Best Vald Performance Podcasts (2025)

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Bobby Esbrandt: Building Athlete Profiles Beyond the CMJ 16:48

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1h ago16:48

16:48

In this episode of VALDCAST, Dylan sits down with physical therapist and Impact Sports Physical Therapy founder Bobby Esbrandt to unpack what it really means to assess, treat and develop athletes beyond a single metric. Bobby shares why relying solely on the countermovement jump can leave critical gaps in decision-making, and how building a complet…

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Taylor Evernden: Bridging Rehab and Performance Through Data, Culture and Care 25:50

8d ago25:50

25:50

In this episode of VALDCAST, Ryan sits down with Taylor Evernden, coach and Co-Founder of ORKA Performance, to explore what truly effective return-to-performance looks like when rehab, performance and people are fully aligned. Taylor shares how ORKA has built a collaborative model that moves athletes seamlessly from acute rehab into performance — b…

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‘Chez Zelda’: A Short Play About Zelda Wynn Valdes

15d ago

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As a special offering in our Offscript feed, we share this monologue by Kevin Renn about the legendary fashion designer who gave the world the Playboy Bunny costume.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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Hannah Marchant: Managing Complex Knees with Data-Informed Rehab 28:28

15d ago28:28

28:28

In this episode of VALDCAST, Dylan sits down with physical therapist at New York City Football Club, Hannah Marchant, to unpack one of the most challenging cases in knee rehabilitation: medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, recurrent patellar instability and complex cartilage lesions in a Division I-bound football athlete. Hannah wa…

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What Makes Jordan E. Cooper Happy, a Texas Scrooge, and the Artist/Critic Divide

22d ago

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Our 2025 holiday stocking is stuffed: We chat with the writer/star of 'Ain't No Mo' and 'Oh Happy Day!,' with the director and star of the Alley's 'Night Shift Before Christmas,' and with award-winning critic-producer Citlali Pizarro.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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Daniel Cohen: Decoding Force Plate Truths 35:32

22d ago35:32

35:32

In this episode of the VALDCAST, our host Ryan sits down with the co-founder of ForceDecks Dr. Daniel Cohen — sports scientist, researcher and long-time leader in force plate methodology. Together they unpack one of the most important (and misunderstood) areas in athlete assessment: what force plate data actually means. Dan breaks down the insights…

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Travis Gaudet: Creating Tech-Informed Cohesion 24:43

28d ago24:43

24:43

In this episode of VALDCAST, our host Dylan sits down with Physiotherapist and ORKA Performance Co-Founder Travis Gaudet to unpack what meaningful technology integration looks like at a company level. Travis breaks down the growth of ORKA’s clinical and educational arms and explains how technology became a central driver in that evolution. We cover…

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How marketing teams mistake motion for progress | Mattia Santin (ContentSquare, Hotjar, Uber) 47:39

1M ago47:39

47:39

What if your biggest growth unlock wasn’t more speed, but better structure? In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, host Sundar Swaminathan sits down with Mattia Santin, SVP of Brand, Growth & Operations at ContentSquare, former CMO at Hotjar, and former marketing leader at Uber. They dive deep into the B2B vs. B2C debate, why product marketing is the mis…

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Karl Goodman: Building a High-Performance Business — Lessons from Athletes Authority 36:50

1M ago36:50

36:50

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Karl Goodman, co-founder of Athletes Authority, for a deep dive into how one of Australia’s leading performance facilities was built (and rebuilt) through smart use of technology, clear business principles and hard-earned lessons. Karl explains how Athletes Authority used testing and objective data to differenti…

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‘Bumpy Johnson’: A Short Play About the Legendary Crime Boss

1M ago

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As a special offering in our Offscript feed, here's a monologue from playwright Darnell Lamont Walker about the legendary Harlem crime boss, performed by Keith Randolph Smith.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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Tony Shield: The Turning Point in Hamstring Rehabilitation 33:32

1M ago33:32

33:32

Our host Dylan sat down with co-inventor of the NordBord, Dr. Tony Shield, to unpack the origins of the world’s leading hamstring testing system. In this episode, Tony discusses the evolution of hamstring research, the rise of eccentric training and how a pair of load cells became a global standard for injury prevention and performance. Tony also s…

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How to build 0 → impactful Marketing Science teams | Sebastian Hewing (Zalando, Rocket, eBay) 48:49

1M ago48:49

48:49

How do you build a data team that actually drives business outcomes? In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, host Sundar Swaminathan sits down with Sebastian Hewing, Data & AI Advisor to C-Level leaders in VC and PE-backed companies, and ex-Rocket Internet, to uncover what most companies get wrong about building and scaling data teams. From startup chaos …

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Jessica Huang’s Cross-Cultural Love Offering

2M ago

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On this episode we speak to the writer and director of the new play 'Mother of Exiles,' and talk arts funding and community engagement with author Donna Walker-Kuhne.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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Jo Clubb: Rethinking High-Performance Careers — From Pro Teams to Consulting 46:09

2M ago46:09

46:09

In this episode of VALDCast, our host Ryan sits down with Jo Clubb — founder of Global Performance Insights and one of the most respected figures in applied sport science — to unpack her journey from elite team environments to life as a private consultant. Jo reflects on formative experiences across the Premier League, NHL and NFL, including her ti…

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How to pick KPIs that aren't too shallow | Russell Tischler (Fundrise, Uber, MLB) 47:36

2M ago47:36

47:36

🎯 Is your marketing KPI lying to you? In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, host Sundar Swaminathan sits down with Russell Tischler, VP of Marketing at Fundrise, to dismantle the myth of “good enough” metrics. From building predictive models that forecast investor behavior to questioning the ROI of lift tests, Russell shares hard-earned lessons from his…

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Lachlan James: Strength Science Simplified — Measuring What Actually Matters 26:07

2M ago26:07

26:07

In this episode of the VALDCast, we sit down with Associate Professor at La Trobe University Dr. Lachlan James — sports scientist, consultant, and founder of ForceLab — to decode one of the most misunderstood areas in performance: strength domains. With modern technology offering hundreds of data points from a single jump or lift, practitioners mig…

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Phil Graham-Smith: Testing With Purpose and The Evolution of ForceDecks 39:19

2M ago39:19

39:19

Our guest today is Dr. Phil Graham-Smith, Reader in Biomechanics and Innovation at Manchester Metropolitan University and co-founder of ForceDecks. Ryan and Phil discuss the origins of ForceDecks, how far it's come since Phil and Dan Cohen first joined up to create the product, the concepts of validity and reliability in force plate testing, and th…

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How PMMs should adopt a product manager’s mindset to drive impact | Damian Valdes (Spotify, Meta) 50:18

2M ago50:18

50:18

What if product marketing was the secret weapon your growth strategy is missing? In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, Sundar sits down with Damian Valdes, Associate Director of Product Marketing at Spotify, to reveal why product marketers are often the most underutilized force in tech. From launching features like Spotify Jam to designing internal grow…

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‘God Loves a Sinner Like Me’: A Short Play About Alberta Hunter

3M ago

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As a special offering in our Offscript feed, here's a monologue by Tanya Everett about the legendary blues and jazz singer-songwriter who wrote 'Downhearted Blues.'By AMERICAN THEATRE

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John Leguizamo’s Latin American Dream

3M ago

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On this episode the editors dive deep into our fall AT issue with dramaturg/journalist Dezi Tibbs, then dig into Latin American representation with playwright-performer John Leguizamo.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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How to not f*ck up CRM onboarding | Karan Tibdewal (Blinkist, MyFitnessPal, HelloFresh) 49:00

3M ago49:00

49:00

Mastering CRM: From Paper Notes to Lifecycle Growth In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, host Sundar sits down with Karan Tibdewal, The CRM Guy™️ and trusted CRM advisor to top subscription apps. Together, they trace CRM's journey from Rolodex-era notes to today’s role as a strategic lever for growth. Whether you’re leading lifecycle marketing or wonde…

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Tops of the Season: ‘Come From Away’ and Lauren Gunderson

3M ago

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Editors unveil AT's annual Top 10 Most Produced Plays and Top 20 Most Produced Playwrights lists and chat with Irene Sankoff, David Hein, and the ubiquitous Gunderson.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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How to transition from short to long term ROI | Lauren Sutkowski (Insurify, Chewy, Wayfair) 45:09

3M ago45:09

45:09

Why Brand Building Isn’t Just for CPG: Lessons From Wayfair and Chewy In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, host Sundar dives into the overlooked pivot from hypergrowth to brand building with Lauren Sutkowski, Head of Brand Marketing at Insurify and former marketing leader at Chewy and Wayfair. This isn't a fluffy chat. It’s a real, practical breakdown …

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How to map assumptions that could sink your campaign | Oliver Raskin (Miro, Meta, Uber) 56:47

4M ago56:47

56:47

Assumption Audit: The Step Most Marketers Skip Most marketing failures don’t stem from bad creative, poor media buys, or weak strategy. They start earlier, at the assumption level. In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, Sundar sits down with Oliver Raskin, Head of Research at Miro and former insights lead at Meta and Uber, to break down why assumptions k…

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How to build Marketing for Gen Z that actually converts | Claudia Whyte (Howbout) 43:59

4M ago43:59

43:59

Gen Z Marketing Strategy That Actually Converts In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, Sundar sits down with Claudia from Howbout, the fast-growing social calendar app that's cracked the Gen Z code. With a mix of irreverent humor and sharp strategy, Claudia reveals how Howbout builds product and marketing with Gen Z in mind, why authenticity trumps polis…

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Kristoffer Diaz’s Mystery Play and AT’s Immigrant Issue

4M ago

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This month we talk to the playwright and director Dexter Bullard, who's helming his new play, and we check in with two contributors to our Summer edition.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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How to define marketing efficiency and build trust with Finance | Gopal Nath (Faire, Uber) 42:22

5M ago42:22

42:22

Building Marketplaces with Data: What We Learned at Uber and Faire On this episode of ExperiMENTAL, Sundar is joined by Gopal Nath, Director of Strategy and Analytics at Faire and former Marketing Analytics Lead at Uber. Together, they explore the data-backed decisions that shaped two of the world’s most dynamic marketplaces. From measuring efficie…

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How to merge Brand and Performance on a budget | Nikhil Kant (Uber, FlixBus, Coca Cola) 43:19

5M ago43:19

43:19

In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, Sundar Swaminathan sits down with Nikhil Kant (Uber, FlixBus, Even Health) to break down why modern marketing has lost its magic and how over-relying on performance marketing is silently killing long-term brand value. You’ll learn: ✔ Why performance marketing is losing its creative edge ✔ How brand creates the only …

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Offscript: A Conversation About Our Theatre Futures

5M ago

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For this special edition (also on video), we gathered 4 smart NYC theatre folks to talk about their visions and recommendations for our art form and industry.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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Dr Catherine Logan & Dr Ivan Wong - Redefining Surgical Rehab with Data 29:10

6M ago29:10

29:10

“It’s not just for research anymore — every surgical patient gets tested throughout their recovery.” – Dr Catherine Logan In this episode, orthopedic surgeons Dr Ivan Wong and Dr Catherine Logan join cohosts Mark Opar and Dylan Carmody to discuss how objective measurement is transforming patient care and surgical decision-making. With backgrounds s…

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How to balance optimization vs discovery Marketing | Libby Weissman (DoorDash, Square, Caviar) 54:27

6M ago54:27

54:27

Discovery vs. Optimization Marketing: Why Most Startups Get It Wrong | Libby Weissman (Caviar, DoorDash) In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, Sundar Swaminathan sits down with Libby Weissman (Caviar, Square, DoorDash) to unpack why so many startups fail to tell the difference between discovery and optimization marketing, and what it costs them. You’ll …

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How to build the modern Growth Marketing team | Sunil Subhedar (Anthropic, Uber, Canva) 42:00

6M ago42:00

42:00

The Future of Growth Marketing Is Cross-Disciplinary | Sunil Subhedar (Uber, Canva, Anthropic) Welcome to the very first episode of ExperiMENTAL, the podcast for marketers and data scientists who are done with fluff and ready to go deep. In this debut episode, host Sundar Swaminathan sits down with Sunil Subhedar, Growth Marketing Lead at Anthropic…

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Trailer 0:41

6M ago0:41

0:41

Welcome to ExperiMENTAL, the podcast for B2C marketers, founders, and analysts who are done with surface-level advice and ready to make smarter, data-informed decisions. Hosted by Sundar Swaminathan, former Head of Brand Data Science at Uber and creator of the ExperiMENTAL newsletter, this show is your go-to space for cutting through noise and buil…

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Offscript: Pride With the ‘Come Back to the 5 & Dime’ Team

7M ago

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This month's guests are Shakina Nayfack, Ashley Robinson, and Dan Gillespie Sells, who have turned an iconic 1970s play into a musical, and arts journalist Billy McEntee.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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Dr Roula Kotsifaki - Revolutionizing ACL Recovery 28:36

7M ago28:36

28:36

"We shouldn't treat the MRI, we want to treat our athletes." In this episode, Roula Kotsifaki discusses her recent research on ACL recovery, emphasizing the evolving perspectives in rehabilitation. She highlights the importance of balancing tissue healing with performance metrics, the significance of objective criteria for return to sport, and the …

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Stephanie Mock Grubbs - Insights from a Major League Strength Coach 49:05

8M ago49:05

49:05

Our guest today is Stephanie Mock Grubbs, Assistant Major League Strength & Conditioning Coach at the Houston Astros. Ryan and Stephanie discuss the transition from collegiate to professional sports, focusing on the role of a strength & conditioning coach in elite athlete performance. Stephanie shares her experience at The University of Pittsburgh …

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Offscript: Danya Taymor & Knud Adams’s Ensemble Ethos

8M ago

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This month we talk to 2 Tony-nominated directors who specialize in new plays, and catch up with tireless critic Chris Jones for a recap of the Broadway season.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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Dr Stacie Barber - The future of physical therapy 26:33

8M ago26:33

26:33

In this episode of VALDCAST, host Dylan Carmody chats with Dr. Stacie Barber who shares her journey as a physical therapist and the unique approach she takes in her practice, The Physio Fix. We discuss the evolution of her social media presence, how she amassed nearly 1 million followers (Check out her instagram HERE), her personal experience with …

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Nicol van Dyk - The Role of Normative Data in Injury Prevention 34:29

8M ago34:29

34:29

In this conversation with Dylan, Nicol van Dyk shares his extensive journey in sports medicine, highlighting his experiences at Aspetar and the evolution of technology in the field. He discusses the importance of injury prevention, the role of normative data, and how to build comprehensive player profiles. Nicol emphasizes the need for context in d…

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Shaun Owen - The science of recovery, from Rugby to Red Sox 32:20

8M ago32:20

32:20

In this episode, Shaun Owen shares his journey from South Africa to Boston, discussing his transition from rugby to baseball and the key differences in athlete training and recovery. He emphasizes the importance of individualization in recovery strategies, the role of technology in sports science, and the understanding of fatigue in athletes. Shaun…

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ORKA Performance - Born from a love of training and performance 42:03

9M ago42:03

42:03

The growth journey of ORKA Performance is something special. In today's VALDCAST Ryan covers off the transition from practitioners to business owners and the importance of building a feedback culture. The guys have navigated the complexities of rehab to performance transitions, And focus on the key components of building and maintaining a strong cu…

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Offscript: George C. Wolfe’s Dreams and Defiance

9M ago

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This month we talk to the 6-time Tony-winning director about 'Gypsy' and his miraculous career, and the editors introduce our Spring print issue.By AMERICAN THEATRE

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Derek Hansen - The evolution of technology & coaching methodologies 33:19

9M ago33:19

33:19

Derek Hansen shares his extensive experience in sports science, where he focusses on timing systems, coaching methodologies, and the differences in athletic training between Canada and the USA. We discusses the evolution of timing technology, the importance of understanding athlete performance metrics, and the challenges faced in professional sport…

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Matt Jordan - Embracing science. From asymmetries and squats to strength & conditioning 48:02

9M ago48:02

48:02

Matt Jordan, a pioneer in the adoption and implementation of force plate technology discusses his journey with force plates, emphasizing their significance in strength and conditioning. He shares insights on how he transitioned from traditional training methods to a more scientific approach, utilizing force metrics to inform training decisions, esp…

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Mick Hughes 33:44

9M ago33:44

33:44

In this episode of VALDCAST, we chat with Mick Hughes about his extensive experience in ACL rehabilitation, highlighting the evolution of management practices over the years. He emphasizes the importance of data-informed decision-making in clinical practice, particularly in assessing quadricep strength and its impact on rehabilitation outcomes. Mic…

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Dr Alex Natera 36:12

9M ago36:12

36:12

Creator of Run-Specific Isometrics and Manager of Sports Science at NSWIS, Alexander Natera discusses the evolution of isometrics and overall strength in athletic testing and training. He shares insights on how his techniques originated, their effectiveness across various sports, and the nuances of implementing them for different athletic needs. Na…

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Dr Duncan French 52:20

9M ago52:20

52:20

Dr Duncan French, Senior VP at the UFC Performance Institute, breaks down the complexities of training the worlds best MMA fighters. He discusses the unique demands of MMA compared to other sports, the critical components of a successful training camp and the need for seamless collaboration between performance staff and coaches. We dive into Duncan…

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Dr Ebonie Rio 35:18

9M ago35:18

35:18

Dr Ebonie Rio, renowned sports physiotherapist and leading tendon researcher, breaks down the complexities of tendon rehabilitation. She discusses the role of muscle activation, neuroplastic training and the central nervous system in recovery, as well as key considerations for load management, dynamic training readiness and tendon capacity. We dive…

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Welcome to VALDCAST 11:08

9M ago11:08

11:08

What is VALDCAST? Join hosts Dylan and Ryan as they introduce VALDCAST—where leading health and performance experts share real-world insights, transformative stories and how technology is shaping their practices. 🎙️ Connect with our hosts Ryan McLaughlin and Dylan Carmody 🌐 Discover VALD's range of solutions on the VALD Performance website…

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Offscript: Nilo Cruz’s Search for Beauty

10M ago

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In this episode, Gabriela talks to the Pulitzer-winning playwright about his new triple-play in Miami, and Rob checks in with LA Times arts reporter Ashley Lee.By AMERICAN THEATRE