Heaven or Heisman

Making the jump from rec sports to club can feel overwhelming for parents. Jonathan "Coach Al" Alexander, founder of JAB Hoops, joins the show to discuss how to know when a child is truly ready for club sports and why the decision should be based on development, not just points scored or wins. We explore together what coaches look for during tryouts, the value of quality practices over gam...

In this special episode of Heaven or Heisman , co-host and professional tennis coach Jean Anderson joins the show live from London as he prepares to coach at Wimbledon. Jean gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at one of the sport's most iconic tournaments, sharing what makes Wimbledon so unique and what fans don't get to see on television—from practice schedules and player routines to...

In this episode of Heaven or Heisman, we kick off a new series exploring the world of club sports and the challenges families face as they navigate increasingly competitive athletic environments. We begin by tackling one of the most common questions parents ask: how do you know what level of competition is right for your child? From recreational leagues to select teams and full-time club sports, w...

In this episode, we welcome back Timothy Ateek for a conversation about what youth sports families can learn from the life of the Apostle Paul. Together, we unpack how identity, hardship, mentorship, and faith all intersect in the world of athletics and parenting. Timothy shares how Paul’s life modeled perseverance, humility, and purpose long before becoming the influential leader most people reme...

In part two of our conversation with Garry Linton, we continue unpacking the culture surrounding youth sports and the pressure many families feel to chase rankings, stats, elite teams, and early success. Garry challenges the scoreboard-driven mindset that dominates today’s sports world and encourages parents and coaches to focus instead on long-term development, fundamentals, and helping kids grow...

In this episode, part one of a two-part conversation, we sit down with Garry Linton, known to many as Take Flight Coach, for an honest and eye-opening discussion about youth sports, parenting, and what it really means to develop kids the right way. Garry shares how his journey began as a parent who stepped in to coach and quickly realized that much of the system was missing the mark. From early eg...

In a youth sports culture that often ties confidence to performance, how do we help kids build something deeper, something that lasts beyond the scoreboard? In this episode of Heaven or Heisman , we’re joined again by Brad, “The Coaching Dad,” to talk about the difference between confidence rooted in results and confidence rooted in identity. Together, we explore how athletes can grow in belief wi...

What does it look like to hold your identity steady when everything around you—your role, your platform, your success—keeps shifting? In this episode of Heaven or Heisman, we sit down with High Point University’s Chase Johnston, whose viral game-winning moment captured national attention—but whose story runs much deeper than one shot. From losing his starting position mid-season to becoming a bold...

In a culture where youth sports often feel overwhelming, expensive, and hyper-competitive, how do we hold on to what actually matters? In this episode of Heaven or Heisman, we sit down with John O'Sullivan to talk about the current state of youth sports—and why the experience a child has depends far more on the environment adults create than the sport itself. Together, we explore the quiet dri...

In youth sports, the pressure to specialize earlier and train harder is everywhere. But what if the best path for young athletes is actually slower, more patient, and more focused on the long game? In this episode of Heaven or Heisman, former Texas A&M University runner and endurance coach Mike Hummel joins us to share a different perspective on developing athletes—and why protecting a child’s...

In the rush of practices, tournaments, and car meals, it is easy for something essential to slip away without us noticing. In this episode of Heaven or Heisman, we talk directly to parents, guardians, and anyone investing deeply in a child’s athletic journey about the one thing sports cannot afford to lose: the relationship. Through real stories, well-known examples from elite athletics, and hones...

What does it actually look like to coach kids well and to parent youth sports without losing perspective? In this episode, we sit down with Brad from The Coaching Dad to talk honestly about the realities of volunteer coaching, sideline pressure, and the expectations parents and coaches quietly carry. From first-time dad-coaches stepping onto the field to navigating yelling, playing time, and perce...

What does it really take to chase a baseball dream, and what does it cost along the way? In this episode, we sit down with former college baseball player Bryce Lenz to pull back the curtain on the long road from youth ball to college and beyond. Together, we talk about time, pressure, burnout, and the difference between loving the game and treating it like a job. Bryce shares his firsthand experie...

Is youth baseball actually toxic, or are we navigating it without a clear map? In this season two opener, Luke Baker and Jean Anderson tackle one of the most emotionally charged questions parents face. When does competitive baseball help our kids thrive, and when does it quietly cost us more than we realize? Drawing from years of coaching, parenting, and faith centered reflection, we explore the r...

What’s the right way to support a young athlete without pushing too hard? In this episode, we dive into strength and conditioning for kids, preventing overuse injuries during rapid growth phases, and the timing of sport specialization. Dr. John Arvesen shares practical tips for recognizing warning signs like persistent pain, swelling, or fatigue, balancing recovery with competition, and fostering...

What do you do when your team doesn’t win a single game all season? Luke, Jean, and Aaron get real about what it’s like to lead a winless team—and what that reveals about our expectations as parents and coaches. From redefining what “winning” looks like to checking our own hearts when we care more than the kids do, this conversation reminds us that character and joy matter more than the scoreboard...

What happens when a dad’s good intentions turn into pressure that crushes his kid’s love for the game? Luke and Jean sit down with guest Brian Campion to talk about how easily encouragement can cross into control — and the long-term impact it can have on a child’s heart. From sideline intensity to post-game car rides, they unpack real stories of overbearing parenting, share lessons from Scripture,...

This week, Luke Baker and Jean Anderson sit down with authors Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski , who co-wrote Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. Together, they explore how faith can transform the way parents and kids experience today’s high-pressure sports culture. Brian and Ed share their experiences from decades in sports ministry, unpacking how Christian families can t...

Luke and Jean and the team dive into the phrase “Look good, feel good, feel good, play good” —popularized by Coach Prime—and how it applies to youth sports and beyond. They explore the balance between providing kids with gear that helps them feel prepared and confident versus overemphasizing appearance to the point it becomes a crutch. Jean recounts showing up at a high-level youth football tourna...

Jean and Luke dive into the challenges and opportunities parents and coaches face in youth sports. Using the analogy of “mowing the parking lot,” they unpack why kids often spend more time at practice than actually improving—and how small adjustments can make a big difference. From cutting down wasted minutes in lines and water breaks to teaching skills at the “edge of ability,” the conversation i...

Today we have special guest Aaron Rose as we dive into a game-changing book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. The conversation explores why hurry is the enemy of love, peace, and spiritual growth—and how it’s quietly shaping our kids, our parenting, and our sports culture. From rushed car rides and late-night practices to forgotten shin guards and Chick-fil-A dinners in the ba...

In this episode of Heaven or Heisman , we sit down with our friend Kyle Porter from Normal Sport for a deep conversation that blends golf, faith, and the search for meaning. Together with Jean and the team, Kyle unpacks Scottie Scheffler’s surprising press conference comments on fulfillment, Ecclesiastes, and what it truly means to chase success. From Solomon’s wisdom to the grind of professional...

Today we dive headfirst into the cultural shift in youth sports—how money, pressure, and year-round specialization are reshaping the game for kids and families alike. We reflect on what sports used to be, where they’re headed, and the ripple effects on motivation, structure, access, family roles, and kids’ identities. From NIL million-dollar deals to the quiet erosion of “just playing for fun,” we...

In this lighthearted and honest episode, Luke Baker and Jean Anderson share the chaos, comedy, and camaraderie that comes with being a youth sports parent. From the infamous shoe crisis to the magic of high fives, they unpack seven laugh-out-loud relatable realities only parents on the sidelines truly understand. Whether you're a veteran coach, a snack mom, or a barefoot-kid defender, this epi...

In this powerful episode, Keegan Mueller — a former D1 wrestler, coach, and real estate leader — shares how growing up on the wrestling mat shaped his toughness, grit, and identity. But it wasn’t until a life-threatening fall in front of his son that Keegan learned what real strength and stillness look like. He talks candidly about the culture of performance, how sports can form (or misshape) youn...