The baseball season may be over, but the pace of life hasn't slowed down much. What has changed is the rhythm of it all. Instead of spending my days at the ballpark, October has been filled with speaking engagements, charitable events, and opportunities to connect with people in different ways. It's one of my favorite parts of the offseason, and this month has reminded me how much we can learn and grow from the people around us.
One of the highlights of October was attending the Mid-America Regional Emmy Awards with my wife Susan, a few members of the Royals broadcast team and our dear friend Sarah Nauser. We were nominated for a story called Dear Royals, beautifully written by Sarah and narrated using AI technology to recreate her voice.
Sarah has been battling ALS for years. This story was an opportunity to share her love for the Royals and the people who have been part of her journey. It's one of the most meaningful pieces I've ever been involved with, and we wanted to win that Emmy badly. Not for the trophy, but for Sarah and everything she represents.
When the winner was announced and we didn't hear our names, I could see the disappointment in Sarah's eyes. Everyone else at our table felt it too. I leaned over and whispered to her, "Did you ever think you'd be able to tell people you're an Emmy nominee?" She looked at me, and a little smile crept across her face. "No," she said.
I reminded her that the work continues, which of course she already knew. Her fight against ALS, her advocacy and her ability to inspire others don't change because of an award. And as the dejection of that evening has given way to gratitude, I've thought a lot about how fortunate we were to have that opportunity in the first place.
I've had the privilege of sharing Sarah's story with three different groups I've spoken to this week: Twice in Kansas City and once in St. Louis. Each time, I've found myself reflecting on how much I've grown because of her, though I’ll admit I got emotional every time I revealed to the audience that we didn’t win. Sarah's Emmy nomination is one of the greatest honors of my career, but the real gift has been the friendship, the trust and everything she's taught me along the way.
That brings me to another remarkable woman you'll meet in this month's newsletter, Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace of the Kauffman Foundation. Our recent conversation on Rounding the Bases was one of my favorites, in large part because of her perspective on leadership, opportunity and the importance of helping others grow. She's spent much of her career opening doors and creating opportunities for others, and her message is a natural connection to everything I’ve experienced through Sarah.
Whether through a friendship, a workplace, a community organization or a simple act of encouragement, we all have opportunities to make a difference in someone else's life. And the more I experience, the more I realize that the people we help along the way often end up teaching us just as much.
Maybe that's what has stood out to me most this October. The schedule is still busy. The opportunities to give back continue. The relationships keep growing. But success isn't always measured by what we accomplish ourselves. Sometimes it's measured by what becomes possible for someone else because we were part of their journey.
Growth is meant to be shared, inside and Out of the Park.
Local flavor
One of the perks of my speaking and emcee work is the opportunity to explore places Susan and I have never visited. This month took us to California's beautiful Central Coast and Paso Robles, where I had the privilege of emceeing Nashville Night Out for SABESWINGS, an organization helping people facing medical financial hardship.
The event was held at the beautiful Rava Winery, and we managed to squeeze in some sightseeing, including Paso Robles' Pioneer Day celebration and a visit to Hearst Ranch Winery overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful scenery, great people and a chance to experience something new together, all while supporting a cause that matters? Not a bad way to spend a weekend!
Speaking of exploring new places, Susan and I are excited to host a seven-night AmaWaterways river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, November 7–14, 2027. We'll travel through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, enjoying incredible scenery, food and experiences along the way.
We're looking forward to sharing it all with a great group of people, and we'd love to have you join us.
Dugout dialogue
I've never met Dodgers infielder Kiké Hernández, but I've always been fascinated by him. His regular-season numbers might suggest he's a role player, but when October rolls around, he has a way of looking like a Hall of Famer.
Things didn't work out for the Dodgers this postseason, but something Hernández said about his teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto during a playoff press conference really caught my attention. Here's a guy who speaks Spanish and English, talking about the effort it takes to connect with a Japanese teammate. They come from different languages and cultures, but have a shared understanding of what it takes to help each other succeed.
It's so much of what I talk about when it comes to leadership and building trust. We don't all have to come from the same place or speak the same language to make a difference in someone else's life. Sometimes the smallest gesture can lead to important growth.
The entire interview is worth watching, but be sure to pay attention from 1:55 to 3:49.
Growth is most fun when shared. Check out this month’s sit down with Chief of Staff KC’s Casey Wright to hear how this plays out in business and hiring.
speaking engagements
Speaking is a year-round business, but October always seems to kick things into another gear. It's been a busy and rewarding month of keynotes, emceeing and supporting some incredible organizations.
This month brought everything from the SABESWINGS event on California’s Central Coast to several charitable events in Kansas City, including one of my favorites, the annual Giving GRACE Breakfast. This organization supports Oxford Houses across Missouri, providing safe, supporting housing for people in recovery who are rebuilding their lives. It was a privilege to emcee the Arrowhead Stadium event for the third year, and support a cause making such a difference.
This week alone included keynotes for Walz Tetrick Advertising, the American Marketing Association of Kansas City and Acumen St. Louis. The three audiences each had different needs, but all shared universal themes of trust, leadership and navigating change.
I'm grateful for the opportunities to connect with so many people and organizations, and excited to see what's ahead. If you're planning an event where my stories and message could make an impact, 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
What does it take to turn ambition into impact, while giving others the opportunity to do the same? In a recent conversation with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, President and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, we explore a remarkable career spanning international diplomacy, higher education and trailblazing leadership, along with her passion for creating greater economic opportunity.
Her story offers plenty to think about when it comes to finding your purpose, challenging the status quo and using your influence to help others grow. Listen to the full conversation here.
As always, thank you again to each of the guests who joined me on Rounding the Bases this month:
Our schedule is already booked into 2027, 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
We spend a lot of time trying to figure out what comes next.
In baseball, we study the scouting report to prepare for the next at-bat, hoping the work we put in pays off when the moment arrives. As a broadcaster, some of the most compelling stories I’ve told are the ones that unfolded in completely unexpected ways. And as a keynote speaker, I’ve seen how often the moments that shape us most are the ones we never could have planned.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace knows that story well. She shared it recently when she joined me on Rounding the Bases.
A first-generation college student from Kansas City, she went on to Stanford, became a U.S. diplomat, held leadership roles in higher education and public service, and ultimately became president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Her journey is impressive, but what it reveals about growth stands out even more. Because while talent and ambition are important, sustained growth takes access, curiosity, and discipline to maintain impact after we arrive.
I often talk about how growth is rarely linear, and our conversation reinforced just how true that is. We all need people in our corner who believe in our potential. Because growth was never meant to be just about what we accomplish for ourselves. It's also about recognizing possibilities we couldn't see before and helping others discover what's possible for them.
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