A Pen And A Napkin- "Open Mic Monday" Volume I

A Pen And A Napkin- "Open Mic Monday" Volume I

Author: Martin Plum April 14, 2025 Duration: 34:07

Tony and I had some scheduling conflicts this weekend, so we were unable to do our usual thing . . . but I still had some stuff that I wanted to throw out there, so here's a shorter, solo pod with just me (for better or worse).

I'm really excited to announce that my second book will be available on July 1st, 2025! It's called "The Last Of The Cowboys: The Story of Snow Valley Basketball School",and at the center of the story is America's oldest, continuous basketball camp. Founded in 1961 in California, then later adapted and brought to Iowa in 1994, it will be celebrating it's 30th anniversary this summer. It's a great story about the true reasons why people coach basketball, so I encourage you to pick up a copy!

I also talk about the Houston-Florida game, the WNBA draft, chaos in the Nuggests front office and the NBA playoffs. We wrap up talking about our clinic this past weekend, which was a great success!

Hope you enjoy this; let me know what you think!


Imagine a whiteboard session after a big game, the kind where strategy gets scribbled on whatever's handy. That's the spirit of A Pen And A Napkin. This weekly conversation lives at the crossroads of sport and creative thinking, diving deep into the art of coaching basketball. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in a gym office, listening to the nuanced discussions about player development, offensive sets, defensive adjustments, and the philosophy behind building a team. It’s less about Xs and Os in a vacuum and more about the why-the human elements and the creative problem-solving that define the craft. You’ll hear authentic breakdowns of game situations, reflections on leadership, and practical ideas that often start with a simple sketch. Think of it as a portable mentors’ roundtable, a clinic distilled into conversation, offering perspectives that resonate whether you’re on the sidelines or just appreciate the deeper layers of the game. Tune in for a podcast that captures the ongoing, ever-evolving dialogue at the heart of coaching.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

A Pen And A Napkin
Podcast Episodes
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #279 John Gianforte [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:33
It's tough taking over a new job, but it can be even tougher taking over for a legend, but that is what John Gianforte, the new GBB HC at Cedar Rapids Xavier (IA) is doing this spring! Coach graciously jumped on the pod…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #278 Steve Smiley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:38
We had a great time chatting with Steve Smiley, Northern Colorado University Men's HC about a variety of topics for episode #278! In this episode, we talk about coaches journey through the JC ranks to a Division I AC to…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #277 Ryan Mlnarik [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:38
Fremont Bergan (NE) Boys HC Ryan Mlnarik comes on the podcast this week, fresh off of an unlikely state championship run this spring, the first #8 seed to win a state championship in years! Coach Mlnarik discusses his jo…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #276 Kristina Danella [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:30
Episode #276 features state champion GBB HC Kristina Danella of Glen Ridge (NJ) High School! Coach Danella has had a well traveled career at both the collegiate and high school level, and we dive into that, along with he…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #275 Spring Roundtable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:26
Four girls basketball coaches got together last week at Wine 121 here in Omaha to talk some hoops; Gretna East's Wade Coulter, Oakland-Craig's Scott Guzinski and APAAN's all around pinch hitter Marc Kruger got together t…