The Sports Parent

Jeff and Catherine dive into the curious case of Keyshawn Johnson, the former New York Jets star who pulled his son from the Nebraska football team after he was caught smoking marijuana. We also mull over loud water polo parents and wood-roasted chicken in Malaysia.

Jeff and Catherine devote much of the episode to explaining and analyzing our communal love of all things sports. We also discuss whether it's OK to bark at someone texting in a movie theater, and try and grasp why our daughter no longer wants to hang with us.

Jeff and Catherine wonder whether the seriousness of organized youth sports is cramping summer vacation fun, and empathize with the parents of autistic kids. Catherine also makes the strongest case yet for the career of Meryl Streep, despite her non-involvement in "The Cable Guy"

Jeff and Catherine discuss whether it's kosher for parents to pay their children for big hits and homes runs. We debate girls wearing short shorts and whether it's OK for a local running club to train young teens for the grueling 26.2 run that is the marathon.

Jeff and Catherine return to discuss the tragic death of a Penn State sophomore during a fraternity rush gone terribly bad. We also celebrate the life and career of Ping Bodie, the former Yankee outfielder who out-ate an ostrich.

Is it OK for kids to watch a presidential election when the candidates are talking infidelity and inappropriate touching? Is it OK for a youth sports coach to punish a bully with running? Is it OK that Catherine likes sushi more than Mexican food?

Jeff and Catherine discuss the tragic death of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez; an excessively large 9-year-old rugby star pummels kids of the same age; a youth coach being banished to the bleachers because he kneeled during the national anthem.

What happens when you photograph an overweight woman in a public shower—then post the image online? Answer: A nightmare. Jeff and Catherine discuss this, as well as the impact of religious dogma on children, as well as why breast feeding a 5-year old is...um...sorta strange. We also speak with Dawn Neufeld, pro football wife, autism activist, TV personality.

Is it OK for your kid to not hug people? We debate the merits of Alex Rodriguez and his drug-tainted career, applaud parents who opt to not keep their kids out of Sunday sports and talk with ESPN's wonderful Sage Steele about life on the road, being a working mother and the power of well-placed banana bread. Also, research on over-involved parents is discussed.

Country music star Chely Wright is our special guest as we discuss the benefits (and perils) of taking children to a funeral, whether schools should have metal detectors and the crazy Chinese school schedule.