Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen

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....

Greg Olsen is out this week, so Alec Ingold and JJ Jansen step in to hold it down. Alec — a Dolphins fullback who's all-in on youth development — and JJ — a 17-year Panthers veteran and dad of young athletes — sit down to talk about what actually matters in youth sports. They get into coaching youth baseball, the coach-parent dynamic, finding a role for every kid on the team, and why the lesso...

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 voll...

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....

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...

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...

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...

Three-time Pro Bowler and Fox Sports analyst Greg Olsen sits down with Will Compton and Taylor Lewan on Bussin' with the Boys to share his wildest, funniest, and most memorable moments from coaching his middle school football team. From dealing with 12-year-old drama to teaching the fundamentals to kids who've never played before, Greg breaks down what it's really like going from NFL S...

2025 brought us incredible conversations with some of the best athletes and coaches in sports, and we're highlighting the most impactful advice they shared with young players. Whether you're chasing your dreams on the field, court, or track—or supporting a young athlete who is—this is the advice that matters most. Here's to an amazing 2025 and an even better 2026. Let's keep buildi...

As 2025 comes to a close, Youth Inc. reflects on the year's most memorable moments in youth sports. From breakthrough performances and inspiring coaching insights to the athletes and stories that defined the season, we highlight the best content, conversations, and lessons that remind us why youth sports matter. Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.youth.inc/newsletterFor more, visit https://...

Greg 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 r...

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 st...

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...

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, a...

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 conver...

Greg sits down with actor Jerry Ferrara urage ) and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, co-hosts of Throwbacks 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 cultu...

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 c...

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 g...

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,...

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 practic...

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 confiden...

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 c...

Steve Magness joins Greg Olsen to dive into the mental side of sports. They explore strategies for building resilience, maintaining focus under pressure, and cultivating the mindset of elite athletes. This episode is packed with practical techniques that athletes, coaches, and parents can apply both on and off the field.

Missy Franklin joins Greg Olsen to share her journey from Olympic success to motherhood and life after swimming. They talk about the lessons she learned early in her career, how she approaches parenting today, and why instilling a love for sports matters more than chasing medals. A heartfelt conversation about growth, perspective, and family.

What’s it really like to be a parent at youth sports events? Big Cat sits down with Greg Olsen to talk about the ups, downs, and lessons that come with raising kids in sports. They cover everything from sideline dynamics to parenting styles, sharing stories that feel all too familiar for anyone who’s been there. A conversation that’s equal parts insightful and entertaining.