Advertise on podcast: Raising Athletes

What does it take to build a successful college basketball program in an ever-changing world of sports? This week on Raising Athletes, Kirsten sits down with Jamie Dixon, head coach of TCU Men’s Basketball, to discuss the evolution of college basketball, the lessons that shape great athletes, and what it takes to succeed both on and off the court. From his own athletic journey and late growth spurt to his philosophy on recruiting, player development, and building a lasting legacy, Jamie shares insights from decades of experience coaching at the highest levels of the game. Together, Kirsten and Jamie explore how the transfer portal and NIL have transformed college athletics, changing the way coaches recruit, develop talent, and build team culture. They also discuss the evolving relationship between coaches, athletes, and parents, and why perseverance, hard work, resilience, and mindset remain essential ingredients for long-term success—regardless of how much the game changes. Whether you're a sports parent, coach, or young athlete, this conversation offers a valuable look inside the world of college basketball and a reminder that success is about more than talent alone. It's about showing up, embracing challenges, putting in the work, and developing the character and mindset to navigate whatever comes next. Tune in for an insightful conversation about leadership, mindset, and the values that help athletes thrive in basketball and beyond.

What does it really mean to be mentally tough? In sports, athletes are taught to be resilient, stay composed under pressure, and push through adversity. But sometimes, the expectation to always be “tough” can make it difficult to admit when we’re struggling. In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Avery Nelson, who brings a unique perspective through her training in both performance psychology and mental health counseling. Avery and Kirsten explore what happens when athletes, coaches, and high performers feel like they have to carry everything on their own This conversation is a reminder that the person behind the performance matters. Real strength isn’t about carrying the weight alone—it’s having the courage to acknowledge what you’re feeling, ask for support, and figure out what comes next. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone navigating a high-pressure season of life, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you don’t have to face it alone.

What does it really mean to be mentally tough? In sports, athletes are taught to be resilient, stay composed under pressure, and push through adversity. But sometimes, the expectation to always be “tough” can make it difficult to admit when we’re struggling. In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Avery Nelson, who brings a unique perspective through her training in both performance psychology and mental health counseling. Avery and Kirsten explore what happens when athletes, coaches, and high performers feel like they have to carry everything on their own This conversation is a reminder that the person behind the performance matters. Real strength isn’t about carrying the weight alone—it’s having the courage to acknowledge what you’re feeling, ask for support, and figure out what comes next. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone navigating a high-pressure season of life, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you don’t have to face it alone.

What does it take to build confidence that lasts long after the final buzzer? This week, Kirsten sits down with former WNBA player Chantelle Anderson to explore the powerful connection between confidence, leadership, identity, and resilience. As one of the most accomplished basketball players of her generation, Chantelle broke barriers at Vanderbilt, competed at the highest level in the WNBA, and has since dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations develop authentic leadership and lasting confidence. Drawing from her experiences as an elite athlete, coach, and leadership speaker, Chantelle shares why confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build through intentional choices, embracing challenges, and staying true to your values. She offers practical insights for athletes, parents, and coaches on overcoming self-doubt, leading with authenticity, and helping young people develop the mindset needed to thrive both in sports and in life. Whether you’re raising an athlete, coaching a team, or striving to become a stronger leader yourself, this conversation is filled with wisdom that will inspire you to lead with purpose and compete with confidence.

It’s time to head back to school—and that means a new season of sports, schedules, homework, practices, and plenty of emotions for the whole family! In this annual back-to-school episode of Raising Athletes, Kirsten Jones is joined by special guest host Susie Walton to help parents and young athletes start the school year with confidence, calm, and the right mindset. Kirsten and Susie share practical strategies for creating healthy routines, managing the transition back to school and sports, setting expectations, and helping kids take ownership of their responsibilities. They also dive into how parents can support their athletes without adding pressure, navigate busy family schedules, and make sure the pursuit of athletic success doesn’t come at the expense of mental health, connection, and enjoyment. Whether your athlete is heading into a new school year, a new team, or simply trying to get back into a routine, this episode is packed with simple, actionable advice to help your family make the transition smoother—and set your athlete up for a successful year on and off the field.

In this episode, Kirsten welcomes parenting pair Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen, two experienced psychologists and moms who bring both professional expertise and real-life wisdom to the conversation. Together, they dive into the joys and challenges of raising resilient kids in today’s world, exploring how parents can balance structure with empathy, set boundaries with love, and model the confidence they hope to instill in their children. Listeners will walk away with fresh insights, practical strategies, and a sense of reassurance that while parenting isn’t perfect, it can be deeply meaningful when guided by connection and compassion.

In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Jena Winger, a running and mental performance coach dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full potential by strengthening both body and mind. Jena shares her personal journey of realizing that mindset isn’t an afterthought—it’s a skill—and how that shift inspired her to create Wingman Performance Coaching. Together, they dive into the balance between physical training and mental resilience, Jena’s story and how she was inspired to give back to the athletic community, and some of her techniques as both a coach and an athlete!

In this episode, Kirsten is joined by Nicolette Caneda, former Manhattan College soccer player, who opens up about her journey as a student-athlete and the lessons she’s learned both on and off the field. Nicolette shares her personal experience of overcoming an eating disorder, the impact it had on her relationship with the game, and the steps she took to prioritize her mental health. She also reflects on the influential role her father played as a coach, shaping her approach to competition, discipline, and resilience. Through honesty and perspective, Nicolette highlights how self-awareness, support, and open dialogue can help athletes navigate the pressures of sport and build a healthier foundation for performance and well-being.

In this episode of Raising Athletes, Kirsten sits down with John A. Gallucci Jr., CEO of JAG Physical Therapy and one of the leading experts in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. From working with elite athletes across the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and Major League Soccer to building one of the fastest-growing physical therapy practices in the Northeast, John shares his journey and the lessons he’s learned about keeping athletes healthy and performing at their best. John discusses the importance of injury prevention, how parents and coaches can better support young athletes through the rehabilitation process, and why recovery should be viewed as a critical part of athletic development. He also shares insights from his newest book, Pickleball Pickleball Pickleball: Don’t Get Hurt, and explains how the principles of proper movement, preparation, and body awareness apply to athletes of all ages and sports. Whether your child is just starting their athletic journey or competing at the highest level, this conversation offers valuable lessons on building stronger, healthier, and more resilient athletes.

In this episode of Raising Athletes, Kirsten sits down with Betsy Butterick, known as “The Coaches’ Coach,” to explore how communication, connection, and team chemistry create the foundation for high-performing teams. A former collegiate basketball player and coach, Betsy shares how genuine relationships and effective communication can transform the way coaches lead, develop athletes, and build stronger team cultures. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the power of communication, why chemistry is built—not found, and how coaches and parents can use stronger connections to help athletes reach their full potential. Betsy is also the author of Kids These Days: Effective Strategies for Coaching Gen Z and Beyond, a guide designed to help coaches better understand, connect with, and lead today’s athletes. She shares practical strategies for navigating generational differences, building trust, and creating environments where young athletes can thrive. Listeners can get 15% off Betsy’s book by using this link: Kids These Days: Effective Strategies for Coaching Gen Z and Beyond

Former MLB pitcher Brian Sackinsky joins the podcast for a powerful conversation about why sports are about so much more than wins and losses. A Stanford Baseball alum, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, coach, speaker, and leader, Brian shares how his journey through sports shaped his perspective on success, failure, leadership, and personal growth. Once driven by perfectionism, Brian opens up about the lessons he learned through baseball, coaching, parenting, and life that helped him shift his focus from chasing perfection to embracing progress. Whether you're a parent, coach, athlete, or leader, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons on growth, mindset, and the impact sports can have long after the final whistle blows. Brian's message is simple but powerful: the greatest competition isn't against others—it's against the person you were yesterday.

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sits down with Shelli Johnson — entrepreneur, leadership consultant, adventure guide, and founder of Epic Life Inc. — to explore what it truly means to live an authentic and meaningful life. From building a Yellowstone-based tourism company and award-winning travel platform to guiding leaders and individuals through the “wild terrain” of their own personal growth, Shelli shares the lessons she’s learned about purpose, resilience, and finding your way back to yourself. Drawing from thousands of miles walked through wilderness and life itself, Shelli opens up about how nature became her greatest teacher and why walking has become a powerful tool for reflection, healing, and leadership. This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t just about achievement—it’s about alignment, courage, and creating a life that feels deeply true to who you are.

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sits down with Shelli Johnson — entrepreneur, leadership consultant, adventure guide, and founder of Epic Life Inc. — to explore what it truly means to live an authentic and meaningful life. From building a Yellowstone-based tourism company and award-winning travel platform to guiding leaders and individuals through the “wild terrain” of their own personal growth, Shelli shares the lessons she’s learned about purpose, resilience, and finding your way back to yourself. Drawing from thousands of miles walked through wilderness and life itself, Shelli opens up about how nature became her greatest teacher and why walking has become a powerful tool for reflection, healing, and leadership. This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t just about achievement—it’s about alignment, courage, and creating a life that feels deeply true to who you are.

In this powerful conversation, Chris Murphy and Chris Deluzio break down their proposed “Let Kids Play Act,” a groundbreaking bill aimed at removing private equity influence from youth sports and making athletics more affordable and accessible for families across America. The discussion dives into how corporate investors and private equity firms have transformed youth sports into a billion-dollar business, driving up costs through tournament monopolies, “stay-to-play” hotel mandates, rising registration fees, and the consolidation of local leagues and facilities. Senator Murphy and Congressman Deluzio explain why they believe youth sports should be treated as a community-based public good — not a profit center for wealthy investors. They also unpack the real-life stories that inspired the legislation, including the collapse of long-standing nonprofit youth hockey organizations after aggressive acquisitions by investor-backed companies. From skyrocketing participation costs to families being priced out of sports altogether, this episode explores what happens when profit overtakes purpose in youth athletics. Most importantly, Murphy and Deluzio share how the Let Kids Play Act aims to restore local control, protect nonprofit programs, eliminate exploitative business practices, and lower the financial burden on parents — all while preserving the life-changing value sports can have on kids and communities. If you care about the future of youth sports, affordability, and keeping kids in the game, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

From the sidelines to the press box, Stephen Borelli has spent his life immersed in the world of sports. In this episode, Stephen shares his journey as a youth coach, sports parent, magazine editor, and the voice behind the popular weekly sports parenting column “Ask Coach Steve.” Drawing from years of firsthand experience and conversations with top athletes and sports personalities, he offers practical advice for navigating the highs and lows of youth sports. The conversation dives into the challenges facing today’s young athletes and parents—from pressure and burnout to confidence, communication, and keeping sports fun. Stephen also discusses his book, Youth Sports Survival Guide, and reflects on what families can do to create healthier, more positive athletic experiences. Plus, he shares insights from writing How About That! The Life of Mel Allen, the definitive biography of legendary New York Yankees broadcaster Mel Allen, and what the golden era of sports storytelling can still teach us today. Whether you’re a sports parent, coach, or athlete, this episode is packed with wisdom, perspective, and actionable advice for surviving—and thriving—in today’s youth sports culture.