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Artwork for REFS NEED LOVE TOO

REFS NEED LOVE TOO

David Gerson
Youth Soccer
Fitness
Football Officiating
Youth Sports
Referees
Referee Training
Handball Rules
Refereeing
Health
Aging
Parent and Coach Behavior
Nutrition
Exercise
Soccer
Recovery
Foul Recognition
Copa America
Referee Management
Referee Respect
High School Soccer

An honest perspective from the 3rd team on the pitch... the referees. Through humor, analysis and education, we are slowly changing how people view referees and officials in all sports. We care and have a love for the game as much as any player or coach. Sometimes even more. Youth soccer (proper football) is a multi-billion $ industry in the US. Tremendous money is spent on players, competitions, ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes98Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsNewsNews CommentarySoccer

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Latest Episodes

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Ever wonder what a referee actually says to defuse tenssions—or how it feels to make a split-second call with no assistants and 22 players demanding an answer? We sit down with Eric Edge, the former semi-pro goalkeeper behind the viral c... more

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This week, we have a true full-circle moment on the show. After listening to our recent episode with Kevin Klinger on referee mindset, Regional Referee Alex Perez sent in an incredible email about how he immediately applied those less... more

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Pressure doesn’t just come from the scoreboard—it lives in your head and your chest when the crowd roars and a coach questions your integrity. We sit down with Kevin Klinger, Director of Referee Education and Development at U.S. Offic... more

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A year can include joy and pain without destroying you. In 2025, I said goodbye to my dad—the person I called on every big news story, new tech breakthrough, or small family win—and then rebuilt my life in a way he’d love to hear abou... more

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Recent Guests

Alex Perez
USSF regional referee based in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
USSF
Episode: Authority Without Anger: The Quiet Power Of A Calm Referee With Alex Perez
Kevin Klinger
Director of Referee Education and Development at US Officials, professional soccer referee, and mental health professional
US Officials
Episode: The Mental Game: Building Better Referees with Kevin Klinger
Kyle Armstrong
CEO of RefReps and serial entrepreneur
RefReps
Episode: From Shortage To Solution: Reimagining Education For Officials with Kyle Armstrong of RefReps
Danine Gonçalves
Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of The Referee Advocates, seasoned leadership coach with over 30 years in the soccer community.
The Referee Advocates
Episode: Saving Grassroots Soccer Through Referee Support with The Referee Advocates
Sam Rall
Engineer, Referee, and Disruptor, founder of Rare Bit Pro Buzzer Flags
Rare Bit Pro
Episode: From Haters To Hardware: Making Better Buzzer Flags For All Referees
Mia Clark
A talented young referee who was part of the first ever all-female high school referee crew in central Minnesota.
St. Cloud State University
Episode: A Young Ref Stands Up To Abuse And Finds Her Voice: Special Guest Mia Clark
Matthew Conger
Former FIFA World Cup referee and director of Holistic Leadership Development Consultancy
Total Referee Limited
Episode: From Georgia to the World Cup: Referee Matthew Conger Shares Lessons Learned on the Biggest Stage
Skye Eddy
Founder of Soccer Parenting and The Sideline Project, aimed at engaging parents to make youth sports better.
Soccer Parenting
Episode: Crazy Soccer Parents! The Path to Healthier Youth Sports
Dr. Ryan Martin
Leading expert on emotional wellness and anger management.
Author and Speaker
Episode: You're Not the Bad Guy: Why People Get Angry at Refs and What to Do About It

Host

David Gerson
Host and creator of content focused on improving understanding of referees in youth sports, highlighting educational initiatives and shared experiences to foster a supportive community.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 118 ratings
  • Great for Refs and Fans

    Such great listening for any fan of soccer. Obviously this is geared towards referees, but this will give everyone a wonderful insight into what really happens on the pitch.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bradley.k.white
    United States8 months ago
  • Best podcast for soccer referees

    David’s podcast and social media content is what got me to become a licensed referee back in 2022. David’s approach to refereeing was different than other referee podcasts I listen to. He approaches it with heart, humanity, and humor. His content is engaging and always enlightening. I find myself listening to episodes over and over, taking notes, and applying the information to my referee experience. Whether you are thinking about becoming a soccer referee or have years of experience, this is th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luke Witkowski
    United Statesa year ago
  • Thank you!

    Thank you for the time and effort you put into your podcast and social media channels. Awareness is one thing and parents/coaches/players could do a little more for their cause by also learning rules or becoming refs. We all think we have it figured out, however, we all are still learning everyday, because we enjoy this game. 🙂⚽️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lasherdj
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Perspective

    As a former coach, travel club president and town recreation board member, it is fantastic to understand the perspective of an official. If I was still in the role, I would engage David to speak with our coaches, players, and families prior to each new year. Enjoy the topics and the sound reasoning that come with them.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    PSC NJ/GA Fan
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love from a fellow ref

    As someone who started reffing in my mid-30s, I feel like this podcast and all of the content made by David, is so so so helpful. I love his breakdowns of plays and his advice to new referees. I have been thinking about becoming a mentor and it’s because of David that the thought crossed my mind.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KrisA_Z2014
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Best podcast for soccer referees: David's podcast and social media content is what got me to become a licensed referee back in 2022. David's approach to refereeing was different than other referee podcasts I listen to. He approaches it with heart, humanity, and humor. His content is engaging and always enlightening.
Admirably helpful podcast: Excellent job David! Your podcast is a tremendously helpful tool we can all use to get better at reffing such an amazing game. Keep up the great work!
Love from a fellow ref: As someone who started reffing in my mid-30s, I feel like this podcast is so helpful. I love his breakdowns of plays and his advice to new referees.
Great for Refs and Fans: Such great listening for any fan of soccer. Obviously this is geared towards referees, but this will give everyone a wonderful insight into what really happens on the pitch.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#112
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#167
Saudi Arabia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#206
Belgium/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From Shortage To Solution: Reimagining Education For Officials with Kyle Armstrong of RefReps
Q: What does it mean to you, helping the world see the game through the eyes of the officials?
It means teaching the X's and O's of officiating while also providing a philosophical perspective to understand the challenges officials face.
From Shortage To Solution: Reimagining Education For Officials with Kyle Armstrong of RefReps
Q: So what was the catalyst in your life that made you build a company or set up a company to address the official shortage?
Growing up in Indiana and playing basketball made him aware of the importance of referees, leading him to want to address the shortage of officials through RefReps.
A Young Ref Stands Up To Abuse And Finds Her Voice: Special Guest Mia Clark
Q: What advice would you give to a 14 year old referee dealing with dissent from coaches and parents?
Practice in your head how to handle those situations and think of what you could say to make things smoother.
Navigating the 2025-2026 Laws of the Game with Leland Grant
Q: What are the key changes in the new laws of the game?
The key changes include restrictions on who can communicate with referees, updated drop ball rules, the controversial eight-second goalkeeper control rule, and a focus on improving on-field behavior.
Crazy Soccer Parents! The Path to Healthier Youth Sports
Q: What would be one key habit or mindset shift that parents can adapt immediately to try and positively influence that sideline?
Skye suggests that parents learn the difference between supportive and distracting behaviors, with a focus on eliminating distracting behaviors to improve the overall environment on the sidelines.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About REFS NEED LOVE TOO

What is REFS NEED LOVE TOO about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides a unique glimpse into the world of sports officiating, especially focusing on soccer referees. Through engaging discussions, the host brings humor and analysis to the often-overlooked role of referees, aiming to reshape public perception and foster appreciation for these crucial figures in sports. Topics range from mental skills training and emotional wellness to developmental challenges faced by referees, particularly in youth sports. Notably, the host also emphasizes the lack of resources devoted to training referees compared to players, advocating for improved support and recognition of officials' roles within the game. This creates a platform that not only serves existing referees but also inspires potential new of... more

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Which podcasts are similar to REFS NEED LOVE TOO?

These podcasts share a similar audience with REFS NEED LOVE TOO:

1. Red or Yellow | The Refereeing Podcast
2. Morning Wire
3. Pod Save America
4. The Ben Shapiro Show
5. The Joe Rogan Experience

How many episodes of REFS NEED LOVE TOO are there?

REFS NEED LOVE TOO launched 4 years ago and published 98 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on REFS NEED LOVE TOO?

Recent guests on REFS NEED LOVE TOO include:

1. Alex Perez
2. Kevin Klinger
3. Kyle Armstrong
4. Danine Gonçalves
5. Sam Rall
6. Mia Clark
7. Matthew Conger
8. Skye Eddy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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