🎙️ Special Episode Alert: A Conversation with Randi Mahomes 💫

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we sit down with Randi Mahomes—sports mom, author, speaker, and mother to NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes—for an intimate conversation about parenting, perseverance, and purpose. Randi opens up about her journey as a single mom raising a young athlete, the values she instilled in her children, and how she stayed grounded through the highs and lows of competitive sports.

She shares powerful insights into what it really means to support your child’s dreams while helping them grow into kind, confident, and resilient adults. Whether you're raising an elite athlete or simply navigating the ups and downs of parenthood, this episode will leave you feeling encouraged, empowered, and ready to lead with love.

🔊 Tune in for stories from behind the scenes, lessons from the Mahomes family playbook, and why Randi believes that faith, family, and foundation are the ultimate game-changers.

🎙️ Special Episode Alert: A Conversation with Randi Mahomes 💫

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we sit down with Randi Mahomes—sports mom, author, speaker, and mother to NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes—for an intimate conversation about parenting, perseverance, and purpose. Randi opens up about her journey as a single mom raising a young athlete, the values she instilled in her children, and how she stayed grounded through the highs and lows of competitive sports.

She shares powerful insights into what it really means to support your child’s dreams while helping them grow into kind, confident, and resilient adults. Whether you're raising an elite athlete or simply navigating the ups and downs of parenthood, this episode will leave you feeling encouraged, empowered, and ready to lead with love.

🔊 Tune in for stories from behind the scenes, lessons from the Mahomes family playbook, and why Randi believes that faith, family, and foundation are the ultimate game-changers.

Susie and Kirsten explain some essential lessons for parents raising athletes from the recreation level to the olympic level. Susie and Kirsten share their wealth of knowledge on how to get the best out of your child and how to ensure they stay athletes for life!

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Crouse, an accomplished sports reporter with decades of experience covering some of the biggest moments in athletics. As a former New York Times journalist and the author of Norwich: One Tiny Vermont Town’s Secret to Happiness and Excellence, Karen has a unique lens on the intersection of sports, community, and personal growth.

We dive into:
✅ Her career journey and the evolution of sports journalism
✅ The powerful stories she’s uncovered along the way
✅ The role of storytelling in shaping how we see athletes—not just as competitors, but as people
✅ How the experience of playing sports leads to well rounded, accomplished people

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the impact of great journalism, the lessons athletes teach us, and why the heart of sports goes beyond the scoreboard.

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Crouse, an accomplished sports reporter with decades of experience covering some of the biggest moments in athletics. As a former New York Times journalist and the author of Norwich: One Tiny Vermont Town’s Secret to Happiness and Excellence, Karen has a unique lens on the intersection of sports, community, and personal growth.

We dive into:
✅ Her career journey and the evolution of sports journalism
✅ The powerful stories she’s uncovered along the way
✅ The role of storytelling in shaping how we see athletes—not just as competitors, but as people
✅ How the experience of playing sports leads to well rounded, accomplished people

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the impact of great journalism, the lessons athletes teach us, and why the heart of sports goes beyond the scoreboard.

Dr. Nate Zinsser is an expert in the psychology of human performance who consults to individuals and organizations seeking a competitive edge. Since 1992 Dr Zinsser has directed a cutting edge applied sport psychology program at the United States Military Academy’s Center for Enhanced Performance, personally conducting over seventeen thousand individual training sessions and seven hundred team training sessions for cadets seeking the mental edge for athletic, academic, and military performance. This program has been adopted by the U.S. Army for training new recruits, drill sergeants, and tactical units preparing for deployment at twenty-five posts across the US, in Germany, and in Korea.

SHOW NOTES!

https://www.natezinsser.com/

The Confident Mind

In this powerful episode of Raising Athletes, host Kirsten Jones welcomes Jessica Lahey—bestselling author, educator, and parenting expert—for an honest conversation about raising resilient, healthy kids in a culture that often pushes perfection and dependence. Jessica, known for her work in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post, dives into insights from her books The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation, exploring how parents can better support their children’s growth by letting go, setting boundaries, and creating a culture of trust.

Together, Kirsten and Jessica unpack how sports, school, and parenting collide—and how we can foster independence, emotional strength, and healthy habits in our kids both on and off the field. Whether you're navigating early childhood, adolescence, or the high-pressure world of youth athletics, this episode offers the research, wisdom, and compassion every parent needs.

Dr. Desaree Festa, commonly known as “Dr. Dez,”is the sports psychologist for the Buffalo Bills. She works closely with many of the players on the Bills roster and leads the Rookie Success and Player Development programs which helps integrate rookies into the NFL. She has previously worked with teams in the NBA, NHL, and NASCAR. Dr. Dez is very passionate about her field and offers amazing advice for athletes and parents!

In this episode, Kirsten dives into the world of sports psychology with Capri Richardson, a former Division 1 and professional volleyball athlete and coach. Capri opens up about the challenges athletes face on and off the court and her passion for creating a supportive environment for athletes, coaches, and their families. With a unique approach blending existential, solution-focused, and gestalt therapies, she shares how she helps others embrace their authentic selves and navigate the pressures of the sports world. Join us as we explore how holistic development and personal growth can be fostered through self-awareness and new skills.

KJ's top 10 Fav's For the Summer kicks off with: Coco Vandeweghe

Coco Vandeweghe grew up playing every sport her older brother did. But at

At 30 years old, she’s a warrior on the court having been ranked as high as

Coco was a wonderfully insightful guest and a truly inspirational, take no