In this episode of the Unit3d w/ Big Team at Indiana University podcast, 2nd Year PhD student RJ Russell sits down with acclaimed author, speaker, and culture-building expert Kevin Carroll to explore what it truly takes to become a positive catalyst in the lives of others. Kevin shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to working alongside some of the biggest names in sports and business, highlighting how sports, play, curiosity, and human connection became pathways to belonging, purpose, and opportunity. 

The conversation explores Kevin's experiences working with organizations such as the NBA and Nike, as well as the powerful lessons he learned from elite performers, including Kobe Bryant. Together, they discuss the importance of authenticity, resilience, curiosity, and failing forward in the pursuit of personal and professional growth. 

Kevin also shares practical insights into building intentional cultures where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to contribute to something greater than themselves. This episode challenges listeners to think differently about leadership, relationships, success, and the role each of us plays in shaping the communities around us. Whether you're an athlete, coach, leader, student, or someone striving to make a meaningful impact, this conversation offers powerful lessons on showing up fully, serving others, and becoming a positive force in the lives of those around you. 

The podcast episode features a discussion with Luke and Hope Zeller about their organization, DistinXion, and its impact on youth sports. The conversation convers the intersection of sport and family, the business of youth sports, and the research behind it. The episode also includes a Q&A segment with a viewer question about winning state championships at small schools. The conversation covers the legend of the state championship, the Zeller family's upbringing, sibling rivalry, the impact of basketball and relationships, a fun game of 'Know Your Zeller', and living with a mental giant. The Zeller family's journey from small-town basketball to the NBA is highlighted, along with the importance of family, relationships, and academic achievements.

Chapters

• 01:16 Guest Introduction and Background
• 02:57 The DistinXion Organization
• 20:04 Research
• 24:06 The Business of Youth Sport
• 26:58 The Legend of the State Championship
• 29:21 Growing Up Zeller
• 35:17 The Impact of Basketball and Relationships
• 41:41 Know Your Zeller Game
• 46:31 Living with a Mental Giant

In the Spring semester season finale of the Unit3d w/ Big Team at Indiana University podcast, BigTeam is sharing the mic with our Hoosier undergraduate students. Students in the popular undergraduate course, EDUC-G207 Intro to Sport Psychology and Athlete Mental Health, were given the assignment to create a podcast episode and the competition produced a winner who would work with us to put the episode on the air. We had so many awesome submissions, and the winners were Nomusa Ndhlovu and Jakayla Kinnie, who chose to interview Olympic medalist and IU NCAA National champion swimmer, Anna Peplowski, to talk about an array of engaging topics. 

In this Pep Talk episode, Anna Peplowski shares some fantastic perspectives with Nomusa and Jakayla, talking about her path to collegiate and Olympic success, while embracing the mental side of the game and helping women in her sport and beyond see powerful female role models achieving at the highest levels—while still being grounded and staying connected to their communities. Tune in for the Unit3d Spring semester season finale as Anna Pep and these super Hoosier undergrad students crush it on the mic! 

In the Spring semester season finale of the Unit3d w/ Big Team at Indiana University podcast, BigTeam is sharing the mic with our Hoosier undergraduate students. Students in the popular undergraduate course, EDUC-G207 Intro to Sport Psychology and Athlete Mental Health, were given the assignment to create a podcast episode and the competition produced a winner who would work with us to put the episode on the air. We had so many awesome submissions, and the winners were Nomusa Ndhlovu and Jakayla Kinnie, who chose to interview Olympic medalist and IU NCAA National champion swimmer, Anna Peplowski, to talk about an array of engaging topics. 

In this Pep Talk episode, Anna Peplowski shares some fantastic perspectives with Nomusa and Jakayla, talking about her path to collegiate and Olympic success, while embracing the mental side of the game and helping women in her sport and beyond see powerful female role models achieving at the highest levels--while still being grounded and staying connected to their communities. Tune in for the Unit3d Spring semester season finale as Anna Pep and these super Hoosier undergrad students crush it on the mic! 

In this episode, fresh off an NCAA tournament appearance, Hofstra Men’s Basketball Associate Head Coach Mike DePaoli opens up to BigTeam PhD student Eli Friedman about the deeper side of coaching — what it really takes to build trust, sustain culture, and lead authentically in today’s college basketball environment. Coach DePaoli shares how meaningful relationships, consistent habits, and staying process-oriented can shape both team success and individual growth. 

The conversation explores the psychology behind leadership, the importance of connection in high-performance environments, and how resilience is developed through adversity, accountability, and daily investment. From fostering mental toughness to creating a culture where players feel valued and empowered, Coach DePaoli provides practical insight into building programs that prioritize both performance and people. Whether you're a coach, athlete, leader, or fan of the game, this episode offers a thoughtful look into the mindset and philosophy behind sustainable success in college basketball. 

In this episode of the Unit3d w/ Big Team at Indiana University podcast, PhD student RJ Russell sits down with Wendy Kidwell, founder of Ricky’s Retreat, to explore the often unseen pressures faced by student-athletes. Wendy shares the powerful story of her son Ricky, a state champion runner whose outward success masked deep internal struggles with anxiety, perfectionism, and mental health. The conversation honors Ricky not only as an accomplished athlete, but as a compassionate and deeply caring person whose story underscores the urgent need for greater awareness and support in athletic spaces. Together, they unpack how the culture of sports can discourage vulnerability, leaving many athletes feeling isolated in their struggles. Wendy offers insight into early warning signs, the importance of open dialogue, and the critical role that parents, coaches, and peers play in fostering supportive environments. The episode also highlights the mission of Ricky’s Retreat and the ongoing effort to provide resources, education, and hope for young adults and their families. This conversation is a powerful call to break the silence surrounding mental health in sports and to build a culture where athletes are seen, supported, and valued beyond their performance. 

In this episode of the Unit3d w/ Big Team at Indiana University Podcast, PhD Candidate Josh Jackson welcomes his father, Fred Jackson, who is a legendary assistant football coach at the University of Michigan, known for his unwavering commitment to developing young men and winning championships. In this candid conversation, Michigan legend Coach Jackson shares behind-the-scenes stories from over 40 years of coaching—highlighting unforgettable victories like coaching the MVP of the Rose Bowl, and the moments that shaped his enduring legacy. 

Whether it’s recruiting first-round talent like Jake Long or developing players into NFL stars through a focus on character and growth, Fred Jackson reveals the rare mindset it takes to thrive for decades at the highest level of college football, while sharing insights into ways to help players manage their mental health as they attempt to chase and catch greatness.  

In this episode of the Unit3d w/ Big Team at Indiana University podcast, PhD student Madeline Koch sits down with Dr. Mitch Abrams, the nation’s leading expert on Anger in Sport. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience working with anger and trauma, Dr. Abrams challenges common misconceptions about anger and reveals why this often-misunderstood emotion can be one of an athlete’s greatest assets, when properly dialed in. 

Together, they reclaim anger as an emotion of action—one that motivates people to course-correct, adapt, and change their circumstances. From the court to the NCAA Transfer Portal, to everyday life, the mindset of “F*ck You, Watch Me!” becomes a powerful catalyst for growth and performance when used intentionally. The conversation breaks down what many of us get wrong about anger, why it is a valid and necessary part of both sport and life, and how learning to understand and regulate it can unlock full potential. Dr. Abrams emphasizes the importance of identifying your optimal level of arousal, recognizing personal triggers and warning signs, and developing tools to keep anger from tipping over into detriment. Join this conversation to unlock the hidden power of anger and learn how top athletes harness it to dominate—not just on the field, but in life. 

In this episode of the Unit3d w/ Big Team at Indiana University podcast, 2nd year PhD student Jessica Wolf sits down with younger sister and former teammate, Taylor Wolf. She is a volleyball alumna from both University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Marquette University, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Bellin Health Titletown Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, official partners of the Green Bay Packers, where she supports athletes at all levels such as high school, collegiate, and professional athletes.  

Together, they unpack their shared journey as siblings, navigating playing Division I collegiate volleyball, exploring identity formation through comparison, the unique dynamics of being both sisters and teammates, and the challenge of competing both together and head-to-head. Drawing from their experiences across youth, collegiate, and post-athletic transitions, the conversation highlights how family, pressure, injury, and support systems shape both performance and personal development. This episode offers an honest look into the often-unseen layers of sibling relationships in sport and ultimately reframes what it means to “win” beyond stats, accolades, and championships.” 

In this episode of the Unit3d w/ Big Team at Indiana University podcast, 2nd year PhD student Nina Winsick sits down with friend and colleague, Kathryn Colby of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The two discuss student-athlete experiences at the NCAA Division III level, contemporary issues in collegiate athletics, sport psych interventions, and misconceptions about mental health and mental performance. The conversation delves into the importance of support systems in coping with stress, how to help athletes break free from societal and sports-related stereotypes, and the pursuit of personal growth and risk-taking as emerging professionals in counseling, sport and performance psychology.