Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast

Epizode

• Jhanelle Peters - Mental Performance in Basketball 20.07.2026 32min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay sits down with Jhanelle Peters. Jhanelle is a registered Psychotherapist and is the former Mental Health Clinician for the Toronto Raptors. She talks about about helping athletes perform under pressure and explores why anxiety isn't the enemy but useful information. Jhanelle also breaks down her "normalize, reframe, refocus" framework for shifting athletes from fear-based thinking to fact-based confidence. The conversation covers individualizing coaching styles to fit different athletes' needs, why coaches should ask rather than assume, how a coach's own body language shapes a team's response under pressure, and building mental performance training into everyday practice through simulated pressure, routine, and self-talk rooted in progress over perfection.
• Points to Ponder - Batman and Robin, the Dynamic Duo 16.07.2026 19min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares a Point to Ponder about Batman and Robin, Yes, you read that correct, but it's not quite what you think. Tune in to learn more about how the goal should be to develop athletes who can be both!To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
• Marissa Lindquist - Head Coach, Women's Basketball University of Alberta Augustana 13.07.2026 39min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay sits down with Marissa Lindquist, the Head Coach of the Women's Basketball team at the University of Alberta Augustana. Marissa was also the head coach of the 17U Team Alberta Women's team that won Gold at Canada Summer Games in 2025. Marissa explores her coaching journey as a former athlete and taking over a program for the first time.
• Points to Ponder: The Missing Link in the Constraints-Led Approach 09.07.2026 18min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares another Points to Ponder. This one revolving around the idea of using the Constraints-Led Approach in basketball and what we as coaches might be missing in our application.To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
• BONUS - Community Super Clinics and Kimberley Super Clinic Recap 07.07.2026 59min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay and Coach Brandon Brock share exciting news about Canada Basketball’s new partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to offer more Community Super Clinics across the country. From there, Coach Mike reflects on the meaning of stewardship, why it matters in sport, and how we can all play a role in leaving the game better than we found it. Mike and Brandon then connect with several key people from Kimberley, B.C., who helped bring the Kimberley Super Clinic to life and made the event such a meaningful experience for the local basketball community.
• Jodi Gram - National Team Coaching, Mentorship, & Reflection 06.07.2026 59min

  In this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike MacKay sits down with longtime coach, educator, and mentor Jodi Gram to explore the relationships, risks, and reflections that have shaped her coaching journey. From being tapped on the shoulder for opportunities she never thought she was ready for, to leading in high-performance environments and now mentoring the next generation of coaches. Jodi shares honest reflections on confidence, leadership, parent relationships, mentorship, and the overlap between teaching and coaching. Together, she and Mike unpack what it means to build people through sport, why curiosity and communication matter in difficult conversations, and how great coaching often begins with someone willing to see something in you before you see it in yourself.
• Points to Ponder - Gordie Herbert Podcast #2 Planning with Clarity 02.07.2026 31min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay shares another Points to Ponder, this time reflecting on his second conversation with Senior Men's National Team Head Coach Gordie Herbert.To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
• Gordie Herbert - Style of Play, NBA and FIBA differences, and much more 29.06.2026 49min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, coach Mike MacKay sits down with Senior Men's National Team Head Coach Gordie Herbert for a second conversation to dive deeper into Coach Herbert's coaching philosophy, style of play, NBA and FIBA differences, and much more. This is a great opportunity to get a glimpse into the mind of a National Team head coach and an episode you definitely won't want to miss.
• Points to Ponder - Gordie Herbert Conversation Follow-up 25.06.2026 19min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, coach Mike Mackay shares another Point to Ponder. This time, it's a follow-up on the conversation that Coach Mike had with Senior Men's National Team Coach Gordie Herbert and some of the lessons coaches can take away from his style and philosophy around the game.To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
• Gordie Herbert - Head Coach, Senior Men's National Team - Part 1 22.06.2026 34min

  On this special episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, we are extremely excited to welcome the new Head Coach of the Senior Men's National Team, Gordie Herbert to the podcast. Coach Mike chats with Coach Herbert about his journey from playing on the National team, to coaching in Europe, to finding his way back to lead his country. Coach Herbert shares his personal coaching philosophy as well as what he believes makes great teams. This is an episode you do not want to miss.
• Points to Ponder - Languishing in the Familiar 18.06.2026 13min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares another Point to Ponder on the term, Languishing. Not familiar with Languishing? Listen to the podcast to find out!To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
• Mailbag Episode - Answering Your Questions 15.06.2026 32min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay and Coach Brandon Brock take some time to answer some of the questions that coaches have submitted from across the country. The conversation covers all sorts of topics from Transition Defense to Performance Safety. To submit a question of your own, send an email to coaching@basketball.ca with "Podcast Question" in the subject line.
• Points to Ponder - Defensive Decision Making 11.06.2026 12min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike explores the UAE compass as it relates to defensive decision making.To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlhLifetime Game Plan Pro Membership (Available until June 15th, 2026): gameplanbasketball.caFree Game Plan account required to access the Lifetime Membership. Head to the Workshops tab to find the Lifetime Membership option.
• Feedback and Crucial Conversations 08.06.2026 53min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike and Brandon discuss the topics of delivering feedback to athletes to help prepare coaches for having those crucial conversations. Mike and Brandon explore different types of feedback, when to give feedback, and how to set yourself up for success ahead of time. Then, the coaches finish the episode with some scenarios that coaches may experience and provides some suggestions on how to work through them.
• Points to Ponder - Feedback and Clarity 04.06.2026 17min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, coach Mike shares another Point to Ponder on the importance of Clarity in delivering Feedback.To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlhLifetime Game Plan Pro Membership (Available until June 15th, 2026): gameplanbasketball.caFree Game Plan account required to access the Lifetime Membership. Head to the Workshops tab to find the Lifetime Membership option.
• Jon Goodwillie - Video Breakdown: Transition Offense and Transition Defense 01.06.2026 39min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Jon Goodwillie is back in the studio to breakdown game film with Coach Mike MacKay. Jon and Mike chat through offensive and defensive transition concepts and provide coaches with ideas on what to look out for when watching film. To view the video version of this podcast, head on over to Game Plan (gameplanbasketball.ca) and subscribe to Game Plan Pro!
• Points to Ponder - Designing the Vibe 28.05.2026 16min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike shares another Points to Ponder, detailing his experience getting spend the weekend shadowing the Portland Fire's coaching.To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
• The 4 Levels of Leadership 25.05.2026 38min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching podcast, Brandon and Mike talk through the important topic of Leadership. Through leadership, they explore Mike's 4 Levels of Leadership along with the core tenants of Transformational Leadership. Then, as the episode wraps up, they hit the film room to break down some on-court concepts.
• Points to Ponder - When Silence Becomes the System 21.05.2026 12min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast Mike shares another Point to Ponder, this time on the Social System that exists within teams.To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
• Jon Goodwillie - Former Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach & Senior Men's National Team Assistant Coach 18.05.2026 57min

  On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, we are extremely excited to welcome Jon Goodwillie onto the podcast. This is the first episode of a 2-part sitdown with Jon that explores his coaching journey as well as stories from his time coaching in the NBA and with the National team. This is an episode you do not want to miss!