Welcome to House of Hammers — a podcast where iron sharpens iron and faith fuels perseverance. Each week, your hosts dig deep into stories of mindset, motivation, and servant leadership, reminding us to focus on "roots, not fruit" — building strong foundations before chasing results.
Through real conversations, spiritual truths, and guest insights, House of Hammers challenges you to grow in grit, grace, and purpose. Whether you’re leading a team, a family, or simply yourself, this is your space to be sharpened, strengthened, and inspired to serve. Grab your hammer, it’s time to build something that lasts. 🛠️
Perception, Sports Psychology, and Maximizing Your Potential | Todd Nadeau '80
In this episode of House of Hammers, we welcome Todd Nadeau ’80 — former three-sport athlete at Catholic Central, Albion College basketball player, and respected sports psychology coach who continues to mentor Shamrocks today. Todd shares his journey of overcoming adversity after a high school injury and how that experience ultimately shaped his purpose in helping athletes navigate the mental and emotional side of competition. The conversation dives deep into identity, pressure, perception, ...
30 Apr 2026
Growth and Resilience | TJ Nadeau '24
In Episode 16 of House of Hammers, host Aaron Babicz '93 and special co-host Tory Jackson welcome alumnus TJ Nadeau '24. The conversation centers on the intersection of faith, athletic resilience, and the necessity of high-quality relationships. Nadeau details his transition through the transfer portal, emphasizing the importance of choosing growth over comfort, while Jackson reflects on the spiritual grounding required to navigate high-level coaching success.
16 Apr 2026
After the Ring | Coach Cessante on Faith, Family, and What Comes Next
In the wake of Catholic Central's 2026 D1 State Championship, hosts Aaron Babicz '93 and Chris Okoye '14 welcome Head Football Coach Justin Cessante '99 back to House of Hammers. This is more than a championship recap — it's a candid conversation about the personal growth required to lead, the role of faith in athletics, and how the CC Family turns tradition into a launchpad. Coach Cessante also shares his "Shield Down" leadership model and what it looks like to lead with your guard down.
1 Apr 2026
Leadership as Coaching | Jeff Wiska '77
Episode 14 of the House of Hammers podcast features Jeff Wiska '77, a Michigan State football player and former NFL/USFL professional. The discussion centers on the transition from elite athletics to corporate leadership, emphasizing a "people-first" management philosophy. Wiska maintains that effective leadership is an act of mentorship and love rather than mere process management, drawing direct parallels between the accountability of the football field and the integrity required in busines...
12 Mar 2026
More Than Wins | Mike McAndrews
In this episode of House of Hammers, host Aaron Babicz ’93 welcomes Mike McAndrews — Director of Admissions at Cardinal Mooney and longtime head boys basketball coach with more than 300 career wins. A proud Cardinal Mooney alumnus and former three-sport athlete, Coach McAndrews reflects on a lifetime dedicated to building young men through faith, discipline, and competition. From his days as a four-year college basketball player at Concordia University Chicago to leading Mooney’s basketball ...
27 Feb 2026
Breaking Mental Barriers | Brian Chaney
On this episode of House of Hammers, we sit down with Brian Chaney, LMSW-C, C.Ht., founder and CEO of Chane Reaction Counseling Services, to explore the powerful intersection of mental health, athletics, and personal transformation. Brian joins us to unpack how our past experiences shape our reactions, how “sports imitates life,” and why culturally-sensitive support matters now more than ever. With over 20 years in social work, certification as Michigan’s only male Sports Social Worker, and a...
5 Feb 2026
Fuel Your Ambition & Fail Forward | Jacob Brown
In this powerful episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome inspirational speaker and motivator Jacob Brown for a raw and honest conversation about resilience, risk, and fatherhood. Having spoken to audiences at TEDx, Meta, UPS, and schools across the country, Jacob brings a compelling blend of athletic experience, entrepreneurial insight, and hard-earned wisdom. This episode is a reminder that failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of the path....
15 Jan 2026
Coaching with Purpose and Faith | Tory Jackson
In this episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 sit down with Head Basketball Coach Tory Jackson to talk about leadership, culture, and building young men the right way. Coach Jackson shares his story and philosophy on faith, accountability, and discipline — and how those values shape his approach to coaching both on and off the court. From developing team chemistry to preparing players for life beyond basketball, he explains why relationships, trust, and cons...
8 Jan 2026
Built in the Trenches | Jon Jansen
In this episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Jon Jansen, former Michigan Wolverine, NFL offensive tackle, and second-round NFL Draft pick. The conversation dives into leadership under pressure, the importance of preparation, and what it truly means to serve others. Jon’s story is a powerful reminder that greatness is built through consistency, humility, and a willingness to do the hard work that often goes unseen. 🛠️
18 Dec 2025
Ethos of a Champion | Corbin Boone
In this episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Corbin Boone — former Division I wrestler, award-winning student-athlete, coach, and performance specialist at Ethos Performance. Corbin shares lessons forged through years of elite competition, discipline, and leadership. From earning four letters as a starter on the Cleveland State wrestling team to receiving the “Mr. Viking Award” for academic excellence and character, his story is rooted in perseveran...
5 Dec 2025
"Win Forever" | Jason Malloy
In this episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 sit down with Jason Malloy — Athletic Director at Westland John Glenn, former AD at Robichaud and Wayne Memorial, and a proud Robichaud alum and Western Michigan University football standout. Jason shares his powerful philosophy of leadership: “Students need to know that you care before they care what you know.” Drawing on years of experience guiding athletic programs and building school culture, he discusses why ...
28 Nov 2025
Faith, Focus, and the Conqueror's Way | Jeremy Barkey
In this episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Jeremy Barkey — executive coach, leadership developer, former Michigan State quarterback, and founder/CEO of Captain’s Light Consulting. The conversation explores what it means to lead with purpose, stay grounded in faith, and maintain focus in a distracted world. Jeremy also discusses his book, The Conqueror’s Way, and how it opened doors for him to mentor athletes and coaches — helping them connect faith...
20 Nov 2025
Built for the Climb | Rick Court
In this high-energy episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Rick Court — a nationally respected strength and conditioning coach with 20+ years of experience shaping elite athletes and championship teams across college and high school sports. Rick shares stories from the weight room to the national stage. Now serving as Director of Strength and Conditioning at Greenville High School — and formerly a strength coach for Sorinex — Rick reflects on the minds...
13 Nov 2025
Royalty in the Grind | Lakenya Burks
In this inspiring episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 sit down with Lakenya Burks — mom, coach, mentor, and entrepreneur behind I Am Royalty Custom Apparel, Southfield Ravens, and Greater Metropolitan Youth Sports. Lakenya shares her journey of resilience and purpose — from building her business from the ground up to empowering young athletes and families in her community. She opens up about balancing leadership, the power of mentorship, and how she instill...
6 Nov 2025
What It Means to Be a Hammer | Mitch Hancock '00
In this powerful episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 welcome Mitch Hancock ’00 — Assistant Principal, Head Wrestling Coach, and soon-to-be the first lay Principal of Catholic Central. Together, they dive deep into the origins of the House of Hammers name and explore what it truly means to be a “hammer” — a man of faith, discipline, and resilience who builds others up through servant leadership. Mitch shares lessons learned from the mat to the main office, r...
30 Oct 2025
Leading from the Ground Up | Anthony Tomey '99
In this episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 sit down with Anthony Tomey ’99 — former Catholic Central and Eastern Michigan baseball standout, Detroit Tigers minor leaguer, and now co-founder of The Tomey Group, a powerhouse in hospitality and entrepreneurship. Anthony shares his journey, reflecting on lessons in leadership, humility, and teamwork that have shaped his business philosophy. From growing one Jimmy John’s franchise into a thriving network of re...
23 Oct 2025
House of Hammers | Building the Foundation (Ep. 1)
In the debut episode of House of Hammers, hosts Aaron Babicz ’93 and Chris Okoye ’14 set the tone for what this podcast is all about — mindset, faith, and the hard work of building a strong foundation. They share the story behind House of Hammers, what it means to focus on “roots, not fruit,” and how perseverance, humility, and servant leadership shape true success. Join Aaron and Chris as they reflect on their own journeys, discuss the purpose of the show, and invite listeners to grab their...
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