• Building a program that prioritized family, voice, and belonging
• Why girls’ wrestling exploded and how leadership sustains it
• Turning down trophy talk to focus on culture
• The single‑parent stat and what support looks like
• Student leaders holding teammates and coaches to account
• The resignation, grief, and the birth of the Jones Project
• Three critical steps for teen mental health
• Social media as a lifeline for students in crisis
• 29029 endurance climbs and fundraising with “bricks”
• Community, goals, and guardrails for mental health
• Topeka’s strengths, local spots, and date‑night rituals
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This podcast has been brought to you by Choose Topeka. If you're thinking about making a move, Choose Topeka can get you up to fifteen thousand dollars to relocate. Apply now at ChooseTopeka.com
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0:00 - Opening Banter & Sponsor
0:39 - Meet Coach Damon Parker
2:58 - Early Teaching And Coaching Years
5:02 - Rebuilding Washburn Rural Wrestling
6:31 - Birth Of Girls’ Wrestling In Kansas
7:19 - Building The Largest Girls’ Team
8:18 - Choosing Girls Over Boys Program
9:11 - The Single‑Parent Statistic And Its Meaning
11:26 - Coaching For Needs And Relationships
13:34 - Culture Over Trophies
16:28 - Teaching Real Family And Conflict
19:00 - Wanting It For Them Vs. Their Choice
22:07 - Student Leadership That Holds Everyone Accountable
25:56 - Introducing The Jones Project
27:28 - Resignation, Loss, And A Wake‑Up Call
30:02 - Launching A Free School Tour On Mental Health
33:05 - Word‑Of‑Mouth Growth And Impact
35:02 - Social Media As A Safety Net
37:10 - 29029 Everest Challenge As Fundraiser
40:12 - Carrying Bricks And Washington Post Spotlight
42:20 - Habits For Mental Health: Community And Goals
44:17 - The Three Critical Steps: Not Alone, Get Help, Own The Work
48:08 - Why Ownership Matters In Recovery
50:10 - Life In Topeka: Community And Schools
53:15 - Local Favorites, Food Gaps, And Date Night
1:03:33 - Closing And Where To Find The Jones Project
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