# Norway is Better: The Youth Sports Secret America Refuses to Copy

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smerconish-podcast-4474155/norway-is-better-the-youth-sports-secret-america-refuses-to-copy
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smerconish-podcast-4474155/norway-is-better-the-youth-sports-secret-america-refuses-to-copy.md
Podcast: [The Smerconish Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smerconish-podcast-4474155)
Published: 2026-07-16T15:52:02+00:00
Episode link: https://www.siriusxm.com
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/sxm.simplecastaudio.com/d49edecb-af71-4e40-b63b-f7bdc3faae1b/episodes/14293f3a-59e4-45d2-8613-6dec9f44e68a/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=d49edecb-af71-4e40-b63b-f7bdc3faae1b&awEpisodeId=14293f3a-59e4-45d2-8613-6dec9f44e68a&feed=Dv1m2CJC
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Duration seconds: 1755

## Resource

What if everything Americans believe about youth sports is backwards? Michael Smerconish talks with Wall Street Journal columnist Ben Cohen about Norway's remarkably successful approach to developing young athletes—a system built on fun, participation, delayed specialization, and minimal parental pressure. Inspired by the hometown of soccer superstar Erling Haaland, they explore why Norway is producing elite talent while keeping kids engaged, and whether America's billion-dollar youth sports culture has lost its way. Michael also reflects on why he's changed his own views about participation trophies, competition, and what youth sports should really be about. Original air date 13 July 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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