Claim OwnershipYouth Inc. with Greg Olsen
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Youth sports in America are at a crossroads — and Greg Olsen is here to lead the conversation forward. As a former NFL All-Pro tight end, youth coach, and father of three, Greg brings unmatched passion and perspective to Youth Inc, the podcast redefining how we think about sports, parenting, and the next generation of athletes.
Each week, Greg sits down with top athletes, coaches, scientists, entertainers, and everyday sports parents to explore what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s next in youth sports. From mental health to coaching culture, specialization to equity, no topic is off-limi
Each week, Greg sits down with top athletes, coaches, scientists, entertainers, and everyday sports parents to explore what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s next in youth sports. From mental health to coaching culture, specialization to equity, no topic is off-limi
86 Episodes
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Bestselling author David Epstein joins Greg Olsen to discuss the science behind what actually drives long-term athletic development in young people. Drawing from his books The Sports Gene and Range — and previewing his upcoming release Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better — Epstein breaks down why trainability matters more than raw talent, how early specialization undermines the athletes it's meant to help, and the coaching methodology being adopted by Victor Wembanyama, Shohei Ohtani, and elite programs around the world. Greg and David also explore the research on reflective practice, why Norway's youth development model outperforms ours, and a phone study that should change how every parent thinks about homework time. Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
Best-selling author Michael Lewis (Moneyball, The Blind Side, Going Infinite) joins Greg Olsen to talk about the youth sports industry — how it got so expensive, why parents keep spending, and what his own family's journey through travel softball taught him about the system. From coaching his daughters in Berkeley to watching the business side explode, Lewis breaks down what's really driving the youth sports machine.Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
Panthers legend Greg Olsen sits down with franchise QB Bryce Young for a conversation Carolina fans have been waiting for. Bryce opens up about everything — being told he was too small his entire life, what Nick Saban was really like behind closed doors at Alabama, getting benched in the NFL for the first time ever, and the mindset shift that fueled one of the best comeback stories in the league. Two Panthers icons, one incredible conversation.Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
Digital host Shelby Bumgarner takes you behind the scenes of Youth Inc.'s trip to Super Bowl Radio Row, where we sat down with some of the biggest names in sports to get their perspective on youth athletics today. From Cam Newton's insights on developing young quarterbacks to Kyle Juszczyk's advice for young athletes, Kerri Walsh Jennings on building championship mindsets in youth volleyball, and more—hear what these elite athletes really think about the state of youth sportsSign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
What's really going on inside you when you're watching your kid play?In this episode, guest host Jonathan Carone of Healthy Sports Parents sits down with Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, a Boston based sports psychologist, to unpack why youth sports bring out emotions we didn't know we had. From sideline insecurities to the comparison trap to losing our identity in our kid's performance, Dr. Jenkins breaks down the psychology behind it all.For more from Jonathan, visit https://healthysportsparents.com/Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey joins Greg Olsen for a powerful conversation about what really matters in youth sports. Champ opens up about his work with Positive Athlete—a national organization rewarding high school athletes for character, leadership, and community impact rather than stats and scholarships.Greg and Champ dive deep into brotherhood dynamics, the importance of being a great teammate over chasing individual glory, and why the transferable skills from sports—perseverance, leadership, character—are what truly prepare young athletes for life after the game ends.Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky joins Greg for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the realities of raising young athletes. With four kids playing multiple sports, Dan opens up about the daily grind of travel basketball weekends, the challenge of parenting children with vastly different competitive drives, and why he refuses to apologize for pushing his kids hard.Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
NFL and college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit joins Greg Olsen on Youth Inc. to break down the College Football Playoff National Championship between Miami and Indiana, share the incredible turnaround story of Mario Cristobal's Hurricanes, and get real about what's broken in youth sports today.Kirk opens up about raising four sons in the travel sports era, the "Earl Woods syndrome" that's burned out a generation of young athletes, and why early specialization creates better 12-year-olds but worse 25-year-olds. He shares hard-earned lessons about being "that dad" on the sidelines, navigating the transfer portal as a parent, and why education should always trump NFL dreams.From the recruiting landscape that's changed everything to development vs. winning at all costs, Kirk provides perspective every parent needs to hear. Plus: his take on Monday night's national championship and why both Miami and Indiana represent what's possible when culture and development come first.
1Greg Olsen sits down with Shane Battier and Alex Smith for a wide-ranging conversation on what it really takes to coach and support young athletes.Together, they dig into the realities of coaching your own kids, setting high standards without losing perspective, and why fundamentals, accountability, and communication matter more than wins or stats. Shane and Alex share lessons from elite locker rooms and youth sidelines alike, discussing how confidence is built, how team culture is formed, and why winning is often the byproduct of doing the small things right.Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletter
Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy join Greg for a conversation that hits at the heart of modern parenting. In a world where kids are constantly being watched, tracked, and evaluated, Abby makes the case for something simple but powerful: kids need space. Space to play, to fail, to problem-solve, and to figure out who they are without always feeling eyes on them. They talk about why unsupervised play still matters, how too much oversight can quietly hold kids back, and what it really takes to raise confident, independent young people today.
Greg welcomes Coach RAC and Coach Ballgame for a conversation that gets to the core of what youth baseball should be. The group reflects on the Savannah Bananas’ stop in Charlotte, the joy and energy they bring to the field, and the inspiration behind Crashin’ Practice, Youth Inc.’s new series that surprises local teams with meaningful, high-impact coaching sessions.To learn more or enter, visit https://www.youth.inc/crashin-practiceSign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
Greg sits down with the Holderness family for an honest, funny, and practical conversation about raising kids in today’s youth sports world. They dig into coaching philosophies, the value of supportive adults outside the home, and what kids actually need from parents on the sidelines and at home. The group also talks about navigating academic pressure, the differences in coaching boys vs. girls, and finding the right balance between ambition, family life, and letting kids simply enjoy the game. A warm, thoughtful episode for any parent, coach, or family in youth sports.Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
This episode is brought to you in partnership with RCX Sports. To learn more, visit https://www.youth.inc/rcxsportsGreg Olsen sits down with author and youth sports expert John O’Sullivan to talk about what it really means to raise the standard in youth sports. From keeping joy at the center, to teaching kids how to truly compete, to finding the balance between development and winning, this conversation is all about building environments where young athletes can thrive.Greg and John break down multi-sport participation, the rise of year-round specialization, how great coaches communicate expectations, and why practice reps matter just as much as game results. Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
Greg sits down with actor Jerry Ferraraurage) and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, co-hosts ofThrowbacks for an honest, nostalgic conversation about sports, competition, and growing up. The trio dives into lessons from parenting and coaching, and how adversity shapes character both on and off the field, and more. From keeping the passion alive to finding balance in today’s youth sports culture, this episode is a reminder of why we all fell in love with the game in the first place.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with RCX Sports. To learn more, visit https://www.youth.inc/rcxsportsGreg sits down with Super Bowl champion and father of two, Chris Long, for an authentic conversation about parenting, purpose, and the values learned through sports. Together, they reflect on growing up in athletic families, the pressures facing young athletes today, and how parents can strike the right balance between discipline and fun. Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://www.youth.inc/
Greg sits down with three-time All-Star and AL MVP Mo Vaughn to talk about what it really takes to help kids succeed in baseball. They discuss early specialization, the importance of playing multiple sports, and how coaches can create a positive and consistent environment for young athletes. Mo shares his approach to building confidence, developing skills the right way, and focusing on long-term growth instead of short-term wins.
Greg talks with Tennessee Baseball coach Tony Vitello about his coaching philosophy, building team culture, and navigating the modern college baseball world of transfer portals and recruiting. The conversation shifts to youth baseball and the problems Tony sees with how young players are being developed today. He talks about the pressure kids face, the lost art of proper sequencing in development, and what parents should look for in coaches.
In this episode of Youth Inc., Greg sits down with James Clear, bestselling author of Atomic Habits, to talk about how parents and coaches can help young athletes develop the right habits—on and off the field. They discuss the power of identity-based habits, how to create systems that support growth, and why the small things done consistently matter more than big moments. James also shares practical strategies to help kids stay motivated, build confidence, and create lasting change without burning out.
Greg sits down with former MLB All-Star and current MLB broadcaster Jeff Francoeur to discuss what it really takes to develop elite athletes. As the founder of PureAthlete, Jeff shares his philosophy on youth sports development, emphasizing the importance of mental fitness alongside physical training.Jeff opens up about the pressures young athletes face today, how to build resilience and confidence, and why a holistic approach to development matters more than early specialization. Drawing from his 12-year MLB career and work with youth athletes, he offers practical insights for parents, coaches, and athletes looking to maximize their potential.The pair also talk the MLB playoffs, what it takes to get all the way to the Fall Classic, and more.
Greg Olsen sits down with Adrian Wojnarowski — better known as “Woj”, former ESPN insider — to talk about his surprising new role as the General Manager of St. Bonaventure basketball.They dive into what it’s like running a college program, how the transition from breaking NBA news to building a roster has challenged him, and the lessons he took from years of watching the league’s top players up close. Woj also shares stories from his insider days and how they shape the way he approaches leadership now.
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