In Episode 55, Aaron Blue, CEO of The Charis Project in Thailand, talks with Phil about how he ended up working with people on the Thailand/Burma border, how soccer is an integral part of his ministry, why soccer is such a powerful cross-cultural tool, and how his soccer coaches in his early years impacted him for reasons you wouldn’t expect. Specifically, Aaron discusses: His story, how he developed his passion for leadership and ministry (1:53) How The Charis Project is using soccer to transfo...
Nov 11, 2021•51 min•Season 4Ep. 55
In Episode 54, Zac Hoffman, Author of Finding the Good Life as a SWALeader and former professional American football player in Europe, talking with Phil about intercultural competence, leading effectively in a foreign country, humility, playing American football in Europe, mental toughness and resilience, and helping players to overcome adversity. Specifically, Zac discusses: His story, how he developed his passion for football and leadership, his new book, and how he ended up playing football i...
Nov 04, 2021•54 min•Season 4Ep. 54
In Episode 53, Jesse Bradley, Pastor of Seattle Grace Community Church, Dartmouth College Men’s Soccer Alum, and Former Professional in Scotland and Zimbabwe, talks with Phil about developing healthy mindset and habits, finding our purpose, developing muscle memory in our decision-making, collaboration in leadership, healthy and toxic teams, leading with confidence and clarity, identity formation, servant leadership, leaders as followers, and parenting and marriage advice. Specifically, Jesse di...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 53
In Episode 52, Paul and Phil recall some of the highlights of the first half of Season 4 and continue their conversation about the leadership genius of Ted Lasso, Coach Beard, and Nate the Great, covering Episodes 7 & 8 of the show. Specifically, they discuss: Highlights from the interviews we had with Diego Bocanegra, Lance Key, Will Russell, and Tracy Hamm in the first half of Season 4 (2:47) Making youth soccer more accessible to all kids, not just the wealthy, across the US (5:36) Specia...
Oct 21, 2021•51 min•Season 4Ep. 52
In Episode 51, Tracy Hamm, Head Coach of UC Davis Women’s Soccer, talks with Phil about her incredible journey to obtaining her UEFA A license and the documentary made about it (“Coach”), crashing big wheels and “pool sharking” as a kid, mentoring, creating and maintaining healthy culture, preventing toxic teams, understanding “the other” and other perspectives, integrity, and how pressure is a privilege. Specifically, Tracy discusses: Her story and how she grew her passion for soccer, coaching,...
Oct 14, 2021•46 min•Season 4Ep. 51
In Episode 50, we are continuing our Fan Favorites series by recasting our interview with Lee Baker, Owner of uScore Soccer and Director of Legacy Soccer Club, who talked with Phil about overcoming hardships, knowing and sticking to your “why,” setting and pursuing goals, using soccer as a classroom for life and leadership, modeling ethics and integrity, perspective, mentoring, and sacrificial living. Specifically, Lee discusses: His story and how he developed his passion for soccer, leadership,...
Oct 07, 2021•50 min•Ep. 50
In Episode 49, we continue our Fan Favorites Series with our interview with Amanda Cromwell, Head Coach of UCLA Women’s Soccer, Former National Team member and coach, former pro footballer, and Olympic Gold Medalist, who talked with Phil about vulnerability, recruiting, pursuing justice, and infectious influence. Specifically, she discusses: Her experience in soccer and leadership from her club career, to University of VA, to some other cool stuff, to her current position at UCLA. (1:46) The mos...
Sep 30, 2021•58 min•Ep. 49
In Episode 48, we are continuing our fan favorites mini-series with a re-cast of our interview with Cori Close, Head Coach of UCLA Women’s Basketball, who talked with Phil about lessons she learned from her mentor, John Wooden, her personal “Why,” what a broom and a shovel have to do with leadership, her Close Conversations, healthy conflict, gratitude, Championship Level Habits, doing the next right thing, and how work done in the dark gets revealed in the light. Specifically, Coach Close discu...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 48
In Episode 47, we are re-casting our episode with Brad Miller, Founder of Soccer Resilience, Clinical Psychologist, and former Wake Forest soccer player, who talks with Phil about the four pillars of soccer resilience, how we can address anxiety and depression in sports, resetting and retraining our brains, fixed vs. growth mindsets, and whether we actually do play like we practice. Specifically, Brad discusses: His story and how he developed his passion for soccer, sports psychology, and leader...
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 47
In Episode 46, we are re-casting our conversation with Don Williams, Head of Operations for the Americas for Sports Recruiting USA and former coach at all levels of soccer, who talked with Phil about the #1 tool college coaches use to find recruits, how soccer players can find the “right fit,” the recruiting implications of the small world of college and pro soccer, “punching coaches in the nose” with player emails and videos, and real-world lessons kids can learn through the recruiting process....
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 4Ep. 46
In Episode 45, Will Russell, Founder & CEO of Russell Marketing and Executive Director of Russell Gives Foundation, talks with Phil about his work with Street Soccer USA, lessons he has learned from soccer and Premier League managers, success measures, his “why,” and the sacrifices needed to reach elite status. Specifically, Will discusses: How he developed his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today (1:51) His work with Street Soccer USA (3:57) Lessons he h...
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 45
In Episode 44, Lance Key, Head Coach of University of Louisiana at Lafayette Women’s Soccer, talks with Phil about overcoming adversity and resilience, his personal “why,” stewarding family and team, prioritizing our platforms, creating, communicating, and reinforcing values, and reversing the trend of entitlement. Specifically, Lance discusses: How he developed his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today (4:02) How concussions ended his career and the life less...
Aug 26, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 44
In Episode 43, Diego Bocanegra, Head Coach of University of Houston Women’s Soccer, talks with Phil about how his childhood shaped his love for soccer, specialization, how we can give youth sports back to the kids, the state of soccer in America, what elite players have in common, his personal “Why,” his new podcast, and what he has learned from the beautiful game that he uses in other areas of life. Specifically, Diego discusses: How he developed his passion for soccer, other sports, and leader...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 4Ep. 43
In Episode 42, our co-host, Phil Darke, finishes off this offseason’s talks by sharing five life lessons we can all learn from the beautiful game and apply in every area of our lives: 1) Maximum effort; 2) Always be on your guard; 3) Be able to make decisions on the fly; 4) Your work is important even if nobody sees it; and 5) Rest is a critical component of success. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Email Phil for information about DISC trainin...
Aug 12, 2021•20 min•Ep. 42
In Episode 41, our next Offseason Talks series has our co-host, Paul Jobson, continuing his conversation with Marci Jobson, former USWNT, professional player, and Division 1 Coach, and mother of 4 boys (and Paul’s bride), about the final three pillars of the Warrior Way program: skill, mental toughness, and body readiness. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group The Warrior Way Program...
Aug 05, 2021•21 min•Ep. 41
In Episode 40, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our co-host, Paul Jobson, talking with Marci Jobson (yes, Paul’s bride), former USWNT, professional player, and Division 1 Coach, and mother of 4 boys, about The Warrior Way and its first three pillars: Worship, Work, and Serve. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group The Warrior Way Program...
Jul 29, 2021•16 min•Ep. 40
In Episode 39, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our co-host, Paul Jobson, talking about why a commitment to communication is a critical component of any healthy team. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse -- @phildarke Email Phil – phil@howsoccerexplainsleadership.com – to set up a call to discuss how DISC can help you in your leadership and other areas of your life Warrior Way Soccer Training...
Jul 22, 2021•12 min•Ep. 39
In Episode 38, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our host, Phil Darke, talking about the life and leadership lessons he learned from the seven rules for life that John Wooden learned from his dad and sought to live out during his time on Earth. We cover the last 4 of the rules in this episode: 4) Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible; 5) Make friendship a fine art; 6) Build a shelter against a rainy day; and 7) Pray for guidance and counsel, and give thanks for your blessi...
Jul 15, 2021•20 min•Ep. 38
In Episode 37, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our host, Phil Darke, talking about the life and leadership lessons he learned from the seven rules for life that John Wooden learned from his dad and sought to live out during his time on Earth. We cover the first three of the rules in this episode: 1) Be true to yourself; 2) Make each day a masterpiece; and 3) Help others. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse --...
Jul 08, 2021•11 min•Ep. 37
In Episode 36, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our host, Phil Darke, talking about the life and leadership lessons he learned from the movie, “Searching for Bobby Fischer.” We all have a lot to learn from this movie about chess, as it speaks directly to our coaching, parenting, marriages, and other relationships, and also gives us a practical application for the first three offseason talks. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and ...
Jul 01, 2021•17 min•Ep. 36
In Episode 35, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our host, Phil Darke, talking about the importance of mentorship in your leadership and every area of your life, particularly how it is virtually impossible to flourish at your fullest without finding trusted mentors and mentoring others. We discuss the concepts of a personal advisory board, constellation mentoring, and 2x2x2 mentoring. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on ...
Jun 24, 2021•15 min•Ep. 35
In Episode 34, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our host, Phil Darke, talking about why he believes that understanding and implementing the DISC Model of Human Behavior will help you take a massive step toward a healthy team and healthier life, better understanding of yourself and your players, staff, and volunteers, learning how to resolve conflict, reducing turnover, working better together with everyone in your life, get more results, and have much more fun in the process. On avera...
Jun 17, 2021•15 min•Ep. 34
In Episode 33, we are taking a little break from our normal programming to have some offseason talks between Seasons 3 & 4. In these talks, Paul and Phil will be sharing some timeless leadership principles that will help you flourish by knowing and pursuing your purpose, honing your skills, taking your leadership to the next level. In this first offseason talk, Phil shares about how writing your own eulogy and knowing your why are essential to your ability to lead yourself and others with ex...
Jun 10, 2021•12 min•Ep. 33
In Episode 32, Paul and Phil recall some of the highlights of the second half of Season 3 and continue their conversation about the leadership genius of Ted Lasso, Coach Beard, and Nate the Great, covering Episodes 5 & 6 of the show. Specifically, they discuss: Highlights from the amazing interviews we had with Cori Close, Greg Rubendall, John Yeager, and Clyde Best in the second half of Season 3 (3:46) Why Paul relates so well with Higgins and Ted’s brilliance in handling Jamie Tartt’s unhe...
Jun 03, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 32
In Episode 31, Clyde Best, MBE, former player with West Ham United, Feyenoord, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Portland Timbers, and Toronto Blizzard, former youth coach, former Manager of the Bermuda National Team, and member of the Bermuda Hall of Fame, talks with Phil about mentorship, self-awareness, the value of team sports in other areas of life, integrity and doing the “next right thing,” the infamous VAR, his beloved West Ham United, his faith, and how he has used lessons learned in his incredible pl...
May 27, 2021•57 min•Season 3Ep. 31
In Episode 30, John Yeager, Author of The Coaching Zone: Next Level Leadership in Sports , Positive Psychology Consultant, and Performance Coach, talks with Phil about his incredible new book, the 3 lenses of concentration, self-awareness and blind spots, harmonious vs. obsessive passion, PsyCap, polarity thinking, cultivating connections, providing effective feedback, overcoming confirmation bias and fundamental attribution error, and choreographing the “team dance.” Specifically, John discusse...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 30
In Episode 29, Greg Rubendall, Livermore Fusion Director of Soccer Development and US Soccer Grassroots Coach Educator, talks with Phil about “deep practice,” college club soccer, the importance of fundamentals, developing healthy parent-coach communication, controlling the controllables, shaping the culture in a diverse club, overcoming entitlement, speaking the international language of soccer, and the professionalization of youth soccer. Specifically, Greg discusses: How he developed his pass...
May 13, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Season 3Ep. 29
In Episode 28, Cori Close, Head Coach of UCLA Women’s Basketball, talks with Phil about lessons she learned from her mentor, John Wooden, her personal “Why,” what a broom and a shovel have to do with leadership, her Close Conversations, healthy conflict, gratitude, Championship Level Habits, doing the next right thing, and how work done in the dark gets revealed in the light. Specifically, Cori discusses: Issues with specialization in one sport too early (2:52) How she developed her passion for ...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 28
In Episode 27, Paul and Phil continue their conversation about the leadership genius of Ted Lasso, Coach Beard, and Nate the Great, covering Episodes 3 & 4 of the show, and briefly discuss highlights from the first half of Season 3. Specifically, our hosts discuss: Highlights from the first half of Season 3 (4:38) Empowering our players and children to deal with bullies and be leaders (8:00) Recognizing leaders and getting them to understand and live out their leadership (12:37) Studying you...
Apr 29, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 27
In Episode 26, Max Rooke, Pepperdine University Women’s Soccer Associate Head Coach, Founder of Life to the Max, and former Reading FC Youth Academy footballer, talks with Phil about working with others wired differently from us, the importance of collaboration, getting players to put their own agenda aside, servant leadership, Pepperdine’s unorthodox recruiting tactics, and his leadership coaching philosophy. Specifically, Max discusses: His story and how he developed his passion for soccer and...
Apr 22, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 26
