The Talent Equation Podcast

Jonathan Harding joins me to discuss his amazing book 'Mensch' which goes into a deep dive around the way that the German nation views coaches and their approch to coach development. This book is really powerful and I really enjoyed this insightful conversation. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

In this conversation, I sit down with Mike Porteous, triathlon coach and author of the brillliant book 'Beyond Belief' - the art of confidence-centred coaching. Mike's journey from academic to civil servant to failed mountain bike business owner to successful triathlon coach reveals fascinating insights about what really matters in developing both athletes and coaches. We explore Mike's approach to confidence-centred coaching, which places how people feel at the very heart of the coaching process. Rather than focusing purely on performance metrics or development outcomes, Mike argues for a third way that prioritises the subjective experience of both coach and athlete. Three Key Takeaways:Confidence isn't a thing you acquire - it's actually a combination of three feelings: excitement (thrilled anticipation), composure (control over what you can influence whilst being calm about what you can't), and fluency (losing yourself in the moment and finding flow).The best coaches often aren't the best athletes - Mike's

In this episode of The Talent Equation, I reconnect with Andy Kirkland from the University of Stirling to explore how our sporting systems both help and hinder talent development. Andy shares insights from his chapter in "Reimagining Talent Development in Sport" and introduces the concept of 'salutogenesis' - focusing on what creates health and well being rather than what causes harm. Three key takeaways:Our current talent development systems often prioritise preventing harm rather than creating healthy environments where people can thrive and grow.Coaches bear huge responsibility for guiding young people through developmental journeys but are frequently under-resourced and lack essential knowledge about human development.We need to shift from resource-heavy "barrier" approaches to more ecological systems that empower individuals to navigate challenges while providing appropriate support.Join our learning community of forward-thinking coaches and talent developers by heading to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and

In this episode I reconnect with Dr. Andrew Wilson, Reader in Psychology at Leeds Beckett University and a leading voice in ecological psychology in sport. We delve into the fascinating world of affordances, skill development, and the complex challenge of transfer of learning in sport. Andrew brilliantly explains how our traditional understanding of skill acquisition often misses the mark, and why an ecological approach offers a more complete picture of how humans actually learn and develop skill.Three Key Takeaways:The overlap between training and performance contexts that enables transfer of learning is primarily in the information about affordances. When designing practice, focus on ensuring the right information is present rather than prescribed movement patterns.Variability in movement and practice isn't noise to be eliminated but rather a crucial signal that helps develop adaptable, creative performers. The best athletes aren't those who repeat identical movements but those who can respond to dynamic, e

In this ‘Dog Walk Diary’ episode, I dive deep into how narratives and slogans shape coaching approaches and talent development, particularly examining how research concepts like the "10,000-hour rule" and "talent needs trauma" get oversimplified and sometimes misapplied in practice. I explore the tension between evidence-informed practice and harmful performance narratives, advocating for a more nuanced "talent needs turbulence" approach that values challenge without crossing into potentially damaging territory. Key takeaways: - How Ericsson's deliberate practice research was popularised but oversimplified through Gladwell's "10,000-hour rule," shifting focus from quality to quantity - Why catchy three-word slogans like "talent needs trauma" can be problematic when they justify harsh coaching practices in performance environments - The importance of researchers taking responsibility for how their work is presented and the real-world consequences of their messaging If you're interested in joining more convers

I had a fascinating conversation with Bren Veziroglu about ecological dynamics and how it's transforming coaching and movement practice. Bren's journey from a self-described "skinny, unathletic" teen to becoming an influential voice in movement education reveals powerful insights about skill development and learning. Three key takeaways from our conversation:Traditional drilling approaches develop technique but not true skill. By understanding that skill emerges from the dynamic interaction between the person and their environment, we can design more effective practice methods.The ecological approach creates more joy and engagement in learning, making practice not only more effective but inherently rewarding. When activities are task-led rather than drill-led, both coaches and athletes experience more flow.Developing physiological capabilities is important, but these should be built through functional movements aligned with the actual demands of the activity, rather than isolated exercises with questionable t

I recently had the absolute pleasure of recording a conversation with Dr. Julia Blau and Dr. Jeffrey Wagman, authors of "An Introduction to Ecological Psychology: A Lawful Approach to Perceiving, Acting, and Cognising." Our conversation explored how humans actually perceive and interact with the world around them and question the traditional assumptions about psychology which suggests that we need to create mental representations of the world before we can act. Julia and Jeff shared insights on how the ecological approach transforms our understanding of human movement, and we contextualise this to enpack how we might better provide opportunities for young people to develop their abilities in sport and physical activity.  We discussed how creating rich, varied environments allows people to develop their own solutions to movement problems. This approach promotes agency, enjoyment, and ultimately better performance across many fields from sports coaching to education. Key Takeaways:Ecological psychology views pe

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Paddy McQueen from Swansea University to discuss a fascinating paper he had authored exploring the ethical dilemmas of supporting talented children. Our conversation explored the philosophical questions about childhood, talent development, and the responsibilities we have as parents, coaches and policy makers. Paddy introduced me to three different views of childhood - 'the sapling view' (seeing childhood merely as preparation for adulthood), 'the fruit view' (seeing childhood as superior to adulthood), and 'the caterpillar view' (seeing childhood and adulthood as distinctly valuable stages). These perspectives create different frameworks for thinking about how we should approach the sport experience for children.We discussed the tension between prioritising intrinsic childhood goods like free play, fun and social connection, versus instrumental goods that prepare children for adult success. The conversation revealed how deeply our cultural mindset about child

Mark and I welcome Alan Keane to the show for an in depth discussion around the intersection of PDS and Ecological Dynamics, how Alan builds an unique open and trusting relationship between him and his assistant coach and also whether we have absolutes more objective moral rules guiding our practice.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

In this episode I speak with tennis coach Steve Whelan about his transformative journey from traditional technical coaching to an ecological, constraints-led approach. Coming from a football and multi sport coaching background, Steve describes how his unorthodox path led him to question conventional coaching wisdom. After 18 years of frustration trying to conform to rigid technical models, Steve discovered the power of game-based learning and player-led exploration. He shares candid insights about the disconnect between traditional coaching and actual match performance, why children thrive when given freedom to explore, and how embracing uncertainty has not only made him a better coach but a happier person. Key Takeaways:Tennis coaching has become overly focused on technical perfection at the expense of developing adaptable, creative players who love the game.Creating meaningful learning environments where players solve problems themselves builds more resilient competitors than prescriptive technical instruct

Out on my morning dog walk (yes, the one where I have to put the flashing collar on my black dog ‘Flo’ so we can be seen in the dark!), I found myself reflecting on what I call the "eighth waste" in organisations - the waste of human potential. Drawing on Toyota's management principles, I explore why so many of us in workforce development struggle to make our case to leadership, despite knowing just how vital our work is. If you're working in coaching, workforce development, or people development roles and sometimes feel your impact isn't fully understood by those above you, I think you'll find both practical insights here and, importantly, a reminder that you're not alone. I'll share my thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between development professionals and leadership, turning our frustrations into productive action. I'll also tell you about two communities I've created where you can connect with others facing similar challenges: the Guild of Pedagogical Explorers and our new initiative, The Cobbler's C

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome back Richard Shorter, also known as 'Non-Perfect Dad', for a deep-dive conversation that every sports parent needs to hear. Rich brings his unique perspective as both a Baptist minister and a "conversation architect" who works with sports organisations, schools, and families to navigate the complex world of sports parenting. We explore the challenging emotional landscape parents face when supporting young athletes - from managing our own reactions on the sidelines to making tough decisions about how much to push or protect. I share some personal stories about parenting my own kids in sport, and Rich offers brilliant insights about what he calls the "undisciplined squads of emotion" that we all face as sports parents.Key Timestamps: 

Mark shares the PDS Action Review process and we discuss how coaches and leaders an use it to review performance but also how it is used for athletes, employees, etc can use it to self review. This then becomes a foundational aspect of the way that organisations communicate leading to a shared dialogue about performance that becomes part of the normal fabric of organisational life. To enter our competition to win 1 to 1 coaching with Mark. Subscribe to Mark’s website - pdscoaching.com Subcribe to our youtube channel and type 'Count me in' in the comments before next episode on 22nd January.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

In this special New Year's Eve episode, I welcomed back Shawn Myszka and Tyler Yearby from Emergence to discuss a recent academic paper criticising ecological dynamics and many of researchers and practitioners working in the space. The article is called "Ecological Dynamics as an Accurate and Parsimonious Contributor to Applied Practice: A Critical Appraisal" by Dave Collins, Howie Carson, Par Rylander and Ray Bobrownicki. I invited Shawn and Tyler onto the show because I wanted them to be given an opportunity to address the callous misrepresentation in the direct driticism they made regarding Shawn and Tyler's work on Bruce Lee's alignment with ecological principles. The conversation evolved into a broader discussion about the future of ecological dynamics in coaching science and the emerging role of skill acquisition specialists in professional sports. Five Key PointsThe ecological community continues to grow, with practitioners across different fields finding value in applying these principles. It is inter

Mark and I get together before Christmas to talk about how this time of year offers the opportunity to recharge and replenish ourselves in order to embody excellence for others going forward. We talk about how being 'selfless' requires us to be 'selfish'. Also Mark makes an announcement about our New Year giveaway.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Mark and I talk about the origins of PDS from his time in the military and how we came together to embed the principles of PDS across the sporting landscape. We also discuss my own commitments and some conversations we have had about honouring my own journey of change.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

Taking an ecological approach to learning science, Danny Hatcher is an independent researcher currently based in the UK, sharing interesting trends and stories domestically and from around the globe. Danny holds a BSc in Sports Coaching and an MSc in Strength and Conditioning from Brighton UniversityTDanny's YouTube channel is amazing...it blends rigorous research with animation to create content that explains complex issues in relatable ways - I highly recomend checking it out. https://www.youtube.com/@Danny.HatcherIn this conversation Danny shares his unique approach to trampolining, blending ecological dynamics with a passion for movement exploration. From his lived experience of visual and hearing impairments and how this shapes his coaching appproach to his work in both traditional and freestyle trampolining. Danny also offers insights into coaching diverse athletes and how his playful, inclusive methodology fosters personal growth and adaptability, making trampolining accessible and fun for all. This is

In this conversation Mark and I discuss the challenge of establishing real clarity of the objectives that a person or group wants to set for themselves. We then discuss how easy it is for the leader to fall into the trap of letting them off the hook. We discuss ways that leaders can lean into the discomfort of the difficult conversation by reframing the awkwardness as a 'duty' and an act of care rather than a point of conflict. We also explore how leaders can frame the expectations in terms of how people interact with each other to minimise conflict and create a 'high challenge - high support' environment. Mark and I are available to support groups or individuals on their leadership and coaching excellence journey. Please reach out to stuart@thetalentequation.co.uk to shape a bespoke package. You can get 25% discount to access Mark's online learning space to immerse yourself in all things PDS using this code PBNO25Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast

Andrea Andrews is a swimming instructor with a specialist research interest in drowning prevention.Andrea describes herself like this..."My aim is to improve the lived human experience in water by helping all ages make sense of the water through natural learner-led approaches that trigger the amazing hidden skills we are all born with.I am in effect focused upon panic prevention by helping everyone overcome emotional dysregulation in water....I am a scaffolder for an elite form of human aquatic prowes..."Andrea joined me to discuss her unique approach to helping people learn to swim which is informed by the ecological approach. Andrea explains how her childhood experiences of play in water shaped her approach to teaching and instructing and how she has been passionate about offering similar experiences to others. In this episode we cover: - How people have an 'embodied trauma' that fuels a phobia of water. - How babies are actually very adapted to water. - How people sense differently in water and how verbal

A new collaboration between Mark Bennett MBE and Stuart Armstrong that looks at topical news items and explore how they impact people in sport, education, business and life through the lens of the PDS philosophy and the principles of Ecological Dynamics. Mark and I got cut off by our recording software crashing but we thought we would publish the rough cut anyway!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.