Episodes

  • Chasing Dusty Baker

    Chasing Dusty Baker
    Aug 14 2024
    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 the shortened version. Dusty discusses talent management as a player and manager, his mentors and the lessons he learned from them, the changes in the game of baseball over the years, and the challenges of talent identification management, scouting talent, managing egos, and his approach to business. He emphasizes the importance of combining analytics with the human element in decision-making and the value of trust and forgiveness. Dusty shares his experiences and lessons learned from his baseball career and how they apply to other aspects of life. Tune in for great stories, experiences, and advice from Dusty Baker. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:17 Lessons Learned from Coaching and Managing 05:24 The Importance of Mentorship 08:43 The Challenges of Being a Player 09:12 The Evolution of Baseball 21:22 Changes in Talent Identification and Management 25:19 The Importance of Learning from Mistakes 30:04 The Role of Coaches and Managers in Talent Management 34:21 Scouting Talent in a Globalized Baseball Landscape 35:31 Combining Analytics with the Human Element in Decision-Making 38:32 Managing Egos and Building Trust in a Team 41:34 Lessons from Baseball Applied to the Business World
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    50 mins
  • Chasing Nicki Paterson

    Chasing Nicki Paterson
    Aug 7 2024
    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 Officer at Solutions Driven and shares his journey from playing soccer to transitioning into the corporate world. He discusses the challenges and opportunities he faced in his soccer career. Paterson also talks about the evolution of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the impact of players like David Beckham. In the corporate world, he emphasizes the importance of hard work, authenticity, and data-driven decision-making. Paterson also highlights the need for continuous learning and being a student of the game in both sports and business.
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    52 mins
  • Chasing Andy Papathanassiou

    Chasing Andy Papathanassiou
    Jun 5 2024
    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 athletic discipline and consistency to the pits, and transforming pit stops into a well-coordinated team effort. His work with Hendrick Motorsports and driver Jeff Gordon resulted in groundbreaking success and numerous championships. Andy also discusses the parallels between sports and business, highlighting lessons in teamwork, practice, and perseverance. Now a keynote speaker, Andy uses pit crew simulations to teach high-performing team dynamics to business leaders. Chapters: Introduction and Guest Overview - 0:00:14 Andy Papathanassiou's Journey Begins - 0:01:04 First Ever Pit Crew Coach - 0:01:39 Discovering NASCAR and Breaking In - 0:03:10 Moving to Charlotte - 0:07:26 The Importance of Consistency - 0:24:16 Innovations in Pit Crew Dynamics - 0:28:42 Impact and Adoption of New Methods in NASCAR - 0:29:41 Pit Crew Training and Development Programs - 0:30:33 Keynote Speaking and Team Building - 0:31:03 Applying NASCAR Lessons to Business - 0:34:15
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    36 mins
  • Chasing Terry Bradway

    Chasing Terry Bradway
    May 22 2024
    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 discusses his early coaching days, his significant contributions in the USFL, and his long-standing tenure in the NFL. The conversation delves into memorable moments, such as scouting Tony Gonzalez at Cal and discovering Darrelle Revis at Pitt, providing listeners with a unique behind-the-scenes look at the scouting and evaluation processes in professional football. Bradway also reflects on the evolution of the game, the importance of character in players, and the balance between traditional scouting and modern analytics. His insights into building and managing successful teams, the challenges of the NFL, and the importance of treating people right offer valuable lessons for anyone interested in sports management and leadership. Don’t miss this episode filled with anecdotes, lessons, and expert analysis from one of the NFL’s most respected figures. Tune in to hear Terry Bradway’s take on the NFL’s past, present, and future, and why passion and dedication are crucial in the world of professional sports.
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    44 mins
  • Chasing Fred Claire

    Chasing Fred Claire
    May 15 2024
    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 analytics in the game. He also shares stories about the legendary Fernando Valenzuela and the impact he had on the Dodgers. Fred Claire discusses his experiences in talent identification and team management in baseball, including his role in building a championship team in 1998. He emphasizes the importance of identifying talent gaps and making strategic acquisitions to strengthen the roster. Claire also shares personal anecdotes about players like John Shelby and Mike Piazza, highlighting the value of honesty and trust in player relationships. He also discusses his battle with cancer and his admiration for the City of Hope cancer treatment center.
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    59 mins
  • Chasing Jeff Pearlman

    Chasing Jeff Pearlman
    May 8 2024
    Get ready to dive into the chaotic and often misunderstood world of biography writing with the ever cynical yet oddly endearing, NYT best-selling product of Mahopac, NY Jeff Pearlman. This episode of "Talent Chasing" isn't just another polite exchange of niceties and anecdotes. Oh no, we’re here to ruffle some feathers! Join us as Jeff, a man who’s interviewed everyone from the disgraced to the dazzling, spills the beans on the gritty challenges of capturing the full spectrum of human messiness. From John Rocker’s rage to Dwight Gooden’s struggles, no stone is left unturned. Jeff dissects the importance of keeping your biases in check and shares his secret sauce for hunting down stories that are as untold as they are scandalous. We're talking hundreds of interviews per biography and he's written 10! And just when you think it can’t get more Californian than this, Jeff waxes poetic about how living in the land of sun and underdogs has colored his narrative lens. Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride filled with truth bombs and reality checks!
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    46 mins
  • Chasing Rodney Gilmore

    Chasing Rodney Gilmore
    May 1 2024
    Tune in to witness Rodney Gilmore, sports analyst by day and aspiring legal eagle by night. From his childhood streets of Oakland to the polished floors of ESPN, Rodney dishes on everything from racial dynamics to the heartbreaking rigors of choosing the right tie for broadcast. As they dive into topics like unconscious bias and diversity, prepare for a rollercoaster of "did they really just say that?" moments. Whether it's reminiscing about the good old days of juggling footballs and law books, or unraveling the enigma of ESPN’s cultural evolution from boys' club to big tent. Expect a mix of nostalgia, name-dropping, and nuanced takes on why college athletes should maybe, possibly, get a slice of the revenue pie. Don't miss out on this exhilarating exploration of sports, law, and the art of staying relevant in both.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Chasing Chad Sowash

    Chasing Chad Sowash
    Apr 24 2024
    In this riveting episode, Chad Sowash is fresh from the disciplinarian delights of the army and has decided that his next battlefield is...podcasting. Brace yourselves for tales of grit and grime that somehow segue into the importance of gap years and personal development. Chad shares why he traded textbooks for infantry and football for firearms. Get ready for an exploration into the dizzying heights of military discipline, where the only thing more terrifying than the training is Chad's love for it. As we dive deeper, Chad pontificates on leadership — a topic as vast and unfathomable as his transition from military muscle to corporate crusader. Ever wondered how yelling at people to do push-ups can help you navigate the boardroom? Chad's your guy. He'll also touch on his flirtation with mixed martial arts. And just when you thought it couldn't get more eclectic, Chad shares his foray into the wild world of podcasting with "The Chad and Cheese Podcast". Join us as we dissect the life and times of Chad Sowash, a man who's teaching us all that you can take the sergeant out of the military, but you can't take the military out of the podcast. Expect unsolicited advice, bewildering career pivots, and a whole lot of Chad.
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    45 mins