Best The Sports Reclamation Project LLC Podcasts (2025)

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Signs of Coaching Burnout 11:15

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1M ago11:15

11:15

Coach Jon returns after a brief absence caused by a knee injury and a discovered blood clot, updating listeners on his recovery and middle school coaching progress. He also shares community plugs for The Sports Reclamation Project and partner gear. The episode focuses on coach burnout—how to spot warning signs like impatience, dread, and clouded ju…

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So! You Want to Be A Referee? 11:44

2M ago11:44

11:44

Coach Jon shares his return to the bench as a middle school girls assistant coach, enjoying the lower pressure, developing players, and a dominant first game where everyone got meaningful minutes. He offers a tongue-in-cheek personal ad about referees to highlight the challenges officials face, urges listeners to be kind to refs, and calls for bett…

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Trigger Warning The Call That Saved a Coach: From Darkest Hour to Hope 11:45

2M ago11:45

11:45

In this episode Coach John shares a deeply personal story about his struggles after losing his teaching job, his battles with mental illness as a veteran, and the moment he decided to end his life. He describes how calling the veteran crisis line changed his path, led him to resources and care, and helped him find reasons to keep going while contin…

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Is Your Child Playing for an A-Hole? 4 Red Flags to Watch 15:07

2M ago15:07

15:07

Coach Jon reflects on his recent summer volleyball season and tough middle-school tryouts, emphasizing that kids are more than their sports results and praising volunteer coaches who truly teach the game. He also shares community wins, including a new Virginia law protecting youth sports officials, sponsor news, and growth of the Sports Reclamation…

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Bench, Composure, and Respect: Turning Blowouts into Teaching Moments 12:15

3M ago12:15

12:15

Coach Jon breaks down how to handle the inevitable blowout in youth sports, offering practical tips like managing your bench, maximizing playing time for reserves, setting scoring parameters, and continuing to coach positively during the game. He stresses composure, avoiding running up the score, addressing the game briefly afterward without dwelli…

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Five Years Old? Why It's Never Too Late to Start Your Kid in Sports 13:14

3M ago13:14

13:14

Coach Jon shares candid stories from the sidelines about teaching seventh grade, learning new sports as a parent, and why it’s never too late for kids to begin playing a new sport. He offers practical tips for parents—learn the rules, avoid sideline drama, and enjoy the process—while highlighting community projects like a toy drive and scholarship …

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Lets Go To The Playground 14:34

3M ago14:34

14:34

Coach Jon argues that the decline of playground and pickup sports — replaced by specialization, private coaching, and rigid drills — is costing young athletes key lessons like competitiveness, toughness, role flexibility, and creativity. He urges a return to neighborhood games, shares stories about "winner stays" and "old heads," plugs the Sports R…

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Youth Sports Problem #2 Lack of Parity. 16:14

3M ago16:14

16:14

Welcome to another insightful episode of Coach Jon Runs His Cakehole, brought to you by The Sports Reclamation Project. In this episode, Coach Jon shares his excitement and challenges as he juggles personal growth and professional commitments in the school system and as a youth sports coach. Embarking on his 11th year in teaching, he reflects on th…

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Youth Sports Problem #1 Overinvolved Parents 15:00

3M ago15:00

15:00

In this episode of Coach Jon Runs His Cake Hole, Coach Jon shares his recent vacation experiences and checks off a historical bucket list item with a visit to Ford's Theater. Transitioning to his passion for youth sports, he discusses the successful end of the season for his young basketball team and his new venture into coaching his daughter's vol…

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Uncomfortable Conversations in Coaching: Coach Jon's Guide 13:54

4M ago13:54

13:54

Join Coach Jon as he shares his experiences and insights from the fast-paced world of youth basketball and coaching. As the 5-7 basketball season winds down, Coach Jon reflects on the joy and growth of his young athletes and the rewarding experience of coaching at the grassroots level. This episode delves into essential coaching skills, particularl…

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Empowering Young Female Athletes: Time for Change 13:06

4M ago13:06

13:06

In this episode of "Coach Jon Runs His Cake Hole," Coach Jon dives into the pressing need for girls-only recreational sports leagues. As youth sports continue to grow in popularity, young female athletes often find themselves without platforms tailored for their development. Coach Jon advocates for creating local leagues that encourage inclusivity …

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"Have Ball Will Travel: The Problem with Travel Sports" 18:43

4M ago18:43

18:43

Join Coach Jon in this episode of Coach Jon Runs His Cake Hole as he embarks on a new venture in the world of recreational volleyball coaching to bond with his 15-year-old daughter. Discover his views on the controversial culture of travel sports, highlighting issues like lack of athlete development, high costs, and increased injury risks. With wit…

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Help My Child's Coach Is.... 16:38

4M ago16:38

16:38

In this insightful episode of "Coach Jon Runs His Cakehole," join Coach Jon as he shares exciting updates on his journey with the Positive Coaching Alliance and celebrates the triumphs of his young basketball team. Delve into the pressing issue of the youth sports coach shortage and explore the different types of coaches that parents and young athl…

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In Defense of Daddy Ball: A New Perspective 12:07

5M ago12:07

12:07

Join Coach Jon as he dives into the often controversial world of 'Daddy Ball' in youth sports. This episode takes a closer look at the motivations and challenges faced by parent coaches, questioning common assumptions and encouraging listeners to see the topic from different perspectives. Explore the pressures of parenting in sports, the balance be…

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Navigating 'Daddy Ball' in Youth Sports: A Coach's Perspective 15:37

5M ago15:37

15:37

In this episode of "Coach Jon Runs His Cakehole," Coach Jon delves into the controversial topic of 'Daddy Ball' within youth sports. Often perceived as favoritism by parent-coaches towards their own children, 'Daddy Ball' is a contentious issue that many athletes may face. Coach Jon discusses how parents and young athletes can approach these situat…

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Why a Preseason Parent Meeting is Important 12:38

5M ago12:38

12:38

In this episode of Coach Jon Runs His Cake Hole, Coach Jon returns after a brief hiatus to delve into the realities of youth coaching. Drawing from personal experience, he shares his latest journey back into coaching as a volunteer and explores the challenges of increasing parental expectations in sports. Coach Jon offers actionable insights and st…

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Embracing Defeat: Building Resilience in Youth Sports 18:15

6M ago18:15

18:15

In this episode of "Coach Jon Runs His Cake Hole," brought to you by The Sports Reclamation Project, Coach Jon delves into the often uncomfortable topic of losing in youth sports. He argues the necessity of defeat for personal and athletic growth, sharing insights from legendary sports figures and personal experiences. Coach Jon emphasizes that los…

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Unmasking Abusive Coaching in Youth Sports 19:23

6M ago19:23

19:23

Welcome to another episode of "Coach Jon Runs His Cakehole" where Coach Jon dives into the pressing issues surrounding youth sports coaching. In this episode, we explore troubling coaching behaviors, often masked as "hard coaching," that impact young athletes' mental health and well-being. Coach Jon shares personal anecdotes and alarming incidents …

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The Highway to Hell: Navigating Post-Game Conversations 14:26

6M ago14:26

14:26

In this episode of Coach Jon Runs His Cakehole, Coach John addresses a common but often overlooked aspect of youth sports: the car ride home. He explains how this time, frequently used by parents to dissect games and point out mistakes, can become a negative experience for young athletes. Coach Jonn discusses the impact of emphasizing critiques ove…

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Navigating Youth Sports: Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships 15:01

6M ago15:01

15:01

Welcome to a new episode of Coach Jon Runs His Cake Hole, sponsored by the Sports Reclamation Project. In this episode, Coach Jon reflects on a personal milestone as he celebrates his oldest son's graduation. He extends congratulations to the class of 2025 and dives deep into the distinct roles in youth sports, outlining expectations for parents, c…

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When a Player Quits: Navigating the Challenges in Youth Sports 15:02

6M ago15:02

15:02

In this episode, Coach John tackles the sensitive topic of handling player exits in youth sports. Drawing from over two decades of coaching experience, he shares insights on navigating the inevitable challenges coaches face when a player decides to quit. Coach John emphasizes the importance of addressing the departure proactively, maintaining team …