In this episode, Matt Kutz and Dr. Jeff Konin dissect leadership insights from a previous discussion with Chris Conan, a West Point graduate. They explore the significance of humility and vulnerability in effective leadership, contrasting it with the pitfalls of mere management. Chris's experiences in the military offer a valuable perspective on team dynamics and leadership under pressure. Moreover, Jeff and Matt share their thoughts on fostering a culture of recognition, the dangers of self-promotion, and the importance of intentional leadership development. Their exchange underscores the need for leaders who genuinely know and support their teams, advocating for transformational rather than transactional leadership.

00:00 Introduction and Recap of Previous Podcast

00:44 Discussing Leadership Weaknesses

01:51 Team Dynamics and Subject Matter Experts

03:10 Humility in Leadership

05:25 Effective Leadership in Academic Settings

07:19 Transformational vs. Transactional Leadership

11:39 Authentic Leadership Examples

20:27 Challenges of Leadership Roles

32:37 Leadership Development and Humility

37:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this special episode, hosts Dr. Kutz and Dr. Konin, along with guest Chris Konin, delve into the essentials of leadership acquired through military training. Chris, a proud West Point graduate, shares the critical aspects of effective leadership, stressing that there is no secret sauce but rather a focus on consistency and mastery of fundamentals. The discussion covers the importance of knowing and understanding your team, balancing work-life dynamics, and the pitfalls of pride and lack of continuous learning. The episode offers practical advice for leaders both within and outside the military environment.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:05 Special Guest Introduction

02:37 Key Leadership Insights from Military Training

03:55 Consistency and Motivation in Leadership

05:41 Understanding and Motivating Your Team

08:08 Authenticity and Competence in Leadership

17:01 Pitfalls of Bad Leadership

19:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Navigating Career Growth through FIU's DAT Program: A Conversation with Dr. Steve WalzIn this episode, hosts Drs. Matt Kutz and Jeff Konin welcome Dr. Steve Walz, a Florida AT Hall of Famer and a prominent figure in athletic health, to discuss his journey through higher education and his experience in the Doctorate of Athletic Training (DAT) program at FIU. Dr. Walz shares his motivations for enrolling in the DAT program despite having a well-established career, the challenges he faced with new technologies and returning to academia after 27 years, and the pivotal role the program played in his career transition. The conversation delves into how the program's focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, and administrative skills, rather than clinical techniques, helped Dr. Walz create new professional opportunities, including his current role in the College of Medicine at USF Health and his consulting business, Athletic Medicine Consulting.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:25 Deciding to Pursue a DAT03:08 Challenges and Learning Curves06:31 The Importance of Cohorts13:04 Curriculum and Career Impact16:30 Entrepreneurship and New Opportunities22:36 Creating a New Role24:34 Consulting Business Pitch26:36 Closing Remarks

Kutz & Konin Talk DAT and Leadership with Dr. Andrea KovalskyJoin Dr. Matt Kutz and Dr. Jeff Konin as they explore leadership, professional growth, and the ever-evolving world of athletic training. From practical strategies in healthcare and education to insights on personal development, this podcast delivers engaging conversations that inspire, challenge, and equip listeners to excel in their careers and lives. Hosted by two leaders in the profession and faculty in the Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) program at Florida International University, each episode blends experience, expertise, and actionable advice for students, professionals, and anyone passionate about advancing their potential.

Kutz&Konin Talk DAT with Dr. Antonella Filippo (in Paraguay)Join Dr. Matt Kutz and Dr. Jeff Konin as they explore leadership, professional growth, and the ever-evolving world of athletic training. From practical strategies in healthcare and education to insights on personal development, this podcast delivers engaging conversations that inspire, challenge, and equip listeners to excel in their careers and lives. Hosted by two leaders in the profession and faculty in the Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) program at Florida International University, each episode blends experience, expertise, and actionable advice for students, professionals, and anyone passionate about advancing their potential.

Jim Clover DAT, ATC answers life's big questionsJoin Dr. Matt Kutz and Dr. Jeff Konin as they explore leadership, professional growth, and the ever-evolving world of athletic training. From practical strategies in healthcare and education to insights on personal development, this podcast delivers engaging conversations that inspire, challenge, and equip listeners to excel in their careers and lives. Hosted by two leaders in the profession and faculty in the Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) program at Florida International University, each episode blends experience, expertise, and actionable advice for students, professionals, and anyone passionate about advancing their potential.

Season 2 Episode 2— “Work–Life… Balance? (Why We Prefer Harmony & Integration)”

Hosts: Dr. Matthew R. Kutz & Dr. Jeff Konin
Length: ~36 min
Theme: A candid, personal look at how two busy academics/leaders design lives they’re proud of—at work and at home—without pretending “balance” is one-size-fits-all.

Matt and Jeff unpack why the phrase work–life balance makes them groan—and what they aim for instead: priorities, harmony, and integration. They open up about grandparenting joy, philanthropy (Matt’s new prostate-cancer nonprofit), heavy travel seasons, writing books (serious and humorous), and building careers that don’t cost you your family. Along the way: modeling entrepreneurship as professors, the power of team chemistry, and why “multitasking” is a myth they’ll tackle in a future episode.

• 00:00 – Cold open: Why “work–life balance” isn’t quite right

• 01:00 – Priorities over balance: Harmony & integration as the target

• 01:30 – Battle for the Bulge: Matt’s 501(c)(3) + 5K update (~$20K raised)

• 03:30 – Grandparent life: Joy, perspective, and saying yes to family

• 04:05 – On sharing the journey: Using vulnerability to connect and help

• 06:36 – Matt’s cancer memoir: Diagnosed: It’s Not Your Battle to Fight Alone

• 07:45 – Fall travel blitz: Guatemala (COPAMEDE), Dublin (WFATT World Congress)

• 08:10 – Jeff’s talks in Dublin: Cannabis education & global student trips

• 10:45 – Essential Skills project: Soft/“essential” skills book + invite-only summit

• 12:40 – Global speaking: Bern, Switzerland with alum Ron Corson

• 14:56 – Australia plans: Matt’s Griffith University workshops on Contextual Intelligence

• 16:30 – Careers without sacrifice: You can love work and home

• 18:10 – New book drop: Matt’s Becoming EPIC (excellence, perception, inspiration, compassion) + audiobook narration lessons

• 20:27 – Jeff’s humor book: What Passenger Are You? (a flyer’s etiquette self-assessment)

• 25:43 – Creative outlets as stress relief: Children’s stories for grandkids

• 28:06 – “How do you do it all?” Wiring, seasons, and realistic trade-offs

• 30:49 – Chemistry matters: Why their partnership works

• 34:40 – Future topic: Multitasking myths

• 35:50 – Close: Everything and nothing—and loving both

Season 2, Episode 1 — “Why a DAT? Rethinking ‘Advanced Practice’ in Athletic Training”

Hosts: Dr. Matthew R. Kutz & Dr. Jeff Konin
Length: ~30 min
Theme: Season kickoff + a candid conversation about leadership preparation in athletic training, what a Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) can (and can’t) do for your career, and why “advanced practice” is bigger than clinical skills.

Matt and Jeff launch Season 2 by reframing the DAT as purposeful, future-focused development—especially in leadership, entrepreneurship, global perspective, and strategic management. They unpack common reasons clinicians hesitate to pursue a DAT (time, money, unclear ROI, employer recognition) and explain how the right program can expand options you can’t yet see. They also challenge the notion that “advanced practice” only means more clinical techniques—and argue it must include the managerial, strategic, and business capabilities that most promotions actually require. The episode closes with a PSA on Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

• 00:00 – Welcome back: Season 2 vibe, format changes, occasional guests

• 01:25 – The big question: “Why should anyone get a DAT?”

• 03:10 – Purpose over boxes: Designing your DAT around goals, not CEU checklists

• 04:47 – It’s personal: The hidden upside of doctoral study (skills you didn’t know you needed)

• 07:02 – Time reality check: “What do I do with all this time now?”—grads after finishing

• 11:51 – The barrier list: Money, unclear advancement, employer recognition, alternatives, delivery myths, uncertainty, “I’m satisfied”

• 15:35 – Domain 5 debate: Why leadership/management gets 8% of focus but 80% of your day

• 19:31 – Leadership ≠ management: The skills schools protect students from (but jobs demand)

• 23:00 – Defining ‘advanced practice’: Beyond “eight ways to test an ACL”

• 27:58 – The promotion paradox: The higher you go, the less clinical you do

• 28:46 – Lightbulb moment: Most aspirations lead outside direct clinical work

• 29:45 – PSA: September = Prostate Cancer Awareness—get your PSA screened