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  • Chasing James Mims

    Chasing James Mims
    2024/10/03
    In this episode of *Talent Chasing*, hosted by Brian Johnson and Chad Sowash, the focus is on entrepreneur James Mims and his journey in founding Mims Bands, a wristband company that has become an iconic part of Major League Baseball (MLB) history. James shares how, as a senior at the University of Southern California, he came up with the idea for personalized wristbands for athletes, starting with a prototype for baseball player Dusty Baker. Over time, Mims Bands became widely recognized, worn by many notable MLB players like Eric Davis and Tim Raines. Despite facing numerous challenges, including resistance from MLB and the Players Association, Mims persevered and got his product used by over 130 players. Mims reflects on the obstacles he faced as a Black entrepreneur, from difficulties gaining access to stadiums to dealing with legal battles. The conversation also highlights how Mims promoted individualism in a highly structured sport like baseball. Brian and Chad emphasize the lessons from his experience, particularly around persistence, relationships, and the critical role of talent in both sports and business. The episode ends with a discussion of Mims' major accomplishments, including his partnership with Topps and the induction of his product into the Baseball Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy in the sport. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:19 Taking a Risk: Going for Your Unique Idea 08:11 Empowering Athletes through Individualism 14:54 The Lack of Player Marketing in Baseball 19:55 Breaking Barriers: The First Black Vendor in Baseball 23:57 Navigating Challenges and Building a Successful Business 37:50 The Journey of Mims Bands: Perseverance and Success 47:34 Overcoming Challenges with the Major League Baseball Players Association 59:42 The Power of Individualism in the Sports Industry 01:05:07 From Tops Project 70 to the Hall of Fame: A Pinnacle Achievement
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    1 時間
  • Film Room: Angela Taylor

    Film Room: Angela Taylor
    2024/09/26
    *Film Room* is a podcast series under the *Talent Chasing* show, hosted by Brian Johnson, a former Major League Baseball player, and Chad Sowash, a recruitment industry veteran. In this episode, the hosts break down key moments from their interview with Angela Taylor, a former WNBA executive and two-time national champion at Stanford University. The discussion revolves around Angela’s experience helping to establish the WNBA and navigating the early challenges of building a new professional sports league. She reflects on the differences between the NBA and WNBA, emphasizing how the women’s league had to carve out its unique identity rather than mimic the NBA. The conversation also touches on leadership, with Angela sharing insights about the unrelenting leadership of NBA Commissioner David Stern, who was instrumental in the early development of the WNBA. The hosts highlight how Stern’s approach of holding people accountable while fostering long-term vision contributed to the league's success. In addition to sports, the episode draws parallels with business, exploring themes such as the importance of long-term planning, mentorship, and the role of companies in supporting local communities and developing talent. The hosts emphasize that both sports teams and businesses must balance analytics and human capital, ensuring that leaders cultivate and retain talent from within their communities while adapting to broader market demands. Overall, the episode showcases the intersections of leadership, team dynamics, and strategic foresight, drawing valuable lessons from Angela Taylor's experiences in the WNBA and beyond. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Talent Chasing 01:02 Angela Taylor's Journey in Sports 06:09 Lessons from David Stern's Leadership 12:16 Community Engagement and Talent Development 17:10 The Balance of Analytics and Human Capital
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    18 分
  • Chasing Angela Taylor

    Chasing Angela Taylor
    2024/09/19
    Angela Taylor, former VP and GM of the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream, discusses her journey from being a walk-on at Stanford to her successful career in the WNBA and women's sports. She highlights the importance of sports in her life and the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry. Taylor also discusses the growth of women's sports, the progress made in the WNBA, and the need for continued support and push for equality. Angela Taylor, former WNBA executive, discusses her role in player personnel and the growth of the league. Taylor shares insights on leadership, creating a winning culture, and managing talent in the WNBA. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background of Angela Taylor 03:01 From Walk-On to Stanford and the Importance of Sports 08:37 Growing Up in Mountain Home, Idaho 11:31 Military Life and the Impact on Angela's Family 16:17 The Early Days of the WNBA and the Current State of Women's Sports 24:43 The Push for Equality and Recognition in Women's Sports 30:25 Building the WNBA: From Single Entity to Team Ownership 35:24 Shifting Focus: From Wins to Community Engagement 43:35 Transitioning from Single Entity to Team Ownership 48:38 NBA Players' Support of the WNBA 51:34 Creating an Environment of Retention 54:49 Culture, Puzzle Pieces, and Jersey Sales 57:30 Leadership and Creating a Winning Culture 01:00:12 Managing Talent in the WNBA: Vision, Culture, and Roster Construction Keywords Angela Taylor, WNBA, women's sports, Stanford, walk-on, basketball, sports industry, equity, growth, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, WNBA, player personnel, single entity, team ownership, recruiting, relationships, community engagement, sports culture, corporate America, leadership, winning culture, talent management
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    58 分
  • Chasing Dusty Baker

    Chasing Dusty Baker
    2024/08/14
    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 分
  • Chasing Nicki Paterson

    Chasing Nicki Paterson
    2024/08/07
    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 分
  • Chasing Andy Papathanassiou

    Chasing Andy Papathanassiou
    2024/06/05
    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 分
  • Chasing Terry Bradway

    Chasing Terry Bradway
    2024/05/22
    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 分
  • Film Room - Fred Claire

    Film Room - Fred Claire
    2024/05/16
    In this episode of *Talent Chasing*, hosts Brian Johnson, Jasper Spanjaart, and Chad Sowash break down key insights from their interview with Fred Claire, the former General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This episode is part of their "Film Room" series, where they dissect impactful moments from past interviews, just like analyzing game footage. Fred Claire is highlighted for his leadership and transformative role in the Dodgers’ success during the 1980s and 1990s, taking them from mediocrity to a World Series victory. We discuss Claire’s leadership style, particularly his ability to make tough decisions without a background as a professional player, emphasizing the importance of identifying talent and building a strong team. We hope you enjoy this Film Room session!
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    15 分