Rock Talk

Steve Redmond & Beth VanDyke
  • 4.6 (11)
  • EDUCATION

Rock Talk is the official podcast of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri — where we explore the voices, values, and vibrant life of our Jesuit, college-prep community. Hosted by the Admissions and Marketing team, each episode features conversations with students, faculty, alumni, and special guests as we share stories of academic excellence, faith formation, brotherhood, and service. Whether you're a prospective family, a proud alumnus, or simply curious about what makes Rockhurst unique — this is your inside look at life at The Rock.

  1. 4D AGO

    Inside Rockhurst’s St. Joseph’s Table And The Tradition That Fuels Service

    A feast becomes a lifeline when a community decides tradition should serve people, not just nostalgia. We sit down with student leaders Nick Pizzachino and Charlie Bondi to explore how Rockhurst High School’s St. Joseph’s Table blends Sicilian heritage, faith, and hands-on service to support the Wyandotte County Pregnancy Center. From ornate breads and cookies to the sawdust that honors a carpenter saint, every detail points beyond celebration toward solidarity—proceeds, donated goods, and leftover food are all directed to mothers and families who need it most. We open the doors wide: dates, drop-off times, and blessing details make it easy for families, alumni, and neighbors to participate. Along the way, we widen the lens on student life at Rockhurst. Choir stands tall as the school’s largest co-curricular, sending students to sing in Venice, Florence, and Rome while parents follow a shadow tour. Football Friday memories, all-school Masses that transform the gym into sacred space, and the steady rhythm of service hours reveal a campus where brotherhood in action is not a slogan but a daily practice. Nick shares his next step toward business at Mizzou, while Charlie looks ahead to senior year, grades, and the college search with guidance from counseling resources and peer mentors. Their shared answer to why families choose Rockhurst—community and faith—threads through every story. Whether you’re drawn by Catholic tradition, student leadership, or service learning, you’ll hear how a simple table can anchor a season of generosity and formation. Subscribe to Rock Talk, share this episode with a friend who loves meaningful traditions, and leave a review to tell us your favorite community service memory.

    16 min

  2. MAR 9

    Two Brothers Share How Rockhurst Shaped Their Character, Confidence, And Dream To Play College Football

    Think you know what “brotherhood” means? Spend an hour with Cash and Cruz Lundowski and feel it in real time. Two athletes, two paths, one last-minute pivot to Rockhurst that reshaped who they are and what they expect from themselves. We talk about the quiet moments that build character—the early alarms, the film sessions, the awkward hellos that become friendships—and the loud ones too, like standing shoulder to shoulder under Friday night lights and seeing your brother at safety. We open with their origin story: kindergarten flag football to second grade tackle, then a surprise decision just weeks before freshman year to enroll at Rockhurst. Cash shares how those first six months were tough—leaving friends, arriving late to summer workouts, keeping walls up—until the school’s structure and culture did what they’re built to do: call you higher. Cruz contrasts looser environments with the steady accountability he found here, where showing up is a habit, respect is expected, and support is real. Together they chart how academics, faith, and athletics form one rhythm that matures you grade by grade. As we look ahead, the brothers light up about next season: returning talent, locker room energy, and the small traditions that make a team feel like a family. We also dive into recruiting—junior days at Lindenwood and USD, interest from top programs—and the larger lesson the host presses home: chase the opportunity in front of you, compete with humility, and let the jersey teach you what lasts after the last whistle. When asked why a family should choose Rockhurst, Cash points to a living alumni network that actually picks up the phone, while Cruz names the simple truth parents notice first: it makes you a better person. If you care about high school culture, leadership, and what truly prepares young men for college and life, this conversation delivers. Hit follow, share with a friend who’s weighing school choices, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—we love hearing how these stories land with you.

    26 min

  3. FEB 23

    Three Brothers Share How Rockhurst Turns Passions Into Paths

    Lights down, crowd roaring, seniors rushing the freshmen section—that spark of brotherhood sets the stage for a conversation that travels from the track to the broadcast booth to the heart of what makes Rockhurst different. We sit with the Burns brothers—senior Ivan, sophomore Felix, and freshman Baron—as they share how a Jesuit college prep turns curiosity into opportunity and classmates into lifelong friends. Ivan pulls back the curtain on student media: how an intro class led to newspaper, then to launching student-led sports broadcasts with coaches and mentors backing the vision. He explains why moving Prep News from print to digital unlocked richer storytelling with video interviews and faster coverage, and how recruiting younger students keeps the booth buzzing. Felix opens up about the grind and joy of sprinting—the 100, the 200, and relays—and how a once-hated race became his best. He connects that growth to the Human Dignity Club and a simple truth: love for the work beats chasing outcomes. Baron, eyeing the 400 and the jumps, talks about stepping in, meeting people, and embracing the brotherhood from day one. We also explore the path from Visitation to Rockhurst, the power of showing up for pep rallies, Mass, and games, and the practical steps to find your lane—start the club, join the team, grab the mic. Then the lens shifts to life after graduation. Our host shares how alumni ties work in real life, why a call to a fellow Hawklet so often gets a yes, and how teachers and coaches paired high expectations with deep care during hard times. That mix—AMDG in action, shared language, and a network that stays warm—turns four fast years into a foundation that lasts. If you’re a prospective family, a current student, or an alum looking for a reminder of why this place matters, you’ll hear it here: resources that meet initiative, mentorship that invites leadership, and a brotherhood that doesn’t fade. Listen, share with a friend, and tell us what moment lit your spark. Subscribe for more stories, leave a review to help others find us, and join the conversation—what passion are you ready to pursue next?

    36 min

  4. FEB 6

    Mission Week Live At Rockhurst

    A live audience. Two student interns. A week where service, spirit, and storytelling collide. We hand the mic to Jack and Michael as they launch “Sup Boys,” our student-led podcast that captures life at Rockhurst from the inside: candid, energetic, and deeply rooted in Jesuit values. Mission Week sets the stage. We break down how each class rallies behind a specific partner—from St. Peter Claver Parish in Belize to Red Cloud Indian School in South Dakota, a Sudanese education initiative, and the senior project in San Andrés, Guatemala. These aren’t faceless fundraisers; they’re relationships guided by faculty connections that turn generosity into encounter. You’ll hear the crowd’s favorite traditions, from dodgeball to the STA/Sion volleyball game, and how small moments can fuel big impact. Jack and Michael share the real shift that happens when service becomes personal. Their time at L’Arche Heartland—celebrating a birthday dressed as Power Rangers—reveals how presence, joy, and humility can reframe what “helping” means. We pivot to winter sports with a milestone: basketball’s 19–0 start, the rivalry game at Municipal Auditorium, and the grit that defines Rockhurst athletics. Plus, a look ahead to a captains’ roundtable, expanded social presence on Instagram, and open invitations for student-suggested topics and dream guests. Decision Day brings it home. The guys explain why they chose Rockhurst: hallways that feel like home, friendships that cross groups, and a culture that pushes you to grow through service, faith, and brotherhood. If you’re a prospective family or a future Hawklet, this conversation offers a true-to-life picture of what makes our community unique. Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear what Mission Week—and student leadership—looks like when it comes alive. If you enjoyed this one, follow the show, leave a review, and tell us: which topic should “Sup Boys” tackle next?

    24 min

  5. 12/29/2025 · BONUS

    Inside Rockhurst: Finals, Newsies, And The Jesuit Edge

    A projected gap became a real fight, and everyone in the stands felt it. Jack Messick and Declan Griggs walk us through Rockhurst’s state meet story—how dominant diving from the favorites put them down early, how steady points from the board kept it close, and how a surge in the pool made second place feel like a statement. We talk about the 500 free at 5:08, the pressure of 11-dive rounds and cuts, and the mindset it takes to stay calm when the scoreboard says “chase.” Away from the water, both guys double down on craft. Declan moves into tennis with a winter plan that focuses on the fundamentals most players overlook: indoor bubble sessions, ball-machine volume, and footwork reps that make strokes possible under pressure. Jack heads into a larger role in Newsies, laying out a rehearsal cadence that looks like a training block—line runs before break, choreography foundations in January, and full dress rehearsals leading into late February. If you’ve ever wondered how theater builds team chemistry and stamina the way sports do, this comparison is your proof. Finals prep gets real and practical. They share the tools that actually lower stress: peer-built study guides, matching study to the test format, short consistent review sessions, and simple organization systems that convert plans into action. Declan keeps an iPad planner by day and handwritten checklists by night for that satisfying cross-off. Jack relies on clean folders and a heavy-duty binder for content-dense courses, prioritizing by tomorrow’s schedule so he always knows the next step. The conversation ends on family, holiday traditions, and quiet gratitude for leadership—parents, teachers, coaches—who make high standards feel like support, not pressure. If you enjoy this mix of sports, stage, and study with a Jesuit heartbeat, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your feedback helps more families find Rock Talk and keeps these student stories in the spotlight.

    27 min

  6. 12/22/2025 · BONUS

    Coding, Community, And A Comeback

    A senior’s year can feel like a sprint, but Jeremy Smith shows how to turn it into a purposeful stride. We meet a student who mixes AV production, revived music culture, and serious computer science chops—and somehow finds time to serve Kansas City by narrowing the digital divide. His story moves from the soundboard to the code editor to the service site, stitching together creativity, discipline, and community impact in a way that feels unmistakably Rockhurst. First, we dive into the heartbeat of campus culture: Album Club. Jeremy explains how weekly listening sessions become thoughtful critiques and how student-led showcases like Battle of the Bands and Rocking and Stockings give bands a stage and peers a reason to gather. The club is building a media presence, interviewing performers, and partnering with student news so more voices get heard. It’s a small example with big energy—reviving long-form listening and making room for new talent in Kansas City’s music scene. Then we pivot to computer science, where curiosity meets real-world application. Jeremy traces his path from early Python experiments to hackathons at KU and a visit to General Mills, where code drives supply chains and manufacturing at scale. With coursework spanning cybersecurity, hardware, and software, plus certifications that matter to employers, Rockhurst’s CS track mirrors industry reality while keeping collaboration front and center. College is next, with a focus on research, building, and finding teammates who want to ship meaningful products. Access and mission stay in view throughout. Jeremy credits The Hurtado Scholars Program for opening doors, offering Saturday Academy support, and connecting him with mentors from middle school through high school. That continuum now reaches into college completion and first jobs via compañeros and Rock Connect, reinforcing the belief that talent should never be limited by zipcode or circumstance. For senior service, he’s heading to PCs for People, a national nonprofit refurbishing donated tech and expanding connectivity for families—an elegant blend of sustainability, equity, and hands-on CS. Looking for a story that balances passion with purpose, tradition with innovation, and music with mission-driven tech? Press play, then share it with someone who believes schools can grow both skill and character. If this resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: which school tradition would you bring back next?

    30 min

  7. 12/18/2025 · BONUS

    Running Toward More At Rockhurst

    A single early loss lit the fuse. From that moment, Jack McGovern—a Rockhurst sophomore balancing student government, chamber choir, and a love for photography—built a season that leapt from local promise to national proof: a Missouri soil record, a 12-second state championship, fourth at Nike Cross Regionals, and 10th at Nike Cross Nationals. We dig into the hinge points, from the confidence breakthrough at Gans Creek to the race-day strategy that turned pressure into poise and joy. We also widen the lens beyond the course. Jack breaks down how student government really works and what it means to serve as sophomore class president when “leadership” looks like planning events, making posters, and being the voice of your grade. He shares why auditioning into chamber choir put him back at the start of a new learning curve, and how being the least experienced in the room sharpened humility, listening, and growth. Add a budding photography business and you see the full picture: a student-athlete who treats excellence as a habit, not a headline. Culture ties it together. With deep gratitude for Coach Dierks and a six-coach program that treats training like a team symphony, Jack explains how Rockhurst’s expectations—use your gifts, pursue greatness, support each other—turn effort into results. You’ll hear about the gym full of classmates cheering a livestream, the parents and alumni who keep the brotherhood strong, and the finals-week mindset that mirrors racing: trust the prep, take it step by step, and stay calm under stress. It’s a story of faith, discipline, and community that invites every listener to raise their own bar. If this conversation gave you a spark, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a push, and leave a quick review to help others find Rock Talk. What goal are you running toward next?

    28 min

  8. 12/15/2025 · BONUS

    Two Seniors: Our Last First Semester Reflections

    The mics are hot and the pace is real: We sit down with our SGA president and senior class president to unpack a semester that never touched the brakes. From a raucous district championship turnout to a weekly video series that became appointment viewing, they share how school spirit turned into a campus movement—and why that energy matters when you’re trying to lead, learn, and lift others. We get into the record-breaking Harvest Food Drive that pushed past 50,000 pounds for local food banks, the friendly rivalry that fueled it, and the teamwork that made it happen. The conversation moves from pep rallies to production as the guys detail how the morning announcement videos evolved from simple updates to a creative engine, culminating in a new student-led podcast and internships with our marketing team. It’s a candid look at student agency, media skills, and the power of inviting more voices to the table. Then we pivot to formation. Senior service takes center stage with concrete plans at L’Arche Heartland and Operation Breakthrough, shaped by years of listening to returning classmates describe life-changing placements. We also talk finals without the fluff: how to study smarter, why the Student Success Center’s peer tutoring works, and where AI can help diagnose weak spots without replacing human guidance. The holidays are around the corner, and the gratitude is palpable—teachers who show up, classmates who buy in, and a community that says yes when it counts. If you care about student leadership, Jesuit education, and real-world learning in Kansas City, you’ll find practical ideas and honest reflection here. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a finals boost, and leave a quick review to help more families discover Rock Talk.

    23 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Rock Talk is the official podcast of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri — where we explore the voices, values, and vibrant life of our Jesuit, college-prep community. Hosted by the Admissions and Marketing team, each episode features conversations with students, faculty, alumni, and special guests as we share stories of academic excellence, faith formation, brotherhood, and service. Whether you're a prospective family, a proud alumnus, or simply curious about what makes Rockhurst unique — this is your inside look at life at The Rock.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Redmond & Beth VanDyke
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rock Talk
  • Show Website
    Rock Talk

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