How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast

In Episode 144, Lang Wedemeyer, Head Coach of Liberty University Women's Soccer, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about his ministry and coaching journey and lessons he has learned along the way, the challenges of transitioning a program from D-1 to D-2, how he is a better coach because of an ill-timed injury, the transfer portal, the importance of mentorship and how Iron Chats are helping coaches, how his faith impacts his coaching, culture building, great lessons from great coaches, a bunch of great book recommendations, and much more. Specifically, Lang discusses: · His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer, leadership, and coaching, and how he ended up coaching at Liberty University (1:46) · Lessons learned from his transition from Division 2 to Division 1 while coaching at South Dakota State (5:23) · How the transfer portal is changing the game (9:38) · His personal why/life purpose and how he is living it out today (11:41) · The importance of mentorship and how Iron Chats are helping coaches lead better and connect with mentors/mentees (14:25) · A couple things he wishes he knew when he started coaching a couple decades ago (20:54) · How his faith has impacted his coaching and how he has incorporated his faith into his coaching at both a secular and Christian school (24:39) · Establishing and maintaining healthy cultures in your teams (29:46) · Coaching the different generations over the years (34:35) · His defining moment as a player and life lessons he learned from it (39:25) · His most influential coaches and how he is using the lessons learned from them in his life today (45:52) · His thoughts on the good and bad of US soccer, and how lessons learned in Liberia can help soccer in the US (53:23) · How he is using lessons learned from the beautiful game in his relationships outside the game (1:05:22) · His recommendations (1:10:40) Resources and Links from this Episode · Iron Chats · Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast) · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast · Positive University Podcast · The Ed Mylett Podcast · Win the Day: 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More, Mark Batterson · The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports, Brian Smith · Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth · Inside Out Coaching: How Sports Can Transform Lives, Joe Ehrmann · Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex, John Gray · High Altitude Leadership: What the World's Most Forbidding Peaks Teach Us About Success, Chris Warner · The Vision of a Champion: Advice and Inspiration from the World's Most Successful Women's Soccer Coach, Anson Dorrance & Gloria Averbuch

In Episode 143, David Irby, CEO of Surge Int'l, Former Azusa Pacific University Head Coach, Author of Undefeated: We are More Than Conquerors Through Him Who Loved Us, Sammy Surge, and Sports Ministry, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about his ministry and coaching journey and lessons he has learned along the way, how soccer connects the world, the importance of baby steps and doing hard things in hard places, some insane stories from his adventures, the power of Christ, his books, winning and fair play, the power of moments, great lessons from great coaches, what he learned in Liberia that can help US Soccer, and much more. Specifically, David discusses: · His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer, leadership, ministry, and coaching, and how he ended up being one of the pioneers of soccer ministry and visiting much of the world over the past few decades (4:10) · His personal why/life purpose and how he is living it out today (12:07) · His ministry journey and the different ministries he has worked with and is working with around the world, including some crazy experiences that no doubt will teach you some important lessons (15:54) · The importance of doing things without worrying about the impact that we actually see (24:30) · Why he wrote his books and how he hopes they will affect his readers' lives (29:35) · How he incorporates his faith into his coaching and how it impacts his teams' culture (38:40) · His defining moment as a player and life lessons he learned from it (46:08) · His most influential coaches and how he is using the lessons learned from them in his life today (49:42) · His thoughts on the good and bad of US soccer, and how lessons learned in Liberia can help soccer in the US (55:41) · How he is using lessons learned from the beautiful game in his relationships outside the game (1:00:33) · His recommendations, including a one close to home (1:05:21) Resources and Links from this Episode · Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast) · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · Undefeated: We are More Than Conquerors Through Him Who Loved Us, David Irby · Sammy Surge: Study Hard, Play Fair, Help Others, David Irby · Sports Ministry, David Irby · The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham, Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley

In Episode 142, Brock Thompson, South Dakota State Head Coach and 2024 FCA Layton Shoemaker Award winner, talks with Phil and Paul about his coaching journey and lessons he has learned along the way, how he incorporates his faith into his coaching and how he does it in a secular school, the origin of the word, "Coach," aligning priorities with faith, our need for accountability, the importance of belief, authenticity and vulnerability, how what makes America a great country negatively affects youth soccer, the power of "I don't know," and much more. Specifically, Brock discusses: · His personal story and coaching journey, including how he grew his passion for soccer, leadership, and coaching, and what he is doing in retirement how he ended up at South Dakota State (5:41) · How his coaching stint at North Dakota is a big part of his faith journey (8:47) · His personal why/life purpose and how he is living it out today (14:37) · How he incorporates his faith into his coaching (18:53) · Living out faith as a coach in a secular school (23:10) · What his faith has to do with his team's success at SD State (25:58) · The need for accountability and where he finds it (29:17) · His defining moment as a player and life lessons he learned from it (33:38) · His most influential coach and how he is using the lessons learned from that coach in his life today (37:43) · His thoughts on the good and bad of US soccer, and how a great quality of America negatively affects youth sports in our country (43:41) · What we are missing in the training of our youth players (50:04) · How he is using lessons learned from the beautiful game in his relationships outside the game (57:36) · His book recommendations (59:13) Resources and Links from this Episode · Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast) · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life, Tony Dungy · The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success, Andy Andrews · 3D Coach: Capturing the Heart Behind the Jersey, Jeff Duke · 9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in Love and Life: A Psychologist Learns from His Patients What Really Works and What Doesn't, Henry Cloud

In Episode 141, Schellas Hyndman, United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame Member, former Head Coach of FC Dallas, SMU Men's Soccer (where he coached for 24 years), GCU Men's Soccer, Eastern Illinois Men's Soccer, and Murray State Men's Soccer, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about lessons learned during his incredible childhood, playing, and coaching journey, how his martial arts background translates to the soccer pitch, building trust and accountability in our teams, some stories about how he built trust with players and kept them accountable to the team standards, why coaching in the MLS was one of the best things he has ever done AND one of the worst things he has ever done, the most influential coaches in his life, changing your story, and much more. Specifically, Coach Hyndman discusses: · His personal story and coaching journey, including how he grew his passion for soccer, leadership, and coaching, and what he is doing in retirement (4:36) · How his family fled Macau and made their way to the US during his childhood (23:41) · His personal why/life purpose and how he is living it out today (30:31) · Lessons he learned from martial arts that he has used on the soccer pitch and the importance of cross-discipline learning (35:22) · How his experiences in his "estagio" (i.e., apprentice coaching) in Brazil shaped his coaching in the college game in the US (44:03) · The importance of building trust and creating an accountability system in our teams (50:52) · His experience coaching in the MLS professional game and how it was similar and different from the college game. Why coaching in the pro ranks was the best and worst thing he has ever done (54:10) · Why we need to pour into our young talent, particularly the underprivileged young players, and keep them accountable to values and morals, and how we can do it – and a story about a great player from South America that will definitely make you think (1:01:00) · His most influential coaches and how he is using the lessons learned from them in his life today (1:06:32) · How he is using lessons learned from the beautiful game in his marriage and parenting (1:12:04) · His book and other recommendations (1:16:40) Resources and Links from this Episode · Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast) · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · Changing Your Story: How to Take Control of Your Life, Create Change, and Achieve Your Goals, Bill Beswick · Living on the Volcano: The Secrets of Surviving as a Football Manager, Michael Calvin

In Episode 140, Paul and Phil cover their favorite moments from the second half of Season 10, which included some great nuggets of wisdom from ultra-marathoners, coaching legends, and authors, as well as unforgettable stories that you definitely don't want to miss. Phil and Paul also give some recommendations that you'll want to check out. Resources and Links from this Episode · Uncut Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World website · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports, Brian Smith · Think Global, Do Justice Podcast · Big Sam: My Autobiography, Sam Allardyce · Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow · "John Adams" Biopic · Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else, Jon Gordon · Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy, Jon Gordon

In Episode 139, Randy Waldrum, Head Coach of the Nigeria Super Falcons (WNT) and Pitt Women's Soccer, former Head Coach of the Houston Dash, Baylor Soccer, Notre Dame, University of Tulsa, and the Trinidad & Tobago WNT, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about lessons learned during his incredible coaching journey, including founding the Baylor Soccer program, getting the Nigeria WNT job without even applying, and winning National Championships at Notre Dame, his passion for helping young coaches and how he is doing it, learning from difficult times, what he would ask Sir Alex Ferguson at a dinner party, the importance of learning from people outside your discipline, why we need to evolve our coaching and leadership, his thoughts on the highs and lows of US Soccer right now, his defining moment, and much more. Specifically, Coach Waldrum discusses: · His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer, leadership, coaching, and how he developed his love for coaching the women's side of the beautiful game (4:15) · How he landed the coaching gig with the Nigerian Women's National Team without even applying for it (11:20) · His new Telegram group and how he wants to use it to help young coaches develop their coaching (14:27) · His personal why and life purpose and how he is living it out today (19:41) · Some of the highlights and difficult times from his incredible year with the Pitt Panthers and Nigerian Women's National Team (23:24) · What he learned from losing 9 games in a row (37:59) · Lessons he learned from starting a new program, taking over a national powerhouse as a young coach, and working to revive a struggling program at different points of his career (40:06) · Lessons he has learned from his incredible coaching career that he wants to share with younger coaches (46:16) · What he would ask Sir Alex Ferguson at a dinner gathering and why those questions (52:37) · The importance of learning from people outside of our own discipline and evolving our coaching styles with the culture and the game (55:54) · His defining moment in his soccer career and what he learned from it (47:39) · His most influential coaches and how he is using the lessons learned from them in his life today (53:36) · His thoughts, good and bad, about the current state of US Soccer (1:05:30) · How he is using lessons learned from the beautiful game in his marriage and parenting (1:15:00) · His recommendations (1:17:51) Resources and Links from this Episode · Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast) · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · The Gold Standard: Building a World-Class Team, Mike Krzyzewski · Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap . . . and Others Don't, Jim Collins

In Episode 138, Lincoln Phillips, Trinidad & Tobago Goalkeeper of the Century, USC Hall of Famer, Former Head Coach of Howard University, Author of Goalkeeping:The Last Line of Defense, The First Line of Attack, husband, father, and grandfather, talks with Phil and Paul about lessons learned during his journey from Trinidad & Tobago Goalkeeper to professional soccer in the US to Howard University Head Coach and beyond, a movie being made about his incredible life, the importance of hard work, adaptability, and empowering players to lead, how captains need to be on-field coaches, his views on controversial goalkeeper topics, great stories and defining moments in his life, an incredible story of friendship that transcended the game and society during a difficult time in the US, the need for more creativity in American soccer, and much more. Specifically, Coach Phillips discusses: · His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer, leadership, and coaching, and how a kid from Trinidad & Tobago who was "terrible at everything" ended up being a player-coach in early years of the NASL and a legendary coach at Howard University (4:40) · His personal why and life purpose and how he is living it out today (13:33) · His coaching background (16:39) · The story behind his book, Goalkeeping:The Last Line of Defense, The First Line of Attack, and some invaluable goalkeeping tips from a legend (22:33) · How we can teach keepers to be better at 1 v 1's (28:11) · The importance of keepers being coached with the team, not off to the side (30:49) · Corner kicks – defenders on posts or no defenders on posts? (31:57) · Why American soccer coaches need to start questioning things and thinking for themselves (37:06) · Life and leadership lessons he learned playing the great position of goalkeeper (42:24) · His defining moment in his soccer career and what he learned from it (47:39) · His most influential coaches and how he is using the lessons learned from them in his life today (53:36) · His thoughts, good and bad, about the current state of US Soccer (1:00:12) · How he is using lessons learned from the beautiful game in his marriage and parenting (1:06:08) · His recommendations (1:09:26) · A sneak peek into the movie being made about Coach Phillips (definitely will want to listen to the end) (1:13:48) Resources and Links from this Episode · Soccer Goalkeeping:The Last Line of Defense, The First Line of Attack, Lincoln Phillips · Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast) · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · Net Gains: Inside the Beautiful Game's Analytics Revolution, Ryan O'Hanlon Article about the upcoming movie about Coach Phillips and the 1971 Howard University team, "Rising Above"

In Episode 137, Ali Malaekeh, Head Coach of the OC Seahorses, FCA College Representative, former college footballer, and Author of Veritas: 7 Truths that Lead to a Purposeful Life, talks with Phil and Paul about his unlikely journey from Iran to working with Fellowship of Christican Athletes and coaching a Christian WPSL soccer team, how his personal "why" led to his book Veritas: 7 Truths That Lead To A Purposeful Life, important life and leadership lessons from his book, his work with FCA and the Seahorses, his defining moment in soccer and how one coach deeply impacted his life, his thoughts on the current state of US Soccer, how he uses an important lesson from soccer in his marriage, and some books (in addition to his great book) that you're definitely going to want to read. Specifically, Ali discusses: · His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer, leadership, ministry, and coaching, and how an Iranian Muslim ended up on staff with FCA and coaching a Christian soccer team (3:57) · His life purpose and how it led him to write Veritas (15:30) · How his book is helping people find their purpose and live a purposeful life (18:36) · The concept of open-handedness as we pursue our goals (26:36) · The Japanese concept of Kintsugi and how it relates to integrity and our relationships (32:29) · How we can avoid external landmines in our lives (38:07) · His ministry with the OC Seahorses (42:40) · His defining moment in his soccer career and what he learned from it (48:25) · His most influential coach and how he is using the lessons learned from his coach in his life today (50:55) · His thoughts, good and bad, about the current state of US Soccer (53:50) · How he is using an important lesson learned from playing soccer in his marriage (59:15) · His book recommendations (1:01:14) Resources and Links from this Episode · Ali's Website (where you can get a copy of Veritas: 7 Truths that Lead to a Purposeful Life) · Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast) · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else, Jon Gordon · The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team With Positive Energy, Jon Gordon

In Episode 136, Ruth Brennan Morrey, Mental Performance Coach with RBM Performance Coaching, Ironman and amateur World Champion Triathlete, former University of Wisconsin-Madison and semi-pro footballer, talks with Phil and Paul about her journey from college and semi-pro soccer to the Olympics to Ironman Triathlons, and what she has learned about life and leadership on her journey, the importance of unstructured free play, building confidence through "ESPs," reaching our "true potential," her work with RBM Performance Coaching, building an "Ideal Team Family," and much more. Specifically, Ruth discusses: · Her personal story, including how she grew his passion for soccer, leadership, triathlons, and mental performance coaching (3:50) · The impact John Wooden has had on her life and work, and why it is important to apply some of the "Wooden Principles" in our coaching today (12:24) · Her trip to Guatemala with Warrior Way and how it impacted her life (15:25) · Her personal why/life purpose and how she is living it out (18:05) · The benefits of unstructured free play and all that our kids miss when they don't have it in their lives on a regular basis (22:15) · RBM Performance Coaching, how it came to be, and what she is doing with it (32:08) · How we can coach our players to be more confident (34:26) · How she defines "True Potential" (40:15) · The concept of "Ideal Team Family" and why it is so important (47:39) · Life and leadership lessons she has learned during her time as a triathlete (58:52) · How she has used lessons learned from soccer in her marriage and parenting (1:02:10) · Her recommendations (1:04:27) Resources and Links from this Episode · RBM Performance Coaching website · Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast) · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes, Alfie Kohn · The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance, Dr. Nate Zinsser · Clear Coaching: Harness Clarity to Drive Development, Todd Beane · Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, James Clear The Coach's Guide to Teaching, Doug Lemov

In Episode 135, Paul and Phil cover their favorite moments from the second half of Season 10, including Paul's favorite episode of all-time, their top 3 episodes from the incredible guests we've had on HSEL throughout 2023, their Top 3 books of the year (Phil had a few more), and Phil's top 5 sports/leadership documentaries of 2023. It's a great way to top off an incredible year of Soccer, Life, and Leadership! Resources and Links from this Episode · Uncut Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World website · Coaching the Bigger Game Program · Phil's email for DISC Training · United Soccer Coaches Convention Registration Page – Promo Code: LEADERSHIP24 · Phil's Top Sports/Leadership Documentaries of 2023 o "In Search of Greatness" o "Break Point" o "Full Swing" o "Beckham" o "That Peter Crouch Film" · Paul's Top 3 Books Read in 2023 o Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Mind, Craig Groeschel o God Has A Name, John Mark Comer o Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, David Epstein · Phil's Top 10 Books Read in 2023 o Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, David Epstein o Chop Wood, Carry Water: How to Fall in Love With the Process of Becoming Great, Joshua Medcalf o Win in the Dark: Some Think You Shine Under the Bright Lights, the Bright Lights Only Reveal Your Work in the Dark, Joshua Medcalf & Lucas Jadin o Pound the Stone:7 Lessons to Develop Grit on the Path to Mastery, Joshua Medcalf o Open: An Autobiography, Andre Agassi o Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches, Carlo Ancelotti o Leadership as an Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence, Crawford Loritts o The Captain Class: The Hidden Force That Creates the World's Greatest Teams, Sam Walker o Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Daniel James Brown o The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World, Andy Crouch