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PODCAST

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring is your weekly deep-dive into the often-overlooked “softer skills” of coaching—cultural innovation, communication, empathy, leadership, dealing with stress, and motivation. Each episode features candid conversations with the world’s top international rugby coaches, who share the personal stories and intangible insights behind their winning cultures, and too their biggest failures and learnings from them. This is where X’s and O’s meet heart and soul, empowering

sports rugby

All Episodes

59:02

Tony Brown: Rugby Man first, Coach Second.

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/06/15

Tony Brown's approach to coaching is refreshingly straightforward in a world that often overcomplicates the game. "I'm a rugby man first, then a coach second," he explains, revealing how his deep love for the sport drives everything he does. This authenticity forms the cornerstone of his coaching philosophy: create systems that are "easy to learn, simple to understand, but challenging to execute." Brown's journey spans the globe – from his native Otago and the Highlanders in New Zealand to s...

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58:24

Phil Davies: Inside the Mind of World Rugby’s...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/06/08

What makes rugby's culture so distinct, and how does it translate across different countries and contexts? In this fascinating conversation, Phil Davies—Director of Rugby at World Rugby—shares wisdom gleaned from 35 years at every level of the game, from player to global administrator. Davies reveals the core elements that build winning team environments: "An environment of belonging where people feel trusted, respected, and safe." But as he explains, these aren't just platitudes—they must b...

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59:38

Geoff Parling: High Challenge and High Support cultures

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/06/01

Questions? Text Ben Herring direct. What separates good coaches from great ones? Geoff Parling reveals the answer goes beyond technical expertise to something deeper – creating environments where players thrive under pressure. Having transitioned from an illustrious playing career (Newcastle, Leicester, Exeter, England, British & Irish Lions) to coaching the Melbourne Rebels and Australian national team, Parling brings unique perspectives on leadership. He challenges conventional wisdom ...

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68:07

Sam Vesty: Inside Finals Week. Joy, Simplicity &...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/05/25

Questions? Text Ben Herring direct. What does championship preparation actually look like? Two days before the European Champions Cup final against Bordeaux, Northampton Saints head coach Sam Vesty pulls back the curtain on his approach to cultivating a winning team culture. The conversation reveals Sam's refreshingly counterintuitive leadership philosophy. Rather than adding pressure during finals week, he focuses on reconnecting players with their childhood joy for rugby, even announcing t...

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66:12

Paul Galland: The Crusaders Pipeline; Shaping More...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/05/18

Questions? Text Ben Herring direct. What does it take to build the most successful rugby talent pipeline in the world? Paul Galland, Head Academy Manager for the Crusaders, pulls back the curtain on the organization that consistently produces more All Blacks than any other in New Zealand. The secret starts with a seemingly simple philosophy: actions over words. When you walk into the Crusaders facility, you experience a culture where genuine care and authentic relationships form the foundati...

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60:33

John Mitchell: How Adversity Reshapes Coaching...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/05/11

Questions? Text Ben Herring direct. What happens when a coach who's traversed the globe leading elite teams for nearly three decades opens up about his most profound lessons? John Mitchell, whose remarkable career spans from All Blacks Head Coach to his current role with England's women's national team, reveals the transformative journey that reshaped his entire approach to leadership. Mitchell's philosophy is deceptively simple yet powerful: "Your leadership determines your culture, your cu...

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62:45

Matt Cockbain: The Head Coach Coaches the Head.

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/05/04

Questions? Text Ben Herring direct. A masterclass in coaching philosophy with former Wallaby forward Matt Cockbain who unpacks the delicate art and science of building championship cultures across continents. Drawing from 15 years of professional coaching experience spanning Australia, Japan, and international rugby, Cobain shares profound insights about leadership that transcends technical skills. "The head coach coaches the head" emerges as a powerful central theme throughout our conversat...

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63:55

Mike Ruddock: Culture, Causes, and the 2005 Welsh Legacy

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/04/27

Questions? Text Ben Herring direct. What turns a group of talented individuals into champions? Mike Ruddock OBE—architect of Wales' historic 2005 Grand Slam—reveals it's about finding a cause worth fighting for. Ruddock takes us on a journey through the essence of team culture, from his early days coaching "super flops" Swansea to international glory. With refreshing honesty, he shares how posting negative press clippings created a siege mentality that transformed underperformers into winner...

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62:05

Scott Lawrence: Coaching Culture and Vision in USA Rugby

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/04/20

Questions? Text Ben Herring direct. Scott Lawrence, a pivotal figure in USA Rugby, joins us for an enlightening conversation that straddles the line between sport and data science. Drawing from his humble beginnings in the Midwest to his role as head coach and general manager, Scott shares the unique influences that have shaped his leadership style. He underscores the importance of both strategic thinking and community values, using his experiences from Life University and his time in the UK ...

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85:27

Wayne Smith: Great teams are built on meaning.

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/04/13

Questions? Text Ben Herring direct. Wayne Smith, one of rugby's greatest strategic minds, takes us on an intimate journey through his extraordinary coaching career, revealing the cultural secrets behind multiple World Cup victories with the All Blacks and Black Ferns. Known as "The Professor" for his analytical brilliance, Smith shares how he transformed struggling teams into champions by focusing on meaning beyond winning. From his innovative cultural work with the Crusaders using Shakespea...

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61:41

Ryan Martin: Burn the lesson plan. How to break...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/04/06

Questions? Text Ben Herring direct. Check Ryan’s Outstanding drills here: https://x.com/CoachRyanMartin Discover the secrets of crafting a winning team culture with our guest, Ryan Martin, a professional rugby coach with a unique background in education. Transitioning from a 17-year career as a primary school teacher to the rugby field, Ryan offers a wealth of insights on resilience, trust-building, and the importance of valuing individuals. We'll explore how his experiences as a young ...

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68:21

Richard Cockerill: Rugby's Straightshooter. You can't...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/03/30

TEXT US HERE If you have feedback or requests for the show! Richard Cockerill cuts through the buzzwords to deliver a masterclass in building winning cultures across two decades of elite coaching. The former Leicester, Toulon, Edinburgh, England and current Georgia coach shares his refreshingly straightforward philosophy: be on time, wear the right kit, and work hard – non-negotiable standards that have underpinned championship teams throughout his career. Cockerill reveals the evolution of ...

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74:06

Conrad Smith: Coachability Unleashed, The...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/03/23

TEXT US HERE If you have feedback or requests for the show! Conrad Smith unpacks the anatomy of winning team culture with remarkable clarity and authenticity. Drawing from his 94 tests with the All Blacks and captaincy experience with the Hurricanes, Smith reveals how culture transcends motivational posters and becomes a living force within truly great teams. Smith's framework for culture starts with vision—that high-level aspiration everyone buys into—but he quickly moves beyond theory to p...

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64:28

Frans Ludeke: The Soft Skills of Really Caring and...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/03/16

TEXT US HERE If you have feedback or requests for the show! Frans Ludeke, legendary rugby coach with over 30 years of experience spanning South Africa to Japan, reveals the leadership principles that have defined his remarkable journey. Having transformed the Kubota Spears from a struggling second-division team to Japanese champions, Frans shares how authentic leadership and genuine care create the foundation for sustainable success. "Take your wins to your heart and your losses to your head...

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56:47

Glenn Delaney: The 80-20 Rule of Authentic Leadership

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/03/09

TEXT US HERE If you have feedback or requests for the show! Rugby has always been about far more than the scoreboard. At its heart, it's about belonging—being part of something bigger than ourselves. Few understand this better than Glenn Delaney, whose coaching journey has taken him from Nottingham to London Irish, Canterbury, the Highlanders, the Scarlets, and now Mitsubishi in Japan. "Culture is an observation that others make of you," Glenn explains, breaking down his triangular leadershi...

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65:06

James O’Connor Unfiltered: A Player’s Perspective on...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/03/02

TEXT US HERE If you have feedback or requests for the show! Trust and connection are the cornerstones of any winning sports culture. In this engaging episode, we're joined by rugby legend James O'Connor, who reflects on his incredible journey in professional sports. With nearly two decades under his belt, James shares his unique insights on how coaching significantly shapes team dynamics and individual performances. Coaches play an instrumental role in creating an environment where players f...

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60:09

Chris Webb: Rugby Management and Leadership Insights

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/02/23

TEXT US HERE If you have feedback or requests for the show! Chris Webb, a luminary in high-performance sports management, shares captivating stories from his tenure in rugby, spanning World Cups with top teams like Australia and Japan. Tune in as Chris recounts his journey from rural New South Wales with aspirations of becoming a stock and station agent, to a career in rugby management. His reflections on people management and the value of making each day meaningful provide valuable life less...

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76:52

Paul Tito: Keeping things simple, and the art of...

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/02/16

TEXT US HERE If you have feedback or requests for the show! Rugby enthusiasts and culture aficionados alike, prepare for a fascinating conversation with Paul Tito, affectionately known in the rugby world as "Fish." A seasoned veteran whose career spans over 25 years, Paul shares his journey from New Plymouth Boys High School to captaining renowned teams like the New Zealand Maori and Cardiff. Discover how his transition from player to coach has been fueled by a commitment to fostering team cu...

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62:38

Johan Ackermann: Faith-Driven Leadership and Team Unity

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/02/09

TEXT US HERE If you have feedback or requests for the show! Renowned rugby coach Johan Ackerman joins us to reveal the secret to building a successful team culture — one that emerges organically from the collective rather than being imposed from the top down. Through his experiences across the globe and his time in the police force, Johan explores how fostering a supportive environment where players contribute to the team's cultural fabric is key. Listen as he shares insights on balancing pro...

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52:05

Steve Hansen: Ego and Authenticity in Leadership

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring ·

2025/01/26

TEXT US HERE If you have feedback or requests for the show!Rugby legend Steve Hansen joins us to unravel the secrets of building an unbreakable team culture. Discover how the invisible thread of shared values can bind not just sports teams but businesses and families too. Steve shares his philosophy that team priorities should always come first, offering practical insights on fostering open dialogue and making tough decisions when individual goals clash with the collective vision. Through his...

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83 results

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