Talent Chasing

What can a 6'7" footballer teach us about talent, leadership, and adaptability? In this episode of Talent Chasing, the hosts dive into the fascinating career of Peter Crouch—a player who defied expectations and redefined his role on the pitch. From the evolving strategies in football to the ongoing battle between coaching systems and raw player talent, this conversation unpacks the lessons that sp...

In this episode of Talent Chasing, hosts Chad and Brian, joined by guest Jasper, unpack the groundbreaking signing of Juan Soto to the New York Mets for a record-breaking $765 million over 15 years. Beyond the numbers, they explore the cultural rivalry between the Mets and Yankees, the subtle but powerful role of personal relationships in player decisions, and how small details can redefine recrui...

In this episode, Brian, Jasper, and Chad dive deep into the game-changing intersection of sports and business leadership, all through the lens of Deion Sanders' extraordinary coaching career. They uncover how Coach Prime's unique approach to leadership, crisis management, and talent development offers invaluable insights for the corporate world. From his community impact to his disciplined and aut...

In this episode, the hosts discuss the ongoing debate surrounding remote and hybrid work, particularly in the context of Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's mandate for employees to return to the office. They explore the implications of this decision on workplace culture, productivity, and employee well-being. The conversation highlights the need for leaders to adapt to changing workforce dynamics, the import...

Athletes, Burnout, and Plumbing Emergencies Grab your popcorn and buckle up for this episode of the Talent Chasing Podcast! Jasper, Brian, and Chad dissect their interview with the legendary sports agent Debbie Spander in this latest Film Room session—a mix of insightful commentary, hilariously sharp quips, and, naturally, a side tangent on Europe's plumbing crisis. Ever wonder why elite athletes...

Get ready to dive into the wild world of sports biz with Debbie Spander, the CEO of Insight Sports Advisors—a boutique sports media agency where deals happen, dreams are made, and retired athletes try not to be the “Remember that guy?” stories! Debbie’s gone from slinging legal briefs as a sports lawyer to negotiating contracts as a sports agent, and she’s spilling all the tea. She tackles the big...

This "Talent Chasing" podcast episode provides a look at Shohei Ohtani, his historic baseball journey, and the broader impact on the business of baseball. Hosted by former MLB player and scout Brian Johnson, journalist Jasper Spanjaart, and recruitment industry veteran Chad Sowash, the conversation explores Ohtani’s unique dual-role as both a top-tier pitcher and hitter—a feat that has transformed...

In this episode of Talent Chasing, Brian Johnson and Chad Sawash discuss the impact of mental health in sports, focusing on Simone Biles' journey and her advocacy for mental health awareness. They explore the concept of burnout in both sports and corporate settings, drawing parallels between athletes and professionals facing mental blocks, such as the yips. The conversation also addresses double s...

In this episode of Talent Chasing, Brian Johnson and Chad Sowash dissect their interview with John Harris, owner of AthLife, and explore the complexities of athlete transitions into the real world, the implications of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) landscape, and the importance of unions in both sports and corporate environments. They discuss the challenges faced by collegiate athletes, the need...

John Harris, the owner of AthLife, shares his journey of helping former professional athletes transition back into the real world. He explains how AthLife has assisted over a thousand athletes in pursuing education and finding new careers. The conversation also touches on the shift in college athletics with the introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes. The conver...

In this episode, Brian Johnson and Chad Sowash discuss the inspiring story of James Mims, the creator of Mims Bands, a unique product that combines baseball cards with wristbands. They explore the entrepreneurial spirit, the importance of perseverance, and the role of founders in startups, emphasizing the significance of character and vision in achieving success. The conversation highlights Mims'...

In this episode of *Talent Chasing*, hosted by Brian Johnson and Chad Sowash, the focus is on entrepreneur James Mims and his journey in founding Mims Bands, a wristband company that has become an iconic part of Major League Baseball (MLB) history. James shares how, as a senior at the University of Southern California, he came up with the idea for personalized wristbands for athletes, starting wit...

*Film Room* is a podcast series under the *Talent Chasing* show, hosted by Brian Johnson, a former Major League Baseball player, and Chad Sowash, a recruitment industry veteran. In this episode, the hosts break down key moments from their interview with Angela Taylor, a former WNBA executive and two-time national champion at Stanford University. The discussion revolves around Angela’s experience h...

Angela Taylor, former VP and GM of the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream, discusses her journey from being a walk-on at Stanford to her successful career in the WNBA and women's sports. She highlights the importance of sports in her life and the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry. Taylor also discusses the growth of women's sports, the progress made in the WNBA, and the need for co...

In this episode of *Talent Chasing*, our intrepid hosts Jasper, Brian, and Chad sit down with none other than Dusty Baker—legendary baseball manager and expert in the fine art of not losing his cool while leading teams. They dig into Baker’s leadership style, the eternal struggle: analytics vs. gut instinct. making the right hiring decisions, plus, how communication is key—because if you can’t get...

In this episode, Chad, Brian, and Jasper are joined by probably one of the most interesting people you will ever meet, Dusty Baker. Dusty is a former MLB outfielder and manager. Dusty played 19 seasons earning two All-Star selections, numerous awards, and the first NLCS MVP. As a manager, he led the Giants, Cubs, Reds, Nationals, and Astros, winning the 2022 World Series with Houston and that's th...

In this episode of *Talent Chasing*, Jasper, Brian, and Chad dissect their interview with former pro footballer Nicki Paterson to tackle the surprising overlaps between sports and business. Turns out, building relationships is just as crucial in scouting as it is in recruitment—whether you’re searching for the next Messi or someone who knows how to work a Zoom call. They guys break down how soft s...

In this episode, Scottish footballer Nicki Paterson shares his journey from playing professional football in Scotland to receiving a scholarship to play in the US. He discusses the differences between scouting systems in Europe and the US. Nicki also talks about the importance of his father's support and the impact of playing sports on his own children. Today, Nicki Paterson is Chief Growth Office...

In this episode of Talent Chasing, the hosts discuss the evolution of pit crews in NASCAR with Andy Papathanassiou, emphasizing the importance of process, practice, and finding one's true calling. They explore leadership simplicity, the significance of diversity of thought, and the challenges of building a dynasty in a world focused on instant gratification. The conversation also touches on the my...

In this compelling episode of Talent Chasing, hosts Brian Johnson and Jasper Spanjaart interview Andy Papathanassiou, whose extraordinary journey takes him from a Stanford football star to NASCAR's first-ever pit crew coach. Andy shares how a severe back injury ended his sports career but led him to revolutionize NASCAR pit crews. Listeners will hear about Andy’s innovative approach, bringing athl...

In this episode of Talent Chasing, it's a rundown of former New York Jets GM, Terry Bradway's intersection of sports and business, which focuses on the importance of talent acquisition and retention. They explore the balance between analytics and human intuition in scouting and recruitment, the significance of fostering a positive company culture, and the need for internal mobility to retain talen...

Join hosts Brian Johnson and Jasper Spanjaart for an engaging episode of Talent Chasing Podcast as they sit down with NFL legend Terry Bradway. With a career spanning over four decades in the NFL, Bradway shares his journey from playing football at Trenton State College to becoming a General Manager for the New York Jets and a scout and advisor for the Carolina Panthers. In this episode, Bradway d...

In this episode of *Talent Chasing*, hosts Brian Johnson, Jasper Spanjaart, and Chad Sowash break down key insights from their interview with Fred Claire, the former General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This episode is part of their "Film Room" series, where they dissect impactful moments from past interviews, just like analyzing game footage. Fred Claire is highlighted for his leadership a...

Fred Claire, former general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, shares his journey from journalist to GM and the importance of relationships in the game of baseball. Fred discusses his love for sports and how it led him to a career in journalism and eventually to the Dodgers. Claire emphasizes the significance of scouting and player development in building a successful team, and the role of analyt...

*Film Room* is a podcast series, part of the *Talent Chasing* show, hosted by Brian Johnson, Jasper Spanjaart, and Chad Sowash. In this episode, the hosts break down an interview with bestselling author Jeff Perlman, discussing themes such as mentorship, personal growth, and the value of humility. The conversation focuses on how Perlman's journey as a writer shaped his career, emphasizing the impo...