Kristen discusses the emotional challenges and dynamics of evaluation season in cheerleading. She emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and supporting athletes (and ourselves!) through anxiety. The conversation also explores how parents can redefine success for their children beyond just outcomes, focusing on personal growth and character development.

With the end-of-season emotions mixing with beginning-of-season pressure, it felt like the perfect moment to do a roundup episode about the most requested, most discussed, most “please help me, I’m lost in the YouTube comments” topic ever: Mental blocks.

Has The Summit lost its prestige? Is it too easy to get a bid? Do some teams not deserve a bid because of their low scores? Let's talk about it.

Kristen discusses the importance of celebrating small victories in cheerleading, and how these moments contribute to the emotional growth of young athletes. She emphasizes the need for parents to recognize and appreciate the progress their children make, regardless of competition outcomes, fostering a positive environment that nurtures confidence and maturity.

More and more, high schools are telling their athletes they can’t do All Star, and vice versa. So more athletes are having to choose, and it’s not always an easy, clear cut choice. That depends on so much. It depends on where you live, the strength of either program, what you want to do during high school, after high school, and it just keeps going. In this episode, Kristen breaks down questions and factors to consider to help guide cheerleaders (and their parents) through the decision-making process:

"Have you ever seen Bring it On?" This is one of the many questions that make us roll our eyes in the cheer world. In this episode, Kristen addresses the misconceptions and stereotypes about cheer. Cheer is so often misunderstood, and Kristen brings a reminder of the dedication, discipline, and passion that fuel this sport.

Join Kristen, Dan Cotton (Cheer Biz Podcast) and Jason Larkins (Let's Talk Cheer Podcast), as they record and answer questions in front of a live audience.

Heather Jones and her daughter, Lily, share a heartfelt conversation about the silent struggle too many athletes face with eating disorders. Lily opens up about her own battle, the toll it took on her health, and the difficult road to recovery. With the unwavering support of her family, friends, and her Stingray Allstars cheer family, she found the strength to heal. Now, as a member of the world-famous Stingray Allstars Orange, Lily is using her journey to inspire others, reminding athletes that they are never alone. Heather emphasizes the importance of open conversations and a strong support system in breaking the silence surrounding these struggles.

Kristen breaks down how AI tools like ChatGPT can be a game-changer for cheer moms and coaches alike. She highlights how these tools streamline communication, help craft the perfect messages, and make planning for cheer competitions a breeze. It’s an insightful, practical conversation that’s all about making life easier—on and off the mat!

Cheerleading is a passion, a commitment, and for so many, a way of life. But what happens when it starts to feel like more of a burden than a joy? In this episode, Kristen breaks down five key signs that it might be time to step back—whether that means taking a break or retiring from competitive cheer altogether. If you’ve ever questioned whether to keep going or move on, this one’s for you!

Kristen talks with special guest Nicole 'Snooki' Lavalle, who discusses her lifelong connection with cheerleading and balancing family life as a cheer mom and a celebrity. They touch on the challenges of being a public figure in the cheer world and offer advice for fellow cheer moms.

It’s *Q and A time*, people! Kristen’s tackling big stuff that keeps cheer parents up at night — think late practices, the business side of cheer, travel logistics, and those *oh-so-fun* late-night performances.

In this episode, Kristen talks with Nancy Ory, whose daughter is part of the world-famous Cheer Athletics Panthers. They dive into the challenges of transitioning between a smaller gym to Cheer Athletics, the emotional journey of being a cheer mom, and the competitive cheerleading world. Nancy shares the importance of supportive coaching, a positive environment, and the dedication needed from both athletes and families. They also discuss the impact of injuries, building relationships with coaches, and the influence of social media on young athletes. 

Kristen is back at Cheersport in Atlanta for the first time in 5 years, and she's sharing all the insider tips on how to survive—and thrive—at this massive cheer competition. Plus, she had an adult athlete take the floor, and she’s giving us the lowdown on what it’s like to be on the other side of the mat with a grown-up competitor. It’s a whole new experience, and Kristen is spilling the tea on what went down!

Kristen reflects on the chaotic weekend during NCA All Star Nationals in Dallas, Texas, where an incident caused mass panic and evacuation. She shares her personal experience, the emotions felt during the crisis, and the overwhelming support from the cheer community. Kristen emphasizes the importance of connection, kindness, and healing in the aftermath of trauma, while also addressing the challenges of processing such events.

This episode features a special interview with Haleigh Booth and her daughter Harper, who are famous on TikTok and Instagram. They talk about Harper's journey in all-star cheerleading, their social media experiences, and how they manage TikTok fame. Harper, a seven-year-old, shares her love for cheerleading, her favorite activities, and advice for other young cheerleaders. Haleigh provides insights and challenges faced as a newer cheer mom, and both offer advice to the cheer community.

Join a cheer mom roundtable discussion, as Kristen asks common questions that begin and end with, “Is This Normal?” From dollars spent, to coaching decisions, and mental blocks, find out how other teams do it and hear advice from experienced cheer moms.

Kristen and Coach Lain Lee talk about the never-ending commitment of cheer, and how gym culture can make or break your kid’s experience. They also get into the very real need to have a life outside of cheer, because if your athlete's only hobby is tumbling and stunting, it might be time to reassess. Plus, they tackle how to handle criticism without losing your mind.

Cheer action shots capture both the perfect, awe-inspiring moments and the hilariously awkward mid-tumble expressions. Kristen talks with cheer photographer Jen Walker about the challenges of shooting high-stakes competitions and the magic of a well-timed photo.

Kristen and TikTok Celebrity Cheer Creator, Judge Mimi, tackle the confusion of the score sheets and different cheer scoring systems around the world, focusing in on the intricacies of the dance in a cheer routine.