Courtside Forever
Courtside Forever is a podcast for parents swept up in the circus of everyday problems who, despite the world’s best efforts, are still dedicated to seeking intentional moments with their kids. I’m your host, Ryan Rucker, and each week, I will bring you a new episode made for you. We’ll keep it brief for some weeks, diving into a specific topic such as Youth Sports or Paternity Leave in America. These 15-20 minute episodes will focus on overarching themes, statistics, and practical next steps parents can take. In other weeks, we’ll extend our conversations, inviting parents in sports, business, and other industries to look at how they center parenthood in their lives and touch on our inevitable struggles while building a career, business, and future. Whether you’re a dad or mom or thinking of stepping into the role someday, Courtside Forever is a podcast that aims to recenter the world we’re building for our kids. In 2024, The United States of America declared parenting a public health crisis, citing the way society is set up for the reason we struggle. In the document created by the US Department of Health and Services Department, Parents Under Pressure, Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy stated, “Raising children is sacred work. It should matter to all of us. And the health and well-being of those who are caring for our children should matter to us as well.” In 2020, I hosted and produced the 8-episode docuseries Complicated Fatherhood, where I spent each episode speaking to my biological dad to understand how his absence from my life affected my Fatherhood. Since wrapping the podcast, I knew I wanted to get back into podcasting, and Courtside Forever is a continuation of my mantra to be ever present in my daughters’ lives. On Courtside Forever, we’ll have fun, get serious, tell stories, and work to focus on the only thing that matters because, as parents, we’ve got the best seats in the house. Let’s enjoy them.
Episodes
My Indiana Pacers are in the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years! The night they clinched the Eastern Conference Finals Championship over the New York Knicks, our family celebrated and I told my girls to cherish this moment because you never know if or when it will happen again.
I’m big on living in the moment. As a parent, you kinda have to be. However, at times, it’s difficult to appreciate the moments you’re in as there’s...
In this episode of Courtside Forever, Rae and Si join me as I take a moment to honor two names that should be etched into the heart of every Indiana Pacers fan: Slick and Nancy Leonard. This episode isn't just for Pacers fans, it's for everyone.
If you're a Pacers fan, you may know Slick’s legendary “Boom Baby!” call, or the unforgettable players he coached in the ABA days—but behind every big moment in Pacers history is a deeper ...
In this episode of Courtside Forever, I sit down with Casey Lewis—soccer mom, former player, coach, team manager, and founder of Soccer Unleashed—for a conversation every parent in youth sports needs to hear.
We dive into the big question: How do you know when your kid is truly ready for travel or competitive soccer? Casey shares what to look for in terms of interest, skill, and commitment—and how to evaluate if your family is read...
Reggie Miller made me a believer in 8.9 seconds.
One iconic moment in Madison Square Garden turned me into a lifelong Indiana Pacers fan. But nearly 30 years later, it wasn’t a buzzer-beater that brought me the most joy—it was watching my daughter fall in love with the same game, in her own unexpected way.
In this episode, I share the full-circle story of how basketball became a bridge between generations. From my childhood admirat...
Let’s be real—weekends kind of suck sometimes. You work all week, juggle homework, activities, and dinner disasters, and just when you think you’ve earned a break, the Saturday baseball tournament and Sunday birthday party hit. In this episode, I’m diving into the real reason parents feel like they're running a never-ending marathon—and how we can finally start reclaiming our weekends.
I’ll walk you through five practical shifts yo...
On this episode of Courtside Forever, I sat down with Jen Cohen Crompton—a Philly mom, entrepreneur, fitness coach, and host of the Say It In Sports podcast. Jen started her show to amplify stories in youth and women’s sports, and we dove into why that mission matters more than ever.
From committing to fitness as a way to honor her dad to crossing the finish line of an Ironman, Jen’s journey is all about resilience, community, and ...
In this episode, I sit down with Tanya Hayles—a community builder, digital strategist, and former Digital Strategy and Development Manager for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment—for a conversation that goes way beyond the scoreboard.
We talk about what it really takes to build community through sports, the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed, and the emotional toll of trades—not just on the players, but their families...
In today's episode of Courtside Forever, I unpack what it really means to be a "girl dad" beyond the hashtags and the merchandise. Sparked by the immense popularity of the #girldad movement after the tragic loss of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, I'm taking a hard look at whether we're truly living up to this title.
I open up about my own experience as a father to two wonderful daughters. When I first heard the news of each daughter's upco...
Happy April Fool’s Day! Our family loves to play practical jokes, so I figured today would be a great time to invite my girls on to the podcast to listen to me record this episode.
In 1997, the New York Knicks pulled off one of my favorite pranks of all time, convincing their audience the team had signed legendary Knicks player Walt “Clyde” Frazier to a 10-day contract. However, the prank was my second f...
Becoming a new dad is one of the most exciting, terrifying, exhausting, and meaningful moments of your life. But let’s be honest—it’s also hard. The expectations, the pressure, the shift in your identity… it all hits differently when you’re holding your newborn and thinking, “I’ve gotta raise this tiny human?”
In this milestone 20th episode of Courtside Forever, we’re flipping the script on the outdated “just figure it out” mentali...
LeBron James recently had a heated exchange with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, telling him to “keep my son out of this.” The moment quickly went viral, sparking renewed debate about whether Bronny James deserved to be drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers or if he is simply benefiting from his father’s influence. But this conversation goes beyond basketball—it’s about nepotism, parental support, and what it really means to help the next gen...
On this episode of Courtside Forever, we’re talking about joy—the kind of joy that shouldn’t be controversial but somehow still is.
I recently watched With Love, Meghan, the new Netflix show featuring Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as she hosts friends, cooks, and gardens in Montecito. It’s the kind of peaceful, feel-good lifestyle show we’ve seen for years with Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, and Joanna Gaines. And yet, the backlash Megh...
Basketball has always been bigger than the game, and few people embody that more than Jerica Williams. From a stellar career in high school with multiple championships to earning a full ride at UCLA, her story is already the stuff of legends. But she didn’t stop there. Last season, Jerica made history as the only active female coach in Division I Men’s College Basketball, proving once again that she’s built different.
Beyond the co...
"Say goodbye to the next 18 years of your life!"
That was one of the first things someone said to me when I told them my wife and I were expecting our first child. And while I laughed it off, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how messed up that mindset is.
Because here’s the truth—becoming a dad will absolutely change your life. But it won’t ruin it. If anything, it’ll make your life more meaningful, more exciting, a...
In this episode of Courtside Forever, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lindsey Konchar, a licensed mental health professional, certified financial coach, and author of I Got 99 Coping Skills and Being a B**** Ain’t One. Lindsey specializes in financial therapy and helps her clients navigate their money challenges without shame. As a mom of two and host of the Financial Self Care podcast, she brings a wealth of experience—bot...
In this episode of Courtside Forever, I take you through the monumental impact of Title IX, the groundbreaking 1972 law that fundamentally transformed the landscape of education and athletics in the United States. This episode explores how Title IX not only leveled the playing field for women in sports but also revolutionized access to higher education and professional opportunities for countless women.
Key Highlights:
- Title I...
In this episode of Courtside Forever, I dive deep into the delicious world of ice cream—a journey that's deeply personal and steeped in history. I start by sharing how my own path as an ice cream maker was ignited by family bonds and the local flavors of upstate New York, highlighting the personal connections and community spirit that inspire my craft.
The star of this episode is Augustus Jackson, an extraordinary figure known as "...
Our kids are waiting for us to build them a better world. Can we? This is a question I asked on July 17, 2024, following the assassination attempt on then-candidate and current President Trump. As millennial parents, we are raising kids during one unprecedented event after another. I don't know about you, but I am...
On this episode of Courtside Forever, I am thrilled to feature Anthony Franzese, a multifaceted businessman and father, who also hosts the Successful Working Parents podcast. Today, Anthony shares the journey and inspiration behind his podcast, which has resonated with many parents by addressing the complexities of juggling parenthood and professional life.
During our conversation, Anthony dives into themes common among his guests,...
Welcome to a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day episode of Courtside Forever. Today, I'm giving a speech at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event, and I wanted to bring my speech to the podcast.
This bonus episode is inspired by my personal visits to significant sites in Atlanta—Dr. King's birthplace, his home church at Ebenezer Baptist, and the King Center, which deeply moved me and connected me to the reality of his life and missio...
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