Talent Chasing
Moneyball meets Office Space Talent Chasing brings together the worlds of major league sports, corporate talent, and journalism to amplify real-world stories and experiences in finding, retaining, and motivating the best talent for your “team”. The show delves into the intricate worlds of sports scouting and corporate talent acquisition, hosted by Major League Baseball veteran Brian Johnson, workforce strategy veteran Chad Sowash, and finally journalist and documentary filmmaker Jasper Spanjaart. Join them in uncovering the art of identifying raw potential, mastering recruitment strategies, and nurturing talent to its fullest potential. Explore the human element behind talent acquisition and the evolving landscape of data-driven decisions, shedding light on the quiet war between traditional scouting and analytics in both sports and the corporate arena.
Episodes
July 24, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode, Brian and Jasper break down the yips, that sudden, inexplicable loss of skill that rattles athletes, performers, and professionals across industries. From missed free throws to blank stares during presentations, the yips are more than just nerves, they're a mental block that can derail careers. The hosts share personal stories and real-world examples, exploring how pressure, perfectionism, and fear of failure feed ...
Mark as Played
July 10, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, Chad and Brian unpack the messy side of leadership and team dynamics when the stakes are sky-high, especially in the world of sports. From locker room blowups to front-office tension, they explore how conflict can either fracture a team or fuel its fire.
The conversation dives into the crucial role of culture, chemistry, and communication in navigating chaos, and how great leaders turn personal a...
Mark as Played
July 3, 2025 • 30 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, the crew dives into the record-breaking contract of NFL quarterback Jalen Hurts—and what it reveals about leadership, resilience, and the fine line between personal success and team impact.
From the huddle to the boardroom, the conversation connects Hurts’ rise with lessons for corporate life: the power of servant leadership, the value of strong support systems, and how maturity under pressure sh...
Mark as Played
June 26, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, Chad and Jasper take a high-speed dive into the world of Formula One—and how its high-stakes dynamics mirror today’s corporate battleground. Using the drama from the Canadian Grand Prix and the rising rivalry between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, they unpack what happens when elite talent collides under the same banner.
From managing internal competition to enforcing team orde...
Mark as Played
June 19, 2025 • 34 mins
In this breakdown episode of Talent Chasing, hosts Jasper, Chad, and Brian revisit their conversation with professional baseball player David MacKinnon by replaying key moments from the original interview.
They dive into the most powerful clips, unpacking themes like retooling your skills, the importance of support systems, and the emotional hurdles athletes face—on and off the field. Drawing connections between sports and corpora...
Mark as Played
June 12, 2025 • 38 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, the hosts break down Paris Saint-Germain’s dramatic revival under coach Luis Enrique—unpacking how team chemistry, homegrown talent, and strong leadership fueled the turnaround. From Champions League pressure to managing superstar egos, they explore the hidden parallels between elite sports and high-performing organizations. The conversation dives deep into talent acquisition, financial dynamics i...
Mark as Played
June 5, 2025 • 42 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, Chad, Jasper, and Brian sit down with David MacKinnon, whose unlikely path from 32nd-round draft pick to Major League Baseball is a masterclass in grit, growth, and global perspective. David opens up about life in the minors, the mental grind behind the game, and how reworking his swing changed everything. He shares how family support and relentless adaptation kept him going through injuries, setb...
Mark as Played
May 29, 2025 • 40 mins
In this episode, Brian, Chad, and Jasper dive into the aftermath of the NFL Draft, zeroing in on the unexpected slide of quarterback Shedeur Sanders. They unpack the complex mix of factors that may have influenced his draft stock—ranging from family ties and racial dynamics to media narratives surrounding his father, Deion Sanders. The discussion broadens to explore how race, social media, and personality shape talent evaluation in...
Mark as Played
May 22, 2025 • 41 mins
In this episode, Chad Sowash and Brian Johnson sit down with Jordan Birnbaum — a behavioral economist, executive coach, and
I/O Psychologist — to unpack the surprising parallels between sports and corporate talent management.
They dive into how lessons from the field — from role clarity and team chemistry to leadership and empathy — can transform how businesses build and lead teams.
The trio explores the challenges of moving fro...
Mark as Played
May 15, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, hosts Brian, Chad, and Jasper kick things off with Opening Day hype, spotlighting the New York Yankees’ strong start and the buzz around the controversial “Torpedo Bat.” From performance-boosting gear to bold marketing plays, they dive into how innovation is reshaping the game—not just in baseball, but across sports like tennis and football.
The conversation then shifts from the field to the work...
Mark as Played
May 8, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, Brian, Chad, and Jasper swap stories from the road and celebrate some recent sports wins before diving deep into the shifting tides of NBA leadership. They unpack the latest wave of coaching changes—what’s driving them, who’s at the center, and how they’ll impact the league going forward.
The trio doesn’t just talk stats—they explore the tension between chasing quick wins and building a foundatio...
Mark as Played
May 1, 2025 • 40 mins
In this episode, Brian, Chad, and Jasper unpack the parallels between the NFL Draft and modern hiring practices, revealing how talent acquisition in both sports and business often misses the mark. Using examples like Shedeur Sanders and Eli Manning, they highlight the intense scrutiny athletes face, the impact of background on perception, and the unpredictability of talent evaluation. The conversation critiques traditional intervie...
Mark as Played
April 24, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode, hosts Brian, Chad, and Jasper dive into the far-reaching effects of tariffs on the talent market and the wider economy. They unpack the economic and geopolitical ripple effects, explore how businesses are adapting their strategies, and examine the shifting dynamics of employment and cultural perception. The discussion sheds light on the complex challenges facing both companies and workers, underscoring the importan...
Mark as Played
April 17, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode, Jasper and Brian discuss the intricacies of NFL scouting, focusing on the NFL Combine and the newly introduced Combine IQ tool. They explore the balance between data analysis and human intuition in evaluating talent, the challenges of biases in scouting, and the unique aspects of the interview process for prospective players. The conversation also touches on the differences between NFL scouting and European footbal...
Mark as Played
April 10, 2025 • 25 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, the hosts explore the intersection of sports and corporate talent, focusing on the concept of meritocracy in politics and hiring practices. They discuss the qualifications of political figures, the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion on meritocracy, and the importance of building talent pipelines within organizations. The conversation highlights the need for companies to engage with their c...
Mark as Played
April 3, 2025 • 34 mins
In this episode, Jasper and Brian dive into the emotional highs and lows of being a European football fan, with a special focus on Newcastle United's recent trophy victory. They highlight the inspiring journey of Dan Byrne, a player who defied the odds to succeed, drawing insightful parallels between talent acquisition and team dynamics in both sports and business. Their discussion underscores the power of resilience, strategic pat...
Mark as Played
March 27, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, the hosts explore the intersection of sports and corporate culture, discussing the dynamics of team chemistry, the pressure of winning, and the implications of trades during the NHL trade deadline. They delve into the importance of internal development and empathy in onboarding new talent, while also reflecting on the differences between sports management and corporate strategies.
Takeaways
Spor...
Mark as Played
March 6, 2025 • 34 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, the hosts dive into the changing role of umpires in baseball, the influence of technology and automation, and the personality crisis impacting Major League Baseball. They discuss the balance between human judgment and robotic systems in officiating, exploring how these shifts affect the sport's entertainment value. The conversation also highlights the delicate dynamics between catchers and umpires...
Mark as Played
February 20, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode of Talent Chasing, hosts Chad and Jasper dive into the unexpected trade of NBA superstars Doncic and Davis between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks and its impact on both the sports and business worlds. They explore how talent management in sports mirrors that in the corporate world, focusing on the value of trades, employee retention, and the importance of development strategies. The hosts discuss the ri...
Mark as Played
February 13, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode, the hosts dive into the enduring legacy of NFL coaching legend Bill Parcells, exploring his unique coaching style and the powerful coaching tree he left behind. They unpack his influence on today's game, the leadership traits that set him apart, and whether his methods still connect with modern players. The discussion also touches on the role of coaching fit and the long-term impact Parcells has had on the NFL. The...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.