Rock Talk

Steve Redmond & Beth VanDyke

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. 1H AGO

    Two Seniors Explain How They Chose College And What Rockhurst Taught Them

    Senior year goes fast, and it gets real the moment you start saying your goodbyes. Steve sits down with two Rockhurst seniors, Draden Torline and David Pryor, for an honest conversation about what they’ll remember most, what they’re chasing next, and what they wish more people understood about Rockhurst High School in Kansas City. We get into the practical side of college decisions too. David shares why the University of Tennessee Knoxville felt like the right move, from financial support to career-aligned opportunities like internships and exposure to venture capital and private equity. Draden talks through choosing Hartford Community College as a strategic step to keep lacrosse moving forward while balancing cost and the reality that Midwest athletes can be under-recruited compared to players out east. If you’re a student sorting through offers or a parent trying to understand the “why” behind a decision, this is the kind of clarity you want to hear. The conversation keeps coming back to the same Rockhurst themes: brotherhood, initiative, and growth outside your comfort zone. We talk school spirit, championships, Tide trips, and what it feels like to walk into a new building and quickly find your people. David also explains the finance club and the ambitious idea of a student-led endowment, a reminder that leadership can start in high school when students are trusted with real responsibility. If you care about Jesuit education, college prep, student leadership, and what it looks like to launch well from high school into college, press play. Subscribe to Rock Talk, share this with a future Rockhurst family, and leave a review with the one lesson you wish you’d learned before senior year.

    20 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Two Rockhurst Seniors On Brotherhood Service And What Comes Next

    Graduation gets close, and suddenly every hallway, game, and late-night laugh feels louder. We sat down with two Rockhurst seniors who are stepping into their next chapters, and they told the truth about what they’ll actually miss and what they’ll carry forward. One is heading to Southwest Baptist to play college basketball, ready to compete and contribute. The other is bound for the University of Georgia with a plan to blend business with film and television production, chasing opportunity where the industry is growing. Along the way, we dig into what makes a Jesuit education at Rockhurst High School feel different in real life: the brotherhood, the expectations, and the way service and faith formation aren’t side notes. The guys talk about their senior service project at Operation Breakthrough, what it’s like to help in classrooms all day, and why being present can matter more than having the perfect words. We also unpack Kairos, the retreat experience so many students call life-changing, plus the pure fun of Rockhurst culture, from Yell Leading to massive rivalry crowds that bring alumni back into the building. The biggest takeaway is simple: decide who you want to be, put yourself in the places that grow that person, and then do what’s required when it gets hard. If you know a student finishing the year strong or one who needs a reason to lean in, share this conversation with them. Subscribe to Rock Talk, leave a review, and tell us: what was the moment that made your high school years feel unforgettable?

    27 min

  3. MAR 24

    From Hallways To Huddles: How Rockhurst Shapes Brothers, Leaders, And Friends

    Brotherhood only matters when it shows up in real life, and that’s exactly where our conversation with the Koetting brothers goes. Jeb (’25), now playing football at Colgate, Tom (’28), a current sophomore, and Whit (’30), a soon-to-be Hawklet, open up about the moments that shaped them: underdog wins in freezing stadiums, late-night texts answered without hesitation, and service projects that made generosity feel natural. Their stories trace how a Jesuit, all-boys school builds confidence, conscience, and community—not as a slogan, but as a daily habit. We dig into what “men for others” looks like on the ground. From Mission Week to the Harvest Food Drive, the brothers explain how giving spreads when one person steps up. Kairos retreats and phone-free service trips strip away the noise so friendships can get real. On the field, elite coaching and tough schedules teach grit, humility, and leadership; in the classroom, teachers push beyond memorization toward independent thinking and real dialogue. That mix prepares students for college life and beyond, whether they’re leading a huddle, presenting in seminar, or navigating a new campus. If you’re a prospective family or a curious alum, you’ll hear why Rockhurst’s opportunities are different: try SGA and football, join choir and still make the team, build robots and run track. The culture celebrates range without ego. Alumni ties and a proud network create pathways because the bond actually means something—see the logo, start a conversation, get a hand. And if you’re wondering about an all-boys environment, we talk honestly about focus, partner school collaborations, and the faculty who model respect in every hallway interaction. Listen, share with a future Hawklet, and tell us your favorite moment of brotherhood. If this resonated, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to a family making a big decision—we’d love to hear their questions.

    29 min

  4. MAR 13

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
See All (26)

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
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rock Talk
  • Show Website
    Rock Talk