Raising Athletes

In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Cole Ryan , a dedicated coach with Sunshine Volleyball Club , to talk about life on and off the court. Cole shares her journey as a coach and parent, reflecting on the challenges and joys of guiding young athletes. The conversation also takes a personal turn as she opens up about her family’s experience navigating the LA wildfires , and the resilience it tak...

In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Cole Ryan , a dedicated coach with Sunshine Volleyball Club , to talk about life on and off the court. Cole shares her journey as a coach and parent, reflecting on the challenges and joys of guiding young athletes. The conversation also takes a personal turn as she opens up about her family’s experience navigating the LA wildfires , and the resilience it tak...

In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Cole Ryan , a dedicated coach with Sunshine Volleyball Club , to talk about life on and off the court. Cole shares her journey as a coach and parent, reflecting on the challenges and joys of guiding young athletes. The conversation also takes a personal turn as she opens up about her family’s experience navigating the LA wildfires , and the resilience it tak...

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sit down with Nick Jonsson —Ironman triathlete, bestselling author of Executive Loneliness , and co-founder of Executives' Global Network (EGN) Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia. Nick shares his raw and powerful journey from personal rock bottom—losing his job, health, and family—to becoming a global voice for executive well-being, mental health, and resilience...

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sit down with Nick Jonsson —Ironman triathlete, bestselling author of Executive Loneliness , and co-founder of Executives' Global Network (EGN) Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia. Nick shares his raw and powerful journey from personal rock bottom—losing his job, health, and family—to becoming a global voice for executive well-being, mental health, and resilience...

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sit down with Nick Jonsson —Ironman triathlete, bestselling author of Executive Loneliness , and co-founder of Executives' Global Network (EGN) Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia. Nick shares his raw and powerful journey from personal rock bottom—losing his job, health, and family—to becoming a global voice for executive well-being, mental health, and resilience. He...

Confidence can be the game-changer in sports—and in life. In this empowering episode, Kirsten is joined by parenting coach and author Susie Walton to share five practical tips to help athletes step onto the field or court with self-belief, resilience, and focus. Together, they dive into the mindset shifts that fuel performance, how parents can nurture confidence in their kids, and why true confide...

In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Dr. Brent Hogarth, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Executive Coach dedicated to solving the mental health crisis through high-performance psychology. With expertise in mindfulness, emotional regulation, and flow-state, Dr. Hogarth shares insights on optimizing performance in sports, business, and life. In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The role of self-ki...

In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Dr. Brent Hogarth, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Executive Coach dedicated to solving the mental health crisis through high-performance psychology. With expertise in mindfulness, emotional regulation, and flow-state, Dr. Hogarth shares insights on optimizing performance in sports, business, and life. In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The role of self-ki...

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, (also known as “Dr. Friendtastic”) is an author, psychologist, and mom of four, based in Princeton, NJ. She is the creator of the  Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic  podcast, where she answers questions from children about making and keeping friends. Her blog, Growing Friendships, on  Psychology Today,  has over 5 million views. Dr. Kennedy-Moore has been featured many times in...

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sits down with Alex Molden—former NFL defensive back, leadership coach, and keynote speaker—to explore the lessons sports teach us about leadership, adaptability, and personal growth. Alex shares stories from his eight-year NFL career, the mentors who shaped him, and the pivotal moments that helped him transition from professional athlete to guiding the next gene...

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sits down with Alex Molden—former NFL defensive back, leadership coach, and keynote speaker—to explore the lessons sports teach us about leadership, adaptability, and personal growth. Alex shares stories from his eight-year NFL career, the mentors who shaped him, and the pivotal moments that helped him transition from professional athlete to guiding the next gene...

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sits down with Alex Molden—former NFL defensive back, leadership coach, and keynote speaker—to explore the lessons sports teach us about leadership, adaptability, and personal growth. Alex shares stories from his eight-year NFL career, the mentors who shaped him, and the pivotal moments that helped him transition from professional athlete to guiding the next gene...

In this episode of Raising Athletes, Kirsten sits down with former Canadian National Team midfielder and current broadcaster Kaylyn Kyle. Kaylyn opens up about her journey from elite athlete to sports media personality, sharing what it takes to perform at the highest level—on and off the field. She reflects on the pressures and privileges of playing for her country, the importance of mental toughn...

In this episode of Raising Athletes, Kirsten sits down with Olympic bronze medalist, former Canadian National Team midfielder, and current broadcaster Kaylyn Kyle. Kaylyn opens up about her journey from elite athlete to sports media personality, sharing what it takes to perform at the highest level—on and off the field. She reflects on the pressures and privileges of playing for her country, the i...

In this episode of Raising Athletes, Kirsten sits down with Olympic bronze medalist, former Canadian National Team midfielder, and current broadcaster Kaylyn Kyle. Kaylyn opens up about her journey from elite athlete to sports media personality, sharing what it takes to perform at the highest level—on and off the field. She reflects on the pressures and privileges of playing for her country, the i...

🎙️ Special Episode Alert: A Conversation with Randi Mahomes 💫 In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we sit down with Randi Mahomes —sports mom, author, speaker, and mother to NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes —for an intimate conversation about parenting, perseverance, and purpose. Randi opens up about her journey as a single mom raising a young athlete, the values she instilled in her children, a...

🎙️ Special Episode Alert: A Conversation with Randi Mahomes 💫 In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we sit down with Randi Mahomes —sports mom, author, speaker, and mother to NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes —for an intimate conversation about parenting, perseverance, and purpose. Randi opens up about her journey as a single mom raising a young athlete, the values she instilled in her children, a...

Susie and Kirsten explain some essential lessons for parents raising athletes from the recreation level to the olympic level. Susie and Kirsten share their wealth of knowledge on how to get the best out of your child and how to ensure they stay athletes for life! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertis...

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Crouse , an accomplished sports reporter with decades of experience covering some of the biggest moments in athletics. As a former New York Times journalist and the author of Norwich: One Tiny Vermont Town’s Secret to Happiness and Excellence , Karen has a unique lens on the intersection of sports, community, and personal growth. We dive into: ✅ Her career...

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Crouse , an accomplished sports reporter with decades of experience covering some of the biggest moments in athletics. As a former New York Times journalist and the author of Norwich: One Tiny Vermont Town’s Secret to Happiness and Excellence , Karen has a unique lens on the intersection of sports, community, and personal growth. We dive into: ✅ Her career...

Dr. Nate Zinsser is an expert in the psychology of human performance who consults to individuals and organizations seeking a competitive edge. Since 1992 Dr Zinsser has directed a cutting edge applied sport psychology program at the United States Military Academy’s Center for Enhanced Performance, personally conducting over seventeen thousand individual training sessions and seven hundred team tra...

In this powerful episode of Raising Athletes , host Kirsten Jones welcomes Jessica Lahey—bestselling author, educator, and parenting expert—for an honest conversation about raising resilient, healthy kids in a culture that often pushes perfection and dependence. Jessica, known for her work in The New York Times , The Atlantic , and The Washington Post , dives into insights from her books The Gift...

Dr. Desaree Festa, commonly known as “Dr. Dez,”is the sports psychologist for the Buffalo Bills. She works closely with many of the players on the Bills roster and leads the Rookie Success and Player Development programs which helps integrate rookies into the NFL. She has previously worked with teams in the NBA, NHL, and NASCAR. Dr. Dez is very passionate about her field and offers amazing advice...

In this episode, Kirsten dives into the world of sports psychology with Capri Richardson, a former Division 1 and professional volleyball athlete and coach. Capri opens up about the challenges athletes face on and off the court and her passion for creating a supportive environment for athletes, coaches, and their families. With a unique approach blending existential, solution-focused, and gestalt...