The Farm System

In Episode 217, we sit down with UC San Diego Softball head coach Nikki Palmer for an honest conversation about what it truly takes to lead a program. Coach Palmer shares her journey through different schools and roles, breaking down how the responsibilities of a head coach shift depending on staff size, experience, and structure. From wearing multiple hats to building trust within a coaching staff, she dives into what matters most when developing culture, managing people, and making tough decisions. We also unpack the lessons she’s learned as she’s grown in the head coaching role—covering leadership, communication, staff development, and the small details that often get overlooked. Whether you’re an aspiring head coach, current assistant, or player looking to better understand the leadership side of the game, this episode offers practical insight straight from someone living it at the Division I level. If you care about program building, staff dynamics, and long-term leadership growth—this one’s for you.

Strength training debates are louder than ever—traditional lifts vs. “functional” training, capacity vs. transfer, force production vs. athletic expression. And yet, most of the arguments miss what actually matters. In this episode, we break down why both sides of the strength debate are partially right—and fundamentally incomplete. We unpack what functional strength actually means, how the term has been watered down, and why simply getting stronger doesn’t guarantee better on-field performance—especially in highly skilled sports like baseball and softball. We discuss: Why definitions matter when talking about functional strength The real value (and limitations) of traditional strength training Diminishing returns and why strength doesn’t scale linearly with performance How sagittal-dominant training creates asymmetries and movement restrictions Why sport and position specificity matter more than most programs acknowledge The difference between building capacity and being able to express it How strength gains can actually reduce performance if they limit movement options From high-level athletes to youth players, this conversation reframes how coaches should think about strength, power, and transfer—without throwing squats, hinges, or heavy lifts out the window. The goal isn’t choosing a side. It’s understanding what strength is for—and how to apply it without breaking the athlete.

In this episode, Joey sits down and covers his take aways from the 2026 ABCA Convention. Where is the game at now? Where is it headed? If we really want the game to move forward, if we really want to make progress... it takes work.

In today’s episode, we’re joined once again by our friend and mentor, co-founder of the Action Types approach and one of the deepest thinkers in motor development, natural movement, and human coordination. This is his second appearance on the podcast — and it didn’t take long for us to bring him back. We dive into a conversation that sits at the core of coaching and athlete development: Why do some athletes stay open, adaptable, and constantly improving — while others get stuck defending old ideas? This episode explores the deeper layers of learning, trust, mindset, and the complexity behind how athletes coordinate movement under pressure. What We Discuss in This Episode Why coaches who “appreciate complexity” learn and evolve faster How humility and curiosity keep athletes and coaches from getting stuck Why knowing information is not the same as knowing how to think How Action Types began The science behind “readiness,” natural movement patterns, and motor signatures Why athletes break down under pressure — and how context, stress, and internal state shape coordination How rules, expectations, and “have-to” thinking disrupt performance Why trust is a decision, not a feeling — and how athletes can choose it How to stay “online” with the environment, your body, and the demands of the game Why every moment in sport is unique — and why ready-made techniques fail How movement emerges naturally when the emotional, cognitive, and sensorimotor layers are aligned This episode goes far deeper than mechanics — it gets into the why behind learning, performance, and the behaviors we see every day in players. If you’ve ever wondered why some athletes thrive during pressure and others collapse… this conversation gives the scientific and practical layers behind it.

Let me tell you a secret — I wasn’t some standout player. I was a below average JUCO player. A below average Division I player. A below average NAIA player. No one was looking at me back then and thinking, “That guy’s going to work with MLB All-Stars one day.” But at 27, I was interviewing for MLB hitting coordinator jobs. Not because I was a great player. Not because of connections or status. It was because I got access — access to mentors, information, and resources that changed my life. In this episode, I break down what really separates great coaches from everyone else. It’s not pedigree. It’s not where you played. It’s how hungry you are to learn, reflect, and grow. We’ll talk about: The myth of needing a big résumé to make an impact Why mentorship accelerates growth faster than anything else How to find mentors — even from afar — and learn from them daily Breaking limiting beliefs that hold coaches back Why curiosity and consistency matter more than talent How faith, humility, and perseverance shape long-term success You don’t need status to change your trajectory — you need commitment to growth. Whether you’re 23 or 63, your story isn’t finished. So lean in. You’re closer than you think. 🙏 “Your past doesn’t decide your ceiling. Your commitment to growth does."

🎙 Episode 212 – Allie Clements (Stanford Softball Alum) In this episode, we explore the real side of the college softball journey — the parts that rarely get talked about but so many athletes experience. Our guest shares her story of growing up in Houston, Texas, and how her path through college athletics didn’t go exactly as she imagined. From dreams of being a four-year All-American to navigating unexpected challenges and shifts in identity, this conversation dives deep into the realities behind the highlight reels. It’s an honest and powerful discussion that will resonate with any athlete who’s ever had to redefine success and find strength in the process.

🎙 Episode 211 – Micah Franklin (7 to 22)  Hitting a baseball is often called the hardest skill in sports—and in this episode, we dive into why. Micah, with over 31 years in professional baseball and experience working with players like Cody Bellinger and James Wood, shares hard-earned wisdom from both the field and the […]

🎙 Episode 210 – Cal Stephens — an athlete whose path with us started through remote training and has grown into a unique in-person experience of shadowing, learning, and developing inside The Farm. Cal shares what it’s like to not only train as a player, but also step into the shoes of an intern, observing coaching […]

🎙 Episode 209 – From the Lab to the Field: Biomechanics, Rehab, and Performance with Dr. Emily Ferree In this episode, Joey Cunha reconnects with an early mentor and former collaborator, Dr. Emily Ferree — a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, biomechanics consultant, and strength & conditioning coach. They dive into Emily’s […]

College sports are evolving faster than ever. In Episode 208, we dive into the rise of NIL deals, the chaos and opportunity of the transfer portal, and how the line between amateur and pro is getting blurrier by the day. We explore what these shifts mean for players, coaches, and programs—and how athletes are taking […]

Episode 207: The Ups & Downs of Hitting Hitting is a game of highs and lows, and whether you’re a coach or a player, navigating the mental side of the game is just as important as the mechanics. In this episode, we dive into the challenges that come with hitting slumps, the frustrations of feeling […]

Episode 206: Matt Krug “The game is 90% mental and the other half physical” Everyone has heard that classic quote from some capacity while playing sports. In this in episode we deep dive with Matt Krug who worked as a psychologist with professional baseball organizations and go into things like identifying talent/ variables in high […]

Episode 205: What Is Our Real Job? In an industry that can be full of magic tricks and “truths” we can often lose sight as coaches of what our job is with athletes. Is it to tell them exactly how something should be done? Is it build relationships? Is it ti help build skills that […]

Episode 204:Hitting Philosophies With Chat GPT Have you ever had to explain your hitting philosophy to somebody before? Well, in this episode, we walked through some public information and analytics in the baseball space and provided them to Chat GPT to attempt to have Chat build its own philosophy. The answers may surprise you… Take […]

Episode 203: Dugout Chatter Have you ever heard of “playing the game within the game”? In this episode we sit down and chop up all the minor details that may come into play during a single at bat, pitch, game, weekend, etc. From setting the pitcher up, to basic approach and mindsets going into the […]

Episode 202: Tyson Marostica (Arizona Sports Clinic) In this episode, we sit down with elite golf instructor Tyson Marostica to dive into the fascinating parallels and unique differences between baseball, softball, and golf. Together, we explore how each sport approaches collecting and interpreting data, as well as the distinct training philosophies and ideologies that shape […]

Episode 201: Action Types – Motor Preferences In this episode we dive into Action Types & Motor Preferences. Taking a science and putting it into a digestible curriculum for others to understand can be tricky, so we decided to chop it up for over 2.5 hours discussing the benefits, misconceptions, and much more when profiling […]

Episode 200: Communication Is Key In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most essential elements of effective coaching—communication. Whether you’re coaching baseball or softball, how you communicate with your athletes can make or break their development. We explore practical strategies for building trust, creating a positive environment, and delivering feedback that resonates. […]

Episode 199: Rick Franzblau (Clemson University Assistant AD and Olympic Sports Performance) In this episode, we sit down with the Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Performance at Clemson University to dive deep into the world of human movement and high-level performance training. From bone structure and biomechanics to cutting-edge weight room strategies, this conversation unpacks […]

Episode 198: Randy Sullivan (Florida Baseball Armory) In this episode of The Farm System podcast: If you love learning how the body works, training athletes, or simply just two passionate people collaborating, this is for you! Joey and Randy sit down and dive into many topics from collecting data, training in the weight room, on […]