Forward | Better Athletes. Better People.
Forward is the youth sports podcast for parents, coaches, and mentors who want to develop better athletes—and better people. Hosted by Coach Joe Clemente and publisher Kevin Mulhearn, each episode explores youth sports, leadership, parenting, and personal growth through honest conversations, practical advice, and stories that challenge conventional wisdom. Inspired by the bestselling book The Long Ride Home, Forward helps families keep the game in perspective while never losing sight of what matters most.
Episodes
11 episodes
FWD | Do a Nick Bumbaco: Zero Playing Time | Dean Bumbaco
🎥 Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/@HardKnockPress⏩ In Episode 10 of Forward, Joe Clemente and Kevin T. Mulhearn welcome their first guest, Dean Bumbaco, for a s...
FWD | Are We Specializing Kids Too Soon?
⏩ In Episode 9 of Forward, Joe Clemente and Kevin T. Mulhearn tackle one of the biggest questions in youth sports: Are we specializing kids too soon?Through personal stories, coaching experiences, and honest reflection, t...
FWD | Don’t Embarrass Your Kid
⏩ In Episode 8 of Forward, Joe Clemente and Kevin T. Mulhearn explore what happens when parents let their emotions get the best of them—and how their behavior can impact their kids on and off the field.Using stories from their o...
FWD | Obsess. Have Fun. Hustle.
⏩ In Episode 7 of Forward, Joe Clemente and Kevin T. Mulhearn explore the one thing every athlete can control: hustle.Using examples from youth baseball through the major leagues, they discuss why effort requires no special tale...
FWD | Lessons From Losses
⏩ In Episode 6 of Forward, Joe Clemente and Kevin Mulhearn explore “Lessons From Losses”—why losing is an unavoidable part of sports, how athletes and parents respond to disappointment, and why some of the toughest losses can become the foundat...
FWD | The Comparison Trap. Comparing is human—rooting against another child is a choice.
⏩ In Episode 5 of Forward, Joe Clemente and Kevin Mulhearn explore “The Comparison Trap”—why parents compare their kids to other athletes, when those comparisons become unhealthy, and what happens when wanting the best for your own chi...
FWD | Private School vs. Public School: Making the Right Choice for Your Athlete
⏩ In Episode 4 of Forward, Joe Clemente and Kevin Mulhearn tackle one of the biggest decisions youth sports families face: Should your child attend a private school or a public school?Drawing on decades of coaching and pa...
FWD | When Should Parents Talk to the Coach?
⏩ In Episode 3 of Forward, Joe Clemente and Kevin Mulhearn tackle one of the biggest challenges in youth sports: knowing how—and when—to communicate with your child’s coach.From coaching your own son or daughter to navigating pl...
FWD | The Tough Guy Parent Trap
When does pushing a young athlete build resilience—and when does it begin to break them down?In Episode 2 of Forward, Joe Clemente and Kevin Mulhearn examine the “old-school tough guy” approach to parenting and coaching. Drawing...