Let’s Talk Cheer: The Cheerleading Podcast For Parents & Coaches

Can a Youth team really take the title over a powerhouse like Top Gun 24K on the same score sheet? As cheer competition season heats up, many parents and coaches are asking: how do scoring, pressure, and performance really stack up across different age divisions? Whether you're new to cheer or a seasoned vet, understanding how routines are judged, and how to support your athlete, can make all the...

What really goes on in the cheer gym parking lot and how did one cheer mom turn TikToks and banned Facebook posts into a national community? If you're a parent navigating the intense, expensive, and often misunderstood world of All-Star cheer, this episode hits home. Gina, a dedicated cheer mom turned viral content creator, shares the real-life experiences behind Cheer Moms Anonymous, and the high...

Why do some teams prioritize size over skill and how does that impact your athlete’s success? In this comeback episode, we unpack the real-life challenges and heart shifts behind the scenes of youth sports, from making tough family decisions to navigating team politics and understanding cheer gym strategy. If you're a cheer parent, coach, or athlete wondering why your kid’s always in the back row...

If you’ve ever felt stuck chasing validation, trying to build culture, or wondering how to balance competitive excellence with real human connection, this episode is your playbook. Adrian Butler unpacks the mindset shifts, gym culture evolutions, and personal growth that shaped his journey from athlete to one of the sport’s most inspiring coaches and now gym owner. Whether you're leading a program...

If you're building a business in cheerleading, navigating international growth, or dreaming of leaving your legacy in this sport, this episode is your playbook. Jibreel Rayam shares a raw, unfiltered journey from high school heckler to architecting some of the most impactful movements in cheer, offering insights for gym owners, coaches, and innovators who want to do more than just win titles. Disc...

How does a small UK cheer gym with four mats and zero funding become a 10-time Summit champion? If you're a coach, athlete, or cheer parent wondering what it really takes to build elite-level cheer teams from scratch, without the fancy facilities or big-name reputation, this episode will resonate. Discover how grit, vision, and relentless self-honesty can outperform excuses every single time. Lear...

Can small gyms really compete in the high-stakes world of All-Star cheerleading and win? If you're a gym owner, coach, or cheer parent who’s ever questioned whether the playing field in cheerleading is truly level, this episode delivers a raw and real behind-the-scenes look at how small gyms are pushing back, building community, and fighting for equity in the sport. Learn how Cat Weeden turned her...

What happens when a coach dares to challenge industry norms and wins? If you're a cheer coach striving to build a standout program, you've likely wrestled with athlete placement, program progression, and dealing with outside criticism. In this episode, we dive into how Jalyn Linkletter helped Macs Cheer rise from being a respected gym to becoming a national contender at every level including in th...

If you’ve ever wondered how end-of-season events can actually serve your gym’s financial health, or why some scoring and age grid changes actually help your program survive, this episode breaks it all down. Whether you're running a small gym with 40 athletes or managing a national program, these insights could reshape how you plan your competitive year. Discover why affordability and experience ar...

What does it take to build an all-star cheer empire that redefines an entire generation of athletes? Whether you’re a coach looking for long-term success, a cheer parent navigating the intense world of all-star, or an athlete chasing the dream of Worlds glory, this episode delivers. True Hall of the Maryland Twisters, coach of the iconic F5, joins Jason for a deep, raw, and real conversation about...

What if the most influential name in all-star cheer history wasn’t someone you saw on stage, but someone behind the scenes, writing the blueprint for how the industry runs today? In this episode, Jason sits down with Stacey Rowe, author, gym owner, business strategist, and organizational genius to unpack the untold story of how all-star cheer evolved from wrestling mats to red carpets. Whether you...

Order the book here ---> Upside Down and Back Again Are you unintentionally sabotaging the exact life lessons you signed your kid up for in cheer? As the sport of All-Star cheer continues to grow, so do the stakes, and the emotions. Whether you're a parent new to the world of cheer or a seasoned vet, it's easy to lose sight of why you enrolled your athlete in the first place. This episode dives...

Do unfollows on social media really mean drama in the cheer world? Or is it just self-care in disguise? When a cheer gym unfollows a family online, is it a petty move… or a healthy boundary? In this candid, laugh-filled episode, Jason Larkins sits down with Kristen Wheeler (aka “K-Dub” of the Cheer Mom Blog and Podcast) to dive deep into the emotional maze of social media, gym loyalty, and assumpt...

Are you unintentionally sabotaging your child’s chances of getting into, and affording, the college of their dreams? Most parents and student-athletes overlook the financial, academic, and emotional groundwork that needs to be laid years in advance. Whether your child is in middle school, high school, or their senior year, there are critical steps you must take to avoid debt and maximize opportuni...

Are you or your athlete dreaming of cheering in college but feel completely lost on where to start? The college cheer recruitment process has changed dramatically and most parents and athletes have no idea what it really takes to stand out anymore. Whether you're just starting high school or entering your senior year, knowing when to start, what skills matter, and how to make a lasting impression...

Can a seven-year-old really belong on the same team as a sixteen-year-old and what happens when the rules allow it? Cheerleading is evolving fast and not always in ways that benefit the athletes. Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, the new age grids, open divisions, and the rise of the Pro Cheer League could directly impact your program's future. If you've ever questioned how fairness, saf...

What happens when a world-class cheer program faces the unthinkable just days before Worlds? In this powerful conversation, Jason sits down with California All Stars Black Ops coaches Neda and Mike to talk about their journey through triumphs, near tragedy, and the unwavering spirit that keeps them, and their athletes, pushing the limits. From building one of the most iconic teams to navigating a...

Why do some cheer athletes get stuck in the same spot year after year, while others soar center stage? If you're a cheer coach, parent, or athlete navigating choreography season, this episode dives deep into the unspoken decisions behind routine placements, choreography strategy, and music production timelines. Whether you're thrilled or disappointed by a role this season, there’s valuable insight...

Are You Losing Points at Competitions Without Even Realizing It? Navigating the world of cheer scoring can feel like decoding a secret language... until now. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the mysterious and often misunderstood AccuScore process, giving you the insider knowledge most coaches wish they had years ago. Learn the crucial role AccuScore plays at events and how to avoid th...

How do the top tumbling coaches balance private lessons, team goals, and class structure to create champions? If you’re struggling to figure out the best training approach for your athletes, or if you’re a parent or coach wondering why progression feels stalled, this episode unpacks the real talk behind what works, what doesn’t, and how to fix it. Whether you’re running a gym or leading classes, u...

What does it take to help shape the future of competitive allstar cheerleading from the inside out? If you're a coach, gym owner, or cheer mom or dad who's ever felt confused or even frustrated by the decisions made at the top of the industry, this episode gives you the clarity you've been looking for. We dive deep into how the USASF actually works, why rules get changed, and how you can be part o...

Are you helping your athlete conquer fear or unknowingly feeding it? What if your well-meaning words and support are actually making your athlete's mental block worse? Mental blocks in cheerleading are more than just fear, they're misunderstood roadblocks that athletes, coaches, and parents can learn to navigate together. In this powerful conversation with Jeff Benson, mental performance coach and...

What happens when two passionate leaders in cheerleading decide to rewrite the rules of the industry? If you’re a cheer coach, gym owner, or cheer parent trying to provide world-class experiences without breaking the bank, this episode reveals how WCC is revolutionizing cheer competitions through inclusion, affordability, and athlete-focused events. Discover how Lindsey and Akram built WCC from th...

What if cheerleading had a professional league complete with salaries, drafts, and fan-favorite rivalries? Cheerleaders today are reaching elite athletic levels, but when the competition ends, where do they go next? This episode uncovers a groundbreaking development that could redefine the future of cheer as a career and offer athletes a long-awaited professional platform. Discover how the Pro Che...

What does it take to go from overlooked underdog to World Champion? If you've ever felt like your hard work was being underestimated or that you’re building something in the shadow of a bigger name, this episode hits home. Gina Romero shares how she guided CJA Bombshells through setbacks, and underdog status to ultimately become World Champions. Discover how elite-level risk-taking in routine desi...