The Magic Academy
Episodes
Season 11 Episode 22 - Aaron Takel (Tactical Warfare)
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
No pod since 2025... Taks was getting impatient to we did one together! All things tactical warfare, problem-solving, tweaking or changing... enjoy!
Season 11 Episode 21 Fletch and Danny - 2025 in review
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fletch, Danny and Rusty share their highlights, heroes and hardships from 2025 and look ahead to 2026... enjoy!
Season 11 Episode 20 Byron Green and Aaron Takel (coach development)
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Byron Green, wheelchair rugby coach and player (https://athletescan.ca/athlete-rep-spotlight-byron-green-wheelchair-rugby/) gets paid a visit from Tak...
Season 11 Episode 19 - Gerard Jones (Cambodia)
08 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gerard and Rusty chat about his journey to coaching in the Cambodian Premier League... learning something from everyone, the reality of micropolitics ...
Season 11 Episode 18 Graeme Moffat - Lethbridge
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Moff and Rusty chat all things Gamechangers conference... brain skills, talent ID, injuries, river swims, building a den and indoor rondos... enjoy!
Season 11 Episode 17 - Aaron Takel (Developing Craft)
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Taks and Rusty catch up for the 3rd time to chat all things Vancouver Island, noticing skills, the Air Canada strike, headband levels, conviction and ...
Season 11 Episode 16 - Kenny Lynn (Argentina)
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kenny and Rusty chat all things staff football, experimenting, coaching attack and learning Spanish... enjoy!
Season 11 Episode 15 Peter Train (Pleasure and Happiness in Education)
22 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pete's doctorate (https://phecanada.ca/professional-learning/journal/pleasure-and-happiness-education-alternative-form-phe-peter-train) leads to ...
Season 11 Episode 14 Jeremy Holt (For the Love of the Game)
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy's joins Rusty for the 2nd time on the pod following his book release to chat all things TRIBE... enjoy! For the love of the game: How to ...
Season 11 Episode 13 Gary Klein (Expertise)
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gary and Rusty chat all things expertise, decision-making and intuition... Pete Sturgess, Max Caldas, Daniel Kahneman, netball, rowing, feedback, gett...
Season 11 Episode 12 - Paul McGuinness (Skilful players)
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A 2nd appearance for Paul to chat all things scanning, secret codes, time-wasting, awkward finishes, going against the flow, feeding the bear and deli...
Season 11 Episode 11 - Richard Bennett (BPF)
20 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rich joins Rusty to chat all things Bhudesi Pride Foundation and changing lives through rugby... https://bpfafrica.org/
Season 11 Episode 10 - Chris Guest
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Guests and Rusty reflect on all things coaching England Women U19 cricket... enjoy!
Season 11 Episode 9 - Harry Spencer
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Harry and Rusty chat all things scout mindset, qui fait quoi, expecting chaos, falling out of love with rugby (and back in love with rugby in France)....
Season 11 Episode 8 Sam Leeming (Finding peace)
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ex-professional rugby player, diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma at 23 , retired due to concussion at 25 and now helping others find flow... an incr...
Season 11 Episode 17 Danny and Fletch (Coaching chat and the book)
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fletch and Danny (Newcombe) chat coaching with Rusty... coaching cohesion, pre-mortem, anticipation, tactical vs emotional, flow and feel, coaching sk...
Season 11 Episode 16 - Christian Penny
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Having bumped into each other in Wellington, Rusty catches up with Christian to chat all things 'bro culture', listening and thinking, findi...
Season 11 Episode 15 - Greg Feek (Finding Strong)
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Greg Feek, current Blues scrum coach, former All Black player and Leinster, Ireland and NZ rugby coach joins Rusty to chat all things scrums, San Fran...
Season 11 Episode 14 Davie Gray (A coach with a different lens)
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Davie and Rusty catch up to chat all things mindset, soft boundaries, designing your own job, secret missions, intent/effort/focus, connecting the dot...
Season 11 Episode 13 - Gerard Jones (Inspire-Involve-Inform)
13 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gerard joins from the US via York, Hull, Rochdale, Bristol. Morocco and many more chapters as a coach to chat magic moments, imposter syndrome, feedba...
Season 11 Episode 12 - Craig Morris (the Olympic journey)
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Craig and Rusty chat all things Olympics... being present, the most important of the non-important things, a 1st person perspective, prepared not plan...
Season 11 Episode 11 Will Webster (player to coach)
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Will Webster... lifelong learner, international rugby coach, MLR winner x 2, player whose dreams outgrew his ability, older brother who is under press...
Season 11 Episode 10 Aaron Takel (if Carlsberg did coach development...)
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taks and Rusty come together to share their top 10 moments from the recent Gainline Sports Coaching x Magic Academy coach and player hangout on Vancou...
Season 11 Episode 9 Jack Hanratty (The Olympic journey)
17 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jack and Rusty chat all things Canada 7's, fake citings, the 'slog', learning from 7's, problem-solving, low points and so much mo...
Season 11 Episode 8 - Jess Bunyard (Coach Learning)
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Rusty chat all things fist bumping heroes, being a female coach, coach feedback, the rhythm of the game and travelling from Huddersfield to C...
Series 11 Episode 7 - Tom Morris (A community of care)
08 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tom from Progressive Rugby chats all things creating a community of care and protecting players in rugby... enjoy!
Series 11 - Episode 6 James Vaughan (The Swedish theory of love)
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
James Vaughan PhD (Head of development at AIK Stockholm) chats all things the Swedish theory of love, comfort blankets, tuxedo pliers with studs and g...
Season 11 Episode 5 - Paul Chequer (Practicing challenging conversations)
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty spends even more time with the man he has spent most of the last month with helping coaches navigate challenging conversations in football (shou...
Series 11 Episode 4 - Tom Farrow (Solving Problems)
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tom Farrow... performance coach, owner at Arete and the best wrestler I know chats all things solving performance problems. On the way, we chat connec...
Series 11 Episode 3 - Sean Graham (Developing yourself and others)
04 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sean and Rusty chat all things from the U13F's, being excited to come to training, reflecting in the moment, Laurie Fisher as Bruce Springsteen, ...
Season 11 Episode 2 - Mike Porteous (Confidence)
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Rusty chat all things confidence... What gives you a buzz? When is it hard for you? How does it feel? What milestones might we pass on the wa...
Season 11 - Episode 1 Mike Orchin-McKeever (Energy)
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike is (just) a PE teacher and rugby coach and chats all things creative coaching, coaching across different environments and growing the game... enj...
Series 10 - Episode 20 Fletch and Rusty (the App)
20 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fletch and Rusty chat skill, levels, connecting player-parent-coach, coaching contact, coach development and being more like Finn... enjoy!
Series 10 - Episode 19 Dave Sharkey (the three-peat)
30 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sharks returns to chat all things theming, lifting the lid on La Rochelle in Europe, totems, experiments and making them wait... enjoy!
Series 10 - Episode 18 Andy Abraham (Concepts)
01 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andy returns to the pod having coached community rugby for the past 11 years alongside his role as Head of Subject at Leeds Beckett... he shares the 1...
Season 10 - Episode 17 Caspar Berry (Decision-making)
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ex-poker player and Cambridge Economist Caspar and Rusty chat all things decision-making... knowing your opponent, missing bets, data and emotions, ne...
Series 10 - Episode 16 Kieran Hallett (Super Rugby)
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran and Rusty chat all things Super Rugby after his sabbatical from Leinster to the Rebels... coaching, co-coaching, pathways, what he's learn...
Series 10 -Episode 15 Jack Moran (Curriculum)
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jack and Rusty sparked by a WhatsApp group chat on curriculum chew the fat on what it could mean, the purpose, the what and the how with (hopefully) s...
Series 10 Episode 14 - Adam and Maarten (Play)
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Adam and Maarten catch up with Rusty after their play workshop for rugby coaches and chat Elmo and Grover, changing the brain, setting the room to 0, ...
Series 10 - Episode 13 Andy Longley (Leadership Development)
13 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andy Longley (Coach Up) and Rusty chat leadership development for coaches, popping a lung, the Barbarians tour to Germany, ex-players as coaches, scan...
Series 10 - Episode 12 Martin Bisp (Community)
07 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Martin and Rusty chat chat about the impact and ripple effects of Empire Fighting Chance (https://www.empirefightingchance.org)... why and how they ar...
Series 10 - Episode 11 Alex McWilliam (Improv)
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex and Rusty chat all things improv... planning, playful practice and feedback to prevent a death on stage... oh, and meeting Sir Ian McKellen at ...
Series 10 - Episode 10 Rachel Vickey (Breathing)
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel and Rusty are reunited after their 'Challenging Conversations' hangout with the Premier League and chat all things helping good peopl...
Series 10 - Episode 9 Harry Curtin (224 Oceanbeach Drive)
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Harry and Rusty chat all things the Inside Running Coach Development course, living together for almost 2 weeks on Oceanbeach Drive, mentoring, near d...
Series 10 - Episode 8 Berrick Barnes and Andrew Fraser (Boaty Boys)
29 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty has a new favourite pod with ex-Wallaby and Rusty's paddle-board partner Berwick Barnes and the man who makes things happen Andrew Fraser. ...
Series 10 episode 7 - Mike Brown (Transition)
04 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Rusty chat all things transition including learning to be a student again, growing connections, transferable skills, learning from other spor...
Series 10 - Episode 6 Mark Lerpiniere (Growing rugby in a state school)
11 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mark shares with Rusty how he's grown rugby from scratch to 150 girls and boys representing the school... young leaders, break time club, well-...
Series 10 - Episode 5 St David's crew (Contact)
11 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A 'micro-pod' before the 7's semi-finals exploring all things coaching contact... Dan and Ross explore skill, pitch size, collaborating...
Series 10 - Episode 4 Ollie Runswick (Anticipation)
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ollie is back and chats all things anticipation with Rusty... NASA, VR, being a geek/nerd, deception and knowing where to look. Ollie can be found at ...
Series 10 Episode 3 - Coach Yas (Coach Development)
12 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Has chat all tings coach development including using a mentor effectively, collaborative coaching and stepping out of your comfort zone!
Series 10 - Episode 2 Mike Rogers (Coach learning)
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Rusty chat all things coach development. For 13 days and 12 nights, coaches will be able to take part in the 1st Inside Rugby Coach Developme...
Series 10 - Episode 3 Jack Cooney (Theming)
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jack and Rusty chat about Westmeath's Tailteann Cup victory and his new role as the new GAA National Player Development lead, puling on threads a...
Season 10 - Episode 1 Michael Gerard Doherty (Community)
04 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Michale and Rusty chat all things GAA, coaching, clubs at the heart of the community, bringing parents along with you and Ant & Dec telling us to ...
Series 9 - Episode 25 Andy Brownhill (A leap of faith)
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Andy chats all things selling up and moving to Australia, the opportunities it has created, the people that have helped him along the way and the me...
Series 9 - Episode 24 Lynn Evans (le Plaisir du Movement)
14 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lynn and Rusty look forward to Pierre Villepreux coming over for le Plaisir du Movement and the playing and coach development opportunities it offers....
Series 9 - Episode 23 Karen Falcon (Intention and Attention)
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Karen joins rugby to chat all things coach development, having a hobby job, language, ECG, curriculum versus syllabus and teaching geography... enjo...
Series 9 - Episode 22 Dean Leak (Self-employment and imposter syndrome)
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dean and Rusty chat through their journeys to self-employment and what might have helped! From being bitten by a horse, the price of autonomy, hitting...
Series 9 - Episode 21 Andy Williams (Progressive Education)
25 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Andy and Rusty chat all things education... teacher agency, leadership, CPD, parents and empathy... enjoy!
Series 9 - Episode 20 Dr Mustafa Sarkar (Resilience)
25 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Mustafa chat all things resilience... putting on your own oxygen mask first, a GCSE in receiving feedback, replays and Barry Cowan... enjoy!
Series 9 - Episode 19 Owen Eastwood (Belonging)
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over 2 years to align their diaries and Owen and Rusty chat belonging, storytelling, performance coaching and being open-minded... enjoy!
Series 9 - Episode 18 Dr Katie Fitton Davies (Motivation)
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Katie and Rusty chew the fat on all things motivation, opening a can of worms regarding different types of motivation, rewards and consequences and co...
Series 9 - Episode 17 Sarah Murray (Psych smoothie)
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Sarah Murray discuss psychology in coaching including spending time doing me-search, well-being and performance, intent for inaction, Melc...
Series 9 - Episode 16 Mike Rogers (Coach learning)
07 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mike chats with Rusty about how we could fail faster as coaches, sharing his best (and worst) coaching experiences on a journey including Mitre 10, ...
Series 9 - Episode 15 Ross Munro (The Path is the Goal)
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ross returns to the pod 1091 days and chats how how his thinking about coaching has changed again and helped him move his business forward. They chat ...
Series 9 Episode 14 - Euan Mackintosh (Opportunity)
06 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Euan explore the role of opportunity (and luck) in his journey from Scotland to NZ and back again via France, Australia and China for the ...
Series 9 - Episode 13 Zane Winslade (Mental skills for kids)
30 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Zane chat about the 'Mental Toughness Journal', its origins and its impact. Available on https://www.flowsport.co.nz Enjoy!
Series 9 - Episode 12 Craig White (Love)
06 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty explores the journey Whitey has taken from serial trophy winner at Leicester, Wasps, Wales and the Lions to the search to love yourself and find...
Series 9 Episode 11 -Andy Lockwood (Culture)
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The man the legend behind Rugby Vacancies joins Rusty to chat all things culture and shares his 3 key principles for developing it in teams and how th...
Series 9 Episode 10 - Mark Williams (Science)
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty chats with Mark author of 'The Best: How Elite Athletes are Made' chatting all things effective practice, instruction, science and how...
Series 9 - Episode 9 Dr Oliver Runswick (Learning)
24 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ollie and Rusty chat all things learning touching on pressure training, coaching scanning and anticipation, transfer, curriculum design and the well-b...
Series 9 - Episode 8 Danny Care (Skill is King)
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
DC and Rusty chat all things becoming more skilful as a player and a team, exploring training, coach behaviours and packing your ski goggles... enjoy!...
Series 9 - Episode 7 Will Cotterill (Building a community (rugby) club)
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Will and Rusty chat all things the Pyramid of Purpose, Mr Music, player transitions, Project 11 and the Peacock family... enjoy!
Series 9 - Episode 6 Richie Gray (Return to Contact)
25 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Richie and Rusty chat all things practice design, confidence, movement skills, touch and training aids. Enjoy! https://passport.world.rugby/injury-p...
Series 9 - Episode 5 Tom Biggs (Pro Rugby)
18 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Biggsy and Rusty share stories of the reality of professional rugby, putting a few in room 101 including meetings, senior player groups, away days, co...
Series 9 Episode 4 - Phil Llewellyn and Jason Duffy (RockIt Rugby App)
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Phil turns host and Duffs turns up late to chat all things RockIt Rugby app...1. What's the benefits for coach, player and parent?2. How can more...
Series 9 - Episode 3 Rob Vickerman (Sevens)
07 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Having played together and worked together with England, Rusty and Vicks explore:The benefits of 7's, 10's and touch rugby All things coach...
Series 9 Episode 2 - Joe Schmidt (Winning)
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Joe chat all things winning:Developing as a coachWorking out how to winStructure and shapesSpecial plays and experimentsProps kickingEnjoy!
Series 9 - Episode 1 Dave Sharkey (Theming)
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Sharkey (real name) returns to chat through his work with ROG at La Rochelle as he and Rusty discuss:Types of themingWhat he's learnt from t...
Series 8 - Episode 14 Martin Fairn Red2Blue
24 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty is joined by Martin and Sunday morning coach Fletcher who has some mental skills to work on for him, the players and their parents. A discussion...
Series 8 - Episode 13 Rob Mason is back!
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rob is back with an update on some of his work with coaches in the AFL and with WAIS and his new job working in Mental Health... enjoy! See Rob&apos...
Series 8 - Episode 12 Alando Soakai (he's back)
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Soaks and Rusty chat all things Kubota Spears and the Top League in Japan... the impact of Malcom Marx and Ryan Crotty, environment, leadership, you...
Series 8 - Episode 11 Dr Vic Carr
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Vic chats all things leadership and coaching with Rusty. The 1st head teacher to hug Rusty and TED talker, Dr Vic shares some of the tactics that h...
Series 8 - Episode 10 James Percival
04 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Percy chat all things reinventing rugby after James's article in the Rugby Paper.... life in France, loving his time at Quins, the impa...
Series 8 - Episode 9 Aaron Danks
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty chats to former England U20 (World Cup winning) coach and now Anderlecht 1st team coach Aaron Danks... it's coming home!
Series 8 - Episode 8 Nick Winkelman
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nick and Rusty explore coaching teams and the language of coaching. From the echo of effectiveness to the language locker of a team to intentional t...
Series 8 - Episode 6 Mark Sheasby
12 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mark chats all things hostage negotiation with Rusty... the importance of language, the subconscious mind, belonging and CS gas...
Series 8 - Episode 5 David Stephens
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Dave chat all things on being the parent that is finally persuaded to coach and the effect it has had on his parenting and work skills. From...
Series 8 - Episode 4 Dom Palacio
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Dom chat all things being head of Community and using his car salesman techniques to change lives including computers for kids, the prison p...
Series 8 - Episode 2 Ross Batty
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ross, Fletch and Rusty catch up on Ross's career... enjoy the ride!
Series 8 - Episode 1 Doug Lemov
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Doug and Rusty plan an imaginary campaign for the mighty Cognitive Wanderers FC... enjoy!
Series 7 - Episode 24 Aaron Walsh Part 2
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron Walsh is back one year on and the most-improved man on Linkedin has become the king of Linkedin! Rusty and Walshy v2.0 chew the fat on all thing...
Series 7 - Episode 23 Fletch and Rusty
30 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fletch and Rusty catch up on what they have been up to including writing a book, developing an app, speaking to the House of Lords, mentoring and hang...
Series 7 - Episode 22 John Afoa
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Super John Afoa chat all things being in the form of his life, low numbers kicking and adding pieces to the puzzle. Enjoy!
Series 7 - Episode 21 Elaine Cahill
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty is joined by Elaine, coach at 14 and now with a Masters in Psychology chats all things mental health for players and coaches and a variety of sk...
Series 7 - Episode 20 (Business) Dave Slemen
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Slemen, ex-Harlequin and Connacht player talks all things recruitment and people development in both sport and business...
Series 7 - Episode 19 (Business) Cam Spencer
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty and Cam discuss all things people development, leadership and effective teams across a variety of contexts and cultures. Cam is Chief of Barefoo...
Series 7 - Episode 18 Jack Green
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Finally (World and European medalist and now coach) Jack and Rusty get on the pod to chat all things moving from 105th in the World to 16th in one yea...
Series 7 - Episode 17 Ed Robinson
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty catches up with Ed Robinson exploring his journey from Bristol to Rotherham to Jersey and England and back again. What has he learnt and who has...
Series 7 -Episode 16 Rachael Taylor
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel and Rusty chat about the chapters In her journey so far, exploring playing, coaching, the Barbarians, pathways, coach development, participat...
Series 7 - Episode 15 Jordan Turner-Hall
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At last Rusty and JTH chat! So much in this talk from player-to-coach, learning from the dark days, the impact of coaches on his life, coaching young ...