Best Youthsports Podcasts (2025)

1
#454 Dr. Sue Schimmel and Maureen Breeze, Authors of Playing the Long Game, on Tools for Parenting Elite and College Athletes 1:15:18

16h ago1:15:18

1:15:18

This week we step away from youth sports and talk about how parents can best support truly elite level, college, and professional level athletes on their journey in sports with Dr Sue Schimmel and Maureen Breeze, authors of the new book Playing the Long Game: A Handbook for Parenting Elite and College Athletes. We discuss conversation strategies, u…

1
$453 Jenny Levy, 4x NCAA Champion Coach of UNC Women's Lacrosse on Demanding Failure in Practice, Building Stronger Relationships Through Casual Conversations, and Being a Lifelong Learner 1:12:08

12d ago1:12:08

1:12:08

"Mediocrity works fine until it meets passion" says a favorite sign on the wall of this week's guest, on for the third time, Jenny Levy. Everytime she joins us we are blown away by what she shares. This week is no exception. Jenny is a 4x NCAA champion coach for the University of North Carolina Women's lacrosse program, including winning the 2025 c…

1
#452 Betsy Butterick, Author of Kids These Days: "You need to reach them before you teach them!" 1:15:38

15d ago1:15:38

1:15:38

Betsy Butterick (@betsy_thecoachescoach) is affectionately known as "The Coaches' Coach"and uses the transformative power of communication to help build high-performing teams. As a former collegiate basketball coach, Betsy understands that "chemistry" is more than a buzzword – it is the result of genuine connection, and at its core lies effective c…

1
#351 Dr Neeru Jayanthi on Early Sport Specialization, the Importance of Multi-movement Experiences for Kids, and How Parents Can Navigate the Complex Youth Sports World (replay) 57:54

26d ago57:54

57:54

Dr Neeru Jayanthi is one of the leading experts on youth sports health, injuries, and sports training patterns, as well as an international leader in tennis medicine. He is currently leads the Emory University Tennis Medicine Program and is the President of the International Society for Tennis Medicine and Science (STMS) and a certified USPTA teach…

1
#450 Becky Burleigh, NCAA Champion Soccer Coach and Co-Founder of What Drives Winning (replay) 1:22:43

27d ago1:22:43

1:22:43

Becky Burleigh began her college soccer coaching career at the ripe old age of 21, coaching Berry College to two NAIA National Championships before moving onto the University of Florida. In her nearly three decades at Florida, she won the 1998 NCAA Championship, a combined 26 SEC regular season and tournament championships, and over 500 games. Upon…

1
#449 Emma Doyle, Host of The Coaching Podcast, on the Qualities of Great Coaches and Empowering Female Athletes 1:04:39

1M ago1:04:39

1:04:39

Emma Doyle is a dynamic Energy Coach, speaker, and author who helps leaders and athletes unleash their potential through the power of coaching. With a background as a former D1 US college tennis player and world team coach for Australia on 20 occasions, Emma brings a champion mindset and real-world insights to both sports and business. She's a Prof…

1
# 448 Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu from Wisest Learners: Don't Let Your Passion Become your Child's Burden 1:18:48

1M ago1:18:48

1:18:48

Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu are the authors of Guiding Your Child's Athletic Journey, and are longtime basketball athletes and coaches. Alex Compton is a businessman, coach, speaker, husband, and father. He has a BS in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University.Alex coached professional basketball for 12 years in the Philippines…

1
#447 Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach on the Difference Between Coaching Boys and Girls 1:20:10

2M ago1:20:10

1:20:10

Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach (@DrDCoachScience) is an associate professor of Athletic Coaching Education, director of the Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Science at West Virginia University and president of the United States Center for Coaching Excellence. She is an Association of Applied Sport Psychology certified consultant, public relations and…

1
#446 Geoff Carlston, former Ohio State and Ohio U Volleyball Coach, on Fear vs Love Based High Performance Environments 1:14:13

2M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

Over the course of his collegiate coaching career, Geoff Carlston served as head coach at Ohio University, Ohio State University, and Concordia University, amassing more than 400 career wins. His teams consistently competed at the highest level, earning multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including several Sweet Sixteen runs, and he has been hono…

1
#445 Tom Renney, Former NHL Head Coach and Hockey Canada CEO 1:14:51

2M ago1:14:51

1:14:51

Tom Renney is a Canadian former ice hockey coach and executive. Renney began his coaching career in the Western Hockey League (WHL), capturing a Memorial Cup in his two-year stint with the Kamloops Blazers. He served as an NHL head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Edmonton Oilers and associate coach with the Detroit Red Wings. …

1
#444 What Does it Take to be an Elite Youth Athlete? Baltimore Orioles Draft Pick Slater de Brun and 2x USA Swimming National Champion Campbell McKean Share Their Stories 1:10:43

3M ago1:10:43

1:10:43

Living in Bend, Oregon, our host John O'Sullivan has gotten to know some extraordinary young athletes, none more so than our two guests today, Slater de Brun and Campbell McKean. He has know both boys since elementary school, and had the privilege of coaching Slater for 5 years in soccer before he went full time into baseball. Slater was recently t…

1
Dr. Nick Holton and Dr. Adam Wright of The Antifragile Academy 1:11:38

3M ago1:11:38

1:11:38

Dr. Nick Holton's work focuses on helping individuals, teams, businesses and organizations become better versions of themselves through the application of the cutting-edge science of human flourishing – a synergistic development of both peak performance and overall well-being and fulfillment. Nick currently serves as a private coach and consultant,…

1
Tools for Implementing the Way of Champions Culture with Matt Booth, Jerry Lynch and John O'Sullivan 1:10:23

3M ago1:10:23

1:10:23

In June of 2025, John and Jerry gathered in Lake George, Colorado with 30 coaches, athletic directors, and sport performance coaches for our first ever Way of Champions Retreat and Certification program. Over the course of four days and three nights of intense inner work, group discussions, hikes and delicious meals, we gave these coaches not only …

1
#441 How to Be a Better Parent Coach: A Discussion with Skye Eddy, Jerry Lynch, and John O'Sullivan 1:11:18

3M ago1:11:18

1:11:18

One of the most common questions we get here is could we cover the challenges of being a parent coach. Statistics tell us that on the grassroots and recreational level, somewhere around 80% of coaches are also parents of one of the athletes on the team. As we move into the travel and more competitive older ages, that number shrinks, but as those of…

1
#440 Scott Allen, Washington Capitals Asst. Coach on Being a Great Assistant, the Importance of Loyalty, and How to Make Every Individual Better in a Team Environment 1:13:05

3M ago1:13:05

1:13:05

Scott Allen is the assistant coach of the Washington Capitals of the NHL. Prior to joining Washington, Allen spent three seasons with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). With Hershey, Allen served as an assistant coach for two seasons before being named the Bears' head coach ahead of the 2021-22 season. Under Allen, Hershey finis…

1
#439 Mark Gottfried, former NCAA Basketball Coach at Alabama and NC State: "The Softest Pillow in the World is a Clear Conscience" 1:10:49

4M ago1:10:49

1:10:49

Mark Gottfried is an American men's college basketball coach, basketball podcaster, and former player who most recently served as head coach of the Cal State Northridge Matadors. Gottfried played one season at Oral Roberts and three seasons at Alabama, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in each of his seasons with the Crimson Tide. He was an NBA draft …

1
#438 Mike Potenza, San Jose Sharks Head of Performance: "The Most Important Coaching Tool is a Couch" 1:13:49

4M ago1:13:49

1:13:49

Mike Potenza is the Head of Performance for the San Jose Sharks of the NHL, where he oversees the strength & conditioning and nutrition staffs and serves as a liaison to the Sharks medical training staff to ensure a streamlined collaboration between the two departments, focusing on the Sharks player's health, training, fitness, and rehabilitation p…

1
#437 Sam Parfitt, Founder and CEO of the True Athlete Project, on Combating the Mental Health Crisis in Sports 56:04

4M ago56:04

56:04

Sam Parfitt is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The True Athlete Project. He holds an MSc in Sport Policy, Management and International Development from the University of Edinburgh, where he then became an associate tutor. His dissertation focused on the role of sport coaches as social change-makers, basing his research at The Crags Centr…

1
#436 Ron Adams, Golden St. Warriors Asst. Coach : "Great Assistants Cement the Cracks" 1:04:05

4M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

Ron Adams has been the assistant coach of the Golden St. Warriors since 2014, in that time winning 4x NBA Champions and being recognized in 2022 at the Tex Winter Award winner for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach. He owns previous coaching experience with Boston Celtics (2013-14), Chicago Bulls (2003-08, 2010-13), Oklahoma City Thunder (2…

1
#435 Jennifer Paulett, ESPN Director of Corporate Citizenship, on Taking Back Youth Sports for Our Kids 52:43

5M ago52:43

52:43

Jennifer Paulett, director of ESPN Corporate Citizenship, is responsible for developing and implementing the company's strategy on youth sports participation. Since joining ESPN in 2015, she has led efforts to expand access to sports for millions of kids through philanthropic investments and powerful storytelling. Paulett oversees ESPN's youth spor…

1
#434 Professional Surfer Lakey Peterson on Perspective, Embracing the Journey, and Overcoming Disappointment to Become a Champion Again 1:10:03

5M ago1:10:03

1:10:03

Lakey Peterson (@LakeyPeterson) is an American professional surfer and star of the new film Making Waves: The Lakey Peterson Story by 805 Beer. She has been ranked as high as No. 1 by the World Surf League, the highest professional level of women's surfing, and is a 5x winner on tour. In 2009, Peterson landed the first-ever aerial in NSSA women's c…

1
#433 Dr. Jerry Lynch on How to Lead with Love, the #1 Coaching Success Strategy to Build Strong Relationships and Winning Teams 54:39

5M ago54:39

54:39

This week on the podcast, John and Jerry discuss Jerry's brand new book Lead with Love. This book is the culmination of Jerry's multiple decades working with National, Olympic and World Champion athletes and coaches, synthesizing his ideas about leadership, culture building, and building championship programs by winning the relationship game. As 9x…

1
#432 Simon Hartley, Founder of Be World Class, on Owning Your Development, Parental Pressure, and How the Elite Performance Mindset Can Drive You or Make You Miserable 1:12:12

5M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

Simon Hartley (@simonhartley) is a world-renowned expert in high-performance psychology and the founder of Be World Class. For nearly 30 years, Simon has worked with Olympic athletes, world champions, and top executives, helping them develop the mindset needed to excel in sports, business, and life. He's the best-selling author of How to Shine and …

1
#431 Dionne Koller, Professor of Sport Law, on How Law, Policy, and Politics Shape the American Youth Sports System, and How we Can Fix it 1:06:53

5M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

Dionne Koller is Professor of Law and the Director of the Center for Sport and the Law at the University of Baltimore. Professor Koller's scholarly focus is sports law, particularly in the areas of youth, Olympic and Paralympic, and education-based sports, and she is a frequent media commentator and consultant to state and federal legislatures on i…

1
#430 England, Arsenal and Chelsea Great Katie Chapman and Dr. Simon Moore on Supporting Grassroots Players and Parents 1:05:02

6M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

Katie Chapman is a distinguished former player for Arsenal, Chelsea, and the England national team with 94 appearances, has had a career spanning 26 years. She played in 3 EUROs ad two FIFA World Cup Finals, finishing 3rd in 2015. During here career she won the Champions League with Arsenal, and multiple WSL titles and FA Cups, and was twice names …

1
#429 Greg Olsen, 3x NFL Pro Bowl Player and FOX Sports Broadcaster, on Coaching, High Performance, and Creating a Top Level Youth Sports Experience 1:27:53

6M ago1:27:53

1:27:53

Greg Olsen (@GregOlsen88) is a 3x NFL Pro Bowl player and 2x Emmy Award winning broadcaster. He was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 31st overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami. He spent four seasons with the Bears before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2011. Olsen remained with the Panthers through the con…

1
#428 Jami Muelders, Olympic and World Champion Field Hockey Coach and Player, on Developing High Performing Athletes, Teams and Human Beings 1:11:20

6M ago1:11:20

1:11:20

Jamilon (Jami) Muelders is a highly accomplished Field Hockey coach and athlete with extensive international experience. With a journey that includes winning a World Cup title as a player in 2002, Jami is one of only three individuals in the hockey world to have the extraordinary distinction of becoming a world champion both on the field and from t…

1
# 427 Dr. Haley Perlus, Performance Psychologist: Competitiveness is a Skill, and Thoughts Don't Have to Become Things 55:00

6M ago55:00

55:00

Dr. Haley Perlus (@drhaleyperlus) is a Performance Psychology expert, speaker, and author specializing in helping business leaders, entrepreneurs, and high achievers apply the mental strategies of elite athletes to reach peak performance. With a Ph.D. in Sport Psychology and certifications in coaching, fitness, and nutrition, she transforms high-st…

1
#426 Sam Morse, US World Cup Downhill Skier, on the Mindset of "Skiing Wicked Fast" and Finding an Identity Outside of Sport 1:05:46

7M ago1:05:46

1:05:46

Sam Morse (@sammorseski) began skiing at age 23 months on the slopes of Sugarloaf. Nicknamed "Moose" for his solidness and Maine woods roots, he followed in his brother Ben's foot steps to Carrabassett Valley Academy and then onto the US Ski Team. The 10 year veteran speed specialist on the US Ski Team, first broke onto the world stage when he beca…

1
#425 How to Win the Inside Game Through Clarity, Purpose and Belonging with Author and Coach Steve Magness 1:19:41

7M ago1:19:41

1:19:41

Steve Magness (@stevemagness) is a world-renowned expert on performance. He is the author of the new book Win the Inside Game: How to Move from Surviving to Thriving, and Free Yourself Up to Perform. He is the author of the bestselling Do Hard Things, coauthor of Peak Performance. The Passion Paradox, and the author of The Science of Running. Colle…

1
#424 Raymond Verheijen, 4x World Cup and EURO's Coach, on the Importance of Fitness Training Within Sport Context, Overuse Injuries, Periodization of Training, and Managing Load When Athletes Play up an ... 1:30:40

7M ago1:30:40

1:30:40

Raymond Verheijen (@raymondverheije) is a world renowned fitness coach and has been involved as an assistant in 4 World Cups and 4 EURO's working under Legendary Dutch coach Gus Hiddink, as well as working with several European top clubs like FC Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City. As a youth player Verheijen was part of the famous Dutch Youth A…

1
#423 Mark Bennett MBE, Former British Commando and Founder of PDS Coaching on The Rule of Three, and How Coaching Behaviors is the Key to Excellence 1:19:40

7M ago1:19:40

1:19:40

Mark Bennett (@pdscoach) is one of our most popular all-time guests, and for good reason. His coaching methodology through PDS Coaching has influenced countless teams and coaches throughout the NBA, MLB, professional rugby, soccer and Olympic and World Championships. John has had the pleasure of working with Mark, and it changed him forever as a co…

1
#422 Dr. Debbie Sayers, Co-Founder of the Campaign for Children's Rights in Football 1:10:48

8M ago1:10:48

1:10:48

Dr Debbie Sayers is a lawyer from the UK with a PhD in human rights law. She founded Salisbury Rovers FC in April 2016. The youth football club takes a human rights-based approach to sport, prioritising the rights of children in practice. The club has gained recognition nationally and internationally for its ground-breaking work, and we have been f…

1
#421 Matthew Mitchell, 3x SEC Coach of the Year for University of Kentucky Women's Basketball 1:05:24

8M ago1:05:24

1:05:24

Matthew Mitchell (@coachmatthewmitchell) is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, speaker, three-time SEC Coach of the Year, and the winningest head coach in the history of the University of Kentucky women's basketball program. The foundation for his teams' achievements is the Winning Tools principles: honesty, hard work, and discipline. Throu…

1
#420 Breanne Smedley, 4x State Champion Volleyball Coach on Incorporating Mental Training Into Every Practices 1:01:02

8M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Coach Breanne Smedley is a 14-year head coach, 4x state champion, certified mental performance coach, and co-founder of The Elite Competitor. She helps coaches build mentally tough, connected, and resilient teams so they can consistently compete at a championship level. After stepping into her first head coaching role fresh out of college, she quic…

1
#419 Dr. Jamie Taylor on Sport Skill Acquisition, Coach Development, and the Keys to Designing Effective, Engaging and Challenges Practices 58:35

8M ago58:35

58:35

Jamie Taylor, PhD (@Jattaylor) earned a doctorate in psychology from the University of Edinburgh in 2020. He is currently an assistant professor and lecturer in coaching and elite performance at Dublin City University. As a senior coach developer at Grey Matters UK, Taylor offers ongoing contributions to the development of coaches and coach support…

1
#418 Rob Ramseyer, Founder of the Impactful Coaching Project, on Leading and Coaching the 21st Century Athlete 1:10:27

8M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

Dr. Rob Ramseyer is the Vice President of Athletics and Strategic Expansion at Friends University, where he oversees 24 teams and also serves as a member of the President's Cabinet. Under his leadership the athletic department has reached many milestones both on-and-off the field including two Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Commissioners Cup…

1
#417 David Baird, UEFA A Licensed Coach and Founder of Scoreboard Soccer on How to Create More Engaging Practices and Small Sided Games 52:56

9M ago52:56

52:56

David Baird (@CoachDavidBaird) holds a UEFA A License and a UEFA Elite Youth A License. He has coached youth soccer for more than 15 years. Currently, David works as a Coach Educator and Football Development Officer for the Scottish Football Association. Prior to this, he spent time coaching in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and most …

1
#416 Jonah Oliver, World Renowned Performance Psychologist, on Taking Positive Action Instead of Waiting for Positive Thoughts 1:09:28

9M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

In this replay from May of 2022, John interviews Jonah Oliver (@jonah_oliver1) one of Australia's leading performance psychologists. Combining his training in sport psychology and neuroscience, Jonah brings a unique, simple and effective approach to facilitating peak performance. Over the past two decades he has worked with a wide variety of client…

1
#415 Damian DiGiulian, St Michaels College Ice Hockey Head Coach, on the Current State of Youth Sports and Being a Great Assistant Coach 1:05:30

9M ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Damian DiGiulian is in his his 13th season as the men's ice hockey head coach at St Michaels College in Vermont. DiGiulian has also coached in the USA Hockey development system and at NCAA Division I and III as assistant coach at University of Vermont and Middlebury. John and Damian worked together at UVM from 1999-2003. DiGiulian has led the Purpl…

1
#415 Damian Digulian, St Michaels College Ice Hockey Head Coach, on the Current State of Youth Sports and Being a Great Assistant Coach 1:05:30

9M ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Damian DiGiulian is in his his 13th season as the men's ice hockey head coach at St Michaels College in Vermont. DiGiulian has also coached in the USA Hockey development system and at NCAA Division I and III as assistant coach at University of Vermont and Middlebury. John and Damian worked together at UVM from 1999-2003. DiGiulian has led the Purpl…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Youthsports Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide