Category Archives: sports

What’s the Goal of Youth Sports?



Powered by RedCircle What is the goal of youth sports?  It seems like an obvious question with an obvious answer. Isn’t the goal to provide kids with an opportunity to play sports? And to develop skills, teamwork, and camaraderie along the way? Historically, those were indeed the goals of youth sport. Many parents & kids … Continue reading What’s the Goal of Youth Sports?


Raising Empowered Athletes w Kirsten Jones



Powered by RedCircle Raising Empowered Athletes, by former D1 athlete Kirsten Jones, is the book parents need to navigate today’s youth sports culture. Kids do not need to begin formal sports instruction in preschool, and they don’t need to specialize in a single sport in order to succeed or excel, Kirsten says. In fact, she … Continue reading Raising Empowered Athletes w Kirsten Jones


Whole Child Sports: Alternative to Toxic Youth Sports Culture



Powered by RedCircle Whole child sports emphasizes wholesome, safe, and developmentally appropriate athletic experiences for kids. It is the antithesis of the toxic, highly competitive youth sports culture that’s unfortunately become the norm here in the United States. Scott Lancaster, a sports performance coach who worked with the NFL; Luis Fernando Llosa, an investigative reporter … Continue reading Whole Child Sports: Alternative to Toxic Youth Sports Culture


Linda Flanagan: Youth Sports are Out of Control



Powered by RedCircle Linda Flanagan says youth sports are out of control. And she should know. Flanagan is a former youth athlete, cross country coach, mother of a young athletes, and the author of Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania are Ruining Kids’ Sports – and Why It Matters. “If your goal is … Continue reading Linda Flanagan: Youth Sports are Out of Control


Sports & Masculinity



Sports and masculinity have long been intertwined. For a long time, boys and men were the only ones who were allowed to play sports. Athletic fields and locker rooms were seen as places where boys became men. We’ve seen where that can lead. We’ve seen little boys & teenagers told to “man up!”, “rub some … Continue reading Sports & Masculinity


149: All About E-sports



Competitive video gaming may be coming soon to a school near you. E-sports  (short for “electronic sports”) is a $900 million dollar global industry. In South Korea, top video game players are household names, and matches are televised. Here in the United States, more than 80 colleges and universities, including Kent State and the University … Continue reading 149: All About E-sports


132: Risk-Taking Boys with Mom Judi Ketteler



Would you let your 10-year-old son hang out with a bunch of teenagers you haven’t met? Would you let him attempt a double or triple flip in the trampoline in the backyard – or manage his own Instagram account? Writer and mom Judi Ketteler has. In a society that spends so much time telling boys … Continue reading 132: Risk-Taking Boys with Mom Judi Ketteler


103: Sports and Boys Who Don’t Like Them



Sports are a HUGE part of boy world — and that’s a problem for boys who aren’t interested in or don’t particularly enjoy athletics. In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss: Why it’s so important for parents to separate their athletic ambitions from their sons’ How families can resist social pressure to sign up for … Continue reading 103: Sports and Boys Who Don’t Like Them