In this episode of the You Can Play Podcast, Jonas Worth — Canada West Commissioner, soccer coach, and lifelong educator — joins us to talk about what it really means to model the values we teach. From coaching through injury to addressing harmful language on the field, Jonas shares how small choices — a word, a tone, a question — can shift a team’s entire culture.

He reflects on the difference between punishment and teaching, the courage it takes to say “I don’t know”, and the importance of vulnerability and boundaries in leadership. Whether he’s helping athletes return from injury or guiding teams through tough conversations, Jonas reminds us that great coaches aren’t invincible — they’re resilient, curious, and willing to grow right alongside their players.

This episode of the You Can Play Podcast features Juliana Jack (she/her) — a student advocate, assistant volleyball coach, and founder of McMaster University’s LGBTQ2SA+ Athletic Advocacy Group (LAAG). Juliana joins us to talk about accountability in coaching, and how reframing discipline as an opportunity to teach, not punish, can help young athletes grow in confidence and character. Drawing from her experience coaching girls aged 15–17, Juliana shares insights on creating team cultures rooted in empathy, empowerment, and respect, where every athlete feels seen and supported — on and off the court.

In this episode, Ren sits down with members of Denver Lipstick Lovers, a queer recreational soccer league, to talk about how community, care, and sport intersect. Together with the You Can Play Project, they explore what it means to build teams rooted in trust, belonging, and laughter — on and off the field.

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