Crossing The Pond

This week’s guest Joe Quigley first arrived in the US in 2008 to work in the youth sports industry. After his decision to return home to the UK in 2016 he was presented a new opportunity to own and operate his own coaching franchise in his hometown of Manchester. He opens up about early life in the US in ‘08, his reasons for returning home and the lessons he has learned as he and his family embark...

This week we welcome Mark Simpson, founder of Boostly. Before building one of the most recognized direct booking platforms in the short-term rental world, Mark spent several years in the U.S, coaching soccer and learning the art of leadership and teamwork firsthand. When he returned to his hometown of Scarborough in 2008, he brought with him a playbook of ideas that would eventually fuel the creat...

It’s a pleasure to welcome Sabrina Flores to the podcast this week as she talks through her soccer journey that began and ended in NJ. She talks through her pathway through the club, college, international and professional ranks. Showcasing her relentless drive to succeed and her selfless attitude to her teammates throughout her playing career Sabrina also speaks to how she plans to instill the sa...

This week we take a look into the world of Vinny Valente, better known as @vincenttheowl . A Jersey City performing artist and storyteller who’s words echo both the struggle and the soul of city life. Vinny opens up about his humble beginnings, the creative influences that shaped his sound and how he channels it all into his music. We’ll talk about 9-to-5 hustle, late-night performances, staying t...

We welcome Vasily Yurenkov to the show this week. Who tells the story of leaving his home country of Russia in 2022, after his original plan to relocate was somewhat accelerated by the conflict with Ukraine. He talks of the strategies he used to make the move and how it has ultimately influenced him to start his journey as the founder of Greener Relocation. A service offering a combination of his...

An absolute pleasure to welcome our two guests for this week. John O’Rourke and Enda Crehan, who between them have over 50 years of experience in the soccer industry, are currently helping to spearhead the North American Irish Coaches Association. Providing opportunity and support to Irish immigrants through their soccer journeys here in the US. John and Enda share their own stories and what they...

In this week’s episode will take a look back to the early summer of last year and episodes 21 through 30. Some top guests with plenty stories and different perspectives. Hope these reflection on past episodes will jogs memory of the guests we’ve had, or to our newer listeners, maybe sparks an interest to dig into the back catalog. Guests/times in order of appearance 0:41 - Genny Dunnington - #24 '...

For today’s episode, we’re joined by Jim Whelan and his wife, Maira Gorozabel—a couple whose story spans continents and cultures. Jim first met Maira in Ecuador while traveling through South America, and after 16 months living in Quito, their journey together truly began. From Ecuador to England, and now the U.S., each move has brought its own challenges and triumphs. Over the years, their relatio...

We welcome Bob Gibson back this week as a guest host, asking Gary questions on his 'why' for starting the podcast. They talk about the learning experiences in the 18 months of CTP to this point and they talk about the roads that Gary would like to see the podcast take as it works its way through 2025 and beyond. *Recorded in Feb 2025 #crossingthepondpodcast #why #findyourwhy #listeningskills #amat...

We welcome a good friend to the microphone this week in Marc McKelvie, a Scotsman who first landed in the U.S. in 2009. He talks about gaining his confidence early on, rebounding from a 14-month setback after his visa was declined and what the power of connection and relationships have done to help him work around tough moments Marc also opens up about his ability to be honest with himself and how...

This weeks guest is Madison Gilmore a rising filmmaker, director, and producer currently studying at NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. Madison’s journey began in Newark, New Jersey, where she faced profound loss at just eight years old with the passing of her mother. An emotional turning point that shaped the young woman she is today. Beyond her creative talent is a deep well of resilien...

This week’s guest has recently began a new chapter of his life in the US after a coaching and playing career in professional football, spanning from the mid-eighties to the present day and covering 4 continents. Dylan Kerr gives us insight into the ups and downs of his career, from club initiations in South Africa, to successes during his more notable spells at Leeds United, Reading and Kilmarnock...

When Elvir Prasovic was forced to leave his Sarajevo home in 1992 after war broke out in his native Bosnia, he embarked on a refugee journey that eventually brought him to the US in 1999. Elvir talks candidly of his memories as a child and teenager and how his experiences has shaped his perspective and outlook in his life as a husband, father and educator in his home state of New Jersey

This week we welcomed Emmet Brennan. An Irish boxing champion and Olympian who is fresh off his most recent victory in Madison Sq Garden on March 16th. He talks about his journey through the boxing ranks to this point, what the energy that fighting in NYC has done to enhance his desire to win and how his newfound focus and preparation to the sport he loves is fueling his commitment to become a cha...

My guest this week cites graffiti, comic books and his Haitian heritage as the major creative influences on his artwork. Andre Nicolas gives us the rundown on his development and emergence as a successful artist in his new home of Jersey City, the importance of fostering a creative community and conquering fears to cross those lines we create to hold us back in personal and professional journeys....

It was great this week to reconnect with Paula Burke, who after the visiting the US numerous times before finally packed a suitcase and came to New York City for good in 2006. She talked about the ups and down a finding her feet during a early years, the fond memories of what she left behind in her home town of Liverpool and how the community and friendships that she has cultivated over the years...

We’re joined this week by Tania Bentley, who recounts her experiences in the US since moving from South Africa at the age of 19. She speaks on growing up in a home country during the fall of a apartheid, how it influences her work to bring light to social justice and public policy issues her in the US, through her work in the TV industry and how her own diagnosis, treatment and therapy that inspir...

Bit of a change of pace (and position) this week as friend of the podcast Bob Gibson digs into Gary’s story to this point. Gary shares his journey from the UK to the US, discussing his experiences in coaching, the challenges of navigating life in a new country, and the importance of building connections. He reflects on personal struggles, career transitions, and the significance of community, whil...

Our guest today is Kevin Grogan, a former professional footballer whose career was cut short by injury at the young age of 21. Not before he was a member of a U16 European Championship winning Ireland squad and being a promising young part of the Manchester United squad of the late 90s. After relocating to the U.S. from Dublin, Kevin reinvented himself, transitioning from coaching roles to the spo...

Declan Duffin joins the show this week, talking about his move from Scotland to the U.S. in 2013. From leaving behind family and friends to embracing life and soccer in America, Declan’s journey has been full of growth and change. He’s worked in various coaching roles in his time up to now and more recently finds himself working in the MLS ranks at DC United, excited for the challenges ahead. Decl...

Today's guest is Andre Santiago, who shares his journey growing up in a Puerto Rican family in the Bronx in NYC. He talks about how he overcame many challenges as a young man, but over time, with a little help from some positive influences, he discovered the power of community and how it can change both his mental and physical health. Andre shares how connecting with others helped him push through...

Welcome back to CTP for 2025. After a short break we’re back, with new guests, new topics and more inspiring stories! While initially focused on moves to the US, it quickly became clear that crossing a pond is about more than geography. Every day, people face their own "ponds" — whether that means relocating to a new country, rebounding from health challenges, embarking on career changes, or overc...

This week's guest is Gavin Quirk, who moved to the US in 2010 to work in marketing for Disney and recently moved to a role at Netflix. Gary talks to Gavin about his shift to the west coast from London, England, the decision-making processes that gave him the confidence to make what was a life changing move into a new role. Gavin also gives his own perspective on how juggling with what an optimal l...

Gary's guest this week is a person who took a big leap of faith to give him a legitimate chance in my coaching career. It also marks the first conversation with a 'US bound' guest from outside the UK & Ireland. Peter-John Falloon crossed his own 'pond' when he first moved to the US in the year 2000 and since graduating university has become a well-recognized figure on the NJ college soccer sce...

This week we’re welcoming friends, listeners, fellow pond crossers, and occasional podcast lurkers to the show for our Crossing the Pond year-in-review. As we come to the holiday end of 2024, we wanted to take a stroll down memory lane to cap off what has been a great first year in the books. Talking through the unpredictable waves of career pivots, mental health moments, coaching adventures, and...