David Murray is the author of several books, including Soccer Dad and An Effort to Understand: Hearing One Another (and Ourselves) in a Nation Cracked in Half. An award-winning journalist, his writing on sports and culture has appeared in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Atlantic, and many other publications. He is also the editor and publisher of Vital Speeches of the Day, one of the world’s oldest continuously published magazines, and the founder and executive director of the Professional Speechwriters Association. David writes daily on communication at Writing-Boots.com and lives with his wife and daughter in Chicago.

In this episode, Kirsten sits down with David to unpack the real journey of raising an athlete—from the sidelines to the college commitment. Together, they dive into his experience supporting his daughter on her path to Division I soccer, the lessons learned along the way, and the honest, often overlooked realities of sports parenting. This conversation is a must-listen for any parent navigating the highs, pressures, and purpose behind youth athletics.