We covered everything this week on Higher Valleys — from flag football to fallout shelters.

In this episode, Spencer & Jelani unpack what it means to raise confident, self-led kids while navigating the pressures of youth sports, legacy, and a world that feels more chaotic by the day.

From first football practices and childhood goggles to NIL deals, $8 million transfer offers, and the realities of a world on the brink of global conflict — it’s all on the table.

In This Episode:

• The hilarious reality of seeing your kid’s first football practice
• Spencer’s legendary sports goggles & Jelani’s neck roll confession
• Should we coach our own kids? The push-pull of being Dad vs. Coach
• The case for not playing tackle football until high school
• How karate & backyard wrestling shaped our athletic foundation
• Breaking down the $8 million NIL story out of South Carolina
• The hard truth about modern college sports & capitalism
• Preparing our kids for confidence—not just success
• When the world feels like it’s on fire: war, politics, and being present
• Why community & curiosity matter more than ever

Quotables:

“We don’t own our kids. Our job is to guide them.”

– Jelani

“It’s not mental errors… it’s mental elasticity.”

– Spencer

“You can teach key skills without ramming your child’s head into another child’s head.”

– Jelani

Join the Conversation:

We want your take. Your stories. Your laughter. Your disagreements.

Send us a voice message at speakpipe.com/highervalleys and your message might show up in a future episode. Whether it’s your youth sports hot takes, dad wins, or how you’re preparing for a wild world — let’s talk about it.

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