Episode 109 Notes and Links to Ben Guest’s Work
On Episode 109 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Ben Guest, and the two discuss shared teaching histories, a love of great literature, including sportswriting, and Ben’s early days of coaching and the lessons learned therein. The two also discuss, among other topics, the importance of zen and relationship building in Ben’s coaching life and everyday life, as well as his book that chronicles some amazing times and players from the Namibian high school basketball world and the KBA, its professional basketball league.
Ben Guest is a three-time champion and two-time Basketball Coach of the Year, with a PHD in Educational Leadership. He spent ten years in Namibia where he coached in the KBA, and he wrote the book Zen and the Art of Coaching Basketball: Memoir of a Namibian Odyssey.
Buy Ben Guest's Zen and the Art of Coaching Basketball: Memoir of a Namibian Odyssey
The Creativity, Education, and Leadership Podcast
Ben Guest's Substack
Article on Namibian Independence and Apartheid in the Country Imposed by South Africa
At about 2:20, Pete introduces Ben Guest, after an unusual start for the podcast, with Pete and Ben talking about the similarities between being a high school teacher and a traveling salesman
At about 3:20, Pete talks about a friend’s incredible devotion to leaving schoolwork at school
At about 4:10, Ben details his grading regimen from his high school teaching days
At about 5:15, Ben responds to Pete’s questions about his childhood love of reading and highlights inspirational teachers John Roemer and Howard Berkowitz)
At about 7:10, Ben talks about his early love for Stephen King and other fantasy and horror and comic books that drew his interest
At about 10:15, Pete posits that Ben’s relatively-late embrace of basketball is a large reason for his passion, and Ben responds and talks about his early days of shooting
At about 12:20, Ben gives his scouting report from his prime basketball-playing days
At about 14:20, Ben disabuses any notion of regular Joes like Pete and Ben getting a bucket in NBA “garbage time,” using the example of Perry Moss, and Pete shouts out Isaac Fontaine as a similar case
At about 17:10, Ben shouts out Brian Scalabrine being challenged for his skills-the video is classic; at about 18:00, Ben highlights a great quote from “Dre” Alvarez of Box Score Geeks Podcast
At about 19:20, Ben responds to Pete’s question about sportswriters who have inspired him-Gary Smith is one, and Best American Sportswriting, edited by Glenn Stout, is cited as a formative anthology, and Ben relates how he can to have Glenn Stout as the editor for his book
At about 22:30, Ben talks about Hakeem Olajuwon as an inspiration
At about 23:30, Pete and Ben discuss a short
At about 24:40, Ben describes his time coaching basketball in Mississippi, and Pete and Ben talk about coaching styles-specifically coaches known as yellers and Ben talks about his early understandings of “control”
At about 28:00, Ben discusses the importance of relationships and self-growth in coaching and life overall
At about 29:35, Ben outlines the background of and seeds for Zen and the Art of Coaching Basketball
At about 32:35, Ben shares meaningful feedback that he has received from readers, and he details the breakdown of the book’s format
At about 35:30, Pete and Ben break down the epigraph of the book and the book’s first chapter
At about 36:45, Ben provides background on his early coaching days, lessons learned, and how his first team in Namibia came together
At about 37:50, Ben quotes Mr. Berkowitz with some great coaching/teaching/life advice
At about 39:15, Ben gives historical background on Namibia and its “locations” (neighborhoods), as well as continuing traumas
At about 41:50, Ben highlights his education in Namibia of how Americans are seen abroad and the country’s horrendous past alliances with racist governments and power structures
At about 44:30, Pete highlights lessons learned by Ben in using a “less is more” approach in MS coaching, and why he didn’t continue using this approach after having a one game success
At about 46:30, Ben mentions his podcast, and how this helped him get in touch via email with Phil Jackson
At about 48:20, Ben details his journey with meditation and how it has helped him
At about 49:10, Ben teases an upcoming project with a retired NBA player
At about 51:00, Pete shouts out a coaching mentor, and compliments Ben’s even keel, leading to a description of a stunning Brad Stevens’ moment of zen
At about 51:50, Pete and Ben discuss the historic KBA victory
At about 53:40, Pete discusses the investment that the reader makes with the players in the book
At about 54:00, Ben shouts out his Substack, and where to buy the book
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The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 110 with Bryce Hedstrom, El Padrino of Comprehensible Input in the foreign language classroom, and widely recognized as an outstanding world language teacher with more than 25 years of experience at all levels. A frequent regional, state and national presenter, he is known for helping world language teachers to enhance their existing programs by incorporating many strategies that emphasize social awareness, interpersonal communication and varied reading techniques in the classroom. The episode will air on March 15.
This episode is the first of five this week. On Monday, March 21, there will be a drawing for a $100 gift card to bookshop.org. In order to enter the drawing:
Episode 116 with Noel Casler, Standout Artist, Creative, Podcaster, and Standup Comedian with 25 Years of Experience in TV and Production, Including The Celebrity Apprentice
Episode 115 with Jennifer Fliss, Flash Fiction Star and Master of Signifying So Much by Writing So Little
Episode 114 with Reyna Grande: Brilliant and Award-Winning Memoirist, Novelist, and Author of 2022’s Triumph, A Ballad of Love and Glory
Episode 113 with Nicole Santa Cruz, Multitalented Journalist, Former Chronicler of The Los Angeles Times Homicide Report, and Reporter Covering Issues of Inequality for ProPublica
Episode 112 with James Tate Hill, Editor at Monkeybicycle , Columnist for LitHub, and Reflective and Acclaimed Writer of Blind Man’s Bluff: A Memoir
Episode 111 with Taylor Byas, Master Tactician of Profound and Affecting Words, PhD Student, Editor at The Rumpus, and Powerful Poet of the Critically- and Reader-Acclaimed Bloodwarm
Episode 110 with Bryce Hedstrom, El Padrino of Comprehensible Input in the Foreign Language Classroom, Master Teacher and Teacher Trainer, Author of Multiple Books, and Bold Advocate for Reading
Episode 108 with Navdeep Dhillon Singh, Writer of Stirring, Profound, and Clever Work and Author of the Standout and Unforgettable Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions
Episode 107 with Dr. Benjamin Gilmer, Tireless and Compassionate Advocate for Carceral and Mental Health Reform and Author of The Other Dr. Gilmer: Two Men, a Murder, and an Unlikely Fight for Justice
Episode 106 with Daniel Olivas, Lawyer, Wordsmith, Playwright, Aesthete, and Author of 2022’s Unique and Riveting How to Date a Flying Mexican Story Collection
Episode 105 with Nikesha Elise Williams, host of Black and Published Podcast, prolific and versatile writer of Beyond Bourbon Street and More, and Master Storyteller in Different Media.
Episode 104 with Matt Bell, Author of The New York Times Notable Book, Appleseed, and Uber-Talented Craftsman, Worldbuilder, Chronicler of Society’s Mores, and Writing Teacher
Episode 103 with Tracey Thompson, Short-Story Reader Extraordinaire, Shirley Jackson Fan, and Publisher of the ”California Reading” Project
Episode 102 with Tice Cin, Interdisciplinary Artist, Aesthete, Wordsmith, and Author of Keeping the House-Called” a cult classic in the making” by The Guardian
Episode 101 with Mia St. John, 5-time World Boxing Champion, Founder of El Saber Es Poder Foundation, Advocate for Mental Health Awareness, and Author of the Memoir, Fighting for My Life
Episode 100 with Susan Muaddi Darraj: Versatile Writer of Moving and Well-Researched Works for All Ages and ”Portraits of Flawed, Ordinary Humans with Whom the reader Can Feel Joy, Pain and Empathy”
Episode 99 with Sara Borjas, Profound Thinker, Script-Flipper, Proud Pochx, and Author of the Breathtaking Heart Like a Window, Mouth Like a Cliff
Episode 98 with Greg Bishop, Disciplined and Voracious Reader, Profound and Thoughtful Writer, and Storyteller with Sports Illustrated, Showtime All-Access, and More
Episode 97 with Kyle Beachy, Profound Wordsmith, Masterful Observer of the World Through Skateboarding, and Author of the Critically-Acclaimed The Most Fun: Dispatches from a Skateboard Life
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