The Player Development Pod

Edward Jones II
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

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. 7h ago

    How to Build Trust With Athlete Families From Day One

    Building trust with an athlete’s family should not begin when there is a problem. It should start on day one. In this episode of the Player Development Pod, Edward Jones II breaks down the importance of building intentional relationships with parents and families throughout the athlete experience. Drawing from his experience working in college football player development, Edward shares practical ways to connect with families, create consistent communication, and establish trust before difficult situations arise. From newcomer orientation and sharing your contact information to connecting at games and creating family-focused communication, this episode provides simple strategies player development professionals and programs can implement immediately. If family engagement is part of your player development responsibilities, this episode will challenge you to ask one important question: What are you doing intentionally to build trust with families? Developing People. Elevating Programs. For more player development information, get The Player Development Guide here:https://amzn.to/4fZGqBD

    11 min

  2. Jun 26

    A Month Later, I Finally Have the Words | Reflecting on the 2026 Player Development Summit

    It's been a month since the 2026 Player Development Summit, and I finally have the words. In this episode of the Player Development Pod, I take time to reflect on one of the most meaningful experiences in Beyond The Field's history. Rather than simply recapping the event, I share the stories, lessons, and moments that have stayed with me since leaving Detroit. We discuss why the Player Development Summit was created, how it has evolved from a virtual gathering into a national community, and why creating spaces for player development professionals to grow, network, and partner has become more important than ever. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Why I created the Player Development Summit • The moments from Detroit I'll never forget • Lessons in leadership and community • The importance of belonging in our profession • Why this summit is about legacy, not just an event • My vision for the future of the Player Development Summit Most importantly, I want to say thank you. Thank you to every attendee, speaker, volunteer, sponsor, partner, and team member who helped make the 2026 Player Development Summit possible. Because of you, we're building more than a conference. We're building a community dedicated to developing people and elevating programs. As always, thank you for listening to the Player Development Pod. If this episode encourages you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another coach, administrator, or player development professional. For more player development resources: 📖 The Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/4fZGqBD

    43 min

  3. May 22

    Student-Athletes: This Company Is ACTUALLY Hiring Former Athletes

    Register for the Athlete Career Experience (ACE): https://forms.gle/xAcaD2qgnkFu6zVVA Student-athletes… if you’re trying to figure out what comes next after sports, this video is for you. The Athlete Career Experience (ACE) is a new opportunity happening at the 2026 Player Development Summit in Detroit in partnership with Northwestern Mutual – Metro Detroit. This is not just a networking event. This is a real hiring and career opportunity designed specifically for student-athletes and recent graduates interested in business, leadership, and financial services. Northwestern Mutual leadership, directors, and talent acquisition staff will all be in the room and conducting interviews during the experience. Athletes selected for ACE will receive: • Professional headshots • Career and leadership development • Networking opportunities • On-site interviews and career conversations • Access to professionals actively looking to hire athletes WHO SHOULD APPLY: • Juniors • Seniors • Recent graduates • Athletes interested in business, leadership, sales, or financial services • Athletes interested in living and working in Detroit 🚨 SPOTS ARE LIMITED 🚨 This is an intentionally curated experience, and we are only selecting a small group of athletes for the room. If you are serious about your future and looking for a real opportunity after sports, apply now. EVENT DETAILS: 📍 Industry Innovation Center 461 Burroughs Street Detroit, Michigan 48202 📅 Friday, May 29, 2026 🕘 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM If you are a coach, parent, administrator, or player development professional, please share this video with athletes who should be in this room. Too many athletes finish sports without a clear next step. We want to help change that. #NorthwesternMutual #NorthwesternMutualMetroDetroit #StudentAthleteCareerJourney #AthleteHiringAthletes #AthletesLookingForJobs #AthleteCareers #StudentAthlete #CareerDevelopment #AthleteTransition #PlayerDevelopment #BeyondTheField #Detroit #SportsIndustry

    9 min

  4. Apr 15

    Why Player Development Programs Feel Disconnected (And How to Fix It)

    Recently, I had the opportunity to work directly with the Iowa State Football Player Development staff, leading a full workshop on the Beyond Player Development Model. In this episode, I break down exactly what we did, what I observed, and what changed after implementing the framework. One of the biggest challenges in player development today is not effort. It is lack of structure. Programs are doing a lot, but it is disconnected. This episode walks through how to bring everything under one system that creates clarity, consistency, and long-term impact. You will hear directly from: Leon Douglas, Director of Player Development at Iowa State Alec Cook, Assistant Player Development And how this framework helped them: Identify gaps Build alignment Strengthen their approach to athlete development If you are an Athletic Director, coach, or player development professional, this episode will challenge how you think about your current structure. If you are looking to bring this system to your program: Fill out the interest form here: https://forms.gle/hjrmy6KSRpobfcWG8 Or email: edward@btfprogram.com As always, go out and create generational impact. -

    19 min

  5. Apr 7

    The Player Development System I Wish I Had 10 Years Ago

    After 10 years in player development, I finally figured it out. It was never about doing more. It was never about better programming. It was about having a system. In this episode, I break down the BEYOND Player Development Model, a framework designed to bring clarity to one of the most misunderstood roles in sports. If you have ever struggled to explain player development to coaches, administrators, or athletes, this episode will give you the structure you need. 🔑 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why player development feels confusing even when you are doing great work The biggest mistake I made early in my career How to organize everything you do into one clear system The six pillars of the BEYOND Model: Belonging Education Your Purpose Opportunities Navigation Development Systems How to identify strengths and gaps in your current program 💡 KEY TAKEAWAY Player development does not have a programming problem. It has a structure problem. Once you fix the structure, everything else becomes clearer and more impactful. TAKE ACTION Ask yourself: Which pillar is strongest in your program Which pillar needs the most work That gap is where your growth is. CONNECT If you are serious about building a player development system that creates real impact: Email: edward@btfprogram.com SHARE If this episode gave you clarity, share it with someone in your department or network who needs it.

    11 min

  6. Apr 6

    What Trump’s College Sports Order Actually Means for Athletes

    Donald Trump recently signed an executive order titled Urgent National Action to Save College Sports. In this episode, Ed Jones II breaks down what this order means — not from a political perspective, but through the lens of player development and the student-athlete experience. This conversation focuses on: The growing pressure within college athletics How NIL, transfers, and financial structures are impacting athletes The importance of academic success and long-term development Key areas where this executive order could improve or challenge the system You’ll also hear Ed’s perspective on what player development professionals, coaches, and administrators should be doing right now to prepare for what’s next. This episode is designed to help you think differently about college sports, athlete support, and the systems needed to create real impact. ⚠️ This episode is for educational purposes only and does not endorse any political party, policy, or individual. BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit 2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9 Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 🎙 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

    29 min

  7. Mar 30

    What Makes the Player Development Summit Different

    As we prepare for the 2026 Player Development Summit in Detroit (May 29–30), this episode gives you a real look at what makes this experience different. In this episode, I break down the true return on investment of the summit. From access to high-level professionals, to the intentional community that’s built, to the real outcomes attendees experience after they leave. You will also hear: What separates this from a typical conference Why community matters more than networking A speaker spotlight featuring Reggie Calhoun Jr A real attendee testimonial from Emily Del Real If you’re in player development, athlete development, or looking to grow in this space, this episode will help you understand why this summit exists and why it matters. 📍 2026 Player Development Summit Detroit, Michigan May 29–30 BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit 2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9 Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 🎙 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

  8. Mar 20

    I Started This Podcast to Clear My Name… Here’s What Happened

    Four years ago, I started The Player Development Pod for one reason: To clear my name. After being let go and hearing things about myself that didn’t align with who I was, I made a decision… If I showed up every week and gave real value to coaches, athletes, and professionals in this space, the truth would speak for itself. What I didn’t expect was what this podcast would actually become. In this 4-year anniversary episode, I take you behind the scenes of the journey from that moment… to building a global platform that has reached hundreds of thousands of people in the player development space. We cover: The real story behind why the podcast started The interview that changed everything for me How pain turned into purpose The 4 original pillars of The Player Development Pod What 300+ episodes have taught me The biggest lessons from showing up consistently for 4 years Why interviews, athletes, and high school coaches are the future of this space How this podcast helped build Beyond The Field, books, and the Player Development Summit We also reflect on what’s been built: 300+ episodes 600,000+ listens and views A global audience across multiple continents A growing movement around player development But more than anything… this episode is about impact. Because this was never just about a podcast. It’s about helping people: Develop people. Elevate programs. If this podcast has ever helped you, challenged you, or supported your journey… Share this episode with someone else who needs it. And if you’ve been listening since the early days… You already know what to do. BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit 2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9 Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram 🎙 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

    46 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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    274
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Edward Jones II
  • Show Website
    The Player Development Pod