In this powerful episode of Coaching Minutiae, Nic Carothers sits down with Decatur Central’s own mental health coach, Nina Winsick, to uncover the hidden side of athletic development—the part that starts long before a kid ever picks up a ball. Together they dive deep into the real battles today’s athletes face: fear of failure, confidence struggles, identity confusion, social pressure, and the overwhelming expectations of being a student-athlete in 2025.

Nina shares her journey from multi-sport athlete to mental performance expert, breaking down why high school athletes need mental skills training now more than ever. She and Nic explore the habits, the mindset shifts, and the emotional tools that help young people build resilience, embrace discomfort, and grow stronger through adversity.

This conversation will challenge coaches to coach deeper, help parents support better, and remind every athlete listening that they are more than their stats, more than their likes, more than their jersey.

This is the episode that builds people—

from the inside out.

Support the show

In this episode of The Coaching Minutiae Podcast, host Nic Carothers sits down with Jason Pruitt, Associate Head Coach at Indiana State University, for an unfiltered conversation about what really builds winning programs.

From Los Angeles gyms to the hardwood of the Missouri Valley Conference, Coach Pruitt has spent his career flipping struggling programs into champions — not by chasing hype, but by recruiting fit over fame. Together, Nic and Jason unpack the overlooked truths of modern recruiting, how player-led cultures are built, and why the best teams are rooted in trust, consistency, and love with standards.

This isn’t about highlight reels or social-media followers — it’s about the everyday habits that make teams last. You’ll hear how relationships turn into championships, how humility keeps coaches grounded, and how faith keeps the mission centered when the scoreboard doesn’t.

Whether you’re a coach building culture, a parent walking beside your athlete, or a player searching for your next step — this conversation will remind you that true success isn’t found in visibility, but in alignment.

Support the show

In this conversation, Coach Marc Mitchell sits down with Nic Carothers to break down what really wins—day after day—in women’s college basketball. We get beyond the highlight reels and the hot takes to talk about character, consistency, and the daily habits that shape a program.

You’ll hear Coach Mitchell’s unfiltered perspective on the recruiting process (and what he wishes every parent knew), how a player’s social media content, context, and frequency can help or hurt her opportunities, and the three pillars that hold up a healthy locker room culture. Coaches will leave with practical frameworks they can apply tomorrow. Parents will get clarity on how to support without smothering. Players will hear exactly what competitive programs look for and how to show they’re ready for the next level.

If you care about development over hype—and you want real, actionable game-plans for life and basketball—this episode is for you.

Support the show