Is the "professionalization" of youth sports actually hurting our kids? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 16, 2026 · 56 MIN

Is the "professionalization" of youth sports actually hurting our kids?

from NEXT PITCH - The Student-Athlete Playbook For Parents Raising Tomorrow’s Athletes

Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game, pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of modern youth sports. From the rise of "pay-to-play" to the decline of unstructured fun, Linda examines the systemic forces shaping the lives of student-athletes today. Whether you are a parent, coach, or educator, this conversation is an essential look at how we can shift the culture back toward development, community, and the simple love of play.

Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game, pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of modern youth sports. From the rise of "pay-to-play" to the decline of unstructured fun, Linda examines the systemic forces shaping the lives of student-athletes today. Whether you are a parent, coach, or educator, this conversation is an essential look at how we can shift the culture back toward development, community, and the simple love of play.

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Is the "professionalization" of youth sports actually hurting our kids?

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This episode is 56 minutes long.

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This episode was published on January 16, 2026.

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Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game, pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of modern youth sports. From the rise of "pay-to-play" to the decline of unstructured fun, Linda examines the systemic forces shaping the lives of...

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