From A to Zebra Podcast S1:E8 Letter H - Human guest Brenda Hilton

Summary: In this conversation, Brenda Hilton, CEO and Founder of Officially Human, discusses the recent developments in the sports officiating landscape and the growth of her organization, Officially Human. She emphasizes the importance of humanizing officials and restoring respect for them in the sports community. The discussion also covers the Elevate Respect program aimed at educating fans and coaches about the challenges officials face, and the success markers for the humanization of officials. Brenda shares insights on youth engagement and the future plans for her organization. We discuss the importance of humanizing sports officials and the cultural shift needed to improve the treatment of officials in sports. The dialogue covers various aspects, including engaging youth, addressing negative behaviors, the significance of mentorship, and the need for a supportive environment for officials. The speakers emphasize the importance of appreciation and respect for officials, the challenges they face, and the exciting initiatives being undertaken to promote a positive narrative around officiating.Officially HumanElevate RespectChapters00:00 Welcome Back and Introductions02:56 The Birth of Officially Human04:48 The Mission of Officially Human08:55 Humanizing Officials in Sports10:10 Elevate Respect Program13:36 Success Markers for Humanization14:39 Youth Engagement and Future Plans17:34 Humanizing Sports Officials: A Cultural Shift02:57 Engaging Youth: The Foundation of Change20:23 Addressing the Vicious Cycle of Behavior23:14 Overcoming Persistent Pain Points for Officials26:25The Importance of Mentorship and Training29:21 Creating a Supportive Environment for Officials33:00 The Human Element of Officiating35:09 The Need for Positive Narratives37:45 Encouraging Respect and Appreciation for Officials41:00 The Exciting Future of Officially Human43:47 Final Thoughts: The Experience of Sports51:03 Outro-Call to Action