Sit Down with Hunter Pinke

Youth sports are supposed to be about more than wins, losses, rankings, and championships. They’re supposed to teach kids how to work hard, handle adversity, be a teammate, build confidence, and learn lessons that extend far beyond the field.

But somewhere along the way, has the point gotten lost?

In this episode, I share my perspective on the current culture of youth sports.

There’s a lot happening in this chapter of life. Let’s chat about it.

In this episode, we talk about the drive down to Arizona, where I officially call home again, and what it was like making the move after the wedding.

I’m also finally sharing a secret I’ve been keeping from you guys for a while 👀

And, of course, we have to talk a little college football — including some early predictions for the season.

A big move, a secret finally revealed, and some football talk. Let’s sit down.

For University of Arizona cornerback Jay’vion Cole, the road to his final year of college football has been shaped by challenges—but never defined by them.His experiences have molded the person, player, and leader he is today, teaching him resilience, perspective, and the importance of making an impact beyond himself. Now entering his final season, Jay’vion is approaching football—and life—with a different mindset: give back, be intentional, make a difference, and appreciate exactly where his feet are planted.In this episode, Jay’vion opens up about the experiences that shaped him, the lessons he carries forward, and what it means to embrace the present while preparing for whatever comes next. His story is one of growth, perseverance, and choosing to let life's challenges build you rather than define you.

From a small town in North Dakota to representing his home state on the football field at UND, Caleb Olson’s story is one of hard work, perseverance, and leadership.

What started as small-town dreams has turned into earning a starting position at the Division I level. Now entering his 5th and final year and a captain for his team— is a reflection of the leader he has become both on and off the field.

But his impact goes far beyond football. Caleb quickly learned that being a leader isn’t just about what you do as a player—it’s about the impact you have on the people around you and the example you set for your teammates.

In this episode of Sit Down with Hunter Pinke, Caleb shares his journey from small-town ND to D1 football, what it means to represent his home state, and the lessons he’s learned about leadership, sacrifice, and leaving an impact.

🎙️ Watch or listen to Caleb’s episode of The Sit Down on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

From Jamestown High School standout to NAIA Player of the Year at the University of Jamestown, Mason Walters joins us, taking us through his basketball career that has led him to his third season of professional basketball oversees. We talk about what it takes to succeed, how to overcome adversity, and ways to set yourself apart- to chase your dreams but still trust in a bigger plan.

The long-awaited guest is finally here—my fiancé!

As we count down the final days until our wedding, we’re sitting down to share the story behind our story. From how we first met to the moments that shaped our relationship, we’re talking through the highs, the funny memories, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

We also share our heart for marriage, why building a firm foundation matters so much to us, and what we hope to carry into this next chapter together.

Whether you’re dating, engaged, married, or just love a good love story, we hope this conversation encourages you and gives you a few laughs along the way.

Thanks for joining us for one of our most personal episodes yet!

Celebrate America’s birthday with us in this special 4th of July episode! 🇺🇸 We’re debating some of the greatest moments in American history, sharing our picks for the most iconic events, and recapping the nation’s unforgettable 250th anniversary celebration.

Plus… we drop a hint about our next podcast guest—and if you’ve been listening for a while, this might be the one you’ve been waiting for. 👀 Tune in and see if you can guess who’s coming next!

Former Indiana University athlete and team captain of the 1967 Big Ten Championship Hoosiers, Erv Inniger went on to play professionally in the ABA with the Minnesota Muskies and Miami Floridians. He later became the winningest men’s basketball coach in NDSU history, leaving a lasting impact on generations of athletes and leaders.Today, Erv works with more than 30 local nonprofits, helping raise over $30 million for their missions, while also encouraging hundreds of people each day through his daily text messages. In this episode, he shares lessons on coaching, leadership, service, and building a legacy that extends far beyond the game.

We wrap up the first series of the Monday Morning Drive with the third C: Competitivenes

The most important competition isn’t against someone else—it’s against the person you were yesterday. Tune in as we discuss building a competitive edge that fuels growth, resilience, and improvement one day at a time.

Fan favorite and Grand Forks entrepreneur, Jonathan Holth shares the story behind The Toasted Frog. In this authentic and vulnerable conversation, he opens up about the risks he took, the challenges he faced, and his journey through addiction and recovery. It’s a story of resilience, redemption, and the experiences that shaped not only his success, but the mission that continues to guide him today.