Head Games Podcast: a sports & psych podcast
37 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago -Ben and Bret are sports junkies who happen to have Ph.D.'s. They’re bro’s just like you, who love to talk sports... and behavioral science. Head Games is a light-hearted podcast where we discuss current mindsets, methodologies, and happenings in professional sports.
#HeadGamesPodcast #AhoyAhoy
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Episodes
NBA Playoffs 2021 Hot Takes & NFL Race-Norming
June 18, 2021 16:14 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBNew host, TJ Void, talks about 90's summer jams with Ben, including how many hours he put into learning lyrics to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Ben and TJ also continue the important conversation about the NFL ending race-norming and give their hot takes on the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Head Games is a podcast that covers current events in sports and how psychology can create a unique and enlightening perspective. Along with our guests, we provide professional psychological and sports perspectives that an...
2021 NBA Playoff Preview
May 30, 2021 17:23 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBThis week Ben and TJ break down the 2021 NBA Playoffs. ✩ LISTEN ✩ SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2HNjhVs APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/39nk4rh ✩ FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ✩ https://twitter.com/headgamespsych ✩ BEN & BRET'S BLOG ✩ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us --- Credits: Host: Ben Rosenberg & TJ Void Producer: Brett Glatman, Bret Levine, and Ben Rosenberg Editor: Brett Glatman
Race and Justin Fields NFL Draft Stock, and Athletes' Role in Promoting the Vaccination
April 26, 2021 06:03 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBWelcome back to Head Games. In our first episodes with our friend and new rotating host, TJ Void, we hit some pretty heavy topics like how race has affected Justin Fields' draft position and why black athletes are now supposed to be advocates for a vaccine. Plus, we learn a few parenting tips from Ben and TJ. ✩ LISTEN ✩ SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2HNjhVs APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/39nk4rh ✩ FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ✩ https://twitter.com/headgamespsych ✩ BEN & BRET'S BLOG ✩ ...
Pro-Soccer Player/Forbes 30 Under 30 Athlete Amobi Okuga on Helping Athlete's Understand Finances
March 08, 2021 05:15 - 28 minutes - 26.6 MBTalking with USL Soccer Player Amobi Okuga, it's easy to see why he made the 2020 Forbes 30 under 30 list. On this episode of Head Games, we discuss Amobi's approach to making and saving money, why professional athletes go broke, and the pressure athletes face to keeping up with the Joneses. Okuga's off-field ventures include The Frugal Athlete, which empowers athlete's to think smart about their finances, and OK U GO, a foundation he started to help give low-income youth financial empowe...
Los Angeles Dodgers Top Prospect, DJ Peters
March 01, 2021 13:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBOn this episode of Head Games, we are joined by Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect DJ Peters to talk about his training and expectations for this season, team chemistry, baseball during COVID, cardboard fans, and his experience on the World Series Taxi Squad. We also bro down about his recent wedding. 00:30 Getting Married during COVID 02:40 Approach at the plate 05:20 Hitting of Mad Bum 07:20 Who do you model your game after? 09:10 Improving this year 11:10 Importance of culture 1...
Toronto Raptor's Director of Wellness, Alex Auerbach, Ph.D.
February 16, 2021 01:14 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBWhat's better than two sports junkies with Ph.D.'s? How about three! On today's show, we welcome Alex Auerbach, director of wellness and development for the Toronto Raptors, to talk about NBA vs. NFL player psychology, mental health, evaluating team chemistry, and the success of the Toronto Raptors.1:05 What does a director of counseling and wellness for the Raptors do? 6:10 Strategies of counseling in basketball vs. football 8:35 Teaching players resilience 13:35 Athletic, emotional regu...
Toronto Raptors’ Director of Wellness, Alex Auerbach, Ph.D.
February 16, 2021 01:14 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBWhat's better than two sports junkies with Ph.D.'s? How about three! On today's show, we welcome Alex Auerbach, director of wellness and development for the Toronto Raptors, to talk about NBA vs. NFL player psychology, mental health, evaluating team chemistry, and the success of the Toronto Raptors.1:05 What does a director of counseling and wellness for the Raptors do? 6:10 Strategies of counseling in basketball vs. football 8:35 Teaching players resilience 13:35 Athletic, emotional regulati...
Baseball Prospectus Editor-In-Chief Craig Goldstein on analytics, baseball culture, and free agency
February 09, 2021 16:11 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBEditor-in-chief Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus joins us to discuss analytics, baseball losses, changing baseball culture, and the Hall of Fame. 02:00 | Improving analytics 17:40 | Losing Hank Aaron/2020 retrospective 27:40 | Changing Baseball Culture 37:09 | Ethics vs. business side of baseball 47:08 | Hall of Fame/Steroids 57:50 | Trevor Bauer and free agency ✩ LISTEN ✩ SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2HNjhVs APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/39nk4rh ✩ FOLLOW US ON ...
Moneyball Operations Insider, Professor Joris Drayer
January 14, 2021 16:59 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBWe’re joined by Dr. Joris Drayer, an analytics and sports marketing expert who worked for the Moneyball A’s and founded the sports marketing program at Temple University, where he currently teaches. We talk about the A’s, Small Market teams, MLB over-under, Gambling, and the future of fandom. 00:46 | Working for the Moneyball A’s 03:13 | Research projects for the A’s on whether sacrifice bunts are worth it 05:56 | How do small market teams like the Rays and A’s compete? 09:10 | Wha...
WNBA player Napheesa Collier on team chemistry, Kobe's legacy, social justice, and more with friend of the pod TJ VOID
January 05, 2021 01:00 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MBWe’re joined by WNBA player (and 2019 Rookie of the Year) Napheesa Collier and friend of the pod, WNBA fan, and former college player TJ Void to discuss sports psychology in the WNBA. 1:00 Winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year 2:10 Training during COVID 3:55 Playing for Geno Auriemma at UCONN 6:50 Kobe and Gigi Bryant’s legacies on the WNBA 8:10 Team Chemistry in the WNBA 14:20 WNBA and Racial Justice Movement 17:40 Playing in France and Abroad 22:40 Quick hit psychology test Twitter...
Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier on WNBA Life, Her Work Ethic, Kobe's Legacy, and More
January 05, 2021 01:00 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MBIn this episode of Head Games, we are joined by WNBA superstar Napheesa Collier, along with 'Cousin' TJ Void, to discuss the WNBA, Kobe's legacy, Napheesa's 2019 Rookie of The Year win, and social justice. 1:00 Winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year 2:10 Training during COVID 3:55 Playing for Geno Auriemma at UCONN 6:50 Kobe and Gigi Bryant’s legacies on the WNBA 8:10 Team Chemistry in the WNBA 14:20 WNBA and Racial Justice Movement 17:40 Playing in France and Abroad 22:40 Quick hit psy...
MLB Star Eric "Nerd Power" Sogard talks Life, Career, and Sports Psychology!
December 23, 2020 02:58 - 22 minutes - 21.2 MBWe talk with MLB free agent Eric Sogard about his next destination, different team cultures and chemistry, and the effects of analytics on players. Nicknamed "Nerd Power" for his signature glasses, Eric has played in the MLB for 10 years, including stints with the A’s, Brewers, Blue Jays, and Rays. Twitter @EricSogard 2:00 - Playing as a platoon player 4:10 - Free agent landing spot Rorschach test 6:00 - Adopting kids, playing during COVID 8:15 - Attracting a younger audience to ML...
Global hoops, Jewish wisdom, Deni Avdija, and balancing basketball and religion with Tamir Goodman
December 16, 2020 18:26 - 28 minutes - 27 MBDubbed the Jewish Jordan by Sports Illustrated, Tamir Goodman was the #25 ranked college recruit in the country. We talk with Tamir about balancing his Jewish faith with basketball at the D1 and pro-level, basketball in America vs. the global game, and how he confronted adversity throughout his career. A good, nay great man. :21 Tamir’s story - balancing D1 hoops with Orthodox Judaism 2:20 Navigating D1 offers as the #25 recruit 4:23 Why choosing Towson over Maryland was an easy deci...
Coaching NFL, college football, e-sports, and other coaches with coach Evan Burk
December 11, 2020 20:45 - 39 minutes - 36.8 MBToday we talk coaching and leadership with Evan Burk, who went from coaching 4th grade football to coaching in the NFL. His coaching experience includes stints with the Miami Dolphins, UCLA, Overwatch League, and numerous Division 1, 2, and 3 college teams. Evan uses his many years of coaching experience to help others unlock their leadership potential. We unlocked his brain for a discussion about his career and the impact of coaching. Twitter: @CoachEvanBurk :42 Going From Coaching at...
Bonds, The Marlins New GM, and Other Hot Takes with Agent and Comedian, Joshua Kusnick
December 08, 2020 18:21 - 15 minutes - 14 MBLast week we sat down with baseball agent and self-proclaimed comedian Joshua Kusnick. Joshua has hot takes on it all, from Barry Bonds and the Hall of Fame to the Marlins to new GM to race in baseball. Come with us on this ride as we get insight into the wild career of Joshua Kusnick. For more inside baseball, stories, and anecdotes about life and the game, follow Jousha at @JoshuaKusnick. Also, check out his new venture, POWR Game On, where you can pay to play video games with your f...
Fanboying with Fangirl Sports Network Founder, Tracy Sandler | Episode 023
November 27, 2020 20:12 - 22 minutes - 23.7 MBIn today's episode, we talk with fellow 49ers super-fan Tracy Sandler about female sports fandom, sports media, and the most pressing questions of the 49ers season. Tracy is the founder of Fangirl Sports Network, a platform for female sports fans to follow, talk, and write about their favorite teams. 1:09 | Fangirl Sport Network 5:40 | Empowering Female Sports Fans and sexism 7:57 | Competing identities of fans 9:15 | Why Male Follows Like Fangirl and Universal Appeal of Sports Content ...
Expert Fantasy Football Advice From Neuroscientist Renee Miller | Head Games Podcast Episode 022
November 24, 2020 16:44 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBThis week we talk to our spirit animal, Renee Miller. Renee is a neuroscientist and sports junkie just like us. When she is not teaching at the University of Rochester, she writes about the psychology of fantasy football for The Athletic and Rotoworld. She also is the author of 'Cognitive Bias in Fantasy Sports.' Episodes Syllabus: 1:42 | Living the Dream 2:30 | The Athletic 4:20 | Who Am I Targeting 6:30 | Biases & Trades 8:30 | The Temptation of Mediocre Players 9:35 | Why...
How to Empathize With Players, Coach, and Remain Hopeful w/Dominican Basketball Coach, Booker Harris | Episode 021
November 18, 2020 18:46 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBAhoy Ahoy, welcome back for another session of Head Games. This week our friend and Head Basketball Coach at Dominican University of California, Booker T. Harris, stops by to talk about what it’s like to coach in 2020. He discusses his coaching methodology, how he builds relationships with his players, the meritocracy in collegiate and pro sports, and how to stay connected during a pandemic. We also chat about social justice and what it’s like to have a team that consists of international pl...
Retiring With Purpose Featuring Myriam Glez | Head Games Episode 020
November 10, 2020 17:41 - 29 minutes - 27.6 MBThis week we welcome special guest Myriam Glez to the podcast. Myriam is a 4X Olympian who competed and coached for four different countries in Synchronized Swimming. In this episode, she takes us through the rigorous training schedule she endured, including running, weighting, dance, and gymnastics. Currently, Myriam is the founder of Athletes Soul, an organization that helps support and serve the interests of athletes as they transition out of sports and raise awareness about the challeng...
Normative Influence: Why, Justin Turner? Why? Explained - Episode 019
November 04, 2020 18:23 - 23 minutes - 22 MBThis week Ben and Bret dive into the concept of Normative Influence, which is the idea that people don’t want to be ostracized and will go along with the group. The idea of when something is important to people, they will do stupid shit. Like say, JUSTIN TURNER testing positive for Covid and returning to the field to celebrate with and endanger his teammates. Come on, man. Also, we discuss the World Series (a begrudging congratulations to the Dodgers) and how the Astros escaped being the v...
Decoding Team Chemistry with Three Economists | Head Games Episode 018
October 27, 2020 19:14 - 36 minutes - 34.4 MBAhoy, Ahoy! This episode is dedicated to all the baseball statisticians and next-gen analytics nerds. Our economist compatriots (Andrew Butters. Ph.D., Scott Brave, and Kevin Roberts) unveil their recipe for measuring team chemistry. Their secret? Where traditional measures of performance combine individual contributions, they measure the overlap between players. They've coined it “Team Synergy,” and they think it can be the next frontier in sports analytics. We tend to believe them. 1:34 |...
Team Chemistry: How The Clippers Lost Their Way & How The Heat Found Theirs | Head Games Episode 017
October 20, 2020 21:31 - 48 minutes - 67.7 MBThis week we welcome back our "Cousin" TJ Void to break down what went down in the NBA bubble. To no surprise, the Lakers won the NBA Finals, but they couldn't do it without being on the same page. In this podcast, we discuss how Team Chemistry played a part in the Lakers win, the Heat's ascension to championship contenders, and how Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers flopped worse than Vlade Divac. Episode Highlights: 00:57 | Welcome back "Cousin" TJ Void 02:35 | The Clippers Terrible Han...
Inside The NFL's Mental State with Reggie Walker | Head Games Episode 016
October 12, 2020 17:13 - 40 minutes - 55.4 MBOn this week's podcast, we welcome former NFL player Reggie Walker. Reggie played in the NFL for seven years, starting his career as an undrafted rookie and making his way to team captain. Reggie is a Mental, Physical, and Sexual Abuse Survivor and a Board Member of 1in6.Org. Reggie had a long battle with depression, which at various times has made him act out. After several years of treatment and under his wife's encouragement, he now feels "golden." Reggie uses his life lessons and observ...
NFL Week 2 Carnage & Is My Fantasy Team Doomed?
September 27, 2020 15:56 - 15 minutes - 14.7 MBAhoy, Ahoy, as the NFL prepares for week 3 of the regular season, we take a look back at week 2, which is now dubbed by Bret, "Bloody Sunday." We get to the bottom of last week's carnage. Is this season an outlier for injuries or par for the course? And with so many big names injured, is it time to hit the panic button? We also talk about the surprising results from the MLB teams that had COVID outbreaks as we head in the postseason. Episode Milestones: 00:07 | Opening - How's Your Fantasy...
NFL Fantasy Football Fails, The Truth About The Madden Curse, and The Case for Mr. Irrelevant
September 12, 2020 20:29 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBFootball is back and so is Head Games with a follow-up to last weeks Fantasy Football podcast. This week we talk #FantasyFails, how likely it is for a Mr. Irrelevant waiver wire pick-up to become a top 100 talent, why the Madden curse is real, and team chemistry. Sorry guys, the Browns will never be good. Head Games Checkpoints: 00:35 | #FantasyFails 03:47 | From Mr. Irrelevant to Top 100 07:20 | Endowment Effect (Colts, Chargers, and Niners) 11:25 | Regression: How the Madden Sports I...
The Psychology of a Fantasy Football Draft
September 06, 2020 18:40 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBAhoy Ahoy, This week Professor Thomas Chan from Cal State University, Northridge fills in as Bret’s co-host to discuss Fantasy Football and how our biases affect our drafting decision. We dive inside the cognitive process to learn why Professor Chan could never quit Antonio Brown, how Le'veon Bell scorned him, why Melvin Gordon is a solid pick, and Bret’s hot take on why Christian McCaffrey may be overrated. Episode Guide: 00:45 - Intro & Special Guest Thomas Chan 02:18 - Negativity Bias ...
From Walton to Kaepernick to the WNBA, we talk how athletes use their platform to combat social injustice with special guest "Cousin" TJ Void.
September 02, 2020 22:36 - 56 minutes - 52 MBWelcome to episode 12 of Head Games. This week we welcome our “Cousin” TJ Void to the pod to talk about hard-hitting current issues. As the United States continues to face social injustices, professional athletes remain in lockstep with these matters using their platform to bring attention and shine a light where needed. From Bill Walton to Colin Kaepernick to the WNBA, find out how protests, boycotts, and speaking out leave lasting impact on society. Episode Guide: 2:10 – Kenosha 3:20 – ...
Grit, Special Guest Conner O'Neil, ESPN, and the Trevor Bauer Encounter
August 26, 2020 22:49 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBThis week Ben & Bret talk about what it means to be gritty, and what types of athletes have it. They also welcome special guest, Conner O'Neil, minor league baseball player from the St. Lucie Mets, who was recently featured in the ESPN article "Selling stretchy pants, driving for Uber: Without minor league baseball, many players must take on second jobs." Conner joins us to further discuss the article, what it's like to rehab from Tommy John surgery, and how his job search is going. He also ...
Team Chemistry Wins and Fails
August 16, 2020 21:05 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBSports Psychology covered regularly. Oh, the beauty of hindsight. The return of Baseball is off to a rough start. Thanks for chatting with us TJ Void! Tune in to Head Games, as our hosts Ben Rosenberg and Bret Levine tackle current topics in sports. Video Podcasts can be found on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuHRsv-VAwqtYLoXRg6SA #Sports #Psychology #Indians
Why Professional Athletes Go Clubbing During a Pandemic
August 16, 2020 21:00 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBSports Psychology covered regularly. What are the risks involved in sports during the pandemic? How do we determine if those risks effect us? Tune in to Head Games, as our hosts Ben Rosenberg and Bret Levine tackle current topics in sports. Video Podcasts can be found on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuHRsv-VAwqtYLoXRg6SA #Sports #Psychology #Risk
Baseball's Grim COVID Future & Top 5 Players In the NBA
August 09, 2020 20:22 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBSports Psychology covered regularly. Oh, the beauty of hindsight. The return of Baseball is off to a rough start. Thanks for chatting with us TJ Void! Tune in to Head Games, as our hosts Ben Rosenberg and Bret Levine tackle current topics in sports. Video Podcasts can be found on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuHRsv-VAwqtYLoXRg6SA #Sports #Psychology #NBA
AL West Predictions & Dan Snyder Thinks He's Better Than You
August 09, 2020 20:18 - 38 minutes - 35.2 MBSports Psychology covered regularly. The Snyder scandal... We've got that plus predictions. Tune in to Head Games, as our hosts Ben Rosenberg and Bret Levine tackle current topics in sports. Video Podcasts can be found on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuHRsv-VAwqtYLoXRg6SA #Sports #Podcast #NFL
Gronk and Brady Retirement Kings
August 09, 2020 20:15 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBSports Psychology covered regularly. Gronk to leave retirement? What does aging look like for athletes? Thanks for chatting with us Dr. Tom Chan. Tune in to Head Games, as our hosts Ben Rosenberg and Bret Levine tackle current topics in sports. Video Podcasts can be found on our YouTube chennel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuHRsv-VAwqtYLoXRg6SA #Sports #Podcast #Gronk
Cam Newton, the New "Cool" Quarterback & The NBA Lives Again?
August 09, 2020 20:09 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBSports Psychology covered regularly. Cam Newton is the newest Patriot. What does this mean for modern sports? Thanks for chatting with us TJ Void! Tune in to Head Games, as our hosts Ben Rosenberg and Bret Levine tackle current topics in sports. Video Podcasts can be found on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuHRsv-VAwqtYLoXRg6SA #Sports #Podcast #NFL
Racial Bias in the NFL
August 09, 2020 20:01 - 29 minutes - 27 MBSports Psychology covered regularly. Is there a racial bias within the NFL? Tune in to Head Games, as our hosts Ben Rosenberg and Bret Levine tackle current topics in sports. Video Podcasts can be found on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuHRsv-VAwqtYLoXRg6SA #Sports #Podcast #Covid
Knees and Apologies
August 08, 2020 23:48 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBSports Psychology covered regularly. How has Black Lives Matter impacted sports? Tune in to Head Games, as our hosts Ben Rosenberg and Bret Levine tackle current topics in sports. Video Podcasts can be found on our YouTube chennel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuHRsv-VAwqtYLoXRg6SA #Sports #Podcast #Covid
Sports VS Pandemic
July 17, 2020 19:54 - 41 minutes - 38.5 MBSports Psychology covered weekly. Will we ever see the return to sports? Tune in to Head Games, as our hosts Ben Rosenberg and Bret Levine tackle current topics in sports. Video Podcasts can be found on our YouTube chennel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuHRsv-VAwqtYLoXRg6SA #Sports #Podcast #Covid