Winning Is Not Everything is a podcast series aimed to help temper the obsession in youth sports on titles and trophies and emphasize more inclusive, universal and attainable expectations such as character development and goal-setting.
Each episode features a conversation with a notable athlete, coach or influencer about their youth sports experience, lessons they learned through sports and keys to their success. Each episode is 12 to 20 minutes long, does not contain any bad language and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family!
Recent Episodes
February 24, 2021
In Part 2 of our conversation with the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program, Tom Farrey highlights some of his team’s efforts, […]
February 16, 2021
In Part 1 of our conversation with Tom Farrey, the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program shares some of his childhood sports […]
February 2, 2021
Super Bowl LV features the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and longtime NFL columnist and reporter Sean K. Jensen highlights both in breaking down […]
January 27, 2021
In Part 2 of our conversation with Kara Winger, the three-time Olympian candidly discusses her initial reaction to suffering another major knee injury after one of […]
January 20, 2021
In Part 1 of our conversation with Kara Winger, the three-time Olympian discusses the highs and lows of her sports journey, including the challenges she faced […]
December 22, 2020
In Part 2 of our conversation with Chad Slade, the New York Giants offensive lineman recalls how his mother reacted to his sideline outburst toward coaches, and how […]
December 15, 2020
In Part 1 of our conversation with Chad Slade, the New York Giants offensive lineman discusses how his mom fostered his passion for sports, helped him […]
December 2, 2020
Author and coach Sean K. Jensen highlights two of his six keys to helping young athletes persevere through COVID-19, the importance of being engaged and being […]
November 25, 2020
Author and coach Sean K. Jensen highlights two of his six keys to helping young athletes persevere through COVID-19, the importance of gratitude and being active. […]
November 4, 2020
In part 2 of our conversation with Todd Beane, we explore how he transitioned from playing professionally to connecting with one of the giants of the game, Johan […]
September 1, 2020
In part 2 of our conversation with Chet Holmgren, we discuss what he learned from African American teammates and coaches, why he supports Black Lives Matters, […]
August 27, 2020
In part 1 of our conversation with Chet Holmgren, we discuss the impact coaches — including Larry Suggs — had on his development, and his early […]
August 11, 2020
In Part 2 of our conversation with Mandy Marquardt, a member of the U.S. Olympic Long Team for track sprinting, we discuss the bullying she endured […]
August 5, 2020
In part 1 of our conversation with Mandy Marquardt, a member of the U.S. Olympic Long Team for track sprinting, we discuss her passion for cycling, […]
July 31, 2020
In our conversation with University of Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats, we discuss how he helps others (including one student whose two-week stay lasted two […]
July 21, 2020
In our conversation with University of Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats, we discuss some of the biggest defeats and disappointments of his playing career and […]
July 14, 2020
In our conversation with Anthony “Spice” Adams, we discuss how and why he gives back, one of the students he’s proud to have impacted, and his […]
July 7, 2020
In our conversation with Anthony “Spice” Adams, we discuss the advice he’d give his younger self at different ages, the hilarious story of his first time […]
June 30, 2020
In our conversation with Anthony “Spice” Adams, we discuss what he enjoyed most about playing for the Chicago Bears, how his mother signed him up for […]
June 23, 2020
In our conversation with New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead, we discuss where his work ethic comes from, what motivates him heading into his 12th NFL […]
June 16, 2020
In our conversation with New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead, we discuss our book, The Middle School Rules of Thomas Morstead, several of the most influential […]
June 12, 2020
In this bonus episode, Hall of Fame Minneapolis high school basketball coach Larry McKenzie shares the key to his coaching success, the mentor who changed his […]
June 9, 2020
In our Season 2 Premiere conversation with Hall of Fame Minneapolis high school basketball coach Larry McKenzie, we discuss the impact of his educator parents […]
April 7, 2020
Former Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman tells us how he motivated himself while his college football team won nine games in his four seasons, the […]
March 31, 2020
In our conversation with Minnehaha Academy guard Jalen Suggs, we discuss his insights into college recruiting, what he thinks before “big games,” his must-listen tip […]
March 27, 2020
In this bonus episode, Larry Suggs – father of Minnehaha Academy senior guard Jalen Suggs – tells us about his own sports experience, what he […]
March 24, 2020
In our conversation with Minnehaha Academy guard Jalen Suggs, we discuss the impact his parents had on his sports journey, his pride in helping to […]
March 17, 2020
In our conversation with Northwestern center Abbie Wolf, we discuss those who positively impacted her childhood sports experience, what she learned from her father (who […]
March 10, 2020
In our conversation with former NFL receiver Nate Burleson, we discuss what’s most important to him in guiding his kids’ youth sports journeys, what insights […]
March 3, 2020
In our conversation with former NFL receiver Nate Burleson, we discuss how he responded after having a dream scholarship offer taken away, and the choppy […]
February 25, 2020
In our conversation with former NFL receiver Nate Burleson, we discuss how his childhood memories growing up in and around Seattle, what he would tell […]
February 21, 2020
In this bonus episode, Angie Lance – mother of NDSU quarterback Trey Lance – provides her perspective on what she emphasized in her son’s athletic […]
February 18, 2020
In our conversation with North Dakota State University quarterback Trey Lance, we discuss his mindset during a season when he knew he wouldn’t play, the […]
February 11, 2020
In our conversation with North Dakota State University quarterback Trey Lance, we discuss how his parents positively influenced his youth sports experience, who he looked […]
February 4, 2020
In our conversation with Detroit Lions linebacker Devon Kennard, we discuss what he learned from the many disappointments while at the University of Southern California, […]
January 28, 2020
In our conversation with Detroit Lions linebacker Devon Kennard, we discuss the influence of his brother and father, the latter who started and helped the […]
January 21, 2020
In Part 3 of our conversation with University of South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin, we discuss one way adults fail young people today, the […]
January 14, 2020
In Part 2 of our conversation with University of South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin, we discuss how his playing career came to an end, […]
January 7, 2020
In our conversation with University of South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin, we discuss the defining lesson he learned from his grandmother, growing up in […]
December 31, 2019
In our conversation with my favorite youth coach, Mr. David Smith, we discuss why he volunteered to coach while serving in the Air Force and […]
December 24, 2019
In Part Two of our conversation with University of Oklahoma basketball coach Lon Kruger, we discuss his commitment to serving others and how someone utilizes […]
December 17, 2019
In our conversation with University of Oklahoma basketball coach Lon Kruger, we discuss fond family memories from his childhood and how they shaped who he […]
December 13, 2019
In this bonus episode, Craig Jefferies, who was Vontae Davis’ head high school football coach at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Washington D.C., provides insight into […]
December 10, 2019
In our conversation with two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis, we discuss how his big brother Vernon influenced and encouraged him, how and why his […]
December 6, 2019
In this bonus episode, Larry Fitzgerald shares insights on key people who shaped his son, Arizona Cardinals star receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., and the fear […]
December 3, 2019
In part 2 of our conversation with 11-time Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald, we discuss why he is so committed to traveling the world, why […]
November 26, 2019
In part 1 of our conversation with 11-time Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald, we discuss how his parents modeled hard work and his experience at […]
November 19, 2019
In our conversation with Northwestern University head football coach Pat Fitzgerald, we discuss his belief that parents need to reframe expectations for their young athletes, […]
November 15, 2019
In this bonus episode, Jim Davison (father of University of Wisconsin starting guard Brad Davison) provides his keys for sports parents and what makes him […]
November 12, 2019
In Part 2 of our conversation with University of Wisconsin basketball player Brad Davison, we discuss how his perspective on rankings changed from high school […]
November 5, 2019
In Part 1 of our conversation with University of Wisconsin basketball player Brad Davison, we discuss the sacrifices a coach (that he technically never played […]
November 1, 2019
In this bonus epsiode, Tony Dungy’s “unsung hero” Allen Truman shares what he saw in a young Tony and joining him at his NFL Hall […]
October 29, 2019
In part 2 of our conversation with Coach Tony Dungy, we discuss the challenges he faced as an African American quarterback in the early 1970s, […]
October 22, 2019
In part 1 of our conversation with Coach Tony Dungy, we explore his childhood sports highlights and lowlights, and how his parents and coaches shaped […]