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 the game. No doubt you will learn a lot from this conversation and have fun in the process.

Resources and Links from this Episode

Video of the Episode

HSEL Facebook Group

Warrior Way Soccer

Coaching the Bigger Game Program

Phil’s email for DISC Training

Veritas: 7 Truths that Lead to a Purposeful Life, Ali Malaekeh

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What are your favorite How Soccer Explains Leadership moments from 2024, which guests would you like to see on the show, and what would you like Paul and Phil to discuss on the show? Email Phil at phil@howsoccerexplainsleadership.com or share in the HSEL Facebook Group.

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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 entitled to nothing, some of the great lessons he learned from his coaches and teammates at Messiah, how he is using those lessons in his collaborative work with Hope, the need for us to be kind to referees (and why it matters), why we need more grace and less judgment in our sports and the rest of the world, team vs. individual, rooting for our rivals, not settling for mediocrity, and much more. Specifically, Peter discusses:

· His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today (4:13)

· His work with HOPE Int’l and how HOPE is working to alleviate poverty around the world (7:14)

· His personal why/mission statement and how he is living it out (11:13)

· Why his wife has Peter’s resignation letter from Hope Int’l and what he is doing to ensure she doesn’t send it (13:45)

· The Messiah Method and how Peter’s experienced it and lived it out during his college years and beyond (17:47)

· How he saw the Messiah program building toward the run of National Championships while he was playing there (22:38)

· How he is using the lessons he learned at Messiah in his work with HOPE Int’l (26:13)

· How he uses lessons learned from soccer in his collaborative projects around the world (33:01)

· A couple soccer analogies that Peter uses in his life regularly (37:12)

· Why we need more grace than judgment in our world – and yes, that includes with referees (40:37)

· Defining moments in his life and how they impacted his life and leadership (44:55)

· Some of the great coaches he has played for and a couple whose leadership stick out above the rest, and what he learned from those great coaches (50:17)

· His thoughts on the current state of US Soccer, and what we can do about it (55:26)

· How he has used lessons learned from sports in his marriage and parenting (1:01:31)

· His podcast recommendation (1:03:30)

Resources and Links from this Episode

· HOPE International Website

· Rooting for Rivals: How Collaboration and Generosity Increase the Impact of Leaders, Charities, and Churches, by Peter Greer

· The Messiah Method: The Seven Disciplines of the Winningest College Soccer Program in America, by Michael Zigarelli

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· HSEL Facebook Group

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Coaching the Bigger Game Program

· Phil’s email for DISC Training

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, why he doesn’t think superior tactics and strategy are a critical part of a successful program, and how his leadership and culture development at Cortland has helped his players and program to flourish. Specifically, Steve discusses:

· His personal story, how he developed her passion for soccer, leadership, and coaching and how he got to be where he is today (5:00)

· His thoughts on the benefits and downside of specialization in one sport (9:20)

· His personal why and life purpose and how he lives it out each day (15:07)

· Some defining moments in his playing career and what he learned from them (19:31)

· Key life and leadership lessons he learned from his soccer coaches over the course of his playing career (23:40)

· His philosophy on leadership and culture, what he taught about it in his presentation at the USC Convention, and why it is important to us (30:00)

· The importance of self-leadership, and how he is teaching it to his staff and players (36:21)

· How to successfully nurture healthy culture over time (41:33)

· How and why he has his players evaluate each other on character qualities (44:19)

· How he has used lessons learned from the game in his parenting and marriage (47:55)

· His book and podcast recommendations (56:31)

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· HSEL Facebook Group

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Coaching the Bigger Game Program

· Phil’s email for DISC Training

· Anti-Fragile: Things that Gain from Disorder, by Nassim Nicholas Taleh

· Jocko Podcast

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, “punching coaches in the nose” with player emails and videos, and real-world lessons kids can learn through the recruiting process. Specifically, Don discusses:

· His story and how he developed his passion for soccer, leadership, and his long journey to SRUSA Soccer (3:31)

· How Don’s work with SRUSA is similar to his work as a coach of soccer teams at all levels (7:19)

· The need for players to have both raw athleticism and passion for the sport to play at the college level and beyond (13:06)

· The importance of soccer players finding the “right fit” and how they can do so (18:00)

· Why creating and knowing your budget is critical in the recruiting process (25:53)

· Selling yourself and not burying the lead in your videos, emails, and other recruiting communications with prospective colleges (and employers) (34:53)

· The importance of “punching someone in the nose” in the recruiting process (39:17)

· How to make videos on a tight budget (42:58)

· Making the kids put in the work with their videos, emails, and other areas of the recruiting process (45:33)

· The small world of college and pro soccer, and how it relates to the world outside the game (46:58)

· The #1 tool that college coaches use to find recruits (51:46)

· What most coaches are looking for when they recruit at tournaments and showcases (57:08)

· Showing the colleges (or employer) that you’ve done your homework on them and that you know why you think it’s the right fit for you (1:01:44)

· Real world lessons kids can learn during the recruiting process (1:05:50)

· How to grab a coach’s attention in a subject line and email (1:08:56)

· How Don is using lessons learned in soccer in his life outside the game (1:12:22)

· Don’s book recommendations

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· HSEL Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/howsoccerexplainsleadership

· Don’s Twitter handle -- @Don_K_Williams

· SRUSA Website -- https://www.sportsrecruitingusa.com

· How Soccer Explains the World, by Franklin Foer

· Inside Out Coaching, by Joe Ehrmann

· 10% Happier, by Dan Harris

· Inside College Soccer Podcast -- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-soccer/id1480369430

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 mission and personal “why” drives her to do what she does, building trust with her team, healthy conflict prevention and resolution, how her and her husband “coach” each other, what she was thinking in the final minutes of the National Championship game, whether college soccer has a place in professional and national team player development, and a whole lot of great leadership nuggets. No doubt you’ll love this fun conversation with an incredible coach!

Specifically, Margueritte discusses:

· Her personal story, including how she grew her passion for soccer, coaching, and leadership, and how she got to be where she is today (5:40)

· Her transition from Stanford assistant coach to UCLA head coach, and the lessons we can learn from her journey (9:29)

· The importance of head coaches mentoring their assistants to flourish in their program and beyond (13:35)

· Her personal why/mission statement and how she is living it out (18:43)

· How she leads herself and pours into her players’ leadership development as a head coach (20:49)

· A couple defining moments in her life and how they impacted her development (24:00)

· A few coaches that deeply impacted her life, what set them apart, and what life and leadership lessons we can learn from them (30:57)

· How she keeps a team full of top players content and at their best when they aren’t playing, or even making the travel squad (38:16)

· How she builds trust between her and her staff and players, and among the players (42:15)

· How to deal with conflict before it gets out of hand and starts impacting the players and team (45:42)

· The highs and lows of the current state of soccer in the US (48:35)

· The place for the college game in the development of players at the professional and national team levels (53:00)

· What she was actually thinking during the final minute of regulation of the National Championship game last year (it just might surprise you) (1:01:28)

· How she has used lessons learned from sports in her marriage and other relationships (1:05:50)

· A couple great book recommendations (1:10:01)

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Margueritte on Twitter - @margaozasa

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· HSEL Facebook Group

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Coaching the Bigger Game Program

· Phil’s email for DISC Training

· Net Gains: Inside the Beautiful Game’s Analytics Revolution, by Ryan O’Hanlon

· Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds, and Matches, by Carlo Ancelotti

In Episode 156, we are recasting our episode with David Ricca, NJ Youth Soccer Innovate to Grow Consultant, Founder/President of Just Live Soccer, 9/11 Survivor, Soccer Resilience Ambassador, Member of 2010 World Cup Media & Marketing team, former soccer player, coach, and scout, former MLS Liaison, former CBS Manager, and former Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor, who talked with Phil about how he has used soccer and other tools to overcome the PTSD he has experienced following the traumatic experience he had in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 9/11, how he is using soccer to help vulnerable children around the world, his innovation work with NJ Youth Soccer, and how we can create environments where our kids can flourish. Specifically, David discusses:

· His story, his unique background, how he developed his passion for soccer, his work with vulnerable communities, and how he got to where he is today

· His incredible story of survival in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center on 9/11

· How he has overcome trauma from his 9/11 experience using soccer and other tools

· His personal why and how he is living it out

· His work with NJ Youth Soccer and the Innovate to Grow grant

· How we can create environments for our children to flourish in our youth soccer programs

· How he uses the lessons he has learned through soccer in his marriage

· His recommendations

Resources and Links from this Episode

· David’s website & LinkedIn profile

· Just Live Soccer website

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· HSEL Facebook Group

· Coaching the Bigger Game information

· Warrior Way information

· Phil Darke’s email address

In Episode 155, we are recasting one of our favorite interview of all time, going back to last year when Phil and Paul interviewed Graham Daniels, Ph.D., Director of Cambridge United, Director of Christians in Sport, and former player for Cambridge United and Cardiff City, about the “Pray, Play, Say” discipleship/leadership method, his personal why, his incredible testimony of how he came to his faith in Jesus Christ and how one pivotal moment changed the course of his life forever, the critical importance of a Christian identity in elite football, achieved vs. received identity, Service vs. Survival, humility, and a leader who he respects deeply. Specifically, Graham discusses:

· His personal story, including how he grew his passion for football, coaching, ministry, and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today

· An incredible story about how he came to his Christian faith, despite one of the “worst evangelists” of all time

· His personal why/mission statement and how he is living it out

· Achieved identity vs. Received identity - Identity formation and his Ph.D. thesis on the necessity of Christian identity in dealing with performance requirements of elite football

· Three things that provide a framework for ministry in sports

· Safe to serve, not scared and surviving

· A defining moment in his life and how it impacted his development

· A leader that sticks out above the rest to him (A Premier League Manager that may surprise you)

· How he has used lessons learned from sports in his marriage and parenting

· His recommendations

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· HSEL Facebook Group

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Coaching the Bigger Game Program

· Phil’s email for DISC Training

· Humility, by Andrew Murray

· Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)