Time for a little cross country!  Corrine is back and she sits down with UCM head cross country coach Kirk Pedersen and Mules sophomore Bryan O'Barr.

This week Ben visits with Paige Shinn, a senior psychology major who serves as a THRIVE mentor.

Our topic this week on “Sports Talk” is “Should transgender athletes be required to compete according to their birth assigned gender, or should they be allowed to compete as they identify?”  This is a very sensitive subject; it’s become a heated and sometimes ugly debate in politics. But it is one, as sports reporters, we must address.

JT hits on last week's matchups in college football, the MLB Wild Card round, and NFL news, including Matt Rhule and roughing the passer.

Abram is joined in this episode by Ethan Hill.  Ethan is a senior digital media production major at the University of Central Missouri, president of the Melies Society, and a member of the Media Creators Association.

Dr. Joe Moore filled in for Corrine this week.  He had a chance to go back to his roots and visit with the UCM Athletic Media Relations team, manager Ryan Anderson, assistant manager Jason Ketz, and graduate assistant Brinkley Beever.

This week on 30 Minutes of THRIVE, Ben visits with THRIVE mentor Lucas Burress.  Lucas is a junior special education major at the University of Central Missouri.

“Everybody gets a medal. Yes … or no?”. Do we reward kids for putting in the time for practice and games … or do they have to win? Are we encouraging more children to participate and building their self-esteem … or are we encouraging a poor work ethic? Do the kids even KNOW whether they won or loss and what the participation trophy is about anyway? Our student panelists weigh the pros and cons.

The Intro to Sports Broadcasting students at the University of Central Missouri, along with their instructor, Darin Plummer, share tips and strategies each week in how to make broadcasts more successful.

JT goes live from the University of Central Missouri Elliott Student Union.