North Carolina, January 27, 2025, Valerie Alston, a former Division 1 athlete, sport psychology expert, and resilience coach, is proud to announce the launch of her new podcast, Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations. Available today on all major podcast platforms, this engaging series is designed to help parents and their young athletes spark meaningful conversations during everyday car rides, transforming travel time into opportunities to build confidence, resilience, and mental toughness.
“Car rides with my dad during my youth were where we had some of our most meaningful conversations,” said Alston. “This podcast is about helping parents and kids reclaim that time to connect, grow, and build the mental and emotional skills young athletes need to thrive not just in sports but in life.”
Each episode of Car Ride Conversations tackles a key topic in youth sports and personal development, such as mental toughness, handling pressure, building confidence, and navigating challenges in athletics. Episodes run between 9 to 15 minutes, making them perfect for a drive to practice, a game, or even errands.
What makes Car Ride Conversations unique is its interactive format. Alston offers actionable insights followed by simple, open-ended questions to encourage thoughtful discussions between parents and athletes. Whether listeners pause after each question to dive into the dialogue or use the podcast as a springboard for longer conversations, the goal is to foster connection, teach important life lessons, and create a supportive environment for growth.
Why this podcast matters
In today’s fast-paced world, young athletes face immense pressure in school, sports, and social settings. Research shows that kids today struggle more with stress and mental health challenges compared to previous generations. Parents want to help but often don’t know how to start these important conversations.
“Technology and busy schedules are stealing moments of connection,” added Alston. “This podcast brings parents and athletes back to the basics, talking, learning, and growing together.”
For coaches, too
Coaches can also use Car Ride Conversations as a resource to teach mental skills to their teams. Alston provides strategies for incorporating episodes into practices, team discussions, or even parent engagement efforts. These tools help teams foster stronger relationships and a winning mindset on and off the field.
About the host
Valerie Alston is a former Division 1 softball player at the University of Minnesota and holds a master’s degree in Sport Psychology and Mental Health from Boston University. With over 15 years of experience teaching resilience and performance psychology, she has worked with athletes, parents, and soldiers to help them develop the skills needed to perform at their best under pressure.
Where to listen
Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. Visit here for more information, bonus resources, and exclusive updates.
Media contact
Valerie Alston, CMPC
Mental Performance Coach, Resilience Expert, Author, Speaker
910-227-9252
