The Globetrottin' ADs

Season 7 of the GTADs is in the books with this episode that was recorded live in Vienna at Hermanns Beach Bar. Nick & Matt talk about how they have used AI this school year coming full circle from the AI episode from the end of season 6. Some summer plans are also discussed as the guys get ready for a much needed break. Thank you to everyone that has joined or listened to the pod this season.

In this episode Nick talks about the new revised and expanded version of his book. Hear about why a updated was necessary, what is new and who is now included. A Global Playbook 2.0 is now available on all ⁠Amazon⁠ sites in print and kindle versions. Add it to your summer reading list or pick it up for a colleague.

What has been going on in the Middle East the last month? What are international schools in the Middle East like? We have Mark Buschini the AD at the American School of Dubai on this episode to fill us in. He talks about how the COVID experience has helped currently and reminds us of the real impact that athletics and activities have on our students. Check out this episode and then check out our s...

After a long break we are back with the last episode in our series about the International AD survey. This time we discuss the top 4 things that ADs have indicated that they are not concerned about.... Pressure to Win Job Security Getting Support Pressure from Admin Please have a lesson and then check out our sponsor ⁠⁠ ⁠Kukri Sports.⁠⁠⁠ You can connect with us on ⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠...

Our last Top Concern episode has us go to Tel Aviv Israel and welcome Doron Kramer, the AD at The Walworth Barbour American International School in IsraelAs all three guys share their concerns, tips and work with their school budgets we also hear about the impact of the current war on AIS Israel and its community. Definitely an episode work listening too regardless if you are concerned about your...

We are back at it in 2026 with a return to our Top Concern episodes. This time we are talking about participation with Masa Yo who is the Athletic Director and PE Teacher at The American School in Switzerland (TASIS). Nick, Matt and Masa talk about how and why their schools struggle with participation issues, how they have increased participation and also give some tips for other schools. There ar...

The NIAAA National Athletic Directors Conference (NADC) is just wrapping up for 2025 when Nick and Matt recap their time in Tampa, Florida. Bruno Zanotti-Cavazzoni (Paraguay) and Claudia Araya (Brazil) join the guys as they talk about why they keep coming back to the NADC and also what their best parts of the conference were this year... both in and out of the conference. Please check out this sho...

In this short episode Nick and Matt take a break from their Top Concerns series to briefly talk about their trip to Tampa this week for the annual NIAAA National Conference. The guys also unveil the podcasts top 5 counties and most listened too episode of 2025 from their Spotify Wrapped. After listening please check out our sponsor ⁠⁠ ⁠Kukri Sports.⁠⁠⁠ You can connect with us on ⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ,...

In our fourth 'Top Concerns' episode we are talking about officials with return guest, Gil Grant the AD at the International School of Dusseldorf in Germany. Although not at the level as in the US, international ADs are finding it harder and harder to find qualified officials. The three guys share some of the things that work well for them including; building strong relationships, invest i...

AD's around the world have selected their top concerns in the "state of the industry" survey and now in a series of podcast episodes they will be discussed, analyzed and some suggestions will be shared. In this third episode the top concern of "rising costs of trips" Nick and Matt welcome, return guest, Ric Floyd who is the AD at Stavanger Int. School in Stavanger Norway. This episode has some exp...

The "state of the industry" surveys have been going on for years now but this time Nick and Matt will do something different with the results. AD's around the world have selected their top concerns and in a series of podcast episodes they will be discussed, analyzed and some suggestions will be shared. In this second episode the top concern of "finding qualified coaches" Ni...

The "state of the industry" surveys have been going on for years now but this time Nick and Matt will do something different with the results. AD's around the world have selected their top concerns and in a series of podcast episodes they will be discussed, analyzed and some suggestions will be shared. First up is the top concern of "increased workload or expectations" and...

In this episode we welcome back and old friend in Scott Hibbard. Scott has been an AD in three continents before settling in the Middle East. Scott fills us in about his new role organizing events around Europe and the Middle East for youth teams from professional clubs. We then shift to his role with Pro Mentality which is a company that provides an online mental training program to athletes that...

Brian Lettinga is back on the pod sharing lots of great information if you are looking to make a move or dip your feet into the international educational world. Brian is from Search Associates who are the leader in international school placements. In this episode the guys talk about; when to starting looking and how, job placements and trends and the newly revamped intern program. Even if you are...

Season 7 of the GTADs is now online with this first episode with just Nick and Matt. The guys talk about their summer homework, their plans for some upcoming episodes and events all while Nick is in the middle of a fantasy football draft. We would love you to share the GTADs with any new colleagues and also check out our sponsor ⁠ ⁠Kukri Sports if you are in need of a new uniform supplier. You can...

Nick and Matt wrap up season 6 in this episode. They talk about some highlights of their school years, some summer work and personal plans but also dive into year end awards. Athletes of the year is a focal point; how their are selected and how you can avoid or reduce conflicts. Nick faced this first hand as his daughter received their middle school athlete of the year award this year. After this...

Your plan for the summer is here as this episode is filled tips and tools for AI use to make your job easier. Nick and Matt are joined by Mike DeNeef and Turner Neal who recently gave an only workshop about AI for ADs. The guys talk about their AI usage, pros and cons, paid vs free versions and of course some of their favorite tools for international ADs. The tools include; ChatGPT, Custom GPTs, G...

After a bit of a break we are back with an episode about some of the pitfalls or things to be aware of when an AD also coaches a team. There could be a number of unique challenges due to the dual nature of everyone's roles but we have picked out 6 key areas. 1. Time Management Balancing administrative duties (scheduling, compliance, budgeting, facility management) with coaching responsibilitie...

Where did the time go... 2019, 2021, 2023 and its already time again for the International "State of the Industry" surveys! Even if you know about the surveys or not Nick and Matt's insights about what they are and why they are important is interesting. In addition both guys tell us what is their Top Concern for 2025 and why. 93 responses with Europe having 45% of those. While the fi...

We are back with another live panel discussion recorded at the CEESA conference. This year the conference was in Split Croatia and the panel was recorded during the last session of the conference on Saturday March 15th. The three panelists are: Nathan Whitaker, the best selling author and speaker Jason Cuthbert, longtime international AD currently at AS Warsaw, Poland Jim Matter, longtime internat...

Live streaming is a great tool for international schools for mulitple reasons and the technology is getting better and better. Nick and Matt talk about some of their experiences with it and then welcome Ian Wray. Ian is Senior Director of Media Partnerships with Spiideo. Spiideo is used by both Nick and Matt's schools but this is not a paid content piece just sharing of information about strea...

Nick and Matt are back for their first episode together in 2025 and they welcome repeat guest Joe Toler who is in his second year at the International School of London Qatar. The guys discuss different ways they have helped to create or improve the athletic culture at their schools before moving on to the 10th anniversary IAAAC conference this May in Bangkok. The conference is from May 2nd to 4th...

In the first episode of 2025 Nick welcomes Chris McCallum who has started Truth Based Athletics. Sound familiar? Chris was on back in season 3 in 2021 and also has contributed to A Global Playbook. Chris, who has a full international resume, outlines what TBA is and can do for a school while they discuss intentional experiences and sustainability in programs. After listening please check out TBA f...

As you start your holidays Nick and Matt thought they would share their "AD" advent calendar. 24 thoughts, wishes or ideas for next year that might resonate with you or your programs as well. Why an advent calendar and what is that actually, well have a listen to find out. Here are all 24 but tune in for the ideas behind each one..... Look before asking Optimal communications Schools had same holi...

 Sawadee Ka is a Thai greeting which basically means hello and is an appropriate title for this episode as Nick profiles and says 'hello' to 22 different people who were a part of the PHASE AD conference last week in Bangkok. Nick asked those people two questions; what do you love about your job? and what would you change if you could? Tune in to this short but interesting episode and meet some gr...