Courtside Forever

By: Ryan Rucker
  • Summary

  • 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.
    Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Episode 18 | With Love, Ryan
    Mar 11 2025

    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.

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    14 mins
  • Episode 17 | Jerica Williams of HER: Power Productions
    Mar 4 2025

    Basketball has always been bigger than the game, and few people embody that more than Jerica Williams. From a stellar career in high school with multiple championships to earning a full ride at UCLA, her story is already the stuff of legends. But she didn’t stop there. Last season, Jerica made history as the only active female coach in Division I Men’s College Basketball, proving once again that she’s built different.

    Beyond the court, she’s a mentor, a leader, and a powerhouse in storytelling. She’s the founder of HER: Power Productions, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of young women, and trust me—her work is next level. If you haven’t checked out her videos yet, do yourself a favor. The storytelling? Top-tier. The production quality? Insane.

    In this episode, we get into it all—her love for the game, what makes a great coach, and why positive coaching matters now more than ever. We also talk about motherhood and ambition, including the moment she walked across the stage at San Diego State with her newborn son in her arms. And of course, I had to ask about the advice she has for parents navigating their kids' athletic goals.

    Jerica’s journey is all about breaking barriers, leading with authenticity, and unlocking greatness—not just in herself, but in everyone around her. Whether you’re a parent, a coach, or just love a good hoop story, you don’t want to miss this one.

    Listen now and let’s get Courtside Forever—because as parents, we’ve got the best seats in the house - let's enjoy them.

    Visit https://www.herpower.life to learn about Jerica's work.

    https://www.courtsideforever.com

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    42 mins
  • Episode 16 | Dads, Please Keep Your Personal Pursuits
    Feb 25 2025

    "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

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    13 mins

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