In Episode 189, Phil and Paul had a great conversation with Thuy Williams, an incredible athlete and coach of the US Amputee Soccer National Team using her skills and talents in the world of all-abilities and sports ministry. During the interview, she shares her incredible journey from being rescued out of Vietnam during Operation Babylift, to her childhood as an adoptee in the US, to becoming a coach and mentor in various sports, including soccer and lacrosse, around the world. Despite battling a degenerative muscle bone disease, debilitating pain, and PTSD, Thuy has remained resilient and dedicated to impacting lives through sports. She discusses the role of sports in her healing from childhood trauma and PTSD, her work with amputee and blind soccer, and the profound influence of everyday heroes in her life. Thuy also provides some practical advice for getting involved in all-abilities sports and her perspective on leadership that stems from genuine care and encouragement. She even talks about how coaches can save lives.

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· US Amputee Soccer Website

· Nations United (World Cup Disciple Making Resources) Website

· HSEL Facebook Group

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Providence World Website

· Phil's email for DISC Training

· Remember the Titans

· Glory Road

· McFarland

· Spare Parts (Yes, that's the Robotics one)

· Hoosiers

In Episode 187, Phil and Paul reflect on their top HSEL episodes and their personal highlights of 2025. They discuss lessons learned from various guests, personal highs and lows, including transitions in their careers and families. Through their candid discussion, they emphasize the importance of slowing down, reflecting on what truly matters, beauty in brokenness, and the profound impact of soccer on teaching life's most valuable lessons.

What are your Top 5 episodes of 2025?

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Phil's email for DISC Training

· Nations United Website

· Providence World Website

In Episode 186, Carl Dambman, Athletes in Action Missionary, Olympic Wrestler, Author of In God's Grip, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about his unique journey with wrestling and pioneering sports ministry behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War in the '70s and '80s. He shares about his remarkable experiences in sports ministry, including challenges and successes covertly sharing the Gospel and some crazy experiences during border crossings and martial law in Poland. He also talks about his book, In God's Grip, which details his work in the USSR, and how his faith journey and his mentors have had a significant impact on his life and career. Carl emphasizes the importance of collaboration in ministry, knowing one's role on teams and in life, and how the principles learned in sports translate to leadership, marriage, and parenting.

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Carl and Noreen Dambman's Athletes in Action Website

· Carl's book, In God's Grip

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Phil's email for DISC Training

· Nations United Website

· Athletes in Action website

· FCA 3D Coaching

In Episode 185, Warren Mainard, Executive Director of Impact Players, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about how his tennis career shaped his approach to life and leadership. The conversation covers the importance for men to surround themselves with a band of brothers, being a thermostat not a thermometer, the concept of 'audacious authenticity,' how tennis can help us resolve conflict in our marriage and family, and the transformative power of sports in building resilience and character. Warren also emphasizes the critical roles of faith, marriage, and family in a man's life and how Impact Players aims to inspire men to live intentionally. Listeners will gain insights into Warren's personal journey, his coaching philosophy, and practical advice on integrating faith and leadership into every aspect of life.

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Impact Players Website

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Phil's email for DISC Training

· Nations United Website

· Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis—Lessons from a Master, Brad Gilbert

· "Break Point" (Netflix)

· "Full Swing" (Netflix)

In Episode 184, Phil and Paul reflect on the first half of Season 13, discussing highlights from their conversations with Greg Rubendall, Rick McKinley, Becca Darke, and Peter Greer. They also talk about ways we can redeem time in our lives, particularly in the context of parent-child relationships, and the importance of creating meaningful time with your kids and spouses.

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Phil's email for DISC Training

· Nations United Website

In Episode 183, we are sharing with you an interview from Phil's other podcast, Think Global, Do Justice, with Peter Greer, President of Hope International and Author of How Leaders Lose Their Way and How to Make Sure It Doesn't Happen to You, who discusses how leaders can avoid personal mission drift through awareness (and stopping) of our misguided pursuits and rowing against the dangerous currents in our lives, such as isolation and self-focus. Peter uses the book of Ecclesiastes and story of Solomon to share practices and disciplines that can help you to finish well, such as constellation mentoring, people over projects and achievement, succession planning and cultivating younger leaders, fear of God, eulogy vs. resume virtues, and one of the biggest dangers you'll face in your leadership.

Resources and Links from this Episode

· How Leaders Lose Their Way and How to Make Sure It Doesn't Happen to You, Peter Greer and Jill Heisey

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Phil's email for DISC Training

· Nations United Website

· Lead with Prayer, Peter Greer, Ryan Skoog, Cameron Doolittle

· Think Global, Do Justice Podcast (formerly Think Orphan Podcast)

In Episode 182, Becca Darke, Colorado College Women's Soccer Hall of Famer, former PE Teacher, former Athletes in Action staff, mother of five, and, yes, wife of Phil, shares with Phil and Paul about her journey from hockey-centric Minnesota to her youth and collegiate soccer career, how she battled injuries, and her growing faith that led her to ministry in sports. Becca shares her experiences as the Atlanta Beat Chaplain, affirming the role of soccer in shaping character, leadership, and relationships. Becca also reflects on her personal 'why,' how Scripture continually shapes her, the importance of "making room" for others in our lives, and lessons from the game that have been applied in her marriage, parenting, and teaching roles.

Resources and Links from this Episode

· Uncut Video of the Episode

· Warrior Way Soccer

· Phil's email for DISC Training

· Nations United Website

· Lead with Prayer, Peter Greer, Ryan Skoog, Cameron Doolittle

· Horst Richardson HSEL Episode