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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 Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
In Episode 3 of Courtside Forever, host Ryan Rucker dives deep into a growing crisis that impacts us all: the mental health and well-being of parents. Inspired by the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2024 advisory, Parents Under Pressure, this episode explores the immense challenges modern parents face in balancing work, caregiving, and societal expectations.
Ryan begins by sharing personal stories and statistics that highlight the staggering pressures parents endure today—pressures that are amplified by rising costs, demanding work schedules, and a lack of genuine community support. Drawing on the advisory’s findings, he dissects the link between parental stress and mental health, emphasizing how unchecked stress can ripple into every aspect of family life, from strained relationships to children’s long-term well-being.
Listeners will hear about the personal struggles Ryan faced as a working dad, including battling paternal postpartum depression and navigating unsympathetic work environments. Through these stories, Ryan underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health issues in parents—not just for their benefit but for the stability and success of future generations.
This episode doesn’t stop at identifying the problems. Ryan shares actionable solutions, both individual and societal, to improve parenting in America. From advocating for paid family leave and flexible work policies to building supportive communities, he challenges listeners to rethink how society values caregivers. Ryan also offers practical tips for parents to nurture their mental health, connect with others, and find small but meaningful ways to care for themselves.
Through empathy, humor, and honesty, Ryan reminds parents that their struggles are valid and their work is sacred. Courtside Forever champions the idea that parenting is the most important job we’ll ever have—and that supporting parents today is the key to building a better tomorrow.
Follow along on Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtsideforever
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