Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he talks with Grand View University Head Softball Coach, Lou Yacinich, regarding his team’s recent recognition as recipients of the NAIA Team of Character Award for the 2024-2025 academic year. Throughout the episode, Coach Yacinich shares his reaction to the honor and reflects on the values that drive his program both on and off the field. We specifically dive into the intentional ways his team models character throughout the year—from community service to team culture—and explore what it really means to build a program rooted in integrity, respect, and leadership.

Who we surround ourselves with shapes who we become. Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he sits down with Estes Church of Christ Youth Minister, Mr. Seth Stewart, to explore the powerful role friendships play in strengthening faith and guiding moral development. From biblical examples to real-life stories, we’ll dive into how the right relationships can encourage us toward growth, accountability, and resilience—while the wrong influences can pull us off course.

Conflict on a team is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be destructive. Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman Head Baseball Coach, Mr. Jess Trask, to explore the art of coaching through conflict and how great coaches can transform tense moments into powerful opportunities for growth. Throughout this episode, we will dive into strategies strategies for addressing disagreements, fostering respect, and keeping the bigger goal in sight.

Sports have a way of becoming more than just a game—they can shape how we see ourselves, how others see us, and even how we measure our worth. But what happens when the scoreboard becomes the mirror we look into for our identity? Join Dr. Matt Barker as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman Head Volleyball Coach, Mrs. Amanda Bretherick, to discuss the powerful role sports can play in shaping who we are—and how easily our identity can become tied to wins, losses, or performance. Throughout the episode, we’ll explore the dangers of letting the game define you, the pressure athletes face to live up to expectations, and the importance of finding a deeper sense of purpose that goes beyond the scoreboard.

Join Dr. Matt Barker with special guest Todd Humphry for this episode, as they dive into one of the most challenging—but essential—parts of healthy relationships and leadership: having difficult conversations. Whether it’s a coach addressing performance and effort with an athlete, or a friend navigating a tense moment in a relationship, the way we approach hard conversations can either build trust or create distance. Throughout the episode, we explore why people often avoid difficult conversations, how timing and empathy matter, and practical steps to speak truth with grace, humility, and love.

In a world that prioritizes ambition, achievement, and winning at all costs, how can believers stay anchored in values that often run counter to the culture? Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he sits down with Minister at the Gadsden Church of Christ, Mr. David Sweeney, to unpack what it means to live with a "Kingdom Over Culture" mindset. Throughout the episode, we will explore biblical examples of people who stood firm in high-pressure environments, discuss practical ways to navigate the tension between ambition and faith, and share how to keep your heart aligned with God’s priorities when the world is urging you to do the opposite.

What if your next workout did more than improve your physical health—what if it shaped your character? Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Certified Fitness Trainer, Mr. Maurice Williams, to explore how physical fitness can do more than just improve your health—it can forge discipline, resilience, integrity, and mental toughness. Throughout the episode, we discuss the powerful connection between pushing your limits in the gym and growing stronger in life’s challenges. From overcoming adversity to developing consistent habits, discover how training your body can also train your values.

Behind every successful sports program is an Athletic Director who knows how to lead leaders. In this episode, Dr. Matt Barker sits down with Freed-Hardeman Athletic Director, Jonathan Estes, to explore what it really takes to inspire and unify a team of coaches. How do you build a culture where accountability thrives, egos shrink, and coaches feel seen, supported, and challenged? Throughout this episode we will explore how Athletic Directors can cultivate a unified culture across an entire coaching staff and what strategies build trust, accountability, and long-term buy-in.