Beyond Coaching: An Impactful Coaching Project Podcast

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Podcast by Dr. Rob Ramseyer

Beyond Coaching: An Impactful Coaching Project Podcast

Beyond Coaching, a podcast from the Impactful Coaching Project, explores coaching and leading the 21st century athlete. The importance of the coach being a positive impact on their student-athletes hasn’t changed but the strategies for connecting with them has changed. This podcast interviews coaching and sport leaders about holistic coaching and the lessons they have learned over time. Beyond Coaching is podcast developed by the Impactful Coaching Project.

Latest episodes

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21 July 2025

Congruency Coaching for Gen Z Athletes

In this episode, we dive into Congruency Coaching for Gen Z Athletes as Rob speaks with Luke Jones, Partnership Liaison for Reclaim Today—a division of Our Daily Bread Ministries focused on engaging millennials and Gen Z. Luke shares valuable insights into the challenges Gen Z faces, including information overload, skepticism towards authority, and their deep craving for authenticity.

Together, they explore how coaches and leaders can engage Gen Z athletes more meaningfully through techniques like reverse coaching, competence, and the power of honest apology. Discover how 'the ministry of presence' can help connect young people with God in ordinary moments, potentially key for both spiritual and identity formation. Key topics include the importance of authenticity, navigating information overload, building trust, and the challenges of mobilizing Gen Z from awareness to action. Listen in to learn how to foster genuine relationships while coaching the whole person in a holistic approach.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Why authenticity and congruency matter deeply to Gen Z
  • Navigating the information overload: competence vs. laziness
  • Reverse coaching: mutual learning between athletes and coaches
  • Why Gen Z may be skeptical of authority—but still deeply hungry for mentorship
  • Coaching moments that build (or break) trust and character
  • Identity and sport: why coaches must help athletes discompartmentalize
  • The challenge of mobilizing Gen Z from awareness to action
  • How presence, silence, and vulnerability build relationships

Notable Quotes:

  • “Authenticity is huge. To miss that is to miss the heart of the student and the heart of the athlete.”
  • “We’ve been trained in the arts of filtering. So we recognize filters easily.”
  • “The life of a disciple is a planned, intentional life. And coaching can mirror that.”
  • “Don’t get mad at Gen Z. Get busy with them.” —Tim Elmore (via Luke)

Resources Mentioned:

  • Reclaim Today: reclaimtoday.org
  • Books: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Renovation of the Heart, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Celebration of Discipline

Connect with Luke: luke.jones@odb.org

Reach out via reclaimtoday.org

The Impactful Coaching Project (ICP) seeks to develop coaches that coach the whole person. ICP is the thought leader in coaching the 21st century athlete and produces training, information, and research to help coaches develop. For more information, check out https://impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com/ or contact us at rob@impactfulcoachingproject.com.

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07 July 2025

Podcast Short- Competence, Care, and Constant

In this short episode, Rob and Dustin revisit the foundational framework that launched the Impactful Coaching Project: The Three C’sCompetence, Care, and Constant. Originally introduced in an early Substack post, these three traits remain core to how they think about leadership, coaching, and building trust.

Whether you're a new coach trying to build credibility or a seasoned one navigating the emotional rollercoaster of the season, this episode digs into the real meaning of each "C" and what it looks like to live it out—not just talk about it.

Topics Covered

  • Why competence today is as much about filtering noise as it is about knowledge
  • How care becomes transformational only when it's planned, consistent, and intentional
  • The role of constant in high-emotion moments and how it builds lasting trust
  • Why the best coaches do hard things the right way even when it hurts
  • Simple, practical systems you can implement now to care for your players

Key Quotes

“Competence gets you the job. Systems of care and constant keep you there.”
“You can’t fake care. And you can’t react well in chaos unless you’ve trained yourself to.”
“Being great at one of the C’s is not enough. The challenge is integrating all three.”

Mentioned in the Episode

  • Tim Elmore’s thoughts on authenticity and competence
  • Post-game systems of care (90-second rule, locker room walks, gratitude in weight room)
  • The power of handwritten notes, one-on-ones, and consistent body language

Subscribe & Learn More

▶ Get full access to all articles, podcasts, and resources at

impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

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03 July 2025

Best of June

In this "Best of" episode, we revisit the most compelling insights from June's conversations on coach development, support systems, and navigating the changing landscape of youth and high school sports.

Highlights from the Episode:

1. Why Coach Retention Matters

Dr. Pete Van Mullem shares why coach turnover is more than a staffing issue—it’s tied to the overall health of sport participation and athlete experience. He unpacks how assessing coach readiness, providing structured support, and rethinking evaluation practices can keep great coaches in the game longer.

2. Building Real Support Systems

What does it look like for coaches to build intentional communities—not just for athletes, but for themselves? We explore how everyday habits, peer networks, and programs like Snow Valley Basketball School create lasting mentorship and mutual support across the coaching profession.

3. Standards vs. Situations

In a conversation between hosts Dustin and Rob, we dig into the gray areas coaches face when enforcing standards. What happens when team rules meet real-life nuance? Through personal stories, they explore fairness, consistency, and the emotional toll of tough decisions.

4. Leading with Care

We close the episode with a reflection on leadership, empathy, and what it means to discipline within a culture of care. How we respond to a breach of standards can reveal whether we've built true community or just compliance.

For more coaching resources and episodes, visit:

impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

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23 June 2025

Coaching That Lasts: Building Support Systems and Retention

Dr. Pete Van Mullen joins Rob to explore the intersection of coaching, teaching, and long-term retention. A former college basketball coach turned professor, Pete shares insights from his research on coach support systems, readiness assessments, and why teaching skills are essential for coaching success. The conversation offers practical takeaways for administrators and coaches looking to build sustainable, growth-centered programs.

Topics include:

  • Building coach support systems
  • Assessing coach readiness and development
  • The role of teaching in effective coaching
  • Rethinking “winning” in youth and high school sports

Books from the Impactful Coaching Project:

Listen & Subscribe:

impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

beyondcoaching.alitu.com (Spotify & Apple links)

Learn more about Pete’s work at Sport Coach America.

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13 June 2025

Best of May: Stress, Belonging, and the Quiet Work of Coaching

Beyond Coaching Podcast - Best of May Episode

In this special "Best of May" episode of Beyond Coaching, Dr. Rob Ramseyer revisits some of the most insightful and impactful moments from recent episodes. With guest experts Mitch Hull, David Shapiro, and Dr. Wendy Moehler Seib, Kelli Wegerer, and also parts of a recent podcast interview Rob did talking about team unity and culture with Matt Barker on "Playing With a Purpose" podcast. We dive deep into the psychology of coaching, the science of stress, and the importance of trust and belonging in building cohesive teams. These discussions highlight the core principles of the Impactful Coaching Project and offer valuable takeaways for coaches, athletic directors, and leaders in sports.

Resources:

  • Impactful Coaching Project Substack (impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com)
  • Subscribe to the Impactful Coaching Project Substack for weekly insights, strategies, and research that helps coaches coach the whole person. Stay updated with new content to support your journey in impactful coaching. Subscribe Here
  • ICP Books Books
  • Leading and Coaching the 21st Century Athlete and Athletic Department Leadership in Developing Coaches offer actionable strategies for coaches, athletic directors, and leaders. These books provide a comprehensive framework for coaching in a holistic, effective way. Get the books on Amazon.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Beyond Coaching.

Beyond Coaching is a podcast developed and produced by the Impactful Coaching Project, with the support of Friends University. The Impactful Coaching Project seeks to develop coaches who prioritize the whole person, and it is a thought leader in coaching the 21st-century athlete. Visit our Substack for more information and resources.

Listen to More Episodes:

  • Catch up on past episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

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09 June 2025

Podcast Short: Standards or Winning

In this short episode, Rob and Dustin take on one of the dilemmas coaches face: Would you bench a key player to uphold team standards—even if it means sacrificing a win?

They reflect on real stories, personal missteps, and the evolution of their coaching philosophies—highlighting the difference between rules and standards, gray areas in leadership, and what fairness really looks like.

Key themes include:

  • Standards vs. winning: when consistency collides with competitive pressure
  • Why some rules get broken and others can’t
  • How coaches can apply care, honesty, and conviction during hard decisions
  • When bending once may cost you the season
  • The power of a team that cares—and holds each other accountable

This is a conversation about about leading with wisdom, maturity, and long-term perspective. Whether you're a veteran coach or just starting, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership decisions under pressure.

“Do hard things”—but do them the right way.

Mentioned:

  • The Impactful Coaching Project → impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com
  • ICP Books on Coaching → Books on Amazon

Join the conversation

Drop your questions or thoughts in the Substack comments—or email Rob or Dustin directly.

Subscribe to the Impactful Coaching Project newsletter for weekly content on leadership, team culture, and coaching in the real world.

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