Welcome to Heaven or Heisman, the podcast where we blend faith, family, and sports to help you raise confident, resilient kids. In each episode, we dive into the challenges parents face when guiding their children through the world of athletics and beyond, all while grounding our advice in Biblical principles. From helping your child practice more to building their confidence, and teaching them how to embrace failure, we offer practical tips and relatable stories to make the journey a little easier (and a lot more fun).
Whether you’re wondering how to encourage your child’s love for the game, help them develop a strong work ethic, or teach them to handle pressure with grace, Heaven or Heisman has you covered. Join us as we tackle key parenting moments in sports—balancing discipline with fun, praising effort over performance, and fostering character that lasts. Let’s navigate the world of youth sports together, one practice, one game, and one lesson at a time. Tune in for inspiring insights, faith-based wisdom, and a whole lot of heart!
What actually gives an athlete an edge at tryouts? Luke and Jean break down ten “tryout intangibles” that can make a difference when the competition gets tough—from communicating and listening to showing confidence, responding well to mistakes, playing defense, and being the teammate every coach wants on the court or field. They unpack why the little things matter, how coaches notice attitude and effort, and why a kid who hustles, encourages teammates, and bounces back after a mistake may stand out just as much as the kid with the biggest highlight reel.
The conversation also goes beyond tryout day, challenging parents to think about the character and habits they’re helping their athletes build long before they walk into the gym. From developing a skill set without specializing too early to learning toughness, sportsmanship, and respect for coaches, Luke and Jean explore how these lessons can shape kids both in sports and in life. Because sometimes getting an edge isn’t about being the most talented player in the room—it’s about being the kind of person and teammate coaches can trust.
18 Sept 2026
The Dream was MLS. The Journey was God // FC Dallas' Slade Starnes
What happens when the dream you’ve chased your whole life actually comes true? Luke and Jean sit down with FC Dallas’ Slade Starnes to talk about the winding road from a childhood dream to the professional level—and the injuries, sacrifices, setbacks, and faith that shaped him along the way. Slade shares what it was like to lose an entire year to injury, leave behind longtime friends to pursue the next level, and wonder whether he even belonged among the best. But as the conversation unfolds, the bigger question becomes: What happens when your sport becomes your identity? Slade opens up about learning that talent and hard work can only take you so far, and how his faith began to reshape the way he approached competition, pressure, and success.
And then comes the full-circle moment every young athlete dreams about: FC Dallas makes the call. Slade shares what it was like to finally sign with the club he had dreamed about since childhood, while also reflecting on the deeper lessons that got him there—playing for an “audience of one,” building accountability, pursuing excellence without being defined by the outcome, and finding something bigger than the scoreboard. He also shares how his experiences with his friend Ivan led them to start iDream, which helps young athletes pursue their goals while growing in confidence, identity, and leadership. At the heart of Slade’s story is a reminder that the biggest win may have very little to do with what happens on the scoreboard.
24 Jul 2026
Club Sports Playbook: Don't Choose a Soccer Club Until You Hear This
What does it actually take to develop great soccer players in the United States? In this episode of the Heaven or Heisman Podcast, Luke and Jean sit down with veteran coach Jay Dane, whose experience spans both professional academies and youth soccer. Together, they unpack the ongoing debate around America's youth soccer system, from pay-to-play and coaching quality to the cultural differences that shape player development around the world.
Jay shares why individual development should always come before team success, explaining how creativity, unstructured play, and mastering the fundamentals build confident, skilled athletes. The conversation explores why pickup games and playful competition are often more valuable than highly structured training, how parents can encourage growth at home, and why the best coaches create safe environments where mistakes become opportunities to learn.
Whether you're choosing a soccer club for your child or simply looking to foster a lifelong love of the game, this episode offers practical guidance for parents navigating youth sports. From evaluating coaches over club brands to encouraging more touches on the ball outside of practice, you'll walk away with a clearer picture of what truly helps young athletes develop both on and off the field.
Who has been a guest on Heaven or Heisman
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr John Arvesen
Aaron Rose
Brian Campion
Brian Smith
Ed Uszynski
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
14 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
62
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Heaven or Heisman
Who hosts Heaven or Heisman?
Jean and Luke and Luke Baker and Jean Anderson host the show. Published by heavenorheisman.com.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Heaven or Heisman take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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