The Mental Cast

Episode 007 | Donald Reeser Jr. Interview - Part 1| January 2020
In this special three-part series of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle sits down with local entrepreneur and dart player Donald Reeser, Jr., the owner of Reeser’s Soft Ice Cream.
Recorded casually in the parking lot of their favorite local spot, Nick’s 114 Café, this first episode in the series dives into the mental challenges and unique pressures faced by small business owners. Donnie shares insights from his journey running a beloved community business, navigating stress, adapting to change, and maintaining resilience in an unpredictable world.
This episode is a fun departure from the usual format and offers valuable takeaways for anyone balancing the mental demands of leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Stay tuned for parts two and three, where Donnie discusses his remarkable weight loss journey and his life as a competitive dart player under the persona “Grimm Reeser.”
Topics covered:
The mental side of small business ownership
Coping with the stress and uncertainty of entrepreneurship
Building community through local business
The human side of leadership and resilience
Guest links:
Reeser’s Soft Ice Cream on Facebook
Nick’s 114 Café on Facebook
Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com
Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 006 | Effect of Sports Injuries on the Mind | December 2019
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores a critical but often overlooked topic: the psychological effects of sports injuries on athletes. While much of the conversation around injury focuses on physical recovery, Dan dives into how injuries can impact an athlete’s mental health, confidence, identity, and overall well-being.
He also offers actionable strategies for supporting athletes through the mental side of rehabilitation and making the recovery process smoother and more holistic. Whether you are an athlete, coach, parent, or sports professional, this episode will deepen your understanding of the mental challenges that accompany injury and provide tools to help navigate them.
Dan also recaps highlights from Episode 005 ("Be a Tim") and previews upcoming episodes on coaching depression, parental conversations in sports, and Episode 007, which will feature listener questions and comments from #Ask717Soul.
Topics covered:
The mental health impacts of sports injuries
How injuries affect athlete identity and motivation
Building psychological support into the rehabilitation process
Practical steps for coaches and parents to assist injured athletes
Preview of future MentalCast episodes
Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com
Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 005 | Be A Tim! | October 2019
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores the concept of accountability, both personally and professionally. Through the story of his friend and mentor, Tim, who serves as Dan’s own accountability partner for podcasting, Dan highlights the importance of having people who challenge us to stay on track.
He also discusses how to build accountability relationships, how to navigate conversations about accountability with others, and how these principles apply in coaching, leadership, and team dynamics. If you’re looking to strengthen your own accountability structures, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration.
Topics covered:
The value of having an accountability partner
How to create healthy accountability systems
The psychology of accountability and motivation
Strategies for having accountability conversations with others
Mentioned resources:
The Chopra Center
Surveillant Intentions and Intrinsic Motivation (Michael E. Enzle and Sharon C. Anderson)
Effects of Person versus Process Praise on Student Motivation: Stability and Change in Emerging Adulthood (Kyla Haimovitz; Jennifer Henderlong Corpus)
Accounting for the Effects of Accountability (Jennifer S. Lerner and Philip E. Tetlock)
Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com
Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 004 | Traditions | August 2019
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle takes a thoughtful look at the role of traditions in our lives, from the playing field to the boardroom. We often follow traditions without much reflection, but what purpose do they serve? Are they helping or holding us back?
Dan explores how to evaluate traditions in your personal and professional life, how they fit into your bigger “master plan,” and how to approach them with intentionality. If you are a coach, leader, or athlete looking to build stronger, more conscious practices, this conversation will inspire new ways of thinking.
Topics covered:
What traditions really are and where they come from
How to evaluate whether a tradition is helping or hindering growth
The impact of tradition on learning, performance, and leadership
How to intentionally shape new traditions aligned with your goals
Mentioned resources:
The ESOP Podcast
Reeser’s Soft Ice Cream
Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com
Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 003 | Journaling | February 2018
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores the power of journaling for athletes, coaches, and professionals. He shares practical methods, common pitfalls, and personal experiences with journaling, offering actionable tips to help others build their own writing habits.
Dan also answers listener questions from the #Ask717Soul tag, providing fresh insights for anyone new to journaling or looking to enhance their current approach. Whether you are looking to improve performance, process emotions, or simply build greater self-awareness, this episode is packed with tools to help you get started.
Topics covered:
Why journaling is valuable for mental performance
Techniques to help athletes and professionals build writing habits
Common pitfalls to avoid when starting a journaling practice
Listener Q&A about incorporating journaling into daily routines
Mentioned resources:
Writing on the Bus
BestSelf Journal
Panda Planner
Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com
Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 002 | Goal Setting | December 2017
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle dives into the art and science of goal setting. From common pitfalls to actionable strategies, Dan shares insights drawn from both research and personal experience.
He also answers listener questions from the #Ask717Soul tag, offering practical advice for those just starting with goal setting as well as those looking to refine their methods. Whether you are an athlete, coach, or anyone striving for personal or professional growth, this episode will give you new tools to sharpen your approach to achieving goals.
Topics covered:
How to set effective and realistic goals
Common mistakes to avoid when setting goals
Personal stories about goal setting successes (and failures)
Listener Q&A on building sustainable goal systems
Mentioned resources:
Finding Mastery Podcast
Tim Ferriss Blog
Fear Setting PDF
Fear Setting TED Video
Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com
Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 001 | Functional Philosophy with Sean Manzi | November 2017
In this debut episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle sits down with long-time volleyball coach Sean Manzi to explore what it means to develop a truly functional coaching philosophy.
Dan and Sean discuss why having a coaching philosophy matters, how to ensure it evolves over time, and how these same principles can be applied beyond the sports world, helping corporate leaders, sales professionals, and performing artists alike foster more intentional and effective approaches to their work.
Whether you’re a coach, leader, or professional in any field, this conversation will challenge you to reflect on your guiding principles and how they shape your success.
Topics covered:
Building a meaningful coaching philosophy
The importance of revisiting and updating your philosophy
How coaching principles translate to business and the arts
Maintaining authenticity while evolving your approach
Guest: Sean Manzi
Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com
Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

The Mental Cast is a monthly podcast dedicated to great discussions and interviews focused on Mental Performance Training, Coaching, and Education, and originates from the East Coast of the United States.
If you have any questions or topics for us to explore or you would like to be a guest on the show, please email us at podcat@mentalcast.com or contact us across all social medial platforms at @717Soul and @RealDanMickle
Please visit the podcast website at mentalcast.com to listen to past episodes.  We would also appreciate it if you would subscribe, like, share, and rate our podcast, which is available on all podcast networks such as Apple Podcast, Google Play, Amazon, Spotify, and Pandora.
Thank you for your continued support and remember... #DontSuck