Raising the Resilient Athlete

Teaser: Ask Betsy Next episode, Betsy will answer listener questions. What’s a challenge you’d ask her about? Email [ bcarmichael@alvordbaker.com ], leave a comment on Apple Podcasts, or message us on social. Raising the Resilient Athlete: Grit Is a Family Sport Episode description “Grit” has become a buzzword, so what does it mean for your kid, and for you? Rob Carmichael talks with Betsy Carmich...

Episode Guest: Brendan Sullivan, Founder & CEO of Head First In this episode, host Rob Carmichael is joined by CBT therapist Betsy Carmichael (Alvord Baker & Associates) and Flagstar founder Carl Ehrlich ("the commish") for their first-ever guest interview: Brendan Sullivan, a DC native, former Stanford baseball standout, and pro pitcher who built Head First from one-on-one pitching lesson...

"Space Cadets" — ADHD, Attention, and the Race Car Brain Episode Description Rob, Carl, and Betsy dig into why these kids aren't being difficult, they're wired differently. Betsy's framing: a race car engine with Model T brakes. Plus the piece of advice that stuck: five minutes a day of warm, engaged time with your kid — no directions, no corrections — can change everything. And if you can't manag...

In This Episode [00:00] What perfectionism looks like in kids — the "always" and "never" language that signals all-or-nothing thinking Why kids think in extremes — the developmental pull toward rigid categories ("I'm either perfect or a total loser") Cognitive distortions, kid-friendly style — using "thinking mistakes" lists to help kids self-identify patterns without shame The labeling debate — w...

In This Episode The say-do gap — Why parents say they want their kids to "just have fun," but the survey reveals many wish they'd trained harder themselves. How that regret quietly leaks into how we parent. It has to be kid-led — Carl on why real drive can't be installed from the outside, using Jalen Brunson (kid-led) vs. cautionary tales of childhoods sacrificed for a pro dream. The "design a pro...

In This Episode What opting out really looks like — Not getting in the car, refusing to sub in, going through the motions, the flat "I don't care." "You lost the race AND you set a personal best" — Why swapping "but" for "and" changes everything, and why a "moral victory" only works if the kid actually believes it. Validation before strategy — The story of the kid who didn't want to hear "you did...

Topics covered: What makes a sore loser? The difference between healthy competitive drive and unhealthy responses that get in the way of play What's happening in a kid's brain during a tough loss or bad play — and why it's not the moment to teach life lessons The "wait out the storm" approach — how to offer physical comfort without coddling, and why timing matters Age-appropriate strategies — what...

Raising the Resilient Athlete — Episode 1: The Nervous Nelly In this debut episode, host Rob sits down with child and family therapist Betsy Carmichael (Alvord Baker & Associates) and Carl Ehrlich , founder & CEO of Flag Star Football and former Harvard football team captain, to talk about nerves, anxiety, and how sports can be a powerful training ground for life. What We Cover: Nerves are...