On today’s episode, we have Shellee Howard. Shellee is the founder of College Ready, a company built on a simple belief: every student deserves a plan, a champion, and a path to the right fit. With over 18 years of experience, she has supported over 2,700 students through the college process.

On this episode, we discuss:

• How she sent all of her children to college with no debt and zero money out of her pocket!
• Shellee’s discover, plan, prepare, and achieve approach to the college process
• How to go through the college process doing more than checking a box
• How to think about AI during the college process
• Why it’s important to start the process early
• Two common misconceptions about the college process

And much more!

Parents: Is your teen College Ready? Podcast

Shellee's Books on Amazon

Sign up for a clarity call with Shellee here

If you have any questions for me or our future guests email hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

If you're interested in connecting or working together, let's have a conversation - send me an email today - hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

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The views and opinions shared by coaches and other professionals on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hoops Through Life. Hoops Through Life is an independent entity, not affiliated with any school or coach, and is not responsible for the opinions expressed by these individuals.

On today’s BEST OF episode, we have our most-listened-to episode ever with Coach Artina Trader. Artina has experience as an assistant coach at Allegheny College and John Carroll University. She also served as head coach at Thiel College. She is currently heading into her 16th season as the head coach at North Carolina Wesleyan University.

On this episode, we discuss:

• Athleticism, Basketball IQ, and potential
• Recruiting Twins
• Confidence while playing
• How Coach Trader and her staff use the transfer portal
• How student-athletes get on their radar
• Time management in college

And much more!

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NC Wesleyan WBB Instagram
NC Wesleyan WBB Recruiting Questionnaire

If you have any questions for me or our future guests email hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

If you're interested in connecting or working together, let's have a conversation - send me an email today - hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

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The views and opinions shared by coaches and other professionals on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hoops Through Life. Hoops Through Life is an independent entity, not affiliated with any school or coach, and is not responsible for the opinions expressed by these individuals.

On today’s episode, we have Coach Torie Eggers. Torie was a 3-sport athlete at Nyack College (basketball, lacrosse, and track and field). She has experience in AAU and high school girls’ basketball and has coached since 2020. Torie started her college coaching career as an assistant at Rowan University, where she spent the past 3 seasons. In 2026-2027, she enters her first season as an assistant at Shenandoah University.

On this episode, we discuss:

• The one question Coach Torie asks when she's scouting a recruit, and why she's watching the bench too
• What "pace" really means at the college level
• What to do when you're sending emails and hearing nothing back
• How coaches can spot a ChatGPT recruiting email right away, and what to write instead
• What great communication looks like to a college coach

And much more!

Shenandoah University WBB Instagram

Shenandoah University WBB Recruiting Questionnaire

If you have any questions for me or our future guests email hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

If you're interested in connecting or working together, let's have a conversation - send me an email today - hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

Check out Hoops Through Life on:
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The views and opinions shared by coaches and other professionals on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hoops Through Life. Hoops Through Life is an independent entity, not affiliated with any school or coach, and is not responsible for the opinions expressed by these individuals.

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We are on our final episode of our 4 episode series where we are breaking down each phase of the recruiting process (Preparation, Communication, Visits, Decision Making/Transition). Today’s episode is all about the decision making process and transition to your first year.

On this episode we discuss:

• Making your decision based on what is right for you
• Assessing each school using a different "lens"
• Understanding how to "weigh" what's important to you
• Why your mentality matters in the decision making process
• How to best prepare athletically and mentally for your first year of school

And much more!

If you have any questions for me or our future guests email hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

If you're interested in connecting or working together, let's have a conversation - send me an email today - hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

Check out Hoops Through Life on:
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The views and opinions shared by coaches and other professionals on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hoops Through Life. Hoops Through Life is an independent entity, not affiliated with any school or coach, and is not responsible for the opinions expressed by these individuals.

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On today’s episode we have Coach Dominique Bryant. Dominique played four years at St. Joseph’s University and has an extensive coaching background starting in 2013, with experience as an assistant coach at Marist College, Manhattan College, and the University of Vermont—where she was eventually named Associate Head Coach. At Vermont, she worked closely with the post players and led the defense, playing a key role in the Catamounts' 17-game win streak and their America East Championship victory in the 2022-2023 season. She is now in the final stretch of her first year as the varsity head coach at Champlain Valley Union High School, where the Redhawks are defending their back-to-back state championship titles.

On this episode we discuss:

• The first steps high school athletes should take in the recruiting process
• Why basketball isn’t the only factor in the recruiting process
• How to assess what division level is appropriate to you + why your value as a player isn’t a level
• The role of high school coaches in the recruiting process
• The benefits of AAU
• How to efficiently reach out to college coaches

And much more!

If you have any questions for me or our future guests email hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

If you're interested in connecting or working together, let's have a conversation - send me an email today - hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

Check out Hoops Through Life on:
Hoops Through Life Website
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Instagram
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The views and opinions shared by coaches and other professionals on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hoops Through Life. Hoops Through Life is an independent entity, not affiliated with any school or coach, and is not responsible for the opinions expressed by these individuals.

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On today’s episode, we have Karl Barkley. Karl played basketball for four years at Swarthmore College. He is the founder of D3 Direct, the go-to source for reliable information on NCAA Division III athletics recruiting & admissions, where they believe no recruit or family should have to start their college sports recruiting process from zero.

On this episode, we discuss:

• How to think about what schools are right for you
• The power of mentorship throughout the recruiting process
• Thinking strategically and quality over quantity in the recruiting process
• Debunking the "D3 has no money" myth, and how families still make it affordable
• The two biggest recruiting mistakes: starting too late and overloading your schedule
• How to actually build your college list (and lead with more than just coach interest)
• Standing out to coaches: professionalism and the power of a handwritten note
• Why persistence pays off, plus Karl's #1 rule for parents and for athletes

And much more!

D3 Direct Website

The Student Athlete Sessions (D3 Direct Podcast)

If you have any questions for me or our future guests email hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

If you're interested in connecting or working together, let's have a conversation - send me an email today - hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

Check out Hoops Through Life on:
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The views and opinions shared by coaches and other professionals on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hoops Through Life. Hoops Through Life is an independent entity, not affiliated with any school or coach, and is not responsible for the opinions expressed by these individuals.

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On today's episode we are completing our skills breakdown series. Today’s episode is all about defense.

On this episode we discuss:

• Why defense is so important
• How to assess your defensive skills
• How to improve your defensive skills to translate to the game
• Some of my favorite defensive activities

and much more!

If you have any questions for me or our future guests email hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

If you're interested in connecting or working together, let's have a conversation - send me an email today - hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

Check out Hoops Through Life on:
Hoops Through Life Website
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The views and opinions shared by coaches and other professionals on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hoops Through Life. Hoops Through Life is an independent entity, not affiliated with any school or coach, and is not responsible for the opinions expressed by these individuals.

Send us Fan Mail

On this repeat episode we have Coach Sidney Parsons.

Sidney has recently started an exciting new role as the Valkyries (WNBA) director of player development. No matter if you've listened to this episode before or not, it's worth listening to again!

Sidney played four years at the University of Bridgeport before spending six years playing professionally in Germany and another four seasons in Australia. She brings a wealth of experience, coaching professionally and working with clubs across Germany and Australia, and has presented at international seminars and clinics. She was an assistant coach for the German Women’s National Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was a full-time coach with the German national program. Sidney served as the head coach for the U20 team, an assistant coach for the senior national team, and worked closely on player development with high-potential athletes.

On this episode we discuss:

• The process to playing professionally overseas
• Common misconceptions USA athletes have about playing internationally
• Questions to ask when vetting an agent
• The foundational skills you need as an athlete
• How to add mental stressors to workouts

And much more!

If you have any questions for me or our future guests email hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

If you're interested in connecting or working together, let's have a conversation - send me an email today - hoopsthroughlife@gmail.com

Check out Hoops Through Life on:
Hoops Through Life Website
X
Instagram
Facebook

The views and opinions shared by coaches and other professionals on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hoops Through Life. Hoops Through Life is an independent entity, not affiliated with any school or coach, and is not responsible for the opinions expressed by these individuals.