What does it really take to get noticed in the volleyball world—and what happens behind the scenes of the videos, write-ups, and rankings? In this special bonus episode, Susan sits down with Michelle Gardner, PrepDig California scout, writer, and volleyball superfan, to talk about what it’s like to be on the front lines of athlete exposure.

They dive into everything from social media tips and Instagram bios to tournament prep, content creation, and the power of visibility beyond your highlight reel. Whether you're a parent, player, or coach, this episode is packed with insights on how to stand out—and how Michelle’s storytelling-first approach is making a difference for athletes nationwide.

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Michelle: How she got into volleyball + PrepDig
 03:00 – From athlete to scout: Michelle’s unique journey
 05:30 – Building visibility for athletes who often get overlooked
 08:45 – Content strategy: How she captures, edits, and posts so much
 12:00 – A day in the life at a tournament
 15:00 – What makes her write-ups different (and why coaches care)
 18:00 – How she stays energized and organized at 12-hour events
 21:00 – What athletes don’t realize about getting featured
 24:00 – Tips for athletes from smaller towns or low-profile clubs
 26:30 – Why Instagram bios matter more than you think
 28:00 – Should your recruiting profile be private? (Hint: no)
 31:00 – How to practice interview skills + what not to say
 35:00 – Warm-up mindset + how to stand out on the bench
 38:00 – No perfect path: Why everyone’s recruiting journey is different
 42:00 – The impact of female representation in volleyball media
 47:00 – How to support PrepDig and stay visible year-round

What You’ll Learn:

• What college coaches are really looking for
• Why having a volleyball Instagram is useless if it's private
• How to use your warm-ups, social media, and personality as recruiting tools
• Why storytelling—and not stats—is what separates great athletes
• The real behind-the-scenes life of a volleyball content creator

Connect with Michell on IG:  @prepdigca and @coachable247
Visit: www.prepdig.com

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

Are you the DIY type? Purchase the GETTING STARTED ACTION PLAN (*note this does not come with Recruiting Software OR 1:1 support)

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

June 15 isn’t just another date—it’s a defining moment in your volleyball recruiting journey.

Whether you're one of the top athletes in the country or still working your way up, this episode will help you set realistic expectations, understand what’s normal (and what’s not), and avoid the emotional rollercoaster that can hit hard when calls, offers, or silence arrive. Host Susan Forbes breaks down the two types of D1 prospects, what happens before and after June 15, and why playing the long game can actually work in your favor. If you’re in the class of 2027, or supporting someone who is, this episode is your roadmap for what comes next.

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

Are you the DIY type? Purchase the GETTING STARTED ACTION PLAN (*note this does not come with Recruiting Software OR 1:1 support)

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

In this episode, Susan pulls back the curtain on the real reason families struggle during the college volleyball journey: misaligned expectations between parents and athletes.

Before the offers, visits, and commitments come in, you need clarity on who decides what, how much college really costs, and what matters most to your daughter’s future. Susan walks you through the most important conversations to have before the pressure hits—so your athlete feels supported, confident, and ready to lead her own process.

Chapters 

00:00 – The #1 issue that silently derails recruiting

01:30 – What really goes wrong when parents + athletes aren’t aligned

02:50 – Who’s making the decision—and does everyone know it?

04:30 – The money talk: budget, scholarships, and hard truths

06:15 – D1, D2, NAIA, D3: what you need to know about aid

08:30 – Boundaries vs. flexibility—setting the right expectations

10:00 – Defining fit: values, location, team culture, and more

11:00 – Communication matters more than talent—here’s why

13:00 – Why parents doing “too much” hurts your athlete

15:25 – The power of messy action + why it gets results

17:45 – Prestige vs. alignment: what really leads to long-term success

20:00 – Helping your athlete choose for herself (not for the brand)

22:30 – What a united team at home looks like

24:00 – How to get expert support inside NXTVB

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

Are you the DIY type? Purchase the GETTING STARTED ACTION PLAN (*note this does not come with Recruiting Software OR 1:1 support)

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

The D1 volleyball recruiting landscape has changed, and if you're navigating the process as an athlete, parent, or coach, it's critical to stay ahead of the curve.

In this premiere episode of the NXTVB Podcast, host Susan Forbes, former Division 1 athlete, coach, and certified life coach, breaks down the biggest shifts shaping NCAA volleyball recruiting today. From updated NCAA timelines and the June 15th contact rule to the real impact of NIL deals and the transfer portal, Susan unpacks everything you need to know to stay grounded and confident throughout the recruiting journey.

Whether you're a top prospect, unsure where you stand, or simply overwhelmed by the process, this episode will help you gain clarity, set realistic expectations, and make empowered decisions for your future.

In this episode I mention the June 15th Prep Club which ran for the month of May. If you are listening and want help prepping for June 15th, join us inside the ALL-IN Membership, we're dishing all that we can there leading up to June 15th and will be there to support you if you need beyond June 15th as well!

Or if you're listening to this episode, and have a daughter who is in high school, and you're feeling a bit behind or like something is off in her recruiting process, apply for a Recruit Ready® Intensive. We'll meet your daughter where she's at and get her going the direction of her goals and dreams. 

Chapters 

00:00 – Welcome to NXTVB and who this show is for

01:00 – Why the recruiting game is different in 2025

02:05 – NCAA rule: What June 15th really means

03:00 – NIL changes and how they’ve shifted athlete leverage

04:20 – The “Wild West” of college sports and what volleyball can expect

06:30 – Pressure on top coaches and the race for top recruits

08:45 – Early offers, deadlines, and high-stakes decisions

10:00 – What the June 15th Prep Club is and who it's for

11:15 – Why mid-tier programs are leaning into the transfer portal

13:40 – A longer recruiting process isn’t a bad thing

15:50 – Why it’s more expensive to be a top prospect

18:00 – Senior-year opportunities: they’re more common than you think

20:25 – Coaching changes, the portal, and shifting roster spots

22:45 – Why mindset, mentorship, and consistent strategy matter

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

Are you the DIY type? Purchase the GETTING STARTED ACTION PLAN (*note this does not come with Recruiting Software OR 1:1 support)

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Welcome to the NXTVB Podcast, the ultimate resource for rising volleyball athletes, supportive parents, and forward-thinking coaches navigating the next level of the game. Hosted by former Division 1 athlete, college coach, and certified life coach Susan Forbes, this show dives into the heart of volleyball recruiting, NIL changes, and the college athletics experience.

Each episode delivers valuable insight, real stories, and actionable strategies to help athletes thrive on and off the court. Whether you're chasing a scholarship, supporting your athlete’s journey, or shaping future talent, the NXTVB Podcast is your go-to source for clarity, confidence, and competitive edge.

Subscribe now and join us on the journey to becoming the next best version of yourself—through sport, mindset, and opportunity.

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

Are you the DIY type? Purchase the GETTING STARTED ACTION PLAN (*note this does not come with Recruiting Software OR 1:1 support)

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.