Talkin' with the AD
Talkin' with the AD dives into the complexities of America's amateur sports scene, from high school to club, travel, AAU, and recreational leagues. Hosted by an experienced coach and Athletic Director, this podcast delivers insider insights, expert interviews, and the latest trends shaping the future of sports at every level.
Episodes
13 episodes
13 - Nate Larsen, CMAA
Nate Larsen has spent thirteen years in the athletic director's chair and three decades in education-based athletics — and he still says he wouldn't trade it for anything.In this episode of Talkin' with the AD, Morgan sits down with Nat...
12 - Claire Rietmann-Grout, The Positive Coach
Ballet at four. Division I softball at 18. And a question that stuck: the day she got to college and wondered — where are all the women?Morgan sits down with Claire Rietmann-Grout — founder of The Positive Coach, speaker, educator...
11 - Brandon Davis, CAA - Athletic Director, Allen Academy
In this episode of Talkin' with the AD, host Morgan J. Sullivan sits down with Brandon Davis, CAA — Athletic Director at Allen Academy in Bryan, Texas — for a conversation that runs from the winding road that led him into athlet...
10 - Colby Tillman
From the Squad Car to the Sidelines — Colby Tillman | Prescott Local School District (AR)Before he ever ran a game-day operation, Colby Tillman was making split-second calls on the street. Patrol officer. School resource officer. ...
9 - Stephen Anderson - Rising Athlete Project
In this episode of Talkin’ with the AD, Morgan sits down with Stephen Anderson, Athletic Director at Providence Academy in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and creator of the Rising Athlete Project, for a wide-ranging conversation abo...
8 - Athlete Mental Health - Beyond Awareness
Athlete mental health cannot be addressed with motivational slogans, one-time awareness campaigns, or instructions to simply “toughen up.” In this special roundtable episode of Talkin’ with the AD, Morgan Sullivan is joined by five pro...
7 - But My Kid Should Be Starting
When your athlete is not starting—or is playing fewer minutes than expected—what should you do next?In this episode of Talkin’ with the AD, Coach Sullivan tackles one of the most emotional and difficult conversations in youth an...
6 - Winning Beyond the Scoreboard: How Great Sports Cultures Keep Kids in the Game
What really makes a winning athletic program?In this episode of Talkin’ with the AD, Coach Sullivan explores why culture is not the opposite of winning—it is the foundation that makes winning sustainable. From youth sports and h...
5 - The Role of the Athletic Director
What does an Athletic Director actually do? If your first thought is “schedule games and unlock the gym,” this episode is going to open your eyes.In this deep-dive solo episode, Coach Sullivan pulls back the curtain on one of th...
4 - Social Media and Recruiting: What Athletes and Parents Need to Know
In this 15-minute solo episode, Coach Morgan Sullivan breaks down one of the most overlooked but critical factors in the college recruiting process: your athlete’s social media presence. With insights drawn from real conversations with c...
3 - The Truth About Travel Sports: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Thinking about travel sports for your kid? Before you commit to that club soccer, AAU basketball, or travel baseball team, hit play on this episode of Talkin’ with the A.D.Coach Sullivan breaks down the rise of travel teams i...
2 - Love Blinders: Why Parents and Coaches See Games Differently
You love your kid—that’s not the issue. But sometimes, that deep love can cloud how we see their role on the team. In this episode, we dive into a phenomenon I call “Love Blinders”—the emotional lens parents often wear when watching th...
1 - Welcome to Talkin’ with the A.D. – Your Backstage Pass to Amateur Sports
Strap in for the very first episode of Talkin’ with the A.D., where host Coach Sullivan—20-year Army veteran, multi-sport coach, and current athletic director lays out the why, what, and how of this brand-new show. In just a few minute...