Ep. 159: David Pollack: The Hardest Part of Sports Parenting Is Learning to Let Go
In this powerful return episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we welcome back College Football Hall of Famer and host of See Ball Get Ball, David Pollack, three and a half years after his first appearance. Now raising a 17-year-old son committed to Clemson football and a 16-year-old standout basketball daughter, David shares raw, honest insights on how sports parenting evolves in high school—from shifting roles as “commander” to “coach” to “friend,” to giving kids true ownership of their journey. He discusses the challenges of the modern, transactional NIL recruiting world, balancing support without taking over, and why surrounding your children with the right people and culture matters most. David also opens up about his wife Lindsay’s major brain surgery and ongoing battle with cancer, and how their family has grown stronger through adversity, gaining powerful lessons in resilience, faith, and perspective. With his signature intensity, humor, and vulnerability, he covers why parenting gets harder yet more meaningful with independence, building family values that outlast sports, praying through hard things, and what coaches and parents must prioritize for long-term success and character. A must-listen for parents, coaches, and athletes. Tune in now—also check out David’s new book, Every Day Counts: Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can.
Ep 158: Reclassifying: The Controversial Extra Year in Youth Sports
In this candid episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad tackle one of the most controversial topics in youth sports: reclassification — holding kids back a grade primarily for athletic advantages. They break down what reclassification really means and how it’s evolved from a rare academic choice into a common sports strategy, the potential benefits for late bloomers, and the serious downsides including social, emotional, and academic impacts. The hosts also examine why some high school programs quietly encourage it, how club teams have adapted with grad-year rules, and whether the extra year truly leads to D1 scholarships or simply creates unfair advantages. With honesty and personal stories, they question if athletics are being placed above kids’ holistic development in the growing trend of older athletes in high school and college sports. This nuanced, thought-provoking conversation is a must-listen for parents and coaches. Have you reclassified your child? Share your experiences — the good, the bad, and the ugly — in the comments.
Ep. 157: Aspen Institute’s Tom Farrey: The State of Youth Sports
In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we sit down with Tom Farrey, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Project Play and a leading voice in youth sports. With decades of experience and groundbreaking research, Tom shares the latest data on participation trends, the effects of commercialization, the risks of early specialization, and the growing influence of NIL at younger ages. He also explores powerful lessons from Norway’s highly successful youth sports model, explains why joy and love of the game matter more than wins in the early years, highlights the importance of multi-sport play, and offers practical ways communities can drive real change through the “power of the permit.” Whether you’re a parent, coach, or youth sports leader, this conversation delivers honest insights, renewed hope, and actionable ideas for building healthier, more inclusive youth sports environments. Tune in for a big-picture look at where youth sports stands today — and where it’s headed.
Ep: 156: Catie Francoeur: Behind the Scenes With a Sports Mom
This week on The Pure Athlete Podcast, we celebrate moms with special guest Catie Francoeur — sports mom, wife, and chaos coordinator extraordinaire. Catie joins Jeff, Britt, and Brad for an honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation about raising four kids in the middle of the youth sports whirlwind. From travel ball chaos and emotional car rides to balancing competition, faith, marriage, and family life, this episode dives into the pressures families face in today’s sports culture and why effort, character, and identity matter more than stats and trophies. Packed with relatable stories, laughs, and real perspective, this is an episode every sports parent will connect with.
Ep. 155: University of Georgia AD Josh Brooks
What does the future of college sports really look like—and how will it impact youth and high school athletes? In Part 2 of this series, What’s Going On in College Sports?, we sit down with Josh Brooks, Athletic Director at University of Georgia, to discuss the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics—from NIL and the transfer portal to recruiting, roster building, and long-term athlete development. Josh reflects on his journey from college equipment manager under Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher to leading one of the top athletic programs in the country, while also sharing honest insight into parenting in youth sports, the pressure surrounding young athletes today, and why development, fit, and identity matter far more than wins, rankings, or short-term success.
Ep. 154: Clemson University AD Graham Neff
In Part 1 of our two-part series, What’s Going On in College Sports?, the guys sit down with Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff for a candid look inside the rapidly evolving world of college sports. From NIL and the transfer portal to recruiting and scholarships, he breaks down what’s actually happening and what it means for today’s athletes. He also shares his journey into college athletics, offers practical advice for students interested in sports careers, and explains why opportunities are still growing across all levels. The conversation dives into big questions around player loyalty, the business side of college athletics, and where things are headed next—giving parents, athletes, and fans clear, real insight from someone at the center of it all.
Ep. 153: Pitching Ninja Rob Friedman on Developing Young Pitchers
In this episode, we sit down with Rob Friedman, creator of Pitching Ninja, to unpack what it really takes to develop an elite pitcher in today’s game. From the rise of velocity and its risks to the pitfalls of early specialization, Rob shares hard-earned insights from coaching his own son to Georgia Tech and building one of baseball’s most trusted platforms. We cover how to choose the right pitching coach, when to introduce velocity tracking and breaking balls, and the habits that separate good pitchers from great ones, while also offering practical guidance for parents navigating the pressures of youth sports.
Ep. 152: Why “Never Push Your Kid” Isn’t Great Advice for Sports Parents
In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, the guys tackle one of the toughest questions in youth sports: how hard should you push your kids? From early development through high school, they unpack what “pushing” really means and where the line falls between healthy accountability and harmful pressure. Through honest stories and personal experiences, they explore the tension between wanting the best for your kids and knowing when to step back, emphasizing the importance of focusing on effort, preparation, attitude, consistency, and work ethic over stats and outcomes. The conversation also breaks down how that approach should evolve as kids grow—especially during the critical middle school years—and how parents can transition from hands-on guidance to empowering athletes to take ownership. With real examples of both successes and missteps, this episode offers a clear, practical framework for developing resilient, motivated athletes without sacrificing the relationship that matters most.
Ep. 151: The Intersection of Faith & Youth Sports
In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, the guys take an honest, thoughtful look at how faith intersects with youth sports and the challenges parents and coaches face in keeping priorities aligned. They explore the growing visibility of faith in sports—highlighting both the opportunities and concerns—while also sharing personal reflections on how faith shapes their identities as parents, coaches, and competitors, including where they still fall short. The conversation tackles real questions families wrestle with, from keeping sports from becoming a child’s identity to understanding what it truly means to “play for something bigger,” and how faith should show up through wins, losses, adversity, pressure, and even Sunday sports conflicts. Through candid stories and practical perspective, they emphasize a powerful theme: sports are a tool, not the foundation—the goal isn’t just to raise better athletes, but grounded, resilient young people whose identity goes far beyond the scoreboard.
Ep. 150: Emmy-Winning Sports Broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak: From Sport Anchor to Sports Mom
On this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, Emmy-winning sports broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak, host of Things No One Tells You and longtime ESPN, Fox, and NBC reporter, shares her inside experiences covering the 2026 Winter Olympics and working alongside elite athletes and analysts. She discusses the emotional highs and lows of competition, the power of mindset, and the challenges of parenting young athletes—navigating team selections, setbacks, and building confidence. Lindsay also shares stories of sports parents losing their cool and the lessons learned. Packed with insight, emotion, and humor, this episode highlights why the journey, not just the scoreboard, defines a true athlete.
Ep. 149: 7-Year NFL & Saints LB Kaden Ellis
On this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, Kaden Elliss (then with the Atlanta Falcons, later signed with the New Orleans Saints) shares his journey from overlooked recruit and aspiring quarterback to NFL player, driven by grit, faith, and relentless belief. Growing up in a household of 12 with seven adopted siblings, Kaden opens up about how adoption shaped his identity, values, and purpose. The conversation explores the true meaning of family, navigating setbacks and recruiting, the benefits of being a multi-sport athlete, faith under pressure, and lessons from the NFL on leadership, discipline, and consistency. More than a football story, this episode highlights purpose, perspective, and the people who shape who we become.
Ep. 148: Dr. John Delony: PART 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. John Delony, we explore the pressures of youth sports and their impact on families. Dr. Delony discusses how travel sports, elite expectations, and adult stress can affect kids’ mental health, why loving the game matters more than mastering it, and how to distinguish true shared experiences from unhealthy pressure. He also addresses challenges facing today’s teens, including social media and sports gambling, offering parents practical guidance to raise resilient, balanced children and keep sports a positive experience for the whole family.
Ep. 147: Dr. John Delony: PART 1
Youth sports can build resilience, character, teamwork, and lifelong confidence, but they can also carry hidden emotional weight. In Part 1 of this conversation, Dr. John Delony — bestselling author, two-time PhD, and host of The John Delony Show — joins the Pure Athlete team to explore how kids may feel responsible for their parents’ emotions, how parents can cross the line from supportive to over-invested, and why family health and shared values must take priority over packed sports schedules. He discusses the risks of living vicariously through children, the impact of adult loneliness on travel sports, and how to ensure kids play for themselves rather than for us. Dr. Delony loves sports personally but warns against letting a child carry the emotional weight of a parent’s identity, making this a must-listen for parents, coaches, and leaders committed to raising healthy families, not just successful athletes.