Derrick sits down with Daniela Feldhausen from Kids Up Reading Tutors to talk about why reading is the foundation for lifelong learning. They share how their program supports struggling readers, tips parents can use at home, and success stories that show the power of personalized reading instruction.

Learn more at KidsUpReadingTutors.com

In this episode, Derrick sits down with Craig, creator of Parenting Harmony, to talk about turning the ordinary into the extraordinary for your kids. From his early background to launching YouTube episodes during the pandemic, Craig shares how simple, consistent routines can become fun, meaningful moments. Whether it’s breakfast, bedtime, or a quick car ride, discover how showing up in small ways can make a big difference in your child’s life.

Learn more about Craig and Parenting Harmony at ParentingHarmony.com

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow parent to talk about her family’s journey navigating the world of special education. From early signs to diagnosis, IEP meetings, and advocating for her son’s needs, she shares what she’s learned — and what she wishes every parent knew. We explore the differences between support systems in California and Texas, the emotional toll of the process, and the power of persistence, community, and love.

Parents, meet Peggy Chan — CEO of ActivityHero and the voice of a smarter way to plan your kids’ summer. In this episode of Parenting Like a SuperDad, Peggy joins me to tackle the camp-registration headache most families know too well: filling out endless forms, racing to grab popular weeks, and juggling multiple kids’ schedules.

Together, we explore how ActivityHero empowers parents to:

Search and compare camps with ease

Save time using autofill and one-click bookings

Coordinate schedules across kids, weeks, and activities

By the end, you’ll hear Peggy’s personal take on why simplifying camp signups isn’t just a convenience — it could be a parenting game-changer that saves your sanity (and your summer).

In this episode of Parenting Like a SuperDad, Derrick sits down with Marilou Lafon, owner and artistic director of Spark of Creation Studio. Marilou shares how her studio has become a second home for young performers, where kids build confidence, learn discipline, and discover the power of teamwork—on and off the stage.

They discuss the role of competition, how to know when a child is ready to take that step, and what parents should consider when choosing a performing arts program.

If you’re a parent exploring dance or performance programs—or just looking for ways to support your child’s growth—this conversation is full of insight, inspiration, and heart.

In 1996, Derrick was cast as Gilligan in a Kidstock! summer show — an experience that sparked his love for performing. Decades later, Kidstock! is still helping kids grow through creativity, teamwork, and confidence-building.

In this episode, Derrick catches up with Melissa Suncin, Co-Director of Kidstock!, to talk about:

How they cast roles with care

Helping kids handle disappointment and build resilience

Making theater accessible to all families

The life skills kids gain through performing

Whether your child loves the spotlight or needs help finding their voice, this one’s for you.

🎟️ Learn more at kidstockinc.org

Derrick talks with mentors Kelly Page and Annette Mixon—ex‑Sylvan directors turned franchise owners—about what truly moves the needle for kids.

Highlights

Casting kids into roles that stretch them (and turning “no part” into growth).

Tutoring as a confidence engine, backed by real success stories.

Making help affordable for low‑income families.

Keeping an education business alive during a recession.

Fast tips for parents: spot gaps early, pick the right tutor, partner with teachers.

Want a peek behind the tutoring curtain and plug‑and‑play ideas for your child? Hit play.

“Show up, no matter what”—that’s the lesson Derrick learned from his dad, Steve: from post‑poker abalone dinners to dugout pep talks and a lightning‑fast swing from fury to hospitality over a leftover‑pork sandwich. Tune in for three true‑life stories and a simple challenge to trade convenience for connection this week.

In this episode of Parenting Like a SuperDad, Derrick interviews Ryan Brown, Head Coach and Owner of Rebels Elite SF Cheer—another great program in South San Francisco that's building more than just athletes. Ryan shares his coaching journey and the vision behind creating a program centered on growth, accountability, and community.

We explore what makes Rebels Elite SF stand out, from its inclusive approach to competition-level training to how the program helps young cheerleaders develop confidence, discipline, and leadership skills. Ryan also discusses what families should understand about involvement, training expectations, and long-term rewards in the world of competitive cheer.

Whether you're curious about cheerleading or looking to support your child’s passions, this episode offers an inspiring look at how youth sports can shape strong, capable individuals.

In this episode, Derrick reconnects with one of the most impactful figures from his youth—Coach Paul Cunnie, a Daly City baseball legend with over 42 consecutive years of service as a player, umpire, coach, and program director. Coach Cunnie has coached more than 50 teams and helped lead both the Daly City Colts and the Joe DiMaggio program for athletes ages 15–19.

Derrick opens the episode with a deeply personal story about facing multiple rejections in youth baseball before finding a home—and a mentor—in Coach Cunnie's Daly City program. They reflect on that journey, the value of second chances, and how coaching shaped Derrick’s own path as both a mentor and a parent.

Together, they dive into how youth baseball has evolved, especially with the rise of travel teams, and discuss the lasting value of community-based sports. Coach Cunnie shares his perspective on what kids really need to succeed—on the field and in life—and offers timeless advice for parents and young coaches alike.

In a heartfelt post-show reflection, Derrick shares even more stories from his time coaching under Coach Cunnie, including a laugh-out-loud memory from the Peninsula Colts Tournament involving two late players, a train mishap, and a lineup that nearly didn’t get filled.

This episode is about much more than baseball—it’s about mentorship, resilience, and the lasting impact of coaches who believe in kids, even when others don’t.