
Free Daily Podcast Summary
by United Volleyball
A United podcast centered around athlete development, coaching philosophies, the college recruitment process, and more! Hosted by Korohen Jones, Director of Player and Coach Development. Each week we showcase different athletes, alumni, and coaches that all help us become #bettertogether.
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
No two college recruiting journeys look exactly the same.In this special Better Together recruiting recap, we’re revisiting conversations with Alicia Krichev, Eli Hester, Audrey Cagle, and Audrey Krichev to hear four very different perspectives on finding the right path to college volleyball.From navigating the process as a family and starting recruiting later than expected, to choosing a school based on academics and finding an unexpected way back to the game, these stories are a reminder that recruiting doesn’t have to follow one specific timeline or formula.Whether you’re just beginning the process, somewhere in the middle of it, or wondering if your journey looks different from everyone else’s, this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and a reminder to focus on finding the path that fits you.
What do college coaches really look for during the recruiting process?In this special Better Together recruiting recap, we’re revisiting conversations with Tristan Johnson of UNA Indoor Volleyball, Kaleb VanDePerre of UNA Beach Volleyball, and Betsy Freeburg of UAB Volleyball to hear recruiting from the coaches’ side.From getting noticed and communicating with coaches to highlight film, grades, finding the right fit, and the qualities that matter beyond talent, these three coaches share insight every athlete and parent navigating the recruiting process should hear.Whether college volleyball is a future goal or recruiting is already underway, this episode is full of practical advice to help you approach the process with more confidence and intention.
In the final part of our conversation with United Programming Coordinator Celeste Walton, we're bringing her story home to United.Celeste shares what ultimately brought her back to Alabama, what stood out to her about United, and why our commitment to creating opportunities for athletes at every level made this feel like the right place for her.We also go behind the scenes of great programming and talk about what parents may not always see: the planning, adapting, problem-solving, and heart that go into creating an environment where athletes can learn, grow, and feel safe enough to make mistakes.Plus, Celeste shares what she's most excited to grow at United and what "Better Together" means to her, not only for athletes, but for coaches who are willing to learn from one another, share what they know, and continue raising the level of the game together.We're so excited to have Celeste as part of the United family and can't wait to see the impact she'll make in the gym this season!
In Part 2 of our conversation with United Programming Coordinator Celeste Walton, we're diving deeper into what it means to coach the athlete in front of you.Celeste and Korohen talk about the lessons that come with coaching athletes at every age, from learning patience and adaptability with younger players to keeping older athletes challenged, engaged, and connected to their role on a team.They also discuss navigating burnout, understanding that every role matters, and what it means to add value to your team whether you're on the court or supporting your teammates from the sideline.And finally, Celeste shares the coaching philosophy at the heart of how she wants to impact athletes: Elevate and Empower.Elevate who they are as people and players. Empower their confidence, their voices, and their ability to advocate for themselves.Because the impact of a great coach reaches far beyond the volleyball court.
We're excited to welcome a new face to the United family!In Part 1 of our conversation with United's new Programming Coordinator, Celeste Walton, we get to know the person behind the coach and hear about the volleyball journey that ultimately brought her to United.Celeste shares how she first fell in love with the game, her experience playing multiple positions and competing at the collegiate level, and the coaches who helped shape the way she approaches athletes today. She also opens up about discovering her own calling to coach and why developing the next generation of young women means so much to her.Plus, Celeste and Korohen talk about finding your voice, where confidence really comes from, and why putting in the work can give athletes the confidence to make mistakes, learn from them, and keep growing.We're thankful to have Celeste as part of United and can't wait for you to get to know her.In This EpisodeHow Celeste first discovered volleyballGoing from libero to middle and eventually playing nearly every positionHow club volleyball fueled her love for the gameThe coaches who took the time to teach, challenge, and believe in herCeleste's collegiate volleyball experienceHow volleyball helped Celeste come out of her shell and find her voiceWhy great coaching requires finding different ways to reach different athletesThe connection between preparation, repetition, and confidenceWhy doing the work can give athletes the confidence to make mistakesHelping young athletes explore their limits instead of fearing failureFeatured GuestCeleste WaltonProgramming Coordinator, United VolleyballPresented ByHuntsville Hair Company, the official sponsor of the Better Together podcast.
As athletes prepare for a new season, we're continuing our look back at one of our most valuable conversations with registered dietitian Alyssum Reno-Smith.In Part 2, Alyssum gets practical about what fueling can actually look like during a busy tournament weekend — from early morning matches and long days at the convention center to traveling, limited recovery time, and making sure athletes have what they need in their bags.We also talk about recognizing the signs of under-fueling, building healthy habits without creating restriction or fear around food, navigating nutrition misinformation on social media, and helping young athletes take ownership of their fueling as they grow.In this episode, we discuss:How to plan nutrition around multi-day tournament weekendsWhat athletes should eat before, during, and after competitionSimple foods and snacks to keep on hand while travelingHow to prepare for early morning matches and limited recovery timeWhy planning ahead can make tournament nutrition much easierSigns that an athlete may be under-fuelingHow parents can support healthy eating without becoming overly restrictiveHelping athletes develop a positive relationship with foodWhether different volleyball positions have different nutritional needsWhy hydration should be proactive, not just based on thirstHow to make small, sustainable changes to everyday nutritionHow to identify nutrition misinformation and social media red flagsCommon nutrition myths about carbs, fruit, protein bars, and pre-match eatingWhy consistency matters more than perfection when it comes to fuelingWhether you're an athlete, parent, or coach, this conversation is full of practical reminders about preparing, fueling, hydrating, and supporting athletes in a way that helps them perform — both on the court and beyond it.If you missed Part 1, be sure to go back and listen to the first half of our conversation with Alyssum for even more on the connection between nutrition, focus, energy, and performance.
As athletes head back into the gym and prepare for a new season, we're looking back on one of our most valuable conversations.In this archived episode, registered dietitian Alyssum Reno-Smith joins us to discuss the powerful connection between nutrition and athletic performance. From brain function and decision making to hydration, anxiety, and sustained energy, Alyssum explains why what athletes eat before and during competition matters just as much as what they do in practice.Whether you're listening for the first time or revisiting this conversation, the information is just as relevant today as it was when we first released it.In this episode, we discuss:Why under-fueling can increase anxiety, shakiness, and mental mistakesHow nutrition supports the nervous system, focus, and confidenceWhy carbohydrates are the brain's primary fuelThe truth about energy drinks and pre-competition fuelingSmart snack ideas for tournaments and long training daysWhy skipping meals before competition can hurt performanceHow hydration affects decision making and reaction timeCommon fueling misconceptions among athletes and parentsSimple nutrition habits that support more consistent performanceWhether you're an athlete, parent, or coach, this conversation is packed with practical, evidence-based advice to help athletes perform at their best.Be sure to join us next week as we revisit Part 2 of our conversation with Alyssum.
We wrap up our three-part conversation with professional volleyball player and United ambassador Merritt Beason by talking about the lessons she's still learning - and the ones she hopes to pass on.From coaching young athletes and navigating difficult decisions to confidence, accountability, self-talk, and finding your voice, Merritt shares the perspective she's gained both on and off the court.She also reflects on balancing high expectations with grace, why confidence isn't something you always feel, and what it really means to keep growing as an athlete, coach, and person.Key TakeawaysQuestions young athletes should be asking more oftenBalancing accountability with grace as a coachHelping athletes separate performance from self-worthWhat confidence really looks likeFinding your voice while remaining respectfulThe importance of effort, energy, and buy-inPractical strategies for managing negative self-talkMerritt's definition of "Better Together"
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Listeners also like.

The Volleyball University Podcast
A podcast that breaks down volleyball techniques, strategy, mental performance, and nutrition to help players improve their game.

Coaching Conversations Archives - Coaching Volleyball
Shares insights and ideas related to volleyball coaching.

VOLLEYBALLOGY UNcensored
A no-filter discussion about volleyball from former pros, coaches, and parents, tackling unspoken truths and offering instructional content.

Get The Pancake: A Podcast For Volleyball Coaches
Discusses volleyball coaching strategies and features interviews with elite players, tailored for new coaches learning the game.

The VolleyNerd Podcast
Volleyball discussions covering culture, strategy, and deep dives into the sport from a longtime insider’s perspective.

THE VOLLEYTALK PODCAST: Beach Volleyball Conversations with Tasha Mae
Beach volleyball players discuss their experiences and strategies for improving mentally, emotionally, and physically in the sport.

Dissecting High Performance In Tennis
A deep dive into the coaching philosophies and methods that shape elite tennis players’ development and performance.

Coach Your Brains Out Archives
Archived episodes of a volleyball coaching podcast discussing strategies, techniques, and insights for coaches.

Volleyball Coaching Wizards Podcast
Interviews with top volleyball coaches from around the world.

Around The Block
A weekly podcast providing in-depth analysis and commentary on club and high school girls' volleyball.

Coaches on the Beach
Two coaches break down beach volleyball strategy, recruiting, and personal experiences, focusing on NCAA and junior levels.

Volley Takes
A weekly volleyball podcast covering news, culture, and bold opinions in the sport.
A United podcast centered around athlete development, coaching philosophies, the college recruitment process, and more! Hosted by Korohen Jones, Director of Player and Coach Development. Each week we showcase different athletes, alumni, and coaches that all help us become #bettertogether.
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Get key takeaways from Better Together in a 5-minute read.
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Better Together as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by United Volleyball.
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
Better Together publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
Better Together covers topics including Education, Sports, Fitness, Volleyball, Health & Fitness, Self-Improvement. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.