Out of the Park: Setting Your Intention
Happy New Year! I hope it’s off to a strong, productive start as we wrap up the first month of 2025. While I’m not typically one for resolutions, something I am a fan of is setting intentions. I also believe it’s something you can begin to practice anytime, whether at the start of the calendar year or the beginning of a new journey.
As I write this, I’m about to kick off an adventure of my own when my second book, Small Ball Big Dreams, is released on February 4. It’s a project I’ve been working on for a couple of years and am so excited to share this collection of stories about grit, resilience and the power of dreams…on and off the field.
My intentions were to tell the stories of people who took unique paths to overcoming challenges or found purpose in unexpected ways. In the book, you’ll meet incredible individuals like:
Lorenzo Cain, who went from first playing organized baseball in high school to leading the Kansas City Royals to back-to-back World Series appearances.
A young police officer who turned her battle with ALS into a mission to improve lives.
Rap star Tech N9ne, who used music to pursue his dream of making a positive impact on mental health.
I have always believed that every one is a storyteller, and for me, sharing them on television, podcasts, books and my newsletter is what I live to do. And in 2025, my intention is to do it with even more curiosity.
It’s something that leads to better connections, deeper knowledge and opportunities to tell even more stories. That’s why I made curiosity my word of the year, and even though we’re only one month in, I have already seen it show up in my life in so many ways.
Whatever your intention may be, something I know for sure is that it’s never too late to set one, inside and Out of the Park.
Stadium standout
I’m always curious to explore new music, and am intentional about adding new (or new to me) songs to playlists as I continue to expand my horizons.
The Avett Brothers - who I saw at Red Rocks in 2024 - remain my favorite, but this fifty-something actually listens to every genre. From Chris Stapleton and Kendrick Lamar to Lake Street Dive or GloRilla, I really do love it all. And that includes the Kansas City Symphony.
While I wait for the return of regular season baseball, I love going to music venues. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is known for acoustically being one of the best symphony halls in the world.
I will defer to my parents for truly educated opinions on classical pieces of music, but know with certainty that listening to the KC Symphony is one of my favorite offseason activities. Whether you’re a music expert or a music appreciator like me, it’s an experience I cannot recommend enough.
Local flavor
When setting my intention for 2025, one of my goals was to use curiosity to expand my network beyond Kansas City.
I saw intention in action recently when I visited Salina, Kansas recently for a speech to The Bank of Tescott. While there, I got to see Tiffany Benien, Director of Sports & Special Events for Visit Salina. We first met at an event in the KC area last fall and I told her I would love to find a way to connect further while I was in town for the upcoming keynote, even though we had no idea how or what we wanted to do.
By being intentional, we scheduled a memorable day of good food, people and experiences in a cool city. It included time at the Rolling Hills Zoo, a book signing of my first book, Small Ball Big Results, at the charming Red Fern Booksellers, and sampling some seriously legit BBQ at Hickory Hut. You can see these stops and more in my Day in Salina video.
I just booked another event in November and am truly excited for another visit to that amazing community.
Dugout dialogue
Baseball Opening Day is less than sixty days away, which means I will return to Kauffman Stadium for my 18th season broadcasting Kansas City Royals baseball.
It’s the time of year that players, fans and broadcasters alike start getting the itch to get back to the diamond. I’m no exception, and look forward to once again being on the road with the team, exploring cities and venues around the country. There’s just something about being around so many people who love the game and the incredible storytelling opportunities. Often they’re of triumphs, but sometimes tragedies.
One such example is commemorated on January 22nd. It's a day I’ll never forget, and one I intend to share about every year. Why? Because it's the anniversary of when former Royals pitcher Yordano “Ace” Ventura passed away in a tragic car accident in his native Dominican Republic.
I discuss my relationship with him to most audiences I speak to during my keynotes on trust and culture. My connection with Yordano allowed me to know him on a more personal level. Now every year on January 22nd I post photos and videos of my favorite interactions with “Ace” that really show his personality, and wanted to do so once again in this month’s newsletter.
Curious to find out how setting your intention can show up in the workplace? Watch this month’s discussion with Chief of Staff KC’s Casey Wright to find out.
speaking engagements
January is always a busy speaking month as companies return to normalcy following the holidays.
This month, David Embry brought me in to deliver my Small Ball, Big Dreams keynote to Mylo. It was a perfect complement to their outstanding culture, and I am not only grateful to David for having me, but to former podcast guest Greg Justice for facilitating the connection.
I also spent some quality time on I-70 for two speeches in the same week: First in Salina, then in Manhattan.
The Bank of Tescott is deeply committed to culture and it was great to spend a few hours discussing Winning Trust. At the City of Manhattan’s 4th Annual Citywide Training Day, more than 350 employees from all different professions gathered to hear the keynote, including firefighters who lined the parking lot with their fire trucks to attend the event.
February is filling fast, but I still have plenty of openings between now and Opening Day on March 27th.
If you have a game changing event coming up, it’s time we play ball. To inquire about my keynote series, event moderation or custom video content, just click the link below. A member of my team will get back to you right away.
Rounding the bases rewind
This month, I was joined by a bi-coastal roster of phenomenal guests. I listened with curiosity as each detailed the ways they built passion-fueled careers. But none quite so much as Damon Lembi, who set his intention as a child, then spent every day after making it a reality.
As the CEO of LearnIt, a globally disruptive training solutions company, he has spent three decades empowering the next generation of leaders with the right skills, right now. And he isn’t just preparing his clients to be someones boss, but people that others are eager to follow.
Whether you are currently in a leadership role now or aspire to be one some day, it was a can’t miss discussion. Click here to check it out now.
Finally, I want to give another big thank you to each of this month’s guests for sharing their time, insights and lessons:
Our schedule is already booked into the summer, but we are always looking for interesting guests with standout stories. Would you or someone you know make a great guest on Rounding the Bases?
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email my Executive Producer Ashleigh Sterr: ashleigh@joelgoldbergmedia.com.
Keeping the score
If you have a business, do business, or know someone who does, recent guest Beth Nydick knows how to make you unforgettable.
She’s a PR pro who is turning heads in the media world, using her proven formula to amplify entrepreneurs from hidden gems to industry icons. As founder of The F.A.M.E. Lab and a former producer for some of the most recognizable TV networks in the world, her expertise has made her the go-to visibility expert for a Who’s Who of clients. And by leveraging decades of experience, she has found real strategies that do more than get them into the spotlight…but to supercharge their business.
Our discussion was heavy on must-have strategy aimed at realizing your intentions. Curious? Be sure to check it out. Her insights are definitely worth the read.
newsletter signup
Do you want an exclusive first look and access to behind the scenes photos you can’t find anywhere else? Sign up today and get Out of the Park delivered right to your inbox.