

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

Apr 10, 2024 • 1h 44min
“I think sometimes you do drills for other reasons than skill development" - a conversation with Mike Jagacki
Experienced basketball coach Mike Jagacki discusses blending structured and flexible coaching, integrating ecological concepts with information processing. Exploring skill development balance, player growth methodologies, dynamic training, and building confidence and teamwork through drills.

Mar 29, 2024 • 42min
Dog Walk Diary - with special guest (my wife Claire!)
So this is a bit of a high risk podcast. I’m joined for my reflective time with Flo the dog by my wife Claire to talk about what it’s like to live with me!! She doesn’t hold back!! Hope you enjoy Link to my podcast with Jamie Edwards https://www.spreaker.com/episo...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

Feb 22, 2024 • 1h 18min
"There were times when I didn't want to go to practice" - a conversation with Adrian 'Eco Hoops' Sapp
Adrian Sapp is a basketball coach from Ontario in Canada. He runs a basketball programme called 'Eco Hoops' which states in it's mission statement..."EcoHoops, driven by a mission to transform youth basketball, places the utmost emphasis on nurturing the whole child. Central to our philosophy is the mental and emotional well-being of every young athlete, ensuring a positive, safe, and joy-filled basketball experience." I thought that I need to get Sdrian on to have a chat and explore his story. We delve into the following topics: How Steph Curry is a product of envionemntal constraints.Adrian's challenges to get parents and other coaches to embrace the appoach.How discovering the ecological approach helped him go from being critical and miserable to engaging and joyful.How learning about Growth Mindset from his child's school homework acted as the 'gateway' to an ecological worldview.Link to the Eco Hoops Website Link to the X account I hope you enjoy. 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

53 snips
Feb 14, 2024 • 1h 49min
Do coaches have theories or do they have a "bundle of beliefs" - a conversation with Phil Kearney
In this podcast, Phil Kearney discusses the impact of coaches' beliefs on coaching behaviors and life skills transfer. He emphasizes the importance of understanding coaching theories like ecological dynamics and cognitive psychology. The debate on professional judgement and decision making in coaching is explored, challenging coaches to assess their beliefs and integrate evidence-based practices.

Feb 7, 2024 • 1h 10min
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not." - a conversation with Brett Holland and Sion Kitson
In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative world of talent development within England Hockey by welcoming back Brett Holland and Sean Kitson, two previous podcast guests and who share their experiences and approaches to nurturing young talent in the sport of field hockey.Main Themes:The shift from a centralised system to a more flexible, decentralized approach, recognizing the individuality of athletes’ development paths.The challenges and benefits of non-linear athlete development, emphasizing the need for multiple entry points and pathways for young players.The significance of customising coaching strategies to suit individual needs and the deliberate actions taken to enhance talent development.A clear understanding of objectives across different environments, such as school clubs and junior academies.Integration of competition into training as a means to measure progress and the importance of competition in sports overall.The necessity for a collaborative effort in the talent development ecosystem, guided by a comprehensive talent system framework.I 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

Jan 30, 2024 • 1h 27min
"There are never answers....just more questions" - a conversation with Jordan Cassidy
Jordan Cassidy (MSc) has worked across the globe since September 2013, from Ireland, to Hong Kong, to the UK, and now in Brisbane, Australia. He has worked all over the world in roles such as a sports scientist, athletic development coach, and physical education teacher. Jordan is currently conducting research in skill acquisition and coaching at Queensland University of Technology, while working as a coach and player development consultant for clubs and schools across Queensland.Jordan and I get together to discuss a blog post he wrote at his website www.skilledathleticism.com which I was keen to unpack and explore. There are some 'headscratchers' in the article for me that I was keen to understand more and see where our point of agreement was. I hope you see from this conversation that it is very possible to have different viewpoints and still have a productive conversation that moves our understanding further. I hope you enjoy.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

Dec 18, 2023 • 1h 22min
'Visualise tragedies - not comedies' - a conversation with Andreu Enrich
Andrea Enrich popped by to chat about his new book, '50 tipe sof rintelligent players - Vol 2' It is brillient and full of really powerful insights for players of all invasion games. There are some specific elements to field hockey and stick based sports but most of it applies more generally. We talk about 'Leading like Michael Jackson''Rutuals are not superstitions''Using Video Intelligenly' 'Visualise tragendies not commedies'I hope you enjoy the conversationBecome 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

Nov 24, 2023 • 40min
Dog Walk Diary - Child First Coaching is hard - learning about neurodiversity
A proper deep reflection about a massive failure trying to be child first with a large group and it’s impact on my interactions with a neurodiverse child that I am still reflecting on and trying to come to terms with!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

Oct 20, 2023 • 1h 31min
How 'the scenius' can be better than 'the system' - a conversation with Graeme McDowall
Graeme McDowall holds an MPhil degree in Sports Coaching Education from the University of Birmingham. He is a lecturer at the SRUC in Scotland and an associate lecturer in Sport and Exercise with the Open University. Graeme is made a welcome return to the show to explore the opportunities and challenges of using 2 touch in training. But before we get to that, we discuss his thoughts on golf coaching, how we can create better experiences by learning from the creative approaches of musicians and also some of the key insights from his new book 'The System' which explores the history of Scottish football and what it means for player development today. Subscribe to Graeme's substack here https://mcdowall.substack.com/Check out the new book 'The System: What we can learn when science and reason collide with scittish football'.Also check out Graeme's other book - 'A Constraints Led Approach to Golf Coaching'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

Aug 25, 2023 • 1h 25min
"Coaching what can't be coached" - a conversation with Andrew Sheaff
Andrew Sheaff, swimming coach who embraces non linear pedagogy and the constraints led approach, discusses challenges in teaching swimming skills, need for a different coaching approach, integrating skill development and physiology in training, facilitative learning, childhood experiences in developing swimming skills, and practical ideas to design a set.


