Be Valiant
Ep. 8 Episode 5 - Travel Sports, Pressure, and Perspective with Steve Borelli, USA Today (Audio)
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.
All Episodes
12/03/2025
Ep. 15 Episode 8 - Taking Back the Game: A Conversation with Linda Flanagan12/03/2025
Ep. 14 Episode 8 - Taking Back the Game: A Conversation with Linda Flanagan (Audio)11/26/2025
Ep. 13 Episode 7 - High School Sports, Culture, and Community with Kevin McCabe the “Dean of AZ High School Sports11/26/2025
Ep. 12 Episode 7 - High School Sports, Culture, and Community with Kevin McCabe the “Dean of AZ High School Sports (Audio)11/19/2025
Ep. 11 Episode 6 - College Sports, Change, and the Youth Connection with former College Commissioner Bob Dranoff11/19/2025
Ep. 10 Episode 6 - College Sports, Change, and the Youth Connection with former College Commissioner Bob Dranoff (Audio)11/12/2025
Ep. 9 Episode 5 - Travel Sports, Pressure, and Perspective with Steve Borelli, USA Today11/12/2025
Ep. 8 Episode 5 - Travel Sports, Pressure, and Perspective with Steve Borelli, USA Today (Audio)11/05/2025
Ep. 7 Episode 4 - Coaching, Culture, and Sports Parenting: A Conversation with Mike Strati11/05/2025
Ep. 6 Episode 4 - Coaching, Culture, and Sports Parenting: A Conversation with Mike Strati (Audio)10/29/2025
Ep. 5 Episode 3 - From the Sidelines to the Pitch: A Dad–Daughter Soccer Journey Conversation with Sydney Merkow10/29/2025
Ep. 4 Episode 3 - From the Sidelines to the Pitch: A Dad–Daughter Soccer Journey Conversation with Sydney Merkow (Audio)10/21/2025
Ep. 3 Episode 2 - From the Stands to the Sand: A Dad–Daughter Sports Journey Conversation with Madison Merkow10/21/2025
Ep. 2 Episode 2 - From the Stands to the Sand: A Dad–Daughter Sports Journey Conversation with Madison Merkow (Audio)10/14/2025
Ep. 1 Episode 1 - Why Be Valiant? The Parent’s Journey Through Youth Sports - Monologue by Todd Merkow (Host of Be Valiant and founder of Valiant Sports Society) - Audio