Courtside Forever

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 IX’s Legacy in Academia: Delve into the dramatic shift that Title IX catalyzed in the academic world, from increased female enrollment to more diverse faculty representation in colleges and universities. We'll look at how these changes have fostered a culture of equality and excellence in education that continues to evolve today.
• Protecting Students: Understand the critical role Title IX has played in protecting students from sexual harassment and assault. I discuss significant legal battles that have strengthened these protections and the ongoing efforts needed to maintain safe educational environments for all students.
• Empowering Female Athletes: Celebrate the significant victories for women’s sports post-Title IX, detailing the rise in female participation from high school to professional leagues. We'll acknowledge the heroes and milestones that have marked the journey of women in sports and the barriers they continue to break.

As a girls' basketball coach and a dad, I share personal stories and reflections on how Title IX has influenced the sports community and why it remains essential in promoting gender equity. This episode not only honors the legacy of Title IX but also emphasizes the collective responsibility we hold to support and advance the gains made for women’s education and athletics.

We’ll also discuss the potential threats to Title IX in the current political climate and what that could mean for future generations. It’s crucial that we understand the implications of any changes and how they could affect our daughters' rights and opportunities.

Thank you for joining me for another episode of Courtside Forever, where as parents, we've got the best seats in the house. Let’s celebrate these moments and continue to fight for the rights and opportunities our girls deserve, ensuring that the legacy of Title IX endures for generations to come.

www.courtsideforever.com

"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, and more fulfilling than you ever thought possible.

I’ve always been someone with passions. I love basketball, I love writing, I love creating. And when my first daughter was born, I started hearing all the warnings:

"You won’t have time for that anymore."
"Your hobbies are gonna take a backseat."
"You better get your fun in now before the baby comes."

But here I am, years later, still doing the things I love—just differently. I learned how to adapt my hobbies instead of abandoning them, how to communicate better with my wife, and how to reject the idea that being a dad means losing myself.

And that’s what we’re talking about in today’s episode of Courtside Forever.

Here’s what I’m diving into:
✔️ The "Negative Ned" mentality and why so many men think fatherhood is the end of their personal freedom
✔️ How I found ways to keep my passions alive while being an engaged, present dad
✔️ The power of communication and planning (aka, how not to be an idiot)
✔️ Why resentment happens when dads don’t carve out time for themselves—and how to avoid it
✔️ Actionable steps you can take to balance fatherhood and self-care

Fatherhood isn’t about giving up who you are—it’s about evolving into the best version of yourself. Yeah, my life looks different now. I don’t have endless free time. I don’t spend entire weekends on the couch playing 2K. But you know what? I wouldn’t trade what I have now for anything.

So if you’re a new dad, an expecting dad, or even just a guy wondering if he’ll ever get to do the things he loves again—this episode is for you.

Let’s talk about it—because as parents, we’ve got the best seats in the house - let's enjoy them.

www.courtsideforever.com

www.ryanrucker.com

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

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 Meghan has received? It’s different. It’s louder. And let’s be honest—it’s rooted in something deeper.

This episode dives into why the internet seems to hate joy, how Black women—especially Black moms—are scrutinized for simply existing in peace, and why we struggle to let people enjoy life without attaching some grander meaning to it.

We’ll talk about the viral tweet from a woman who dared to enjoy morning coffee with her husband in their garden—and the absurd backlash that followed. We’ll explore the internet’s pattern of building people up just to tear them down, from everyday folks like Daisey and Michael the Librarian to someone as high-profile as Meghan Markle. And we’ll ask the real question: Why do people love wealth and celebrity culture until the person enjoying it is a Black woman?

But most importantly, this episode is about reclaiming joy. Whether it's making ice cream, watching a cozy cooking show, or tending to an arugula garden, we all deserve simple pleasures—without the internet ruining them.

So, what’s something small and joyful in your life that you refuse to let the internet take from you? Let’s talk about it.

Why are so many young men in America falling behind? In this compelling episode of Courtside Forever, host Ryan Rucker unpacks a growing crisis that is affecting families, communities, and the future of society as a whole. Inspired by The Wall Street Journal article America’s Young Men Are Falling Even Further Behind, Ryan dives deep into the factors contributing to this trend and what we can do to change it.

Through powerful storytelling, thought-provoking insights, and eye-opening statistics, Ryan examines why the life trajectories of young men and women are diverging so sharply. From shifting gender roles to societal expectations, outdated definitions of success, and the psychological toll of isolation and low self-worth, this episode paints a nuanced picture of the struggles many young men face.

But this conversation doesn’t stop at the challenges—it’s about solutions. Ryan offers a hopeful roadmap forward, exploring how parents, educators, and communities can redefine success, foster authentic connections, and promote emotional literacy. He also emphasizes the importance of supporting mental health initiatives tailored to young men, breaking down stigmas, and creating spaces where they can thrive.

Whether you’re a parent looking to better understand your child, a mentor hoping to make an impact, or someone passionate about building a stronger, more inclusive future, this episode is for you. With honesty, empathy, and a call to action, Ryan reminds us that struggling boys often become struggling men—and that it’s never too late to help them rewrite their stories.

🎧 Join us for this episode of Courtside Forever, because, as parents, we've got the best seats in the house - let's enjoy them.

www.courtsideforever.com