On The Ball with Andrew Maraniss
"On The Ball with Andrew Maraniss" is a captivating podcast that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and politics through thought-provoking conversations. Hosted by Andrew Maraniss, bestselling author and director of the Vanderbilt Sports & Society Initiative, the podcast features a diverse lineup of guests—including athletes, authors, activists, and thought leaders—who bring unique perspectives on topics ranging from sports history and social justice to personal resilience and current events. Whether you're a sports fan, history buff, or curious thinker, "On The Ball" is your ticket to meaningful dialogue and inspiring storytelling.
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On The Ball with Andrew Maraniss
Episode 78: Braden Brown
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Braden Brown, director of mental health at BYU Athletics, joins the show to discuss the immense value of mindfulness for athletes. "Based on the Lochbaum et al., 2022 systematic review of 30 meta-analyses across 40 years of sport psychology research. Mindfulness wasn’t just effective—it was THE most effective variable in the entire dataset. In a world obsessed with confidence, self-talk, and motivation. The data shows mindfulness is the foundation. If you want clutch performance, emotional stability, faster recovery from mistakes, better training efficiency, and improved well-being."