Talent Chasing

Evergreen Podcasts
Talent Chasing

Moneyball meets Office Space Talent Chasing brings together the worlds of major league sports, corporate talent, and journalism to amplify real-world stories and experiences in finding, retaining, and motivating the best talent for your “team”.   The show delves into the intricate worlds of sports scouting and corporate talent acquisition, hosted by Major League Baseball veteran Brian Johnson, workforce strategy veteran Chad Sowash, and finally journalist and documentary filmmaker Jasper Spanjaart. Join them in uncovering the art of identifying raw potential, mastering recruitment strategies, and nurturing talent to its fullest potential. Explore the human element behind talent acquisition and the evolving landscape of data-driven decisions, shedding light on the quiet war between traditional scouting and analytics in both sports and the corporate arena.

  1. 11/28/2024

    Film Room - Debbie Spander

    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 (or overachieving CEOs) burnout faster than you can say “toxic hustle culture”? Or how Gen Z brilliantly dodged the workaholic traps Gen X proudly fell into? This episode's got it all—philosophical musings on work-life balance, tales of burnout from Jim Courier to weekend warriors, and a surprise cameo by the four-day workweek. Spoiler: Friday is officially cancelled. But it’s not all heavy stuff. From Chad’s obsession with Annie Agar’s TikToks to Jasper being dunked on for calling soccer “fuchebol,” the guys keep it lively. Brian even drops some wisdom on how to find your post-career mojo—whether you’re a retired MLB star or just trying to survive your mid-level management gig. The takeaway? Practice makes perfect, empathy matters, and yes, AI is your new co-worker. Oh, and good luck finding a plumber in Europe. (Seriously, call now. They’re booked out for months.) Tune in for the laughs, stay for the life lessons, and let’s get real—if Jasper can embrace AI, so can you. Subscribe to Talent Chasing wherever you get your podcasts, and maybe rethink your work-life balance while you’re at it.

    27 min
  2. 11/14/2024

    Chasing Debbie Spander

    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 stuff, like what athletes should do when hanging up the cleats (because “Can I still wear these?” is sadly not a retirement plan). Debbie also dishes on the rise of social media influencers in sports—because these days, athletes don’t just train for game day; they train to drop fire selfies. This convo isn’t just business; Debbie gets personal! She opens up about her family's sports journalism legacy, the thrill (and chaos) of navigating NIL (name, image, likeness) for college athletes, and the crucial balance between on-field glory and off-field hustle. Plus, she shares advice for aspiring female sports lawyers because, let’s face it, this industry could use more women throwing down on and off the field. Expect laughs, insights, and maybe a few “Wait, what?” moments as Debbie dives into what it’s like being a true sports insider in a constantly changing game. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Debbie Spander and Insight Sports Advisors 03:14 Debbie's Journey: From Sports Lawyer to Agent 05:52 The Landscape of Sports Representation 09:06 Transitioning Athletes: Preparing for Second Careers 11:59 Identifying and Nurturing Talent in Sports Media 15:01 Challenges Faced by Retired Athletes 17:46 The Rise of Social Media Influencers in Sports 20:58 Advice for Aspiring Female Sports Lawyers 24:10 The Future of Women in Sports Representation 25:27 The Importance of Role Models in Sports 27:06 Balancing Ambitions: Athletes and Off-Field Pursuits 28:14 Content Creation: New Models in Sports Media 30:59 Evaluating Podcast Potential in Athletes 32:21 Lessons from a Sports Writing Legacy 35:30 The Role of Family in Shaping Careers 37:54 Boutique vs. Large Sports Agencies 39:46 Motivation and Client Relationships in Sports Management 41:45 Navigating the NIL Landscape 46:50 The Future of College Athletics and NIL

    46 min
  3. 11/07/2024

    Breakdown: Shohei Ohtani

    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 perceptions of player versatility in MLB. Ohtani’s path from Japanese baseball to MLB success is analyzed, with Brian detailing his scouting days and the rarity of Japanese players making it to MLB. They discuss Ohtani's decision to take a smaller initial contract to prove himself and build his reputation, a strategic move that contrasts with typical American contract norms and highlights his commitment to growth over immediate reward. The hosts also delve into the racial dynamics surrounding Ohtani's reception in the U.S., connecting it to broader societal issues and how MLB's demographic makeup influences fandom and player appreciation. They debate whether a team can thrive without a singular superstar and ponder the evolving role of scouts who must now consider both analytics and player personalities in their evaluations. Chapter Titles 01:04 - Shohei Ohtani’s Impact on MLB   03:47 - The Rarity of Dual Roles in Baseball 07:07 - Ohtani’s Strategic Contract Choices   16:04 - MLB's Demographics and Ohtani's Reception   18:45 - Comparing Ohtani to Other Legends   24:40 - The Role of a Superstar in a Winning Team   27:22 - Scouting Beyond Stats: The Importance of Personality   33:27 - Closing

    31 min
  4. 10/17/2024

    Chasing Jon Harris

    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 conversation covers various topics related to college athletes transitioning to professional careers and the challenges they face. The main themes include Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, the transfer portal, academic advising for transfer students, the financial implications of transferring, the importance of education and career planning, the benefits of hiring former athletes, and success stories of athletes transitioning to post-sports careers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to John Harris 02:28 The Genesis of AthLife and Supporting NFL Players 05:48 The Importance of Supporting Athletes' Education and Transition 08:29 Collective Bargaining and Transition Support in Different Leagues 12:57 Success Stories of AthLife's Program 15:29 Career Placement and Networking for Former Athletes 19:00 Challenges and Fears in Athlete Transition 20:00 Supporting Women Athletes in Transition 24:23 The Impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Rights in College Athletics 26:16 The Reality of NIL Opportunities for Student-Athletes 27:22 Navigating the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Landscape 28:13 The Challenges of the Transfer Portal 29:11 Academic Advising for Transfer Students 30:39 The Financial Implications of Transferring 35:10 The Importance of Education and Career Planning 38:25 The Benefits of Hiring Former Athletes 42:19 Success Stories of Athletes Transitioning to Post-Sports Careers

    45 min

About

Moneyball meets Office Space Talent Chasing brings together the worlds of major league sports, corporate talent, and journalism to amplify real-world stories and experiences in finding, retaining, and motivating the best talent for your “team”.   The show delves into the intricate worlds of sports scouting and corporate talent acquisition, hosted by Major League Baseball veteran Brian Johnson, workforce strategy veteran Chad Sowash, and finally journalist and documentary filmmaker Jasper Spanjaart. Join them in uncovering the art of identifying raw potential, mastering recruitment strategies, and nurturing talent to its fullest potential. Explore the human element behind talent acquisition and the evolving landscape of data-driven decisions, shedding light on the quiet war between traditional scouting and analytics in both sports and the corporate arena.

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