Episode 049 | Buyer’s Remorse | December 2025 In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores buyer’s remorse in youth sports, a feeling that often surfaces after tryouts, team changes, and when the excitement of a new environment fades. Athletes, parents, and coaches begin questioning whether the switch they made was the right one. Dan explains why these decisions are often made under pressure and why early discomfort is frequently mistaken for a bad decision.

Reflection is not about judgment. It is about data. A look back at the year before rushing into new goals and resolutions.

Episode 048 | The B Word | December 2025 In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores the complicated and often misunderstood use of the word bully in youth sports. Are young athletes truly experiencing bullying in more situations, or have we started labeling every uncomfortable moment as something harmful? Dan breaks down the growing confusion between bullying and accountability, looking at why this happens, how it affects athlete development, and how adults can better support young performers by using more accurate and consistent language. You will learn how feedback, correction, and emotional discomfort differ from actual bullying, and why mixing the two can create real problems for athletes, parents, and coaches. The episode also highlights how neurodivergent athletes may interpret tone, structure, and pressure differently, making it even more important for adults to communicate with clarity and intention. This is a meaningful discussion about how to protect athletes who need protection while still teaching resilience, responsibility, and emotional regulation. In The Proper Atmosphere segment, Dan answers a listener’s question about a young autistic athlete who feels targeted by her coach’s corrections and needs help distinguishing feedback from harm. Topics covered: What bullying is and what it is not Why accountability often gets mistaken for harmful behavior How overusing the word bully can dilute real concerns Understanding how neurodivergent athletes interpret tone and correction How to build clear and healthy accountability in sports environments Strategies for helping athletes decode intention and develop resilience Links Mentioned: Athlete:365 Book by Dan Mickle Dr. Jen Fry Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.comFollow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 048 | The B Word | December 2025 In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores the growing confusion between bullying and accountability in youth sports. Many families struggle to tell the difference, and as a result, real concerns often get mixed with normal coaching moments. This confusion makes it harder to protect athletes who need support. It also makes it harder to teach responsibility in a healthy way.