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PODCAST

NXTVB

Susan Forbes | Volleyball Recruiting

The NXTVB Podcast is your go-to resource for the next generation of volleyball talent. Hosted by Susan Forbes, a former D1 athlete and recruiting expert, this show explores the evolving world of college recruiting, NIL deals, and what it really takes to succeed at the next level—on and off the court. Whether you"re a top prospect, parent, or coach, you"ll get real talk, expert insights, and behind-the-scenes guidance on how to navigate the volleyball journey with confidence and clarity.From

sports volleyball

All Episodes

34:09

39: Inside Division III Recruiting and What Coaches...

NXTVB ·

2026/04/23

What does the recruiting process actually look like from a Division III coach’s perspective? In Part 1 of this conversation, Susan sits down with Chad Koenegstein, Head Coach (UC Santa Cruz), and Andrew Brown, Head Coach (NYU), to talk about their journeys into coaching and what makes the Division III experience unique. They share how recruiting has evolved, including the impact of technology and increased access to information. You’ll hear why recruiting feels more overwhelming than ever fo...

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14:00

38: You Don't Need the Whole Plan to Get Recruited

NXTVB ·

2026/04/16

If you’ve been trying to approach recruiting like a step-by-step checklist, this episode will challenge the way you think about the process. In this episode, Susan shares a powerful analogy that reframes recruiting as a road trip instead of a fixed plan. Athletes and families often want the exact steps and a guaranteed path, but in reality, recruiting is about direction, not perfection. Susan breaks down why trying to map out every step can actually create more stress and confusion, and how f...

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27:43

37: Keegan Cook from Minnesota Volleyball -...

NXTVB ·

2026/04/09

What if waiting in the recruiting process could actually create more opportunities? In Part 2 of this conversation, Susan continues her discussion with Keegan Cook, head coach at the University of Minnesota, to break down how timing impacts recruiting opportunities for the class of 2028 and rising prospects. Keegan explains why recruiting can feel inconsistent and how factors like the transfer portal, international athletes, and roster needs influence when opportunities open up. He shares why...

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29:15

36: Keegan Cook from Minnesota Volleyball Chats June...

NXTVB ·

2026/04/02

If you’ve ever felt like the recruiting process suddenly speeds up and everything happens at once, this episode will help you understand why. In Part 1 of this conversation, Susan sits down with Keegan Cook, head coach at the University of Minnesota, to talk through how the current recruiting timeline actually works and what’s changed over the years. They break down the June 15th rule, why communication is so limited before that date, and why everything can feel so overwhelming once it opens ...

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30:37

35: Understanding University Athlete: What...

NXTVB ·

2026/03/26

What does it actually mean when you see an “evaluation” on your University Athlete profile? In Part 2 of Susan’s conversation with Corie Murphy from University Athlete, they break down one of the most misunderstood parts of the platform: coach evaluations. Athletes often assume an evaluation means strong recruiting interest, but the reality is more nuanced. Corie explains how college coaches use tags, ratings, notes, and internal evaluations to organize their recruiting process. Susan and C...

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31:27

Understanding University Athlete: How College Coaches...

NXTVB ·

2026/03/19

If you’ve ever wondered why college coaches spend so much time on their phones at volleyball tournaments, this episode will help you understand what they’re doing. In Part 1, Susan sits down with Corie Murphy from University Athlete (UA) to talk about how the platform works and why it has become an essential tool in college volleyball recruiting. Corie shares the origin of UA and explains how it evolved from a simple roster tool into the system many coaches rely on year-round. You’ll learn h...

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12:43

33: Planning on Going to Camps This Summer? Listen to...

NXTVB ·

2026/03/12

Join Susan for a valuable taste of a lesson you get inside the Volleyball Recruiting School membership. College volleyball camps can play a role in the recruiting process, but many families sign up for them without fully understanding how coaches actually use them. In this episode, Susan shares a sneak peek from one of the lessons inside Volleyball Recruiting School, where she breaks down how to think strategically about camps. Rather than treating camps as something you simply “have to do,” ...

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17:23

32: If You Want To Get Recruited, Make It Easy For...

NXTVB ·

2026/03/05

What does it actually mean to “make it easy for a college coach” during the recruiting process? In this episode, Susan breaks down one of the most important principles families often overlook: college coaches are extremely busy, and athletes who make their lives easier stand out immediately. From how you share film to the way you structure your emails and profiles, small details can make a big difference in how coaches evaluate and remember you. Susan explains why organization, clarity, and f...

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30:35

31: Is It the Goal… Or Your Timeline?

NXTVB ·

2026/02/26

You say you want to play volleyball in college. But what if the real thing stressing you out isn’t the goal… it’s the timeline you attached to it? In this episode, Susan unpacks one of the biggest hidden pressures in recruiting: the belief that it should have happened by now. For the Class of 2026 and 2027 especially, watching other athletes commit can create a quiet panic — even when you’re doing everything “right.” Susan breaks down the two biggest sources of recruiting frustration: timelin...

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12:51

30: The Games of ‘General Interest’ in VB Recruiting...

NXTVB ·

2026/02/19

If you’ve heard the phrase “general interest” from a college coach and walked away confused or unsure what it actually means, this episode is for you. In this bonus episode, Susan breaks down what “general interest” really means in Division I volleyball recruiting, why coaches use this language, and how families should interpret it without jumping to conclusions. Susan explains the realities of recruiting timelines, NCAA communication rules, and the difference between top-prospect recruiting ...

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29:46

29: How to Make the Most of College Camps at Club

NXTVB ·

2026/02/12

If it feels like every club suddenly announced a college camp at the same time, you’re not imagining it. In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan breaks down the growing trend of college camps hosted at clubs and explains how they fit into the volleyball recruiting process. She shares why these camps can be a valuable use of time and resources when approached strategically. Susan walks through why college coaches like these camps, how NCAA rules influence them, and what families should con...

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33:54

28: The Mental Skills That Keep Athletes at the Top...

NXTVB ·

2026/02/03

What happens when talent is no longer the differentiator? In Part 2 of this deep-dive conversation, Susan and Sonja shift from big-picture mindset to the specific mental tools elite athletes use to perform under pressure and sustain success at the highest levels. Sonja shares firsthand experiences from professional volleyball and Team USA, where every athlete in the gym is talented — and mental skills become the deciding factor. From visualization and internal dialogue to handling pressure an...

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29:01

27: Why Talent Isn’t Enough — The Mindset That...

NXTVB ·

2026/01/29

Talent might open the door, but mindset determines who stays. In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Susan sits down with Sonja Anderson to unpack what actually separates athletes who rise to the top from those who stall out, even when talent levels are similar. Sonja’s journey spans every level of the game — from small-town high school volleyball to Division I All-American, 12 years playing professionally overseas, and competing with Team USA on the international stage. What kept her evolv...

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27:42

26: Same Division, Different Experiences — Are You...

NXTVB ·

2026/01/22

In Part 2, Susan and Meredith move from experience to decision-making.They unpack how recruiting actually works across Ivy League, mid-major, and Power Four programs — including timelines, academic expectations, scholarships, financial aid, NIL, and rev share. Meredith explains the Ivy League academic index, why recruiting timelines move differently, and common misconceptions that cause families to rule out options too early. They also compare needs-based aid and scholarships, and explain why...

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22:55

25: Same Division, Different Experiences — Inside D1...

NXTVB ·

2026/01/15

Division I volleyball isn’t one experience — and treating it like it is can lead families down the wrong path. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Susan sits down with Meredith Shamoon, a Division I coach who has coached at the Ivy League, mid-major, and Power Four levels. Meredith brings a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on what actually separates these environments beyond the label of “D1.” They break down how time commitments, training windows, academic priorities, and daily expec...

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29:40

24: Why I Charge What I Charge: How I Think About...

NXTVB ·

2026/01/08

In this episode, Susan pulls back the curtain on something she rarely explains publicly: how she thinks about pricing, value, and the different levels of recruiting support at NXT VB. Fresh off a D3 high-academic camp weekend that reminded her why she loves this work, Susan shares the heart, intention, and ethics behind every “container” she offers, from free Instagram content, to Volleyball Recruiting School, to high-touch, long-term support. This episode is about transparency. It’s about tr...

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59:19

23: Why Waiting Until College to Build NIL Is a Mistake

NXTVB ·

2026/01/01

What if your athlete didn’t wait until college to build her NIL, but arrived on campus already prepared, confident, and visible? In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan sits down with Rebecca Martinez, former collegiate volleyball player, strength and conditioning coach, and social media strategist working directly with elite volleyball athletes in the NIL space. Together, they break down what NIL really looks like behind the scenes — not the highlight reels you see online, but the ...

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19:46

22: Why Coaches Ghost Your Emails (Part 2): Target...

NXTVB ·

2025/12/23

In Part 2 of this inbox-focused series, Susan and Jessie uncover the realities most athletes never consider when they get ghosted. From a target list that’s too ambitious, to software that prevents coaches from replying, to knowing when repeated silence means it’s time to adjust — this episode is the clearest guide you’ll find on how to course-correct your recruiting strategy. You’ll also learn how to read open rates and link clicks, how to use Productive Recruit to identify alignment, and ho...

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40:06

21: Why Coaches Ghost Your Emails (Part 1)

NXTVB ·

2025/12/18

Why do college coaches really ghost athletes in their inbox? In Part 1 of this two-part deep dive, Susan and Jessie break down the hidden reasons athletes get ignored — straight from Jessie’s firsthand experience as a former D1 athlete and partner of a long-time D1 recruiting coordinator. From understanding a coach’s year-round workload to recognizing when your target list is too ambitious, this episode gives athletes and families the honest truth about why they’re not hearing back. You’ll le...

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37:10

20: Inside College Volleyball Recruiting — Emails,...

NXTVB ·

2025/12/11

Welcome to Part 2, where Susan and three experienced college coaches dive straight into the tactical side of recruiting: emails, communication, social media, red flags, and how athletes can stand out in a crowded recruiting landscape. In this episode, Kevin, Todd, and Jessie reveal exactly what gets their attention, the mistakes that cause them to stop evaluating an athlete, what they really do with highlight videos, and how athletes can build trust through consistent communication. They also...

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43 results

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