by Stuart Armstrong
The Talent Equation podcast is an 'exploration in human advancement'... mostly (but not exclusively) through the lens of sport and physical activity. <br /><br />Each episode is an 'emergent conversation' with practitioners, parents, researchers, authors (or some combination of all three) taking a deep dive into the ways that people can help others to enhance their developmental journey in whatever field they are committed to. <br /><br />These conversations are not mainstream - you will not hear ideas that are provided on standard education courses - they often fly in the face of convention - they will sometimes be controversial and provocative - the show is about doing things differently and doing different things. <br /><br />The people who come on the show are innovators - they are trying to break new ground or swim against the tide of what they see as a broken culture or an ineffective system - what they say will prompt new thinking or new ideas. <br /><br />All that is asked of the listener is to embrace the conversation with an open mind.<br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support</a>.
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2/24/2017
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April 26, 2025
In this ‘Dog Walk Diary’ episode, I dive deep into how narratives and slogans shape coaching approaches and talent development, particularly examining how research concepts like the "10,000-hour rule" and "talent needs trauma" get oversimplified and sometimes misapplied in practice. I explore the tension between evidence-informed practice and harmful performance narratives, advocating for a more nuanced "talent needs turbulence" approach that values challenge without crossing into potentially damaging territory.<br /><br /> Key takeaways:<br /> - How Ericsson's deliberate practice research was popularised but oversimplified through Gladwell's "10,000-hour rule," shifting focus from quality to quantity<br /><br /> - Why catchy three-word slogans like "talent needs trauma" can be problematic when they justify harsh coaching practices in performance environments<br /><br /> - The importance of researchers taking responsibility for how their work is presented and the real-world consequences of their messaging<br /><br /> If you're interested in joining more conversations about ecological approaches to coaching, join my learning group 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' by heading to <a href="http://www.thetalentequation.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.thetalentequation.co.uk</a> and clicking on the 'join a learning group' button.<br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support</a>.
April 18, 2025
I had a fascinating conversation with Bren Veziroglu about ecological dynamics and how it's transforming coaching and movement practice. Bren's journey from a self-described "skinny, unathletic" teen to becoming an influential voice in movement education reveals powerful insights about skill development and learning. <br /><br />Three key takeaways from our conversation:<ol><li>Traditional drilling approaches develop technique but not true skill. By understanding that skill emerges from the dynamic interaction between the person and their environment, we can design more effective practice methods.</li><li>The ecological approach creates more joy and engagement in learning, making practice not only more effective but inherently rewarding. When activities are task-led rather than drill-led, both coaches and athletes experience more flow.</li><li>Developing physiological capabilities is important, but these should be built through functional movements aligned with the actual demands of the activity, rather than isolated exercises with questionable transfer.</li></ol>To continue exploring these ideas with like-minded coaches and practitioners, join my learning group 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' by heading to <a href="http://www.thetalentequation.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.thetalentequation.co.uk</a> and clicking the 'join a learning group' button.<br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support</a>.
April 5, 2025
I recently had the absolute pleasure of recording a conversation with Dr. Julia Blau and Dr. Jeffrey Wagman, authors of "An Introduction to Ecological Psychology: A Lawful Approach to Perceiving, Acting, and Cognising." Our conversation explored how humans actually perceive and interact with the world around them and question the traditional assumptions about psychology which suggests that we need to create mental representations of the world before we can act. <br /><br />Julia and Jeff shared insights on how the ecological approach transforms our understanding of human movement, and we contextualise this to enpack how we might better provide opportunities for young people to develop their abilities in sport and physical activity. We discussed how creating rich, varied environments allows people to develop their own solutions to movement problems. This approach promotes agency, enjoyment, and ultimately better performance across many fields from sports coaching to education. <br /><br />Key Takeaways:<br /><ol><li>Ecological psychology views perception and action as directly connected - we don't need to build internal models of the world to interact with it effectively.</li><li>Variability in practice isn't something to eliminate; it's actually essential for developing adaptable skills that work in changing environments.</li><li>When teaching movement skills, focus on helping people recognise when something feels right rather than precisely dictating the movements they should make.</li></ol>If you're interested in joining a community where we explore these concepts further, join our learning group 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' by heading to <a href="http://www.thetalentequation.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.thetalentequation.co.uk</a> and clicking on the 'join a learning group' button.<br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support</a>.
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