The Goal of the Game: Harvey Araton on Youth Sports, Pressure & Purpose

In today’s episode of The Running Wine Mom, Samantha sits down with legendary New York Times sports columnist and bestselling author Harvey Araton to celebrate the release of his new middle-grade novel, The Goal of the Game. Together, they explore youth sports culture, burnout, identity, pressure, and the pure joy behind why kids—and adults—play.

Harvey shares personal stories from his decades covering the Olympics, Wimbledon, the NBA, and iconic athletes like Michael Jordan, while also reflecting on his own playing days, parenting, and how writing for middle-grade readers reshaped his creative process.

If you’re raising a young athlete, navigating the youth sports world, or remembering why you fell in love with a game—this episode will hit home.

What We Cover

• Why Harvey shifted from journalism to middle-grade fiction
• The real purpose of youth sports (and how far culture has drifted)
• Overtraining, pressure, and the staggering dropout rate in youth sports
• How elite athletes shaped his understanding of talent and identity
• The moment Harvey shared live, on deadline, with his son during Michael Jordan’s final championship
• How adults can reclaim “play” in everyday life
• What he hopes kids (and parents) take from The Goal of the Game

This Week’s Sponsor: El Tule Restaurant — Lambertville, NJ
Authentic Peruvian + Mexican cuisine with the best margaritas in Bucks County. Perfect for date night, girls night, or a post-sports-practice treat.
👉 https://eltulerestaurant.com/

Harvey’s New Book

📘 The Goal of the Game (Middle Grade Novel)
A story about soccer, friendship, pressure, and finding joy again.
👉 https://a.co/d/2hDk8zc

Where to Find Harvey Araton: harveyaraton.com

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, coach, or young athlete who might need the reminder: Play for the love of the game.
Follow Samantha on Instagram: @therunningwinemom_