the long game. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own...

If you want to go from good to great as an athlete, these four characteristics matter more than talent alone. This episode breaks down how elite performers respond to failure, build athleticism, manage their thoughts, and keep long-term perspective. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athl...

Every athlete works hard—but effort without direction is just swinging a dull axe. In this episode, we break down a powerful parable that explains why smart development beats forced exposure in today’s recruiting landscape. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting pr...

In this episode of Success Leaves Clues , Jon explains why his admiration for Tom Brady has nothing to do with championships and everything to do with awareness, intent, and daily decision-making. He also connects that mindset to Steph Curry’s Shot Ready philosophy and how athletes can measure growth instead of just “trying harder.” Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division...

In this episode of The Athlete’s Porch, we break down the masterclass Tom Brady is putting on for athletes today—why consistency, emotional intelligence, and self-sufficiency separate the great from the average. From “Those Who Stay Become Champions” to conscious competence, this episode shows why everything discussed is a skill that can be trained if you’re willing to reflect and take action. The...

Finding your purpose doesn’t have to be complicated—sometimes the clearest answer shows up when your head hits the pillow. Jon introduces “The Pillow Test,” a simple reflection tool to help evaluate trust, alignment, and peace in your process. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes o...

The difference between average and elite lives in the details. In this episode, Jon breaks down ATD—attention to detail—and why small habits, awareness, and standards quietly separate those who last from those who fade. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting proces...

Journaling isn’t about perfection — it’s about reflection. In this episode, Jon breaks down a simple journaling habit that helps athletes and high performers think clearer, slow things down, and grow on and off the field. You can check out The Hitter's Journey at www.jonkarcich.com/shop. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Sa...

Special episode from The Athlete’s Porch. Max Jung Goldberg joins the porch just days before starting his Banana Ball season. His path wasn’t planned or linear, Division I baseball at the University of San Diego, entering the transfer portal, choosing an NAIA stop at Hope International to keep playing, grinding through independent baseball, experiencing a trade, playing overseas in Dubai… and stay...

Some of the best advice you’ll ever receive is free—if you’re willing to listen. In this short episode, Jon shares a lesson that continues to shape his approach to work, coaching, and life. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game,...

Growth hurts before it strengthens, just like a blister before it becomes a callus. This episode explains how adversity, failure, and reflection are what build resilient, high performing athletes. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental...

Success isn’t built overnight—it’s compounded through daily habits, small wins, and delayed gratification. In this episode, Jon breaks down the “stacking pennies” mindset and how playing the long game leads to massive results. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting...

Action beats motivation every time. In this episode, I break down why taking action today—not waiting for the perfect moment—is the real separator in growth, performance, and life. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perfo...

In this episode, Jon shares powerful affirmations to help you enter 2026 feeling focused and confident... Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leav...

In this episode, Jon the process of overcoming 50,000 negative thoughts (every day)... Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failur...

In this episode, Jon discusses what you must do if you want to get recruited in 2026… Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failure...

In this episode, Jon breaks down the importance of returning to your roots, learning the lesson, and leaving the event behind. Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simpl...

In this episode, Jon breaks down the advantages of Juco and why, when done right, it can be a powerful way to set yourself apart... Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one...