R-E-S-P-E-C-T... R-E-F-E-R-E-E

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 Human
How Brenda went from sports administration to launching a movement that advocates for officials at every level.

🔹 Without Them, There’s No Game
Why officials aren’t just part of the machinery... they are the backbone of fair competition.

🔹 The Fan Factor
How emotions, investment, and sideline culture can turn an ordinary game into a verbal gauntlet for officials.

🔹 Seeing the Person, Not the Stripes
The small but powerful mindset shifts that make officials feel human again.

🔹 The Entitlement Equation
When thousands spent on club teams leads parents to expect and demand way more than they should.

🔹 Programs That Make a Difference
From public service announcements to league-wide resources, how Officially Human is changing fan behavior.

🔹 Recruitment on the Ropes
Why 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 Effect
Why the rise of sports betting is making the job harder, even for officials working youth and amateur games.

🔹 Everybody Has Bad Days
A closing reminder that no one ...player, fan, or official... gets it perfect every time.