MOMs Running Point Podcast

This week on Moms Running Point, I sit down with Dr. Jen Fry of JenFryTalks — a conflict resolution expert who has spent her career helping athletes, coaches, and parents navigate the hardest conversations in sports. If you have ever driven home from practice fuming about something the coach did (or didn't) do, this episode is for you. As we discuss her new and future books Dr. Jen Fry gives us tw...

This week's episode of Moms Running Point — Heat Check with HeatSense — opened my eyes to how much I didn't know. Melissa Fortenberry gives great sports parenting advice when it comes to heat illness in young athletes, and how doesn't always look like what we think.  In youth sports sometimes the most dangerous signs aren't recognized. Sometimes it's quiet confusion on the sideline that gets dismi...

Sports MOMs CAN do it all.  Even Videography.  A fun listen as we dive into the all-too-real journey of becoming your childs or even the team  videographer—whether you signed up for it or not. Returning guest Alexis Smith and I share our camera experience including tips and mishaps, the learning curve to recording, highering a professional vs doing it ourselves, and we're breaking down what it rea...

Conflict in sports is inevitable—but how we handle it makes all the difference. This week on MOMs Running Point, we're joined by Dr. Jen Fry from Jen Fry Talks to break down why conflict arises between athletes, parents, and teammates—and what we can do about it.  Dr. Jen Fry (she/her) is a Sports Geographer, tech founder, TEDx speaker, and sought-after speaker and educator. She owns JenFryTalks ,...

MOMs Running Point is back and Season 3 kicks off with Sports MOM Goals 2026 . In this episode, host Tawa Dortch revisits the importance of setting goals—not just for our athletes, but for ourselves as sports moms. Instead of covering multiple goals, Tawa dives deep into one unexpected and challenging goal: training for her first full marathon . What began as a personal challenge quickly became a...

Somewhere between sign-ups, try outs, and endless tournaments, the fun we once felt at our kids' games can quietly slip away — and sometimes, without realizing it, we Sports MOMS help it happen. In this episode of MOMs Running Point , I share a personal "sideline face" wake-up call, the surprising difference I felt watching a friend's child play, and why that matters for our own kids' joy.  We'll...

In Part 2 of our transfer portal conversation, we dig deeper into the current experience Lisa's daughter is facing as she re-enters the portal for her final year.  We talk about the process, the unknowns, and the emotional toll this journey takes on athletes and their families. Lisa shares practical advice for moms—how to support, when to step in, and how to protect your child's mental and emotion...

When we hear "transfer portal," we often think of athletes chasing more playing time or a better scholarship—but that's not the full story. In Part 1, Lisa Hayes shares her family's firsthand experience navigating the portal after her daughter faced a toxic team environment and coaching challenges. From the emotional decision to leave, to the unexpected blessings that came from it, Lisa's honest,...

On this episode of MOMs Running Point , we're tackling one of the most powerful relationships in youth sports — siblings as teammates. I'm joined by the incredible Svonnie Dalcourt — powerhouse event planner and proud mom of two standout basketball players who both played Division 1 Basketball ( Houston University and University of Louisiana) and now play profressionally in Europe. We dive into th...

Hey sports MOMs! In this deeply honest and soul-filling episode of  MOMs Running Point , host Tawa Dortch sits down with Karen Johnson — mom of three, speaker, and author of "What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?" — to talk about something we all feel but rarely say out loud: the emotional and mental toll of being a Sports Mom and the Question Mark about our own FUTURE. From burnout and "ghost m...

Sports MOM 101 a  CRASH COURSE for that MOM new to SPORTS. This first episode in our series, will shed light on why and when to put your kids in sports; guide you through how and where to find these programs and teams, and what's expected of you as a Sports MOM. I also share many tips just to know what's going on and top 5 mistakes to help you not make them.  I know stepping into this world people...

For all the Sports MOMs out there who feel overwhelmed by sports nutrition — whether you're unsure where to start, questioning if you're doing it right, or simply looking for guidance — this episode is for you.  I sat down with  Amy Goodson , author of  The Sports Nutrition Playbook ,  to unlock the ultimate cheat code for our athletes:  nutrition . Amy is a registered dietitian with a powerhouse...

In this heartfelt and honest episode of MOMs Running Point , host Tawa Dortch welcomes special guest Dela Criss —mom, podcaster , Executive Director of Ministries, and proud coach's wife—for a deep dive into the  identity outside of being "the coach's wife," to creating harmony at home amid sports chaos, Dela's wisdom is a must-hear for anyone navigating the youth sports world. Don't miss this emp...

In this episode of MOMs Running Point, Rene and I continue our exploration on the challenges of sports parenting, from managing anxiety and competition to building strong support systems. We discuss the impact of parental expectations, the importance of community, and how connection helps parents be better for their athlete. Plus, we offer advice for handling injuries and emotional setbacks with r...

More Than an Injury, delves into the often overlooked mental and emotional aspects of recovering from an injury. Rene Pistorius highlights with me how the recovery journey is filled with frustration, stress, and unpredictable ups and downs. The episode emphasizes the invisible side of injury — the mental toll it takes, including anxiety, stress, and fear that can accompany physical recovery. Addit...

In today's episode, Alexis Smith and I dive into a growing concern for families across the country – the rising cost of youth sports. From regular fees to unexpected expenses, we explore how costs are adding up so there are no surprises as you keep your athletes engaged in sports. We'll share parenting advice & creative tips for cutting costs a nd discuss the value of investing in your child's ath...

MOMs today's episode is a frequently discussed topic, PLAYING TIME.  Many of us have sat and watched our child struggle with the amount of time played in the game; and tried to help them navigate the emotions that accompany.  Our guest for this episode shares her expertise as a former High School Coach and Assistant Principal of Arlington High School; and her uniquely qualified perspective as a fo...

The new year brings about a refresh and resolutions.  Moms did you set goals for 2025, how about a Sports MOM Goal?  Don't know that that is?  Listen in as I share my seasonal Sports Mom Assist.  I think giving our goals a name really helps us focus and be consistent.  Special messages from past guests, see if they set Sports Mom goals or not!!! Thanks for listening to MOMs Running Point. Connect...

The challenge to Find The RIGHT Team for your athlete is not an easy feat.  In this episode we discuss when it's time to go and the reasons to change teams.  My guest host, Sally Baskin and I also share our top criteria we use to select a team, and how we actually find different program options.   The search can take some time and effort but the work put in on the front end is much easier to overc...

In Part 2 of Cultivating College Readiness , Deedee and I continue our conversation on important areas our young athletes need to focus on while in high school, so they can be fully prepared to enter college as student athletes. We talk about Advanced Placement Classes vs Dual Credit Courses, and give suggestions on how your athlete could approach these opportunities.  Listen in as Deedee shares h...

MOMs Welcome to Cultivating College Readiness Part 1 .  Dee Dee Brown-Campbell, Associate Athletic Director and SWA joins me again as we put a spot light on her Department at Texas Tech and their role in student athlete development.  What does that mean you ask?  It means each Athletic Department across the NCAA, has an entire division that staffs & focuses on student athletes' success off the cou...

Part II How To Learn Your Sports Childs Personality using The Game Plan is now available!!!  Kim Rathe joins me again to tackle the Game Plan, the HOW TO of Learning Your Childs Sports Personality .  This episode is loaded with personalized assessments to help you watch and be CURIOUS of who your child is in a competitive atmosphere.  And what to do with this information once you've collected it a...

Episode 9 is going to open your mind to new opportunities to be your best sports mom.  Not only do we discuss the many different types of sports kids and how kids develop their sports personality, but we discuss how to parent and support our children to their particular strengths??? Did we just discover the secret to being a great Sports MOM? Often times in competition our kids reveal their value...

Every MOMs Running Point episode ends with the challenge to Level Up Your Game; which makes it a must share when I have made major strides when it comes to my screaming.  In this two-part update I'll explain how Episode 1-OMG I'm a Screamer, wasn't just talk.  I really do want to improve from a sideline screamer to a true fan and spectator.  Listen in as I share my 10-game journey to RESET MY BEHA...

As Sports MOMs we share a common athletic interest which makes us a community by default.    Today Shantel Canty and I discuss the differences in our experiences on the sidelines of these communities and ways to improve the atmosphere.  Listen in as Shantel, a beginner sports mom, shares stories that really helped her feel a sense of community on her kids teams, and is honest with her desire to le...