The Talent Equation Podcast

David Thomson is an ex army veteran who became a leading financial advisor turned education technology entrepreneur. David is the Founder and CEO of 'Suada' a game changing learning platform that combines the 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵-𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, 𝗔𝗜-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, and 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸, creating an interactive and engaging learning environment that transforms knowledge into practical skills. David is also a keynote speaker and 'Entrepreneur in Residence' at Portsmouth University, where he shares his expertise on sales, business transformation, and digital learning. David joined me to talk about how I think Suada could become a major part of the solution to bringing, flexible, dynamic, non-linear, on-demand learning and development to the world at scale. In this conversation we discuss the extreme challenges in David's upringing, how this provided a catapult to a career in the Army followed by working in a shoe factory and then into the world of finance before finding his passion helping people learn. I am delighted to announce that Suada has now become a channel partner of the podcast - my first channel partner because I am so passionate about the potential of this platform. Find out more at https://www.suada.com/If you would like to set up a call with David and the team to see how Suada could integrate into your organisation's learning goals then drop me a line and we can get it set up. Want to have more conversations like these with like minded practitioners?Join 'The Guild' - a learning community of ecological explorers. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Troy Urdahl, an award-winning high school athletic director, hall of fame coach, and author of "Chasing Influence," discusses the profound impact of kindness in sports and leadership. He emphasizes the importance of multi-sport participation and explores how building relationships can nurture resilience and personal growth in athletes. Troy advocates for a coaching philosophy centered around purpose and soft skills, stressing that true leadership is about serving others and creating environments where kindness flourishes.

Stuart Morgan, a high-performance coach and performance director for elite golfers, returns for a thought-provoking conversation. He highlights the need for players to challenge coaching beliefs, revealing toxicity in some coaching environments. Stuart shares his experiences with multi-disciplinary teams and the importance of fostering athlete agency. The discussion includes evolving coaching practices, the significance of questioning traditions, and the shift towards ecological learning in golf training, emphasizing adaptability and critical engagement for athlete development.

Explore the revolutionary shift towards learner-centered coach education that tailors delivery methods to individual needs. Delve into the barriers preventing widespread adoption of these new models. Discover how evolving professional standards in the UK enhance flexibility and transferability in coaching qualifications. The conversation critiques traditional coaching norms and advocates for a deconstructed approach, likening it to a layered dessert. Finally, the importance of personalized learning and continuous development in coaching is emphasized for better outcomes.

Tom Hartley is the Coaching Lead at UK Coaching and Foundation Phase Lead Coach at Oxford United women. In this very overdue episode (aren't they all!) I sit down with Tom Hartley to explore his extensive background in coaching and player development.Tom discusses his journey in coaching including pivotal career moments at clubs like Swindon Town and Arsenal, and unique experiences such as coaching in prisons and internationally. We discuss some of his coaching influences and also expore some of the creative ways that he develops coaches. 01:38 Career journey17:37 The role of a coach developer - 'having someone hold onto you while you lean over the edge'45:30 Creative coach development - 'jelly beans and cocktail sticks'49:45 How we can support community coaches to 'collect memories rather than medals'01:04:50 Designing effective individual development plans01:13:48 Parents as a 'multi-disciplinary team'01:16:41 Conclusion and future conversationsSupport the show on Patreon or join my learning community: https://www.patreon.com/thetalentequation Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support

The conversation emphasizes a radical shift in coach education, advocating for an understanding of complexity rather than linear paths. It dives into the challenges faced by youth coaches and the importance of acknowledging diverse coaching experiences. The need for flexible and adaptable curricula is highlighted, particularly for those engaging with marginalized communities. Collaboration and idea-sharing within the coaching community are championed as essential for enhancing educational strategies.

Alex Lascu, a cricket coach with an extensive background in coaching and skill development, shares her insights on transforming coach education. She discusses the system shifts needed to support coaches effectively, emphasizing practical solutions to ease their burdens. The conversation dives into the need for personalized learning experiences, fostering inclusivity, and addressing real-world coaching challenges. Lascu advocates for innovative approaches in community sports coaching, stressing the importance of engagement and recognition for volunteer coaches.

Reposting a classic episode!  ------- This was recorded to reflect on the journey of the England Football Team during the previous European Championships but it still feels apt today in the wake of another final appearance and Gareth Southgate’s tenure as Head Coach coming to an end. I have been fortunate to spend time with Gareth Southgate, the England Head Coach on a couple of occasions and I was able to glean some insights from those interactions that I think are relevant to the success that the team are currently enjoying and would be useful for any coach. Hope you enjoy! *GB actually won 1 gold medal in Atlanta (not 1 bronze as I said in the recording) among a total medal haul of 15. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podca....

This podcast dives into the urgent need for diversity in the sports workforce, exposing systemic barriers that hinder representation. It highlights how local coaches are pivotal in fostering youth participation and uplifting communities. Through an inspiring story of a martial arts club, the discussion champions decentralized education and the power of relatable figures in transforming lives. Collectively, these insights underscore the vital role community engagement plays in developing talent and making a social impact.

In episode 4 of the 'Coach Education is Broken' series, titled 'Fixing the Leaky Bucket,' I delve into the systemic and mindset shifts required to change and modernise the way that the sport sector develops it's frontline workforce. I call for better insight and data collection to inform decision making into coach education and I challenge the isector's over emphasis on recruiting new coaches instead of focussing on how we support and retain the skilled practitioners that we already have. 01:50 - The Problem with Coach Education insights02:44 - Understanding Coach Supply and Demand07:00 - Retention Challenges in Coaching08:55 - Shifting Focus to Retention and SupportBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.