Episode Title
Surviving with Rhett Parker: Trying to Do Right by Our Kids in Youth Sports
Episode Date
January 30, 2026
Episode Description
In this opening episode of Surviving Youth Sports, host Rhett Parker sits down with producer Maika’i Derouin to explain why this podcast needed to exist. What begins as a conversation about parenting and coaching quickly becomes a deeper reflection on how complex, emotional, and personal the youth sports journey really is.
Rhett shares how years of experience as an athlete, coach, and now parent of four have reshaped the way he views competition, pressure, car rides home, and the expectations placed on kids and families. Rather than pointing to one defining moment, he describes youth sports as a collection of experiences that force parents and coaches to constantly question whether they’re doing the right thing.
This episode sets the tone for the show. Honest conversations. No absolutes. Real stories from people living it. For parents, athletes, and coaches trying to navigate the gray areas of youth sports, this episode offers reassurance that uncertainty is part of the process and that no one is navigating it alone.
Subscribe Links
Subscribe (surviveyouthsports.com/subscribe)
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube
Guest Resources
KP Sports Leadership Foundation (kpslfoundation.org)
Key Takeaways
What This Episode Explores
✅ Youth sports is not black and white. Every athlete, family, and journey is different.
✅ Parenting and coaching are shaped by a collection of moments, not one defining decision.
✅ Absolute advice often ignores the individuality of kids and families.
✅ Coaching your own child blurs lines and creates challenges that rarely get discussed.
✅ Honest conversations, even uncomfortable ones, are necessary to support athletes’ mental and emotional health.
Soundbites
“Youth sports lives in the gray. That’s the hard part and the truth.”
“There’s not one answer. And that’s actually the beauty of it.”
“We’re not raising college or professional athletes. We’re raising elite humans.”
“Being a coach’s kid is a brutally hard job.”
“Impact creates influence, and influence creates change.”
Final Reflection or Closing Thought
Youth sports is not about finding the perfect formula. It is about staying present, staying curious, and being willing to evolve alongside your kids. This episode reminds us that uncertainty does not mean failure. It means you are engaged.
Call to Action
Subscribe to Surviving Youth Sports and follow along for weekly conversations.
Share this episode with a parent, coach, or athlete navigating the journey.
If you have a story to tell, we would love to hear from you.
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