Episode 115: Man Up Monday Podcast Episode #115- Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith

Seventy percent of kids quit sports before age 13. Despite youth sports being a $40 billion industry, the more parents spend, the less kids enjoy it. The “youth sports industrial complex” is failing to deliver on its promises, and Christian fathers in particular have a crucial role to play in changing that story.That’s why veteran sports ministers Brian Smith and Ed Usyznski wrote Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. With over 50 combined years in sports ministry, multiple theological degrees, and decades discipling athletes at every level, they are the most trusted voices speaking biblically into this issue today.Instead of treating youth sports as performance-driven pressure cookers, Away Game reframes them as opportunities for discipleship. Every practice, game, and car ride home becomes a chance to connect sports emotions, joy, disappointment, competition, teamwork, to spiritual formation.


This book equips men and fathers to:

• Lead their homes with a biblical vision for sports.
• Leverage athletics as a training ground for humility, gratitude, and resilience.
• Turn the car ride home into discipleship instead of conflict.
• Resist toxic sports culture by modeling kingdom values.

Brian and Ed are available for interviews on themes like:

• Why “sports builds character” is a myth, and how to redeem it.
• Mastering the car ride home as a father.
• Why Christian men must model “play over performance” in an achievement-driven culture.
• How to disciple kids through both winning and losing.