In this episode, we sit down with Coach Jarrod Britt, Head Baseball Coach at Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, an educator, and one of the most authentic voices in high school coaching today. With 17 years of classroom experience teaching Civic Literacy and AP Government, Coach Britt has dedicated his life to developing young people both on and off the field.

Jarrod shares his journey growing up in Columbus County, North Carolina, falling in love with baseball, and how his own experiences as a high school and college player at UNC–Pembroke shaped the coach and educator he would become. He opens up about choosing a path in education, earning his degrees in Social Studies Education and History, and the lessons he learned during his early years balancing teaching and coaching multiple sports.

We dive deep into his time at Cape Fear High School, including the program's growth, the leadership principles that have driven success, and the standards he instills in his players to prepare them for life beyond baseball. Jarrod also discusses how his coaching philosophy has evolved over time and what it takes to build a culture rooted in accountability, development, and trust.

Finally, we explore his widely recognized presence on TikTok, where he shares honest insights into coaching, teaching, and mentoring young athletes. Jarrod explains what inspired him to start creating content, how it has impacted his career, and why authenticity and connection are at the center of everything he does.

This episode is a powerful look at the role high school coaches and teachers play in shaping lives, building character, and making a lasting impact far beyond the game.

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Gilbertson, former All-ACC and All-Region pitcher at the University of Pittsburgh and one of the fastest-rising minds in college baseball player development. Matt’s journey through the game has taken him from junior college standout to ACC ace, from professional pitcher to developer of MLB talent, and now into a key coaching role at UNC Asheville.

A Henderson, Nevada native, Matt begins by walking us through his early baseball days, his recruiting process, and how he earned his way from the College of Southern Nevada to Pitt. We dive into his playing career in the ACC—what it takes to succeed in one of the most demanding conferences in college baseball, how he developed on the mound, and what separated him during his time as a Panther.

From there, Matt breaks down his transition into coaching, including his time as Associate Head Coach, Pitching Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Saint Katherine, where he gained valuable experience working in the NAIA. He then shares insight into his return to Pitt as Director of Player Development, where he led analytics efforts, managed summer ball placement, and helped guide multiple pitchers to professional contracts.

We close the episode with Matt’s current role at UNC Asheville, discussing his first fall with the program, his vision for the pitching staff, and how the Bulldogs approach recruiting. Matt offers clear advice for players looking to get recruited, the traits he values most in pitchers, and how athletes can position themselves to earn opportunities at the next level.

This episode provides a detailed look at the modern path through college baseball—from recruiting and development to analytics, coaching, and professional preparation—through the lens of someone who has experienced every step firsthand.

In this episode, we sit down with Marc Marizzaldi, one of the most accomplished leaders in college baseball and the architect behind Seton Hill University Baseball. When Marc took over the program in 2003, Seton Hill Baseball was starting from scratch—no tradition, no facilities, and no blueprint. More than two decades later, the Griffins have become a national powerhouse in NCAA Division II baseball.

Under Marc’s leadership, Seton Hill has accumulated over 770 wins, captured twelve regular-season division titles, five conference championships, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, and reached the World Series three times. His success spans multiple eras, from the program’s early rise in the NAIA to sustained dominance in the PSAC, including Seton Hill’s first PSAC championship in any sport.

Marc takes us through his journey—from his playing days at Duquesne University, to his early coaching stops, and ultimately to the challenge of building a program from the ground up. We dive deep into the realities of creating culture, overcoming early obstacles, learning from failures, and sustaining excellence year after year in a competitive landscape.

The conversation also explores Marc’s impact beyond wins and losses. 16 players have gone on to professional baseball, including 6 MLB Draft picks, and Seton Hill has consistently produced All-Americans, All-Conference performers, and nationally recognized academic success. We also discuss how Marc has developed not just players, but coaches, with multiple former assistants advancing to Division I roles and head coaching positions.

We close with reflections on leadership, longevity, motivation, and legacy—what it truly means to build something lasting in college athletics.

This episode is a masterclass in program building, leadership, player development, and sustained success, from someone who has lived every step of the journey.

We’re back with a full solo episode this week, no interview, after a much-needed winter break. I kick things off by talking about the reset: time to rest, recharge, visit family, get organized, and officially upgrade the podcast setup with new gear. Let me know how the new mic sounds.

From there, we dive into the main event: my Top 5 MLB players at every position from 2000–2025, with honorable mentions included for each group. This list is unapologetically shaped by my childhood, my experiences watching the game, and my own baseball opinions. It’s not just rankings, but I break down accolades, statistical dominance, longevity, postseason impact, and what made these players special during their era.

The episode moves position by position:

• Catcher

• First Base

• Second Base

• Shortstop

• Third Base

• Outfield

• Designated Hitter

• Starting Pitching

• Bullpen Arms

Each section includes an honorable mention and context for why players landed where they did. From Joe Mauer and Albert Pujols, to Chipper Jones and Barry Bonds, to legends on the mound like Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martínez, and Mariano Rivera, this episode is a full walk-through of 25 years of MLB greatness.

Whether you agree or disagree with the rankings, this episode is meant to spark debate, nostalgia, and appreciation for an incredible era of baseball.

Sit back, enjoy the breakdown, and let me know where you think I got it right... or completely wrong.

In this episode, we sit down with Hadara Katarski to explore the silent battles college athletes face. The challenges that often go unseen but heavily impact performance, confidence, and well-being. Drawing from her firsthand work with athletes during the Fall 2025 semester, Hadara breaks down the three most common issues she observed: coach–athlete communication breakdowns, injury recovery struggles, and declining confidence.

We begin with the complexities of coach–athlete communication, unpacking how misinterpretation, tone, timing, and feedback style can quietly erode trust and confidence. Hadara explains how well-intentioned coaching messages can land differently than expected, creating a cycle of frustration, anxiety, and performance decline. Additionally, she provides listeners with what both coaches and athletes can do to prevent these issues from escalating.

Next, we dive into injury recovery, focusing on the psychological toll injuries take beyond physical rehab. From identity loss and isolation to pressure to return too soon, Hadara sheds light on the emotional timeline athletes experience and offers strategies to rebuild trust in the body, maintain confidence, and stay connected to the team during recovery.

Finally, we address confidence, pressure, and motivation, examining how high expectations—especially self-imposed ones—can lead athletes into negative thought patterns and burnout. Hadara shares practical tools to rebuild confidence, reframe internal dialogue, and shift from fear-based performance to competitive freedom.

This episode provides valuable insight and actionable takeaways for athletes, coaches, and parents, offering a deeper understanding of the mental and emotional challenges athletes face, and how intentional communication, support, and mindset work can make a lasting difference.

In this episode, we sit down with Trey Daly, General Manager of the Dirtbags and one of the most respected voices in player development across the Carolinas. A New Bern, North Carolina native, Trey has spent nearly two decades in the game as a coach, leader, and evaluator, helping shape one of the premier travel baseball organizations in the country.

Trey takes us through his baseball journey, from playing under legendary coach Gary Smith to beginning his coaching career at a young age, working across the high school ranks, and running tournaments for the Dirtbags as a coach. We explore his path into the Dirtbags organization, how the program’s culture was built, and what it takes to develop players capable of competing at the national level.

The conversation dives into Trey’s transition into the General Manager role, his day-to-day responsibilities, and the leadership lessons he’s learned while helping guide the organization’s long-term vision. We also discuss his work as an Associate Scout for the Miami Marlins, including how professional evaluation has shaped the way he identifies talent and prepares players for the next level.

We close with practical insight for players and parents navigating the recruiting and development process. What truly separates athletes who stand out, what families often overlook, and how to approach growth with intention and perspective.

This episode offers an inside look at player development, scouting, and leadership from someone who has lived every level of the game.

In this episode, we sit down with Shaine Carpenter, the newly appointed Head Baseball Coach of the Lake Erie College Storm, a Division II program in the GMAC. Representing a new wave of detail-oriented, relationship-driven coaches in college baseball, Shaine joins us to share his journey through the game, his coaching philosophy, and the vision he’s building at Lake Erie as he enters his first season leading the program.

Shaine takes us through his playing career, beginning at Saint Anselm College and later Mercy College, discussing the recruiting process, the realities of college baseball, and the lessons that shaped the coach he is today. We walk through his coaching stops at Emmanuel College, Bridgeport, and Washington College, where he developed players, led recruiting efforts, and gained the experience needed to take over his own program.

From onboarding as a first-year head coach to establishing culture, communication, and standards, Shaine breaks down what Lake Erie Baseball is becoming in the short term and what he hopes the Storm will represent in the years ahead. We close with a deep dive into recruiting, what he values, what players often misunderstand, the advice he gives families navigating the process, and what separates someone who fits the Lake Erie model.

Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach trying to understand the modern college baseball landscape, this conversation delivers perspective, process, and practical insight from a coach building a program with intention.

Our first-ever guest is back! In this episode, we reconnect with Logan Scheider, founder of LS Mental Performance, former Washington & Jefferson College baseball player and Cal U Baseball coach, and one of the rising voices in the world of athlete mental training.

Logan joins us to break down his recent work with Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper, including the approach, strategies, and mindset tools featured in The Denver Post article highlighting their partnership. We dive into how that relationship began, what the behind-the-scenes process really looks like, and how mental performance work can elevate professional athletes competing at the highest level.

From there, we shift the conversation to baseball, where Logan explains how these same mental frameworks translate directly to hitters, pitchers, and baseball players of all ages. We discuss how mental performance is being used across the baseball landscape, including at the Major League level, and why developing mental skills early can transform a player’s long-term growth.

We wrap with a look ahead at what’s next for LS Mental Performance, from expanding into more pro and college athlete partnerships to broader initiatives Logan is building.

This is an episode filled with insight, real-world application, and a fascinating look at how mental performance training shapes athletes in every sport.

Want to book a session with Logan? Here is the link to LS Mental Performance: https://www.lsmentalperformance.com/book-online

Check out the article in The Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com/2025/11/01/jonathon-cooper-broncos-nfl-fastest-rusher/