
3K
Downloads
35
Episodes
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

Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Parenting in Unprecedented Times | Episode 12
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
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 tired, and after the past week, I'm even more tired.
This isn't a political podcast, though I am a political person, so while there is no apology coming, this is a heads up, and if you choose to listen, you'll likely find that I'm pretty measured in my feelings. I want Courtside Forever to be for all parents, but as a dad who preaches empathy, honesty, authenticity, and community, the foundation of my work is in stark contrast to the bullying behavior that's become more and more prevalent in the current administration. My philosophy is that everyone is welcome, but not everything is tolerated.
On today's podcast, I read my July 17, 2024, piece titled Parenting in Unprecedented Times. It was originally published in the A Parent Is Born publication on Medium. In it, I make my case as to why parents need to lean into being fully present for our families like never before.
The pace of current events is designed to be fast and confusing and leave the general public feeling so overwhelmed that we have nothing but apathy to give. But as I held my baby girls for the first time, I promised to do my best to build a world they could be proud of, and as long as I’ve got breath in my body, I’m going to try.
www.courtsideforever.com
Comments (0)
To leave or reply to comments, please download free Podbean or
No Comments
To leave or reply to comments,
please download free Podbean App.