The Doghouse

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The Doghouse is a community-first sports and storytelling podcast rooted in Sikeston, Missouri. What starts with Bulldogs basketball often turns into something bigger: the people, the programs, and the moments that shape a town. Each episode blends real game breakdowns, behind-the-scenes perspective, and conversations with coaches, athletes, alumni, local leaders, and difference-makers across Southeast Missouri. If you care about Bulldog Nation and the stories that make Sikeston feel like home, you’re in the right place.

  1. 8h ago

    Ep 83 - Mike Jensen - former editor and co-owner Standard Democrat newspaper | Headlines, History and a New Calling

    Send us Fan Mail The internet was once easy to dismiss, until it became the force that reshaped local journalism, politics, and everyday life. We sit down with Mike Jensen, a Sikeston native who spent nearly five decades in the newspaper business and helped shape what became the Standard Democrat, to talk about what it means to document a town while you’re living in it. Mike walks us from the era of manual typewriters, paste pots, and early offset printing to the moment newspapers lost the advantage of being “first.” We dig into how “Speak Out” gave residents a public place to vent, argue, and ask questions long before social media took over, and why that kind of local forum can be both valuable and volatile. Along the way, he shares the hard lesson of underestimating the internet and the real impact it had on small-town reporting, advertising, and attention. We also zoom out to what Mike believes Sikeston gets right: generosity and civic buy-in. From the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center and the YMCA to big community decisions that fueled jobs and infrastructure, he argues that the town’s best story is its people. And after leaving the paper, he finds a new purpose leading the Christian Academy, where he’s “paid in hugs” and focused on helping the next generation grow. Subscribe for more Sikeston stories, share this with someone who loves the 573, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. 👉 Subscribe, rate, and share The Doghouse — your home for Sikeston Bulldogs and everything Sikeston. 🎧 Listen: Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music | Buzzsprout | iHeartRadio 🌐 Visit: thedoghouse.buzzsprout.com 📱 Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube  ✉️ Contact: doghouse.sikeston@gmail.com

  2. Aug 22

    Ep 82 - Defense Travels: The Jimmy Lincoln Story

    Send us Fan Mail A coach with 450 plus wins does not talk about magic plays first. He talks about defense, relationships, and the kind of work that shows up when the legs are tired and the season gets tight. We sit down with Jimmy Lincoln, a Sikeston graduate whose basketball journey runs from small Missouri schools to Division I staffs at Northwestern State and Austin Peay, then back home as head coach and athletic director at Leopold.  We dig into the roots: moving from Dexter to Sikeston, the impact of legendary mentor Buddy Spears, and how old school standards can still work when you pair them with real connection off the court. Jimmy shares what it takes to turn programs around, why “defense travels,” and how he uses load management, film, and analytics to keep teams sharp in February. If you coach or follow high school basketball in Southeast Missouri, you will recognize the gyms, the rivalries, and the details that make this area special.  The Division I stories are eye-opening: scholarship rosters full of scorers, nonstop recruiting, the transfer portal, NIL, and a daily schedule that makes basketball a full-time job. Jimmy also tells what it was like coaching Hansel Emmanuel and managing the attention that follows standout players.  If you care about Missouri basketball, coaching philosophy, player development, and building a sustainable team culture, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share it with a basketball person in your life, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway. 👉 Subscribe, rate, and share The Doghouse — your home for Sikeston Bulldogs and everything Sikeston. 🎧 Listen: Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music | Buzzsprout | iHeartRadio 🌐 Visit: thedoghouse.buzzsprout.com 📱 Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube  ✉️ Contact: doghouse.sikeston@gmail.com

  3. Aug 15

    Ep 81 - The Other Side of the Whistle | Joe Baldwin and Joe Bill Davis

    Send us Fan Mail You’ve watched a close game swing on one call and thought, “How do they miss that?” Now flip the view. We’re joined by two of the most experienced voices on the other side of the whistle: Joe Baldwin and Joe Bill Davis, longtime high school sports officials who’ve spent decades working basketball, baseball, and volleyball across Southeast Missouri. Between them, they’ve logged roughly 40 to 50-plus years per sport, and the stories feel like a full tour of small-town gyms, heated rivalries, and nights where you’re trying to keep order while everything moves at full speed.  We talk about how officials actually get trained, from mechanics meetings and mentoring new refs to studying the rulebook and taking annual tests. They break down what “good officiating” really means: consistency, positioning, communication, and managing the flow of the game, not hunting for perfection. They also explain how the sports have changed, from faster and more physical basketball to modern strategies built around the three-point line, plus what it’s like handling coaches who need to vent and fans who think yelling is part of the ticket price.  Then we get into the debates everyone has opinions on: shot clocks in high school basketball, pitch counts in baseball, the run rule, rally scoring in volleyball, and whether instant replay helps or harms the game. Along the way, you’ll hear unforgettable moments, including a midgame ref substitution that stunned a coach, and a jaw-dropping story about calling Albert Pujols in a high school state tournament before the rest of the world knew his name.  If you care about high school sports, referees, umpires, MSHSAA-style officiating, or the future of games in your community, this one will change how you watch. Subscribe, share it with a coach or sports parent, and leave us a review so more people hear the truth behind the whistle. 👉 Subscribe, rate, and share The Doghouse — your home for Sikeston Bulldogs and everything Sikeston. 🎧 Listen: Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music | Buzzsprout | iHeartRadio 🌐 Visit: thedoghouse.buzzsprout.com 📱 Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube  ✉️ Contact: doghouse.sikeston@gmail.com

  4. Aug 8

    Ep 80 - Spread Hope Now (Mari Ann Moyers and Jill Hopson) | Hope Is a Verb

    Send us Fan Mail Hope is easy to talk about and harder to live, until you meet people who treat it like a verb. We’re joined by Mari Ann Moyers, co-director of Spread Hope Now, and Jill Hopson, director of Hope 180, to share how a local, faith-based nonprofit in Sikeston, Missouri turns everyday generosity into crisis support that actually changes lives. We dig into how Spread Hope Now starts with simple service projects and grows into a network that helps families who are starting over after a fire, a move out of an unsafe home, or a season where money and stability collapse at the same time. You’ll hear how their donation center works, why they verify needs through referrals, and what it looks like to deliver furniture, stock a kitchen-in-a-box, and even pray over a home as a first step toward stability. Then we shift to the ministries under the Spread Hope Now umbrella: Hope 180, an after-school program for junior high and high school students with meals, games, art, and mentoring; the Warming Center that opens during freezing weather to provide hot food, showers, laundry, and connection to resources; and Journey House, a foster care transitional home designed to reduce trauma for children while caseworkers find placement. Along the way, we talk volunteer opportunities, community partnerships, and the small “only God” moments that keep showing up right on time. If you care about Sikeston, Southeast Missouri, or what practical hope looks like in real life, listen through and share it with a friend. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what act of kindness you’re going to do today. 👉 Subscribe, rate, and share The Doghouse — your home for Sikeston Bulldogs and everything Sikeston. 🎧 Listen: Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music | Buzzsprout | iHeartRadio 🌐 Visit: thedoghouse.buzzsprout.com 📱 Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube  ✉️ Contact: doghouse.sikeston@gmail.com

  5. Aug 1

    Ep 79 - Coming Home: Andy McGill's Vision for Sikeston R6

    Send us Fan Mail A superintendent who once sat in the same classrooms he now leads changes the whole feel of a school district. We talk with Andy McGill, the new superintendent of Sikeston R6, about what it means to come home as the first Sikeston High School graduate to hold the top job and to do it while raising his own kids in the district. From the start, Andy makes it clear that leadership is not about ego; it is about serving students, supporting staff, and earning trust through consistent, visible work. We dig into the big moving pieces facing Sikeston R6 right now: the recently passed bond issue, major facility upgrades and added classrooms, and the hard logistics that come with change. Andy also breaks down real public school finance in Missouri, including why districts rely on state funding and property taxes, how budget rules can shift, and why “people over programs” becomes the guiding principle when resources tighten. If you care about school funding, district efficiency, and doing right by taxpayers without losing sight of kids, you will appreciate how direct this conversation gets. Then we zoom out to the heart of public education: opportunity. Andy talks about A+ Scholarship pathways, cadet teaching, and why extracurriculars are an extension of the classroom, whether that is athletics, band, choir, drama, FFA, or esports. His message to students is simple and serious: you matter, you are cared for, and you can be successful regardless of where you start.  Subscribe for more Sikeston stories, share this with a fellow Bulldog, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What do you want from your school district leaders most right now? 👉 Subscribe, rate, and share The Doghouse — your home for Sikeston Bulldogs and everything Sikeston. 🎧 Listen: Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music | Buzzsprout | iHeartRadio 🌐 Visit: thedoghouse.buzzsprout.com 📱 Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube  ✉️ Contact: doghouse.sikeston@gmail.com

  6. Jul 25

    Ep 78 - Isaac Quick, John Leible, Jeremiah Quick - What It Takes to Build a World-Class Rodeo

    Send us Fan Mail A rodeo this big does not “just happen” because the calendar flips to August. We sit down with current rodeo chairman Isaac Quick, current co-chair John Leible, and past chairman Jeremiah Quick to unpack how the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo is planned, built, and run by an army of volunteers who treat the grounds like a second home. Two weeks out, they are juggling weather, workdays, fences, new buildings, and the nonstop problem-solving that never makes the highlight reel. We dig into what’s new and what’s next, including the Hay Barn concept built to improve the patron experience with daytime music and a true after party flow once the arena entertainment ends. The guys also explain how entertainment booking really works now, why certain nights hit sellout fast, and why Sikeston is investing in a permanent stage to keep attracting top-tier acts and improve concert production. If you care about event operations, logistics, or how a community scales a tradition without losing its personality, this conversation delivers real details. On the rodeo side, we get into PRCA realities: slack changes meant to draw better contestants, why added money and a $25,000-per-event purse can move the needle for athletes chasing the NFR, and how Cowboy Channel coverage expands the rodeo’s national reach. We also talk about the mission behind the madness: sponsorships, donations back into the community, and the economic impact that stretches far beyond the arena gates. If you love Sikeston, small-town traditions, or the craft behind a world-class rodeo week, hit play, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who needs a reason to come experience it in person. 👉 Subscribe, rate, and share The Doghouse — your home for Sikeston Bulldogs and everything Sikeston. 🎧 Listen: Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music | Buzzsprout | iHeartRadio 🌐 Visit: thedoghouse.buzzsprout.com 📱 Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube  ✉️ Contact: doghouse.sikeston@gmail.com

  7. Jul 20

    Ep 77 - Chad Allen - From Cut to Clutch

    Send us Fan Mail He got cut in junior high, barely played until his senior year, then suddenly turned into an all-state player with a Division I offer after a massive growth spurt. That’s where Chad Allen’s story starts, and it only gets wilder from there. We talk with the Dexter Bearcats head boys basketball coach about the long road from Three Rivers College to Division I basketball with the Memphis Tigers, plus what it feels like to step into a nationally televised game, go seven for seven, and throw down a dunk on Brad Miller. From the big stage, Chad brings it back to the daily grind of high school basketball coaching in Southeast Missouri. He breaks down how his thinking has changed over time, why his 1-2-2 zone and 1-2-2 press fit his teams, and how physical practices build confidence without crossing the line. We also get into culture: discipline, preparation, and the idea that the game should feel easier than what you survive in practice. We also dive into what it takes to run the Rib City Shootout, one of the region’s biggest summer basketball events, from scheduling to staffing to finding quality officials across multiple states. Chad shares how film study and modern coverage like AyCorp Sports have changed scouting and access for fans, then drops a big personal note about his timeline at Dexter and what he hopes former players remember most when he hangs it up. If you care about SEMO Conference hoops, Dexter basketball, Sikeston Bulldogs rivalries, or building a winning program the right way, this one hits home. Subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with a friend. What part of Chad’s journey are you stealing for your own life? 👉 Subscribe, rate, and share The Doghouse — your home for Sikeston Bulldogs and everything Sikeston. 🎧 Listen: Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music | Buzzsprout | iHeartRadio 🌐 Visit: thedoghouse.buzzsprout.com 📱 Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube  ✉️ Contact: doghouse.sikeston@gmail.com

  8. Jul 10

    Ep 76 - Joseph Baldwin | Pressure Behind the Plate

    Send us Fan Mail You see the strike call. You hear the crowd. What you do not see is everything it takes to earn the right to be there in the first place. We’re joined by Joseph Baldwin, a Division I softball umpire who has worked his way up through years of reps, mentorship, and camps where the right evaluators can change your trajectory with a few handwritten notes.  Joseph walks us through the real ladder of college softball officiating: starting young, learning mechanics the hard way, getting comfortable with three-man crews, and showing up prepared when the speed of the game leaves no room for guessing. We talk about the CCA manual, why communication is often nonverbal in loud stadiums, and how a plate assignment demands focus because one bad day can ripple into real consequences. If you’ve ever wondered how NCAA softball umpires get games, how conference assignments work, or why reliability matters as much as talent, you’ll get clear answers here.  Then we pivot to the other half of his life: Nashville area real estate in a fast-growing market where the average home price can turn every decision into a high-stakes one. Joseph explains why real estate can be more stressful than umpiring, how he uses numbers to serve clients, and what growth around Spring Hill and Nashville means for families moving in. We also hit travel logistics, taxes, conference realignment, and what it means to chase postseason goals while keeping life at home steady.  If you enjoy behind-the-scenes sports stories and honest talk about building a career, queue this one up. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review so more Bulldog Nation listeners can find The Dog House. 👉 Subscribe, rate, and share The Doghouse — your home for Sikeston Bulldogs and everything Sikeston. 🎧 Listen: Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music | Buzzsprout | iHeartRadio 🌐 Visit: thedoghouse.buzzsprout.com 📱 Follow: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube  ✉️ Contact: doghouse.sikeston@gmail.com

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The Doghouse is a community-first sports and storytelling podcast rooted in Sikeston, Missouri. What starts with Bulldogs basketball often turns into something bigger: the people, the programs, and the moments that shape a town. Each episode blends real game breakdowns, behind-the-scenes perspective, and conversations with coaches, athletes, alumni, local leaders, and difference-makers across Southeast Missouri. If you care about Bulldog Nation and the stories that make Sikeston feel like home, you’re in the right place.

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