The Player Development Pod

Edward Jones II
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The Player Development Pod explores how to build programs that care for athletes beyond the game. Hosted by Edward Jones II—former Director of Player Development and founder of Beyond The Field—each episode delivers real stories, proven strategies, and expert insights from college, pro, and high school sports. Learn how to enhance the athlete experience, avoid common mistakes, and create generational impact through personal wellness, community engagement, and career development.

  1. 3D AGO

    Dr. Melissa Weinsz on Leading with Authenticity in Player Engagement

    We sat down with Dr. Melissa Weinsz right after her session at the 2025 Player Development Zone in Kansas City. As the Director of Player Engagement for the Kansas City Chiefs, Dr. Weinsz is not only a local leader but also one of only a handful of women in the NFL to hold this role. In our conversation, Dr. Weinsz opens up about her journey from Ohio to Florida, LSU, and now Kansas City. She shares how she has helped reshape programs, guided NIL strategy when it was brand new, and restructured athlete development initiatives. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: Why being a woman in this space is a superpower How Dr. Weinsz finds balance and wellness through community, CrossFit, and faith The importance of trust, confidentiality, and “being quick to love but slow to share” Why player engagement requires both nurturing instincts and strong professional presence What Beyond the Field means to her personally and why she believes it is the premier platform for this work Dr. Weinsz reminds us that leadership is not always about being the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes it is the quiet strength and authenticity that changes lives. If you are a current or aspiring player development professional, or simply someone navigating leadership in challenging spaces, this episode will leave you with practical wisdom and renewed encouragement. 📌 Be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who would be inspired by Dr. Weinsz’s journey. #PlayerDevelopment #BeyondTheField #Chiefs #NFL #Leadership - The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1 Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101 🎙 About Ed Jones II: Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit Follow Ed: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/ Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

    6 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Hedges, Hope, and Resilience: Dr. Jamil Northcutt’s Guide to Navigating Change

    Transitions are part of every journey—whether you’re graduating, changing jobs, or facing unexpected challenges. In this episode of The Player Development Pod, Dr. Jamil Northcutt, Deputy Director at Athletes.org and CEO of Strategic Transitions Advisors, shares powerful insights from the Beyond the Field Summit on how to navigate change with clarity and confidence. We dive into: Why building hedges (boundaries) protects your health, relationships, and finances How core values reduce stress and guide your decisions Why cultivating competence in new areas helps you thrive in transition The importance of perseverance and not giving up when life gets tough Dr. Northcutt reminds us that life moves in seasons, and even in difficult moments, change may be working in your favor. 👉 Tune in for a conversation filled with wisdom, faith, and practical strategies to help you face whatever transition life puts in front of you. - The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1 Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101 🎙 About Ed Jones II: Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit Follow Ed: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/ Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

    5 min
  3. Why I’m Taking a Strategic Break From the Player Development Pod

    SEP 29

    Why I’m Taking a Strategic Break From the Player Development Pod

    After three years of nonstop content — over 200 episodes, nearly 100 hours of conversations, and a growing community that just crossed 1,000 subscribers — it’s time for a pause. In this episode, I share why I’m taking a strategic break from the Player Development Pod. This is not the end. It’s a chance to step back, reset, and prepare for the next level of growth. You’ll hear: The real reason I need this pause How I’m preparing Beyond the Field for what’s next Why the systems that got us here won’t get us to the future Ways you can stay connected during the break (book, newsletter, assessments, email) What you can expect when I return refreshed and ready This break is about more than rest — it’s about building the structure that allows Beyond the Field to scale, serve athletic departments, and make the Player Development Summit bigger than ever. Thank you for your support and trust. This is just a pause, not the end. When I come back, I’ll be ready to serve you and your programs on an even greater level. Developing People. Elevating Programs. - The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1 Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101 🎙 About Ed Jones II: Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit Follow Ed: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/ Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

    7 min
  4. How to Be Transformational in a Transactional Era

    SEP 20

    How to Be Transformational in a Transactional Era

    College athletics feels more transactional than ever — transfers, NIL deals, and short stints define the current landscape. But here’s the truth: you can still be transformational, even if you only have athletes for a short period of time. In this episode, I break down the three questions every player development professional, coach, or leader must help their athletes answer: Who am I as a person? (Identity beyond sport) Who am I as a leader? (The impact I want to have) What are my personal and professional interests? (Dreams that last after the final whistle) These questions may seem simple, but if you guide athletes through them, even six months in your program will leave a lifelong imprint. We’ll talk about practical ways to build initiatives, conversations, and programming around these questions — and how you can stay transformational in a transactional era. 🚀 Next Steps If this episode resonates and you want to go deeper, join me in the Player Development Accelerator — a 4-week cohort where I help you: Build your player development plan Communicate it with clarity Implement it with confidence Prepare for your next steps 👉 Take the free Readiness Assessment here: https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com 💬 What’s one way you stay transformational in your program? Share your thoughts with me — I’d love to hear your perspective. - The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1 Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101 🎙 About Ed Jones II: Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit Follow Ed: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/ Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

    7 min

  5. SEP 19

    Beyond the Buzzer: Dr. Lacee' Carmon-Johnson on Life After Basketball

    In this episode of The Player Development Pod, we sit down with Dr. Lacee' Carmon-Johnson, Director of Basketball Advancement for the Toronto Raptors, to talk about the future of athlete development in the NBA and beyond. Dr. Carmon-Johnson brings a wealth of experience as a former NCAA athlete, educator, career strategist, and mother of three. With her PhD in Educational Administration, she has built a reputation for designing customized programs that go deeper than basketball, helping players develop life skills, career readiness, and personal identity that lasts long after the final buzzer. In this conversation, we cover: Why holistic health and wellness are essential for athletes in a high-performance world How vulnerability and transparency open doors to authentic relationships with players Why “programs in a box” don’t work and how customization creates lasting impact Lessons from motherhood that have shaped her leadership with NBA athletes What “Beyond the Field” really means for players, professionals, and anyone building a life beyond their title Her powerful reminder: The ball will only bounce for so long. Who will you be when it stops? This episode is a must-listen for coaches, administrators, and development professionals who want to prepare athletes not just to win in sport, but to win in life.

    6 min
  6. How to Research and Choose the Right Speakers for Your Program

    SEP 18

    How to Research and Choose the Right Speakers for Your Program

    Every athletic program needs speakers — but not every speaker is the right fit. The wrong choice can cost thousands of dollars and leave your players uninspired. The right choice can transform the room, energize your athletes, and strengthen your culture. In this episode of The Player Development Pod, Ed Jones II — founder of Beyond the Field and author of The Player Development Guide — shares lessons learned from his time in player development at the University of Houston, Kansas, and Baylor. You’ll hear real stories of speakers who landed with power, and others who completely missed the mark. We break down: The 3 questions to ask before booking any speaker Why video proof and testimonials matter more than social media followers How to evaluate a speaker’s true lane of expertise The underrated way to protect your credibility with coaches and staff Why intentional speaker selection builds long-term trust in your role If you’re a coach, administrator, or player development professional, this episode will give you a practical framework for finding the right voices to inspire your athletes. 🎧 Tune in and learn how to research, vet, and book speakers who don’t just talk — but truly connect. The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1 Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101 🎙 About Ed Jones II: Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit Follow Ed: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/ Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

    10 min
  7. Player Development vs Student Athlete Development: What’s the Difference?

    SEP 16

    Player Development vs Student Athlete Development: What’s the Difference?

    What happens when you transition from player development, where you work directly for a head coach, to student athlete development, where you serve the entire athletic department? The dynamics change, the expectations shift, and the role requires a new mindset. In this episode, I share the 9 critical questions I would ask every head coach before stepping into student athlete development. These questions cover personal wellness, community impact, career development, academics, recruiting, game day expectations, programming, alumni engagement, and access to the team. Instead of assuming, listening first opens doors, builds trust, and uncovers resources that strengthen both the coach and the athlete experience. Whether you are a player development professional, athletic administrator, or coach looking to better understand the role, this conversation gives you a clear roadmap to succeed in student athlete development. Tune in, take notes, and use these 9 questions to guide your next step in serving athletes. - The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1 Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101 🎙 About Ed Jones II: Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit Follow Ed: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/ Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

    8 min
  8. The 3-Part Framework Every Player Development Program Needs

    SEP 13

    The 3-Part Framework Every Player Development Program Needs

    One of the most common questions I get is about programming—what it looks like, how to structure it, and what actually makes it effective. In this episode, I break down the 3-Part Programming Framework I’ve used across youth sports, high school, college, and the pro level to create intentional, impactful programming athletes don’t just attend—they remember. You’ll discover: Why starting with a Talk brings clarity and sets the tone How bringing in a Guest Speaker provides the outside expertise athletes need Why ending with an Activity makes the program practical and actionable I even share an example from Duke Football’s Leadership Week, where athletes capped off the experience with a trip to Epic Games—the creators of Fortnite—for real-world career discovery. If you’ve ever struggled to make your programming stick, this episode will give you a proven framework you can plug in right away. - The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1 Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101 🎙 About Ed Jones II: Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit Follow Ed: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/ Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

    6 min
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About

The Player Development Pod explores how to build programs that care for athletes beyond the game. Hosted by Edward Jones II—former Director of Player Development and founder of Beyond The Field—each episode delivers real stories, proven strategies, and expert insights from college, pro, and high school sports. Learn how to enhance the athlete experience, avoid common mistakes, and create generational impact through personal wellness, community engagement, and career development.

Information

  • Creator
    Edward Jones II
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    239
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Edward Jones II
  • Show Website
    The Player Development Pod

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