In this episode of Raising Athletes, Kirsten sits down with John A. Gallucci Jr., CEO of JAG Physical Therapy and one of the leading experts in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. From working with elite athletes across the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and Major League Soccer to building one of the fastest-growing physical therapy practices in the Northeast, John shares his journey and the lessons he’s learned about keeping athletes healthy and performing at their best.

John discusses the importance of injury prevention, how parents and coaches can better support young athletes through the rehabilitation process, and why recovery should be viewed as a critical part of athletic development. He also shares insights from his newest book, Pickleball Pickleball Pickleball: Don’t Get Hurt, and explains how the principles of proper movement, preparation, and body awareness apply to athletes of all ages and sports.

Whether your child is just starting their athletic journey or competing at the highest level, this conversation offers valuable lessons on building stronger, healthier, and more resilient athletes.

In this episode of Raising Athletes, Kirsten sits down with Betsy Butterick, known as “The Coaches’ Coach,” to explore how communication, connection, and team chemistry create the foundation for high-performing teams. A former collegiate basketball player and coach, Betsy shares how genuine relationships and effective communication can transform the way coaches lead, develop athletes, and build stronger team cultures.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about the power of communication, why chemistry is built—not found, and how coaches and parents can use stronger connections to help athletes reach their full potential.

Betsy is also the author of Kids These Days: Effective Strategies for Coaching Gen Z and Beyond, a guide designed to help coaches better understand, connect with, and lead today’s athletes. She shares practical strategies for navigating generational differences, building trust, and creating environments where young athletes can thrive. Listeners can get 15% off Betsy’s book by using this link: Kids These Days: Effective Strategies for Coaching Gen Z and Beyond

Former MLB pitcher Brian Sackinsky joins the podcast for a powerful conversation about why sports are about so much more than wins and losses.

A Stanford Baseball alum, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, coach, speaker, and leader, Brian shares how his journey through sports shaped his perspective on success, failure, leadership, and personal growth. Once driven by perfectionism, Brian opens up about the lessons he learned through baseball, coaching, parenting, and life that helped him shift his focus from chasing perfection to embracing progress.

Whether you're a parent, coach, athlete, or leader, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons on growth, mindset, and the impact sports can have long after the final whistle blows.

Brian's message is simple but powerful: the greatest competition isn't against others—it's against the person you were yesterday.

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sits down with Shelli Johnson — entrepreneur, leadership consultant, adventure guide, and founder of Epic Life Inc. — to explore what it truly means to live an authentic and meaningful life. From building a Yellowstone-based tourism company and award-winning travel platform to guiding leaders and individuals through the “wild terrain” of their own personal growth, Shelli shares the lessons she’s learned about purpose, resilience, and finding your way back to yourself.

Drawing from thousands of miles walked through wilderness and life itself, Shelli opens up about how nature became her greatest teacher and why walking has become a powerful tool for reflection, healing, and leadership. This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t just about achievement—it’s about alignment, courage, and creating a life that feels deeply true to who you are.

In this inspiring episode, Kirsten sits down with Shelli Johnson — entrepreneur, leadership consultant, adventure guide, and founder of Epic Life Inc. — to explore what it truly means to live an authentic and meaningful life. From building a Yellowstone-based tourism company and award-winning travel platform to guiding leaders and individuals through the “wild terrain” of their own personal growth, Shelli shares the lessons she’s learned about purpose, resilience, and finding your way back to yourself.

Drawing from thousands of miles walked through wilderness and life itself, Shelli opens up about how nature became her greatest teacher and why walking has become a powerful tool for reflection, healing, and leadership. This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t just about achievement—it’s about alignment, courage, and creating a life that feels deeply true to who you are.

In this powerful conversation, Chris Murphy and Chris Deluzio break down their proposed “Let Kids Play Act,” a groundbreaking bill aimed at removing private equity influence from youth sports and making athletics more affordable and accessible for families across America.

The discussion dives into how corporate investors and private equity firms have transformed youth sports into a billion-dollar business, driving up costs through tournament monopolies, “stay-to-play” hotel mandates, rising registration fees, and the consolidation of local leagues and facilities. Senator Murphy and Congressman Deluzio explain why they believe youth sports should be treated as a community-based public good — not a profit center for wealthy investors.

They also unpack the real-life stories that inspired the legislation, including the collapse of long-standing nonprofit youth hockey organizations after aggressive acquisitions by investor-backed companies. From skyrocketing participation costs to families being priced out of sports altogether, this episode explores what happens when profit overtakes purpose in youth athletics.

Most importantly, Murphy and Deluzio share how the Let Kids Play Act aims to restore local control, protect nonprofit programs, eliminate exploitative business practices, and lower the financial burden on parents — all while preserving the life-changing value sports can have on kids and communities.

If you care about the future of youth sports, affordability, and keeping kids in the game, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

From the sidelines to the press box, Stephen Borelli has spent his life immersed in the world of sports. In this episode, Stephen shares his journey as a youth coach, sports parent, magazine editor, and the voice behind the popular weekly sports parenting column “Ask Coach Steve.” Drawing from years of firsthand experience and conversations with top athletes and sports personalities, he offers practical advice for navigating the highs and lows of youth sports.

The conversation dives into the challenges facing today’s young athletes and parents—from pressure and burnout to confidence, communication, and keeping sports fun. Stephen also discusses his book, Youth Sports Survival Guide, and reflects on what families can do to create healthier, more positive athletic experiences. Plus, he shares insights from writing How About That! The Life of Mel Allen, the definitive biography of legendary New York Yankees broadcaster Mel Allen, and what the golden era of sports storytelling can still teach us today.

Whether you’re a sports parent, coach, or athlete, this episode is packed with wisdom, perspective, and actionable advice for surviving—and thriving—in today’s youth sports culture.

Christine Brennan is one of the most respected voices in sports journalism—and in this episode, she brings decades of insight, fearless reporting, and a deep understanding of the modern sports landscape to the conversation.

A longtime columnist for USA Today and commentator for networks like CNN, Christine Brennan has covered everything from the Olympics to the biggest stories shaping college and professional sports. She’s also the author of the bestselling On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports, a powerful and timely look at the meteoric rise of Caitlin Clark and the cultural shift happening across women’s sports. The book explores Clark’s unprecedented impact on the game, from record-breaking performances to skyrocketing fan engagement and media attention.

In this episode, Christine shares her perspective on the evolving world of sports—from the pressures facing young athletes today to the role of parents, media, and culture in shaping the youth sports experience. Drawing on insights from her latest book, she dives into the “Caitlin Clark effect,” the rapid growth of women’s sports, and what it all means for the next generation.

This conversation is a must-listen for parents, coaches, and athletes looking to better understand the bigger picture of sports—and how to navigate it with purpose, perspective, and integrity.

Dr. Kim O'Brien and Dr. Jonathan Jenkins bring together elite sport, psychology, and years of hands-on experience to deliver a powerful conversation about what it really takes to thrive under pressure. As the authors of Mentality Wins, they share the mental fitness strategies that help athletes sharpen focus, recover quickly from mistakes, and build the resilience needed to perform when it matters most.

Dr. O'Brien, an award-winning researcher, sport social worker, former Harvard Hockey co-captain, and National Champion, joins forces with Dr. Jenkins, Team Psychologist for the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox, Harvard Medical School educator, and former collegiate lacrosse player, to break down the science and practice of mental toughness. Together, they reveal why mental fitness isn't reserved for elite athletes—it's a trainable skill that can elevate performance, strengthen team culture, and help athletes at every level handle the demands of competition and life. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports parent, this episode delivers practical tools you can put into action immediately.

In this deeply human conversation, Kirsten sits down with Stephanie Malia Krauss—educator, author, and national thought leader on youth development—to explore what it truly means to help young people thrive in today’s world.

With over two decades of experience working across classrooms, communities, and even alongside policymakers, Stephanie brings a rare blend of real-world insight and research-backed wisdom. From founding a school for youth furthest from opportunity to advising leaders at every level, her work challenges the way we think about success, well-being, and what kids actually need—not just to get by, but to fully live.

At the heart of this episode is Stephanie’s groundbreaking concept of “rehumaning,” introduced in her latest book How We Thrive. She unpacks how modern life has stripped away many of our core human needs—and what we can do as parents, coaches, and mentors to restore them. Drawing from her Hawaiian heritage, lived experience, and years of hands-on work, Stephanie offers a refreshing, holistic approach to raising and supporting the next generation.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about kids—not just their performance, but their humanity.