179: Small Ball, Big Dreams: The Daily Habit That Builds Unshakable Trust | Joel Goldberg

Jun 12, 2025

Joel Goldberg, a seasoned sports broadcaster and author of 'Small Ball, Big Results,' shares insights from over 15 years covering the Kansas City Royals. He discusses how trust and storytelling are essential in both sports and business. Listeners will learn about building trust across generations, the significance of small wins, and managing slumps with resilience. Joel emphasizes the importance of genuine curiosity and setting boundaries to foster deeper connections. His experiences highlight how great leadership is rooted in humanity and emotional intelligence.

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ANECDOTE

Earning Albert Pujols' Trust

Joel Goldberg took seven years to earn Albert Pujols' trust by connecting on a deeper, genuine level.
This long effort led to a lasting friendship and professional respect, showing trust building is a process.

ADVICE

Connect Across Generations

Find genuine common interests to connect authentically with younger generations.
Show effort by learning about their passions, even if different from your own.

ADVICE

Build Trust Daily and Authentically

Build trust daily through homework and authentic engagement, even in quick interactions.
Show genuine interest in others' passions to create meaningful connections fast.

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Winning teams aren't built on stats alone—they're built on trust, chemistry, and stories.

In this energizing episode, Damon sits down with Joel Goldberg, longtime Kansas City Royals broadcaster and leadership keynote speaker, to explore what business leaders can learn from championship dugouts. Joel shares what he’s seen from the frontlines of Major League Baseball—and how the same habits that create great locker rooms also build great cultures.

From handling slumps to leading with humility, this episode is packed with real stories and actionable insights for anyone who wants to lead with more trust, clarity, and humanity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What baseball clubhouses can teach business leaders about team culture
Why trust—not titles—is the ultimate leadership currency
The #1 lesson from interviewing over 1,000 elite athletes
How to build instant credibility (without overselling yourself)
Why storytelling is your most underused leadership skill
What to do when your top performers go into a “slump”
The secret to great follow-up questions—on and off the mic
How Joel defines success (and how it’s evolved)
The difference between leading with people vs. at people
Why consistency beats charisma over the long haul

Timestamps:

00:00 – What Joel’s learned from 1,000+ athlete interviews

02:30 – The link between trust and locker room chemistry

05:00 – Why slumps happen—and how leaders should respond

07:45 – Building connection before results

09:20 – How Joel earns trust fast as an interviewer

12:10 – What good follow-up questions sound like

14:30 – How to apply clubhouse lessons to corporate teams

17:50 – The art of storytelling: trust, emotion, relatability

21:00 – Vulnerability and storytelling as credibility

23:30 – Joel’s career pivot: from sports to stages

26:00 – What sports taught him about feedback

28:30 – Joel’s take on success: it’s not about the highlight reel

31:00 – How to stay relevant by being human

33:10 – Final thought: Lead with curiosity and presence

About Joel Goldberg

Joel Goldberg is a veteran sports broadcaster, leadership speaker, and the author of Small Ball, Big Results. For over 15 years, he’s covered the Kansas City Royals, delivering live insights from the dugout and locker room. Today, Joel speaks to business audiences across the country about trust, storytelling, and building championship cultures. His motto: relationships are everything.

Resources & Mentions:

Joel’s website: https://joelgoldbergmedia.com
Joel’s book: Small Ball, Big Results
Joel on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joelgoldbergkc
Joel on Instagram: @joelgoldbergkc
Joel’s podcast: Rounding the Bases (link here)

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