Esteban and Maria return to the podcast after a summer break, discussing the challenges of balancing 5AM basketball practices with school demands, and their mantra for the year: "Keep Your Doors Open."

• Chocolate chip sour cream cake taste test kicks off the episode
• Summer highlights including a cottage vacation and visiting friends from camp
• Coach Z's no-nonsense approach and focus on discipline
• Esteban's goals to be more assertive on the court and improve defensively
• The importance of not limiting yourself academically
• Mental challenges of pushing beyond comfort zones
• Advice for students returning to school: don't fall behind by getting caught up in social distractions
• Grade 10 as a crucial year for establishing academic foundations

Join us for more Hoops and Crumbs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and everywhere else you can find your favorite podcasts. We'll talk about basketball, cookies, and share other random life musings.

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

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In this first episode of a new season, Esteban starts a series called "Shooting Hoops & Chasing Dreams" where he interviews folks about their careers as he starts to think about carving out his own path. With summer break winding down in 4 weeks, it's time to get that future mindset going again. 

For the first installment of this series, Esteban sits down with Jeff, who shares his journey from corporate success to founding his own business, offering practical advice and inspiration for aspiring business owners. His story highlights how identifying market gaps and persisting through challenges can lead to entrepreneurial success. 

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs with your questions for future episodes and join us next time for more basketball, cookies, and life musings. Send us a message if you've got an idea for who should be featured next for another segment of "Shooting Hoops & Chasing Dreams"!

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

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The Browns are back at the microphones after a busy April hiatus, returning with their signature blend of basketball talk and life reflections that make Hoops and Crumbs so delightful.

Esteban kicks things off with a lively NBA playoffs update, sharing his excitement about matchups like Detroit versus New York and the Lakers taking on Minnesota. For basketball enthusiasts, his breakdown provides the perfect appetizer before the episode dives into deeper waters.

The heart of this episode revolves around a series of thought-provoking questions that Maria and Esteban take turns asking each other. Their answers reveal fascinating glimpses into their personalities and perspectives. When asked who he would choose as presidential advisors, Esteban thoughtfully selects family members known for their intelligence, along with his basketball coach for physical and emotional support—a choice that reflects both his values and priorities.

Perhaps the most engaging moment comes during their debate about whether money can buy happiness. This generational difference in perspective creates a moment many families will recognize and relate to.

Other highlights include discussions about what makes their blended family unique, who Maria would choose for a dream dinner party (Victoria Beckham, Oprah, and Jason Bateman at dim sum), and whether it's better to excel at one skill or be competent in many.

Listen now to experience this warm, genuine conversation between mother and son, and stay tuned for their promised Mother's Day special episode coming soon!

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

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Seven questions that every parent should ask their child—this powerful framework creates the backdrop for one of our most revealing and heartfelt conversations yet. Maria puts teenage son Esteban in the hot seat, exploring everything from his deepest fears to his proudest moments in an exchange that showcases both vulnerability and growth.

What begins with casual banter about chocolate croissants and French NBA players quickly evolves into profound territory as Esteban opens up about his wish for a younger sibling, his complicated relationship with personal accomplishments, and his fear of missing out on typical teenage experiences. The conversation reveals the unique challenges faced by a young athlete attending a highly specialized school with only six classmates—all while pursuing academic excellence and basketball dreams.

For parents listening, this episode offers both a template for meaningful conversations and a window into the adolescent mind. The questions discussed provide a framework that any family can use to deepen their connections before it's too late. Whether you're raising teenagers, have adult children, or are simply curious about parent-child dynamics, this conversation will leave you reflecting on your own family relationships and the questions you wish you'd asked—or still can.

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

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Ten episodes in and 250 downloads spread across eight countries later, we're celebrating with blueberry cornbread and reflections on our Italian adventure! Taking you with us through the cobblestone streets of Rome, Florence, and Venice, we unpack what surprised us most about Esteban's first European journey.

From duck pasta to eggplant parmesan, we dive into our favorite meals and special moments - like finding shelter from rain in a cozy Florentine café, savoring cappuccinos and citrus cake while watching the world go by. Perhaps most meaningful were the unhurried family moments between destinations, reminding us that sometimes the best travel souvenirs are the connections strengthened along the way. 

Having transformed Esteban from reluctant traveller to world explorer with 17 countries under his belts in just four years, he's already dreaming about his next adventure.

 Where should we go next? Drop your suggestions in our Instagram DMs @HoopsandCrumbs

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

https://www.instagram.com/hoopsandcrumbs?igsh=MTBmNjFkOTBueGE2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

The Canada.ca website tells us that "The Government of Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is Strength in every story.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of amplifying the voices of all women, particularly those who continue to face barriers to success. Creating opportunities for women and girls unlocks their potential and drives innovation, supports Canada’s economy, and helps ensure a sustainable future for all.

Every woman’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of opportunity. This International Women’s Day, celebrate the women and girls in your life and share their stories."

Join Esteban & Maria as they host their very first guest "Auntie Heather" - one of Maria's closest friends and a most formidable woman as they talk about womanhood, accomplishments and adversities. There really is strength in every story.

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

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According to a Stats Can website, "in 2022, 99% of young Canadians aged 15-24 used the Internet and 91% used social networking sites". In this Fourth Quarter Convo, Esteban and Maria talk about teens and social media usage, the pros and cons of being active on social media and the influence that SM platforms have on people & especially younger people. The world that 14 year olds navigate today is vastly different from a 14 year old in the late 80s-early 90s and this episode highlights those differences.

Join Esteban & Maria as they trade views on this topic while snacking on some red velvet cupcakes. 

 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2024005-eng.htm

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

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This week, Maria tests Esteban's aptitude for basketball stats. Do YOU know who NBA record for the most field goals in a game without a miss? One hint - the record was set this week in 1967!

Stick around and join their conversation on friendship - What do you look for in a  friend? Who would you want to be friends with - living or alive? What gives you the friendship ick?

All of this conversation over a nice slice of crumbly coconut orange marmalade cake and a glass of milk.

Enjoy!

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

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It didn't take long for technical difficulties to find Esteban & Maria - their cheapie podcast set up failed but they persevered and still found a way to get their latest episode to you while snacking on some double chocolate chip cookies. 

This week, they talk about the hard hitting world of fashion - The Swish! The Drip! There's lots to discuss like what is the most coveted item on Esteban's list, who his basketball style icon is (any guesses?) and what Maria REALLY thinks about those controversial bootcut jeans. 

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

https://www.instagram.com/hoopsandcrumbs?igsh=MTBmNjFkOTBueGE2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Benched by a bad cold, Esteban perseveres to give us a play by play of his first team trip to another country. There are some lessons learned and good memories made with a little celebration to start.

Thanks to everyone who has joined us on this journey so far!

Have a question for us to ask each other? We’d love to hear it!

Follow us on Instagram @hoopsandcrumbs and share your thoughts! We are always looking for questions to ask each other on the #doubledouble

https://www.instagram.com/hoopsandcrumbs?igsh=MTBmNjFkOTBueGE2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr