The Weekly Yes, And Podcast

Episode 111: The Eye of the Hurricane

This is Episode 111 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast with Travis Thomas. In Episode 111 Travis talks about what it means to be able to stay in the eye of the hurricane based on his recent event in Flint, MI with George Mumford, author of The Mindful Athlete. On this trip Travis got to share the stage with George, and he tells us of one of the main ideas in George's book, which happens to be the concept of the eye of the hurricane!

Click here to listen on iTunes!

Episode 110: There is Only One Team!

Have you noticed how divided we are as a country right now? (That's a rhetorial question).

If you are cynical you might think this is the way it has always been, and it is the way it will always be. But, this doesn't have to be the case. Having differences is fine, actually it's great, but when we are not willing to embrace each others differences - and we are not willing to offer respect and dignity to someone who thinks differently than we do - you have what we are currently experiencing in this country.

In Episode 110 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast - Travis shares his ideas and reminds all of us - there is really only one team! No matter how different you think we are, and even though we trick ourselves into thinking there are "those people, that state, that country, that political party, etc. " - what we need to remember is that there always has been and will always only be...ONE TEAM!

Give it a listen!

Episode 109: Sportuality with Jeanne Hess

How brilliant is this?! Really! Combining the ideas of spirituality and sports - and you get SPORTUALITY!

From the moment I heard about the concept of "Sportuality" I knew I needed to interview the woman who created it. And that woman is Jeanne Hess.

Jeanne has been coaching volleyball for 30 years. Most of that time has been spent as the Head Women's Volleyball coach at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Yes, another Michiganer on the podcast!

In 30 years on the sideline of coaching you learn a few (or a lot) of things! In this podcast, Episode 109 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast - Jeanne drops some serious wisdom on your ears, which will surely resonate with your heart.

I dare you to listen and not be inspired (double dog dare you)!

Find our more about Jeanne and her Sportuality book!

 

Episode 108: Coaching Character with Brett Miller

If you were to call any youth sports organization and ask them about their core values, they would tell you how important qualities such as integrity, character, and sportsmanship are in their program. They would tell you how they are teaching kids life skills that will help them the rest of their lives.

But, if you asked them "how" they do it, their answers might get a little more vague. You might hear how their coaches have "x" years of experience, and that the game itself is such a great teacher of character. And it's true, but what you don't always hear or see if an actual process or system in place that makes teaching and developing character a priority. 

As a performance coach I see it all of the time. When you just rely on an individual coach to teach these skills based on their own beliefs and style, what you get as a parent or player is a crap shoot of coaching quality and consistency. You get a player who has an amazing experience with one coach, and then the next season in the same Club they have a totally different experience with a different coach. I am not talking about coaching styles, but an actual difference in philosophy and values from coach to coach. It's one of the big problems in our youth coaching programs.

So, it was refreshing when I came upon Brett Miller. Brett has been a youth soccer coach for about 5 years. He hasn't won a National Championship or World Cup (yet), but I guarantee Brett is changing lives with the impact he is having on his players, parents, and coaches, on his team and the other teams as well.

In Episode 108 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast - Brett shares simple and applicable ways to make teaching character and life skills a relevant and natural part of coaching. 

I was really blown away from my time with Brett, and I think you wil too!

Follow Brett on Twitter!

 

 

Episode 107: Lionhearted Courage in Afghanistan

Episode 107 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast is in cooperation with InspiredToGive.org and their August theme of "To Be Lionhearted."

Travis sits down with his good friend Whitney Conner Clapper as she retells her experience of being in Afghanistan in 2013 while helping shoot the documentary, Afghan Cycles. The threat of the Taliban was very real and very present for Whitney and the film team, including the courageous women they were filming. Whitney describes how the team mentally and spiritually approached the project - including a terrifying experience that left Whitney telling herself, "I need to know what is on the other side of the door."

Each day we see inspiring, as well as tragic events, that continue to shape our communities and world. In the face of fear and adversity, do we have the lionhearted courage to keep stepping forward, to keep doing what we feel is right - even in the face of danger?

Listen to Episode 107 and learn how you can bring more lionheartedness to your courage!

 

 

Music: https://www.bensound.com

 

Episode 106: Quiet & Effective Networking with Lori Saitz

You never know how you are going to fall into a career or area of expertise? Lori Saitz never saw herself helping people with the very thing that made her so uncomfortable - networking. Today, Lori works with and coaches people all over the country who see themselves as too shy, quiet, or uncomfortable in public situations. And speaking for myself who is very comfortable on stage and speaking in front of audiences...I HATE networking events! 

In Episode 106 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast - I am so excited to share Lori's story, as well as tips and ideas all of us can use to be better in public situations. Even all you extroverts out there - you need to listen to this episode!

 

Episode 105: StreetWaves with Maui Goodbeer

Episode 105 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast will inspire you! Maui Goodbeer is the Creator of StreetWaves - a non-profit organization that connects with the youth in under-served communities to teach them how to swim, surf, and sail. In the process - StreetWaves has transformed lives for over 10 years.

Maui's story for starting StreetWaves is humbling and powerful. 

This podcast is also in partnership with InspiredToGive.org - whose theme this month is all about belonging. Maui's story and example is the perfect interview for this theme as he has proven how through StreetWaves that belonging can be created in the most unexpected ways. 

 

Episode 104: Stop Competing!

In Episode 104 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast - Travis urges everyone to stop competing!

No, not stop trying, or striving, or pushing yourself beyond your limits. Instead, stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Stop trying to make yourself look better by making or hoping someone else looks worse. Stop turning life into a competition, when most of life is a collaboration. 

Travis shares examples from his recent work with a major football program, as well as a Major League Baseball team - and helping their coaches shift from a compeititon to collaboration mindset. 

Interested? Give is a listen!

Episode 104 is also in partnership with Inspired To Give. Check it out at www.inspiredtogive.org

 

Episode 103: Lit Within!

What does it mean to be "Lit Within?" Last month we tackled the spiritual aspect of what it means to be "woke," and in May we focus our attention on "lit." If being woke is all about raising our consciousness, being "lit" is what it means when we take action.

In Episode 103 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast - Travis looks at the idea of being "lit within." This podcast is also in partnership with Inspired to Give - where you can explore how others are finding inspiration that leads to action. With the help of some friends - Travis explores what it means to be "lit within" - and poses some questions to help each of us blow on the embers of our own flames. 

 

Episode 102: Humor is a Choice with Andrew Tarvin

In Episode 102 of The Weekly Yes, And Podcast - Travis sits down with Humor That Works creator Andrew Tarvin. Andrew is the world's first Humor Engineer...because he gave himself this title. He left a successful job with Proctor and Gamble because he saw the need to bring the importance of humor to the corporate world. 

In this podcast we get to talk improvisation, which Andrew started in college. He has also traveled the country as a stand-up comedian and is a best-selling author. He has an awesome TEDx talk and is often mistaken for a cross between Hugh Jackman and Conan O'Brien. 

How important is humor in the workplace? Does it lead to greater bottom-line success? Well...guess you need to listen to find out!