The Right Way to Play Podcast

NAIA
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Sports

The Right Way to Play Podcast is your front-row seat to the heart of college athletics the way it was meant to be. Hosted by the NAIA, this series features authentic conversations with the voices shaping the future of sports—leaders, coaches, athletic directors, student-athletes, and industry experts. Each episode showcases stories about NAIA’s unique, education-based model, where academic excellence, character development, and competitive spirit go hand in hand.

Episodes

  1. Jun 23

    Preparing for Pressure with Ben Zobrist

    Episode Description What does it take to perform when the pressure is at its highest? On this episode of The Right Way To Play Podcast, we sit down with former MLB All-Star, two-time World Series Champion, and 2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist to talk about pressure, purpose, mental resilience, and the lessons sports can teach us far beyond the game. A proud NAIA alumnus, Ben reflects on his journey from small college athletics to baseball’s biggest stage and shares insights from his new book, Prepare for the Pressure. Together, we explore how preparation, character, faith, and perspective shape leaders both in competition and in life. From overcoming adversity to redefining success, this conversation is a powerful reminder that growth often happens in the moments that test us most, and why education-based athletics still matters today. https://www.naia.org/advocate/index

    19 min

  2. May 19

    Strong on the Outside: The Mental Health Reality of Student-Athletes

    Behind the competition, the pressure, and the performance, there is a side of being a student-athlete we do not always see. In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode of The Right Way to Play® podcast, we sit down with Samantha Silver, former NAIA student-athlete, coach, and now Student-Athlete Mental Health Coordinator at Bushnell, to talk about what mental health really looks like in college athletics. From building team-based counseling systems to navigating the tension between mental toughness and real well-being, Sam shares both her personal journey and practical ways programs can better support student-athletes. This conversation is not just about awareness. It is about action, access, and creating an environment where student-athletes can truly thrive. Because competing at a high level should not come at the cost of losing yourself. Guest: Samantha Silver, Student-Athlete Mental Health Coordinator, Bushnell University. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYMnW1ercBdW9gYxXq0xHO_Q3_4nv2P0U

    17 min

  3. Apr 28

    The Right Way Forward: From the Room Where It Happens

    Recorded live at the NAIA Convention, Episode 008 of The Right Way to Play Podcast brings together voices from across the Association to explore what’s next for NAIA athletics. Through a series of short conversations, leaders representing governance, campus leadership, and student-athletes share their perspectives on The RightWay Forward, and how the NAIA continues to lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving college athletics landscape. From big-picture strategy to on-the-ground impact, this episode captures thepeople and principles shaping the future of the NAIA, where character,competition, and community still come first. Guest List: Karl Einhof President Indiana Tech Chair, NAIA Council of Presidents Kiki Baker Barnes Commissioner HBCU Athletic Conference Lincoln Thomae Chair, NAIA Association of Student-Athletes Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete, Milligan (Tenn.)

    15 min

  4. Mar 24

    Building Programs That Last

    Building Programs That Last Guest: Southeastern University Athletics Director Drew Watson   What does it take to build an athletic department that doesn’t just win — but endures?   In this episode, we sit down with Southeastern University Athletics Director Drew Watson to talk about scaling with purpose, launching new programs, sustaining championship culture, and leading through growth. From nine sports to twenty, national titles to conference dominance, Drew shares the leadership decisions behind building something that lasts.   If you care about the future of small college athletics, this conversation is for you.

    19 min

  5. Feb 24

    Impact Beyond The Game

    In this episode of the Right Way to Play podcast, hosts Austin Bennett and Alan Grosbach sit down with Lennox Brown, a senior wide receiver at Morningside University. They discuss Lennox's journey as a student-athlete, his recognition as a member of the Allstate Good Works team, and the importance of community service. Lennox shares how mission trips have shaped his character and perspective, emphasizing the value of using sports as a platform for positive change. The conversation highlights the significance of character development in college athletics and the pride in the NAIA community.

    18 min

  6. Jan 27

    How Conferences Shape The Right Way to Play

    What happens when leadership, culture, and competition all point in the same direction? You get The Right Way to Play, and conferences play a bigger role than most people realize. In this episode, hosts Alan and Austin sit down with Nik Rule, Commissioner of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, to explore how conference leadership helps set the tone for sportsmanship, student-athlete experience, and community impact across member campuses. From what game day looks like in the Heart to the moments that matter most beyond the scoreboard, Nik shares a behind-the-scenes look at how values show up in real, tangible ways throughout the season. It’s a conversation about culture, care, and why the NAIA continues to be a special place to compete. Whether you’re a coach, administrator, student-athlete, or fan of college athletics, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how doing things the right way starts at the conference level and ripples outward. Press play and step inside the Heart of America.

    23 min

  7. 12/16/2025

    The Quietest Chaos in College Sports

    What happens when thousands of students sit in absolute silence… and then explode into full-blown, holiday-themed pandemonium the moment the home team scores its 10th point? Welcome to Taylor University’s Silent Night, one of the most delightfully chaotic, joy-soaked traditions in college athletics. In this episode, we sit down with Taylor University to hear how this legendary tradition began, why it continues to captivate the nation, and the stories that make it more than just a viral moment. From costumes to crowd eruptions to the unmistakable “only at Taylor” magic, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a tradition that proves competition can be fun, meaningful, and completely unforgettable. Turn the volume up… right after the first nine points.

    29 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    Building Character at Bushnell University

    In this episode, we sit down with Bushnell University’s Athletic Director Corey Anderson and Associate Athletic Director Sarah Freeman to celebrate a major honor: Bushnell being named the 2025 NAIA School of Character. Corey and Sarah share how the Beacons’ commitment to integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership has shaped their athletic culture. From championship wins to community service milestones, discover how Bushnell is proving that success in college athletics goes far beyond the scoreboard.

    25 min

  9. 10/28/2025

    Practice Makes Perfect

    This episode of The Right Way to Play Podcast goes inside LSU Shreveport Baseball’s historic, undefeated season. Hosts Alan Grosbach and Austin Bennett sit down with Head Coach Neff, standout pitcher Isaac Rohde, the 2025 NAIA Pitcher of the Year, and Athletic Director Lucas to talk about the mindset, culture, and character that fueled a perfect run. From dugout stories to leadership lessons and what it takes to embody The Right Way to Play, this is a can’t-miss look at one of the most remarkable seasons in NAIA baseball history.

    38 min

  10. 09/29/2025

    College Athletics the Way It Was Meant to Be

    College athletics has changed dramatically over the past two decades — but not always for the better. In our debut episode of The Right Way to Play Podcast, NAIA President & CEO Jim Carr joins hosts Austin Bennett and Alan Grosbach to unpack what’s shifted in the national sports landscape and why NAIA’s values-first approach is more important than ever. From prioritizing academics to building communities through competition, Jim shares how the NAIA model delivers on its promise to student-athletes, institutions, and the fans who believe in playing the right way.

    31 min
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Right Way to Play Podcast is your front-row seat to the heart of college athletics the way it was meant to be. Hosted by the NAIA, this series features authentic conversations with the voices shaping the future of sports—leaders, coaches, athletic directors, student-athletes, and industry experts. Each episode showcases stories about NAIA’s unique, education-based model, where academic excellence, character development, and competitive spirit go hand in hand.

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