Listen
Interviews and Podcasts featuring Linda Flanagan
Featured Podcast:
Linda was featured on We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle
Let Kids Play: Fixing Youth Sports with Linda Flanagan
Why have youth sports become a pressure cooker of competition, money, and burnout instead of fun, growth, and play? Journalist and author Linda Flanagan joins us to break down:
The three biggest reasons kids' sports have changed for the worse - and what we can do about it.
How parents can rethink their role on the sidelines, engage with coaches, and set healthy boundaries.
Why specializing in one sport too early can actually hurt long-term athletic success.
The hidden consequences of linking kids' self-worth to their performance.
The Truth About Youth Sports: Nothing Left Unsaid Podcast
In this eye-opening episode of Nothing Left Unsaid, Tim Green and his son Troy welcome journalist and author Linda Flanagan, whose book Take Back the Game examines the state of youth sports in America. Drawing from her experiences as a parent, coach, and reporter, Linda pulls back the curtain on the pressures, costs, and cultural shifts that have transformed kids’ sports from joyful play into an arms race. She and Tim explore how early specialization, year-round schedules, and parental expectations are burning out young athletes and what it will take to bring balance, health, and genuine fun back to the field.
The Real Impact of Youth Sports: Benefits, Pressures, and Finding Balance
Join Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, and Linda Flanagan, author of "Take Back the Game," to examine the current state of youth sports. Together, they break down the benefits, drawbacks, and big-picture implications for families, schools, and communities.
Some highlights:
The mental, physical, and social upsides of sports and exercise for kids
How youth sports have shifted from fun, child-centered play to an adult-driven, high-pressure industry
Alarming trends around overuse injuries and the impact of early sports specialization
The effect of youth sports on family life, parental involvement, and community dynamics
Practical suggestions for bringing balance, mindfulness, and fun back to youth sports
Rethinking Youth Sports: Can We Lessen the Pressure and Make It More Fun?
In this conversation, Linda H Flanagan and Jessica Hochman explore the complexities of youth sports today, discussing the pressures faced by young athletes, advocating for a more balanced approach to youth athletics. We discuss the importance of exercise, the risks of early specialization, and the mental health implications of competitive sports. The discussion emphasizes the need for free play, the debunking of myths surrounding sports and character building, and the design of an ideal sports curriculum that prioritizes enjoyment and well-being over competition. A really important conversation, especially for parents who have children involved in sports!
Kids Need More Unsupervised Time
In her second appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game, dives into the critical topic of giving kids the freedom they need to grow. Linda and Ginny Yurich discuss how the pressures of modern youth sports and adult-driven parenting can unintentionally rob children of the unsupervised time essential for creativity, confidence, and resilience. They explore how this over-structured lifestyle impacts not only kids but entire families, often presenting adulthood as a joyless grind instead of a vibrant destination.
This thought-provoking episode invites parents to step back and reconsider what truly matters. With actionable advice, Linda highlights the benefits of unsupervised play, reconnecting with nature, and cultivating family moments that aren’t dictated by sports schedules. A must-listen for those looking to embrace a freer, more balanced approach to childhood and parenting.
How Youth Sports Became a $38 Billion Play
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and his brother Bill have turned youth sports into big business. But can they chase profits while preserving what’s best for kids? Watch this edition of Bloomberg Originals to find out more, including opinions by author Linda Flanagan, Take Back the Game.
High-pressure Youth Sports Is Bad for America
In this article by Matthew Yglesias of Slow Boring, he discusses the movie Inside Out 2, highlighting how it mirrors the real-life pressures of youth sports, specifically for a young girl named Riley. The author critiques the normalization of high-pressure, expensive youth sports in the U.S., pointing out how it creates social inequalities and weakens communities. The piece references Linda Flanagan's book, Take Back the Game, which argues that over-specialization and commercialization in youth sports lead to negative outcomes for children and suggests a need for more community-based, inclusive sports activities. Read the full article here.
Photo by Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Little League
Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peers inside the dugout, and he speaks experts, including author Linda Flanagan on The Economics of Everyday Things podcast.
The High Cost of the Youth Sports Arms Race
Youth sports are supposed to be about fun and team spirit. But now, kids are training year-round and joining expensive travel leagues earlier. It’s costing families, and kids too. WBUR’s On Point discusses the high cost of the youth sports arms race with author Linda Flanagan; Jennifer Howell, former soccer player; Tom Farrey, executive director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program. Founder of Project Play. Author of "Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of Our Children; and other guests.
NHSBCA (National High School Basketball Coaches Association) leaders Dave Archer and Dan Young discuss Take Back the Game with the author of the book, Linda Flanagan. Take Back the Game is an eye-opening book about how money and mania are ruining kids sports—and why it matters.
The Crisis in Girls’ Sports with Lauren Fleshman and Linda Flanagan
In a live conversation taped at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Malcolm Gladwell and his Martian friend consult athletes Linda Flanagan and Lauren Fleshman on how to level the proverbial playing field. What would they ban from youth sports: Coaches? Parents? Uniforms? Whatever it takes to bring the love of the game to everyone.
Learning How and Understanding the Role of Sports Parents in Youth Sports with Author Linda Flanagan
In this edition of the Athlete Maestro podcast, Tola Ogunlewe talks to author Linda Flanagan about the pressure young kids are feeling to be sports superstars. She shares how parents can be better sports parents, create an improved environment for their children, and lots more.
How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports
John Boruk interviews Laura Flanagan in this edition of the Raising a Champion podcast. Flanagan discusses “the ramifications that youth sports is becoming more of an industry pushed big corporate greed, the consequences of raising the stakes for kids and parents alike—and the changes we need now.” In addition, they discuss “the potential damaging impact of NIL (name, image and likeness) and how parents are looking to profit from the rule change.”
How Youth Sports Became Serious Business
Tommy Weber (@tommyweberbaseball) and Linda Flanagan uncover how youth sports became serious business. Drawing on their respective experiences as coaches, they delve into a national obsession that has serious consequences for players, parents, and families.
Youth Sports Are Out of Control
Slate’s parenting podcast, Mom and Dad Are Fighting, interview Linda Flanagan on the drastic transformation within youth sports over the years. (Transcript)
There Is a Youth Sports Industry That’s Bigger Than the NFL, and It’s Growing
Linda Flanagan joins Nick Buonocore of The Reformed Sports Project Podcast to discuss strategies to help parents put their kids' sports into perspective, the importance of being self-aware when raising children, and why parents should feel empowered to reclaim their agency.
Why Sports Are Good for Kids & What We Can Learn From Sports
From Ponders Out Loud (teacher edition) podcast host Steve Barkley: "Writer and cross country coach, Linda Flanagan, shares research and common sense findings about the many benefits kids can gain from involvement in sports. As the author of Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why it Matters, she also shares cautions we should be paying attention to. Consider some conversations teachers may have with students about their sports experiences.”
What’s Important to Know About Kids and Sports
Steve Barkley, Ponders Out Loud podcast, talks to Laura: “Sports have many benefits for kids that can be lost if parents lose sight of the purpose. The author of Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why it Matters, Linda Flanagan, explores questions caretakers should be asking as we support our kids in sports. How do we listen to the kids as well as to our own motivations?”
How Money and Mania Have Ruined Kids’ Sports, Why it Matters, and How to Take Back the Game
John O’Sullivan of the Way of Champions Podcast interviews Linda Flanagan. They cover how sport has become a business, how much pressure is on parents to do more and more at younger ages, and much more.
Why Have We Allowed Money to Ruin Youth Sports?
Opinion writer Jessica Grose for the New York Times (and mom of young swimmers) had a conversation with Linda Flanagan who explains how we got to this place and what good can still be gained from youth sports. Read the interview here. (This article is for NY Times’ subscribers only.)
Interview with Malcolm Gladwell
Coach and author Linda Flanagan “schools Malcolm Gladwell on how to buck the system” in part three of his series on how to save high school sports. Read the interview here.
It’s time to make youth sports about kids again
In the September 27, 2022 edition of Author Talks, McKinsey Global Publishing’s Molly Liebergall chats with Linda Flanagan. “K–12 sports in America have transformed from a fun, active, and accessible pastime into a high-stakes, expensive competition, Flanagan says—but it didn’t used to be this way.” Here’s an edited version of their conversation, with video.
The multibillion dollar youth sports industry is leaving lots of kids on the sidelines
Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry of Marketplace interview Linda on how the multibillion dollar youth sports industry is leaving lots of kids on the sidelines.
Are we modeling that adulthood is a big bore?
Are we modeling that adulthood is a big bore? Listen to the podcast with Linda on The 1000 Hours Outside.
Pressure, Pain, and Kids’ Athletics
Pressure, Pain, and Kids’ Athletics, a Talking to Teens podcast featuring guest author Linda Flanagan.
Seattle’s Morning News
Seattle’s Morning News with Dave Ross and Colleen O’Brien speak with Linda Flanagan (starting at 8:19).
The Lisa Wexler Show
Lisa Wexler talks with Linda Flanagan about the dangers of taking youth sports too seriously.
Taking Back Kids’ Sports
Fresh Take: Linda Flanagan on Taking Back Kids' Sports featured on What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood
Shifting Schools Podcast
Shifting Schools hosts Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman speak with Linda Flanagan on the pressure of parenting and playing sports today.
How kids sports became a $19B industry
The youth sports industry is estimated to be worth $19 billion, more than the value of the NFL. Wisconsin Public Radio talks to Linda Flanagan of her new book looking at the rise of the kids' sports industry, and how its impacting children and families alike.