Love In Basketball

Adam is here today with a programming update.We had taken some time away from producing episodes of the podcast in April and May. We used this time for restoration, recording conversations with guests, and improving the podcast. A couple big life transitions took place for Adam during this time as well, and some time away from the podcast helped to give him a bit more space.While we returned in June with three profound conversations, some of those transitions are still taking place for Adam. ...

This episode is a conversation with Chris Acker. I found this to be a conversation filled with partnership. Coach Acker explores what it looks like for him to walk alongside, and partner with the student-athletes he serves to support the achievement of their goals, a collective effort, and build community, rather than imposing coach-led goals that resulted in the diminishment of others previously in his career. Along the way, he explores cultivating an awareness of others’ needs, listening we...

This episode is a conversation with R-Jay Barsh. I found this to be a conversation filled with generous silence. Coach Barsh explores his journey of listening to his own heart and own mind through silence and challenge, to ground and center in his gifts rather than chasing the perceptions of others. Along the way he highlights the power of feedback loops, laying your arrogance down, and empathetic listening.R-Jay Barsh is an Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Boise State University. Coach Ba...

This episode is a conversation with Robert Lucero. I found this to be a conversation filled with empathy. Coach Lucero explores some of the ways he routinely takes the perspectives of those he serves, both his staff and his student-athletes, while reflecting on how ego, an inward mindset, and maybe lack of empathy might have resulted in a bit more diminishment of others previously in his career. Along the way, he highlights honest and loving communication, building community or giving others ...

This episode is a conversation with Rick Croy. I found this to be a conversation filled with healing, and exploring the healing potential of servant-leadership for ourselves and others. Coach Croy explores his recognition of the opportunity to help make whole those with whom he comes into contact, using healing in leadership as a force for transformation and integration. Along the way, he highlights creating an environment that allows for others to share, listening without trying to fix, and ...

This episode is a conversation with Josh Prock. I found this to be a conversation filled with courage, that shows up as open and honest communication. Coach Prock explores his journey of opening up to feedback from others as a way of moving towards greater service to others. Along the way, he highlights the power of mutual trust and feedback, and listening first as a pathway to serving first.Josh Prock is the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Eastern New Mexico University. Coach Prock enters h...

This episode is a solo episode, exploring the connection of Emotional Intelligence and Servant-Leadership.In this episode, we break down some popular misconceptions of emotional intelligence, move towards deeper understandings of the term, and explore how fostering greater emotional intelligence might allow us to more greatly fulfill the Best Test of Servant-Leadership.Robert Greenleaf’s Best Test of Servant-Leadership asks: “Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, becom...

This episode is a conversation with Shann Ray Ferch. I found this to be a conversation filled with kindness and healing. Dr. Ferch explores balancing love and power in healthy ways, countering inappropriate ambition and power drive, and more healthy ways of relating to and being with one another in basketball, and in our families and communities.Dr. Shann Ferch is a Professor of Leadership & Forgiveness Studies with the internationally renowned PhD program in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga...

This episode is a conversation with Brent Scott. I found this to be a conversation filled with gratitude. Coach Scott expresses immense gratitude for the individuals who served him along his path, and highlights his journey of helping others move forward as a way of honoring those who served him. Along the way, he highlights the role of setbacks in beginning the inner journey of servant-leadership, the power of the “softer side,” and using one’s gifts to help others believe in themselves.Bren...

This episode is a conversation with Frank Allocco, Sr. I found this to be a conversation filled with wisdom. Coach Allocco highlights that self-knowledge often allows us to cultivate larger purpose in work and life, that helps move towards greater definitions of success and service to others. He also explores cultivating a shared vision, and the power of elevating and valuing others as a reflection of their inherent importance.Frank Allocco Sr. is the Executive Senior Athletic Director for Ex...