How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast

Philip Darke & Paul Jobson
  • 5.0 (16)
  • SOCCER
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Hosts Paul Jobson and Phil Darke have decades of experience as leaders, husbands, fathers, soccer coaches, players, and referees. In this podcast, Paul and Phil will have conversations with guests from the worlds of leadership and soccer about how we can flourish by examining life and leadership through the lens of the "beautiful game."

  1. Thuy Williams – Saving Lives and Overcoming Adversity with All Abilities

    JAN 22

    Thuy Williams – Saving Lives and Overcoming Adversity with All Abilities

    In Episode 189, Phil and Paul had a great conversation with Thuy Williams, an incredible athlete and coach of the US Amputee Soccer National Team using her skills and talents in the world of all-abilities and sports ministry. During the interview, she shares her incredible journey from being rescued out of Vietnam during Operation Babylift, to her childhood as an adoptee in the US, to becoming a coach and mentor in various sports, including soccer and lacrosse, around the world. Despite battling a degenerative muscle bone disease, debilitating pain, and PTSD, Thuy has remained resilient and dedicated to impacting lives through sports. She discusses the role of sports in her healing from childhood trauma and PTSD, her work with amputee and blind soccer, and the profound influence of everyday heroes in her life. Thuy also provides some practical advice for getting involved in all-abilities sports and her perspective on leadership that stems from genuine care and encouragement. She even talks about how coaches can save lives.  Resources and Links from this Episode        ·                 Uncut Video of the Episode ·                 US Amputee Soccer Website ·                 Nations United (World Cup Disciple Making Resources) Website ·                 HSEL Facebook Group ·                 Warrior Way Soccer ·                 Providence World Website ·                 Phil's email for DISC Training ·                 Remember the Titans ·                 Glory Road ·                 McFarland ·                 Spare Parts (Yes, that's the Robotics one) ·                 Hoosiers

    58 min
  2. What Makes a Leader? with Wells Thompson, Co-Founder of Soccer Resilience and Former MLS Midfielder - RECAST

    JAN 8

    What Makes a Leader? with Wells Thompson, Co-Founder of Soccer Resilience and Former MLS Midfielder - RECAST

    In Episode 188, we are re-casting our conversation with Wells Thompson, Former MLS midfielder and 1st Round Draft Pick, Co-Founder of Soccer Resilience, husband, and father. This was our most downloaded episode of 2025 and Top 2 for both Paul and me. In this episode, he talked with Paul and Phil about his journey from childhood adversity to the MLS, his struggles with identity and mental health, his faith journey and his personal why relating to that journey, his difficulties transitioning to life after soccer, why left Soccer Resilience after founding and leading it for a few years, and a lot of wisdom regarding true leadership. They also discuss how soccer and other sports are incredible classrooms, and how he is learning deep life lessons every single day as a stay-at-home dad, husband, and father of athletes. The interview is full of vulnerable moments, personal stories, and practical advice. Specifically, they discuss: ·      How Wells developed his passion for soccer, leadership, faith in God, and how he went from rolling with the wrong crowd, getting into drugs, and not being recruited to college to playing for Wake Forest and getting drafted 5th in the MLS Draft (7:30) ·      Lessons he learned in his pro career (17:10) ·      His transition to life after soccer (20:51) ·      His personal why, vulnerability as a superpower, and how he is living out his life purpose (27:58) ·      The revelation that caused him to leave Soccer Resilience (32:44) ·      How Soccer Resilience got started, some of the great things coming out of it, and how starting/running a business is like working to be a pro soccer player (and a couple great quotes from Nelson Mandela and Billy Graham) (36:39) ·      How he went from not making ODP to playing professional soccer, how that is relevant to the parenting of his kids while they are playing sports, and what we can learn from his journey (43:39) ·      Balancing pushing our kids to be the best they can be and learning life lessons from sports without getting too involved (especially at the wrong time or place) and/or forcing them to play sports they don't want to play (52:11) ·      What actually goes into being a pro athlete (55:30) ·      What he didn't learn as a pro athlete (hint: it is very relevant to this podcast) (57:25) ·      Leadership from the bench (1:02:26) ·      Lessons that he has learned from the game that he uses in his marriage and parenting (1:04:31) ·      What he has watched, read, or listened to that has impacted his thinking on how soccer explains life and leadership (1:07:58) Resources and Links from this Episode ·                 Uncut Video of the Episode ·                 HSEL Facebook Group ·                 Warrior Way Soccer ·                 Coaching the Bigger Game Program ·                 Phil's email for DISC Training ·                 Wrestling with Angels: A True Story of Addiction, Resurrection, Hope, Fashion, Training Celebrities, and Man's Oldest Sport, John Hanrahan ·                 Main Street Millionaire: How to Make Extraordinary Wealth Buying Ordinary Businesses, Codie Sanchez

    1h 8m
  3. HSEL 2025 Year-End Special – Top 5 Episodes and Highlights

    12/25/2025

    HSEL 2025 Year-End Special – Top 5 Episodes and Highlights

    In Episode 187, Phil and Paul reflect on their top HSEL episodes and their personal highlights of 2025. They discuss lessons learned from various guests, personal highs and lows, including transitions in their careers and families. Through their candid discussion, they emphasize the importance of slowing down, reflecting on what truly matters, beauty in brokenness, and the profound impact of soccer on teaching life's most valuable lessons. What are your Top 5 episodes of 2025? Resources and Links from this Episode ·      Uncut Video of the Episode ·      Warrior Way Soccer ·      Phil's email for DISC Training ·      Nations United Website ·      Providence World Website

    53 min
  4. Carl Dambman – Wrestling with Faith and Leadership

    12/11/2025

    Carl Dambman – Wrestling with Faith and Leadership

    In Episode 186, Carl Dambman, Athletes in Action Missionary, Olympic Wrestler, Author of In God's Grip, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about his unique journey with wrestling and pioneering sports ministry behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War in the '70s and '80s. He shares about his remarkable experiences in sports ministry, including challenges and successes covertly sharing the Gospel and some crazy experiences during border crossings and martial law in Poland. He also talks about his book, In God's Grip, which details his work in the USSR, and how his faith journey and his mentors have had a significant impact on his life and career. Carl emphasizes the importance of collaboration in ministry, knowing one's role on teams and in life, and how the principles learned in sports translate to leadership, marriage, and parenting. Resources and Links from this Episode ·      Carl and Noreen Dambman's Athletes in Action Website ·      Carl's book, In God's Grip ·      Uncut Video of the Episode ·      Warrior Way Soccer ·      Phil's email for DISC Training ·      Nations United Website ·      Athletes in Action website ·      FCA 3D Coaching

    1h 1m
  5. Warren Mainard – Impact Players & Audacious Authenticity

    11/27/2025

    Warren Mainard – Impact Players & Audacious Authenticity

    In Episode 185, Warren Mainard, Executive Director of Impact Players, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about how his tennis career shaped his approach to life and leadership. The conversation covers the importance for men to surround themselves with a band of brothers, being a thermostat not a thermometer, the concept of 'audacious authenticity,' how tennis can help us resolve conflict in our marriage and family, and the transformative power of sports in building resilience and character. Warren also emphasizes the critical roles of faith, marriage, and family in a man's life and how Impact Players aims to inspire men to live intentionally. Listeners will gain insights into Warren's personal journey, his coaching philosophy, and practical advice on integrating faith and leadership into every aspect of life.     Resources and Links from this Episode   ·      Impact Players Website ·      Uncut Video of the Episode ·      Warrior Way Soccer ·      Phil's email for DISC Training ·      Nations United Website ·      Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis—Lessons from a Master, Brad Gilbert ·      "Break Point" (Netflix) ·      "Full Swing" (Netflix)

    1h 6m
  6. Season 13 Halftime Show – Redeeming Your Time

    11/13/2025

    Season 13 Halftime Show – Redeeming Your Time

    In Episode 184, Phil and Paul reflect on the first half of Season 13, discussing highlights from their conversations with Greg Rubendall, Rick McKinley, Becca Darke, and Peter Greer. They also talk about ways we can redeem time in our lives, particularly in the context of parent-child relationships, and the importance of creating meaningful time with your kids and spouses. Resources and Links from this Episode ·      Uncut Video of the Episode ·      Warrior Way Soccer ·      Phil's email for DISC Training ·      Nations United Website

    38 min
  7. Peter Greer – Avoiding Personal Mission Drift and Finishing Well

    10/30/2025

    Peter Greer – Avoiding Personal Mission Drift and Finishing Well

    In Episode 183, we are sharing with you an interview from Phil's other podcast, Think Global, Do Justice, with Peter Greer, President of Hope International and Author of How Leaders Lose Their Way and How to Make Sure It Doesn't Happen to You, who discusses how leaders can avoid personal mission drift through awareness (and stopping) of our misguided pursuits and rowing against the dangerous currents in our lives, such as isolation and self-focus. Peter uses the book of Ecclesiastes and story of Solomon to share practices and disciplines that can help you to finish well, such as constellation mentoring, people over projects and achievement, succession planning and cultivating younger leaders, fear of God, eulogy vs. resume virtues, and one of the biggest dangers you'll face in your leadership. Resources and Links from this Episode ·      How Leaders Lose Their Way and How to Make Sure It Doesn't Happen to You, Peter Greer and Jill Heisey ·      Warrior Way Soccer ·      Phil's email for DISC Training ·      Nations United Website ·      Lead with Prayer, Peter Greer, Ryan Skoog, Cameron Doolittle ·      Think Global, Do Justice Podcast (formerly Think Orphan Podcast)

    49 min
  8. Becca Darke – Overcoming Injuries, Receiving Identity, and Making Room

    10/16/2025

    Becca Darke – Overcoming Injuries, Receiving Identity, and Making Room

    In Episode 182, Becca Darke, Colorado College Women's Soccer Hall of Famer, former PE Teacher, former Athletes in Action staff, mother of five, and, yes, wife of Phil, shares with Phil and Paul about her journey from hockey-centric Minnesota to her youth and collegiate soccer career, how she battled injuries, and her growing faith that led her to ministry in sports. Becca shares her experiences as the Atlanta Beat Chaplain, affirming the role of soccer in shaping character, leadership, and relationships. Becca also reflects on her personal 'why,' how Scripture continually shapes her, the importance of "making room" for others in our lives, and lessons from the game that have been applied in her marriage, parenting, and teaching roles. Resources and Links from this Episode ·      Uncut Video of the Episode ·      Warrior Way Soccer ·      Phil's email for DISC Training ·      Nations United Website ·      Lead with Prayer, Peter Greer, Ryan Skoog, Cameron Doolittle ·      Horst Richardson HSEL Episode

    1h 9m
See All (192)

Trailer

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Hosts Paul Jobson and Phil Darke have decades of experience as leaders, husbands, fathers, soccer coaches, players, and referees. In this podcast, Paul and Phil will have conversations with guests from the worlds of leadership and soccer about how we can flourish by examining life and leadership through the lens of the "beautiful game."

Information