

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

May 16, 2018 • 1h 19min
In search of creativity - A conversation with James Vaughan
James Vaughan is a coach at the AIK Academy in Sweden. He is a colleague of Mark O'Sullivan and Dennis Hortin (both previous podcast guests) and is a regular contributor to the fantastic website 'Player Development Project'. James has a rich background as a coach and as a researcher and has been fortunate to study under the guidance of some of the leading academics in the field of skill acquisition, constraints led coaching and games based coaching. In this episode we delve into creativity and explore the way that social and cultural constraints influence the way we think, feel and act when trying to lead the development of young people in sport. It is an illuminating and in depth conversation. In the episode we discuss...- Why Brazilian culture emphasises skill - How Barcelona differs from Stockholm in the way they view human development- Myths about talent and creativity - How James applies constraints to influence positive, creative action rather than minimising errorGet your notebook ready!!If you would like to support the podcast then please head over to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click on the 'become a Patron' button at the top of the page.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.Ready to explore these ideas further? Join The Guild of Ecological Explorers – a community of practitioners committed to deepening their understanding of ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches. Head to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click the 'Join a Learning Group' button to become part of this transformative conversation

May 9, 2018 • 1h 36min
"Some coaches have made a living by creating great looking training that doesn't transfer to the match" - A conversation with Mark Bennett
Mark Bennett is back! He's been off travelling the world working with professional sports teams and community clubs. PDS is taking off in a big way!! In this podcast we cover a LOT of ground reflecting on the challenges of adopting a truly athlete centred approach to coaching. Topics of discussion include: - Why most coaches look at the wrong things in training. - Why saying nothing is not athlete centred- Why reflection doesn't work (very well most of the time)- How to identify the areas to work on that are going to bring the biggest return on investment - How coaches are using questioning in a way that is no better than telling- Using the 'Rule of 3' to develop a positive culture in sessionsAnd SO much moreEnjoy!!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.Ready to explore these ideas further? Join The Guild of Ecological Explorers – a community of practitioners committed to deepening their understanding of ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches. Head to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click the 'Join a Learning Group' button to become part of this transformative conversation

May 2, 2018 • 1h 4min
Facilitating learning in sport by "creating a skateboard environment" - A conversation with Mark O'Sullivan
Mark O'Sullivan discusses the impact of culturally resilient beliefs, the benefits of creating a skateboard environment for learning, and the harmfulness of pursuing ideal technical models in coaching. He compares his coaching approach to that of a sculptor or painter, emphasizing the importance of natural movement development and challenging conformity in education and coaching. They also challenge the traditional view of the brain as a computer and highlight the continuous flow of information between the brain and body in dynamic sports. The hosts discuss the value of research, reflection, and interactive discussions in coaching, as well as the importance of challenging culturally resilient beliefs for growth.

Apr 25, 2018 • 1h 13min
"When people use video, they look at technique and think "that is what I did wrong"" - David Hinchliffe
David Hinchliffe likes a challenge. He is a full time cricket coach in Glasgow, Scotland. One of the rainiest cities in the UK. He is also an example of adaptability and resilience, often coaching in sub zero temperatures with groups of youngsters in his unheated indoor centre. In this conversation we discuss:- Why you never say to David "I just want to hit balls"- How to use the constraints led approach in a sport like cricket which often demands technical input- How he creates contextualised learning experiences in artificial environments - Why he doesn't do "standard nets"Hope you enjoyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.Ready to explore these ideas further? Join The Guild of Ecological Explorers – a community of practitioners committed to deepening their understanding of ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches. Head to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click the 'Join a Learning Group' button to become part of this transformative conversation

Apr 19, 2018 • 1h 43min
"People are still looking for the drills and the activities...they want the cookbook" - A conversation with Ed Coughlan & Shawn Myszka
Ed Coughlan and Shawn Myszka reflect on movement and skill acquisition conferences. Topics discussed include the value of exploration and practice, creating an environment for growth, challenging traditional training methods, understanding the reciprocal relationship between problem and solution, embracing chaos in coaching, creating an engaging coaching environment, the conversation about using either hand in hurling, the impact of standardized thinking on society, teaching games for understanding, talent development systems in England and India, and exploring terminology in coaching.

Apr 11, 2018 • 1h 20min
"our youth sports culture is a little out of whack at the moment" - A conversation with Ken Martell from USA Hockey
Ken Martel is the Technical Director at USA Hockey (ice not field!!) and has been leading change in the development of the sport of Ice Hockey across the USA for over a decade. His passion and commitment to make the experience for young people as good as it can be shines through in the conversation. Areas we discuss include: - How Ice hockey went from being a sport where 60% of kids quit by age 11 to a sport that now has a 90% retention rate. - How they developed their player development framework, the 'American Development Model'. - How the principles of Non-Linear Pedagogy are embedded in their development programmes - The challenges they faced in implementing the framework and working with volunteer coaches- Some ideas about how to develop movement agility while keeping perception and action coupled. Its a great conversation, hope you enjoyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.Ready to explore these ideas further? Join The Guild of Ecological Explorers – a community of practitioners committed to deepening their understanding of ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches. Head to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click the 'Join a Learning Group' button to become part of this transformative conversation

Apr 4, 2018 • 1h 50min
Playing with a 'clumsy pig' using a 'sandbox' in a 'fishtank' - A conversation about games with Amy Price
Amy Price is a football coach that is fascinated by games. She lectures on coaching at St Mary's University and is studying for a PhD on the topic of the application of the learning principles associated with video games as applied to sport. This conversation really got me thinking...we discovered that we were both using games in our coaching but we were coming from very different theoretical perspectives. It was really interesting and you will hear us both struggling to come to terms with it. In this episode you will hear us exploring: - Using a 'sandbox' to eliminate risk- Using a 'fishtank' to develop technique - Why games promote learning by providing meaning - The 4 C's of mission based learning - Why the whole concept of 'ball mastery' is missing a trickEnjoy!!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.Ready to explore these ideas further? Join The Guild of Ecological Explorers – a community of practitioners committed to deepening their understanding of ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches. Head to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click the 'Join a Learning Group' button to become part of this transformative conversation

Mar 28, 2018 • 1h 36min
"Why are you asking questions? Just go and tell him...get your certificate and then coach how you like" - A conversation with Steve Hooper
Steve Hooper is the owner and head coach at 'Inclusion Coaching', A football coaching organisation that is committed to enabling children to learn through a games based approach. It is fair to say that Steve's education as a coach has been a trial. At many stages he has had setbacks but each of those setbacks have served to define him as a coach. It is the very definition of 'non linear coach development' and serves to highlight all of the things that still need to be improved in coach education. In this episode we cover...- How Steve had to bite his lip to pass the UEFA B course - The challenge he faces with the 'perception of non coaching'- Is the games based approach is the equivalent of junk food?- The ultimate measure of whether the games based approach works or not......and much moreEnjoyhttp://www.inclusioncoaching.co.ukBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.Ready to explore these ideas further? Join The Guild of Ecological Explorers – a community of practitioners committed to deepening their understanding of ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches. Head to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click the 'Join a Learning Group' button to become part of this transformative conversation

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.Ready to explore these ideas further? Join The Guild of Ecological Explorers – a community of practitioners committed to deepening their understanding of ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches. Head to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click the 'Join a Learning Group' button to become part of this transformative conversation

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.Ready to explore these ideas further? Join The Guild of Ecological Explorers – a community of practitioners committed to deepening their understanding of ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches. Head to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click the 'Join a Learning Group' button to become part of this transformative conversation


