Episode 73: Dan Blewett (Coach, Speaker, Former professional baseball player, author)   🎙 In this episode: I sit down with Dan Blewett, former professional baseball player, current author, coach and speaker, for a reflective conversation about masculinity, sports culture, and what it truly means to be “tough.” Dan unpacks how our culture shapes boys and how sports can still be a healthy place to figure it all out. 🔹 The Pressure to Perform We kick off with the intense pressure young boys feel not just to play sports, but to be good at them. 🔹 Baseball in Japan vs. America Dan recalls watching kids in Japan play baseball purely for fun and realizing how rare that is in the U.S. 🔹 The “Play Catch” Experiment A laugh-out-loud story of Dan using dating apps in D.C. just to find someone to toss a baseball with. 🔹 The “Toxic Masculinity” Debate We break down why the term can feel one-sided, and how both genders are capable of toxic behavior. 🔹 Growing Up Male How young boys wrestle with mixed messages about being competitive, emotional, or “too aggressive.” 🔹 Balancing Toughness and Authenticity Dan shares his personal struggle with wanting to be the “tough guy” while staying true to himself. 🔹 Sports as a Safe Space How athletics provide a controlled arena to learn teamwork, conflict, and coexistence. 🔹 Coaching Boys vs. Coaching Girls We debate whether coaches should approach boys and girls differently—and why girls might be more coachable. 🔹 Modeling Steadiness Dan believes the best thing a coach can model isn’t intensity…it’s consistency and calm. 🔹 Redefining Toughness Toughness isn’t just muscle. It’s resilience, grit, and compassion. Sometimes it looks like a single mom or a sick dad still showing up. 🔹 Sports as the Village How being part of a team creates belonging, accountability, and purpose beyond the self.

Episode 72: Greta Jarvis (Founder of Center for Active Women) 🎙 In this episode: I sit down with the founder of the Center for Active Women for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about the complicated relationship between female athletes, food, body image, and sport. From disordered eating to the taboo topic of missed periods, we dig into what’s really going on beneath the surface of today’s youth sports culture and how we can do better for the next generation of athletes. 🔹 Discipline vs. DisorderWhere the line blurs for driven athletes who want to perfect their bodies for performance, but risk crossing into harmful patterns. 🔹 Eating Disorders vs. Disordered EatingWhy there’s a big difference between the two… and how almost everyone can relate to at least one part of the struggle. 🔹 The Athlete MindsetFocus, dedication, and perfectionism fuel success — but those same traits can increase the risk of unhealthy habits. 🔹 The Culture of SilenceCoaches may avoid saying the wrong thing, but are they saying anything to educate and help? 🔹 Shame & IsolationDespite how common disordered eating is, many athletes suffer quietly, believing they’re the only one. 🔹 When “Healthy” Isn’t HealthyOur guest’s personal story: diagnosed with osteoporosis at 24 after being told it was normal to miss her period for eight years. 🔹 The Normalization ProblemWhy missing periods in young female athletes has become almost expected and why that’s a dangerous misconception. 🔹 Under-Eating & Over-TrainingHow many athletes are unintentionally starving their bodies of what they need  🔹 Breaking the TabooHow to make conversations about periods, nutrition, and health less awkward (and more essential). 🔹 Representation MattersWhy more female coaches, trainers, and leaders in sports can make a huge difference in these conversations. 🔹 Real Talk from the SidelinesCoaches are seeing it firsthand... athletes fainting, lightheaded, or weak... and it almost always comes back to food. 🔹 A Word of CautionThink twice before complimenting someone’s weight loss. What sounds positive might reinforce something dangerous.

Episode 71: Andi Johnson (Georgetown College Hall of Famer and Chief Policy Officer & Director of Regional Engagement for Commerce Lexington) 🎙 In this episode: I sit down with Andi Johnson, Georgetown College Hall of Famer and Chief Policy Officer & Director of Regional Engagement for Commerce Lexington. From dominating the court to dominating the boardroom, Andi embodies the long-term power of sports. We unpack how athletics shaped her leadership, confidence, and career…and why the habits athletes build early often become their greatest professional advantage. 🔹 From Playground to Policy Room Andi can’t remember a time when sports weren’t part of her life. She had a childhood built on competition, teamwork, and communication. 🔹 Organized Chaos We discuss the shift from kids joining sports organically to today’s ultra-organized youth systems. 🔹 Beyond the Scholarship Dream Andi shares hard truths: if your only goal is a scholarship, there are easier ways to pay for college…and far greater reasons to play. 🔹 Athletes in the Boardroom Roughly 94% of women in C-suite roles were former athletes. Andi explains why that stat doesn’t surprise her one bit. 🔹 The Small-College Advantage A Georgetown president once told employers to hire small-college athletes — for their resilience, time management, and people skills. 🔹 Translating Sports to Life Andi still flashes back to moments from her playing days when navigating workplace challenges. The lessons never fade. 🔹 Confidence in Every Room Whether she’s the youngest, only woman, or least experienced voice at the table, sports taught Andi to stand tall and speak up. 🔹 The Post-Athlete Void We dig into the emotional struggle of leaving sports behind: the loss of identity, the transition, and how society can do better. 🔹 Unlearning the Athlete Mindset What athletes must let go of after their playing days and how to repurpose that drive for long-term success. 🔹 The Real Wins When former athletes look back, it’s never about stats or awards. It’s the memories, friendships, and shared moments that last. 🔹 Hot Take: Digital Hoarders Unite Our “hot take” spirals into self-reflection… and maybe the birth of a new generational label. Are we digital hoarders now?

Episode 70: Dylan Meyer (Founder & CEO of Legacy of Legends)  In this episode🎙: I sit down with Dylan Meyer, the Founder & CEO of Legacy of Legends to talk about his evolution from young sports enthusiast to entrepreneur and advocate for positive change in youth sports. 🔹 From Fan Page to Founder How a kid making photoshops for his favorite player, Dwayne Wade, eventually started running his official fan account.  🔹 The Vetting Problem Legacy of Legends helps parents and athletes find the right camps—not just the popular or expensive ones. 🔹 Not Everyone Gets a Yes Meyer’s team turns away programs that don’t align with their values. Quality coaching, not quantity, is the goal. 🔹 The Youth Sports Money Grab Everyone’s trying to make a dollar off parents’ dreams. Dylan shares how to spot when a “development opportunity” is really just a sales pitch. 🔹 Who’s Qualified, Anyway? Anyone can start a camp. But should they? The lack of consistent coaching standards might surprise you. 🔹 Breaking Down Barriers Camps can get pricey. Legacy of Legends offers grants to help families access the right opportunities without the financial strain. 🔹 The Pro Athlete Paradox When former pros speak out about youth sports, should we listen..or are they too far removed from the current reality? 🔹 Relatable or Out of Touch? Can a professional athlete truly understand the experience of the average youth sports family? 🔹 HOT TAKES Justin Bieber > Taylor Swift? Should adults ALWAYS just hand over that foul ball or homerun to the nearest child in the stands? And do athletes need to ditch the headphones during warm-ups and actually talk to their teammates?

Episode 69: Ryan Lemond (Former high school sports reporter/current KSR co-host) 🎙 In this episode: I sit down with Ryan Lemond, co-host of Kentucky Sports Radio, whose true passion has always been high school sports. From his days covering Friday night lights for LEX18 to reflecting on how youth and high school athletics have changed over the years, Ryan brings stories, perspective, and a dose of nostalgia. We talk about what’s been lost, what still matters, and why nothing will ever beat a hometown hero under the lights. 🔹 Friday Night HustleRyan relives the chaos of racing from game to game to capture highlights for the nightly news. 🔹 Local Coverage MagicWhy seeing your name in the paper or on TV after a game once meant everything to athletes and families. 🔹 The Fade of Community StorytellingHow shifts in TV and print media left fewer boots on the ground covering high school sports. 🔹 Relationships That LastFrom Sunday dinners with families to following athletes for 4 years—what Ryan loved most about the job. 🔹 Small Towns vs. Big CitiesWhy county schools still pack stadiums while attendance struggles in larger areas. 🔹 The “Transfer Portal” EraHow open enrollment and kids switching schools hurt hometown pride and school loyalty. 🔹 Chasing Prep SchoolsSuperstars skipping high school ball altogether...and what’s lost when they leave. 🔹 The Death of Multi-Sport AthletesWhy specialization hurts schools, programs, and the athletes themselves. 🔹 Nostalgia vs. NowDo cell phones, distractions, and early specialization explain why things feel different today? 🔹 Natural-Born TalentRyan explains why you can sometimes spot the “it factor” in an athlete as early as age six. 🔹 The “Genetic Milkshake”Yes, Ryan finally shares his famous theory you won’t want to miss.

Episode 68: Wade Gilbert (Award-winning professor, highly acclaimed author of “Coaching Better Every Season”) 🎙 In this episode: I sit down with Wade Gilbert, an internationally renowned coaching scientist, award-winning professor at Cal State University-Fresno and author of the highly acclaimed book “Coaching Better Every Season.”  🔹 The Science of Coaching Coaching isn’t just an art. It’s rooted in decades of research on athlete development. 🔹 Global Perspective Gilbert has traveled the world, studying how other countries organize and oversee sports. 🔹 The Wild, Wild West “Most countries have a centralized platform. We don’t have that in the United States. It’s really a free for all, wild wild west. Do whatever you want. You and I could start a soccer league tomorrow.” 🔹 Business vs. Development The U.S. sports model is driven by creative groups—but at the end of the day, most are businesses chasing profit, not long-term athlete well-being. 🔹 Best Principles > Best Practices Gilbert stresses that lasting impact comes from principles, not copy-and-paste “best practices.” 🔹 Coaching as Personality Coaching is highly personal…so how do we ensure standards are met without stifling individuality? 🔹 Scoreboard Blindness “Coaches are judged only by wins and losses. If that’s the only thing asked of me, then of course I’ll think my job is to win on Saturday.” 🔹 A Broken System “People are like water. You upskill them, but then you put them back into a broken container.” 🔹 Too Many Games, No Off-Season Every pro league has a mandated off-season. Youth athletes in the U.S.? They often play more games than the pros. 🔹 Ignored Science We’ve had 40+ years of data on what works…but at the local level, guidelines are ignored and kids pay the price. 🔹 The Specialization Myth Most elite athletes didn’t specialize early. The science and the stories both back it up. 🔹 Who’s Responsible? Coaches? Parents? Organizations? Communities? Or is change only possible when the market forces it…when burnout and cost finally make the system unsustainable? 🔹 Rapid-Fire Scenarios We close with a debate: what’s the right way to handle a parent approaching you after a game about their kid’s playing time?

Episode 67: Katie "Katrina" Moore (Former collegiate athlete turned youth sports parent) 🎙 In this episode: I sit down with my former college soccer teammate, Katie "Katrina" Moore, who is navigating the world of youth sports now as a parent. The constant conundrums that come up, putting her former athlete mind at odds with the reality of the interests of the kids she's raising. Lessons, regrets, hopes, etc... It's real talk from a youth sports parent in the midst of it all RIGHT NOW.  🔹 From Athlete to Parent How Katie’s mindset changed once she was on the sidelines instead of in the game. 🔹 The Activity Overload Katie shares how their kid had already tried nearly 10 organized activities by age 7—and why that might’ve been too much, too soon. 🔹 Are We Asking Too Much, Too Early? Do young kids even need structured sports? And why is it so hard to find low-pressure, affordable options? 🔹 Fool’s Gold? Just because a kid is coordinated or interested early does that mean we should double down? Or pump the brakes? 🔹 Parental Disappointment When your kid isn’t ready to engage in sports the way you hoped…what now? 🔹 Starting Too Soon, Quitting Too Soon Are we prematurely judging kids’ potential because they started before they were developmentally ready? 🔹 Where’s the Joy? Youth sports should be full of laughs, silliness, and snack breaks. Why are we treating 6-year-old soccer like it’s the World Cup? 🔹 Adults, Do Better It’s on coaches, clubs, and parents to make sure sports are age-appropriate. First graders shouldn’t be traveling every weekend. 🔹 Can You Say No? That internal guilt when parents try to protect balance but feel pressured to give in to the chaos of youth sports culture. 🔹 Too Many Voices When coaches and parents are shouting over each other during games, kids can’t learn or think for themselves. 🔹 Development vs. Outcome Coaches coach. Parents panic. Conflicting messages create confusion…what does that do to a kid’s confidence? 🔹 HOT TAKE: Kids at Breweries? Because if we’re talking about age-appropriate behavior… we had to go there.

Episode 66: Vincent Minjares (Aspen Institute- ACL Pledge) 🎙 In this episode: I sit down with Vincent Minjares of the Aspen Institute to dig into a topic that’s personal for me: ACL injuries. I’ve lived through one myself, and I’ve coached far too many athletes—especially female soccer players—through this brutal setback. The phrase “It’s not if, but when” has become way too common. But after this conversation, I’m more convinced than ever that we don’t have to accept that reality. 🔹 Why This Hits Home My own ACL journey and the players I’ve coached who’ve gone through it. 🔹 The Fear Factor Why athletes (and parents) feel ACL injuries are inevitable, especially in girls’ sports. 🔹 The Game-Changer How 15–20 minutes of neuromuscular training, a few times a week, makes a measurable difference. 🔹 The Price Tag: $0 These prevention strategies are free. Literally. There’s no excuse not to use them. 🔹 A Coach’s Regret Why I wish I had made ACL prevention a priority earlier in my career. 🔹 Parents’ Big Questions Is it the turf? The menstrual cycle? Genetics? Sleep? Where the science actually points. 🔹 Culture Check Why youth sports spends endlessly on gear and travel but skips basic prevention. 🔹 Hope > Helplessness We’ll never erase the risk entirely, but we are not powerless. 🔹 A Call to Action Coaches, parents, athletes—no more excuses. We must do better. National ACL Injury Coalition (as.pn/aclcoalition)    Sign the ACL Pledge (as.pn/aclpledge) How you can take action to address the ACL injury crisis (after signing the pledge)  List of neuromuscular training programs (for finding the exercise program that's right for you)  Field Guide for Reducing Serious Knee Injuries (for club, school and program leaders looking to introduce NMT with teams)   

Episode 65: Jordan Parker (5-time pod guest, Hot Take expert) 🎙️Jordan Parker comes on the Youth $ports Podcast for an unprecedented 5th time and today’s episode is meant to lighten up the air a little bit… It’s time for a Hot Takes ONLY episode. Almost ALL of the hot takes had nothing to do with sports (with a few sprinkled in).  Teasers: 🔹How can club soccer teams justify the $ they charge and yet… Kids who have been playing for 10 years still can’t use their left foot???? Parents, demand a refund.  🔹"I've never met someone with as rubbery of a neck as my Mom…”  🔹"I can already feel people’s daggers coming into my soul…” 🔹The absolute grip weighted vests currently have on middle-aged white women.  🔹A creative solution/punishment for hitting “Reply All” on emails 🔹Loose stool in a pool…. I promise you’re not ready for this one.  🔹PDA in the line for roller coasters… 🔹Sunscreen pills…Justice for people with fat fingers…Opposite of justice for Android users  🔹My most embarrassing story that involves my ex’s family 🔹..And baby girl, enough with the holes in the jeans look.  The episode wraps up with a Rapid Fire Questions section that includes a life update and one really, really important question for Jordan Parker…

Episode 64: Michael Lippert (Former soccer coach, current realist) 🎙 In this episode: Michael Lippert brings the unfiltered voice of truth to Youth $ports. Known for saying the hard things most people avoid, Lippert challenges long-held assumptions about pay-to-play, professional coaches, and the upside-down pyramid of youth sports. His central thesis? “Everything in youth sports today is better than it used to be… except the players.” 🔹 The Core Truth Despite more money, resources, and opportunities, players aren’t necessarily improving. 🔹 The Pay-to-Play Distraction Lippert argues the real problem isn’t pay-to-play…it’s parents avoiding accountability. 🔹 Parents Have No Excuse With today’s access to information, parents can’t claim ignorance about the youth sports landscape. 🔹 Coaches for a Living vs. Coaches in the Community Are full-time “professional” coaches better—or are they incentivized to keep parents happy at all costs? 🔹 The Exodus of Good Coaches Community-rooted coaches are leaving, replaced by those chasing club paychecks and multiple teams. 🔹 The 10,000-Hour Trap Malcolm Gladwell’s concept gave parents permission to overtrain kids with “no days off” pressure. 🔹 Cult-Like Club Culture Lippert likens clubs to cults: everyone doing the same thing, no one asking hard questions. 🔹 The Upside-Down Pyramid Youth sports should have the widest base in recreational play, but instead the elite tier has ballooned. 🔹 Talent Always Finds a Way If a kid is truly exceptional, politics won’t stop them from being noticed. It’s not rocket science…It’s obvious on the field. 🔹 Fun, Health, and Longevity Too often, if kids aren’t “college-track,” parents push them out instead of letting them simply enjoy sports. 🔹 The Productive Contrarian Lippert positions himself as the realistic voice among past guests. “I love you Ally, but there’s been some insane people who have come on your podcast…”

Episode 63: Scott Spillman (Executive Director of Mudsock Youth Athletics) 🎙 In this episode: I sit down with Scott Spillman, executive director of Mudsock Youth Athletics in Fishers, Indiana. We unpack what happens when an entire town decides youth sports should be about community first instead of chasing wins and dollars. From volunteers powering the system, to Marvel-movie moments of survival, to a Jeff Goldblum reference you won’t forget, this one is a blueprint for what rec sports can look like when everyone rows in the same direction. 🔹 One Umbrella How Fishers brought all of its recreational sports together under one organization — and why that’s so rare. 🔹 Taming the Wild Wild West Scott’s take on how Mudsock counters the fractured, for-profit, “our kids, our money” model dominating youth sports. 🔹 Powered by Volunteers Why the true backbone of the program isn’t facilities or funding, but an army of people donating their time. 🔹 Community Over Championships The mission: raise kids, not just athletes. Winning takes a backseat to belonging. 🔹 Partnerships That Matter How aligning with the city and school district changed the game, especially when field space is scarce. 🔹 A Marvel Movie Plotline The pivotal forks in the road that could have gone wrong… and the right moves that kept things thriving. 🔹 Do Kids Really Need Turf? A candid look at the “state-of-the-art facility” arms race and whether it prices kids out of the game. 🔹 Why Fishers? Scott’s theory on why this model thrives in Indiana, complete with a Mean Girls nod: “We aren’t trying to make fetch happen.” 🔹 The Secret Ingredient Maybe it isn’t money at all… maybe it’s people investing themselves instead of just writing bigger checks. 🔹 The Enemy Within Scott’s concern that the biggest threat may be inside the community itself: image, ego, and money. 🔹 Jurassic Park Wisdom “Youth sports is Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park” — just because we can doesn’t mean we always should. 🔹 A Classroom, Not a Cage Match Scott’s vision: treat youth sports like school. If we want every student to learn, why don’t we want every kid to succeed in sports?

Episode 62: Brandon Ramsey (KSR/Basketball Scout) 🎙 In this episode: Brandon Ramsey is ankle-deep in the high school and college basketball worlds: former college coach, high school scout, and basketball analyst for Kentucky Sports Radio. If he says it, you can trust it. Together we unpack the real recruiting process for 98% of players who aren’t top-20, 5-star prospects. From inflated promises to showcase madness to the trickle-down chaos of NIL and the transfer portal… this one’s a reality check every parent and player needs to hear. 🔹 The 98% Reality For the vast majority of high school players, recruiting is messy, confusing, and full of mixed messages (often through no fault of their own).  🔹 Scholarships Beyond the Power 5 Opportunities exist far outside the blueblood programs… but most families don’t know where or how to look. 🔹 The Bill of Goods Problem Parents and players are often sold unrealistic dreams, and there’s always another coach willing to feed the delusion. 🔹 The AAU Expansion The circuit has grown horizontally—more tournaments, more shoe brands, more travel—everyone wanting a slice of the pie. 🔹 The “N” Division Dilemma Families spend thousands traveling across the country to play in the lowest-tier bracket of a showcase. Is that really worth it? 🔹 Coaches Caught in the Middle Tell players the truth and risk losing them… or keep them happy and keep the roster full. 🔹 Development vs. Exposure Brandon says too many teams have become “Exposure Vehicles” instead of focusing on player growth. 🔹 The NIL & Transfer Portal Effect Fewer roster spots, shorter timelines, and more focus on proven transfers over untested high school talent. 🔹 The Vanishing Development Window College coaches want instant production. Development has become someone else’s job. 🔹 Follow the Money Even college coaches must pay steep entry fees just to watch these events. So who are they really serving? 🔹 Rapid-Fire Wrap-Up UK hoops tidbits, hot takes… and the shocking fact that Brandon hasn’t watched a movie in 15 years.

Episode 61: Brenda Hilton (CEO of Officially Human) 🎙 In this episode: I sit down with Brenda Hilton, CEO and founder of Officially Human, to talk about the people in stripes who keep the games fair but often are the lightening rod for the most criticism. We dig into the emotional temperature of the stands, why fans lash out, and what it actually takes to humanize officials in youth sports. From financial stakes to technology to the unexpected ripple effects of sports gambling, this one pulls back the curtain on a world most of us only think about when we’re yelling at it. 🔹 Meet Officially HumanHow Brenda went from sports administration to launching a movement that advocates for officials at every level. 🔹 Without Them, There’s No GameWhy officials aren’t just part of the machinery... they are the backbone of fair competition. 🔹 The Fan FactorHow emotions, investment, and sideline culture can turn an ordinary game into a verbal gauntlet for officials. 🔹 Seeing the Person, Not the StripesThe small but powerful mindset shifts that make officials feel human again. 🔹 The Entitlement EquationWhen thousands spent on club teams leads parents to expect and demand way more than they should. 🔹 Programs That Make a DifferenceFrom public service announcements to league-wide resources, how Officially Human is changing fan behavior. 🔹 Recruitment on the RopesWhy the treatment of officials is making it harder to find  (and keep) good ones. 🔹 Tech: Friend or Foe?How video replay, apps, and social media both help and hurt the officiating profession. 🔹 The Gambling EffectWhy the rise of sports betting is making the job harder, even for officials working youth and amateur games. 🔹 Everybody Has Bad DaysA closing reminder that no one ...player, fan, or official... gets it perfect every time.

Episode 60: Wilder Treadway (Former Associate Director of Athletic Communications- Stanford Women's Basketball) 🎙 In this episode: There’s a good chance this will go down as one of my all-time favorite episodes. It’s long, but worth every minute. I sit down with Wilder Treadway to take a hilarious, heartfelt, and at times jaw-dropping journey through our early days at Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR), his path through college athletics, and the complex, evolving world of women’s basketball. From ankle monitors to media narratives to Planet Fitness horror stories… this one has everything. 🔹 KSR: The Wild WestWilder and I revisit our KSR College days—where content was chaotic, access was shockingly wide open, and the internet was still finding its footing. 🔹 Back When Blogs Were KingWe share unbelievable (but true) stories from covering UK women’s basketball in 2013—long before the sport’s current surge in popularity. 🔹 Internet Time MachineYou’ll laugh (and maybe cringe) at just how different things were a decade ago in the world of sports media and college coverage. 🔹 The Road to StanfordWilder traces his path from the ASUN Conference to Penn, and finally to Stanford, where he became associate director of athletic communications. 🔹 COVID Season ChaosWilder delivers an oral history of Stanford’s 2021 national championship run, set during one of the most bizarre, stressful seasons imaginable. 🔹 Testing, Travel & Ankle MonitorsYes, ankle monitors. Wilder recounts covering a team during a season with 3x daily testing, intense travel restrictions, and surreal moments of isolation. 🔹 A Seat in Front of Cameron BrinkThe stress of being close to Cameron Brink on the plane...one positive test could’ve changed everything. The stakes were high, and the emotions even higher. 🔹 More Than Just a GameThe magic of that championship run was hard-earned—and the stories from it are some of the most compelling in Youth $ports history. 🔹 Women’s Hoops on the RiseWe dive into the Caitlin Clark Effect, and how one star helped boost visibility..but also why the sport’s evolution is about much more than one player. 🔹 Tension in the Ticker TapeFrom revenue sharing to league marketing missteps, we explore why the WNBA sometimes gets in its own way—and how fans and media can do better. 🔹 Honest Takes, Hard TruthsSexism, lazy narratives, and underfunded departments. Wilder and I don’t shy away from the messy middle in women’s sports coverage. 🔹 Grand Finale ShenanigansTo close things out, I go off about Planet Fitness behavior, and share one of the most embarrassing stories I’ve ever told on air. There were tears. From laughter. Truly.

Episode 59: Steve Boehle (Academy 48 Charter School) 🎙 In this episode: I talk with Steve Boehle about the non-traditional charter school he has started in Arizona called Academy 48. Will this type of innovative model be the wave of the future in tackling some of the problems in youth sports, or are there still too many unknowns? 🔹 Bringing Back the Good in Youth Sports Steve Boehle saw what was missing in today’s youth sports culture—and decided to build something better from the ground up. 🔹 From Tech to Teams Before launching Academy 48, Steve worked in the corporate world, helping manage free and reduced meal claims for state agencies. 🔹 Listening First, Then Building Steve started asking questions across the youth sports ecosystem—and used his market research background to identify common problems and real solutions. 🔹 Middle School Magic While coaching middle school baseball, Steve saw how sports can unify a school: improving academics, reducing discipline issues, and building community. 🔹 Turning Resistance Into Action After running into barriers with his coaching philosophy at a high school program, Steve chose to go out on his own—and Academy 48 was born. 🔹 What Is Academy 48? It’s both a school and a sports training center, designed for student-athletes who want development, community, and balance—not just a fast track to college scholarships. 🔹 A New Model for a New Generation By integrating athletic training into the school day, Academy 48 helps families reclaim their evenings and build healthier routines. 🔹 Is It Just a Sports Factory? Steve addresses concerns that models like this can sacrifice academics. He says grades come first—and the goal is better humans, not just better athletes. 🔹 Who Teaches at Academy 48? All teachers are state-accredited. Most are former athletes or part-time educators aligned with the school’s mission. Class sizes are kept small at a 1:20 ratio. 🔹 Room to Grow Steve acknowledges that the current setup isn’t ideal for every learner yet (like students needing AP or special education services), but hopes to expand. 🔹 No Specializing Too Soon Academy 48 encourages multi-sport participation and doesn’t allow sport specialization before 5th grade—burnout prevention is a top priority. 🔹 Travel Team Limits & Tuition-Free Access No travel teams allowed until at least 7th grade—and Academy 48 is tuition-free, thanks to Arizona’s education funding model and grant support.

Episode 58: Stephanie Arnold (YMCA Executive Director of Philanthropy) 🎙 In this episode: I talk with Stephanie Arnold, the executive director of philanthropy for the YMCA in Lexington, Kentucky—and a self-proclaimed “YMCA Hype Girl.” We dive into the real mission of the Y: community, inclusion, and making youth sports accessible for everyone. From volunteer coaches to rec leagues, swim-offs to snow days, this one’s for the parents, players, and programs trying to do it for the right reasons.   🔹 Not Just a “Gym and a Swim” Stephanie explains the true mission of the YMCA—173 years strong—and how it exists first and foremost as a nonprofit focused on community health and wellness. 🔹 A Place for All From infants to centenarians, the Y is one of the few places where everyone belongs. Judgment-free, inclusive, and intentionally diverse. 🔹 Sports with Purpose The Y’s sports offerings—like basketball, soccer, swim, and volleyball—aren’t about scholarships or trophies. They’re about connection, growth, and character. 🔹 The “Other Lane” Stephanie emphasizes the importance of offering a place for kids who want to play, but don’t want to spend thousands or travel every weekend. 🔹 Rec Isn’t Dead (Yet) As rec leagues continue to disappear, the YMCA steps in to offer a high-quality, low-pressure space to try new things and fall in love with movement. 🔹 Volunteers Make It Happen Behind every great program are people who care. Stephanie shares why volunteer coaches are the glue—and how to support them. 🔹 Sports Can Be Just for Fun We talk about the value of playing a “secondary sport” or trying something new just for joy—and why that still counts. 🔹 My Swim-Off Story I share my proudest youth sports memory—and it had nothing to do with my “main sport” or a championship. Just a relay spot and a moment I’ll never forget. 🔹 The Human Side of Sports Wins are great, but it’s the friendships, funny stories, and unforgettable moments that stay with us. 🔹 “His Sport is Filmmaking” Stephanie shares what it’s like parenting a child who doesn’t play sports—and why we need to rethink how we define success. 🔹 A Better Kind of Youth Sports We explore what it looks like to be professional about the way we run youth sports… but realistic about what really matters. 🔹 Hot Takes & Sun Days Also: a wild idea to replace snow days with “sun days”… and a few of my truly unhinged serial killer traits.  

Episode 57: Rodney Johnson Jr. (University of Louisville Cornerback) 🎙 In this episode: I talk with Rodney Johnson Jr., a defensive back for the University of Louisville whose road to big-time college football was anything but easy. From growing up in New Orleans to surviving major injuries, changing schools, and defying the odds, Rodney’s story is one of resilience, raw honesty, and relentless belief. He opens up about football as survival, Louisiana pride, and what it means to carry your family on your back. 🔹 Growing Up Fast As the oldest sibling, Rodney had to become the man of the house early—shaping how he leads and competes today. 🔹 Football as a Lifeline In his New Orleans neighborhood, sports weren’t just a dream—they were the only way out for many kids. 🔹 More Than Talent Despite size and speed, Rodney wasn’t handed anything. He had to grind, prove himself, and wait for others to finally see what he knew all along. 🔹 “We’re Louisanimals” Rodney dives into what makes Louisiana athletes different—and why the state keeps producing NFL stars. 🔹 Coaching That Goes Beyond the Game Louisiana coaches, he says, treat their players like sons, guiding them away from the pitfalls they once knew too well. 🔹 Injuries and the Comeback After dominating in track and rising in football, Rodney’s high school career was derailed by two major injuries. Every offer disappeared—except one. 🔹 The Only Offer Left Stephen F. Austin gave him a shot when no one else would. From there, he started building his way back—step by step. 🔹 Betting on Himself Told he needed to prove it at the highest level, Rodney transferred again—this time to Louisville—with NFL dreams in mind. 🔹 Playing for His Son Everything changed when he became a father. Now, he plays for more than himself—he plays for Rodney Johnson III. 🔹 The “Single Parent Football Team” He recalls a coach’s half-joke, half-truth: kids from single-parent homes have something to prove—and it shows on the field. 🔹 NIL Whispers and Recruiting Twists Rodney shares the wildest NIL story he’s heard involving Georgia—and weighs in on Louisville snagging Vince Marrow from Kentucky. 🔹 Legacy Over Stats What does he want to pass down to his son? Not just athletic success, but a mindset: give it your all, and do it with joy.  

Episode 56: Ryan Galanaugh (Rec soccer parent turned club soccer parent) 🎙 In this episode: I talk with Ryan Galanaugh, a youth sports Dad whose daughter recently made the big switch from recreational soccer to club soccer at the age of 10. In the 1st half of the episode, he broke down the decision-making process that led to the "leveling up." 365 days later, we recorded the 2nd half of the episode... Where he updated me on how the first year of that transition went.  🔹 When Is It Time?Ryan breaks down the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs it was time to move on from rec—his daughter needed more of a challenge and teammates who matched her drive. 🔹 The Club ConundrumHow do you pick the right team? When’s the right time to make the jump? And what if you wait too long? 🔹 Hopes for the SwitchIt wasn’t just about soccer. Ryan wanted his daughter to grow as a player and a person—through skill-building, adversity, and team dynamics. 🔹 One Year Later…Spoiler: She’s still playing. But it wasn’t a guarantee. There were moments of doubt, second-guessing, and some serious sideline culture shock. 🔹 Sideline ShockFrom screaming parents to kids getting paid for goals, Ryan was floored by the pressure and, at times, toxicity he saw in club soccer. 🔹 Living Through the KidsRyan reflects on the real problem: too many parents chasing their own dreams through their children’s games. 🔹 Was It Worth It?Yes. But he’s clear—it wouldn’t have been catastrophic to wait. There’s no perfect window, just what works for your family. 🔹 Protecting Family TimeEven with a busier schedule, Ryan made sure weekends and dinners didn’t disappear. It wasn’t easy—but it mattered.

Episode 55: Necolle Banks (Swim instructor who learned to swim at 43 years old)   🎙 In this episode: I talk with Necolle Banks, a swim coach and community leader who didn’t learn to swim until age 43, then made it her mission to ensure others didn’t have to wait that long. Her story is one of transformation, access, representation, and breaking generational barriers. From public pools in Louisville to emotional victories in the water, Necolle is changing lives one stroke at a time. 🔹 Learning at 43 Necolle was tired of sitting on the sidelines. In just four days, she learned to swim—and that leap changed everything. 🔹 Breaking Generational Curses She grew up in a family where no one swam. Now, she’s rewriting that legacy..not just for herself, but for thousands of others. 🔹 Adults Need Swim Lessons Too So many swim programs focus on kids. Necolle saw the gap for adults and decided to fill it, with empathy and intention. 🔹 Fear, Trauma, and Access She talks about the emotional barriers that keep people from the water—and how community pools can help people heal. 🔹 Representation in the Pool As a Black woman leading a team of girls of color, she understands how powerful it is to be seen in a space where you’ve rarely belonged. 🔹 “See It, Be It” Kids’ faces light up when they see someone who looks like them swimming or coaching. That moment, Necolle says, can be life-changing. 🔹 A 94-Year-Old First-Timer She shares the powerful story of a woman once denied pool access as a child who just recently learned to swim through her program. 🔹 The Power of Community At the Central Adult Learn to Swim program, students cheer each other on—husbands teach wives, grandparents learn for their grandkids. 🔹 Pools as Public Health With the reopening of Algonquin Park Pool in West Louisville, a long-overdue resource returned to a community that needed it. 🔹 Demand Is Sky-High Over 2,000 adults are on the waiting list to learn. The desire is there—what’s missing is access, space, and investment. 🔹 Beyond Summer Necolle dreams of year-round covered pools and more facilities in underserved neighborhoods. "We have to keep moving," she says. 🔹 A Future Olympian from Louisville? She believes it can happen—and she’s building toward that goal. "Someday, there will be an Olympian of color from Kentucky."

Episode 54: Chris Tinius (St. Xavier High School Athletic Director) 🎙 In this episode: I talk with Chris Tinius, Athletic Director at St. Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky. A longtime coach turned administrator, Tinius opens up about the unique pressures, pride, and purpose behind running one of the top athletic departments in the nation. From historic rivalries to modern-day transfer chaos, we cover the shifting landscape of high school sports—and what it means to truly invest in student-athletes. 🔹 Coach vs. AD Tinius reflects on moving from the sidelines to the office and why winning as an AD feels different, but just as meaningful. 🔹 Serving Everyone, Somehow Athletic directors wear a lot of hats. Coaches, parents, players, alumni, administrators... And guess what? All of them need something. 🔹 Pride Runs Deep In Louisville’s Catholic community, school pride isn’t casual. It’s generational, emotional, and central to family identity. 🔹 St. X vs. Trinity The rivalry that defines Kentucky high school sports. Two powerhouse programs that push each other and everyone around them—to be better. 🔹 Success = Pressure When expectations are sky-high, even a regional championship can feel like falling short. That’s the weight of legacy. 🔹 Swimming in History St. X swimming has won 35 straight state titles. Tinius talks about what it’s like to carry the weight of a streak like that. 🔹 Ghosts on the Field Opponents aren’t just facing today’s team...they’re playing against decades of tradition, success, and expectation. 🔹 Chasing Each Other With so many strong programs under one roof, every team pushes the next. It creates a culture where everyone believes they can—and should—win it all. 🔹 Community Chemistry Whether it’s small towns or Catholic school pipelines, there’s power in growing up and playing together. That continuity matters. 🔹 Transfers Changing the Game High school sports are feeling the ripple effects of the transfer portal era—and not always for the better. 🔹 Public vs. Private Is it a level playing field? Should they compete for the same championship? Tinius weighs in with nuance. 🔹 The Truth About “Recruiting” The myth that coaches are recruiting kids? Tinius says the success of the program often recruits itself—and that’s hard to police. 🔹 Always Accessible Texts. Emails. DMs. Today’s coaches are more reachable than ever—and the pressure to respond (and appease) never stops.