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ATHLETE 1 PODCAST

ATHLETE 1 PODCAST

What if you could go behind the scenes with athletes and coaches? Join Ken Carpenter, a veteran high school baseball coach weekly as he examines success, failures, and life lessons in sports. Each episode provides valuable insight and an understanding of playing or coaching team sports.

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What Can Chinese Taipei’s Batting Practice Teach American Teams?

Recent Episodes

July 2, 2025

What Can Chinese Taipei’s Batting Practice Teach American Teams?

Send us a text When Coach Will Gorden stepped off the plane in China to lead a development program for Major League Baseball, he faced an immediate challenge: coaching 42 young baseball players who didn't speak English. This experience became the foundation for his transformative coaching journey that would span three countries and reshape his approach to leadership. "More than anything, I learned a new way to communicate," Gorden explains on Baseball Coaches Unplugged. "After working with t...

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June 25, 2025

How To Build A State Champion Without Flamethrowing Pitchers

Send us a text What does it take to build a championship high school baseball program without flame-throwing pitchers or Division I talent? Wisconsin Hall of Fame coach Jeff Ryan pulls back the curtain on his old-school approach that's produced 438 wins and a state championship at small-school Prescott High. Ryan's journey from milking cows on a hobby farm to becoming one of Wisconsin's most respected baseball minds reveals how traditional values translate to modern success. "Consistency, fa...

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June 18, 2025

Stealing Victory: How 160+ Stolen Bases Led to CWS Championship Game

Send us a text Nestled within the captivating world of collegiate baseball lies an extraordinary tale of transformation. Phil Schallenberger, head coach of Messiah University's baseball program, guides us through his team's remarkable journey from a disheartening 1-7 start to playing for the Division III College World Series championship. The turning point came not through a strategic overhaul but a profound shift in perspective. After striking out 15 times against the #1 ranked team, Schall...

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June 11, 2025

8 Traits Every Championship High School Baseball Team Shares

Send us a text The difference between consistently winning baseball programs and those that occasionally succeed isn't raw talent—it's the foundational elements Coach Ken Carpenter reveals in this powerful episode. Drawing from 27 years of coaching experience, Carpenter breaks down the eight critical characteristics that championship teams at every level share, from high school powerhouses to small programs that consistently punch above their weight. At the heart of sustainable success is of...

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June 4, 2025

How Top High School Baseball Programs Build Winning Cultures (and How You Can Too!)

Send us a text Ever wonder how top high school baseball programs consistently develop winning cultures? Coach Blake Iles of Olathe East High School in Kansas pulls back the curtain on his coaching philosophy that's produced multiple 20+ win seasons and championships. What makes Iles' approach unique is his genuine commitment to empowering those around him. His assistant coaches don't just stand around during games – they have "full control" over their areas of expertise. This delegation crea...

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May 28, 2025

Want to Win a Baseball State Title? Focus on This First...

Send us a text The journey to a state baseball championship begins with preparation long before the tournament starts. Coach Al Zeiher of Saline High School in Michigan joins us to share his championship philosophy as his team readies for the playoff gauntlet. We dive deep into Michigan's fascinating tournament format where matchups are determined by a random draw—athletic directors literally pulling popsicle sticks from a hat—with no seeding system whatsoever. This creates scenarios where t...

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May 21, 2025

Transfer Portal Outweighs Recruiting High School Players

Send us a text The college baseball landscape has fundamentally changed, and today we're pulling back the curtain on the recruiting reality that coaches and players are facing nationwide. At the heart of this transformation is a critical choice: developing high school talent or tapping into the transfer portal for seasoned players. When Oregon State's head coach Mitch Cannon candidly admits, "With a roster of 34, you don't have room to keep a whole bunch of guys around to develop," he's voic...

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May 14, 2025

Steal These Practice Strategies from One of America’s Top High School Baseball Teams

Send us a text What does it take to build a high school baseball powerhouse ranked #1 in Arkansas and among the top 25 programs nationally? Coach Leighton Hardin of Conway High School pulls back the curtain on his championship formula. The secret to Conway's "Wampus Cats" success starts with three non-negotiable values: team, toughness, and competitiveness. Coach Hardin demonstrates how following legendary coaches throughout his career prepared him to establish his own winning culture while ...

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May 7, 2025

The One Coaching Adjustment That Can Win You a Title

Send us a text When the rain washes out a week of games and the state tournament looms on the horizon, how do you keep your pitching staff ready? For Coach Jason Brandt, the answer might surprise you. Coach Brandt of Wapakoneta High School has crafted one of Ohio's most consistent baseball programs through a philosophy that seems counterintuitive at first glance. "The later we get into the season, the less we practice," he reveals, explaining that rest becomes increasingly precious as tourna...

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About the Host

Ken Carpenter Profile Photo

Ken Carpenter

Podcast Host

Originally from Bellaire, Ohio. Served 19 years as a head high school baseball (Buckeye Valley and Dublin Scioto - Ohio). Assistant Coach at Dublin Coffman and Dublin Jerome (OH)
Overall record 314-159.

Football coach at Dublin Coffman and Buckeye Valley (Ohio) - 6 years
Sports Official - Baseball/Football/Basketball

Past President of Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association
Served on the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Board

U.S. Army Paratrooper

Graduated from The Ohio State University

Reviews

Great Podcast hosted by a Great Coach!

"Great episode every week"

Buckeyebymarriage | May 27, 2021

AMAZING PODCAST!!

"Ken does awesome work marked by such intentionality. Keep up the great work!"

Alina | Nov. 23, 2022

Buckeye Way - Bob Todd Interview

"Refreshing reminiscing with Coach Todd about his time as OSU Baseball coach and his philosophies as a coach and parent. Good work Ken."

Jim Dougherty | April 26, 2023

Great Listen

"Athlete1 Podcast offers insightful and inspiring interviews with top athletes, giving listeners an inside look at their journeys and challenges. Great listen for sport enthusiasts!"

Alex | July 24, 2024

Great content for high school baseball coaches and players

"If you are a high school coach or player, do yourself a favor and give Ken's podcast a listen. Ken does a tremendous job in engaging his guests, resulting in a dialog that is not only entertaining, …"

Max Newill | Sept. 12, 2024