Description “Learning the Ropes” is a podcast that uses the game of baseball as a framework for understanding a variety of other topics. Started by former Division II Baseball player and current high school teacher Josh Hammer, this podcast is perfect for students, athletes, coaches, and anyone with an interest in the intersection of sports, business and education. Each episode clocks in at an easily digestible 20 minutes, often featuring interviews from notable guests. The overall tone is upbeat and positive, focusing on ways to improve your life and understand the perspective of those around you.
Coach Hammer sits down with longtime friend Jeremy Pace to sharing insights on what it takes to shift our New Year's Resolutions Into Consistent Habits That Stick! Coach Hammer shares his thoughts around how New Year's resolutions fail for one simple reason: they don't become habits they become what he calls "one day-ers." One day I'll do this or one day I'll do that. In order for a New Year's Resolution to morph into a game changer in our lives it takes DISCIPLINE & CONSISTENCY. "Getting better doesn't happen with one statement we make for the year. Although it's a big step; as my guy Jocko Willink says "Getting better is a campaign of discipline" -Jocko The Coach Hammer Action Plan: We give yourself your best shot at success if you set a goal that's doable — and meaningful too. Be Specific Have something that's actually doable. The timeline toward reaching your goal should be realistic, too. That means giving yourself enough time to do it with lots of smaller intermediate goals set up along the way. Habits are key, but at the same time let's all remember to KEEP CHARGIN' AND DO OUR BEST EVERYDAY TO DO OUR BEST!
Josh Hammer and Matt Caselli sit down with not one, but twooo Assistant Cross Country/ Track & Field coaches from La Verne University in Southern California about what it takes to be committed to sports, self-improvement, especially toward running and how we can apply that to other area of our lives. Micaela Castillo, M.S. Assistant Cross Country/ Track & Field Coach Lindsey Meng Assistant Coach – Cross Country, Distance
Josh Hammer and Matt Caselli (Co-Host) sit down with Christian Pena (former NCAA Baseball Student-Athlete) to discuss the pursuit of becoming an Emergency Medical Doctor and how baseball has been instrumental to focusing on the "process" of Medical School. Sponsored by Carmazzi Caramel Corn and presented by the Costen & Hammer Network
Josh Hammer speaks with Kit Carson, a former NCAA Division 1 Men's Golfer, Real Estate Investor, Entrepreneur, and CEO of the Carson Group to discuss what it means to have willpower, what it takes to succeed when times get tough, and more. This episode is brought to you by Xaiko Beverages. Xaiko Beverages, Inc. is a California-based, beverage company that was the vision of founder, Tobin Costen. He and Gonzaga University classmate, David Grieshop decided to use their talents and passion for entertainment to create a beverage company that provides unique hard cider and “saki” flavored alcohol beverages to the country. This episode is brought to you by Carmazzi Caramel Corn, a 4th generation family recipe. Carmazzi Caramel corn is made in small batches with all natural, gourmet incredients and cooked fresh to perfection in the Carmazzi Family kitchen! It's simply the BEST! If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we can invest into it and make it even better.
Josh Hammer & Matt Caselli (Co-Host) break open the conversation of what separate "Good" Players from "Great" Players. -5 P's -Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance -Be a Sponge -Work Ethic: Hammer & Caselli urge young athletes to prioritize work ethic above everything else. He says, "Prepare every way possible physically and mentally. Then you can just go out and play the game the way you know how, and have fun doing it. -Train Smart -Be okay with Failure: breeds a learning opportunity -Never let the stage get to big -No Shortcuts on workouts -Great players don't get to where they are without putting in the time and effort to earn it.
Josh Hammer sits down with Asst. Baseball Coach at Sacramento City College to discuss how teams, players and coaches have had to learn to adjust to the world we’re in right now. Matt discusses how the hardest part for coaches right now, is not being with their student-athletes to ensure that they’re ready for the upcoming season. Josh Hammer shares how this time tests student-athletes self-discipline and habits.
Victoria Boateng (Graduate nursing student at John Hopkins University) chats with Josh Hammer about her ups and downs through the nursing journey. Together through this episode they dissect what it means to be OK with failure and how through those emotions there is ALWAYS wisdom if you choose to find it. Failure and facing it can be a helpful tool to success. Find your passion and keep a growth mindset. Growth Mindset: “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” (Dweck, 2015)
Elle Burland - Women's Basketball Senior - NCAA Division II Student-Athlete -PG *First Year Female Athlete of the Year Elle Burland sits down with Josh Hammer to discuss her experience as a student-athlete through the time of coronavirus pandemic as she approaches her senior year. Elle talks about what she is doing to keep positive and connected with her teammates. "I'm still staying happy as can be and thinking about coming out of this situation stronger than ever."
Josh Hammer shares an open discussion with Zachary Bartelme around the ups and down of growing up with split parents and how overcoming insecurities around self-esteem helped shape their success as team leaders on and off the field.
Scott Souza: Sr. Manager, Fundraising and Community Partnerships at Special Olympics Northern California joins Josh Hammer in a fun and inspiring discussion around being a team player in various leadership roles. They share the importance of "keeping it real with yourself and others" in your leadership role and how that can be critically important to creating authentic success and fulfillment in life for yourself and everyone around you. Special Olympics Northern California enriches the lives of more than 26,218 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their communities in Northern California through sports, education, and athlete health. Josh Hammer and Scott Souza make the first-ever announcement regarding the Costen & Hammer Network (CHN) Fitness Challenge Partnership program with the Special Olympics Northern California. Find out more on (CHN) media! @CostenHammer or @learningtheropes on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. STAY TUNED!
Josh Hammer dives head first around the topic of "fear" in both the game of baseball and in golf with Division II stand-out student-athlete Zach McClure. McClure not only was the "Male Student-Athlete at a Division II institution, but he was the first place finisher in the Sonoma State Fall Invitational, had three top-5 finishes and was named PacWest Men's Golfer of the Week four times during his remarkable and historic season. Hammer and McClure discuss the important of staying calm is the cradle of power in taking your game to the next level especially in game-like pressure situations on the field, on the course, & in life.
Josh Hammer has a heartwarming discussion with Amanda Harrinauth Poet and Special Olympics global ambassador: Amanda Harrinauth- Her disabilities include autism, vision, impairment, Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) Amanda sheds light on her experiences participating as a Gold Medalist in the Special Olympics and how she continues to impact and inspire others through her life coaching and everything she does. Amanda wants to inspire others with different abilities to live life to the fullest!
This episode Josh Hammer talks with Paul Carmazzi Jr. (Gm of Carmazzi Caramel Corn) around the topic of sports influence on their personal development as well as the incredible backstory of Carmazzi Caramel Corn. You can grab the BEST IN THE WEST caramel corn in the link below! Thanks for tuning in!
If you haven't jumped into "Learning the Ropes," you'll want to jump into this one...where Josh Hammer & Tobin Costen interview with Coach Joe Haigh (Asst. Women's Basketball Coach @Siena College) who unpacks his inspirational journey as a coach. From leaving behind a "financially stable" job to pursuing his REAL passion for coaching while raising a family. This episode we dive head first into his successes and challenges that he experienced while facing premiere team's in the NCAA such as #1 UCONN with a small college of over a 1000 students. We also discussed what it was like instituting a highly successful up-tempo offense.
Out hustle. Out work. Out play. Out last. Josh Hammer dives head first into an incredible discussion with Dave McCarty about his journey in Major League Baseball and winning a World Series with the Boston Red Sox. Josh learned first-hand an amazing comeback story of the '04 run where became the first team in Major League Baseball history to win a best of seven playoff series after falling behind 0–3 and to go on and raise the trophy at the end of the year. Dave is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball. From 1993 through 2005, McCarty played with the Minnesota Twins (1993–1995), San Francisco Giants (1995–1996), Seattle Mariners (1998), Kansas City Royals (2000–2002), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2002), Oakland Athletics (2003) and Boston Red Sox (2003–2005). He batted right-handed and threw left-handed.
#LTR is a podcast that uses the game of baseball as a vehicle to learn about a variety of other topics, to improve personal development, and to better understand the perspectives of those around us. ✅Anthony Brown -(NFL) Former Offensive Lineman for the Cincinnatti Bengals & Pittsburg Steelers
Learning the Ropes with Josh Hammer is a video podcast that uses the game of baseball as a vehicle to understanding a variety of other topics, to improve personal development and to better understand perspective of those around us. About this Episode: Bo$$y Russ (Optimist All-Star), Daniel Contreras (Entrepreneur + Founder of New Era Barbering), and Matt Casselli (Asst. Coach at Sacramento City College) beam in to tell Josh Hammer about the correlation between the mental side of baseball with the grind of a running a successful business and propelling through a career path.
#LTR is a podcast that uses the game of baseball as a vehicle to learn about a variety of other topics, to improve personal development, and to better understand the perspectives of those around us. About this Episode: Josh Hammer chats with Coach Max Shupe (Asst. Baseball Coach @Sonoma St. University ) about his East Coast Saga experience. From working from the ground up in a talent agency, to managing a restaurant, and moving various locations, Coach Max Shupe has made his way BACK on the baseball field! Coach Shupe discuss his strong insights on "exposure," taking a step at a time, being "exposed to as many different things as possible" which will all be major stepping stones to fulling our potential in personal development and careers! STAY ON THE PATH! "[We] gotta starting somewhere."