Episode 11 - Jason Kreis - Belonging

A lifetime in professional sports has given Jason Kreis a lot of experience in what builds team dynamic and what undermines it. Playing and coaching for Real Salt Lake were unique experiences in his career for one reason. It was in Utah, especially playing under RSL owner Dave Checketts, where he felt a kind of familial culture and belonging that hasn’t existed in most of his professional sports career.  Around the time he returned to RSL’s front office in 2024, he read the book Belonging by Owen Eastwood. In this episode, the director of operations for both RSL and the Royals discusses how reading this book deepened his understanding of what builds team culture and why belonging is essential to fostering purpose and identity. Author Owen Eastwood draws on Maori wisdom, which gives the psychology he explores a spiritual depth that is unique and memorable. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion on how he and his colleagues are creating a shared identity in an industry that is increasingly transactional.

Sports are more than just games. Competition is a classroom for the human experience. While scoreboards declare winners and losers, the real value of athletics is the lessons that transcend any field of play. Lessons like perseverance, leadership, and resilience. And coaches are the people responsible for teaching these principles to athletes and fans alike. Have you ever wondered what shaped the philosophy or leadership style of your favorite coaches? A new podcast from KSL - Coach’s Book Club - asks coaches and athletes to share how their favorite books educated, changed or inspired them.  Hosts David James and Amy Donaldson are veteran journalists who’ve covered everything from Olympic triumphs to high school heartbreaks. Each month, they'll introduce you to a coach and get their book club pick. Then, we'll read the book together and discuss the characters, themes and lessons. And we want to hear your take, too. This isn't just a podcast to listen to, it's a community. So join the coach's book club!