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PODCAST

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast

Philip Darke & Paul Jobson

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."

sports soccer

All Episodes

01:12:10

Jim Spence – Faithfulness and Leading with Compassion

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2026/02/19

In Episode 191, Phil and Paul sat down with Jim Spence, founder of Sports Quest, to explore a 30-year journey of soccer ministry, leadership development, and faithful obedience. Jim shares how a young Englishman with dreams of professional cricket became a lifelong soccer missionary in Houston, Texas. Through stories of shattered athletic dreams, ministry pivots, and hard-earned leadership wisdom, Jim reveals how sport can be a powerful platform for sharing Christ and shaping lives. From apologizing

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50:48

Developing Players for Life - Season 13 Water Break...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2026/02/05

In Episode 190, Phil and Paul dive into the importance of individual and team development in every level of soccer. They discuss the role of effective communication between coaches and players, emphasizing the significance of understanding each player's personality and motivational needs. Paul brings his recent experiences from his new role as a club director to the table, particularly surrounding the recurring theme of balancing tactical instructions with personal development. We also discuss the

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58:06

Thuy Williams – Saving Lives and Overcoming Adversity...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2026/01/22

In Episode 189, Phil and Paul had a great conversation with Thuy Williams, an incredible athlete and coach of the US Amputee Soccer National Team using her skills and talents in the world of all-abilities and sports ministry. During the interview, she shares her incredible journey from being rescued out of Vietnam during Operation Babylift, to her childhood as an adoptee in the US, to becoming a coach and mentor in various sports, including soccer and lacrosse, around the world. Despite battling a

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01:08:22

What Makes a Leader? with Wells Thompson, Co-Founder...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2026/01/08

In Episode 188, we are re-casting our conversation with Wells Thompson, Former MLS midfielder and 1st Round Draft Pick, Co-Founder of Soccer Resilience, husband, and father. This was our most downloaded episode of 2025 and Top 2 for both Paul and me. In this episode, 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, his difficulties transitioning to life

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53:02

HSEL 2025 Year-End Special – Top 5 Episodes and...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/12/25

In Episode 187, Phil and Paul reflect on their top HSEL episodes and their personal highlights of 2025. They discuss lessons learned from various guests, personal highs and lows, including transitions in their careers and families. Through their candid discussion, they emphasize the importance of slowing down, reflecting on what truly matters, beauty in brokenness, and the profound impact of soccer on teaching life's most valuable lessons. What are your Top 5 episodes of 2025? Resources and Links

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01:00:40

Carl Dambman – Wrestling with Faith and Leadership

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/12/11

In Episode 186, Carl Dambman, Athletes in Action Missionary, Olympic Wrestler, Author of In God's Grip, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about his unique journey with wrestling and pioneering sports ministry behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War in the '70s and '80s. He shares about his remarkable experiences in sports ministry, including challenges and successes covertly sharing the Gospel and some crazy experiences during border crossings and martial law in Poland. He also talks

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01:05:43

Warren Mainard – Impact Players & Audacious Authenticity

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/11/27

In Episode 185, Warren Mainard, Executive Director of Impact Players, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about how his tennis career shaped his approach to life and leadership. The conversation covers the importance for men to surround themselves with a band of brothers, being a thermostat not a thermometer, the concept of 'audacious authenticity,' how tennis can help us resolve conflict in our marriage and family, and the transformative power of sports in building resilience and

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38:09

Season 13 Halftime Show – Redeeming Your Time

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/11/13

In Episode 184, Phil and Paul reflect on the first half of Season 13, discussing highlights from their conversations with Greg Rubendall, Rick McKinley, Becca Darke, and Peter Greer. They also talk about ways we can redeem time in our lives, particularly in the context of parent-child relationships, and the importance of creating meaningful time with your kids and spouses. Resources and Links from this Episode · Uncut Video of the Episode · Warrior Way Soccer · Phil's email for

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48:47

Peter Greer – Avoiding Personal Mission Drift and...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/10/30

In Episode 183, we are sharing with you an interview from Phil's other podcast, Think Global, Do Justice, with Peter Greer, President of Hope International and Author of How Leaders Lose Their Way and How to Make Sure It Doesn't Happen to You, who discusses how leaders can avoid personal mission drift through awareness (and stopping) of our misguided pursuits and rowing against the dangerous currents in our lives, such as isolation and self-focus. Peter uses the book of Ecclesiastes and story of

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01:09:17

Becca Darke – Overcoming Injuries, Receiving...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In Episode 182, Becca Darke, Colorado College Women’s Soccer Hall of Famer, former PE Teacher, former Athletes in Action staff, mother of five, and, yes, wife of Phil, shares with Phil and Paul about her journey from hockey-centric Minnesota to her youth and collegiate soccer career, how she battled injuries, and her growing faith that led her to ministry in sports. Becca shares her experiences as the Atlanta Beat Chaplain, affirming the role of soccer in shaping character, leadership, and

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01:07:58

Achieved vs. Received Identity with Graham Daniels,...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/10/02

In Episode 181, we are giving you an annual dose of one of our favorite interviews of all time, going back to our conversation with Graham Daniels, Ph.D., Director of Cambridge United, Director of Christians in Sport, and former player for Cambridge United and Cardiff City. He talked with us 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

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01:13:12

Rick McKinley – Loving God and Others Through Soccer

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/09/18

In Episode 180, Rick McKinley, Missionary Athletes International’s (MAI) Director of Int’l Tours. Shares with Phil and Paul his extensive journey through sports, including impactful stories from his days as an athlete, coach, and missionary. He discusses his commitment to integrating faith and soccer, describing significant moments that shaped his understanding of the Gospel and relying on God's strength. Key highlights include Rick’s impactful moments on mission trips, the importance of aligning

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01:02:55

Greg Rubendall - Cultivate Your Garden

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/09/04

In Episode 179, Phil and Paul engage in an eclectic and wide-ranging conversation with Greg Rubendall, who has recently started a new venture in Sacramento, ASC Midtown, and a new podcast, “The Road Warrior.” The episode covers topics from personal updates to more philosophical discussions touching on biomechanics, conservation genetics, classical literature, leadership, and the power of unstructured play. Greg shares his insights on the importance of continual learning, community development, and

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29:57

Season 13 Post-Match Show – Lessons from the Field

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/08/21

In Episode 178, Phil and Paul reconnect to kick off Season 13, reflecting on their eventful summer and discussing key leadership lessons they learned along the way. They share personal stories and a new role for Paul in the soccer world. They delve into important lessons such as the importance of being still, focusing on prayer, understanding the evolving roles as parents, and embracing an open-handed approach to life. They emphasize the concept of being in charge without needing to be in control

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01:04:47

Developing Winners with Becky Burleigh, Co-Founder of...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/08/07

In Episode 177, we are recasting our episode with Becky Burleigh, Co-Founder of What Drives Winning, former University of Florida Women’s Soccer Coach (for 27 years), and Methodist College Hall of Famer, who talked with Phil and Paul about the life and leadership lessons she learned over the course of her playing career and her extensive coaching career at University of Florida and Berry College, the story behind What Drives Winning, some great WDW principles, her personal why, a defining moment in

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48:05

College Recruiting 201 with Paul Jobson, Director...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/07/24

In Episode 176, we are recasting our recruiting episode with our very own Paul Jobson, who now is Director of Atletico Dallas Youth-Central Texas after his retirement from coaching at Baylor Futbol, when he talked with Phil about how players, parents, and coaches can navigate the recruiting process with more excellence. Specifically, he covers: · How the recruiting process should be a fun “get-to” · The parallels of the college recruiting process and job searches · The coach’s

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01:08:09

The Power of Futsal and Indoor Soccer with Keith...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/07/10

In Episode 175, we are recasting our conversation with Keith Tozer, Commissioner of the Major Arena Soccer League, Coach of the US Futsal National Team, MISL coach and player in five decades, the first-ever pick in the MISL Draft, and a Hall of Famer in multiple hall of fames, who talked with Paul and Phil about what he has learned over the course of his five-decade long career playing and coaching indoor and outdoor soccer and futsal, why all teams should use futsal/indoor soccer as part of their

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01:08:21

Mindset Hacks with Andrew Simpson, Mindset &...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/06/26

In Episode 174, we are recasting our interview with Andrew Simpson, Mindset Coach, Author of Athlete! I’m Talking to You: 7 Mindset Hacks to Dominate in Sports and Life and The Youth Truth: Coaching & Parenting in Today’s Crazy Youth Sports World, and Founder of Player’s Fitness & Performance (“PFP”), who talked with Paul and Phil about some mindset hacks that can help us develop and rebuild, if necessary, a healthy mindset in ourselves and our athletes, some mistakes that 98% of parents of athletes

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42:56

Season 12 Post-Match Show with Phil and Paul

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/06/12

In Episode 173, Phil and Paul discuss their highlights from the second half of HSEL’s Season 12, which included Frank Kelly, Sean Miller, Roman Khripunov, and Paul Caliguiri, as well as some other topics they have been pondering lately. You don’t want to miss some great leadership nuggets on vulnerability, perseverance, humility, hard work, integrity, and creativity. If you’re loving the show (or if you don’t love it ; )), please subscribe, give us your feedback, rate and review the show, and, most

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51:48

Faith, Perseverance, and National Team Glory with...

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast ·

2025/05/29

In Episode 172, Paul Caligiuri, OCFC Manager, US Nat’l Soccer Hall of Famer, Former USMNT defender/midfielder and pro player in US and Germany, one of the first Americans to play professionally in Europe, and the unlikely scorer of the “shot heard ‘round the world,” talks with Phil and Paul about his remarkable journey from a passionate young soccer enthusiast to a defining figure in U.S. soccer history. He also recounts his serendipitous connection with Phil relating to a World War II era family

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195 results

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