Out of the Park: Mental Health
May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and it got me thinking about a conversation I've been having more often lately, both on stage and in baseball.
Just over a week ago, I was speaking to the National Association of Women in Construction about Small Ball, the little things that help teams and organizations succeed. Among the topics we discussed was empathy. It’s a word that I suspect wasn’t heard (or practiced) much on construction sites, or in baseball, for many years. They’re two worlds that on the surface are very different. But if you take a closer look, both have always shared the mindset of be tough, push through, and handle things yourself. It’s an approach that has produced plenty of strong and resilient people, but it has also left many struggling in silence.
Earlier last month, I wrote about Royals rookie catcher Carter Jensen posting about mental health on social media. As you’ll read in this month’s Dugout Dialogue, his openness about such a sensitive topic sparked meaningful conversations inside and outside of baseball.
Like so many younger people, Jensen is willing to talk about anxiety, depression, stress, and emotional well-being in ways players, and people in general, previously avoided. It’s this kind of progress that makes me believe we’re watching a generational shift happen in real time.
After posting about Carter, I had a thoughtful exchange with someone on social media who felt mental health has become too common of an excuse in our culture. It was respectful, civil, and a conversation worth having. I understand where he’s coming from, but personally have a different perspective.
The more we talk about mental health, the more we reduce the stigma surrounding it. In my family’s experience, what helped most was never pretending the challenges didn’t exist. It was realizing we weren’t alone. Stigma thrives in silence, but understanding grows through conversation.
That doesn’t mean I believe every struggle needs to be shared publicly, only that we should all strive to create an environment where people don’t feel ashamed to ask for help when they need it. And I’m encouraged that today more leaders, athletes, CEOs, coworkers, parents, and friends are willing to have those discussions than ever before. It’s a sign that we’re expanding our definition of strength.
We still have work to do, but I believe we are all making progress. And it’s a conversation worth continuing, both inside and Out of the Park.
Local flavor
Chicago is a city I’ve written about before, but to me, my hometown will never get old.
There is no better time to visit than in the late spring and summer. Whether you’re walking along Lake Michigan, taking an architecture tour on the Chicago river, hopping on the L to explore different neighborhoods, or simply finding a patio to enjoy a meal, the city begins to feel like one giant outdoor gathering space.
Then there’s the food. From Chicago hot dogs, to Italian beef sandwiches, pizza, whether deep dish or thin crust, or any other cuisine imaginable, the city truly has something for everyone.
But these days, one of my favorite parts is spending time in Lincoln Park, where my daughter attends DePaul University. It gives me a chance to experience the city through a different lens and explore neighborhoods I might have overlooked in the past.
Of course, there’s baseball too. With the Cubs on the North Side and the White Sox on the South Side, one of them is usually at home, making it easy to catch a game no matter when you visit.
I’ll be back later this month when the Royals head to Chicago to face the White Sox, and already can’t wait.
Dugout dialogue
Earlier this month, I wrote about Royals rookie catcher Carter Jensen and his willingness to speak openly about mental health, a topic that remains deeply important to him.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Carter shared a message on Instagram that resonated with many people:
"As someone who has struggled with mental health problems, this is something important to me! Reminder that there is always more to someone's story than what you see on the outside."
Vulnerability isn’t always easy, especially in a profession where being tough is often celebrated. I appreciated Carter’s willingness to share his story publicly and was grateful that he took the time to discuss it further with me during the Royals’ recent trip to Chicago.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to listen to our conversation.
speaking engagements
The speaking calendar has remained busy despite the demands of baseball, something I never take for granted. So far this season I’ve had the opportunity to deliver keynotes in industries ranging from construction and beverage distribution to financial services, and without ever missing a beat covering the Royals.
A highlight was welcoming the Greater Kansas City chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction to my usual office, Kauffman Stadium, on an off day from baseball. It’s not often that my worlds collide like that.
Next up is a June 12 keynote for MEGA KC, another organization connected to the construction industry. Later this summer I’ll speak to audiences in animal health and other sectors, continuing a trend I’ve already noticed through the first half of the year.
The conversations often come back to the same themes. Trust. Communication. Culture. Leadership. And no matter the industry, organizations keep asking the same questions. How do we create environments where people feel valued? How do we navigate without losing connection? How do we bring out the best in the people around us?
The stories I share may come from baseball, but the challenges companies face are remarkably similar. That’s what makes this work so rewarding. Even though every audience is different, the lessons about people resonate universally.
If your organization is having those same conversations, I’d love to connect. I’m also continuing to offer complimentary 15-minute virtual sessions for leadership teams who want to strengthen trust, culture, and communication within their organizations.
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
There are leaders who serve, and there are those who define service itself. Recent guest Lee Norman is a Colonel and a Doctor who has worn both titles with distinction. During his six decade career protecting others in the Air Force, as a decorated Army officer, and as a physician executive.
Known best as the steady handed health secretary that guided Kansas’ pandemic response, he is - above all - a family doctor who understands that medicine is personal. His career has been a fitting capstone to a life spent shaping patient care. And through his devotion to protecting and improving lives, has earned a reputation for being nothing short of consequential.
If you missed the original release earlier in May, be sure to listen now.
As always, thank you again to each of the incredible guests who joined me on the podcast this month:
Our schedule is already booked into summer, 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
Rounding the Bases is my podcast about culture and leadership with a baseball twist. A few minutes before a recent interview, I remember thinking the conversation I was about to have would probably be about leadership in branding. Maybe business growth or employee culture, but definitely within the usual territory.
In practice, it became a conversation about peace, perspective, and purpose…three values my guest didn’t always live by.
Justin Ricklefs is the Founder and CEO of The Guild Collective, a brand consultancy closing the gap between organizational beliefs and behaviors. He’s also the author of Give a Damn, the new book for leaders that positions care as the most underutilized competitive advantage in modern business.
A few days earlier while co-presenting at a charity event, I spoke about my own P’s: positivity, practice, people, and purpose. They’re themes I revisit often, both in my keynotes and player interviews as a KC Royals broadcaster.
But in this conversation, they became the foundation of a deep conversation about how not to lose yourself while building something great. It’s a weight many, especially high achievers, carry with them daily, even if they don’t admit - or realize - it.
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