Beyond The Lines

In Episode #59, I have a discussion with 12 year old hockey player, Liam. We talk about hockey, but more specifically his position as a Right Defenseman. First, Liam shares how long he's been playing hockey and what got him interested. Liam also discusses what he likes about playing hockey and what things he doesn't like about playing Right Defenseman. He further explains the basics of h...

In Episode #58, I discuss the Right Back position with 12 year old soccer player Bryson. Bryson talks about what got him interested in playing soccer and how he became to enjoy it. Bryson discusses what he likes and dislikes about soccer. In regard to his specific position of Right Back, Bryson shares what he finds easy and difficult about the position. He talks about his versatility to be able to...

In Episode #57, I discuss defense in lacrosse with Kamryn, a high school lacrosse player from Maryland. First, we cover what got her interested in lacrosse. Then we discuss the differences between Club and High School lacrosse. We then delve into what it's like being a defender in lacrosse, what skillsets you need to play defense and what's the most important part about playing defense....

In Episode #56, I discuss the tragic collapse of Damar Hamlin. With a familiar guest, Dr. Tate-Scruse, we discuss how Damar's incident affected us as a country and worldwide. We cover the aspects of coping and dealing with such a tragedy that was seen in real-time all over the country. We talk about how Damar's teammates, coaches and family cope with the incident and how they can move fo...

In Episode #55, I have a discussion with, motivational speakers and the hosts of the podcast show Life and Football, Colin Moore and Michael Figgers. During the interview, we discuss what got them involved in sports, who and/or what was their motivation as young athletes, as well as how they met. Colin and Michael share their thoughts on the state of sports across all levels, and the effect social...

Here, in Episode #54, my guest is the owner of Cohesive Counseling Associates in Charlotte, and the author of several books, including Blessed Passenger and Your Invitation to Self-Care, Dr. Melissa Tate-Scruse. In the wake of the University of Virgina and the University of Idaho tragedies, Dr. Tate-Scruse and I discuss how those two universities, and the surrounding communities, deal with those t...

In Episode #53, I have a follow up discussion with Dr. Julie Stamm, Ph. D concerning concussions, how parents, coaches and players alike can recognize a possible concussion and what the next step would be. Dr. Stamm and I also delve deeper into the concussion issue as we discuss the efficacy of the Guardian Caps that were being worn by NFL players (only at certain positions) during training camp....

Here, in Week #4 and the final episode of Father's Month, I dedicate it to the Single Moms. There are plenty of dads who are taking on both the mother and father role, but this episode highlights the moms who play both roles. With that, my special guest for this episode is my mother.      My mother discusses what the pressure is like to take on both the mother and father role and how she was...

In Week #3 episode, I have a very in-depth, informative and thoughtful conversation with Gil. Gil outlines his life prior to becoming a father and why he became a "late father." Gil details what life has been like as a father and how he balances his work-life and his home-life. He also delves into the topic of being a dad to kids that aren't his 'biological' kids. Gil offe...

In Week #2 episode of Father's Month, I have an in-depth discussion with Lonnie. He and his wife have 3 kids. Lonnie discusses how he and his wife share the responsibilities of taking care of the kids. Lonnie remarks how he and his wife not only work their 'regular' jobs, but how they also have their own business and how they manage those responsibilities as well as the many other d...

To kick off Father's Month is my Week #1 guest Julio. Julio discusses his experience as a dad and what personal changes and adjustments he made to improve his role as a dad. During the interview, Julio shares the co-parenting responsibilities he and his wife share in order to raise their two sons. As he reflects on what his father was like, Julio talks about his childhood and how his father s...

In episode #46, I have a lengthy discussion with Psychologist Dr. Melissa Tate-Scruse about the epidemic of mental health. We discuss, in its' basic form, what mental health is, the signs and symptoms parents and coaches should look for in kids who may be suffering from mental health issues and how to treat mental illness. Dr. Tate-Scruse offers an enlightening and thought-provoking take on w...

In the final episode of Mother's Month, I have a discussion with my mother on what it's like to be a mom. She offers her opinion about what it takes to be a mother and the difficult role of being a mother. My mom also discusses the differences between raising kids in today's world versus 30 years ago. My mom gives her opinion on what a mom should do to help raise kids in this consta...

Week # 4 of Mother's Month features Rachel. She's a mother of two boys: 17 and 15. Rachel discusses how she handles her daily responsibilities as well as work and her kid's activities. She discusses how her immediate family supports her when she needs it and how the role of her husband makes those responsibilities a little easier. Rachel offers some interesting and thought-provoking...

Week #3 of Mother's Month features Natalie, a mother of an 13 year old boy. Natalie, who is extremely busy with work-life, details how she handles the daily responsibilities as a working mom and wife. Natalie discusses the challenges that life places on her while she balances multiple jobs, her son's sporting activities, all while trying to maintain a home. Natalie also talks about the b...

Week #2 of Mother's Month features Kris. She's a mom of teenage twins. During this episode, Kris shares her experience has a mother. She discusses the lessons that she has learned thus far in her journey. Kris offers her opinions about what motherhood entails, how to balance those responsibilities along with the different directions that life pulls her in every day. Kris also offers some...

Every Sunday, during the month of May, I'll be recognizing and having a discussion with a different mother. Each mom will discuss her experience and journey as a mother. Each mother will highlight their experience and offer advice to others about what helped them through motherhood. Here in Mother's Month Week #1, I have an inspiring conversation with Sam. Sam is a mother of 3 and has a...

In episode #33, I have a lengthy and in-depth conversation with the host of Simplyballdroppin Podcast KSapp. We discuss everything newsworthy in the sports world. We cover the NFL, NBA and the NCAA. KSapp offers his great knowledge and opinions on every topic. KSapp also discusses the genesis of his podcast Simplyballdroppin, how his podcast has progressed and become so popular as well as what lis...

In episode #32, I have a discussion with former Div. I basketball coach and author of 10 Principles of a Character, Coach Gary Waters about the NCAA initial eligibility requirements for incoming freshman. We discuss the impact the decision has on the student-athlete as well as the school. Coach Waters and I also discuss topics such as the upcoming college basketball tournament, Coach K's care...

In episode #31, I have a discussion with Reggie, who's a freshman football player at USF, about life as a college athlete, time management, the major differences, both academically and athletically, between high school and college. Reggie also shares what his daily schedule is like during the off-season as well as during the season. During the Q & A, we discuss the mental and emotional as...

In Episode #30, I have a Q & A with Tampa Premier League Director Prahlad Madabhushi, who has been playing cricket for several decades. We discuss the basic rules, terminology and strategies behind the game of Cricket. We talk about the genesis of Cricket and it's growing popularity. During the Q and A, we discuss why certain countries are so much better at Cricket than others and why the...

In episode #29, I have an in-depth Q & A with a former Div. I basketball coach concerning the minimum eligibility requirements and standardized tests that incoming freshman need to have in order to meet initial eligibility standards to play Div. I and Div. II sports. We discuss the history of these tests as well as the NCAA's role is creating the eligibility requirements. The role in whic...

In episode #28, I have a Q & A with a college basketball Hall of Famer who discusses his new book. He discusses, in-depth, what his life was life during his college career and how basketball consumed his life athletically, mentally and emotionally. We discuss his inspiration for writing the book and what the inspiration and the book did to give him and "awakening" about his life in t...

In the 8th and Final episode of the 2021 Beyond The Lines and South Pasco Predators Football and Cheer Student-Athlete of the Week season, I have a Q & A with this week's winner. We discuss her love for band and dislike for History class. We also discuss what her favorite animal is, how it became her favorite animal and what she would like to do as a career. We also talk about her involve...

In Episode #7, I have a Q & A with this week's Student-Athlete winner. We discuss his favorite and least favorite classes in school. He discusses playing multiple sports and what the similarities and differences are in those sports. We also discuss what got him interested in playing football and his feelings on the sport. He talks about who his favorite football player and team is. He als...