Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen

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.

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 Sundays to youth sports practices.This best-of compilation features Greg's top stories from his weekly Bussin' appearances, including the chaos of game day, the lessons he's learned from coaching young athletes, and why leading a middle school team might be tougher than playing tight end in the NFL.

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 building the future of youth sports together.

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://www.youth.inc/

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 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/