Dinerpod 37: Brian Henry-North Putnam Baseball Coach

This episode of Dinerpod features an interview that is as much about life’s unexpected turns as it is about the diamond. Host Red Velvet sits down with North Putnam Cougars Head Baseball Coach Brian Henry to discuss his unique path to the dugout.

From his roots in "the town that time forgot" (Cambridge City) to a surprising stint as a trapeze catcher at an elite Pennsylvania summer camp, Coach Henry shares how he overcame a fear of heights and a rocky start at Ball State to find his true calling in education and athletics.

In This Episode, We Cover:

The "Circus" Background: How learning to fly and catch on a trapeze—and perfecting a legendary Eric Cartman impression—helped a shy kid find his voice and personality.

The Blue-Collar Journey: Coach Henry’s years grinding at FedEx, Cintas, and local glass shops while working his way back to a Master’s degree and a teaching license.

North Putnam Baseball Culture: Why Coach Henry believes in playing the "best nine" regardless of grade level and how his young roster is ready to turn last year's "battle scars" into wins.

The New MAC Conference: A look at the competitive landscape of the Monon Athletic Conference and why the new Tuesday/Wednesday series format is a game-changer for high school baseball.

"North Putnam feels like home... this is where I want to be."

Whether you're a Cougars fan or just someone who appreciates a story of resilience and "full-circle" moments, this conversation proves that the road to success is rarely a straight line.

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#baseball #baseballcoach #highschoolbaseball #coaching #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod 36: Nick Duggan-Greencastle Assistant Baseball Coach

In this high-energy episode, Red Velvet returns to the studio (this time with working audio!) to sit down with Nick Duggan, the Assistant Baseball Coach for Greencastle Schools. The conversation bridges the gap between local sports rivalries, the technical side of coaching, and some surprising off-field hobbies.

• The "Big Brother" Coach: At 25 years old, Coach Duggan discusses the unique dynamic of being a younger coach. While it poses challenges in maintaining authority, it allows him to build a deep, relatable bond with his players.

• Crossing the Rivalry Line: Despite being a South Putnam alum, Duggan proudly wears the Greencastle purple. He shares funny anecdotes about catching "flack" from former coaches and the community for crossing the crosstown divide.

• The Triple Crown Season: A look back at last year’s historic run where Greencastle achieved the "Triple Crown":

  1. Winning the County Tournament.

  2. Competing at the top of the conference.

  3. Winning the Sectional Championship.

• The Quest for 20: Looking ahead to the new season with seven returning seniors, the goal is to secure Coach Wells’ first 20-win season and navigate a brand-new conference lineup including schools like North Montgomery and Cascade.

• The Putnam County Bucket: A breakdown of the local "Bucket" tradition—a traveling trophy that stays with the winner of every regular-season matchup between county rivals.

Duggan reflects on his time as a manager for Indiana State Baseball, detailing the "grind" behind the scenes—from feeding pitching machines and charging radar guns to printing stat sheets. He emphasizes that his coaching style was heavily influenced by mentors like Coach Hannahs and Coach Vanderglass.

When the cleats come off, Coach Duggan is a self-proclaimed "multi-screen" sports fanatic and gamer:

• Hobbies: Playing MLB The Show and watching Pittsburgh Penguins hockey.

• Wrestling Fandom: A deep dive into WWE history, discussing CM Punk’s return and the legendary "Hell in a Cell" match between Mankind and The Undertaker.

• Game Day Ritual: Unlike many coaches who opt for "lucky meals," Duggan sticks to a strictly functional routine: a protein bar and a sports drink.

Dinerpod 35: Ron Stateler-South Vermillion Wrestling Coach

In this episode, Red Velvet sits down with a pillar of the South Vermillion community, Coach Ron Statler. With over 34 years at the helm of the Wildcats' wrestling program, Coach Statler shares a journey that began with "broken English" in Centenary and evolved into a legendary coaching career.

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Old School" Days: From the grueling task of carrying heavy mats up cafeteria stairs to the hilarious realization that high school wrestling didn't involve throwing chairs or jumping off ropes like "Dick the Bruiser."

A History of Tradition: The story of how South Vermillion kept the "Old Gold and Black" colors and the Wildcat mascot through consolidation, maintaining a bridge to the past.

A Family Affair: How wrestling became a Statler family business, with children and grandchildren now coaching alongside "Papa Ron" to build the next generation of athletes.

The Evolution of the Sport: A look at how wrestling has become safer and more technical, including the rise of the newly sanctioned girls’ wrestling program and the success of standout athletes like Rosie Traviola.

Coaching Beyond the Mat: Why Coach Statler prioritizes fun and fundamentals in youth programs and how his "dividend" as a coach is the lifelong respect and love from former athletes.

Tune in for a heartfelt look at leadership, local history, and the true meaning of the "Wildcat Family."

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#wrestling #wrestlingseason #wrestlingcoach #highschoolwrestling #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod 34: JC Thomas

In this high-energy episode, we sit down with JC Thomas, a South Putnam football coach fresh off a historic state championship run. JC takes us on a journey from his early coaching days to the bright lights of Lucas Oil Stadium, proving that the road to a ring is paved with grit, a few "pew-pews," and a whole lot of weight room sessions.

In this episode, we dive into:

The "Big Shoulder Pad" Era: JC reflects on his playing days at Terre Haute North in the legendary MIC conference, playing with future NFL talent like Steve Weatherford and James Banks.

The Quarterback Evolution: How a 6'3" lefty tight end convinced his old-school coach to finally try the "shotgun" formation.

The ISU Connection: A look back at the glory days of gymnastics and dance classes—where big hits on the field met front handsprings (and the occasional "C" grade) on the mats.

Coaching the Alma Mater and Crossing Town: The emotional shift of trading in Patriot blue for South Vigo red, and the lessons learned as a young coach playing "big brother" to his athletes.

The State Championship Journey: A behind-the-scenes look at the South Putnam miracle, from the nail-biting overtime win against Riverton Park to the 7:00 AM weight room session on the morning of the state finals.

Whether you're a football fanatic or just here for the "Hot Mess Express" stories, JC’s story is a masterclass in local sports history and the power of community support.

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#football #fridaynightlights #footballcoach #highschoolfootball #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod #32 Aubrey Bartkowiak

"I just have a mission. I’m on a mission to win that state title."

In this episode of the Dinerpod, we sit down with a true pioneer of the mat: Aubrey Bartkowiak, the IHSAA Girls Wrestling Heavyweight State Champion from Attica High School.

Aubrey joins us to share her incredible four-year journey—from stepping into a wrestling room for the first time as a freshman (and crying on day one!) to becoming the first four-time state qualifier in her school's history. She opens up about the physical and mental hurdles of the sport, including shedding over 100 pounds to get healthy and finding the "championship mindset" required to reach the top of the podium.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Surreal Feeling of Gold: Aubrey describes the moment she realized she finally reached her goal after placing 2nd, 5th, and 3rd in previous years.

Overcoming the "Target": How she managed the pressure of being a top-ranked athlete and why her senior year felt different.

The State Final Turnaround: A play-by-play of her championship match, where she fought back from a 10-3 deficit in the third period to secure the pin.

Pioneering Girls Wrestling: Her perspective on watching the sport explode in popularity and becoming a role model for the next generation.

What’s Next: Her commitment to wrestle at the D-II level for Point Park University in Pittsburgh and her upcoming schedule at Nationals and Fargo.

Mental Health & Motivation: How the memory of her friend Ray fueled her "mission" this season and the importance of a strong support system.

Aubrey’s Advice to Young Athletes: > "Don't give up. When you feel like giving up, don't do it. You need to push yourself until you absolutely know there’s nothing left in the tank."

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#wrestling #statechampion #girlswrestling #highschoolwrestling #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod #31: Lucas Steward-Clay City Boys Basketball Coach

In this episode, Red Velvet hits the studio with Lucas Steward, the newly minted head basketball coach for the Clay City Eels. A Terre Haute South and Indiana State alum, Coach Steward opens up about his journey from a "no-engineering-degree-required" elementary ed major to leading a program with a rich winning tradition.

Steward shares insights into his "thrown into the fire" philosophy for a young Eels squad, the lessons he carried over from coaching football under local legends, and why he’s trading "bubbles" (carbonation) for high-energy transition offense.

What’s inside this episode:

The Transition: Moving from Riverton Parke to the fifth-grade classrooms and the "Eel Dome" at Clay City.

Gridiron Roots: How playing tight end at South shaped his perspective on leadership and toughness.

The GOAT Debate: Why The Last Dance is essential viewing and Michael Jordan remains the undisputed king in Stewart's eyes.

The Road Ahead: A preview of the Clay City Classic and the highly anticipated "Battle of Clay County" against Northview.Pregame Rituals: From mall Chinese food to "Rehab Monsters," we look at what gets a coach ready for Friday night lights.

Whether you're a die-hard Eels fan or just love the atmosphere of Indiana small-town hoops, this conversation captures the passion and grit of a coach ready to make his mark on the SWIAC.

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#basketball #basketballseason #basketballcoach #highschoolbasketball #coaching #teaching #educating #dinerpodsports #dinerverse #youthsporschowdown

Dinerpod #30: James Lott Jr.-Owner of JLJ Media

In this high-energy episode, Red Velvet sits down with the multi-talented James Lott Jr. (JLJ), owner of JLJ Media, for a candid conversation that spans decades and coastlines. Joining the studio via satellite from Inglewood, California, James takes us on a deep dive into a life defined by saying "yes" to every opportunity.

James reflects on a colorful journey that began in the "deep" Inglewood of the 70s and 80s, navigating the era of desegregation busing and the height of the Sunset Strip hair metal scene. From his early days as a nurse and a corporate switchboard operator at Morgan Stanley during 9/11 to his time fronting a punk dance band in San Francisco, James shares how a "varied life" shaped his fearless perspective on business and creativity.

Highlights of this episode include:

Growing up in LA: The grit of the 80s, the Sunset Strip, and the reality of living through the LA riots.

The San Francisco Hustle: Driving manual cars up impossible hills and surviving the "coldest winters" in the summer fog.

A Witness to History: James recounts his time working in finance during the 9/11 attacks and how it changed his outlook on life.

The Art of "Yes": How an open mind led James from nursing to retail to becoming a media mogul and artist.

New York State of Mind: Rats, pizza, and the electric energy of NYC in the mid-80s.

Whether you're interested in the history of Los Angeles, the reality of the corporate world, or just want to hear two "brothers from another mother" swap stories about food and craziness, this episode is a masterclass in living life to the fullest.

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#jameslottjr #mediamogul #media #california #losangeles #inglewood #podcast #podcaster #podcasting #dinerpodsports #youthsportschowdown

Dinerpod #29: New Years Eve

Join Red Velvet on New Year's Eve as he pops some Tums fresh off conquering the Hot Ones Challenge (with Coach Luke Carmody officially declaring him the winner after "reviewing the film") and sits down for an honest, heartfelt solo reflection on 2025.

From the emotional highs of his son's senior year, graduation, and military transformation (including Red's first-ever plane ride to Georgia for the turning green ceremony) to the financial lows of a brutal winter that tested the family business, 2025 was a true roller coaster.

Red opens up about the grind: buying the long-dreamed-of property next door, niching DinerPod down to sports, food, and fun, reigniting his passion for football, announcing games for North Central, diving deeper into independent wrestling, vending at conventions, emceeing unique shows, starting an Amazon delivery hub side gig, and expanding coverage from a handful of teams to 28 across the Wabash Valley.

He gets raw about the mental battles of self-employment and content creation – the dark days, the tears, the doubts – and how an incredible support system of coaches, wrestlers, podcasters, and friends pulled him through undefeated.

Looking ahead to 2026, Red is fired up: more live streams, food challenges, wrestling talk, youth and high school coverage (aiming for 32–34 football programs), growing Ever Haute Co.'s new letterman jacket services, and building an even stronger community around local sports.

It's a long, rambling, deeply personal episode full of gratitude, laughs, shout-outs, and resilience. If you've ever chased a dream, battled hard days, or just love Wabash Valley sports and wrestling, this one's for you.

Happy New Year – let's make 2026 the best yet!

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#happynewyear #newyears #newyearseve #lookingback #reflection #resilience