2020-06

Episode 010 | Chat with Jen Fry | June 2020
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle sits down with educator and speaker Jen Fry (JenFryTalks.com) to explore the intersection of sports, leadership, and social justice. Together they discuss how coaches and athletes can foster inclusive environments, lead with awareness, and embrace the kind of uncomfortable conversations that drive real growth.
Jen, currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Michigan State University, brings a unique perspective on how geography, race, and team culture impact performance both on and off the field. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or parent, this conversation offers valuable insights on leadership, equity, and the evolving role of sports in society.
Topics covered:
Fostering inclusion through intentional coaching
Building leadership skills for today's athletes
Understanding the role of geography, culture, and race in team dynamics
Embracing growth through difficult conversations
Guest links:
JenFryTalks.com
Jen Fry on Twitter, Instagram
Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com
Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 009 | Chat with Trevor Ragan of The Learner Lab | June 2020
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle sits down with Trevor Ragan from The Learner Lab for an engaging conversation about Trevor’s personal journey, from growing up in the Midwest to working with Duke Basketball, creating Train Ugly, and launching The Learner Lab podcast.
Trevor is a well-known voice on learning science, growth mindset, and skill development. In this conversation, Dan shifts the spotlight to Trevor’s own story, how his experiences have shaped his philosophy on learning, and where he sees the future of coaching, education, and personal development heading.
If you’re a coach, athlete, teacher, or lifelong learner, this episode will give you fresh insights into how learning works and how to apply it in your own world.
Topics covered:
Trevor Ragan’s personal journey as a learner and educator
Lessons from working with elite athletes and coaches
How learning science applies to everyday life
The future of growth mindset and coaching
Guest links:
The Learner Lab Website
The Learner Lab on Facebook
The Learner Lab on Twitter
The Learner Lab on Instagram
The Learner Lab Podcast
The Learner Lab on LinkedIn(You can insert exact links as needed — I preserved your structure.)
Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com
Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul