Best Learner Autonomy Podcasts (2026)

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Episode 380: Liam Bloye | Identity, Experience & Leading Coach and Player Development 1:19:01

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2d ago1:19:01

1:19:01

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Liam Bloye, Head of Coach & Player Development at Cambridge United FC. With experience across England, the US, and Australia, Liam shares honest reflections on leadership, learning through experience, and what it really means to support coaches, players, and parents within an academy environment. This convers…

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Episode 379: Dr. Stephen Harvey | Teaching Games for Understanding, Game-Centred Approaches & Coaching as a Reflective Practice 1:17:53

6d ago1:17:53

1:17:53

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Dr. Stephen Harvey, a globally respected coach educator and researcher known for his work on game-centred approaches, Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU), and reflective practice in coaching. Stephen brings decades of experience in sport pedagogy, coach education, and applied research. Together, they ex…

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Episode 378: Ruben Ward-Lindsay | Coaching in Alternative Provision, Foundation Phase Priorities & Rethinking 1v1s 1:36:34

20d ago1:36:34

1:36:34

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Ruben Ward-Lindsay, a coach working across academy football, semi-professional men’s football, and education. From his role with Watford’s U10s to his coaching at Biggleswade United and his full-time work as a PE teacher in alternative provision, Ruben brings a powerful blend of lived experience, empathy, and…

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Episode 377: Kurtis Millan | Individual Development, Player Autonomy & Coaching for Impact 1:13:32

20d ago1:13:32

1:13:32

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Kurtis Millan, an individual development coach currently based in Sweden at Hammarby IF. Kurtis shares his unique journey from coaching in Ireland and the U.S., to working with players across multiple levels and cultures, combining professional experience with a learner-focused coaching philosophy. This conve…

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Episode 376: John Murphy | Keeping Coaching Simple, Player-Centred Practice & Lessons From a Global Career 1:14:41

1M ago1:14:41

1:14:41

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by John Murphy, a highly experienced coach and educator whose career spans MLS, US Soccer, and the UEFA pathway. With roots in both the US and UK, John brings a unique dual-perspective shaped by decades in professional environments, university soccer, and coach education. This conversation explores the art of ke…

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Episode 375 - Danny Barham | Self-Awareness, Reflection & Detaching Your Identity From Outcomes 1:27:47

1M ago1:27:47

1:27:47

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Danny Barham, a coach and performance analyst with over a decade of experience in professional football. From his early days in performance analysis at Birmingham City to coaching across multiple Academy setups, Danny shares his unique perspective on the game, the industry, and the mindset required to succeed…

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Episode 374 – Richard Cheetham | Rethinking Coach Development, Partnership Learning & Human-Centred Coaching 1:16:12

1M ago1:16:12

1:16:12

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Richard Cheetham MBE, Senior Fellow in Sports Coaching at the University of Winchester and one of the most respected voices in coach development across the UK. Richard brings decades of experience working across multiple sports — from cycling to rugby to high-performance environments — and offers a refreshing…

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Episode 373 — Ebun Thomas | Coach Development, Mentorship & Raising Standards 1:27:53

2M ago1:27:53

1:27:53

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Ebun Thomas, Assistant Head of Academy & Head of Coach Development at Doncaster Rovers. Ebun shares his journey from starting out as a grassroots coach at just 16 to now leading the development of coaches in a professional academy environment. This conversation dives deep into accountability, standards, mento…

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Episode 372 – Francis Aderiye | Coaching Cycles, Player Autonomy & What “Success” Really Means 1:04:17

5M ago1:04:17

1:04:17

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Francis Aderiye, Academy Coach, Non-League First Team Coach, and lifelong student of the game. From a knee injury that redirected his path into coaching at just 16, to now balancing roles across academy and senior football, Francis brings honesty, curiosity, and deep reflection to this conversation about co…

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Episode 371 – Sara Hilton | Rethinking Coach Education, Mentorship & The Future of Learning 1:04:54

5M ago1:04:54

1:04:54

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Sara Hilton, Senior Lecturer in Football & Coaching Science at Wrexham University, FAW Coach Educator, and UEFA A Licence Coach. Drawing from her journey as a former international footballer turned coach developer, Sara offers an honest and insightful take on the realities of coach education, the importance…

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Episode 370 - Jamie Bird | The Future of Performance Analysis in Football 1:12:30

6M ago1:12:30

1:12:30

🎙 Episode 370: Jamie Bird | The Future of Performance Analysis in Football In this episode of The Coaches Network Podcast, CoachYas is joined by rising performance analyst Jamie Byrne, a dynamic young professional carving a path in elite football. At just 23 years old, Jamie has already worked with clubs such as Birmingham City Women, Crystal Palac…

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Episode 369 - Tony Caig | Developing Goalkeepers for the Modern Game 1:30:19

6M ago1:30:19

1:30:19

🎙 Episode 369: Tony Caig | Developing Goalkeepers for the Modern Game In this episode of The Coaches Network Podcast, CoachYas is joined by Tony Caig, current Head of Academy Goalkeeping at Newcastle United and National Team Goalkeeping Coach for Northern Ireland Men’s Senior Team. With a playing and coaching career spanning decades, Tony brings a …

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Episode 368 – Creating Football Learning Situations with Mark Schuur 1:21:53

6M ago1:21:53

1:21:53

🎙️ Episode 368 – Creating Football Learning Situations with Mark Schuur In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Dutch coach Mark Schuur to explore what it means to create learning-centred, game-relevant environments for players. With a background in PE teaching and academy coaching, Mark shares insights from his journey through the Dutch coaching…

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Episode 367 – Dr. Peter Sear | Empathic Leadership, Ego & Coaching with Compassion 1:19:18

6M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

🎙 Episode 367 – Dr. Peter Sear | Empathic Leadership, Ego & Coaching with Compassion In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Dr. Peter Sear—founder of The Empathic Coach and a specialist in empathy, leadership, and high-performance environments. Together, they explore what it really means to lead with empathy in elite sport, and how ego, emotion,…

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Episode 366 – Danny Pilgrim | Commentary vs. Coaching, Self-Awareness & Using Coach Developers 1:19:18

7M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

🎙 Episode 366 – Danny Pilgrim | Commentary vs. Coaching, Self-Awareness & Using Coach Developers In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Danny Pilgram (Birmingham City FC Academy Coach & Non-League First Team Coach) for a grounded, honest and insightful conversation about the journey of becoming a coach—and what it really means to coach, not just c…

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Episode 365 – Steve Whelan | Coach Identity, Trust & Creating Environments for Growth 1:19:18

7M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

🎙 Episode 365 – Steve Whelan | Coach Identity, Trust & Creating Environments for Growth In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Steve Whelan (Senior Coach Developer & Leadership Specialist) to explore what it really takes to develop coaches and build trust-filled environments where people thrive. With a background spanning high-performance sport,…

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Episode 364 – Alex Stylianou & Darren Murray | Objectivity, Mentorship & the Complexity of Modern Coaching 1:33:13

7M ago1:33:13

1:33:13

🎙 Episode 364 – Alex Stylianou & Darren Murray | Objectivity, Mentorship & the Complexity of Modern Coaching In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Alex Stylianou (UEFA A Licence Holder) and Darren Murray (UEFA A Licence Holder) to explore what it really means to develop as a coach in today’s complex, content-heavy world. Alex and Darren bring u…

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Episode 363 – Jake Lister | Designing a Coaching Curriculum That Actually Works 1:25:20

7M ago1:25:20

1:25:20

🎙 Episode 363 – Jake Lister | Designing a Coaching Curriculum That Actually Works In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Jake Lister, Youth Pathway Lead at Sheffield United Women's Academy, to unpack the realities of curriculum design in elite football environments. Jake shares how he moved beyond traditional linear curriculum models to co-creat…

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Episode 362 - Professor Andy Abraham | The Art of Professional Judgement in Coaching 1:07:17

7M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

🎙 Episode 362 - Professor Andy Abraham | The Art of Professional Judgement in Coaching In this follow-up episode, Coach Yas reconnects with Professor Andy Abraham to dig deeper into the nuanced world of coaching, professional judgement, and decision-making. Andy expands on the idea of coaches making "bets"—calculated decisions based on their percep…

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Episode 361 - Professor Andy Abraham | Evolving Coach Education, Judgement, and Trust in Development 1:03:07

8M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

🎙️ Episode 361: Andy Abraham | Evolving Coach Education, Judgement, and Trust in Development In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Professor Andy Abraham, Head of Subject for Physical Education & Sports Coaching at Leeds Beckett University, to explore the shifting landscape of coach education, professional judgement, and what it really takes to…

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Episode 360 – Fishbowling & Unlocking Coaching Potential with Russell Earnshaw 1:21:36

8M ago1:21:36

1:21:36

🎙️ Episode 360 – Fishbowling & Unlocking Coaching Potential with Russell Earnshaw Welcome back to The Coaches Network Podcast! In this special episode, Coach Yas is joined once again by the ever-insightful Russell Earnshaw – known to many as Rusty – for a rich conversation exploring what it truly means to coach with purpose, flexibility, and curios…

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Episode 359 - Creating Coaching Cultures That Care – with Temisan Williams (Coach Accelerator) 54:23

8M ago54:23

54:23

🎙 Episode 359: Creating Coaching Cultures That Care – with Temisan Williams (Coach Accelerator) In this episode, CoachYas is joined by Temisan Williams, founder of Coach Accelerator and a seasoned academy coach with over 15 years of experience across clubs like Tottenham, Southend United, and Fulham. Temisan shares his powerful journey from aspirin…

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How Healthier Coping Strategies Lead to Substance Abuse Prevention 57:55

1y ago57:55

57:55

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, the nation's largest preventable and costly health problem is teen drug addiction. As parents, drug and alcohol abuse is something that keeps us up at night. And while we can talk with them until we're blue in the face about the dangers, we're never really sure about how effective o…

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Yoga and Mindfulness for a More Regulated Classroom, with Zensational Kids' Allison Morgan 43:24

1y ago43:24

43:24

We all know that co-regulation is essential for fostering a sense of connection and engagement among students, which ultimately makes lessons easier to follow. But what are the best ways to co-regulate? Today we welcome Allison Morgan, who shares her tips. And it's not all about regulating the students - educators must regulate themselves first. --…

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From Picky Eating Battles to Positive Mealtime Relationships, with Polina Shkadron 55:54

1y ago55:54

55:54

Have you heard of ARFID? It stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, which sounds pretty scary. You may wonder if this is like picky eating, but it’s actually very different from picky eating. Today on the podcast, Polina Shkadron emphasizes that children with ARFID should eat for themselves rather than to please others. Her approach p…

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Choosing a School for Your Neurodivergent Learner 37:19

1y ago37:19

37:19

Join me on today’s episode as I talk with Libby Taylor and Emmy Renquist of SchoolUp. We discuss what to consider in a learning environment for your neurodivergent child, what questions to ask on school tours, and what the options are in our local area of Wake and Durham counties. Learn more at SchoolUp Wake. --- Sign up for Dr. Emily's weekly news…

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How to Reduce Your Stress and Encourage Autonomy in Your Children, with Dr. Emily Edlynn 46:36

1+ y ago46:36

46:36

As parents, our natural instinct is to shield our children from stress. Life's hard enough as adults, so we want to let kids be carefree. But is that strategy counterproductive and actually harmful to our children? Today, Dr. Emily Edlynn calls for a cultural shift towards balanced, autonomy-supportive parenting that prioritizes both child and pare…

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Mr. Chazz on Realistic Self-Regulation for Parents 50:05

1+ y ago50:05

50:05

Parental fear and reactive behavior often stem from concerns about safety or our own emotional overwhelm, making it challenging to respond thoughtfully to our child's emotions. Today, Mr. Chazz, a former Montessori teacher turned multi-faceted educator, shares his insights on recognizing and embracing emotions as a pathway to better emotional regul…

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Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child with Kelley Coleman 1:02:21

1+ y ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Many of us struggle to advocate for children with disabilities and empower them to navigate their futures with confidence. So how can you prepare children with disabilities for fulfilling lives while emphasizing their choices and abilities? In this episode, Kelley Coleman shares her insights on how inclusive education, self-advocacy, agency, choice…

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Principles of Talent ID w/ Adam Kelly 1:10:54

1+ y ago1:10:54

1:10:54

Episode #358 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Adam Kelly. Adam is an Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise and Course Leader for Professional Doctorate in Sport (DSport) at Birmingham City University, United Kingdom. I am also Leader of the newly established BCU Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYS…

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A Performance Mindset w/ Sarah Murray 43:43

1+ y ago43:43

43:43

Episode #356 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Sarah Murray. Sarah Murray is a high performance coach and experienced performance psychologist. Sarah works with teams, individuals and leaders to enhance and develop understanding of themselves and those they lead. She uses her expertise to develop high performance people,…

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What's your process w/ Stephen Maxwell 49:08

1+ y ago49:08

49:08

Episode #354 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Stephen Maxwell. Stephen is a Lifelong Learning enthusiast, Coach Education Manager with Cricket Ireland, Founder and Creator of No Other Game Around, Performance Analyst, Coach Developer across multiple sports and High Performance Coach. Join us as Stephen shares his though…

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It's Been a Journey w/ Larry Raji 1:32:15

1+ y ago1:32:15

1:32:15

Episode #353 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Larry Raji. Lanre Adio Raj better known as Larry in the world of football is a UEFA A Licence Goalkeeping Coach, currently plying his trade within the Academy at West Ham United FC, having held previous roles at Norwich, QPR & Brentford just to name a few. Larry joins Coach …

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Coaching the Coaches w/ Cody Royle 1:03:30

1+ y ago1:03:30

1:03:30

Episode #351 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Cody Royle. Why not become an official member or supporter of The Coaches Network? The Coaches Network is proud to formally reveal our very first Patreon membership. This membership consists of monthly donations with a price worth as much as a cup of coffee! Only £3.50 per m…

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TCN Talks: Game Models Across Nations in Euro 24' 1:10:07

1+ y ago1:10:07

1:10:07

Episode #352 of The Coaches Network Podcast. Following many requests around more interactive segments on the podcast, myself and colleague Gerard Jones get together each week to discuss questions that have been put to us, topics requested and themes that have emerged from our own experiences. These discussions take place live as part of a 'X' space…

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Coaching is Complex w/ Norbert Csorba 1:38:23

1+ y ago1:38:23

1:38:23

Episode #349 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Norbert Csorba. Norbert is currently a UEFA A Licence candidate and academy coach with Norwich FC, as well being the founder of NS-Education where focuses on helping others grow by using football as a powerful tool step-by-step. Follow Norbert and find out more about his coa…

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TCN Talks: The Practice Spectrum 1:05:21

1+ y ago1:05:21

1:05:21

Episode #350 of The Coaches Network Podcast. Following many requests around more interactive segments on the podcast, myself and colleague Gerard Jones get together each week to discuss questions that have been put to us, topics requested and themes that have emerged from our own experiences. These discussions take place live as part of a 'X' space…

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Coaching Reference Points w/ Maxi Opondo-Mbai 1:38:23

1+ y ago1:38:23

1:38:23

Episode #347 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Maxi Opondo-Mbai. Why not become an official member or supporter of The Coaches Network? The Coaches Network is proud to formally reveal our very first Patreon membership. This membership consists of monthly donations with a price worth as much as a cup of coffee! Only £3.50…

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TCN Talks: Common Coaching Questions 1:07:09

1+ y ago1:07:09

1:07:09

Episode #348 of The Coaches Network Podcast. Following many requests around more interactive segments on the podcast, myself and colleague Gerard Jones get together each week to discuss questions that have been put to us, topics requested and themes that have emerged from our own experiences. These discussions take place live as part of a 'X' space…

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CCYP: 1-2-1 Coaching ft Mark Rivers 42:12

1+ y ago42:12

42:12

Welcome to "Coaching Conversations with Pete & Yas Join us on an exciting journey into the world of football coaching as we bring you insights, tips, and a whole lot of passion for the beautiful game. I'm Yas, and I'm here with my good friend and mentor, Pete Augustine – two UEFA A Licence Coaches and Coach Developers ready to dive deep into the he…

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CCYP: Retain & Release ft. Mark Rivers 36:00

1+ y ago36:00

36:00

Welcome to "Coaching Conversations with Pete & Yas Join us on an exciting journey into the world of football coaching as we bring you insights, tips, and a whole lot of passion for the beautiful game. I'm Yas, and I'm here with my good friend and mentor, Pete Augustine – two UEFA A Licence Coaches and Coach Developers ready to dive deep into the he…

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How to Flex Talk Therapy for Neurodivergent Kids & Teens, with Dr. Matt Zakreski 57:35

1+ y ago57:35

57:35

Contrary to the medical model of prescribing antibiotics or stitching up a wound, mental health is not simply about "fixing" patients. Therapists can feel pressure from parents or school staff to improve a child’s emotional or behavioral functioning as quickly as possible, but mental health is both a science and an art. It also takes trust and time…

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CCYP: What is Player Care ft. Mark Rivers 30:26

1+ y ago30:26

30:26

Welcome to "Coaching Conversations with Pete & Yas Join us on an exciting journey into the world of football coaching as we bring you insights, tips, and a whole lot of passion for the beautiful game. I'm Yas, and I'm here with my good friend and mentor, Pete Augustine – two UEFA A Licence Coaches and Coach Developers ready to dive deep into the he…

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Between the Sticks with Amro Khalid 50:00

1+ y ago50:00

50:00

Episode #343 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Amro Khalid. Amro is currently an academy goalkeeping coach at cat 1 Leicester City FC. Amro joins Yas to discuss how the role of goalkeeping coaches has developed over time, his experiences working in academies and non-league environment and shares insights on how coaches c…

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Setting Healthy Screen Boundaries, with Andrea Davis 52:52

1+ y ago52:52

52:52

Parents, you've got all the tech time questions, and Better Screen Time's Andrea Davis has the answers. What's the latest info on how much time kids are spending on devices? When are kids ready for devices? Specifically for phones? When are they ready for social media? How do you set boundaries around technology? How do you bring up the potential f…

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You Get The Time Back with Paul McGuinness 1:10:37

1+ y ago1:10:37

1:10:37

Episode #342 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Paul McGuinness. Paul is a former footballer who played in the Football League for Crewe Alexandra and Chester City. But most notable Paul is known for his time with Manchester United, having played a key role in building their world leading academy, including a period betwe…

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TCN Talks: The Intention in 1v1 1:01:46

1+ y ago1:01:46

1:01:46

Episode #341 of The Coaches Network Podcast. Following many requests around more interactive segments on the podcast, myself and colleague Gerard Jones get together each week to discuss questions that have been put to us, topics requested and themes that have emerged from our own experiences. These discussions take place live as part of a 'X' space…

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Fish Tanking with Jordan Cassidy 1:31:04

1+ y ago1:31:04

1:31:04

Episode #340 of The Coaches Network Podcast. The guest for this episode is Jordan Cassidy. Jordan is a Sports Scientist specialising in skill acquisition and coach and athlete development. Jordan's work is aimed at supporting coaches to best support their players and athletes. Jordan has worked across a number of sports across the globe including w…

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ADHD in the Classroom, with Melissa Jackson 49:53

1+ y ago49:53

49:53

While working in the classroom as a teacher in both special education and general education settings, and in helping her own kids learn to read, Melissa Jackson started to notice that the teaching methods she had been taught in teacher prep courses didn't work equally with neurotypical and neurodivergent learners. So what did she do about it? Today…

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CCYP: Talent ID 20:18

1+ y ago20:18

20:18

Welcome to "Coaching Conversations with Pete & Yas Join us on an exciting journey into the world of football coaching as we bring you insights, tips, and a whole lot of passion for the beautiful game. I'm Yas, and I'm here with my good friend and mentor, Pete Augustine – two UEFA A Licence Coaches and Coach Developers ready to dive deep into the he…