Raising Athletes

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 abou...

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 cultu...

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 ba...

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 sh...

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 sh...

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 cos...

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 navig...

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&rsquo...

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...

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...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Patric Young—former Florida Gators standout, professional basketball player, and now a college basketball analyst for SEC Network. Once known for his dominance on the court, Patric’s life took an unimaginable turn after a 2022 accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. What followed, however, is a story not of loss—but of purpose, resilience, and reinvention.

Patric o...

In this powerful episode, Kirsten sits down with Ivan Lombard-Jackson—an Los Angeles Police Department officer, youth basketball coach, and founder of Watts Skills Academy—to explore how sports can become a lifeline for young people growing up in underserved communities.

Based in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, Watts Skills Academy is more than just basketball—it’s a free mentorship program dedicated t...

David Murray is the author of several books, including Soccer Dad and An Effort to Understand: Hearing One Another (and Ourselves) in a Nation Cracked in Half. An award-winning journalist, his writing on sports and culture has appeared in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Atlantic, and many other publications. He is also the editor and publisher of Vital Speeches of the Day, one of...

In this honest conversation, former Trevor Ruhland opens up about what it really means to wear the jersey at University of Notre Dame—and what happens when the game is over. Trevor shares a behind-the-scenes look at the physical and mental demands of playing at one of college football’s most storied programs, offering insight into the pressure, discipline, and identity that come with competing at the highest level.

But t...

In this episode, Kirsten talks with Project Blue Executive Director Marc Maye. Project Blue is committed to creating safer communities by strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve — starting with meaningful youth programming that builds trust, leadership, and opportunity from the ground up.

We dive into how Project Blue convene...

In this episode, Kirsten is joined by Dr. Natasha Burgert, a nationally recognized pediatrician who’s on a mission to help families parent smart and parent confident—long after the check-ups are over. With a blend of evidence-based medicine, real-life experience, and common-sense wisdom, Dr. Burgert shares practical insights on navigating modern parenting with clarity and calm.

Dr. Burgert practices full-time in a subur...

Welcome back—and welcome to Season 7 of the podcast! We’re kicking off the new year with a powerful goal-setting episode featuring Kirsten and Susie, where we reflect, reset, and get intentional about what’s ahead. Together, we dive into practical strategies, honest conversations, and mindset shifts to help you set goals that actually stick and start the season feeling focused, motivated, and ready to grow.

Ho...

In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Andrew Simpson, renowned mindset coach, creator of The Winning Athlete Formula, and author of The Unstoppable Athlete: 12 Keys to Unlock Your Full Potential, The Youth Truth, and 7 Mindset Hacks to DOMINATE in Sports and Life. Andrew breaks down how athletes can build unshakable confidence, develop mental toughness, and create habits that translate to peak performance both in competition and ...

In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Andrew Simpson, renowned mindset coach, creator of The Winning Athlete Formula, and author of The Unstoppable Athlete: 12 Keys to Unlock Your Full Potential, The Youth Truth, and 7 Mindset Hacks to DOMINATE in Sports and Life. Andrew breaks down how athletes can build unshakable confidence, develop mental toughness, and create habits that translate to peak performance both in competition and ...