Unit3d w/ B1G Team at Indiana University

Mental health has long been overlooked and often stigmatized in the world of sport. But that conversation is changing. More athletes are speaking openly about their mental health experiences, and organizations like Athletes for Hope are helping turn those conversations into meaningful action. In particular, the AFH’s Whole Being Athlete (WBA) mental health program, led by Dr. Mina Mirhom, is at the forefront of these efforts.  

In this episode, Dr. Mirhom joins us to discuss some of the most important topics surrounding athlete mental health, including suicide prevention, barriers to care, and misconceptions around the use of mental health services. What should you do when a teammate just “seems off”? How can you support someone who may be struggling? And what can you do when you’re the one who needs help? Drawing on his expertise and real-world experience working with athletes, Dr. Mirhom offers practical guidance for recognizing when someone may need support, starting difficult conversations, and knowing how to respond.  

Mental Health Resources: 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7, free, and confidential) 

Host: Verena Zaisberger

Guest: Dr. Mena Mirhorm

The advice to "just treat the issue" is missing the whole person. Dr. Derick Boyd and host Katy Johnson unpack why identity changes everything in sport psych, and why curiosity is the most important tool in the room. Identity is always present - whether you name it or not. That means race, gender, class, disability, spirituality, athletic history, and the hidden parts of a person’s story can shape how anxiety shows up, how trust is built, and how performance really feels from the inside. 

In this episode, Derick shares his own transition from athlete to psychologist, including the loneliness of leaving sport, the pressure of being a Black man in predominantly white spaces, and his research on former Black college athletes’ experiences transitioning into graduate school and career paths. Along the way, he explains how a simple question, "What is that like for you?" can open up the real story behind what a client is carrying. Katy and Derick also get personal about what it means to show up fully in the room, how power dynamics affect therapy, and why both clients and practitioners benefit when they stop assuming they already understand each other.  

Youth sports can be a potent motivator and source of pride and growth for young children. It can also lead to burnout, a sense of dread, and even permanent departure from the athletic domain. Former D1 athlete Karen Stipe joins 1st year PhD student Riley Stipe to discuss using athletics as a vehicle for parenting. They discuss topics such as the state of youth athletics, the value of hardship, and the lessons learned through sports. Listen to get a glimpse of the experience of growing up in an athletic household and how that can translate to long-lasting change, for better and for worse.

Change is an inevitable part of life and that is especially true of athletics. Camryn Haworth, one of the most decorated Hoosiers in Indiana Volleyball history, is no stranger to the ebbs and flows that impact coaching staffs, rosters, rules, and opportunities. Join doctoral candidate Hallie Enderle as we unpack the many changes that impacted Camryn’s career as an NCAA DI volleyball player as well as her upcoming opportunity to join reigning League One champion, LOVB Austin, this 2027 season. See how she faces uncertainty and uncontrollables in a way that still allows her to fill up her own cup and achieve peak performance. 

In the family favorite episode of the Unit3d w/Big Team at Indiana University podcast, Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt explores the dynamic of Playing for Your Parent and Being Coached By Your Parent. To do this, he goes to a familiar place—his own family. By examining the impact that Coach Bruce Steinfeldt had in coaching his three Division 1 athlete sons, then examining the impact that those sons have on coaching their own children (also multiple Division 1 athletes), this episode focuses on the benefits and the drawbacks of coaching your son (and being coached by your dad). 

Throughout the episode, the insights of the Steinfeldt boys shed light onto nuanced dynamics that impact performance, mental health, and well-being. While doing this, they share humorous stories and enlightening perspectives on their past experiences that listeners can learn from. They have a competition to determine the best son's impression of their Dad coach, and they make each other laugh in the process. But through it all, they are able to give props, credit and love to the man who made it all possible--their dad, their role model, their Coach, the great Bruce Steinfeldt. And the audience gets to learn important tips, while also witnessing a way to articulate and demonstrate their love for each other, something we encourage you to do with your own parents, if you were lucky enough to be coached by them. 

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.