Episodes

March 3, 2022

Motivational Climate and “Teamship” with Dan Abrahams, Sports Psychol…

In Episode 71, Dan Abrahams, Sports Psychologist, best-selling author of four books, Founder of the Dan Abrahams Soccer Academy and The Sport Psych Show Podcast, and former pro golfer, talks with Phil about his sports psychology work, his books, and...

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Feb. 24, 2022

“Take the Meeting” and “Get Some Scars” with Phil Smith, Vice-Chairma…

In Episode 70, Phil Smith, Vice-Chairman and Owner of Sixth-Division Ossett United FC, former NY Yankees and Manchester United Executive, Owner of NERF rights in UK, Europe, and Middle East, and much more, talks with Phil about lessons learned during...

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Feb. 17, 2022

Self-Leadership and Pursuing Your Dreams with Jay Demerit, CEO of Ris…

In Episode 69, Jay Demerit, Chief Energy Officer of Rise and Shine and former USMNT player, and former Captain of Watford FC and Whitecaps FC, talks with Phil about the pros and cons of specialization, self-leadership, self-belief, his personal why,...

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Feb. 10, 2022

Using Soccer to Overcome Trauma with David Ricca, 9/11 Survivor & NJ …

In Episode 68, David Ricca, NJ Youth Soccer Innovate to Grow Consultant, Founder/President of Just Live Soccer, 9/11 Survivor, Soccer Resilience Ambassador, Member of 2010 World Cup Media & Marketing team, former soccer player, coach, and scout,...

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Feb. 3, 2022

Season 5 Halftime Show – How Ted Lasso Explains Leadership, Part 5

In Episode 67, Paul and Phil discuss the recent USC Convention, a preview of the second half of Season 5, a recap of the first half of the season, and the leadership lesson we can learn from Episodes 9 & …

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Jan. 27, 2022

Talk, Teach, Play with Aaron Locks, CEO/Founder of the National Acade…

In Episode 66, Aaron Locks, CEO and Founder of the National Academy of Athletics, talks with Phil about the importance of failure in success, three important questions he asks himself every day, the Pyramid of Success and what he learned …

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Jan. 20, 2022

Winning with Character with Robbie Handy, Health and Wellness Coach a…

In Episode 65, Robbie Handy, Health and Wellness Coach and Former Head Coach of William Jessup University and Yuba College, talks with Phil about the differences between a head and assistant coach role, his coaching philosophy, how he measures...

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Jan. 13, 2022

“Walking Soccer” and Self-Control with Tony Everett of Pure Game and …

In Episode 64, Tony Everett, Founder and Chief Play Maker of Pure Game, Founder of Personal Best Coaching, coach, and footballer, talks with Phil about Pure Game’s work with vulnerable children in Southern California, learning self-control through...

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Jan. 6, 2022

Proactive Self-Leadership and Coaching with Cheryl McCormick, Founder…

In Episode 63, Cheryl McCormick, Founder of Gravitational Performance, Sports Research Scientist, and multi-sport athlete, kicks off Season 5 and talks with Phil about her work as a Sports Research Scientist, nutrition, sports psychology, and rest...

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Dec. 30, 2021

20 Memorable Moments from 2021

In Episode 62, we are capping off 2021 and ringing in 2022 with 20 great leadership lessons (plus a couple bonus nuggets) from our interviews over the past year. There is so much more wisdom in the full interviews, which …

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Dec. 23, 2021

Special Christmas Recast -- “Steal Like an Artist” with Michelle Lena…

In Episode 61, in honor of her recent move to Baylor Women’s Soccer, we are recasting our interview with Michelle Lenard, new Head Coach of Baylor University Women’s Soccer and former DBU Head Coach, in which she talks with Phil …

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Dec. 16, 2021

Offseason Talks – 2021 Year in Review

In Episode 60, Phil and Paul share their “Best of 2021” lists and what they have learned about life and leadership from the ups and downs that 2021 has brought them and their families. Resources and Links from this Episode …

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Dec. 9, 2021

Offseason Talks -- Wreck Soccer

In Episode 59, our first off-season talk between Seasons 4 & 5, Phil and Paul talk about how we as coaches (and parents) can cultivate environments where our players can flourish, in an effort to counter the toxic cultures in …

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Dec. 2, 2021

Season 4 Post-Match Show – Exclusive Post-Baylor Interview with Paul …

In Episode 58, Phil sat down with Paul Jobson for an exclusive interview about his recent decision to step down from his Head Coach position at Baylor University Women’s Soccer after 14 years at the helm. Paul and Phil also …

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Nov. 25, 2021

Special Thanksgiving Recast -- Shaping Identity and Culture with Paul…

In Episode 57 of How Soccer Explains Leadership, in honor of our co-host's recent announcement that he is stepping down from his head coaching role at Baylor and just because I (Phil) am so grateful for him, we are re-casting …

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Nov. 18, 2021

Preventing Burnout with Kassie Gray, Founder/Director of Female Footb…

In Episode 56, Kassie Gray, Founder/Director of Female Footballers and former Cal soccer player, talks with Phil about her mission and vision to help young girls focus on the mental aspects of sports, the value of playing multiple sports, the...

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Nov. 11, 2021

It’s About Much More Than Soccer with Aaron Blue, CEO of The Charis P…

In Episode 55, Aaron Blue, CEO of The Charis Project in Thailand, talks with Phil about how he ended up working with people on the Thailand/Burma border, how soccer is an integral part of his ministry, why soccer is such …

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Nov. 4, 2021

Swiss Army Leadership with Zac Hoffman, Author and Former Pro Athlete

In Episode 54, Zach Hoffman, Author of Finding the Good Life as a SWALeader and former professional American football player in Europe, talking with Phil about intercultural competence, leading effectively in a foreign country, humility, playing...

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Oct. 28, 2021

Identity Formation and Mindset with Jesse Bradley, Pastor of Seattle …

In Episode 53, Jesse Bradley, Pastor of Seattle Grace Community Church, Dartmouth College Men’s Soccer Alum, and Former Professional in Scotland and Zimbabwe, talks with Phil about developing healthy mindset and habits, finding our purpose,...

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Oct. 21, 2021

How Ted Lasso Explains Leadership, Part 4 -- Season 4 Halftime Show

In Episode 52, Paul and Phil recall some of the highlights of the first half of Season 4 and continue their conversation about the leadership genius of Ted Lasso, Coach Beard, and Nate the Great, covering Episodes 7 & 8 …

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Oct. 14, 2021

Overcoming Barriers and Empowering Women with Tracy Hamm, Head Coach …

In Episode 51, Tracy Hamm, Head Coach of UC Davis Women’s Soccer, talks with Phil about her incredible journey to obtaining her UEFA A license and the documentary made about it (“Coach”), crashing big wheels and “pool sharking” as a …

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Oct. 7, 2021

Fan Favorites Series -- Pursuing your Purpose with Lee Baker of Legac…

In Episode 50, we are continuing our Fan Favorites series by recasting our interview with Lee Baker, Owner of uScore Soccer and Director of Legacy Soccer Club, who talked with Phil about overcoming hardships, knowing and sticking to your “why,”...

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Sept. 30, 2021

Fan Favorites Series -- Vulnerability and Infectious Influence with A…

In Episode 49, we continue our Fan Favorites Series with our interview with Amanda Cromwell, Head Coach of UCLA Women’s Soccer, Former National Team member and coach, former pro footballer, and Olympic Gold Medalist, who talked with Phil about...

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Sept. 23, 2021

Special Leadership Guru Recast – Leading with a Broom and a Shovel wi…

In Episode 48, we are continuing our fan favorites mini-series with a re-cast of our interview with Cori Close, Head Coach of UCLA Women’s Basketball, who talked with Phil about lessons she learned from her mentor, John Wooden, her personal...

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