If you’ve ever contemplated a school transfer for your high school son or daughter and asked “Should we stay… or should we go?” you’re not alone! In this episode, we interview Rob Geertsen, a proud and present father and an experienced coach. Rob tells his son Zack's high school transfer story—what they did before any paperwork, how they evaluated the new environment, and why academics and “culture fit” mattered as much or more than the athletics.

If you are mulling over whether transferring is the right thing for your son/daughter, Rob will share what requires serious consideration before making the move.

Let's go Most Valuable Parents!!!

Want to talk to Rob personally about your transfer questions? Contact him at robert.geertsen@canyonsdistrict.org. We guarantee that he will find time for you if you are genuinely interested in an honest and straightforward conversation!

The Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Zack Geertsen's HS Transfer Story

02:57 The Decision to Transfer Schools

06:57 Defining Success for Zack

11:33 Culture is Critical

14:57 Involving Zack in the Decision-Making Process

18:50 Due Diligence Before the Transfer

23:26 Exit Conversations and Integration into New Team

30:14 The Commitment of a Dedicated Parent

33:58 Navigating Challenges of Transfer Decisions

36:51 Building Relationships in a New Environment

42:24 The Reality of Making the Transfer

45:07 Advice for Parents Considering Transfers

49:25 The Risks of Transferring for the Wrong Reasons

55:06 Reflecting on the Journey and Future Aspirations

57:34 Wrapping Up with Wisdom and Humor

59:09 OUTRO Video BK 2025 FINAL.mp4

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us:Please follow us and connect with us: Search "Steve Galley" on LinkedIn.

Let’s gooooooooo moms and dads–you got this!

-Nate & Steve

Here’s the truth: sleep is a system, not a character issue. So if your plan is “hope they choose better,” you’ll keep getting the same results. In this episode, we ask the questions you need to build a practical sleep system with mutual agreements. Using our Question Only Conversation approach will increase buy-in and cooperation that will help you both sleep well--like a baby (that doesn't wake up all night!).

And if you stick around to the end you'll get the 3-2-1 framework, a simple system to help you create a high performance sleep habit!!

Let's goooooooooooo................................to sleep! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

The Timestamps

00:00 The Importance of Sleep Conversations

02:47 Understanding Sleep as a Biological Need

05:24 Empowering Teens to Own Their Sleep

08:12 Effective Communication Strategies for Parents

10:07 The Question-Only Conversation Technique

12:28 Challenging the Grind Mentality

14:50 Creating a Sleep Agreement

17:45 The 321 Sleep Framework

Key Topics

-Sleep is a system, not a character issue.

-Mutual sleep agreements and conversations must happen.

-The tried and true 3-2-1 sleep framework!

-Question-only conversations to influence teen behavior.

- The impact of sleep on performance and mental health.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us:Please follow us and connect with us: Search "Steve Galley" on LinkedIn.

Let’s gooooooooo moms and dads–you got this!

-Nate & Steve

Teen sleep isn’t just “discipline”—it’s biology. We unpack the teen brain, circadian shifts, recovery, and why inconsistent schedules sabotage energy and focus. We also talk school start times and the ripple effects on mental health and performance. Then we translate it into practical routines you can actually implement by sharing our Sleep Starter Pack with you. Let's go Most Valuable Parents!!!!

The Timestamps

00:00 The Importance of Sleep for Performance

03:12 Understanding Recovery and Brain Development

05:55 Equipping Teens for Better Sleep

08:43 The Impact of Sleep on Mental Health and Injury Prevention

10:57 The Role of Consistency in Sleep Patterns

13:13 Advocating for Later School Start Times

15:35 The Sleep Starter Pack: Practical Tips for Parents

Takeaways

-Equipping kids with energy is crucial for performance.

-Sleep is essential for brain development and recovery.

-Teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep for optimal health.

-Sleep problems can lead to emotional and mental health issues.

-Inadequate sleep increases the risk of injury in teens.

-Consistency in sleep schedules is vital for teens.

-School start times should be later to benefit students.

-Parents should engage in conversations about sleep with their teens.

-Creating a sleep starter pack can help facilitate discussions.

-Understanding the biological needs of teens can improve sleep habits.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us:Please follow us and connect with us: Search "Steve Galley" on LinkedIn.

Let’s gooooooooo moms and dads–you got this!

-Nate & Steve

In this episode--the third in a series about playing time--we get blunt and right to the truth about the fact that parents struggle to stay neutral. Confirmation bias creeps in and rescuing becomes a habit. What follows is pressure and tension in every conversation or or coach bashing ensues. You love them so much and your intentions are pure, but why is this not working? Much of it is the proximity of you to them and the emotions swirling around in this relationship.

So we give you a better play: protect the sacred parent-teen relationship with “relationship insurance.” Learn how to communicate without escalating and how to support emotionally without performing as their designated sport coach.

As well as understanding that a neutral, outside voice is the smartest move you can make for your teen’s development—and your connection.

The Timestamps

00:00 The Challenge of Coaching Your Own Kids

02:23 Understanding Parental Bias in Youth Sports

05:10 The Impact of Emotional Proximity

07:56 The Role of Outside Voices in Mindset Coaching

10:45 Navigating Status Panic and Expectations

13:09 Building Relationship Insurance with Teens

Takeaways

-Parents often struggle with neutrality when coaching their own children.

-Confirmation bias can cloud parents' judgment regarding their child's performance.

-Rescuing behavior can undermine a teen's ability to handle challenges independently.

-Neutrality is essential for effective mindset coaching.

-Outside voices can provide valuable support and perspective for teens.

-Parents should focus on emotional support rather than performance pressure.

-The relationship between parents and teens is sacred and irreplaceable.

-Bringing in outside voices helps maintain a safe and supportive environment for teens.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us:Please follow us and connect with us: Search "Steve Galley" on LinkedIn.

Let’s gooooooooo moms and dads–you got this!

-Nate & Steve

Playing time is a pressure cooker because it pokes at every parent trigger: fairness, status, control, fear, and helplessness. And if we’re honest, it can feel personal—even when it isn’t. In today's conversation, we deliver a fantastic "reframe" to help you model a healthy response to non-preferred outcomes so your teen learns the real life skill: dealing with disappointment without losing identity, effort, or connection. You’ll learn how to spot your “yeah, buts,” reset your expectations, and have the kind of calm, clear conversation that builds trust—especially when your teen is already on edge.

Let's gooooooooooooo Most Valuable Parents!!

The Timestamps

00:00 Navigating Playing Time and Parental Pride

03:23 Understanding Control and Helplessness in Sports

06:29 Expectations and Communication with Teens

08:43 Life Lessons from Sports and Non-Preferred Outcomes

11:42 The Duct Tape Analogy: Managing Emotions

14:40 The 24-Hour Rule: Emotional Recovery

16:18 Reframing the Parent-Teen Dynamic

Takeaways

-Playing time can induce trauma for both parents and teens.

-Understanding what is within our control is crucial in handling "playing time."

-Parents should model healthy emotional responses to outcomes.

-The 24-hour rule helps in managing emotional reactions.

-Identifying 'yeah, buts' can clarify our emotional responses.

-Being an anchor for our teens is more important than rescuing them.

-Life skills are learned in sports by responding well to non-preferred outcomes.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

Let’s gooooooooo moms and dads–you got this!

-Nate & Steve

Newsflash! Life isn’t fair. Yep, we all know it! And high school sports and competition are no exception. "It's not fair!" -- the common refrain heard among parents and players and yes, even coaches! And guess what? You are probably right when you're screaming "that is NOT fair!"

But your teen athlete or performer doesn’t needs a parent who coaches them into Blaming, Complaining, Defending and Explaining. This perpetuates a victim mindset!

In this episode, we coach you through the two things you can always control: your perspective and your response. We’ll unpack why complaining feels productive (but usually backfires), how to keep connection strong when emotions run hot, and how to lead like a calm, mild manager instead of an angry, perturbed prosecutor. If you want your teen athlete to build resilience and confidence under pressure, this starts with how you handle “it's not fair!!”

The Timestamps

00:00 The Fairness Addiction

03:14 Playing Time and Parental Perspectives

05:59 The Poison of Complaining

08:45 Understanding Coaches' Decisions

11:34 Perspective and Emotional Discipline

13:30 Important Questions for Parents

16:02 The Prosecutor vs. Manager Mindset

18:59 Modeling Behavior for Teens

Takeaways

• Fairness can become an addiction that affects our mindset.
• Complaining about unfairness can lead to negative outcomes.
• Life is inherently unfair, and we must learn to accept that.
• Parents should focus on what they can control in sports.
• Understanding the coach's perspective can help mitigate feelings of unfairness.
• Modeling emotional discipline is crucial for parents.
• Questions can help parents gain perspective on their child's situation.
• It's important to avoid labeling coaches negatively without understanding their decisions.
• Parents should strive to be managers rather than prosecutors in sports situations.
• Maintaining a positive outlook can benefit both parents and athletes.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100%

-Nate & Steve

Here’s the hard truth: the moment your teen feels evaluated, the conversation gets worse—and so does your influence. In this episode, we help you build emotional safety without lowering standards, and teach you how to stay calm when your teen isn’t. You’ll get simple, real-life ways to respond when things get tense--when you start feeling "judgy"--plus actionable steps you can use today to reduce conflict, strengthen connection, and support your teen athlete’s mindset the smart way.

Hang in there because we're going to drop The 5 Second Lane Test, a simple tool you'll want to have in your Parental Toolkit when you are about ready to make a communication error. This tool is dynamite and will help you blow up the old you and allow you to parent from a neutral position!! Let's goooooooooooo!

The Timestamps

00:00 Navigating Parenting Challenges

02:58 The Role of Non-Parental Coaches

05:51 Building a Safe Home Base

08:33 Understanding Emotional Regulation

11:29 The Importance of Neutrality

14:04 Action Steps for Parents

16:29 The Five Second Lane Test

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100%

-Nate & Steve

Here’s the hard truth: your teen athlete/performer might be hiding struggles because they don’t want your common reaction. You tend to activate full-blown Fixer Mode! This doesn't make you a "bad parent" but there is a better way to approach this situation and the opportunity for growth and improved connection is waiting for you.

In our bantering and discussion in this episode we call out the mistake we ALL make as parents because we love our offspring so much! We want to FIX their problems for them when sometimes they just want and need us to listen in a way that creates some safety and space to get something off their chest. Asking questions that allow them to be open and honest sets you up to coach your teen athlete/performer into creating their own solutions and building confidence. All without turning every moment into a lecture or a fix it session.

Let's gooooooooooo Most Valuable Parents!

The Timestamps

00:00 Understanding Teen Struggles

02:33 The Role of Parents as Fixers

05:30 Listening vs. Fixing: The Emotional Safety

08:13 Effective Communication Strategies

10:57 The Detective Approach to Parenting

14:00 Supporting Teen Growth and Independence

Takeaways

-Teens may hide struggles to avoid parental "fixing."

-Parents often jump into problem-solving mode too quickly.

-Emotional safety is crucial for open communication.

-Listening is more important than providing immediate solutions.

-The "curse of knowledge" can hinder effective parenting.

-Asking questions can empower teens to find their own solutions.

-Parents should adopt a "detective" approach to understand situations better.

-Fixing problems can sometimes damage the parent-teen connection.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100%

-Nate & Steve