Courtside Forever

In this episode of Courtside Forever, we dive into the thought-provoking story of Rudy Gobert, 4x NBA Defensive Player of the Year, who faced an extraordinary decision during the 2024 NBA playoffs. As the Minnesota Timberwolves competed in a pivotal playoff series, Gobert chose to miss Game 2 to witness the birth of his first child. His decision sparked widespread debate about the intersection of professional commitments, family priorities, and societal expectations of fatherhood.

Gobert’s story is not just about basketball—it’s a lens into a broader conversation on paternity leave and the evolving role of fathers in the modern era. Despite the overwhelming support from his team, Gobert faced criticism from some voices in the sports world, including former All-NBA guard Gilbert Arenas, who questioned his decision to prioritize family over a playoff game. Arenas’s comments, along with those of others, reveal a lingering cultural tension: should men sacrifice professional duties for personal milestones, and is it acceptable to put family first, even on the biggest stages?

This episode explores these pressing questions and more. Using Gobert’s story as a springboard, we examine the challenges and opportunities surrounding paternity leave in the United States. From navigating outdated societal norms to dealing with limited workplace support, we highlight the hurdles that many fathers face when trying to be more present for their families. Host Ryan Rucker shares personal anecdotes about his own paternity leave experiences, shedding light on the stark differences between workplaces that support family needs and those that fall short.

We also delve into the benefits of paternity leave for families and children, backed by statistics and compelling studies. Did you know that fathers who take just two weeks of leave are more likely to actively engage in early childcare tasks and build stronger bonds with their children? These moments are about more than just time off—they’re about setting a foundation for family success and challenging outdated notions of masculinity that prioritize work above all else.

But this episode isn’t just about advocacy; it’s also packed with actionable advice. Ryan provides tips for fathers considering paternity leave, from researching its benefits and navigating workplace policies to having meaningful conversations with partners and advocating for better family-friendly practices.

As we wrap up, Ryan leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: work is temporary, but family is forever. Paternity leave isn’t just a perk—it’s an investment in the people who matter most.

Join us for this inspiring, thought-provoking episode of Courtside Forever as we celebrate dads, redefine priorities, and champion the idea that the best seats in the house are the ones where we show up for our families.

In this debut episode of Courtside Forever, host Ryan Rucker tackles a pressing issue in youth sports: Are sports still about fun, or have they become more of a grind driven by adult expectations?

Drawing from personal experiences and statistics, Ryan explores the evolving culture of youth sports, the pressure young athletes face, and the pivotal role parents and coaches play in shaping kids’ experiences on and off the field. This episode is a must-listen for parents, coaches, and anyone invested in making youth sports a positive, enriching experience.

We dive into the changing culture of youth sports, where more kids are feeling like they’re in high-stakes competition rather than simply playing a game. Ryan shares stories from the sidelines, where adult expectations and behavior can make or break a child’s experience, and highlights alarming statistics on youth sports burnout, with 70% of kids quitting by age 13 due to excessive pressure.

Ryan discusses the impact of high expectations on young athletes and how pressure from parents and coaches affects kids’ enjoyment, confidence, and mental well-being. With insights into the dangers of comparing young athletes to pros and expecting them to perform at adult levels, this episode examines how these pressures lead to burnout and loss of interest in sports.

The episode also explores the role parents play in youth sports. From the sidelines to the car ride home, parents can unintentionally add stress. Ryan shares statistics showing that 36% of youth athletes cite their parents as the biggest source of stress, with real-life examples highlighting the powerful impact—positive or negative—of parental involvement.

Finally, Ryan offers solutions to make youth sports more enjoyable, focusing on shifting from performance pressure to fun and personal growth. With advice on encouraging positive reinforcement, celebrating effort over results, and promoting rest and balance, this episode shows how small changes can transform youth sports into an experience that builds resilience, confidence, and a lifelong love for the game. 

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Courtside Forever!

Welcome to Courtside Forever!

I’m your host, Ryan Rucker, a husband and dad of two girls. I’m a writer, an ice cream maker, a game show winner, a basketball coach, and someone who believes that the best moments as a dad are at the crossroads between intentionality and showing up. This podcast is for all the parents out there trying to stay present, especially in the chaos of everyday life.

Like parenting, each week will be something new. Some weeks I’ll bring you short, focused episodes that dive into topics like Youth Sports or Parental Mental Health. In other weeks, I’ll interview guests from the worlds of sports, business, and beyond who are hyper-focused on building something really special in their lives, all while doing their absolute best to raise their little ones.

Time and time again, we learn that there is nothing more important than family, and while the world may zig toward max profit and nonstop hustle, at Courtside Forever, we zag toward purpose and legacy.

Whether you’re a dad, a mom, or anyone looking to build a more intentional life for your family, I’d invite you to subscribe to Courtside Forever because, as parents, we’ve got the best seats in the house; let’s enjoy them.

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To overcome, transition, or move forward you need to evolve. In the eighth and final episode of Complicated Fatherhood, Ryan and Maurice work to understand how to move into the next steps of their lives.

From 8 to 24 pays homage to the lives of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Ryan recites a heartwarming and heartbreaking story of how the famous Girl Dad inspired him in more than one way. Kobe used his jersey number to transition out from the past and into an elevated version of himself. How can our personal transitions help propel the rest of us into greatness? 

Ryan and Maurice then finish their conversations by addressing a pretty big elephant in the room... child support. Additionally, Ryan asks Maurice about forgiveness and if he feels he's done a good job of reconciling with his past. Maurice also reads the poem he wrote to his Grandchildren, the poem that unintentionally sparked the creation of this podcast.

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Is it ever too late to get to know your father or son? In episode 7, Maurice and Ryan ask 20 questions. In the opening monologue, Ryan references a quote that changed his life and the unlikely source it came from.

Maurice then begins by asking questions about Ryan's favorite food, shows, teachers, and much more. Ryan uses his 20 questions to ask Maurice about what actor would play him in a movie, his missed opportunities, and what advice he would give to a new dad. The conversation took a turn after the 20 questions were asked and Maurice and Ryan open up to ask bigger questions that lead to bigger answers.

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You've heard about Maurice's life, but what about Ryan's? For episode 6 of Complicated Fatherhood, Maurice asks all the questions and learns about the son he never knew. In the opening monologue, Ryan references actor Jake Johnson's interview with the Off Camera Show where he discussed his relationship with his absent father. Ryan explains what it's like to have his own relationship with Maurice and what it takes to work towards having normal, casual conversations about life.

Maurice then takes the microphone and begins to interview Ryan. Maurice asks about growing up Black in a predominantly white town, his first relationship, moving to California from New York and how he came to meet his wife. Throughout the conversation, Ryan recalls the moments throughout his life that led him into becoming the father he is today. 

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Reflecting on past mistakes can be difficult. It's easier to try to forget, but when we sit to think about the end of the chapter, or the end of the book, are we going to like what we see? In episode 5, Ryan reflects on forgiveness and what it looks like to be able to forgive. After referencing the work of Latasha Morrison on reconciliation, Ryan dives into the motivations to make these moments count.

Then episode 5 takes an unexpected turn when Maurice tells a story about the time he got fired from Home Depot and how it immediately became a viral news story. Maurice then reflects on his life and relationships and what his hopes are regarding the time he has left.

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What do you say to your father after 18 years? Episode 4 dives into the unique way in how Ryan and Maurice connected, the first time they met in person, and the unfortunate events that followed Maurice back to Jamaica Plain. In his monologue, Ryan references the words of President Barack Obama in his 1995 memoir, Dreams From My Father, where Obama recalls the one and only time he met his father after he left home.

Ryan and Maurice then recall how they first connected over MySpace and explain the events that led to them meeting face to face in Lake George. After a tense conversation and a round of mini-golf, Maurice went back to Jamaica Plain where his life began to unravel. 

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After leaving his family for good, where did Maurice go? Episode 3 of Complicated Fatherhood dives into the 17 years following his exit from New York. In the opening monologue, Ryan details his first trip away from his family and the guilt associated with not being there for the hard moments.

Maurice then walks us through his time in Boston, MA, and explains how Jamaica Plain became the place where he felt most at home. After some teaching gigs working with kids, Maurice went on to form a successful blues band, The Jones Brothers, before the band came to a significant crossroads. Maurice goes on to talk about the important women in his life and the conversation gets emotional when he receives a phone call that would change his family forever.

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Episode 2 of Complicated Fatherhood focuses on absent fatherhood from both the father's and child's perspective. Ryan explains the emotions he felt growing up fatherless and how Will Smith’s powerful and heartbreaking monologue on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air still hits a little too close to home for him.

Maurice then goes on to explain what led him to Lake George before detailing what he remembers about welcoming Ryan into the world. After Maurice fondly reminisces about his earliest memories spent with Ryan, Ryan asks Maurice 'what happened?' For the first time, Maurice explains his reasons for walking away from his family... for a second time. 

Follow us on Instagram: @complicatedfatherhood