The Podolskiy Method: Parenting an athlete

Send us Fan Mail Travel sports can turn a family calendar into a battlefield. Between practices, tournaments, money, school, and the emotions that come with watching your kid compete, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing at everything at once. We sit down with Dr. Lena Fagan, a psychologist, family therapist, and author, to talk honestly about what youth sports parenting looks like in real life a...

Send us Fan Mail The sidelines are louder, the stakes feel higher, and the path to the next level is more crowded than ever. Former Division I and pro basketball player Angela R. Lewis joins us to unpack the modern youth sports maze—money, social media, the transfer portal—and the timeless habits that still create real growth. We start with Angela’s origin story, from being scouted outside a Block...

Send us Fan Mail Finding hockey equipment that truly fits can transform a player's experience on the ice. In this revealing conversation with Jon from Black Biscuit LLC, we dive deep into the evolution of hockey gear and how proper fit trumps expensive brand names every time. Jon shares the fascinating journey of Black Biscuit, from its origins in 1994 creating the first dedicated roller hock...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what drives the most successful leaders in business and sports to push beyond their limits? Join me, Coach Ilya Podolskiy, as I sit down with executive coach and entrepreneur Laurie Clarke to explore this fascinating intersection. We uncover the intrinsic motivations and shared goals that propel leaders and athletes alike toward greatness. Laurie shares her...

Send us Fan Mail Former NHL player and coach Boo Nieves joins us to share his transformative journey from a multi-sport upbringing in Syracuse, New York, to finding his true calling on the ice. Through humorous tales, like rollerblading around his house to impress his parents, Boo reveals the unique challenges and rewards of both roller and ice hockey, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic in Fl...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to achieving peak physical and mental performance in athletics with Pierre DeBar, an expert in cultural and high performance, and co-founder of a sports psychology app for hockey. Ever wondered how managing relationships with yourself, others, and your environment can elevate your game? Pierre shares his extensive background in pain recovery and performance coac...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a girl playing baseball with boys can end up a national champion and hall-of-famer? Morgan Stuart, former softball player turned instructor, shares her remarkable journey from her sports-oriented upbringing to becoming a University of Washington Hall of Famer. Join us to uncover her transition and the intense recruitment process that landed her at the University...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine lacing up your skates for the very last time, knowing that the sport you love is slipping away due to the invisible injuries plaguing your brain. That's the reality Daniel Carcillo faced, but from the ashes of his NHL career, he's emerged as a beacon of hope for those grappling with mental health challenges. This episode takes you on a ride from the chilly rinks...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the untold stories of resilience and strength as we venture into the world of youth sports with Dr. Samantha Schindelheim. Our latest episode sheds light on the mental battles young athletes face, far beyond the physical demands of their sports. From the silent pressure of early specialization to the loud chorus of social media's ever-watchful eye, we dissect the psy...

Send us Fan Mail As the frost of the Erie Canal thaws into the warmth of inclusivity, Chuck Gridley, a true stalwart of New York's hockey community, shares his journey from ice-cold beginnings to nurturing the next generation of athletes. You'll find yourself captivated by tales of his transition from player to coach, and his profound advocacy for disabled athletes. Stand by, as Chuck we...

Send us Fan Mail As the chill of the ice melds with the warmth of nostalgia, John Sacco, my special friend, and I skate through a tapestry of life lessons interwoven with the sport of hockey. Our hearts are laid bare in stories of resilience, from John's early days in Southern Brooklyn to the present, where his roles as a police officer and a revered USA Hockey Master Coach converge. We trave...

Send us Fan Mail A must listen, full of energy, episode with an outstanding key note speaker, athlete, and coach David Lindsay.   David Lindsay has been a Full Time Coach and Trainer for over 20 years. He has helped change the bodies, minds and lives of thousands of people, as well as helping teams to work together to achieve much higher results than anyone expects of them.  We will discuss topics...

Send us Fan Mail In this 50th episode I am joined by Lou Pedatella and Paige Dundas as we explore girls hockey, traits of a successful athlete, communication between parents, kids, and coaches, kitchen talk, and more.  Lou and Paige are a wealth of knowledge.  Lou shares the perspective and a struggle of a director of marrying business with competitive youth sport teams, while Paige shares her tho...

Send us Fan Mail Hello Everyone, I am back with Dr. Jenelle Stone for this episode to talk about social media impact on young athletes and families, how parents should prepare for their children's games, we speak about the real reason to join a sport, coping with stress, and more. It is a wonderful way to start the 2023 podcast season.  Don't miss this informative discussion. Dr. Jenelle...

Send us Fan Mail Hi Everyone,  I am back with another episode with Dan Blackburn, Author, Coach, TEDX speaker, President of National Training Center (NTC).  Dan has over 20 years of coaching and leadership experience with amateur and professional athletes.  In this episode we will discuss the developments post covid and what we are seeing as a cultural change in sports.   Dan talks about creating...

Send us Fan Mail We are back with another episode and an incredible guest. John Morello, the current director of Discipline for NYS Amateur Hockey Association, East Section. John has held the position for the past 7.5 years.   In this episode John shares his incredible journey as an athlete, as a parent, as a coach.  He also provides an inside glimpse at the hearing process for disciplinary suspen...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 46 is a double feature with two extraordinary athletes. You will not want to miss this talk as we dive into a journey you only see in movies. During this show we will discuss everything form championships to drugs, preparation and prison, gym and street. Join us to learn what it takes to rebuild yourself and how sport plays a part. Vsevolod Berkolayko aka Seva 42 years old...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back everyone to The Podolskiy Method podcast for a new fall show with Dr. Jenelle Stone.  Dr. Jenelle is a licensed counselor, school psychologist, and mother of three. She played college basketball and competed in track and field.  In this episode we explore dealing with stress and anxiety, how to deal with growth and changes in your family, self-esteem, etc.  This is a...

Send us Fan Mail I am back with another episode with an amazing guest and a wonderful coach Hank Levin.  Hank owns a hockey school and has been providing coaching experience to athletes from professional to recreational levels of all ages.  His school also includes clinics, holiday camps, spring teams, pond tournaments, and summer camp.  Hank's approach to coaching is unique and focuses on de...

Send us Fan Mail For this episode Shawnee and I sit down to reflect on the conversation we had with young athletes and their parents throughout the special season 2 edition of The Podolskiy Method podcast.  In this episode we can draw parallels and trends around "the cost of not changing", fearing the fear and how to face it, FOMO, making the change long term rather than forcing the way...

Send us Fan Mail As we head into our 6th featured episode , we continue to explore another unique parental perspective and journey to building a better athlete-parent relationship.  Co-hosting with Shawnee Harle, we invite a great guest Jason (JP) Pieri.  In this episode Jason shares insight into his journey, how he used military drills in coaching hockey, how his relationship with his kids has ch...

Send us Fan Mail As we enter episode 5 of the second season we invite you to join us once again on a journey to explore parental transformation and how this family changed and found a better way.  We heard from the kids, let's hear it from the parents. Ross and Brigitte Wehrs live in Newburg, Md.    Ross is originally from just outside Kansas City, MO, and Brigitte was born in The Netherlands...

Send us Fan Mail We are back for the special season 2 episode 4 with Shawnee Harle and Shannon Rogers.  It is time to hear from the parents, their perspective, and to learn from their growth.  Hailing from Western Ontario, Shannon is a proud mother of two elite waterpolo athletes, as well as two other children that play junior tennis. She's experienced being an athlete first-hand as a ballet...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I sit down with an incredible professional hockey player, Stanley Cup champion, coach, father, and educator Stephane Matteau.  Stephane is incredibly generous in sharing what it was like growing up, how he coached his kids and what he would do better, his thoughts on parenting kids, what it's like moving away from home, winning and losing, and so much more.  T...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for the 3rd episode of Season two with my co-host Shawnee Harle as we meet with another young athlete and hear his take on what it sounds like to be parented.   Lets dive into the minds of child athletes so we can understand what resonates with them when we coach or teach.  It is okay to admit there is a better way.  Lets do better. Jared Pieri was born in 2010 at Fort Ben...