The Justin Masterson Show

🎧 S4 E33 | The Lost Art of Mentorship & A Father’s Day Tribute What does it actually mean to leave a legacy? For Father’s Day, Justin and Matt step out of the studio and onto the back patio for a deeply personal episode featuring a very special guest: Matt’s dad, "Papa Dave" Zappasodi. Dave shares his journey navigating life across Baltimore, Houston, and Arlington, tracing his family's deep...

🎧 S4 E32 | Willpower vs. Identity: Handling High-Stakes Pressure We’ve all been told to "try harder" when the stakes are high, but science and sports prove that willpower alone is a trap. When the pressure spikes, your conscious mind slows down, and your subconscious defaults to whatever you’ve automated. You don't rise to the occasion—you fall back on your training. In this episode, Justin and M...

Have you ever heard that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with? It sounds like a simple cliché, but there is a deep spiritual law hidden inside it: The closer you get to someone, the harder it is to stay the same. In this episode, Justin, Matt, and producer Leo pull back the curtain on a massive project three years in the making. For the first time ever, Justin breaks...

🎧 S4 E30 | Vroom Vroom: The Standard of Love We all want excellence, but we often forget that holding a high standard is exhausting. Whether you’re a NASCAR pit crew chief, a high school baseball coach, or a mom homeschooling her kids, the pressure to maintain "the bar" can lead to one of two traps: becoming a jerk who turns off everyone’s relational circuits, or becoming too soft and letting a "...

🎧 S4 E29 | The Superpower of Positivity We’ve all met them: the "problem finders." No matter how good the news is, they find the one thing to grumble about. In a world that defaults to negativity, staying positive isn't just a "nice" personality trait—it is a spiritual superpower. In this episode, Justin and Matt dive into the "Cultural Virus" of complaining. Justin shares the frustration of a "B...

We’ve all seen the "five-tool player"—the person with the talent, the speed, and the power. But in the big leagues (and in life), tools only get you a foot in the door. If you want to stay in the game, you need something deeper: Winner IQ. In this episode, Justin and Matt start with a massive celebration—a Grand Park slugfest championship where a kid who had "never won anything" finally got his st...

We all love a hot streak. When everything is clicking—the job is great, the bank account is full, and you’re hitting "line drives" in every area of life—it’s easy to feel invincible. But here’s the truth: A streak isn't who you are; it’s a gift you’re meant to ride. In this episode, Justin and Matt dive into the "April Excitement" of the MLB season to uncover a deeper life lesson. Whether you’re o...

We’ve all heard the phrase "seize the moment," but most of us are waiting for the perfect moment to arrive before we start giving our best effort. In this episode, Justin and Matt break down why the "Big Leagues" isn't just a location—it’s a level of expectation you set for yourself long before the lights get bright. We start with a brutal "all part of it" reminder from Meryl’s kitchen (watch out...

The MLB is changing. With the new ABS (Automatic Ball-Strike) system, players and catchers now have a "challenge" opportunity—a quick head tap to the helmet to signal they want a second look at a call. For 150 years, you couldn't argue. Now, you can get it right in real-time. But this isn't just about baseball; it’s about how we live our lives. Do you have a "head tap" opportunity in your day? Mor...

Justin reflects on his early pro days with the Lowell Spinners, the "bus life" of the minor leagues, and a 15-year-old friendship that started with a simple interaction at a youth camp. Whether you're a pro athlete, a parent, or a coworker, people are watching. Are you the same person when the lights are bright as you were when you were starting out? In this episode, we discuss: The Murph Challeng...

We all know the feeling of a "justified" grudge. Someone owed us respect, loyalty, or an apology, and they didn’t deliver. But when we hold onto that "unpaid debt," it doesn't hurt them—it destroys us. Bitterness is what happens when anger is allowed to ferment. In this episode, Justin and Matt dive into why bitterness is one of the heaviest weights a human can carry. It doesn't just sit there; it...

In this episode, we take a break from our regular series to talk shop—literally. From the "hidden signs" between catchers and coaches on the diamond to Justin’s wild stories about baseball in Jamaica, we’re diving into how we perceive our work, our worth, and the people around us. The core of today’s conversation hits on a question we all face: What do you do when life feels "unfair"? By diving in...

We all want to experience the power of God in our lives, but we often treat faith like a feeling we have to "muster up." The truth is, faith is a byproduct of humility. If you want to see God move, you have to create the space for Him to do it. Fasting isn't a test of your willpower—it’s a tool for your spirit. When we fast, we aren't trying to "prove" something to God or pass a spiritual exam. We...

We’ve all been there: a friend lets us down, a colleague misses a deadline, or a mentor proves to be human, and our immediate response is a mix of shock and white-hot anger. But the root of that anger isn’t usually their failure—it’s our misplaced trust. When we put people in a position that only God is meant to occupy, we set them up to fail and we set ourselves up for resentment. Law 20 isn't ab...

We often tell ourselves that being alone is "safer"—no critics, no misunderstandings, and no friction. But the truth is, isolation is the playground of self-righteousness and the enemy of growth. Before we can thrive in our faith, our families, or our mental health, we have to recognize that we were designed for connection. When we pull away, we lose the mirrors in our lives that keep us grounded....

We’ve all felt it—that subtle (or not-so-subtle) internal "click" where we decide we’re the hero of the story and everyone else is the problem. But if we’re honest, the most dangerous critic we face is the self-righteous version of ourselves. Before we can lead others or live in community, we have to look in the mirror. Do we have a little self-righteousness hiding in the corners of our hearts? Pr...

In a world full of noise, we often treat a misunderstanding like a personal attack. But here’s the truth: if you are living a life of purpose, being misunderstood isn't a possibility—it’s a guarantee. When we approach others by assuming good intentions first, we stop living on the defensive. By expecting misunderstandings rather than being shocked by them, we gain the clarity to see critics for wh...

Not all critics are created equal. In this episode, we dive into why you must distinguish between the voices in your life. We break down the three types of critics: those in your favor, those who disagree without being against you, and the ones just looking for "rage bait." Which voices are you letting in? Let's get equipped to thrive in the chaos. 📚 Resources Mentioned in This Episode Support th...

We all want the opportunity to grow, but we never seem to love the process of growth! Criticism is a natural part of growth that many us can't handle because we love going on the defense, making excuses and justifying our actions. Maybe growth isn't too far away!   Use these links to purchase one of these products and a portion of the sales will go to PHARE Warrior and doesn't add any extra to you...

The new year is here! Now it's time to fill yourself up so that you can be a source of enrichment for everyone else around you without getting drained!   Use these links to purchase one of these products and a portion of the sales will go to PHARE Warrior and doesn't add any extra to your price! 48 Laws of Spiritual Power by Frank Viola Frank Viola - Hang on let go https://amzn.to/3X5Dn09 Rare Lea...

Stop taking yourself so seriously! That's something I'm had to learn to do over the years in dealing with myself and people. Maybe this can help you do the same. See you in there!   Use these links to purchase one of these products and a portion of the sales will go to PHARE Warrior and doesn't add any extra to your price! 48 Laws of Spiritual Power by Frank Viola Frank Viola - Hang on let go http...

We have a special guest on the show with us! He is the founder of Regional Radio Sports Network (RRSN), Mr. Paul Condry! Join us as we hear his heart and flashback to 20 years to when we first met. Enjoy!   Use these links to purchase one of these products and a portion of the sales will go to PHARE Warrior and doesn't add any extra to your price! 48 Laws of Spiritual Power by Frank Viola Frank Vi...

That's offensive! Looking for some rage bait to get you fired up!? Even when you don't want to you still get fired up and take offense to what people say to you or to people around you? Come listen to our discussion on refusing to take offense in a world that loves to be offensive.   Use these links to purchase one of these products and a portion of the sales will go to PHARE Warrior and doesn't a...

Never be satisfied!? We hear it in the sports world, but is it healthy? Is that the way we were designed to be or is there something good about some satisfaction? Come join the conversation as we figure if we can get some satisfaction. Frank Viola: Aware of His presence article https://insurgencebook.com/Aware.pdf Use these links to purchase one of these products and a portion of the sales will go...

Discouragement is going to find us but it doesn't have to define us. Let's work through 4 causes and 4 cures of our discouragement.   48 Laws of Spiritual Power by Frank Viola on Amazon --- Want a shirt for yourself or for your people? Click below! www.thejustinmastersonshow.live This is a show that is meant to entertain, encourage and equip. Hosted by former Major League pitcher Justin Masterson...