Podcast
On The Subject with Mike Vilardo
Hosted by Subject · EN
Mike Vilardo knows the student-athlete journey from every angle. After competing with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) and earning All-Ivy League and Academic All-Big Ten honors in baseball, he now serves as Co-founder & CEO of Subject.com, one of the nation's leading providers of accredited online education for student-athletes and schools.
On On The Subject, Mike brings together professional athletes, coaches, recruiters, founders, and sports leaders for candid conversations about youth sports, college athletics, recruiting, NIL, leadership, and life after the game. Honest stories. Practical advice. New episodes every week.
Follow along: @mikefromsubject • @onthesubjectpodcast • @trysubject
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#85 - What No One Tells You About Signing a $5.5M MLB Contract at 18 with Jacob Turner
2w ago01:12:58Tap to summarizeFormer first-round MLB Draft pick Jacob Turner joins Mike Vilardo on On the Subject to share what really happens after your name is called on draft day. From signing a multi-million dollar bonus out of high school to spending eight seasons in Major League Baseball, Jacob breaks down the realities of professional baseball that most players and families never hear about.Together they discuss the MLB Draft process, signing bonus negotiations, taxes, agents, arbitration, the minor leagues, financial mistakes athletes make, and how to prepare for life after sports. Now as the co-founder of Moment Private Wealth, Jacob helps professional athletes build lasting financial security—and shares the lessons he wishes every young player knew before turning pro.
Transcribe →#84 - What It ACTUALLY Takes To Get an NHL Contract with Agent Dominic Boily [VIDEO]
3w ago01:16:20Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to make it to the NHL—and even harder, build a lasting professional career? On this episode of On the Subject, Mike Vilardo sits down with NHL player agent Dominic Boily for an inside look at the business of professional hockey. Drawing from years of representing elite players, Dom explains what NHL organizations are actually looking for beyond raw talent, how the draft and free agency process works, and what the relationship between a player and their agent really looks like. He also shares how he helps athletes navigate contracts, roster decisions, career transitions, and the challenges that come with competing at the highest level. Whether you're a young player chasing the NHL, a parent trying to understand the path to professional hockey, or a coach preparing athletes for the next level, this conversation offers practical insights into what separates the players who make it from those who don't.
Transcribe →#83 - What 10 Years in the MLB Will Teach You With Kyle Farmer [VIDEO]
Jul 101:16:40Tap to summarizeAtlanta native and MLB veteran Kyle Farmer joins On the Subject for an honest conversation from his childhood home about what it really takes to last nearly 10 years in Major League Baseball. After making his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kyle has built a career spanning more than 800 MLB games, recording over 500 career hits, 60+ home runs, and earning a reputation as one of baseball's most dependable utility players.In this episode, we discuss his journey from Georgia to winning a College World Series championship and reaching the big leagues, the setbacks that nearly ended his career, what it means to return home and play for the Atlanta Braves, and how versatility has helped him stay in the majors for nearly a decade. Kyle also shares untold clubhouse stories, the realities of life in professional baseball, and his advice for parents, coaches, and young athletes chasing their dreams.Whether you're a baseball fan, aspiring athlete, or simply looking to learn what it takes to build a long, successful career, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.
Transcribe →#82 - Former D1 Captain Adam Cecere Reveals What Gets Players Recruited [VIDEO]
Jun 2501:07:26Tap to summarizePodcast DescriptionAdam Cecere joins us on On the Subject to talk about what it takes to build a successful life beyond sports. A former Division I baseball standout at Wake Forest and Penn State, Adam hit 49 career home runs, played in more than 140 collegiate games, and served as team captain. But while competing at the highest level, he was also building something bigger—founding Celo Nutrition, a sports performance company dedicated to helping athletes optimize their recovery and performance.In this episode, we dive into the recruiting process at elite academic-athletic programs, the realities of balancing Division I athletics with entrepreneurship, and whether NIL is creating more business-minded athletes or simply more distractions. Adam shares the biggest nutrition mistakes college athletes make, why athletes need an identity beyond their sport, what college coaches actually value during recruiting, and how AI, NIL, and the transfer portal are reshaping the future of athletics. Whether you're a student-athlete, parent, coach, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with insights on building success both on and off the field.
Transcribe →#81 - The Recruiting Secret Most Parents Never Hear with Coach Ballgame [VIDEO]
Jun 1701:15:06Tap to summarizeCoach Ballgame, also known as James Lowe, joins us on On the Subject for an honest conversation about youth baseball, player development, and the realities of the recruiting process. As the Youth Ambassador for Major League Baseball's Play Ball Program and a Brown University graduate, James has spent more than two decades helping young athletes and their families navigate the game the right way. From running camps and clinics for kids ages 3–12 to taking his message to the White House, Cooperstown, MLB All-Star Games, and the World Series, Coach Ballgame has built a movement centered around one belief: youth sports should develop better people, not just better athletes. In this episode, we discuss the dangers of the win-at-all-costs mentality, when families should start thinking about recruiting, what college coaches are really looking for, whether showcases and travel ball are worth the investment, and how baseball can become a vehicle for academic opportunity and long-term success. If you're a parent, coach, or student-athlete trying to understand how sports can open doors beyond the field, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Transcribe →#80 - This Is Why You're NOT Getting Recruited In Sports with Coach Ferber [VIDEO]
Jun 1001:03:34Tap to summarizeCoach Ferber joins us on On the Subject to break down player development, recruiting, and what it really takes to make it in baseball - from someone who built his reputation from the ground up in Coney Island and became the most followed baseball coaching voice on social media. Coach Jason Ferber has over 225,000 Instagram followers and has developed some of the top young players in the country. His philosophy is simple: know your players, coach their strengths as much as their weaknesses, and tell them the truth - even when it's hard to hear.In this episode, we unpack the biggest challenges and misconceptions in the college recruiting process, from travel baseball and showcases to the transfer portal and choosing the right school. We also discuss what college coaches are really looking for, how learning disabilities can impact recruiting, and the common mistakes that hold athletes back.If you're a high school player, parent, or coach trying to navigate recruiting and development — this episode is a must-watch.
Transcribe →#79 - How Crazy Carl Went Viral on TikTok Through Golf [VIDEO]
Jun 300:32:04Tap to summarizeCrazy Carl joins Mike Vilardo on On The Subject to talk golf, social media, college athletics, and their journey from childhood baseball teammates to content creators. Carl shares how he built a loyal following through authentic golf content, what it's really like to go viral, and the lessons he's learned from sports, business, and life along the way.
Transcribe →#78 - MLB agent Mark Leinweaver Explains How Players Actually Make It [VIDEO]
May 2001:06:50Tap to summarizeThis week on On The Subject Podcast, Michael Vilardo sits down with veteran MLB agent Mark Leinweaver, who has represented over 75 professional baseball players and worked with all 30 MLB organizations. From what it really takes to get drafted, to the biggest mistakes athletes and parents make in recruiting, Mark shares an unfiltered look at the business of baseball. The two dive into D1 vs mid-major schools, when to go pro, handling pressure and social media, life after sports, and what separates athletes who make it from those who don’t.
Transcribe →#77 - Inside One of America’s Best Academic Baseball Programs: Yale Coach & Players Tell All [VIDEO]
May 1300:34:05Tap to summarizeIn this episode of On The Subject, Michael Vilardo heads to Yale University to sit down with Yale Baseball Assistant Coach Corey Keane and standout student-athletes Garrett Larson and Colin Sloane for an inside look at what it really takes to compete at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. From recruiting myths and what Ivy League coaches actually look for, to balancing mechanical engineering with Division I baseball, the group breaks down how academics, character, and self-motivation open doors far beyond the field. They also dive into NIL, the transfer portal, internships, recruiting advice for families, and why Yale still offers one of the last true college athletic experiences. Whether you’re a student-athlete, parent, coach, or simply curious about life at an elite academic institution, this episode is packed with practical advice and perspective.
Transcribe →#76 - Why Purdue: Coach Barrett Serrato's Recruiting Pitch for Boilermaker Baseball [VIDEO]
Apr 2900:16:13Tap to summarizeIIn this episode of On the Subject, we sit down with Barrett Serrato, Purdue Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, and former Boilermaker standout, at his alma mater. Barrett opens up about his journey from West Chicago, Illinois to Purdue, why he chose college over the pros out of high school, and what it was like playing on one of the greatest teams in Purdue baseball history (the 2012 squad that hosted a regional). He breaks down how college baseball has evolved into one of the best development environments in the sport, the resources that make Purdue special, and how the expanded Big Ten is reshaping the game.Barrett also shares candid recruiting insights: the myths that need to die, the mistakes families make, and what separates the players who thrive from the ones who don't. From rapid-fire recruiting questions (Twitter DMs over email, multi-sport athletes over specialists) to his vision for building the proudest alumni base in college baseball, this conversation is a must-listen for any student-athlete, parent, or fan who wants an inside look at what makes Purdue Baseball tick.Plus: why getting coached hard is a privilege, the one thing parents need to stop doing, and Barrett's 60-second pitch to recruits.
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