Episodes

  • Breakdown: Simone Biles

    Breakdown: Simone Biles
    Oct 31 2024
    In this episode of Talent Chasing, Brian Johnson and Chad Sawash discuss the impact of mental health in sports, focusing on Simone Biles' journey and her advocacy for mental health awareness. They explore the concept of burnout in both sports and corporate settings, drawing parallels between athletes and professionals facing mental blocks, such as the yips. The conversation also addresses double standards in sports and corporate America, emphasizing the importance of diversity and empathy in leadership.
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    17 mins
  • Film Room - Jon Harris

    Film Room - Jon Harris
    Oct 24 2024
    In this episode of Talent Chasing, Brian Johnson and Chad Sowash dissect their interview with John Harris, owner of AthLife, and explore the complexities of athlete transitions into the real world, the implications of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) landscape, and the importance of unions in both sports and corporate environments. They discuss the challenges faced by collegiate athletes, the need for employee development in businesses, and the often-overlooked human element in analytics and corporate decision-making. Takeaways The transition from sports to real life is challenging for athletes. NIL has created new dilemmas for collegiate athletes. Unions play a crucial role in protecting athlete rights. Employee development is often neglected in corporate settings. Happy employees lead to better productivity and retention. The focus on numbers can overlook the human aspect of work. Collective bargaining can ensure fair compensation for all athletes. Athletes often feel unprepared for life after sports. The importance of branding for athletes has increased with NIL. There is a need for a VP of employee development in every company. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Challenge Chasing 04:54 Navigating the NIL Landscape 07:00 The Fantasy of Professional Sports 09:59 The Importance of Unions in Sports and Beyond 12:46 Employee Development in Corporate America 15:46 The Human Element in Business Analytics
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    17 mins
  • Chasing Jon Harris

    Chasing Jon Harris
    Oct 17 2024
    John Harris, the owner of AthLife, shares his journey of helping former professional athletes transition back into the real world. He explains how AthLife has assisted over a thousand athletes in pursuing education and finding new careers. The conversation also touches on the shift in college athletics with the introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes. The conversation covers various topics related to college athletes transitioning to professional careers and the challenges they face. The main themes include Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, the transfer portal, academic advising for transfer students, the financial implications of transferring, the importance of education and career planning, the benefits of hiring former athletes, and success stories of athletes transitioning to post-sports careers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to John Harris 02:28 The Genesis of AthLife and Supporting NFL Players 05:48 The Importance of Supporting Athletes' Education and Transition 08:29 Collective Bargaining and Transition Support in Different Leagues 12:57 Success Stories of AthLife's Program 15:29 Career Placement and Networking for Former Athletes 19:00 Challenges and Fears in Athlete Transition 20:00 Supporting Women Athletes in Transition 24:23 The Impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Rights in College Athletics 26:16 The Reality of NIL Opportunities for Student-Athletes 27:22 Navigating the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Landscape 28:13 The Challenges of the Transfer Portal 29:11 Academic Advising for Transfer Students 30:39 The Financial Implications of Transferring 35:10 The Importance of Education and Career Planning 38:25 The Benefits of Hiring Former Athletes 42:19 Success Stories of Athletes Transitioning to Post-Sports Careers
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    45 mins
  • Film Room - James Mims

    Film Room - James Mims
    Oct 10 2024
    In this episode, Brian Johnson and Chad Sowash discuss the inspiring story of James Mims, the creator of Mims Bands, a unique product that combines baseball cards with wristbands. They explore the entrepreneurial spirit, the importance of perseverance, and the role of founders in startups, emphasizing the significance of character and vision in achieving success. The conversation highlights Mims' journey, his relationship with mentor Dusty Baker, and his legacy as the only black vendor in Major League Baseball. Chapters 00:00 The Genesis of Mims Bands 04:46 Entrepreneurial Spirit and Relentlessness 10:23 The Importance of Founders in Startups 12:01 A Legacy of Perseverance and Recognition
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    13 mins
  • Chasing James Mims

    Chasing James Mims
    Oct 3 2024
    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 hr
  • Film Room: Angela Taylor

    Film Room: Angela Taylor
    Sep 26 2024
    *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 mins
  • Chasing Angela Taylor

    Chasing Angela Taylor
    Sep 19 2024
    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 mins
  • Film Room - Dusty Baker

    Film Room - Dusty Baker
    Aug 15 2024
    In this episode of *Talent Chasing*, our intrepid hosts Jasper, Brian, and Chad sit down with none other than Dusty Baker—legendary baseball manager and expert in the fine art of not losing his cool while leading teams. They dig into Baker’s leadership style, the eternal struggle: analytics vs. gut instinct. making the right hiring decisions, plus, how communication is key—because if you can’t get the team to listen, good luck getting them to follow. Leadership is about consistency, balance, and maybe a dash of wisdom from the past. Who knew that baseball and business had so much in common—aside from the uniforms and overpriced snacks? Enjoy!
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    29 mins