Join Greg Inglin as he welcomes Jim Shapiro, renowned head football coach and dedicated foster care parent, for an authentic discussion on character development and the art of positive coaching. Known for building team culture at King’s High School near Seattle, Jim’s approach to mentoring goes far beyond the scoreboard. Over 32 years, he has shaped the lives of young athletes and fostered over two dozen children, showing that fostering children and coachingfootball both share deep lessons in selflessness and resilience.
Jim shares powerful stories about fostering children—how embracing the joys and challenges of being a foster carer has influenced his work with young men on the football field. He explains why building team culture starts with encouragement and how positive coaching creates lasting change. You’ll hear about overcoming negative self-talk, the power of words and mentorship, and proven strategies for character development that work for coaches, parents, andbusiness leaders.
What You Can Expect from This Episode:
-Jim Shapiro's personal journey as a coach, foster dad, and mentor
-The emotional challenges and rewards of foster care and adoption
-Lessons from coaching legends and using love, not fear, as motivation
-Building team culture through selflessness and encouragement
-How sports and faith intersect to shape resilient leaders
-Advice for young coaches, parents, and business leaders alike
Guest Resources:
Jim on Twitter/X: @JimShapiro
Better Fundraising: betterfundraising.com
Book: Building Champions: (Email Greg or Coach Shap for pdf)
About Guest: Jim Shapiro has led Kings High School football for over three decades, mentored thousands of teens, and fostered 24 children. He is an author, nonprofit advisor, and passionate advocate of character-driven leadership.
Feedback or guest ideas? Connect with Greg on his website or LinkedIn.
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Want to skip to the good part? Here’s this episode’ssegments:
00:00 The Journey of Foster Care and Adoption
06:59 Coaching as a Calling
12:56 The Impact of Coaches
18:56 The Power of Words and Encouragement
22:28 The Power of Self-Talk
23:35 Balancing Aggression and Sportsmanship
26:11 Transforming Young Men Through Coaching
27:36 The Evolution of Coaching Style
29:23 The Reward of Mentorship
30:32 Navigating Parent Relationships
32:17 Transformational Coaching Principles
33:16 Teaching Selflessness to Young Athletes
35:30 The Impact of Technology on Coaching
36:38 Navigating Disappointment and Loss
39:14 Encouragement for Young Coaches
41:01 Investing in Continuous Learning