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Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Aaron Thigpen & Erik Johnson
204 episodes
4 days ago
Straight talk on the culture of sport, athletic development and sports performance. For athletes, parents coaches, trainers and anyone enthusiastic about the current state of youth, high school and college sports.
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Sports
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All content for Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source is the property of Aaron Thigpen & Erik Johnson and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Straight talk on the culture of sport, athletic development and sports performance. For athletes, parents coaches, trainers and anyone enthusiastic about the current state of youth, high school and college sports.
Show more...
Sports
Episodes (20/204)
Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Its Not The Coach, Its You! Its Not You, Its the Coach! The Dynamic of Coach, Athlete & Parent

In this two-part episode, Coach Aaron and Coach EJ explore the critical parent-coach-athlete dynamic in youth sports. They first analyze how parental actions and attitudes can either foster independence or create dependency, hindering an athlete's growth. The discussion then pivots to the coach's role, offering parents practical advice on vetting coaching styles and monitoring the relationship to ensure it's a positive and productive one. The core message is that a successful athletic experience relies on a triangular balance of trust, open communication, and allowing the athlete space to develop their own sense of accountability.

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1 week ago
34 minutes 28 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Its Not The Coach, Its You! Its Not You, Its the Coach! The Dynamic of Coach, Athlete & Parent

In this two-part episode, Coach Aaron and Coach EJ explore the critical parent-coach-athlete dynamic in youth sports. They first analyze how parental actions and attitudes can either foster independence or create dependency, hindering an athlete's growth. The discussion then pivots to the coach's role, offering parents practical advice on vetting coaching styles and monitoring the relationship to ensure it's a positive and productive one. The core message is that a successful athletic experience relies on a triangular balance of trust, open communication, and allowing the athlete space to develop their own sense of accountability.

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1 week ago
34 minutes 1 second

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Bridgeing Work and Performance

Can athletes make the leap from practice to competition? Its not just a physical thing.

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3 weeks ago
18 minutes 43 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Do The Work!!

In the world of competitive sports, talent alone isn't enough. The difference between good athletes and great ones often comes down to a simple principle: doing the work. But what does that really mean?

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1 month ago
14 minutes 21 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Does Your Athlete Need an Attitude Adjustment? Unlocking Peak Performance Through Mindset

In the world of youth sports, coaches and parents often focus on physical training, technical skills, and tactical knowledge. But what if the missing ingredient to athletic excellence isn't another drill or training session? What if it's something more fundamental—an attitude adjustment that transforms how young athletes approach competition and life itself?

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1 month ago
16 minutes 39 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Is Local Travel Baseball Becoming Too Recreational? A Deep Dive into Youth Baseball's Evolution

The landscape of youth baseball has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past three decades. What was once an exclusive, competitive arena with clear distinctions has evolved into something far more complex—and according to veteran coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen, potentially problematic. In their recent podcast discussion, these baseball industry veterans explored a pressing question: Has local travel baseball lost its competitive edge and become merely recreational?

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1 month ago
21 minutes 55 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Chasing Metrics

In a thought-provoking discussion between coaches EJ DeBrand and Aaron LaSource, a critical examination of modern baseball reveals a troubling trend: the obsession with metrics is fundamentally changing how players approach hitting.

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2 months ago
14 minutes 41 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Is Your Picker Off? Understanding Athletic Recruitment and College Sports Dynamics

In the competitive world of college sports, athletes face a critical challenge: choosing the right program. Coaches Aaron and EJ dive deep into why many young athletes struggle to find their perfect fit, coining the phrase "Is your picker off?"


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2 months ago
27 minutes 42 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Physical Development- When to Start

The podcast explores the critical importance of early and consistent physical development for young athletes. Coaches Aaron and EJ argue that structured, year-round training is essential for athletes to develop the physical attributes, confidence, and resilience needed to compete at higher levels. They emphasize that physical training should be personalized, manageable, and continuous, warning against sporadic or interrupted training approaches that can hinder an athlete's progress and potential.

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2 months ago
25 minutes 26 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Training-Putting the Pieces Together

In today's competitive sports landscape, young athletes face unprecedented challenges in developing their skills and preparing for collegiate-level competition. Coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen dive deep into the critical aspects of athletic development, emphasizing the importance of holistic training and strategic planning.

You can't simply purchase success – you must invest in your complete athletic development.

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3 months ago
21 minutes 8 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
The Lost Art of Physical Expression in Modern Athletics.


In a compelling podcast discussion between coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen, a critical issue emerges in modern athletics: the diminishing ability of young athletes to physically express themselves with confidence and aggression.

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3 months ago
16 minutes 46 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
How Is The 2025-26 Athlete Being Recruited?

The college sports recruitment landscape is more competitive and nuanced than ever. Success requires early preparation, comprehensive skill development, and a strategic approach to athletic growth.

Start early, train intelligently, and focus on becoming a well-rounded athlete who stands out beyond basic metrics.

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4 months ago
25 minutes 53 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Performance vs. Performative: A Critical Look at Modern Athletic Training


In the world of sports training, there's a growing trend that has caught the attention of experienced coaches Eric Johnson and Aeron Thigpen. Their podcast delves into the critical distinction between performance-based training and performative training that's increasingly prevalent on social media platforms.

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6 months ago
15 minutes 24 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Chasing Performance vs. Development

Chasing Performance vs. Development: A Guide for Athletes and ParentsIntroductionIn the world of sports, there's a critical distinction between chasing performance and pursuing development. Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into this crucial topic, offering insights that can transform an athlete's approach to their sport.

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8 months ago
19 minutes 1 second

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Reclassifying 8th Graders: A Critical Look at Athletic Development Strategies

In a candid podcast discussion, coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen dive deep into the controversial practice of reclassifying 8th-grade students, exploring the potential benefits and drawbacks of this increasingly common approach to athletic development.

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8 months ago
13 minutes 58 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Guest La Shawn Wells-The Delicate Balance of Parenting in Sports

In the world of youth sports, parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's athletic experiences. LaShawn Wells, an experienced coach, athletic director, and author, shares profound insights into how parents can positively support their young athletes while avoiding common pitfalls.

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9 months ago
32 minutes 25 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Is It Time to Revisit Athlete Testing?

In the world of sports training, traditional testing methods have long been the standard for evaluating athletic potential. However, two experienced coaches are challenging this approach, arguing that it's time for a fundamental shift in how we assess athletes.

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9 months ago
19 minutes 14 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Training Through the Season 2: Maintaining Athletic Performance


Athletes often make a critical mistake during their competitive season: they stop training, believing their in-season performance is enough. Coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen dive deep into why continuous training is essential for maintaining peak athletic performance.

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9 months ago
17 minutes 45 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
High School Sports, Yes or No? A Strategic Guide for Young Athletes

In today's competitive sports landscape, the traditional path of playing high school sports is being increasingly questioned. Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into a critical discussion about whether young athletes should commit to high school sports or pursue alternative training strategies.

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10 months ago
20 minutes 32 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
The Game Inside the Game: Navigating Team Sports Politics and Setbacks


In the competitive world of team sports, athletes often face challenging moments that test their mental resilience. Coaches Aaron and EJ dive deep into the critical topic of handling team selection, rejection, and personal growth when sports politics come into play.

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10 months ago
21 minutes 36 seconds

Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source
Straight talk on the culture of sport, athletic development and sports performance. For athletes, parents coaches, trainers and anyone enthusiastic about the current state of youth, high school and college sports.