

The Talent Equation Podcast
Stuart Armstrong
The Talent Equation podcast is an 'exploration in human advancement'... mostly (but not exclusively) through the lens of sport and physical activity. Each episode is an 'emergent conversation' with practitioners, parents, researchers, authors (or some combination of all three) taking a deep dive into the ways that people can help others to enhance their developmental journey in whatever field they are committed to. These conversations are not mainstream - you will not hear ideas that are provided on standard education courses - they often fly in the face of convention - they will sometimes be controversial and provocative - the show is about doing things differently and doing different things. The people who come on the show are innovators - they are trying to break new ground or swim against the tide of what they see as a broken culture or an ineffective system - what they say will prompt new thinking or new ideas. All that is asked of the listener is to embrace the conversation with an open mind.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 21, 2018 • 1h 24min
"What a life as a touring professional taught me about coaching and skill acquisition" - A conversation with Paul Eales
Paul Eales is a professional golfer, coach and broadcaster. He has spent his life in the pursuit of excellence in his chosen field. His journey as a play shaped him as a coach as his experiences as a performer challenged him to look for answers to help him find a way to improve. In so doing he found an approach to learning that took him on a journey that he now uses in his coaching with aspiring players. His story is illuminating...I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Mar 14, 2018 • 1h 15min
The secrets of developing a great team culture - A conversation with Daniel Coyle (and Nick Levett)
Daniel Coyle is one of my favourite writers. Not only is he an amazing story teller but he has a knack of zooming in on the things that aren't obvious and bringing it to life. He studies human nature and then delves into the science in order to work out what is going on. He shot to prominence with 'The Talent Code' which was a complete game changer for me. It resonated so closely with so many of my experiences and helped me make sense of so much about talent development and coaching. In his latest book 'The Culture Code' he answers so many of the questions that were left unanswered by the Talent Code when he delves into: - What makes a great team environment great? - How do we shape a culture to allow people to thrive? - What are the characteristics and abilities of great leaders that make this all work? Nick Levett is asking the questions with me so you get 3 for the price of 1. EnjoyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Mar 7, 2018 • 1h 17min
Developing 'adaptive dribblers' - a conversation with Ben Galloway
Ben Galloway runs 'Opposite Direction, a YouTube channel that has taken the world of constraints led coaching by storm. His short videos have helped to demystify the concepts within ecological dynamics and make them accessible to coaches that are exploring working using 'non-traditional methods'. In this conversation we explore some of the ways that Ben thinks about the 'ecological approach' and his passion for helping young people experience 'backyard games' as well as sharing how he is currently researching how he can use constraints to create 'adaptive dribblers'. Enjoy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsVkH7793RMAhYqKLXle_vQBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Feb 28, 2018 • 1h 22min
"When I am coaching on the range I can feel myself becoming more technical" - A conversation with Peter Arnott
Peter Arnott is a golf coach that has broken away from the traditional models of golf coaching by embracing non-linear, ecological and constraints led pedagogical approaches. In this absorbing conversation we explore the various challenges that he has faced when adopting this approach, we delve into his methods for helping golfers to become better performers by coaching on the golf course and the issues he faces when he isn't coaching in this environment. We also dig into some of his research into the lives of elite tour players and uncover some fascinating insights about the way elite players approach performance. We are talking golf...but there are applications across the sporting landscape in this fascinating discussion. Enjoy------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you enjoy these conversations and they are helping you to improve then please consider supporting the podcast. Supporters are provided with bonus material and content that won't be available anywhere else. To sign up go to https://www.patreon.com/thetalentequationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Feb 21, 2018 • 1h 4min
"You can't just evaluate coaching effectiveness based on results" - A conversation about coach development with Mark Bennett MBE
Mark Bennett is back by popular demand!!This is a bit of a bonus episode where Mark and I sat down for a cup of coffee and I decided to hit record to see where the conversation took us. We really got in deep as to how we as coaches can measure our effectiveness and also how someone developing a coach should look to guide their development. We are in a cafe so there is quite a bit of background noise but I think you will agree that it is worth persevering!!You can support these podcasts and buy me a cup of coffee by going to the website at www.thetalentequation.co.uk and clicking on the 'become a patron' button at the top of the homescreen. All the best StuartBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Feb 14, 2018 • 47min
"I was trying to get people to join a gym that I couldn't afford to be a member of myself" - A conversation in a park with Born Barikor
Born Barikor is an inspiration....He is the charismatic leader of www.ourparks.co.uk a social movement in the UK that has a mission to help people who are inactive to take their first steps into the world of physical activity through the provision of free fitness activities provided in Parks throughout London. Born's infectious personality is transmitted through the episode where he explains the ingredients that go into the phenomenal success of OurParks which has seen over 60,000 people taking part in exercise classes staffed by a 300 strong team of coaches. In this episode we discuss....- How the Our Parks and Disney share the same ethos around the customer experience- The way the the OurParks coaches create connection that lasts beyond the session- How OurParks is finding coaches that have the natural empathy with their target audienceThis is a different context than is usual for The Talent Equation but there are so many takeaways that are important for anyone trying to build a motivational climate for people to help them change their behaviour. As Born's coaches say...."Even in the rain we train".Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Feb 7, 2018 • 1h 36min
How to become a 'Hi-Fi' coaching practitioner - a conversation with Edward Coughlan
Dr Edward Coughlan is a researcher, lecturer and coach at the Cork Institute of Technology in Ireland. He has spent his career studying skill acquisition and applying what he is learning on the training field. In this fantastic discussion we explore a whole world of topics including: - How he works to make coaching have a strong representation to the game- The difference between the 'practice effect and the 'performance effect' and why so many coaches get seduced by it. - Using consequences to improve performance - How he improved his coaching by paying attention to the 'decision load' in his sessions- Why failure is so important for learningThis is an episode that is extremely dense in information...I recommend a notepad for this one!Enjoy!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The costs of the running the podcast in time and money are quite considerable. If you would like so support the podcast and help to keep it going then please consider heading over to the my Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/thetalentequation and become a supporter! You will be helping greatly and it will allow me to keep bringing you great content!! Thank you!!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Jan 31, 2018 • 54min
"Outsourcing feedback" - A conversation with Kendal McWade
Kendal McWade from Instinctive Golf is back. Recently, he dropped by for a visit for 2 days. He came to watch me coaching my regular Wednesday night group and then he coached a friend of mine as well as working me on my game and also coaching my son. After dinner, we recorded some reflections of our experiences and shared our thoughts on our respective approaches and methods. Some themes in this conversation are: - How to praise without giving praise- The difference and similarity of approach between team games and individual games - The nature of feedback and how most coaches and players are 'outsourcing feedback' - Our different approach to questioning- Why coaching sessions should make the player's head hurt....and a lot moreEnjoy------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you enjoy these podcasts and you would like to support it then please head over to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click on the 'become a patron' button at the top of the page. Your support will be greatly appreciated.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Jan 24, 2018 • 1h 21min
"Why do professional baseball players spend hours hitting balls off tees?" - A conversation with Shaun Larkin
Shaun Larkin is a player development specialist working in professional baseball with the LA Dodgers. His role involves helping players to enhance their skills and a big part of that role is to challenge coaching practice to maximise the impact that they can have to prepare players for performance. In this episode we explore: - How professional baseball recruits and develops talent- Some of the limitations of the talent development system in baseball- The crazy competition schedule and the constraints in puts on coaching - The challenges he faces trying to shift away from 'traditional coaching methods'Shaun can be found on Twitter at @slarkin04Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Jan 17, 2018 • 1h 10min
'In search of creativity' - An interview with Mark Peters
This podcast is a bit different...in this episode the tables are turned...and I am doing most of the talking ("how is that different?" I hear you cry!). In this episode Mark Peters interviews me about Creativity for a research project he is undertaking. In the episode we cover a lot of ground including....Why most people misunderstand what creativity is and limit the development of creativity in players as a result. How Pep Guardiola thinks about creativity (probably) and the strange reasons why that is deemed to be so unique and abnormalThe biggest mistake coaches make when working to develop creativity and the simple tip that can help to navigate it. What evolutionary biology can teach us about developing more creative players. How an ecological approach to creativity and problem solving should be used to create team cohesion. Why methods adopted in a high performance context shouldn't be adopted in a talent environment if we are passionate about developing creative players. I hope you enjoyStuartBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.