How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast

Mar 05 2025 169 ep. 54 mins 3
How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast artwork

Hosts Paul Jobson and Phil Darke have decades of experience as leaders, husbands, fathers, soccer coaches, players, and referees. In this podcast, Paul and Phil will have conversations with guests from the worlds of leadership and soccer about how we can flourish by examining life and leadership through the lens of the "beautiful game.”

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Priorities, Values, and Player Development – HSEL Extra Time with Paul and Phil

Mar 05 2025 61 mins  
In Episode 166 of How Soccer Explains Leadership, hosts Phil Darke and Paul Jobson discuss the intersection of youth soccer, leadership, priorities, and family values. Through personal and professional experience, they address the importance of aligning family priorities with athletic commitments. They emphasize the benefits of learning from losses, balancing sports and family life

From Performance to Purpose and Calling with Brad Kenney, Soccer Chaplains United Founder and Colorado Rapids Chaplain

Feb 19 2025 72 mins  
In Episode 165, Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Colorado Rapids Chaplain, talks with Phil about he has blended his passion for soccer, ministry, and leadership. Brad shares his personal story of his transition from high school soccer player to college videographer to Chaplain for the Colorado Rapids over two decades ago. They dive into Bra

Finding the Right Fit with Don Williams, SRUSA Head of Operations (Americas)

Feb 05 2025 77 mins  
In Episode 164, we have another great interview with Don Williams, SRUSA Head of Operations for the Americas and former college coach at every level. He talks with Paul and Phil about modern trends impacting youth soccer and college recruitment. They explore the implications of the transfer portal, the challenges and opportunities related to international player recruitment, and ho

What Makes a Leader? with Wells Thompson, Co-Founder of Soccer Resilience and Former MLS Midfielder

Jan 22 2025 71 mins  
In Episode 163, we are kicking off Season 12 with a conversation with Wells Thompson, Former MLS midfielder and 1st Round Draft Pick, Co-Founder of Soccer Resilience, husband, and father. He talked with Paul and Phil about his journey from childhood adversity to the MLS, his struggles with identity and mental health, his faith journey and his personal why relating to that journey,

HSEL 2024 Year End Special

Jan 08 2025 56 mins  
In Episode 162, Paul and Phil have a great conversation about their 2024 highlights, including their favorite ministry and family moments, as well as the most impactful books, movies, podcasts, and HSEL episodes they have enjoyed this year. They also discuss the current youth and college soccer landscape, particularly how we can make it more about the kids and young adults playing

Insights from the Beautiful Game - HSEL’s Top 13 Highlights of 2024

Dec 25 2024 46 mins  
In Episode 161, we are wrapping up 2024 with our top 13 highlights (plus a bonus clip as our gift to you) from each of our interviews this year. As we step into 2025, we’re showcasing powerful takeaways from our guests, which highlight key principles of leadership that transcend soccer and apply to every area of our lives. There is even more wisdom packed into the full interviews

Gratitude vs. Entitlement with Peter Greer, President/CEO of HOPE International and Former Messiah College Footballer - RECAST

Dec 11 2024 66 mins  
In Episode 160, we are recasting our interview with Peter Greer, President/CEO of HOPE International and former Messiah College footballer, who talked with Paul and Phil about his path from Messiah College to alleviating poverty with Hope International, how he built in accountability to ensure that he puts his family first, why it is so important to be grateful for everything and e

Are the Xs and Os Really That Important? with Steve Axtell, Cortland University Head Men’s Soccer Coach and Former Collegiate Goalkeeper - RECAST

Nov 27 2024 61 mins  
In Episode 159, we are recasting our conversation with Steven Axtell, Head Coach of Cortland University Men’s Soccer, former Cortland goalkeeper, husband, and father, when we talked about lessons learned from his playing and coaching career, leadership lessons gleaned from his coaches, his thoughts on playing multiple sports, how he is using lessons from the game in his family, w

College Recruiting 101 with Don Williams of Sports Recruiting USA - RECAST

Nov 13 2024 81 mins  
In Episode 158, 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, “punchin

Transparency, Trust, and Conflict Prevention with Margueritte Aozasa, UCLA Women’s Soccer Head Coach - RECAST

Oct 30 2024 70 mins  
In Episode 157, we are recasting our interview with Margueritte Aozasa, UCLA Women’s Soccer Head Coach, former Stanford Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach, and former Santa Clara University Defender/Midfielder, who talked with us about her incredible first season at UCLA, during which she became the first coach to win a National Championship in her first year as a head coach, what