Respect in sports is often reduced to postgame handshakes, polite words, and surface-level sportsmanship. But what if respect runs much deeper than what we see at the final whistle? Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he takes a closer look at respect as a core value that shapes character, culture, and competition.

Throughout Season 4 of the podcast, Dr. Matt Barker will take a deep dive into the 5 Core Values of the NAIA, which include Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership. Join him for Season 4, Episode 1, as he explores the importance of Integrity on and off the field.

In sports—and in life—integrity isn’t just what you say you believe; it’s what shows up when the pressure is on and no one’s watching. Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he explores the core value of Integrity and why character matters more than the scoreboard.

From everyday choices in practice to defining moments in competition, integrity shapes trust, leadership, and long-term impact. Along the way, we’ll challenge athletes, coaches, and leaders to reflect on this question: When people watch you play, what does your character reveal?

We live in a world where our value can feel like it’s one swipe, scroll, or selfie away from being questioned. Social media gives us endless connection—but it also gives us an endless comparison trap. Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he sits down with Clinical Director of Sound Mind Counseling, Mr. Taylor Bell, to discuss how our screens have become reflections of who we are and why we measure ourselves by likes and follows? Throughout the episode, we’ll talk about how to recognize the subtle ways digital validation creeps into our self-worth, and how to break free from it while examining ways to build confidence that doesn’t need an algorithm’s approval.

Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he talks with Grand View University Head Softball Coach, Lou Yacinich, regarding his team’s recent recognition as recipients of the NAIA Team of Character Award for the 2024-2025 academic year. Throughout the episode, Coach Yacinich shares his reaction to the honor and reflects on the values that drive his program both on and off the field. We specifically dive into the intentional ways his team models character throughout the year—from community service to team culture—and explore what it really means to build a program rooted in integrity, respect, and leadership.

Who we surround ourselves with shapes who we become. Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he sits down with Estes Church of Christ Youth Minister, Mr. Seth Stewart, to explore the powerful role friendships play in strengthening faith and guiding moral development. From biblical examples to real-life stories, we’ll dive into how the right relationships can encourage us toward growth, accountability, and resilience—while the wrong influences can pull us off course.

Conflict on a team is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be destructive. Join Dr. Matt Barker for this episode, as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman Head Baseball Coach, Mr. Jess Trask, to explore the art of coaching through conflict and how great coaches can transform tense moments into powerful opportunities for growth. Throughout this episode, we will dive into strategies strategies for addressing disagreements, fostering respect, and keeping the bigger goal in sight.

Sports have a way of becoming more than just a game—they can shape how we see ourselves, how others see us, and even how we measure our worth. But what happens when the scoreboard becomes the mirror we look into for our identity? Join Dr. Matt Barker as he sits down with Freed-Hardeman Head Volleyball Coach, Mrs. Amanda Bretherick, to discuss the powerful role sports can play in shaping who we are—and how easily our identity can become tied to wins, losses, or performance. Throughout the episode, we’ll explore the dangers of letting the game define you, the pressure athletes face to live up to expectations, and the importance of finding a deeper sense of purpose that goes beyond the scoreboard.

Join Dr. Matt Barker with special guest Todd Humphry for this episode, as they dive into one of the most challenging—but essential—parts of healthy relationships and leadership: having difficult conversations. Whether it’s a coach addressing performance and effort with an athlete, or a friend navigating a tense moment in a relationship, the way we approach hard conversations can either build trust or create distance. Throughout the episode, we explore why people often avoid difficult conversations, how timing and empathy matter, and practical steps to speak truth with grace, humility, and love.