Youth $ports

The Chase

Episode 50: Brad Ring (Former Major League Soccer player)
🎙 In this episode: I talk with Brad Ring--former MLS midfielder, Indiana University standout, and now a passionate voice for athlete mental health with OnRise. From youth soccer glory to the quiet battles behind the scenes, Brad shares what the highlight reels leave out.
🔹 The Kid Who Dreamed BigBrad’s dream of going pro started early--and shaped everything. That dream came with joy… and missed birthdays, weddings, and normal kid stuff.
🔹 From IU to the MLSDrafted 17th overall in 2009, Brad’s pro debut was delayed a full year due to injury—an early lesson in the mental toll of the game.
🔹 Always on to the Next ThingEven in peak moments, Brad says he never felt like he “made it.” The pro athlete mindset: keep pushing, never pause. But at what cost?
🔹 A Game of SacrificeBrad opens up about the hyper-serious world of youth soccer—how quickly the fun can turn into pressure, and why the kid has to be the driver.
🔹 The Double LifeWhile soccer was intense and demanding, Brad found joy and freedom in other sports. We talk about what’s lost in early specialization.
🔹 Stats That Should Alarm You30% of college students struggle with mental health. For athletes, only 10% seek help. Brad explains why the stigma still runs deep.
🔹 The Myth of Mental ToughnessAthletes are taught to move on, forget, compartmentalize. Brad challenges that narrative—and what it really means to be resilient.
🔹 Unionizing for ChangeBrad helped organize a players' union for second-division pros. Because advocating for mental health also means protecting basic rights.
🔹 Perspective on the SidelinesNow coaching his son’s youth team, Brad is focused on balance: “Big games will come… but not every Saturday needs to feel like the World Cup.”
🔹 From Pro Athlete to Purpose-DrivenBrad’s work with OnRise is all about helping athletes manage the mental game—because peak performance starts with healthy minds.
🔥 Plus: A Hot Take on high school reunions—why some people can’t wait, and others pretend they never happened.

Art? Sport? Debt.

Episode 49:  Audrey Borden (Dance Mom x 2)
🎙 In this episode: I talk with Audrey Borden, mom of two daughters who went from casual dance to pre-professional ballet. She shares the reality of parenting in the world of elite dance—where passion meets pressure, and the cost might just knock you off your feet.
🔹 Before You Were a Dance Parent Audrey opens up about the identity shift that happens when your kid’s activity takes over your family’s schedule—and your sense of self.
🔹 When Recital Turns Competitive That quiet moment when you realize… this isn’t just about joy or performance anymore. It’s about rankings, trophies, and the next level.
🔹 Art vs. Sport Is dance an art form or a sport? Audrey and I unpack what happens when artistry meets scoring systems, competitions, and physical wear-and-tear.
🔹 Pointe Shoes & PT Injuries, physical therapy, cross-training… Dancers train like athletes. The toll on young bodies is real—and often overlooked.
🔹 A Week in the Life Audrey lays out a typical schedule for a serious dancer. Spoiler: It’s basically a part-time job, plus school, minus the paycheck.
🔹 The Passion Snowball What happens when you see your kid light up on stage… and suddenly, you’re all-in on extra classes, private coaching, and endless weekends?
🔹 The $25,000 Season Audrey shares real numbers: tuition, travel, shoes ($16K just on pointe!). We talk budgets, side hustles, and sacrifices parents make to keep it going.
🔹 The Disney Vacation of Youth Sports? A listener hot take compares competitive dance to an overpriced family trip—except this one’s on repeat, and no one’s exactly relaxed.
🔹 Dance Debt is a Thing Second mortgages. Drained savings. Audrey says it’s often the middle class with access to credit who get hit the hardest.
🔹 “But My Kid Loves It…” We ask the big question: Would they still love it if it cost a fraction of what you’re paying? Are parents justifying sunk costs with emotion?
🔹 Private Lessons Pressure Whether it’s ballet, baseball, or band—everyone’s scrambling for the edge. Audrey sees competitive parenting as the real driving force.
🔹 What She Wishes She Knew Thirteen years in, Audrey has advice: delay the serious stuff, let them explore other passions, and remember—kids can love more than one thing.
🔥 Plus: The economic reality check no one wants to talk about… and why youth sports organizations may be forced to pivot if families can’t keep up.
 

The "American Way"

Episode 48: Dionne Koller (Law Professor and Author)
🎙 In this episode: I sit down with Dionne Koller—law professor, author of More Than Play, and Director of the Center for Sports & Law. We talk about how America built its youth sports system—and whether it’s actually working for kids or just everyone else.
🔹 How Did We Get Here? Millions of kids play youth sports, but legal scholarship on it? Almost nonexistent. Dionne explains how youth sports became a cornerstone of American childhood—with surprisingly little oversight.
🔹 Sports = Good Childhood™ Since the 1980s, sports have been tied to moral development, health, and structure. It’s almost a parenting requirement now—regardless of whether it actually works.
🔹 Access Wasn’t Always a Given Title IX opened doors for girls. Civil Rights policies did the same for boys of color. Before that? It was an upper-middle-class white boys’ club.
🔹 The Dropout Dilemma Kids are encouraged to play… until they quit in droves by adolescence. Why? Barriers like cost, burnout, and a system that forgets late bloomers.
🔹 Are We Even Producing Elites? Despite all the pressure, Dionne argues our system isn’t great at producing elite athletes—it weeds out too many kids too soon.
🔹 The U.S. Model: Uniquely American Other countries invest public money in youth sports. We rely on schools and the private sector. That was a deliberate Cold War-era choice.
🔹 Market Failure in the Bleachers? Is your kid a beloved team member—or just a slot on a roster? Dionne questions whether today’s youth sports system is built to serve kids or just keep the machine running.
🔹 Youth Sports as Economic Stimulus Local governments are betting big on mega-complexes, sports tourism, and “Pathways to Pro”—but who’s really benefiting?
🔹 The Shiny Stadium Mirage States and cities are spending millions on facilities… while local kids still face access issues. Why not just invest in them?
🔹 The “Parents Know Best” Problem In the U.S., we let parents and the private sector steer the ship. Dionne asks: is that always in kids’ best interests?
🔹 Can Government Help—Without Overreach? There are ways to improve youth sports with smart regulation—without becoming a dystopian training camp. Minimum standards, safety guidelines, access. It’s possible.
🔹 🔥 And of course... MORE HOT TAKES

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Episode 47: Devin Armand (TikTok Youth Sports Superstar)
🎙 In this episode: I sit down with Devin Armand—former college softball player and coach turned viral youth sports comedian on TikTok. With a wig, a phone, and a whole lot of sharp wit, Devin is flipping the script on toxic sports culture by making us laugh and think.
🔹 From Dugouts to TikTokDevin’s journey from college softball to youth sports satire is one-of-a-kind—and it’s blowing up for a reason.
🔹 Wigs, Skits, and Brutal TruthsShe throws on wigs and becomes every sports parent you’ve ever encountered. It’s hilarious, but it’s also hitting a little too close to home.
🔹 Laugh First, Reflect Later“When you’re scrolling, nobody likes to be told what to do. But if it’s funny? If someone’s in a wig? You just might stop, laugh… and think twice.”
🔹 Calling Out Mean Girl CultureDevin uses comedy to highlight how some women, especially in sports parent circles, tear others down—and how it’s time to shift that energy.
🔹 Social Media Isn’t HelpingWe’re in a world where everyone’s on defense. Instead of being open to growth, too many parents are just trying to save face on Instagram.
🔹 The Youth Sports Parent Starter KitYes, it includes multiple oversized Stanley cups. And maybe a sprinkle of delusion.
🔹 Are We Creating Entitlement?Parents are doing so much—but is it too much? Devin asks if all this effort is actually backfiring by removing the need to earn things.
🔹 Keeping Up With the Sideline JonesesIs it really about what’s best for the kids—or are parents just trying to one-up each other for the ’gram?
🔹 “They’re Not Even Playing Anymore. They’re Performing.”One of the most sobering lines of the episode. Devin breaks down the growing disconnect between what kids want out of sports—and what their parents expect.
🔹 Paranoia in the BleachersEveryone thinks their kid’s being slighted. But here’s a thought: maybe your kid is batting 9th because... they should be. And maybe they already know why.
🔹 Michelle Makes Her AppearanceIn the most entertaining part of the episode, Devin throws on the Michelle wig and answers the juiciest youth sports questions. It’s chaotic, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny.
🔹 🔥 Hot Take of the Week: Bachelorette Parties, You’re on NoticeWe take a hard left turn into party culture and why the whole thing might just need a reset.

Youth $ports Pod TAKEOVER

Episode 46: Jordan Parker (It's a Youth $ports Pod TAKEOVER)
In this episode, Jordan Parker sits down as the GUEST HOST to turn the tables to interview me, the regular host, Ally Tucker. We dive into the origin story of the Youth $ports Podcast and spend most of the episode exchanging hot takes on ridiculous topics. 
Quotes from the episode, presented without context...
🔹“Really smart decision on my part at an expensive liberal arts school to major in sociology…”
🔹“I did get punched in the face once...”
🔹“I have a theory that people who are extroverts in their daily life don’t really enjoy the attention and hoopla of the karaoke stage… On the other hand, I think a lot of times introverts really like karaoke…”
🔹 “I did not realize that you were into puppetry…”
🔹“The times when I’ve been happiest, I’ve had some form of creative outlet.”
🔹 “Chinoe Pub has taken down many a man and many a woman… You might spend a Friday night at Chinoe Pub and you might have to call into work on a Monday”
🔹“I would be the Tonya Harding to their knee caps if needed if it meant Michelle Kwan could get gold.”
🔹“I don’t hate you. I hate the question.”
🔹 “Do you think people go to the mall to get a massage at the kiosk or do you think they’re at the mall and see the kiosk and decide to get a massage?
🔹“I don’t think the movie Ladybugs holds up in 2025…”
🔹“I have a theory on why people from small towns like chain restaurants…”

Keys to the Ferrari

Episode 45: Dr. Ashley Samson (Professor in the department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky)
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ashley Samson, professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky. We dig into the evolving conversation around mental health in sports, the pressures athletes face at every level, and what it really means to coach the whole human—not just the player.
🔹 “I Wish I Had That” – Dr. Samson reflects on discovering sports psychology after her own athletic journey and how crucial it is to have those resources early on.
🔹 More Than Just Toughness – Athletes are expected to be resilient, but anxiety, depression, and burnout are real. The old “just push through” mindset is finally starting to shift.
🔹 Credit to the Trailblazers – Athletes like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Naomi Osaka, and Kevin Love helped blow open the doors on mental health conversations in sports.
🔹 The Pressure Is Everywhere – From youth leagues to the pros, there’s pressure to climb the ladder, perform, and not show weakness. But that mindset comes at a cost.
🔹 COVID Changed the Game – When sports were suddenly taken away, many athletes were left questioning their identity. It forced a reckoning with mental health that had been long overdue.
🔹 Two Things Can Be True – “I’m grateful for this opportunity” and “I’m struggling” can coexist. Athletes need space for both.
🔹 Coaches: You’re Walking a Tightrope – Dr. Samson gets real about the challenge of balancing the need to win with the need to care for your athletes’ well-being.
🔹 Love for Mark Pope – A shoutout to the Kentucky men’s basketball coach for developing great players AND great young men. It’s not an either-or.
🔹 Youth Sports: More Pressure, Less Play – The culture has shifted. It’s more about rankings, clubs, and leveling up than joy, growth, and development.
🔹 Multi-Sport Athletes Win – Physically and mentally, playing multiple sports acts as a protective barrier.
🔹 Your Kid’s Identity Is a Pie – If the “athlete” slice takes up the whole thing, burnout is likely. Encourage balance—and praise more than just the stat lines.
🔹 Playing Time & Fairness – Everyone pays the same, but not everyone plays the same. We talk about when it’s time to prioritize development vs. competition.
🔹 Are We Trading Development for Trophies? – Is youth sports too focused on short-term wins instead of long-term growth?
🔹 Transfer Culture Trickles Down – Don’t like your club team role? Just switch. But is that really the answer?
🔹 Ferraris vs. Civics – One of the best quotes of the episode: “Some kids are being given the keys to a Ferrari when they just need a Honda Civic.”
🔹 The Resource Gap Is Real – At the youth level, the top teams aren’t always the most talented—they’re often the most well-funded. It’s a reflection of society.
🔹 The 50K and the McDonald’s Run – We wrap it all up with a wild story about what inspired Dr. Samson to run an ultramarathon... and how McDonald's might be the real inspiration.
And of course... MORE HOT TAKES!

The Tryout Tango

Episode 44: Mike Casey (Former Club President for Lexington FC)
In this episode, I sit down with Mike Casey, former president of Lexington Futbol Club and a longtime youth soccer parent. Now that he’s on the other side of youth sports, Mike offers a refreshing, honest perspective on what really matters, what doesn’t, and how families can navigate the chaos without losing their minds (or their weekends).
🔹 The Benefit of Hindsight – Now out of the youth sports grind, Mike reflects on the things that once felt urgent—like team placements and tryouts—that just don’t matter as much anymore.
🔹 The Team Obsession Trap – Families often chase “top teams” without considering coaching quality, travel demands, or what’s best for their kid and lifestyle.
🔹 Role Players Matter – Not every kid can be the star. Mike talks about the lost value in being Player #14 and how those experiences can prepare kids for real life.
🔹 Parents: Check Your Insecurities – Mike gets real about projecting adult anxieties onto kids and the damage it can do, especially during tryout season.
🔹 Tryouts: Fact vs. Fiction – He shares behind-the-scenes insights on tryouts, busting the myth that everything is political. Spoiler: it’s mostly about ability.
🔹 When Parents Hurt, Not Help – Sometimes a parent’s behavior or reputation can actually hurt their child’s chances—especially when roster spots are tight.
🔹 Are You Paying for a Spot or Development? – A deep dive into what your club fees are actually buying—and why playing time isn’t (and shouldn’t be) guaranteed.
🔹 The Long Game of Youth Sports – Beyond the wins and losses, Mike highlights the friendships, memories, and life lessons that make it all worthwhile.
🔹 Club Transparency & Team Building – Are some clubs fielding extra teams just to fund the top-tier ones? Mike says it’s time for parents to ask hard questions.
🔹 Manager Tip of the Year – Never schedule a game the same weekend as prom. Trust him on this one.
🔹 And of course...THE HOT TAKES segment...

Arguably The Biggest Financial Decision Of Your Life

Episode 43: Keirsten Sires (2aDays Founder/CEO...Featured in Forbes Magazine)
In this episode, I sit down with Keirsten Sires, CEO and Founder of 2aDays—and the first Youth $ports guest to be featured in Forbes Magazine. We dive into the wild world of college recruiting, the power of transparency, and how her platform is flipping the script on how athletes and families choose programs.
🔹 From Skidmore to Startup – What began as a college entrepreneurship project turned into a game-changing business for athletes and their families.
🔹 The Rate My Professor of College Athletics – 2aDays lets athletes rate coaches, facilities, trainers, and recruiting experiences—finally giving power back to the players.
🔹 Recruiting is a Sales Pitch – Keirsten pulls back the curtain on the smoke and mirrors in recruiting and highlights the hidden gems—amazing coaches at smaller schools who deserve more love.
🔹 Athletes Get Judged—So Should Programs – If players are rated and ranked, why shouldn’t the same standard apply to the schools recruiting them?
🔹 The Transfer Epidemic – With sky-high transfer rates in college sports, 2aDays aims to give athletes better info before they commit, not after it’s too late.
🔹 The Financial Reality of College Sports – Youth sports is a major investment—emotionally and financially. The more you're spending, the more information you deserve.
🔹 Can This Be More Than a Venting Platform? – We talk about the importance of balance in reviews and whether concerns about negative bias are valid—or overblown.
🔹 Would Bobby Knight Survive 2025? – A fun but honest conversation about the evolution of coaching styles and what today’s athletes will (and won’t) tolerate.
🔹 Playing Time & Ratings Bias – We dig into how playing time might color athlete reviews—and what can be done to keep things fair.
🔹 The Pool Workout Story – I share a classic college tale of how we tricked our coach into thinking a pool recovery session was absolute torture. Spoiler: we were loving it.
🔹 Private Equity in Youth Sports – With big money moving in, we discuss the upside (innovation and access) and the downside (greed and pricing people out).
🔹 Have We Hit the Financial Ceiling? – Is there a point where families stop spending on youth sports? Or will the chase for scholarships and exposure keep raising the bar?
🔹And of course...THE HOT TAKES segment...

Identity Crisis

Episode 42: Travis Snider (Former MLB 1st round draft pick, 3A Athletics Owner)
In this episode, I sit down with Travis Snider, former MLB first-round pick and owner of 3A Athletics, to discuss the challenges of identity in sports, the pressures young athletes face, and how parents can better support their kids on and off the field.
🔹 The Weight of Identity in Sports – Travis shares how his self-worth was too tied to his athletic success, a struggle many young athletes face.
🔹 The Pressure of Early Talent Labels – When kids are labeled as “naturals,” it shapes their identity, often creating unrealistic expectations.
🔹 Performance-Based Identity – How tying self-love and self-worth to success can be harmful for young athletes.
🔹 Parents & The Post-Game Car Ride – For many kids, the car ride home isn’t a safe space—it’s where they feel the most pressure and judgment.
🔹 When Parents' Identities Get Wrapped in Their Kids’ Success – The added stress young athletes feel when their parents’ egos and emotions ride on their performance.
🔹 Fighting the Instinct to “Fix” – Parents want to help when they see their kids struggling, but sometimes stepping back is the best way to teach resilience.
🔹 Triggering Moments in Youth Sports – The importance of staying neutral, recognizing emotional cues, and resisting the urge to intervene with coaches.
🔹 Burnout & The Cost of Youth Sports – Are we losing kids to burnout from the intensity and high financial stakes of youth athletics?
🔹 Rethinking Participation Trophies – Sometimes, they’re actually age-appropriate—let’s stop hating on them.
🔹 Finding Joy in Youth Sports – Are we playing the game, or working the game? Parents, don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
 
And of course... More HOT TAKES

Trailblazing

Episode 41: Terri Bryant (One of only a handful of women coaching football in the state of Kentucky)
In this episode, I sit down with Terri Bryant, one of the few women coaching a boys’ football team, to discuss breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport and the challenges she’s faced along the way.
🔹 Breaking Barriers in Boys’ Football – While it’s common for men to coach girls’ teams, it’s still rare to see women leading boys’ teams. Terri shares how she’s had to prove herself time and time again.
🔹 Fighting Double Standards – Men coaching sports they never played is rarely questioned, but women in the same position face extra scrutiny. Terri discusses the biases she encounters as both a woman and a Black woman in coaching.
🔹 Assumptions & Stereotypes – Before people knew her role, many assumed she was a “Team Mom” or a cheerleading coach rather than the head coach.
🔹 Barriers for Women in Coaching – Even in girls’ sports, coaching roles are still dominated by men, making it difficult for women to break into leadership positions.
🔹 The Rise of Girls’ Flag Football – As one of the fastest-growing sports, girls’ flag football is creating new coaching opportunities—Terri wants to see women filling these roles.
🔹 Kids vs. Adults: Who Really Has the Bias? – Young athletes have no problem accepting female coaches—it’s the parents and other adults who struggle to adjust.
🔹 Parental Influence & Respect for Coaches – Kids mirror their parents’ attitudes. When parents undermine coaches, they create uncoachable athletes.
🔹 Confidence in Coaching – “I’m humble, but you have to have confidence in these positions because there’s a lot of criticism.”
And of course… MORE HOT TAKES!