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PODCAST

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant: The Podcast for Fearless Sports Parenting is a thoughtful, real-world guide for those navigating the complex and emotional world of youth sports. Hosted by Todd Merkow, the founder and CEO of Valiant Sports Society, the show brings together a wide range of voices — from parents who"ve been in the trenches, to former youth athletes now reflecting on their journeys as adults, to experts in mental performance, physical health, and orthopedic care. Coaches, trainers, and thought leaders join

sports parenting

All Episodes

01:03:36

Growing Up Santo: How Linda Santo Raised Confident,...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2026/02/11

In this heartfelt and often hilarious episode of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down with longtime friend Linda Santo—sports parent, sports media veteran, and the daughter of Chicago Cubs icon and MLB Hall of Famer Ron Santo—for a wide-ranging conversation about youth sports culture, pressure, and what it really takes to protect kids' confidence and joy. Linda begins with her own unique upbringing in a baseball household shaped by her father's legacy, explaining how her view of sports was influenced

en

01:05:54

Part 3 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes:...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2026/02/04

In the final episode of the three-part series "When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes," Todd Merkow sits down with longtime family friend Will Proctor to hear the athlete's full story—after earlier conversations with Will's parents, Jeff and Lisa Proctor. Will shares how sports shaped his identity from a young age, how baseball became his obsession, and how early success brought elite opportunities—and intense, self-imposed pressure. He opens up about the anxiety that quietly built behind the scenes,

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01:07:07

Part 2 of 3 - When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes:...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2026/01/28

In Part 2 of 3 of When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes, Todd Merkow sits down with Lisa Proctor—attorney, former ranked junior tennis player in Texas, marathoner, and the mother at the center of the Proctor family's youth sports journey. Lisa shares her own athletic story first: a highly competitive tennis career that unraveled in her senior year as she struggled with what we now recognize as the "mental game" and the yips—long before mental health support was part of the sports conversation. That

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01:09:31

Jody Jackson: Sports, Youth Sports Parenting, and...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with longtime Arizona sports broadcaster and sports parent Jody Jackson for a candid conversation about navigating youth sports, competition, and mental health. Jody shares her unique perspective as a former collegiate athlete and the parent of two high-level youth athletes—a quarterback and a pitcher—two of the most pressure-filled positions in sports. Together, they explore the realities of club volleyball and club softball, the emotional

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01:07:39

Re-Release: Madison Merkow — Pressure, Perspective,...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2026/01/01

As we take a short holiday pause from releasing new episodes, we wanted to re-share another conversation that continues to resonate deeply with parents and athletes. This episode features an open and thoughtful conversation with my oldest daughter, Madison, about her youth sports experience — including pressure, expectations, confidence, setbacks, and how athletes learn to advocate for themselves as they grow. Madison shares her perspective on: Navigating competitive environments Managing

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01:05:31

Kirsten Jones: A Conversation on the Importance of...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/12/17

Host Todd Merkow talks with Kirsten Jones — former Division I volleyball player, Nike executive, performance coach, and author of Raising Empowered Athletes — about what it really takes to help kids thrive in sports and in life. Drawing on her experiences as both a parent and professional, Kirsten shares insights into confidence, mental health, motivation, and how to redefine success in youth athletics. Together, Todd and Kirsten explore how parents can model resilience, create healthier home

en

01:09:07

Coaching Beyond the Game: Leadership and Legacy with...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/12/10

Host Todd Merkow sits down with former Arizona State University women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne — one of the winningest coaches in Pac-12 history — for a powerful conversation about leadership, culture, and the evolving landscape of youth and college sports. Charlie shares insights from decades of coaching elite athletes, discusses the mental and emotional challenges young players face today, and offers guidance for parents navigating their kids' sports journeys. Together, they explore

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01:10:52

Taking Back the Game: A Conversation with Author,...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/12/03

In this powerful conversation, Todd Merkow sits down with journalist, coach, and parent Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports — and Why It Matters. Together, they unpack what the modern youth sports ecosystem really looks like — from the billion-dollar pressures on families to the hidden toll it takes on kids' mental health. This book is a must have, and go to, for parents starting out and in the thick of their youth sports journey. Todd and

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01:09:12

High School Sports, Culture, and Community with Kevin...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/11/26

Host, Todd Merkow sits down with Arizona sportscaster and longtime youth sports parent Kevin McCabe to reflect on how high school athletics have changed over the years. Kevin shares insights on the as a sports parent, the high school athlete system, and how shifts affect kids who want to play multiple sports. Together, they talk about the role of coaches in shaping culture, the challenges families face in balancing expectations, and what parents can do to help their kids keep sports positive and

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01:16:03

Episode 6: College Sports, Change, and the Youth...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/11/19

Valiant Sports Society, founder and CEO, Todd Merkow talks with Bob Dranoff, longtime commissioner of the East Coast Conference (NCAA Division II), about the sweeping changes in college athletics and what they mean for families. From NIL and transfer rules to the viability of smaller colleges, Bob offers a commissioner's view on where college sports are headed. The conversation also explores the intersection of college and youth sports — how recruiting, commercialization, and the pressure to

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01:04:30

Episode 5: Travel Sports, Pressure, and Perspective...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/11/12

In this episode, Todd talks with USA Today columnist and author Steve Borelli about the rise of travel sports and their impact on families. Steve shares insights from his reporting and his own experience as a sports parent, diving into the costs, pressures, and cultural shifts shaping youth athletics today. Together, they explore how commercialization, burnout, and parent expectations affect kids — and what families can do to keep sports joyful, balanced, and sustainable. For Articles by Steve

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57:27

Episode 4: Coaching, Culture, and Sports Parenting: A...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/11/05

In this episode, Todd reconnects with longtime friend and coach Mike Strati to talk about the realities of youth sports from both the sidelines and the bench. Mike shares his perspective as a dad, coach, and mentor on what kids really need to thrive in today's competitive environment. Together, Todd and Mike dive into culture, coaching styles, the balance between development and performance, and the lessons they've both learned as sports parents. This conversation offers honest, practical insights

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01:06:37

Episode 3: From the Sidelines to the Pitch: A...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/10/29

Todd and his daughter Sydney revisit her years in competitive soccer — from early youth leagues to the pressures of high school and club play. Sydney shares what it was like to balance joy with expectations, mental health, navigate challenging health issues, and grow as both a leader and a player. Together, father and daughter reflect on the lessons soccer gave her on and off the pitch, and what every sports parent can take away about supporting their kids in healthy, empowering ways.

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01:07:39

From the Stands to the Sand: A Dad–Daughter Sports...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/10/22

Host of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow, sits down with his oldest daughter, Madison Merkow, for an honest conversation about growing up in the world of competitive volleyball. From indoor gyms to the sand courts, Madison shares the highs and lows of her experience: the pressure of tryouts, the coaching experiences, the emotional challenges of injuries, and the joy of finding her place in beach volleyball. This episode offers a raw, first-person perspective on what it’s really like to be a youth athlete

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01:01:15

Why Be Valiant? The Parent’s Journey Through Youth...

Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society ·

2025/10/13

In this launch episode, the founder and CEO of Valiant Sports Society, Todd Merkow introduces the Be Valiant podcast and shares his personal journey as a youth sports dad. From the highs of watching his daughters grow through sport to the struggles of navigating toxic cultures, financial pressures, and difficult coaching environments, Todd sets the stage for the conversations ahead. This episode lays out the mission of the Valiant Sports Society — to empower parents with knowledge, tools, and

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15 results

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