I Think We’re Good Here: Volleyball Podcast

Nehemiah Mote: From the Churchyard to Max Schmelling Halle

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 09:01:42 -0800

WE'RE BACK! After a brief 4 year hiatus Jackson and I are back in action bringing you a fresh podcast from our friend Nemo Mote. Current middle blocker for the Berlin Recycling Volleys. Nemo is an Australian-Samoan who truly worked his way from the ground up. Humbly beginning his journey on the grass playing picnic volleyball, being called to the AIS, moving to Germany, dealing with adversity, working at hotels, landscaping, and a whole lot more to get to being the proud father of three that he is, loving husband, along with a phenomenal middle blocker on a Champions League team! Enjoy!

Nehemiah Mote: From the Churchyard to the Max Schmelling Halle

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 07:17:30 -0800

#39 - Jonathan Winder

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:40:01 -0700

Our next guest is current Fresno State Head Women's Volleyball Coach Jonathan Winder. Winder is a 4x All American, AVCA Player of the Year and National Champion. On this episode we discuss Winder's upbringing as a multi-sport athlete, how Balboa Bay was the beginning of a legacy that he would constantly try to uphold. Why he chose to go to Pepperdine and not pursue his love for basketball. His joy for teaching in all walks of life not solely on the court and why that ultimately allowed him to walk away from the game in peace. His evolution as a coach from assistant to head coach and what he feels are essential for both position and much more. We also discuss self-confidence and assurance for a lot of the podcast. Where Winder's derives from and how he's maintained it over his life time. If it's something you struggle with or feel is something you could improve on I urge you to listen to this podcast. Enjoy!

#38 - Carli Snyder

Mon, 10 May 2021 11:56:31 -0700

We’re back in action with our first guest Professional Player Carli Snyder after a brief hiatus. Carli takes us through her club and recruiting experience. How much the club game has changed and why she believe’s so many recruits transfer after one year. She discusses her time playing for Mary Wise at UF and the track she took to becoming a multiple time all American. She also talks about how the players do evaluations on one another and what that brings to the table. Enjoy!

#36 - Taylor Averill: Workin' Out

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 04:32:30 -0800

Our guest today is All Time Great Rainbow Warrior Taylor Averill. Taylor is a current USA national team member and 2x All-American. Taylor has also played professionally in France and Italy. Taylor took sometime a way from "workin' out" to chat about his process in becoming the best volleyball player/person he can be. He talks about his turbulent path from being an average athlete, a position-less volleyball player, to being kicked off of two different college programs. He was met with a tough decision, get your act together or go play in Canada. He found MAR Training a revolutionary way of strengthening the body that many of Hawaii's great volleyball athletes use and the guidance of Milan Zarkovic on the volleyball court. Taylor began investing his time to becoming the best version of himself on and off the court. He went from being kicked out of programs to an All-American. This is just a brief glimpse into the many topics we discuss on this podcast. It's an amazing message to everyone in all walks of life. If you invest in yourself anything can happen. Enjoy!

#35 - Carli Lloyd: Communication

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 04:56:11 -0800

Our guest today is All Time Great California Bear Carli Lloyd. Carli is an Olympic Bronze Medalist, Italian League, Italian Cup, Champions League, and CEV Cup Champion, as well as a former AVCA Player of the Year. On this episode Carli talks about her path into the volleyball world. A majority of this podcast is discussing how to bring out the potential in your teammates regardless of skill level. Our conversation leads into how a team buys into the process, how individually you buy in, how to build relationships, bonds, and much more.

#34 - Marv Dunphy: G.O.A.T

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 03:42:58 -0800

The Man, The Myth, The Legend, Marv Dunphy joins us to discuss his journey in volleyball. A Gold Medalist, World Champion, World Cup winner, 4x NCAA Champ. Marv takes us through the ride of lifetime with great stories, a new vantage point, and a great message. If you want to get right to where he starts presenting start in the story skip to minute 28:00. We hope you enjoy there is so much in this podcast: stories about John Wooden, Harlan Cohen, Karch Kiraly, Stork, and many more.

#33 - Salima Rockwell: Offensive Guru

Sun, 31 Jan 2021 04:08:42 -0800

Todays guest is All Time Great Nittany Lion Salima Rockwell. Salima starts us off with her upbringings in Pittsburg and wanting to follow her brothers footsteps into becoming a volleyball athlete. Her journey with Russ Rose and the process to becoming at 3 time All American and National Team Member. A majority of the podcast we discuss her philosophies on the setter position and how different the elite setters she's coached have been over time. We touch on how the offensives have differed at certain schools based on personnel and ideology, setter personalities, the decision making process and much more! Enjoy!

#32 - Mary Wise: Way Back When

Sat, 23 Jan 2021 10:36:32 -0800

Our guest today needs no introduction she is the Head Coach of the Florida Gators Mary Wise. She’s one of the winningest coaches of all time in female sports, she’s a tremendous advocate for the growth of the game and what an amazing person. We discuss everything from her start in the game, to her unique path from head coach at Iowa State to graduate assistant at Kentucky, into becoming the tenured head coach at Florida. Its full of great stories about how the game has evolved and what it has in store for future generations. Enjoy!

#31 - Lee Nelson: The Greatest Run in Sports History

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 03:25:07 -0800

Todays episode stars current Head Coach at the University of Nevada-Reno, Lee Nelson. Lee takes us through his time as a player at UCSB and the heartbreaking 5 set loss in the National Championship they suffered. The eclectic group of leadership that team had and how he seen those same personalities on other powerhouse teams he has been on staff for. We go into depth about being a part of what Karch Kiraly calls, “the greatest run in sports history”. We discuss how the 2011 UCSB came to fruition and turned the tables to make it into the national championship game after being the #7 seed in the MPSF playoffs. How his time at Miami has shape his ideologies as a coach and now his most recent years as Head Coach at UNR. Check it out!

#30 - Lauren Carlini: Christmas Special

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 09:39:25 -0800

Todays episode stars current USA national team setter Lauren Carlini. Lauren takes us through her rise to Wisconsin Volleyball fame detailing her many experiences starting at the ripe age of 6 years old at Sports Performance. The militant fashion in which she learned how to play volleyball. Getting cut from her 14’s team and learning that just because she was good didn’t mean should could act like a diva. Her early decision to be apart of the Badger volleyball family. The connection she had with Coach Kelly Sheffield and the band of athletes at Wisconsin. The program’s immediate transformation into a National Championship contender. Playing on some of the best teams in the world with some of the best players in the world especially opposites and much more. Of course about setting, culture, her standards, how she gets through difficult moments, and exploring new ways of thinking and learning. Enjoy!

#29 - Kasey Crider: AP Ecological Dynamics - A Different Way to Coach

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:12:52 -0800

Todays episode stars University of Miami associate head coach Kasey Crider. Kasey is a 2x All American and 2x All MPSF Selection. He also played 1 year in Denmark where he won the Nordic Cup and Danish Pokal Cup, while also winning Danish Superliga Player of the Year. On this episode we discuss Kasey’s playing career starting as a terrible basketball player and quickly developing into a top recruit for Men’s Volleyball. His time at Pepperdine under Marv, playing with Paul Carroll, how his mentality about the game has always revolved around a coaches eye. His time with our team in 2013 as a volunteer assistant at Pepperdine, surviving in Palo Alto on a volunteer assistants salary…… his move to Miami and most importantly the beginnings of his studies into Ecological Dynamic. Kasey is now the resident expert on ecological dynamics for our podcast as he will begin his doctorate in the subject if COVID allows for it. Enjoy!

#28 - John Mayer: Introduction to Ecological Dynamics

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 06:21:56 -0800

Todays episode stars current LMU Head Sand Volleyball coach John Mayer. John is also the host of the most listened to volleyball podcast “Coach Your Brains Out”. This podcast can be broken up into two segments. In the first we discuss John’s humble upbringings coming from a house of two teachers, his time in the gnarly environment at Pierce college, how it prepared him for the culture at Pepperdine, kicking a hole through his ceiling from nightmares in the Long Beach Pyramid, losing in the Final 4, winning the Natty in 2005, and his professional AVP/FIVB career. In the second segment that starts about 58 minutes in, we discuss the ecological dynamic philosophy in coaching. John tells us how he is implementing this in his practices and how it is becoming a part of his teams culture at LMU. A very very brief synopsis of the ideology would be creating an environment with a problem and the athletes need to figure out the solution. The talk is great a very relevant not only to sport, but our lives outside of it as well. Check it out!

#27 - James Stuck:The Vet

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 05:56:09 -0800

This weeks episode stars Team USA Paralympic Captain James Stuck. It’s a tremendous honor to have our first veteran on the podcast. On this episode James describes “getting blowing up” in Iraq and losing his leg, finding his passion for volleyball, moving to Oklahoma 5 months after starting volleyball to seek out his newfound dream in becoming a national team player, the difference between standing and sitting, the rivalry between Team USA and the Brazilians, the ways in which he finds peace of mind in success, his growth and maturation process as an athlete and leader, and finally his ability to move forward and just keep giving. Enjoy!

#26 - Jenna Gray: Kansas Kid

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 07:23:21 -0800

This weeks episode stars 3x National Champion, 3x All American, and All Time Great Cardinal Jenna Gray. It is a lengthy episode but it can be split up into two segments. In the first we talk about Jenna's start as a volleyball athlete in Kansas, her desire to do everything her sister did, being a gym rat, almost going KU, the evolution of their teams at Stanford, her relationship with both Kevin Hambly and John Dunning plus much more. The second half which start about an hour in we discuss her evolution as a setter and how her game has needed to progress quickly as she enters the professional circuit with her team DSC in Germany. We talk about the decision making process, location, tendencies, habits, behavior, attitude, and much more!

#25 - Paul Carroll: Greatest Australian Volleyball Player Ever

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 08:43:16 -0800

Today’s episode stars the great Australian volleyball player in the history of Australian Volleyball Paul Carroll. PC is currently serving as the associate head coach for the Pepperdine Men’s Program his Alma Mater. This podcast covers his illustrious career as a Wave and as a Professional Athlete. Paul was a 3x All American, AVCA POY, and a walking bucket. Paul discusses his unique upbringing as a Australian volleyball player, his start as a setter, assimilating to American culture once arriving to Malibu, his bitterness about not winning a National Championship, the legacy he has left behind during his time at Berlin, and his time now as a coach. Listen up!

#24 - Larry Wrather: A Black Man in a White Sport

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 12:57:15 -0700

On this episode we talk to current Men's and Women's Head Coach of Fort Valley State University and the Host of Motiv8 MVB Podcast! FVSU is apart of the HBCU Conference. Larry walks us through being a black man in a predominately white sport/world. We bounce off all the walls in this conversation going from sports, politics, police brutality, and everything else in between. It's definitely an uncomfortable conversation, but totally necessary. We want to hear from everyone and hear their perspective. That's the most important part of this podcast: learn, educate, and start getting comfortable being uncomfortable hearing some tough truths. Give it a listen!

#23 -Krista (Vansant) Hendrickson: Dual Threat

Sun, 04 Oct 2020 08:45:14 -0700

Today’s episode stars All-Time Great Husky Krista Vansant. Krista is AVCA POY, EPSNW POY, 3x All American, Ex USA National Team Member and the current Assistant Coach at Indiana University. Krista talks about her upbringing as tenacious gym rat, running an offense at the tender age of 8 years old, always playing up in club and how it prepared her for the rest of her career. The pride, joy, excitement, and sense of failure she felt at the University of Washington. Her defeating year abroad in Switzerland. What her short stint at USAV taught her and her development as a coach. Listen to it right here!

#22 - Matt West & Jackson Metichecchia: Your Hosts

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:48:01 -0700

Today Jackson and I are the guests! Our Hosts Matt Tarantino and Rich Barraza take the mic and the lead the discussion. Learn about my upbringing in a volleyball family and Jackson rude awaking that it was actually cool to play volleyball in the valley. We talk about everything from different coaching styles, parents in club volleyball now trying to form super teams, our takes on personalities we want from our athletes or teammates, and of course things we’ve learned from Marv himself. Take a listen!

#21 - Cassidy Lichtman: Work Hard and Be Nice

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 04:22:22 -0700

Todays episode stars All Time Great Cardinal Cassidy Lichtman. Cassidy discusses her current endeavors with the Non-Profit PathSports.org. The Non-Profit is dedicated to creating better people through sports. The idea is to provide young athletes with guidance in to how to be better teammates, build character, respect, etc. Cassidy also discusses her struggle with chronic leg pain since the age of 9 years old, her upbringing as a gym rat in San Diego, her time as a multi-position athlete in a time of specialization both at Stanford and the USA gym. Her brief time as a coach in which she won a National Champion with Stanford and her reasoning for coming out of retirement to play for the new Athletes Unlimited Sports League.

#20 - Kayla Banwarth: Big Daddy Hacks

Sun, 06 Sep 2020 15:17:16 -0700

Todays episode stars Ole Miss Head Coach Kayla Banwarth. On this podcast we will hear Kayla discuss her limited volleyball exposure living in Iowa, the culture of Nebraska volleyball, her first time being apart of the USA team, the sacrifices she made to be an olympian, winning a world championship, the devastation of losing a semi final match of the olympics, how culture over talent created the fortitude to bounce back and become bronze medalists, how she is applying her playing knowledge/experience to her program now, and of course Big Daddy Hacks!

#19 - Jason Mansfield: A Born Teacher

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 15:55:58 -0700

Todays episode stars University of Washington assistant coach Jason Mansfield. Jason discuss his various coaching destinations, from his tenure at Stanford to Illinois and now U of W. The difference in culture, process and style each one has presented. The challenges he has willingly faced both as a father and coach. What teaching the game of volleyball means to him and what his style of teaching highlights.

The Trailer

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 14:21:10 -0700

For those of you that want a brief introduction to what our Volleyball Podcast is all about take a listen and enjoy some of our favorite moments from our top viewed guests! We've got Olympians, World Champions, All Americans, Physical Specimens, Hot Takes, and All World People! Come take a listen!

#18 - Keegan Cook: Timing Is Everything

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 11:38:12 -0700

Today’s guest is the University of Washington Head Coach Keegan Cook. In this episode Keegan talks about the responsibilities that come with being a young coach, his 10 years at SMC, working with one of the greatest coaches of all time Jim McLaughlin, the tough conversations that come with the territory, having banter with his assistants and much more!

#17 - Aaron Mansfield: The Brain

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 02:13:47 -0700

Our guest today is the Head Coach of LMU Lions Aaron Mansfield. On this episode Aaron discuss his maturation process as a coach from his beginnings at UCSB, to Santa Clara and now LMU. He talks about wanting to become the first non-power 5 school to win a ring. The difference between the Art and the Science of being a good leader and his stance on how importance the mental side of the game really is.

#15 - Jaylen Jasper: The Voice

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 11:37:46 -0700

This weeks guest is Current Stanford Athlete Jaylen Jasper. For those of you tuning in that haven’t heard, Stanford recently announced that they will be cutting their Men’s Volleyball Program. We brought Jaylen on to discuss his journey to Stanford, what Stanford means to him, and to tell us and our listeners what is currently going on with the program and how we the volleyball community can help. You can help by following the process @savestanfordmvb and signing the petition using the link below: https://www.change.org/p/stanford-university-reinstate-the-stanford-men-s-volleyball-program?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_23354124_en-US%3A4&recruiter=1129383434&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition

#14 - Courtney Thompson: The Headband-It

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 11:24:49 -0700

This weeks episode features all time great Husky Courtney Thompson. Courtney is a World Champion, Olympic Silver and Bronze medalist. An NCAA National Champion and 3x First team all American. Court has always had a chip on her shoulder and her ability to compete and make the people around her better is what makes her quite possibly the most contagious personality to ever set foot in the American Sports Center. Courtney walks us through her volleyball journey starting with strongly disliking the game at the ripe age of 12, attempting to watch her first volleyball match ever and having it rained out, to State Champion at Kentlake High School, going in to the University of Washington a nervous wreck, being a disaster the first two years and winning a ring. She also touches on the cultures of both of the Olympic quads she played in and how vastly different they were and the pro’s and con’s to both of them. Enjoy!

#13 - David Hunt: The Worker Bee

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 00:31:42 -0700

David is one of if not the hardest working person in the business. Listen to David talk about how he developed his work ethic, where his excitement and curiosity to learn the game stems from and what keeps him fired up to keep learning. Dealing with knuckleheads, learning how to be patient, teaching volleyball to a group that doesn’t speak your language nor cares to learn it. How he makes his athletes better people and trying to establish a quality culture.

#12 - Josh Tuaniga: The Calculated Risk

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 22:47:30 -0700

This podcast details how All-Time Great 49er Josh Tuaniga was able to become a back-to-back National Champion, 4x All American, and AVCA Player of the Year. Josh discuss his love for studying the game even from the young age of 13, his admiration for his older brother Gus, having a great mentor like Tyler Hildebrand, and waking up at 4:30 just to set Nick Amado balls for 30 minutes to get the edge the needed to go back to back.

#11 - Kim Hill: Greatest USA Tryout Athlete Ever!

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 19:21:23 -0700

On this episode, hear Kim discuss her path to becoming the greatest thing to ever come out of the USA National Team tryout. Kim talks about everything from her club career in Portland, Oregon to becoming the MVP of the FIVB World Championships. Kim also discusses the difficulties she overcame through using her Christian faith, crying restlessly her first year abroad and dealing with one of the toughest losses of her career.

#10 - Micah Christenson: The Hawaiian Dirk Nowitzki

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 23:17:43 -0700

Today’s guest is All Time Great Trojan Micah Christenson. Micah is the current national team captain, 3x all-American, world cup, world league, italian superego champion, an olympic bronze medalist, 2x gatorade player of the year as a basketball athlete, and self proclaimed hawaiian Dirk Nowitzki. Here him talk about coming up through the USA pipeline, becoming the national team setter, his time in italy, losing in the the semi finals of an Olympics, bouncing back, his plan's to play until 2028 and more!

#9 - Micah Ma'a: The Winningest Junior National Champion of All-Time

Fri, 29 May 2020 01:00:06 -0700

Listen to all time great bruin Micah Ma'a talk about growing up on the island, the influence families such as the Mckibbin's, Shoji's, and Crabb's had on his game, winning 7 Junior National Championships, becoming a position less player in an era where specialization is praised, exploring his curiosity, playing for Speraw, and how fighting has earned him respect with his teammates. Give it a listen!

#8 - Jordan Larson: The Governor

Tue, 26 May 2020 14:40:06 -0700

Listen to All Time Great Cornhusker Jordan Larson discuss her evolution as a volleyball player. From an 8 year old gym rat to current USA National Team Captain. You'll hear everything from winning championships to toxic environments to having a great time playing on team that maybe weren't the best on paper, but still incredibly memorable.

#7 - Madi Kingdon: Ms. Hard or Harder

Wed, 20 May 2020 23:51:04 -0700

Listen to all time great wildcat Madi Kingdon talk about her evolution as an athlete and teammate. From recognizing hit the ball through the block isn't always the best idea to understanding where her teammates are coming from better, Madi takes us through it all!

#6 - Micha Hancock: The Machine

Sat, 16 May 2020 02:02:33 -0700

Hear Micha layout her unique path in becoming a Nittany Lion, leading her team to back-to-back National Championships, becoming the AVCA Player of the Year, making it through preseasons with Russ Rose, the Italian Superlega, Polish Plusliga, and her current status with the USA National Team.

#5 - Madi Bugg: The Smooth Operator

Tue, 05 May 2020 21:35:31 -0700

Listen to All Time Great Cardinal Madi Bugg discuss her progression as a setter. From a 9 year old kid trying to serve balls over the net in between sets at the local high school to 3x All-American, 3x Pac 12 Setter of Year, Bundesliga Champion, and current professional volleyball player for Champions League team ASPTT Mulhouse in France.

#4 - Josh Taylor: The Coach

Sun, 03 May 2020 15:03:28 -0700

On this episode we will be discussing Josh meeting his beautiful new wife, his new found love for Missouri, his quick transition into coaching and how he quickly took over the helm as the head at Mizzou.

#3 - Josh Taylor: The Player

Sun, 03 May 2020 13:55:01 -0700

Listen to Josh talk about his route into becoming a 2x All-American, 3x MPSF All-Conference, All Decade Pepperdine Wave, and Member of the National Team. In this podcast will discuss the influence Hawaii provided him in his journey to finding volleyball, playing with Taylor Crabb and the McKibbins, the junior national team, the recruiting process, and becoming an all time great wave.

#2- Rich Barraza: Captain America

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:51:27 -0700

Hear Rich talk about his unorthodox journey in becoming a coach at SMBC, Pierce CC, Pepperdine and now the director of volleyball operations at Mamba Academy. From not being able to touch rim, pseudo assistant coach at Pierce CC, Beau Daniels, getting cut from UCSB, learning from Pepperdine greats: David Hunt, Jonathan Winder, and Marv Dunphy, about everything from how to run an offense to dealing with egos.

#1- Matt Tarantino: Mr. Consistency

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 17:39:11 -0700

Matt taking us through his journey as a volleyball athlete. A story that includes being 6-5 at 13, coach on ones, Wilfredo Leon, Pepperdine, of course Marv Dunphy, and life in the workforce as a 2 time All American.