The Leave It Better Podcast

What's the difference in coaching professional athletes versus college athletes? Coach Laura "Bird" Kuhn has done both; first for Texas A&M, and now for the Omaha Supernovas. Hear what makes this legendary 2019 SEC Coach of the Year respected by both her players, AND her opponents. Bird and Janice debate They explore the challenges and opportunities in coaching, the significance of community engagement, and the evolution of players in the pro landscape. Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

As a coach, would you choose a player with a small role on a winning team, or take a player with a big role on a losing team? University of Pittsburgh Head Volleyball Coach Dan Fisher has built a VERY successful career out of recruiting players from all types of backgrounds. He tells Janice about his methods and philosophies when it comes to standing out in an extremely competitive field.Also, discover the superstitious habit Coach Fisher got hooked on after leading his team on an incredible win streak.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Focusing on progress over immediate results; that's how Corinne Hamer and Cayla Kapelke run things at the Infinity Volleyball Club in Colorado. These youth club owners are molding the stars AND the coaches of tomorrow. In their family-oriented environment, Corinne and Cayla are pushing coaches to be able to perform the same drills they put their players through. How does it all work out? Hear what they tell Janice.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

With four national championships under his belt, the current head coach of Nebraska’s Cornhuskers volleyball team is spilling the secrets to competing at his level. Hear Coach John Cook explain why he prefers practices to matches, and why he believes the best coaches start out as dedicated school teachers.John also tells Janice what he learned from the Navy Seals when it comes to finding the leaders for his top team.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Decades ago, before volleyball took off in popularity, many of the most talented players came to the sport from other sports. For Jim Stone, he was a jump-shooting basketball player before he jumped over to the volleyball court. Jim spent nearly 30 years at the University of Ohio, and served as head coach of the USA Girls U-18 team until 2019. Now Jim is one of the most sought after volleyball consultants for schools, clubs, and universities. Hear his methods for building winning players, and a winning culture.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

The winningest coach in Texas A&M history has thoughts on volleyball you may have never heard before. Laurie Corbelli knows how to rally her teams to perform at levels they’ve never reached. The current Volleyball Operations Consultant for the Pro Volleyball Federation is a former Olympic silver medalist. Whether it’s competing against her fellow coach husband, or attracting the best players in the world, Laurie has a story for you, with lessons to embrace.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

When Sharon Dingman became the head coach of Colorado College volleyball, she realized she had a platform that she could do a lot more with than just win games. "Giving Back to the community" is a big part of Sharon's philosophy. A personal brush with cancer helped her discover HOW she could give back. Now Dingman is a Board Member with the Side-Out Foundation, helping in the fight against metastatic breast cancer. As it turns out, a special encounter with Janice put Sharon on this new path. Hear why she's a believer and more excited than ever about her new mission.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

At just 22 years old, Cecile Reynaud was thrust into being the Head Coach of Florida State University’s Women’s Volleyball program. As one of the top female coaches, Cecile recognized many women in the sports coaching world weren’t being taken as seriously as their male counterparts. So Cecile decided to do something about it. She’s now spent decades uplifting other female coaches across all sports.Dr. Cecile Reynaud's lifetime of achievement and ambition is currently being put to the test as the Vice President of Volleyball Operations for the Pro Volleyball Federation.Janice spoke to her just days before the Pro Volleyball Federation held its first ever national championship game.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Meet the winningest female coach in Division I volleyball history: Mary Wise. She led the Florida Gators for 34 seasons. Find out what it takes to build a remarkable career, in the face of early challenges. Hear how a little luck went a long way. Also, Mary and Janice touch on the importance of mentorship, and the evolution of volleyball at the University of Florida.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

On August 2nd, 2023, sports history was made at a volleyball game in Lincoln, Nebraska. More than 92,000 fans packed into a stadium to watch an NCAA match — making it the largest crowd to ever watch a women’s sport. As the Director of Operations for the University of Nebraska’s Volleyball program, Lindsay Peterson helped put together the largest attended women’s game in history. How did it happen? How can it be repeated? And what’s next for the future of the sport in stadiums and on TV? Lindsay gives Janice her insider perspective.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Two of the Grand Rapids Rise's top players, Camryn Turner and Paige Briggs-Romine, chat with Janice about the new fame they've found since stepping up from college volleyball into the pro league. Paige and Camryn share their personal stories of beating the odds, and the differences they've had going from a male coach to a woman. Hear about their involvement in the 'Players with Purpose' campaign supporting breast cancer awareness, and how it ties into a much bigger mission.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Thinking about a career in professional volleyball? Star players Kendall White and Sydney Hilley share what it’s really like. From the NCAA, to the Omaha Supernovas, Kendall and Sydney are charting a path for future players with the United States’ Pro Volleyball Federation.They’ve played professional volleyball for various countries around the world, where overcoming the language barrier is as difficult as dealing with the thousands of miles separating them from their friends and families. They talk to Janice about the differences competing back in the U.S. for the first time.Learn about the mindset Sydney and Kendall bring to the court, where they’re trying to beat former teammates in front of a crowd of new fans.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Hope College Coach Becky Schmidt and her teams have been to the NCAA Division III Tournament 15 different times in 20 years. Find out what it takes to sustain that sort of intensity and talent! Becky also shares how she utilizes her assistant coaches for maximum effect. Volleyball has changed over the years. Hear why your coaching methods may not be keeping up with the times. Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

If you treat your players like family, they will fight for you like family. That is one of Coach Cathy George’s principles. As the current Head Coach of the Grand Rapids Rise professional volleyball federation team, and the winningest coach in the history of Michigan State’s volleyball program, Cathy has dedicated her life to raising the best players in the sport. Often times that has involved inviting her players over to her home for the holidays, when they can’t be home with their families.Through numerous NCAA tournament appearances, Cathy has learned the secret to pushing young players past their breaking points – helping them achieve new levels of skill they didn’t think reach.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

We all have setbacks, but the Michigan State University Hall of Famer Kathy DeBoer's setback nearly killed her. Kathy suffered a devastating stroke while she was Executive Director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association, forcing her to learn how to talk and use parts of her body all over again. She tells Janice about the health risks she ignored, and about how positivity, persistence, and humor are helping her recover. Kathy still has a challenging time speaking, but her strong will and hilarious attitude will leave you laughing while feeling inspired.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

What does it take not only rack up an impressive win streak, but to find the confidence to keep that streak going?In 2023, Indiana Wesleyan University’s Candace Moats was honored with multiple ‘Coach of the Year’ awards, in part to her team finishing with a flawless 38 wins and zero losses season (the first time in 6 years for any NAIA volleyball team to accomplish). Coach Moats has been coaching volleyball competitively for 40 years. She shares her advice for not caving to the high-stakes pressure. We also hear about the benefit of surrounding yourself with people that you may not always agree with.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

"If you stop learning, you need to stop coaching." That's the motto of Bayside Academy Head Coach Ann Schilling; a legendary volleyball coach with over 37 years of experience. Janice and Ann discuss her journey in coaching, her philosophy on leadership and team culture, and her personal battle with breast cancer. Ann shares how her cancer diagnosis changed her entire outlook on life and her relationship with God. Hear about the significant experiences that have shaped her methods of passing on life lessons to her young athletes. This powerful conversation highlights the significance of resilience, faith, and the impact of sports on personal growth.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Building a championship team takes great players that can be pushed to get better, AND great team staff that can push the coach to get better as well. Coach Erin Virtue leads the women’s volleyball team at the University of Michigan and serves as an Assistant Coach for the U.S Women’s National team.Coach Virtue tells Janice how she and the national volleyball team had to re-shape the scouting system they were using so they could spot and recruit the best players the country has to offer. This episode is a unique look at how any sport can go from a talent pool of hundreds of thousands of active players, and trim it down to just a handful of the best of the best.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

From hall-of-fame player, to the best personal trainer volleyball has to offer, Cathy Noth is here to tell you her methods to shaping young athletes into future stars. As a former Nebraska Husker and NCAA champ, Cathy became the first Nebraska female student-athlete to have her jersey retired.Listen for great step-by-step advice on how to help players improve their skills, and what parents can do today to help their kids.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

For decades, the best volleyball players in the country had few places to turn to if they wanted to stay with the sport they loved after college. Jen Spicher helped change that. As the CEO of the newly created "Pro Volleyball Federation," Jen is giving women a chance to continue their dreams. In her talk with Janice, Jen breaks down just what it takes to launch a new professional sports league. Jen also offers her unique perspective on the difference between being a college NCAA coach, and a coach on the professional level.Links mentioned: For more information go to www.side-out.org. Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org