Best Playerdevelopment Podcasts (2025)

1
How to reduce the anxiety your players feel 11:00

Play Pause

1d ago11:00

11:00

The fastest way to unlock performance isn’t a new drill or a sharper playbook—it’s lowering the mental noise your athletes carry in with them. We share a simple story from a doctor’s office that proves how precise care changes state without changing a single variable on the whiteboard. That shift in state turns scattered attention into readiness, a…

1
Talent doesn't always win: Building culture in the Fijian Drua with Glen Jackson 53:06

4d ago53:06

53:06

Glenn Jackson's remarkable rugby journey defies conventional paths. After an impressive playing career with Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs, and Saracens (where he earned Premiership Players Player of the Year), he pivoted to become a professional referee, officiating 32 Test matches before transitioning to coaching. Now head coach of the Fijian Drua, Ja…

1
The World Is Your Classroom: How Rugby Tours Build Character. Ken Grover. 58:28

8d ago58:28

58:28

Want to find out more for how to organise a school tour: https://gullivers.com.au/rugbyschooltours/ What happens when young athletes step outside their comfort zones and experience the world through the lens of rugby? Ken Grover, the 79-year-old founder of Gulliver's Travel, has been answering this question for over four decades through more than 4…

1
Eddie Jones on culture, risk, and advice to all coaches. 1:01:39

11d ago1:01:39

1:01:39

Want a culture that actually lives on the field? We sat down with Eddie Jones to unpack the coaching choices that create real belonging, sharper decision-making, and braver rugby. From leaving a safe career to grinding through 100‑player university squads in Japan, Eddie shows how risk, clarity, and context build both teams and coaches who last. We…

1
How to Grow Leadership in Players who Don't Talk 13:42

15d ago13:42

13:42

Send us a text If you can SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE the show and series, you would be doing your bit to grow this show. Very appreciated. Ben To subscribe to the newsletter or to get a copy of the book, jump onto: www.coachingculture.com.au Support the show Share this show with your mates, rugby, coaches, leaders! Dont be shy.…

1
What the Best Do Differently. Insights from Rugby’s Ironman: Jimmy Gopperth 1:05:50

18d ago1:05:50

1:05:50

526 professional games ! How do elite rugby teams cultivate environments where players willingly run through brick walls for their coaches? Jimmy Gopperth, with an unprecedented 526 professional games across 23 years at the highest levels, provides rare insights into what truly builds championship team cultures. Drawing from experiences at powerhou…

1
Five Ways Great Coaches Anchor Teams in Tough Times 21:48

23d ago21:48

21:48

The hardest weeks test more than your game model—they test your culture. When results wobble and the temptation is to drown the room in clips, we take a different route: start with why, connect the people, and then coach the work. Drawing on stories from pro rugby and lessons from coaches who’ve been in the fire for decades, we map out five anchors…

1
Alando Soakai: Know your product, 'The game will take care of itself' 48:34

25d ago48:34

48:34

What transforms a drinking club with a rugby problem into championship winners? According to Alando Soakai, it begins with crystal-clear values that everyone truly lives by. In this captivating conversation, Alando takes us through his remarkable coaching journey from player-coach to his current roles with Moana Pacific and the Tonga national team.…

1
The Gold You Didn’t Know You Were Mining 13:57

29d ago13:57

13:57

Have you ever had a moment when someone's casual comment completely transformed your thinking? In this deeply personal reflection, I share three unexpected insights from players that revolutionized my coaching philosophy over decades in professional rugby. The first revelation came in Japan, where after stubbornly trying to implement systems that w…

1
Dan McKellar on Discipline, Culture & The Dressing Shed 53:23

1M ago53:23

53:23

Have you ever wondered what truly makes a championship team culture? Dan McKellar, current Waratahs head coach with a coaching resume spanning the Brumbies, Wallabies, and Leicester Tigers, cuts through the noise with refreshing honesty and clarity. "Culture is just the actions of the people in the building," McKellar explains, offering a deceptive…

1
Culture outlives coaches when you get these four elements right 26:23

1M ago26:23

26:23

Send us a text If you can SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE the show and series, you would be doing your bit to grow this show. Very appreciated. Ben To subscribe to the newsletter or to get a copy of the book, jump onto: www.coachingculture.com.au Support the show Share this show with your mates, rugby, coaches, leaders! Dont be shy.…

1
Pat Lam on Culture: Why Love Defines High-Performing Teams 59:39

1M ago59:39

59:39

What if the secret to building championship teams isn't found in tactics or talent, but in a single, powerful word? Pat Lam, architect of the Bristol Bears' transformation from strugglers to European powerhouse, offers a refreshing perspective on leadership that challenges conventional wisdom. At the heart of his philosophy lies an unexpected found…

1
Jim McKay: “Becoming a Coach, Not Just Being One” 1:14:12

1M ago1:14:12

1:14:12

What truly defines a coach's legacy? For Jim Mackay, it's not the championship trophies or international honors – it's the journey of becoming and the meaningful experiences along the way. In this enlightening conversation, Jim shares his remarkable path from coaching amateur clubs in England to leading the Queensland Reds to Super Rugby glory and …

1
Ryan Schultz: The Path From Digging Holes to Elite Rugby Coaching 52:58

2M ago52:58

52:58

Ever wonder how a guy who started his working life digging holes transformed into a rising star in rugby coaching? Ryan Schultz's journey from manual laborer to head coach at Canberra Vikings reveals the gritty reality behind professional coaching success. In this illuminating conversation with host Ben Herring, Ryan peels back the curtain on his c…

1
REFLECTIONS: Off field equals on field 21:06

2M ago21:06

21:06

What makes championship teams truly exceptional? The answer might surprise you. It's not extraordinary talent, cutting-edge tactics, or even flawless execution during competition—it's what happens when nobody's keeping score. Drawing from Sam Vestey's remarkable success with Northampton Saints, this episode reveals how elite teams deliberately buil…

1
Greg Peters: The Shift Every Coach and Leader Must Make 51:16

2M ago51:16

51:16

What does it truly mean to build an authentic culture in high-performance sports? Greg Peters, whose remarkable 25-year career spans leadership roles at Bay of Plenty Rugby, New Zealand Rugby Union, the Hurricanes, Argentina Rugby, SANZAR, and now as CEO of New Zealand Rugby League, reveals the profound insights he's gathered from both sides of the…

1
Wal Herring: Feed Your Potential: Concussion, Womans high performance and Personalized Nutrition 1:13:48

2M ago1:13:48

1:13:48

If you want to book Wal for your team you can reach her here: [email protected] or check out her womans wellness programs here: Walherring.com What if everything you see on your body was made from what you ate at some point? This profound insight from sports nutritionist Wal Herring serves as the foundation for a revolutionary approach to nutritio…

1
Mike Friday: Rugby Is What You Do, Not Who You Are 1:04:12

2M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

What does it really mean to build a winning culture in sports? Few coaches can answer this question with the depth and global perspective of Mike Friday, international rugby sevens coach whose 25-year journey has taken him from England to Kenya to a decade with USA Rugby. "Culture is a group of individuals that have alignment in the way they go abo…

1
REFLECTIONS: The Power of Team Cohesion 15:11

2M ago15:11

15:11

The quest for high performance in team sports often leads coaches down the wrong path. What if the secret to winning isn't about collecting the most talented individuals, but something far more fundamental? Ben Darwin's groundbreaking research through Gainline Analytics has produced a data goldmine that challenges conventional wisdom about building…

1
Chris Boyd: Leadership Trumps Management 1:04:06

2M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

What if everything you thought about building team culture was wrong? Chris Boyd, the celebrated coach who transformed teams from the Hurricanes to Northampton Saints, challenges conventional wisdom by arguing that "culture grows organically and internally" rather than being imposed from above. Drawing from decades of experience across multiple con…

1
REFLECTIONS Interpersonal Sensitivity (The Secret Weapon of Elite Coaches) 23:15

2M ago23:15

23:15

The difference between good coaches and great ones isn't found in tactical knowledge or technical expertise—it's their ability to read people. This fascinating exploration of interpersonal sensitivity reveals why the world's elite coaches prioritize human connection before anything else. High-performance manager Chris Webb, who has worked with mult…

1
Joey Mongalo: Learn from Everyone, Everywhere: The World as Your Leadership Library 1:06:27

2M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

What makes a great coach? Joey Mongalo, defense coach at the Sharks in Durban, doesn't hesitate when answering this question: it's the ability to understand context, connect authentically, and treat leadership as a core skill rather than a "soft" one. Joey brings extraordinary perspective to coaching culture as someone with both elite rugby coachin…

1
REFLECTIONS Taming Your Coach's Ego 18:05

3M ago18:05

18:05

The silent opponent every coach must face isn't on the field—it's within. This episode dives deep into the complex relationship coaches have with their egos and how mastering (not eliminating) this powerful force can transform your leadership. Drawing from wisdom shared by elite coaches like Steve Hansen and John Wooden, we explore the crucial dist…

1
Seilala Mapusua: Understanding Polynesian Players. 46:45

3M ago46:45

46:45

Seilala Mapusua takes us on a profound journey through the cultural landscapes of rugby, drawing from his remarkable career spanning from Samoa to New Zealand's Otago, London Irish in England, and Japan's Kubota Spears. At the heart of this conversation lies a powerful coaching philosophy: "Connect with the person, then you can coach the player." M…

1
James Doleman: How Referees Shape Rugby's Culture Beyond the Rules 1:07:28

3M ago1:07:28

1:07:28

When James Dolman steps onto a rugby field to referee a test match, he carries years of mental preparation, relationship-building, and self-reflection with him. In this revealing conversation with Ben Herring, Dolman takes us behind the scenes of elite officiating, exploring the psychological challenges that come with making split-second decisions …

1
Aaron Smith: Great coaches admit mistakes and know when to stop coaching 59:17

3M ago59:17

59:17

What separates championship team cultures from the rest? For legendary All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, it comes down to something invisible yet incredibly powerful: "that feeling that binds you all together." Drawing from his extraordinary career spanning 185 games for the Highlanders and 124 tests for the All Blacks, Smith reveals the stark contr…

1
REFLECTIONS Public vs. Private 13:59

3M ago13:59

13:59

What makes a truly meaningful team culture? It's not just putting values on a wall or running team-building exercises. According to Ben Herring, it requires a deliberate framework with three essential components working together to form what he calls your "culture circle." The first component challenges conventional thinking about success. While pu…

1
Mike Cron: Rugby's Wisest Coach Shares His Lifetime of Wisdom 57:18

3M ago57:18

57:18

When a coach with 42 years of experience and three World Cup titles speaks, the rugby world listens. Mike Cron, forwards coach for the Wallabies and veteran of 217 All Blacks matches, opens up about the coaching philosophy that's made him a legend in the sport. What makes a great rugby culture? According to Cron, it starts with having "an aim or go…

1
REFLECTIONS: Why words matter! 10:50

3M ago10:50

10:50

Ever wondered why certain coaches' words stick with you for decades? That's not coincidence – it's the powerful alchemy of language and leadership. Words shape our reality as coaches and leaders. When we speak, we're not merely giving instructions or feedback – we're literally creating the internal dialogue that plays in our athletes' minds long af…

1
Dan Bowden: How to Coach Your Players Without Putting Them to Sleep 1:09:28

3M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

Dan Bowden's rugby journey spans three continents and multiple elite environments, from the Crusaders' player-led culture to Leicester Tigers' strict framework. Now, as attack coach for Japan's national team, he's blending these experiences into something uniquely effective. Standing in the coach's box after Japan's stunning 24-19 victory over Wale…

1
Ryan Martin: How to win a MLR Chamionship (Three times in a row!) 1:00:38

4M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

"Act as if it's impossible to fail." Those words from a 1932 book became a rallying cry for the Boston Free Jacks during their historic championship season. Head coach Ryan Martin reveals the remarkable human-centered strategies behind his team's unprecedented third consecutive MLR championship. Martin's approach defies conventional wisdom. When mo…

1
James Marshall: The Power of Collaborative Coaching 1:05:39

4M ago1:05:39

1:05:39

From the heat of championship matches to the quiet moments of career transition, James Marshall's coaching journey offers a masterclass in modern rugby leadership. The former Hurricane turned Crusaders backs and attack coach reveals how authentic connection has become his coaching superpower, allowing him to build relationships that transcend the t…

1
REFLECTIONS: Defining Culture 24:34

4M ago24:34

24:34

What's the difference between teams that thrive under pressure and those that crumble? It's not just talent or resources—it's culture. In this thought-provoking episode, I take you beyond buzzwords to explore why culture truly serves as the heartbeat of high-performing teams. Culture lives in that gray, hard-to-measure space that surrounds all the …

1
Simon Cron: Scars Make You Stronger. 1:05:17

4M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Simon Cron, head coach of the Western Force, opens up just days before his team's monumental clash with the British and Irish Lions—a once-in-a-generation opportunity that comes around only every 12 years. With remarkable candor, he reveals his approach to preparing players for high-pressure situations through mental clarity rather than tactical co…

1
Kendrick Lynn: Breaking Down Argentina's Rugby DNA 59:17

4M ago59:17

59:17

What truly makes a winning team culture? According to Kenny Lynn, Argentina Rugby's attack coach, it's "the environment you create to maximize the potential of the group." Fresh off orchestrating Argentina's historic victory over the British and Irish Lions, Kenny dives deep into the cultural foundations that make winning possible. Kenny shares a r…

1
Ben Darwin: The Science of Team Cohesion 1:06:02

4M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Ben Darwin, former Wallaby prop turned analytics expert, reveals how his company Gainline Analytics is revolutionizing our understanding of team performance through the measurement of cohesion. This eye-opening conversation challenges conventional wisdom about team building, showing that cohesion (shared understanding between players) is more cruci…

1
Tony Brown: Rugby Man first, Coach Second. 59:54

4M ago59:54

59:54

Tony Brown's approach to coaching is refreshingly straightforward in a world that often overcomplicates the game. "I'm a rugby man first, then a coach second," he explains, revealing how his deep love for the sport drives everything he does. This authenticity forms the cornerstone of his coaching philosophy: create systems that are "easy to learn, …

1
Phil Davies: Inside the Mind of World Rugby’s Director of Rugby 59:16

5M ago59:16

59:16

What makes rugby's culture so distinct, and how does it translate across different countries and contexts? In this fascinating conversation, Phil Davies—Director of Rugby at World Rugby—shares wisdom gleaned from 35 years at every level of the game, from player to global administrator. Davies reveals the core elements that build winning team enviro…

1
Geoff Parling: High Challenge and High Support cultures 57:31

5M ago57:31

57:31

What separates good coaches from great ones? Geoff Parling reveals the answer goes beyond technical expertise to something deeper – creating environments where players thrive under pressure. Having transitioned from an illustrious playing career (Newcastle, Leicester, Exeter, England, British & Irish Lions) to coaching the Melbourne Rebels and Aust…

1
Sam Vesty: Inside Finals Week. Joy, Simplicity & Team Culture 1:06:00

5M ago1:06:00

1:06:00

What does championship preparation actually look like? Two days before the European Champions Cup final against Bordeaux, Northampton Saints head coach Sam Vesty pulls back the curtain on his approach to cultivating a winning team culture. The conversation reveals Sam's refreshingly counterintuitive leadership philosophy. Rather than adding pressur…

1
Paul Galland: The Crusaders Pipeline; Shaping More than Rugby Players 1:04:06

5M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

What does it take to build the most successful rugby talent pipeline in the world? Paul Galland, Head Academy Manager for the Crusaders, pulls back the curtain on the organization that consistently produces more All Blacks than any other in New Zealand. The secret starts with a seemingly simple philosophy: actions over words. When you walk into the…

1
John Mitchell: How Adversity Reshapes Coaching Philosophy 58:49

6M ago58:49

58:49

What happens when a coach who's traversed the globe leading elite teams for nearly three decades opens up about his most profound lessons? John Mitchell, whose remarkable career spans from All Blacks Head Coach to his current role with England's women's national team, reveals the transformative journey that reshaped his entire approach to leadershi…

1
Matt Cockbain: The Head Coach Coaches the Head. 1:01:01

6M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

A masterclass in coaching philosophy with former Wallaby forward Matt Cockbain who unpacks the delicate art and science of building championship cultures across continents. Drawing from 15 years of professional coaching experience spanning Australia, Japan, and international rugby, Cobain shares profound insights about leadership that transcends te…

1
Mike Ruddock: Culture, Causes, and the 2005 Welsh Legacy 1:02:11

6M ago1:02:11

1:02:11

What turns a group of talented individuals into champions? Mike Ruddock OBE—architect of Wales' historic 2005 Grand Slam—reveals it's about finding a cause worth fighting for. Ruddock takes us on a journey through the essence of team culture, from his early days coaching "super flops" Swansea to international glory. With refreshing honesty, he shar…

1
Scott Lawrence: Coaching Culture and Vision in USA Rugby 1:00:21

6M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

Scott Lawrence, a pivotal figure in USA Rugby, joins us for an enlightening conversation that straddles the line between sport and data science. Drawing from his humble beginnings in the Midwest to his role as head coach and general manager, Scott shares the unique influences that have shaped his leadership style. He underscores the importance of b…

1
Wayne Smith: Great teams are built on meaning. 1:23:43

6M ago1:23:43

1:23:43

Wayne Smith, one of rugby's greatest strategic minds, takes us on an intimate journey through his extraordinary coaching career, revealing the cultural secrets behind multiple World Cup victories with the All Blacks and Black Ferns. Known as "The Professor" for his analytical brilliance, Smith shares how he transformed struggling teams into champio…

1
Ryan Martin: Burn the lesson plan. How to break through in professional coaching. 1:01:38

7M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Check Ryan’s Outstanding drills here: https://x.com/CoachRyanMartin Discover the secrets of crafting a winning team culture with our guest, Ryan Martin, a professional rugby coach with a unique background in education. Transitioning from a 17-year career as a primary school teacher to the rugby field, Ryan offers a wealth of insights on resilience,…

1
Richard Cockerill: Rugby's Straightshooter. You can't pretend to be a good version of someone else. 1:08:18

7M ago1:08:18

1:08:18

Richard Cockerill cuts through the buzzwords to deliver a masterclass in building winning cultures across two decades of elite coaching. The former Leicester, Toulon, Edinburgh, England and current Georgia coach shares his refreshingly straightforward philosophy: be on time, wear the right kit, and work hard – non-negotiable standards that have und…

1
Conrad Smith: Coachability Unleashed, The Culture-Driven Approach to Rugby. 1:14:31

7M ago1:14:31

1:14:31

Conrad Smith unpacks the anatomy of winning team culture with remarkable clarity and authenticity. Drawing from his 94 tests with the All Blacks and captaincy experience with the Hurricanes, Smith reveals how culture transcends motivational posters and becomes a living force within truly great teams. Smith's framework for culture starts with vision…

1
Frans Ludeke: The Soft Skills of Really Caring and Loving People 1:04:53

7M ago1:04:53

1:04:53

Frans Ludeke, legendary rugby coach with over 30 years of experience spanning South Africa to Japan, reveals the leadership principles that have defined his remarkable journey. Having transformed the Kubota Spears from a struggling second-division team to Japanese champions, Frans shares how authentic leadership and genuine care create the foundati…