The Talent Equation Podcast

In this engaging discussion, Andy Kirkland, a lecturer and triathlon coach, dives into the intricacies of talent development in sports. He argues that current systems often prioritize harm prevention over creating thriving environments. Kirkland introduces 'salutogenesis,' emphasizing well-being over traditional risk management. He highlights the under-resourced challenges coaches face and advocates for ecological approaches that empower athletes. The conversation critically examines how competitive frameworks can hinder true talent growth, likening the competitive struggle to seagulls fighting for scraps.

Dr. Andrew Wilson, Reader in Psychology at Leeds Beckett University and an expert in ecological psychology, shares insights into skill development and transfer of learning in sports. He argues that traditional skill acquisition methods often overlook how we actually learn. Andrew emphasizes the importance of affordances—how environments present opportunities for action. He proposes that variability in movement isn't just noise but essential for creating adaptable athletes, advocating for an 'affordance-led' approach to coaching.

In this ‘Dog Walk Diary’ episode, I dive deep into how narratives and slogans shape coaching approaches and talent development, particularly examining how research concepts like the "10,000-hour rule" and "talent needs trauma" get oversimplified and sometimes misapplied in practice. I explore the tension between evidence-informed practice and harmful performance narratives, advocating for a more nuanced "talent needs turbulence" approach that values challenge without crossing into potentially damaging territory. Key takeaways: - How Ericsson's deliberate practice research was popularised but oversimplified through Gladwell's "10,000-hour rule," shifting focus from quality to quantity - Why catchy three-word slogans like "talent needs trauma" can be problematic when they justify harsh coaching practices in performance environments - The importance of researchers taking responsibility for how their work is presented and the real-world consequences of their messaging If you're interested in joining more conversations about ecological approaches to coaching, join my learning group 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' by heading to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and clicking on the 'join a learning group' button.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

I had a fascinating conversation with Bren Veziroglu about ecological dynamics and how it's transforming coaching and movement practice. Bren's journey from a self-described "skinny, unathletic" teen to becoming an influential voice in movement education reveals powerful insights about skill development and learning. Three key takeaways from our conversation:Traditional drilling approaches develop technique but not true skill. By understanding that skill emerges from the dynamic interaction between the person and their environment, we can design more effective practice methods.The ecological approach creates more joy and engagement in learning, making practice not only more effective but inherently rewarding. When activities are task-led rather than drill-led, both coaches and athletes experience more flow.Developing physiological capabilities is important, but these should be built through functional movements aligned with the actual demands of the activity, rather than isolated exercises with questionable transfer.To continue exploring these ideas with like-minded coaches and practitioners, join my learning group 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' by heading to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and clicking the 'join a learning group' button.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

I recently had the absolute pleasure of recording a conversation with Dr. Julia Blau and Dr. Jeffrey Wagman, authors of "An Introduction to Ecological Psychology: A Lawful Approach to Perceiving, Acting, and Cognising." Our conversation explored how humans actually perceive and interact with the world around them and question the traditional assumptions about psychology which suggests that we need to create mental representations of the world before we can act. Julia and Jeff shared insights on how the ecological approach transforms our understanding of human movement, and we contextualise this to enpack how we might better provide opportunities for young people to develop their abilities in sport and physical activity.  We discussed how creating rich, varied environments allows people to develop their own solutions to movement problems. This approach promotes agency, enjoyment, and ultimately better performance across many fields from sports coaching to education. Key Takeaways:Ecological psychology views perception and action as directly connected - we don't need to build internal models of the world to interact with it effectively.Variability in practice isn't something to eliminate; it's actually essential for developing adaptable skills that work in changing environments.When teaching movement skills, focus on helping people recognise when something feels right rather than precisely dictating the movements they should make.If you're interested in joining a community where we explore these concepts further, join our learning group 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' by heading to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and clicking on the 'join a learning group' button.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Paddy McQueen from Swansea University to discuss a fascinating paper he had authored exploring the ethical dilemmas of supporting talented children. Our conversation explored the philosophical questions about childhood, talent development, and the responsibilities we have as parents, coaches and policy makers. Paddy introduced me to three different views of childhood - 'the sapling view' (seeing childhood merely as preparation for adulthood), 'the fruit view' (seeing childhood as superior to adulthood), and 'the caterpillar view' (seeing childhood and adulthood as distinctly valuable stages). These perspectives create different frameworks for thinking about how we should approach the sport experience for children.We discussed the tension between prioritising intrinsic childhood goods like free play, fun and social connection, versus instrumental goods that prepare children for adult success. The conversation revealed how deeply our cultural mindset about childhood affects the decisions we make in youth sports—often leading to an industrialised approach that sacrifices childhood experiences for potential future achievements that statistically few will attain. My three key takeaways from the conversation:How we view childhood fundamentally shapes our approach to talent development—each perspective (sapling, fruit, or caterpillar) leads to different choices.The sacrifices required for "talent maximisation" often undermine intrinsic childhood goods that cannot be recovered later in life.Playful, enjoyable sporting experiences may actually be more effective for skill development than highly structured, adult-centric training methods.If you found these ideas thought-provoking, I invite you to join my learning group called 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' by heading to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and clicking on the 'join a learning group' button. There you'll connect with others who are exploring these connections between philosophy, psychology, and sports developmentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Mark and I welcome Alan Keane to the show for an in depth discussion around the intersection of PDS and Ecological Dynamics, how Alan builds an unique open and trusting relationship between him and his assistant coach and also whether we have absolutes more objective moral rules guiding our practice.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Steve Whelan, a former football coach turned innovative tennis instructor, talks about his shift from rigid technical coaching to a more fluid ecological approach. He reveals the joys and challenges of game-based learning, emphasizing the need for players to explore freely. Whelan discusses the disconnect between conventional methods and actual match performance, advocating for environments where creativity flourishes. He also touches on overcoming parental expectations and the benefits of making tennis coaching more accessible and enjoyable for young athletes.

Out on my morning dog walk (yes, the one where I have to put the flashing collar on my black dog ‘Flo’ so we can be seen in the dark!), I found myself reflecting on what I call the "eighth waste" in organisations - the waste of human potential. Drawing on Toyota's management principles, I explore why so many of us in workforce development struggle to make our case to leadership, despite knowing just how vital our work is. If you're working in coaching, workforce development, or people development roles and sometimes feel your impact isn't fully understood by those above you, I think you'll find both practical insights here and, importantly, a reminder that you're not alone. I'll share my thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between development professionals and leadership, turning our frustrations into productive action. I'll also tell you about two communities I've created where you can connect with others facing similar challenges: the Guild of Pedagogical Explorers and our new initiative, The Cobbler's Children. Because sometimes, the best solutions come from supporting each other. Duration: 45 minutes Tags: #WorkforceDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #SportsDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopmentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome back Richard Shorter, also known as 'Non-Perfect Dad', for a deep-dive conversation that every sports parent needs to hear. Rich brings his unique perspective as both a Baptist minister and a "conversation architect" who works with sports organisations, schools, and families to navigate the complex world of sports parenting. We explore the challenging emotional landscape parents face when supporting young athletes - from managing our own reactions on the sidelines to making tough decisions about how much to push or protect. I share some personal stories about parenting my own kids in sport, and Rich offers brilliant insights about what he calls the "undisciplined squads of emotion" that we all face as sports parents.Key Timestamps: 🎯14:20 - "Parents are still allowed to choose how they parent within an ethical safeguarding framework" - Rich challenges some common assumptions about sports parenting🏆 27:45 - "I made a parenting choice that I didn't want to mortgage my future relationship with my kids" - I share my personal philosophy on youth sport development and the choices we make as parents⚡ 32:15 - We tackle the complex reality of balancing performance aspirations with maintaining healthy parent-child relationships Whether you're a parent, coach, or working in youth sport, this conversation offers practical insights and honest reflections on how we can better support young athletes while preserving what matters most - our relationships with them. Connect with Richard: Email: richard@non-perfect-dad.co.uk Website: nonperfectdad.co.ukIf you would like to have more conversations like these then you might want to join my leanring group - 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' - https://www.patreon.com/join/thetalentequationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.