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Recent episodes
Before You Pick a Major, Try This First - with Shellee Howard
Jun 22, 2026
Unknown duration
The College Question Most Families Forget to Ask With Shellee Howard
Jun 15, 2026
Unknown duration
What Young Athletes Can Learn From the Playoffs: Thriving Under Pressure
Jun 8, 2026
14m 46s
How to Stay Motivated All Summer: A Guide for Young Athletes
Jun 1, 2026
24m 45s
Memorial Day Lessons: Courage, Resilience, and Gratitude from America's Heroes
May 25, 2026
19m 41s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/22/26 |  Before You Pick a Major, Try This First - with Shellee Howard | How to Pick a College Major & School: Try, Test, and Build a Real Plan Host Valerie Alston continues her conversation with college-planning expert Shelly Howard about helping students move from a future vision to choosing a major and school. They emphasize building confidence by trying real experiences, shadowing jobs, volunteering, and leadership roles, to discover both what students like and what they don’t, while also gathering stories for applications. They discuss balancing passion with practicality, including return on investment and realistic expectations for careers like professional sports or influencing. Howard outlines key admissions factors: rigorous GPA, aligned test scores, meaningful service, extracurricular depth, leadership, recommendations, and a strong essay, and explains how her “College Ready” village reduces stress by providing a roadmap and support for both students and parents. They close with conversation prompts on who leads the process and what type of college environment fits best.00:00 Pressure to Decide00:21 Meet the Hosts01:22 Vision to Next Steps03:19 Try It to Know It06:46 Athletes and Reality Checks09:26 Passion Versus Paycheck11:17 Choosing a College11:40 What Schools Look For15:13 Beating the Overwhelm20:51 Car Ride Questions21:35 Who Leads the Process23:42 Assessments and Neutral Help25:55 Campus Fit and Tours27:35 Wrap Up and Next Week You can reach Shelley and College Ready Plan on social media here:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward/Facebook:Shellee Maree Howard 5.3K followerswww.facebook.com/shellee.howard1College Ready Page 4.8k followerswww.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan/Youtube: @collegereadyplanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_WodPHDfSWEbiPdsRDbyQTikTok: collegereadyplanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@collegereadyplan?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcGoogle: College ReadyTwitter: https://x.com/GoCollegeReadyDiscussion questions: What's something you've always been curious about but haven't tried yet? What would it take to explore it?Think about an experience you've had recently. What did it teach you about what you enjoy or don't enjoy?If you could shadow anyone's job or spend a day learning from someone, who would it be and why?What's one skill (leadership, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, etc.) you want to develop this year, and how could sports help you build it?Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletterFor more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyIf you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.comFollow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V | — | ||||||
| 6/15/26 |  The College Question Most Families Forget to Ask With Shellee Howard | Stop Asking “Where Do You Wanna Go?” | Starting the College Conversation the Right Way (with Shelly Howard)Host Valerie Alston welcomes college funding and admissions consultant Shelly Howard, founder of College Ready, to discuss why families should not start the college process by picking a school. Howard explains her approach begins with helping students gain clarity about who they are, what excites them, and their priorities - academic, social, athletic, and financial - before building a balanced list of reach, target, and safe schools and setting realistic expectations about rejection. She emphasizes starting early, normalizing “fail forward,” and using community service and campus visits to help students test interests and build motivation. The episode offers practical family conversation prompts, including asking what excites the student about their future, whether they see themselves going to college, and listening beyond job labels to the deeper goals behind them.00:00 Start With Who You Are00:53 Meet College Consultant Shelly01:28 Her Origin Story02:45 Clarity Before College Lists04:15 Athletes Priorities And Fit06:17 Undecided And Fear Of Failure06:52 Serve To Discover Yourself10:34 Start Early And Adaptable Careers12:20 Organic Chem Reality Check14:08 Family Alignment First17:11 Conversation Prompts For Parents18:09 Front Seat Future Vision20:52 Do You Even Want College21:25 Botanist Story Listen Deeper24:20 Campus Visits Spark Ownership26:32 Wrap Up And Next Episode You can reach Shelley on social media here:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward/Facebook:Shellee Maree Howard 5.3K followerswww.facebook.com/shellee.howard1College Ready Page 4.8k followerswww.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan/Youtube: @collegereadyplanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_WodPHDfSWEbiPdsRDbyQTikTok: collegereadyplanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@collegereadyplan?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcGoogle: College ReadyTwitter: https://x.com/GoCollegeReadyThanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletterFor more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyIf you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.comFollow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V | — | ||||||
| 6/8/26 |  What Young Athletes Can Learn From the Playoffs: Thriving Under Pressure✨ | young athletesplayoffs+4 | — | — | — | young athletesplayoffs+6 | — | 14m 46s | |
| 6/1/26 |  How to Stay Motivated All Summer: A Guide for Young Athletes✨ | motivationtraining+5 | — | — | — | motivationtraining+8 | — | 24m 45s | |
| 5/25/26 |  Memorial Day Lessons: Courage, Resilience, and Gratitude from America's Heroes✨ | resiliencegratitude+4 | — | Army | — | Memorial Dayresilience+5 | — | 19m 41s | |
| 5/18/26 |  Building Confidence in Uncertain Situations: Helping Young Athletes Trust Themselves When Things Feel New✨ | confidence buildingyoung athletes+4 | — | dental association | — | confidenceyoung athletes+5 | — | 13m 58s | |
| 5/11/26 |  Building Focus in a Distracted World: How Young Athletes Can Stay Locked In✨ | focusmindfulness+3 | — | Toughness TrainerPeak Mind | — | focusmindfulness+6 | — | 20m 05s | |
| 5/4/26 |  5 Youth Sports Lessons from This Week: Steph Curry, the Kentucky Derby, Leadership & Mental Toughness✨ | youth sportsconfidence+3 | — | — | — | youth sportsconfidence+3 | — | 21m 50s | |
| 4/27/26 |  What to Do When Your Coach Is Hard on You: Helping Young Athletes Handle Tough Feedback✨ | young athletescoaching feedback+3 | — | U.S. youth coaches | — | tough coachingfeedback+3 | — | 24m 41s | |
| 4/20/26 |  You Are More Than Your Sport: Why Identity Matters for Young Athletes✨ | identitymental health+4 | — | — | — | identityyoung athletes+5 | — | 19m 25s | |
Want analysis for the episodes below?Free for Pro Submit a request, we'll have your selected episodes analyzed within an hour. Free, at no cost to you, for Pro users. | |||||||||
| 4/13/26 |  When You Don’t Fit In on Your Team: Helping Young Athletes Build Confidence and Connection✨ | youth sportsteam dynamics+3 | — | — | — | youth athletesteam connection+3 | — | 17m 41s | |
| 4/6/26 |  Who Are You as an Athlete? Building Character When Things Don’t Feel Fair✨ | athlete charactercore values+3 | — | — | — | athletecore values+3 | — | 20m 48s | |
| 3/30/26 |  What Travel Sports Can Teach Your Athlete Beyond the Game✨ | travel sportsmental toughness+4 | — | — | Italy | travel sportsmental toughness+5 | — | 18m 53s | |
| 3/23/26 |  The Parent “Hype vs. Help” Balance✨ | sports parentingemotional support+3 | — | — | — | hype vs helpsports parents+3 | — | 27m 01s | |
| 3/16/26 |  Beating the Comparison Trap in Youth Sports✨ | youth sportscomparison trap+4 | — | Beating the Comparison Trap in Youth SportsEarly Specialization vs Late Bloomers | — | youth sportscomparison trap+5 | — | 20m 19s | |
| 3/9/26 |  Post Game Car Rides Do’s and Don’ts✨ | post-game discussionsyouth sports+4 | — | — | — | post-game talksyouth athletes+6 | — | 20m 48s | |
| 3/2/26 |  Early Specialization vs Late Bloomers✨ | youth sportsathlete development+5 | — | — | Sweden | youth sportslate bloomers+5 | — | 18m 12s | |
| 2/23/26 |  Joy vs. Pressure: What Olympic Free Skates Teach Us About Mindset✨ | mindsetperformance+4 | — | — | — | mindsetOlympics+6 | — | 18m 56s | |
| 2/16/26 |  Pressure Isn’t the Problem, Interpretation Is | Thriving Under Pressure: Lessons from Olympic AthletesIn this episode of Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families, host Valerie Alston explores how athletes manage pressure during the Winter Olympics. She discusses why pressure itself isn't the enemy and how interpreting it differently can determine success. Valerie offers insights on mental toughness, resilience, and confidence, with specific examples from Olympic athletes. She provides conversation prompts for parents and young athletes to discuss how to handle high-pressure situations effectively. Tune in for advice on harnessing nerves and focusing on performance rather than outcomes.00:00 Introduction to Pressure in Sports01:03 The Winter Olympics: A Case Study01:28 Understanding Athlete Reactions to Pressure03:02 Mental Strategies for Handling Pressure06:41 Youth Sports: Applying Olympic Lessons11:21 Conversation Prompts for Families15:28 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsDiscussion questions: When do you feel pressure most in your sport—and what do you usually tell yourself in those moments?How can feeling nervous actually mean you’re prepared and invested?What’s one phrase you could use to turn pressure into focus?As a parent/coach, how do we talk about pressure without making it heavier?Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletterFor more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyIf you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.comFollow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V | — | ||||||
| 2/9/26 |  Confident, Calm, Clutch: Inside the Mindset of a 50-Year Coaching Veteran | Building Confident, Calm, and Clutch Athletes with Coach Jack Smithlin In this episode of 'Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families,' host Valerie Alston offers a preview of her new podcast 'The Clutch Academy.' This clip features Jack Smithlin, a coach with over 50 years of experience and an unbeaten record, discussing what it means for athletes to be confident, calm, and clutch. He shares insights on building mental performance, grit, and redefining success to foster resilience and love for the game. Whether you're a parent or a coach, learn valuable strategies to help athletes perform under pressure. Don't miss out on more tips and updates on 'The Clutch Academy' by subscribing to the newsletter!00:00 Introduction to Clutch Performance01:48 Meet Coach Jack Smithlin02:25 Defining Confidence, Calm, and Clutch03:14 Building Confidence Through Practice04:32 The Importance of Mental Performance09:19 Strategies for Coaches14:24 The Mind-Body Connection17:41 Car Ride Conversations20:07 Closing Remarks and Newsletter Sign-UpDiscussion questions: What helps you feel confident going into a game or tryout? Parents: What did confidence look like for you when you were younger?Why do you think being calm helps you play better? What could we do before games or at home to help each other stay calm and focused?Can you remember a time you were “clutch” you stepped up under pressure? What helped you rise to that moment? How can you build that mindset for next time?What do you think matters more to a coach: results or effort? Why? How does that change how you see your role as a teammate or a player?🎧 Sneak Peek: The Clutch Academy Podcast (Launching 2026!)In the new year, I’m launching a new podcast called The Clutch Academy where I’ll interview coaches across sports and levels to unpack this core question:How do great coaches build athletes who are confident, calm, clutch and full of character?We’ll dive into:- What they say at practice, after games, and in tough moments- How they develop leadership and mental resilience- The strategies they use to help athletes succeed on and off the fieldIf you’re a coach with something to share or know someone who should be on the mic I’d love to hear from you.👉 Click here to apply to be a guest on The Clutch Academy https://valstoncoaching.typeform.com/clutchacademy Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletterFor more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyIf you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.comFollow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V | — | ||||||
| 2/2/26 |  What a Snow Day Can Teach Athletes About Adaptability, Effort, and Resilience | Embracing Adaptability: Lessons from a Snow DayThis week on Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families, host Valerie Alston shares a personal story about dealing with unexpected snowfall in the South and its parallels to sports challenges. Valerie discusses adaptability, problem-solving, and maintaining humor under pressure. She relates her snow day experience to athletes needing to adjust to adverse conditions and unplanned situations. Listen in for meaningful dialogue about resilience, mental toughness, and confidence-building while exploring engaging conversation starters for parents and young athletes. This episode is perfect for families looking to build stronger relationships and lifelong skills, one car ride at a time.00:00 Snow Day Struggles and Lessons00:42 Welcome to Car Ride Conversations01:15 Creative Snow Shoveling Solutions03:25 Adapting in Sports and Life06:33 Humor and Perspective in Problem Solving11:19 Interactive Car Ride Questions15:15 Conclusion and Call to ActionDiscussion questions: Have you ever had to figure something out on the fly in your sport when things didn’t go as planned? When conditions aren’t ideal — weather, refs, equipment, teammates — what helps you stay focused instead of frustrated?”What’s something that felt harder than expected at first, but got easier once you adjusted? How important do you think it is for athletes to be able to laugh at mistakes or awkward moments?”Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletterFor more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyIf you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.comFollow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V | — | ||||||
| 1/26/26 |  Help Youth Athletes Build Better Habits - Make It Satisfying | Building Lasting Habits: Rewarding Effort and Tracking Progress In this episode of 'Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families,' host Valerie Alston discusses the importance of making good habits satisfying to ensure they stick, especially for young athletes. Valerie explores the principles behind behavior change, as detailed in James Clear's book 'Atomic Habits,' emphasizing the Fourth Law of Behavior Change: make good habits satisfying and bad habits unsatisfying. She provides actionable strategies for parents and coaches to help young athletes pair behaviors with rewarding outcomes, track progress, and create immediate satisfaction to foster long-term behavior change. Valerie also shares practical tips for using habit trackers and gamification to maintain motivation and consistency. Don't miss out on valuable insights into building stronger relationships, promoting mental toughness, resilience, and confidence in young athletes.00:00 Introduction to Building Lasting Habits00:15 Welcome to Car Ride Conversations00:50 The Science Behind Behavior Change01:17 Law 4: Making Good Habits Satisfying04:09 Creating Instant Rewards10:35 Tracking Progress and Building Streaks13:06 Handling Setbacks and Maintaining Momentum16:35 Engaging Family Conversations20:10 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsAtomic Habits link: https://amzn.to/49rZNP4 Discussion questions: When you finish a habit you’re trying to build, what kind of reward actually motivates you — something fun, something relaxing, or seeing your progress?Which habits feel hardest to stick with, and what kind of reward would make showing up feel worth it?” How could we reward effort and consistency, not just performance or results?”Would tracking your habits or building a streak motivate you more than a physical reward? Why?Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletterFor more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyIf you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.comFollow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V | — | ||||||
| 1/19/26 |  Build Better Habits for Youth Athlete- Make It Easy | Making Habits Stick: Simple Strategies for Athletes and ParentsIn this episode of Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families, host Valerie Alston explores how to make big goals attainable by shrinking habits to ensure they stick. Drawing inspiration from 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear, Valerie discusses the importance of making good habits easy to start and emphasizes the value of consistency over perfection. She offers actionable advice on breaking down daunting tasks into manageable steps, piggybacking new habits on existing ones, and making bad habits harder to start. Ideal for parents and young athletes, this podcast aims to foster mental toughness, resilience, and confidence through practical, everyday conversations.00:00 Introduction to Effective Habits00:49 Understanding the Third Law of Behavior Change01:42 Making Habits Easy to Start04:04 Practical Examples for Athletes and Students05:34 Attaching New Habits to Existing Routines06:33 Eliminating Bad Habits08:10 Building Mental Toughness and Discipline10:49 Conversation Prompts and Challenges15:19 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionAtomic Habits link: https://amzn.to/49rZNP4 Discussion questions: What habit feels hardest to start right now?How could we shrink that habit so it feels easier to begin?What daily routine could we attach that habit to?What’s one distraction we could make harder to access during school or practice prep?Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletterFor more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyIf you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.comFollow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V | — | ||||||
| 1/12/26 |  Build Better Habits: Law 2 - Make it Attractive | Mastering Habits: Law 2 - Make it attractiveJoin host Valerie Alston on this episode of Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families as she dives into the science of habit formation and motivation. Learn how to connect habits to purpose, enjoyment, and identity, and discover practical tips from James Clear's book, 'Atomic Habits.' Valerie discusses the dopamine feedback loop, temptation bundling, and surrounding yourself with the right influences to build effective habits. Ideal for parents and young athletes aiming to improve mental toughness, resilience, and confidence, this conversation will help you build stronger relationships and lifelong skills. Tune in for actionable advice on making habits stick and avoiding negative behaviors. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions!00:00 Introduction to Motivation and Habits00:20 Podcast Introduction and Host Welcome01:07 Understanding the Second Law of Behavior Change01:52 The Dopamine Feedback Loop02:44 Temptation Bundling Explained04:03 Practical Examples of Temptation Bundling06:22 Combining Temptation Bundling with Habit Stacking07:27 The Role of Belonging in Habit Formation09:35 Surrounding Yourself with the Right People12:48 Reframing Negative Habits14:41 Interactive Questions for Listeners18:44 Conclusion and Call to ActionAtomic Habits link: https://amzn.to/49rZNP4Discussion questions: What’s something you want to do every day — and something you need to do — and how could we pair them together?Who are 2-3 people you’re around often who have habits you admire — and how do those habits influence you?(Friends, teammates, older players, etc.)When you hear someone say “I have to go work out” vs. “It’s time to get stronger and faster,” how do those feel different?What’s one habit you could make more attractive this week — and what would help make it feel more fun, social, or rewarding? (Could be schoolwork, workouts, even sleep routines)Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletterFor more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyIf you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.comFollow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V | — | ||||||
| 1/5/26 |  Build better habits - Law 1: Make it Obvious | Kickstart Your Year: Build better habits - Make it ObviousIn this episode of Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families, host Valerie Alston discusses the importance of habit formation over motivation for achieving long-term goals. She dives into the science of habit formation and shares practical tips on building effective habits for athletes and their families. Valerie highlights the significance of making good habits obvious and bad habits invisible. She provides actionable strategies, inspired by James Clear's 'Atomic Habits,' for creating an environment conducive to achieving goals. Valerie also prompts listeners to engage in meaningful family conversations about identifying and implementing new habits. Join the conversation for insights on building mental toughness, resilience, and confidence while fostering stronger family relationships. Don't forget to share this episode and subscribe to Valerie's newsletter for more tips.00:00 Introduction to Motivation and Habits00:52 Welcome to Car Ride Conversations01:26 Kicking Off January with Better Habits03:19 Understanding Habit Formation06:13 The Habit Loop Explained09:11 Making Good Habits Obvious10:56 Eliminating Bad Habits12:17 Aligning Habits with Identity14:11 Practical Tips for Building Habits16:15 Family Discussion Questions19:58 Conclusion and Next StepsAtomic Habits link: https://amzn.to/49rZNP4Discussion questions: What’s one habit you do automatically without thinking?What’s a good habit we could make more obvious this week?What’s one distraction we could make less visible?Where could we place reminders to help you succeed?Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletterFor more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyIf you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.comFollow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V | — | ||||||
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How proven this show is for host-read sponsorships.
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