Host, Todd Merkow sits down with Arizona sportscaster and longtime youth sports parent Kevin McCabe to reflect on how high school athletics have changed over the years. Kevin shares insights on the as a sports parent, the high school athlete system, and how shifts affect kids who want to play multiple sports. Together, they talk about the role of coaches in shaping culture, the challenges families face in balancing expectations, and what parents can do to help their kids keep sports positive and sustainable.

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

www.PlayFearless.org

*Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Valiant Sports Society, founder and CEO, Todd Merkow talks with Bob Dranoff, longtime commissioner of the East Coast Conference (NCAA Division II), about the sweeping changes in college athletics and what they mean for families. From NIL and transfer rules to the viability of smaller colleges, Bob offers a commissioner's view on where college sports are headed. The conversation also explores the intersection of college and youth sports — how recruiting, commercialization, and the pressure to specialize trickle down to kids. Together, Todd and Bob discuss the need for balance, the role of education, and how parents can prepare their young athletes for both the opportunities and the challenges ahead.

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

www.PlayFearless.org

*Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

In this episode, Todd talks with USA Today columnist and author Steve Borelli about the rise of travel sports and their impact on families. Steve shares insights from his reporting and his own experience as a sports parent, diving into the costs, pressures, and cultural shifts shaping youth athletics today. Together, they explore how commercialization, burnout, and parent expectations affect kids — and what families can do to keep sports joyful, balanced, and sustainable.

For Articles by Steve Borelli go to: https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2646464001/stephen-borelli/

And to Buy his New Book Click the Title Link, "Coach Steve's Youth Sports Survival Guide: How Parents and Kids Can Get the Most Out of the Experience"

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

PlayFearless.org

In this episode, Todd reconnects with longtime friend and coach Mike Strati to talk about the realities of youth sports from both the sidelines and the bench. Mike shares his perspective as a dad, coach, and mentor on what kids really need to thrive in today's competitive environment. Together, Todd and Mike dive into culture, coaching styles, the balance between development and performance, and the lessons they've both learned as sports parents. This conversation offers honest, practical insights for families navigating the highs and lows of youth athletics.

Host: Todd Merkow

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

www.PlayFearless.org

Todd and his daughter Sydney revisit her years in competitive soccer — from early youth leagues to the pressures of high school and club play. Sydney shares what it was like to balance joy with expectations, mental health, navigate challenging health issues, and grow as both a leader and a player. Together, father and daughter reflect on the lessons soccer gave her on and off the pitch, and what every sports parent can take away about supporting their kids in healthy, empowering ways.

Host of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow, sits down with his oldest daughter, Madison Merkow, for an honest conversation about growing up in the world of competitive volleyball. From indoor gyms to the sand courts, Madison shares the highs and lows of her experience: the pressure of tryouts, the coaching experiences, the emotional challenges of injuries, and the joy of finding her place in beach volleyball. This episode offers a raw, first-person perspective on what it's really like to be a youth athlete today — and why family support, culture, and perspective matter more than chasing scholarships or short-term wins.

In this launch episode, the founder and CEO of Valiant Sports Society, Todd Merkow introduces the Be Valiant podcast and shares his personal journey as a youth sports dad. From the highs of watching his daughters grow through sport to the struggles of navigating toxic cultures, financial pressures, and difficult coaching environments, Todd sets the stage for the conversations ahead. This episode lays out the mission of the Valiant Sports Society — to empower parents with knowledge, tools, and fearless decision-making so their kids can thrive mentally, physically, and emotionally in sports. Listeners will hear why multi-sport participation matters, how to spot the difference between good and bad coaching, and why culture at home and within teams shapes everything. This episode is monolgue format an intended to set the table for all future shows and guests.