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The Swim Brief

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A swimming podcast featuring natural conversations about the sport. Chris DeSantis brings the poolside conversation to the podcast form.

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A swimming podcast featuring natural conversations about the sport. Chris DeSantis brings the poolside conversation to the podcast form.

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Published 2026-09-07

Building Culture in College Swimming’s Transactional Era

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What does it take to build a championship-level program without allowing college swimming to become purely transactional?

Stanford men’s swimming head coach Dan Schemmel joins Chris DeSantis to discuss his unlikely path from Hawaii to one of the most prestigious jobs in the sport—and the moment he finally felt that he belonged there. They explore how Stanford is navigating NIL, the transfer era, and the growing pressure to treat the athlete-coach relationship as an exchange of immediate benefits.

Dan also explains why recruiting athletes who genuinely love swimming matters, how a strong team culture can sustain people when their individual motivation fades, and why the sport needs to better recognize age-group and club coaches. The conversation closes with a look at leadership, the difference between “learners” and “knowers,” and whether faster performances are necessarily producing better swimmers.

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What does it take to build a championship-level program without allowing college swimming to become purely transactional?

Stanford men’s swimming head coach Dan Schemmel joins Chris DeSantis to discuss his unlikely path from Hawaii to one of the most prestigious jobs in the sport—and the moment he finally felt that he belonged there. They explore how Stanford is navigating NIL, the transfer era, and the growing pressure to treat the athlete-coach relationship as an exchange of immediate benefits.

Dan also explains why recruiting athletes who genuinely love swimming matters, how a strong team culture can sustain people when their individual motivation fades, and why the sport needs to better recognize age-group and club coaches. The conversation closes with a look at leadership, the difference between “learners” and “knowers,” and whether faster performances are necessarily producing better swimmers.

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Published 2026-09-04

Building Women's Sports Differently: Ted Lasso Season 4

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Ted Lasso returns with a new challenge: building a women’s team inside a sporting structure created for men.

Chris DeSantis and Juliet Suess discuss what the opening episodes of season four reveal about coaching, leadership and the systems surrounding women’s sports. They explore Coach Chilton’s technical strengths and relational blind spots, Rebecca’s failure to consider a woman for the head coaching position, the limitations of copying and pasting from the men’s game, and how Emma Hayes has turned a deeper understanding of female athletes into a competitive advantage.

They also examine the power of teams to bring different people together—and why sports need more leaders like Keeley, who refuse to diminish themselves to fit an inherited model.

Contains spoilers for the first four episodes of Ted Lasso season four.

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Ted Lasso returns with a new challenge: building a women’s team inside a sporting structure created for men.

Chris DeSantis and Juliet Suess discuss what the opening episodes of season four reveal about coaching, leadership and the systems surrounding women’s sports. They explore Coach Chilton’s technical strengths and relational blind spots, Rebecca’s failure to consider a woman for the head coaching position, the limitations of copying and pasting from the men’s game, and how Emma Hayes has turned a deeper understanding of female athletes into a competitive advantage.

They also examine the power of teams to bring different people together—and why sports need more leaders like Keeley, who refuse to diminish themselves to fit an inherited model.

Contains spoilers for the first four episodes of Ted Lasso season four.

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Published 2026-08-31

Why Swimmers Aren’t Eating Enough | Alicia Glass

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Swimmers spend hours in the pool, yet many still aren’t eating enough to support the work they’re doing.

Alicia Glass, Sport Dietitian for USA Swimming, joins to explain why swimmers need to think more like endurance athletes—and what happens when training volume and fueling fall out of alignment. We discuss early-morning practices without breakfast, why sugar and sports drinks can be valuable performance tools, and the practical barriers that keep exhausted athletes from eating consistently.

The conversation also explores why effective nutrition advice must account for the individual, how restrictive ideas about “healthy” eating can leave athletes less adaptable, and what coaches should look for when bringing nutrition professionals into their programs.

Finally, Alicia offers a nuanced approach to one of swimming’s most difficult subjects: body composition. 

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Swimmers spend hours in the pool, yet many still aren’t eating enough to support the work they’re doing.

Alicia Glass, Sport Dietitian for USA Swimming, joins to explain why swimmers need to think more like endurance athletes—and what happens when training volume and fueling fall out of alignment. We discuss early-morning practices without breakfast, why sugar and sports drinks can be valuable performance tools, and the practical barriers that keep exhausted athletes from eating consistently.

The conversation also explores why effective nutrition advice must account for the individual, how restrictive ideas about “healthy” eating can leave athletes less adaptable, and what coaches should look for when bringing nutrition professionals into their programs.

Finally, Alicia offers a nuanced approach to one of swimming’s most difficult subjects: body composition. 

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Published 2026-08-24

To Save Swimming, Start With the Coaches | Doug Cornish

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Swimming has spent decades asking coaches to become more professional. But has the profession done enough to support them in return?

Doug Cornish is a former swim coach, financial planner, and the creator of the 2025 Swim Coaches Compensation Survey. His findings expose how precarious coaching has become: 38% of respondents reported working without a current contract, while 80% had no cost-of-living adjustment built into their agreements.

Doug and I discuss why coaches continue accepting these conditions, how poor financial stewardship limits what clubs can provide, and why coach retention is foundational to athlete development and the future of the sport. We also lay out five practical changes that could begin moving the profession forward—from credible compensation data and honest job ratings to board education, stronger financial structures, and contract templates.

This isn’t just a conversation about what’s wrong. It’s about what swimming can actually do next—because if we want to save the sport, we have to start with the coaches.

Doug's e-mail: doug@swimpler.com

Website:  swimpler.com

ISCA Email 1: https://mailchi.mp/swimisca/coach-retention-the-future-of-swimming-depends-on-it?e=70a9f8d406

ISCA Email 2: https://mailchi.mp/swimisca/can-great-coaches-afford-to-remain-great

2025 Coach Compensation Survery Data

10 Ways to Value Coaches

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Swimming has spent decades asking coaches to become more professional. But has the profession done enough to support them in return?

Doug Cornish is a former swim coach, financial planner, and the creator of the 2025 Swim Coaches Compensation Survey. His findings expose how precarious coaching has become: 38% of respondents reported working without a current contract, while 80% had no cost-of-living adjustment built into their agreements.

Doug and I discuss why coaches continue accepting these conditions, how poor financial stewardship limits what clubs can provide, and why coach retention is foundational to athlete development and the future of the sport. We also lay out five practical changes that could begin moving the profession forward—from credible compensation data and honest job ratings to board education, stronger financial structures, and contract templates.

This isn’t just a conversation about what’s wrong. It’s about what swimming can actually do next—because if we want to save the sport, we have to start with the coaches.

Doug's e-mail: doug@swimpler.com

Website:  swimpler.com

ISCA Email 1: https://mailchi.mp/swimisca/coach-retention-the-future-of-swimming-depends-on-it?e=70a9f8d406

ISCA Email 2: https://mailchi.mp/swimisca/can-great-coaches-afford-to-remain-great

2025 Coach Compensation Survery Data

10 Ways to Value Coaches

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Published 2026-08-17

The Making of a Head Coach | Margo Geer

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Margo Geer’s path to becoming the head coach at the University of Alabama was anything but conventional. When she took over the program at 28, plenty of people questioned whether she was ready.

Six years later, Margo joins me to discuss what prepared her for the opportunity, how her experience as an elite athlete shaped her leadership, and why she was able to deal with the criticism surrounding her hiring.

We also talk about protecting the health and performance of coaches, the value of letting athletes experience different environments, and why college swimming may need to reconsider its 365-days-a-year mentality.

Margo also shares the coaches who shaped her, what she has learned through six years in charge, and how she continues to balance curiosity, ambition, relationships, and life away from the pool.

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Margo Geer’s path to becoming the head coach at the University of Alabama was anything but conventional. When she took over the program at 28, plenty of people questioned whether she was ready.

Six years later, Margo joins me to discuss what prepared her for the opportunity, how her experience as an elite athlete shaped her leadership, and why she was able to deal with the criticism surrounding her hiring.

We also talk about protecting the health and performance of coaches, the value of letting athletes experience different environments, and why college swimming may need to reconsider its 365-days-a-year mentality.

Margo also shares the coaches who shaped her, what she has learned through six years in charge, and how she continues to balance curiosity, ambition, relationships, and life away from the pool.

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Published 2026-08-10

Reflecting on 50 Years of Coaching | Don Wagner

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Don Wagner spent more than fifty years coaching swimmers at every level of the sport—from developing young athletes to coaching Olympic champion Janet Evans during the most dominant stretch of her career.

In this conversation, Don reflects on the moments that defined his coaching journey, how training philosophy has changed over five decades, what he believes today's coaches get right (and wrong), and the lessons that mattered most after a lifetime on deck.

We discuss:

• Coaching Janet Evans during her world-record years
 • Why today's swimmers may need more rest—not more work
 • The evolution of coach-athlete relationships
 • Building a coaching philosophy over fifty years
 • The future of swimming and what Don hopes changes
 • Small lessons from legendary coaches that stayed with him forever

Whether you're a swim coach, athlete, or simply interested in leadership and high performance, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.

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Don Wagner spent more than fifty years coaching swimmers at every level of the sport—from developing young athletes to coaching Olympic champion Janet Evans during the most dominant stretch of her career.

In this conversation, Don reflects on the moments that defined his coaching journey, how training philosophy has changed over five decades, what he believes today's coaches get right (and wrong), and the lessons that mattered most after a lifetime on deck.

We discuss:

• Coaching Janet Evans during her world-record years
 • Why today's swimmers may need more rest—not more work
 • The evolution of coach-athlete relationships
 • Building a coaching philosophy over fifty years
 • The future of swimming and what Don hopes changes
 • Small lessons from legendary coaches that stayed with him forever

Whether you're a swim coach, athlete, or simply interested in leadership and high performance, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.

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Published 2026-08-03

How Do Great Programs Stay Great? | Todd DeSorbo

54 min Transcript
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Todd DeSorbo has built one of the most dominant programs in college swimming history—but he says there was never a master plan.

In this conversation we explore what it actually takes to sustain excellence year after year, why coaching elite athletes is more about what you do with the data than long term planning. Listen for how he thinks about recruiting, athlete development, emotional control, and building a culture that keeps producing world-class performances.

Todd also shares why he believes plateaus are often a sign that an athlete is about to break through, how he coaches Olympic champions differently (and not differently), and what surprised him most about leading a dynasty.

Topics include:

  •  Building a championship program without a fixed blueprint 
  •  Why planning matters—but flexibility matters more 
  •  Coaching world-record holders 
  •  Why female athletes continue improving at Virginia 
  •  Recruiting beyond times 
  •  Managing emotion as a coach 
  •  Creating a culture where athletes compete with each other rather than against each other 
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Todd DeSorbo has built one of the most dominant programs in college swimming history—but he says there was never a master plan.

In this conversation we explore what it actually takes to sustain excellence year after year, why coaching elite athletes is more about what you do with the data than long term planning. Listen for how he thinks about recruiting, athlete development, emotional control, and building a culture that keeps producing world-class performances.

Todd also shares why he believes plateaus are often a sign that an athlete is about to break through, how he coaches Olympic champions differently (and not differently), and what surprised him most about leading a dynasty.

Topics include:

  •  Building a championship program without a fixed blueprint 
  •  Why planning matters—but flexibility matters more 
  •  Coaching world-record holders 
  •  Why female athletes continue improving at Virginia 
  •  Recruiting beyond times 
  •  Managing emotion as a coach 
  •  Creating a culture where athletes compete with each other rather than against each other 
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Published 2026-07-31

Leadership, Responsibility, and Shame in The Odyssey

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What can The Odyssey teach us about leadership when every available choice carries consequences?

Chris is joined by Juliet Seuss for a different kind of episode: a conversation about Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and the questions it raises about responsibility, power, guilt, and shame. They examine whether Odysseus accepts responsibility for the people who follow him, how Penelope exercises power within an unjust system, and what Sinon’s story reveals about the shame society places on marginalized people.

Along the way, they explore one of leadership’s hardest realities: sometimes there is no good decision—only the least-bad one. What matters is not whether a leader can prevent every bad outcome, but how they respond to circumstances they cannot fully control.

This conversation contains major spoilers for The Odyssey.

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What can The Odyssey teach us about leadership when every available choice carries consequences?

Chris is joined by Juliet Seuss for a different kind of episode: a conversation about Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and the questions it raises about responsibility, power, guilt, and shame. They examine whether Odysseus accepts responsibility for the people who follow him, how Penelope exercises power within an unjust system, and what Sinon’s story reveals about the shame society places on marginalized people.

Along the way, they explore one of leadership’s hardest realities: sometimes there is no good decision—only the least-bad one. What matters is not whether a leader can prevent every bad outcome, but how they respond to circumstances they cannot fully control.

This conversation contains major spoilers for The Odyssey.

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Published 2026-07-27

We Protect Athletes. Who Protects Coaches? | Sophie Parr

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For years, conversations about athlete welfare have rightly transformed the way we think about coaching. But there's another side of the equation that receives far less attention:

Who protects coaches?

This week I'm joined by coach Sophia Parr (@swim.coach.sophie) for one of the most vulnerable conversations we've ever had on The Swim Brief.

Sophie shares the story of being removed from a high school coaching position after months of conflict, isolation, and feeling unsupported by leadership. Rather than focusing on a single moment, we explore the culture that can push good coaches to their breaking point—and why so many talented coaches quietly leave the profession.

Together we discuss:

• The emotional toll of coaching under constant scrutiny
• Parent dynamics and organizational support
• Why female coaches often face a different standard than men
• The unintended consequences of well-intentioned safeguarding systems
• How coaches can establish healthy boundaries without losing compassion
• What schools, clubs, and parents can do to create healthier coaching environments

This isn't a conversation about avoiding accountability. It's about recognizing that healthy coaching environments require healthy support systems for everyone involved.

Whether you're a coach, parent, athletic director, or athlete, I hope this episode encourages you to think differently about the people who dedicate themselves to developing others.

If you enjoy conversations like this and would like to support The Swim Brief, you can do so at ChrisDCoach.com.

Want to tell your story to Sophie? Click below

https://storiesfromthedeck.base44.app/

Follow Sophie:
Instagram: @swim.coach.sophie

Follow Chris:
Instagram: @chrisd_coach
Website: ChrisDCoach.com

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For years, conversations about athlete welfare have rightly transformed the way we think about coaching. But there's another side of the equation that receives far less attention:

Who protects coaches?

This week I'm joined by coach Sophia Parr (@swim.coach.sophie) for one of the most vulnerable conversations we've ever had on The Swim Brief.

Sophie shares the story of being removed from a high school coaching position after months of conflict, isolation, and feeling unsupported by leadership. Rather than focusing on a single moment, we explore the culture that can push good coaches to their breaking point—and why so many talented coaches quietly leave the profession.

Together we discuss:

• The emotional toll of coaching under constant scrutiny
• Parent dynamics and organizational support
• Why female coaches often face a different standard than men
• The unintended consequences of well-intentioned safeguarding systems
• How coaches can establish healthy boundaries without losing compassion
• What schools, clubs, and parents can do to create healthier coaching environments

This isn't a conversation about avoiding accountability. It's about recognizing that healthy coaching environments require healthy support systems for everyone involved.

Whether you're a coach, parent, athletic director, or athlete, I hope this episode encourages you to think differently about the people who dedicate themselves to developing others.

If you enjoy conversations like this and would like to support The Swim Brief, you can do so at ChrisDCoach.com.

Want to tell your story to Sophie? Click below

https://storiesfromthedeck.base44.app/

Follow Sophie:
Instagram: @swim.coach.sophie

Follow Chris:
Instagram: @chrisd_coach
Website: ChrisDCoach.com

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Published 2026-07-24

The Parent Pressure Trap: Why Giving In Makes It Worse

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Why do parents keep intervening in coaching decisions—and why does giving in usually make the problem worse?

In this solo brief, I describe the fear underneath parent pressure: the belief that failing to secure every possible opportunity means failing their child. I explore how coaches unintentionally reinforce that anxiety, why concessions invite more intervention, and how proactive communication can prevent conflict before it begins.

The episode offers a practical framework for defining the roles of coach, parent, and athlete—allowing parents to support their child meaningfully without feeling they need to control coaching decisions.

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Why do parents keep intervening in coaching decisions—and why does giving in usually make the problem worse?

In this solo brief, I describe the fear underneath parent pressure: the belief that failing to secure every possible opportunity means failing their child. I explore how coaches unintentionally reinforce that anxiety, why concessions invite more intervention, and how proactive communication can prevent conflict before it begins.

The episode offers a practical framework for defining the roles of coach, parent, and athlete—allowing parents to support their child meaningfully without feeling they need to control coaching decisions.

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Published 2026-07-20

The Most Important Thing a Coach Can Say After Failure | Dave Salo

73 min Transcript
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Dave Salo has coached at every level of the sport—from NCAA championships to Olympic medals—but this conversation isn't about workouts or sets.

Instead, we explore the decisions that define great coaching.

We discuss why process matters more than outcomes, how a single sentence can change the way an athlete experiences failure, the transition from assistant coach to head coach, what it means to lead people instead of simply managing performance, and the lessons Dave has learned from both success and adversity throughout his career.

Whether you coach swimming, another sport, or simply lead people, this episode is a reminder that the impact of coaching extends far beyond results.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why athletes remember what coaches say long after races are over
  • The language that changes how athletes process failure
  • The difference between being an assistant coach and leading a program
  • How coaching philosophy evolves over decades
  • Navigating criticism, setbacks, and career transitions
  • What separates great coaching from great instruction

If you're interested in becoming a better coach—not just producing better performances—this conversation is for you.

More episodes, resources, and coaching:
https://www.chrisdcoach.com

About The Swim Brief

The Swim Brief explores the thinking behind great coaching through conversations with world-class coaches, sport scientists, and leaders in swimming and beyond. Each episode is designed to help coaches improve the quality of their thinking so they can improve the quality of their coaching.

More description

Send us Fan Mail

Dave Salo has coached at every level of the sport—from NCAA championships to Olympic medals—but this conversation isn't about workouts or sets.

Instead, we explore the decisions that define great coaching.

We discuss why process matters more than outcomes, how a single sentence can change the way an athlete experiences failure, the transition from assistant coach to head coach, what it means to lead people instead of simply managing performance, and the lessons Dave has learned from both success and adversity throughout his career.

Whether you coach swimming, another sport, or simply lead people, this episode is a reminder that the impact of coaching extends far beyond results.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why athletes remember what coaches say long after races are over
  • The language that changes how athletes process failure
  • The difference between being an assistant coach and leading a program
  • How coaching philosophy evolves over decades
  • Navigating criticism, setbacks, and career transitions
  • What separates great coaching from great instruction

If you're interested in becoming a better coach—not just producing better performances—this conversation is for you.

More episodes, resources, and coaching:
https://www.chrisdcoach.com

About The Swim Brief

The Swim Brief explores the thinking behind great coaching through conversations with world-class coaches, sport scientists, and leaders in swimming and beyond. Each episode is designed to help coaches improve the quality of their thinking so they can improve the quality of their coaching.

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Published 2026-07-13

Debrief: Jeana Kempe

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The head coach of Swimming and Diving at the University of Illinois Jeana Kempe joins to talk influences and the path of her coaching career. 

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The head coach of Swimming and Diving at the University of Illinois Jeana Kempe joins to talk influences and the path of her coaching career. 

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Published 2026-07-06

Debrief: David Marsh

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David Marsh tells all about what his retirement actually looks like, and what he had planned if he was National Team Director.

Debrief: David Marsh Chris DeSantis Download
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David Marsh tells all about what his retirement actually looks like, and what he had planned if he was National Team Director.

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Published 2026-06-25

Bonus Pod: A Day With Greg Meehan

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Recapping the day I spent following around USA Swimming National Team Director Greg Meehan at last week’s Indy Pro Series event.

Bonus Pod: A Day with Greg Meehan Chris DeSantis
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Recapping the day I spent following around USA Swimming National Team Director Greg Meehan at last week’s Indy Pro Series event.

Bonus Pod: A Day with Greg Meehan Chris DeSantis
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Published 2026-06-22

Debrief: Dave Durden

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Dave Durden joins to discuss how he approaches his unconventional start at Cal and his approaches to recruiting and hiring.

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Dave Durden joins to discuss how he approaches his unconventional start at Cal and his approaches to recruiting and hiring.

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Published 2026-06-15

Debrief: Megan Devito

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Megan Devito, a high school swim coach and performance mindset coach, joins to talk shop on the value of coaching.

Debrief: Megan Devito
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Megan Devito, a high school swim coach and performance mindset coach, joins to talk shop on the value of coaching.

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Published 2026-06-01

Debrief: Cara Stawicki

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Former National Team and World Champion rower Cara Stawicki joins to talk shop and even turns the tables on me.

Links for Cara:

Website: https://carastawicki.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carastawicki/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-stawicki-6059196/

Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/carastawicki/discovery?month=2026-04

Debrief: Cara Stawicki
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Former National Team and World Champion rower Cara Stawicki joins to talk shop and even turns the tables on me.

Links for Cara:

Website: https://carastawicki.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carastawicki/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-stawicki-6059196/

Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/carastawicki/discovery?month=2026-04

Debrief: Cara Stawicki
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Published 2026-05-27

Solobrief: My Thoughts on the Loser Olympics

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Organizing my big picture reflections on the stupidest event in swimming history, and all the losers who tried to make it work.

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Organizing my big picture reflections on the stupidest event in swimming history, and all the losers who tried to make it work.

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Published 2026-05-25

Crossover Pod: IDGI and the Swim Brief

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Big shout out to the IDGI Podcast with Nate McKay and Kyle Johnson for helping me out with this week’s pod. Listen to hear me get interviewed by the guys, plus some thoughts on the top about the Loser Olympics.

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Big shout out to the IDGI Podcast with Nate McKay and Kyle Johnson for helping me out with this week’s pod. Listen to hear me get interviewed by the guys, plus some thoughts on the top about the Loser Olympics.

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Published 2026-05-18

Debrief: Glenn Mills

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Glenn Mills, the owner and founder of Goswim, 1980 Olympian and all around man about the sport, joins to talk about what he sees in the swimming world.

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Glenn Mills, the owner and founder of Goswim, 1980 Olympian and all around man about the sport, joins to talk about what he sees in the swimming world.

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Published 2026-05-11

Debrief: Kyle Johnson Returns

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An old friend of the podcast, Kyle Johnson, returns to share his wisdom. Kyle also has a podcast, which you can follow for me to be on soon.

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An old friend of the podcast, Kyle Johnson, returns to share his wisdom. Kyle also has a podcast, which you can follow for me to be on soon.

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Published 2026-05-04

Debrief: James Marshall

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James Marshall of GAIN and Excelsior Athletic Club joins to talk how he came to coach three sports, knowledge sharing and the athletic insights of Nassim Taleb.

Check out his website: https://excelsiorgroup.co.uk/

Link to James’ substack newsletter.

Debrief: James Marshall Chris DeSantis
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James Marshall of GAIN and Excelsior Athletic Club joins to talk how he came to coach three sports, knowledge sharing and the athletic insights of Nassim Taleb.

Check out his website: https://excelsiorgroup.co.uk/

Link to James’ substack newsletter.

Debrief: James Marshall Chris DeSantis
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Published 2026-04-27

Book Club: All You Need to Know About Talent Development w/Corey Manley

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First podcast of the book club, featuring USA Swimming’s Corey Manley. We discuss previous guest Kristoffer Henriksen’s book All You Need to Know About Talent Development. The book was co-authored with Carsten Hvid Larsen and Louise Kamuk Storm.

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First podcast of the book club, featuring USA Swimming’s Corey Manley. We discuss previous guest Kristoffer Henriksen’s book All You Need to Know About Talent Development. The book was co-authored with Carsten Hvid Larsen and Louise Kamuk Storm.

Book Club: All You Need to Know About Talent Development w/Corey Manley Chris DeSantis
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Published 2026-04-20

Solobrief: How to Talk About Talent

31 min Transcript
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In preparation for book clubbing with Corey Manley, I break down how I communicate about talent with coaches and athletes.

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In preparation for book clubbing with Corey Manley, I break down how I communicate about talent with coaches and athletes.

Solobrief: How to Talk About Talent Chris DeSantis
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Published 2026-04-13

Special 1000 Follower Solobrief

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Celebrating 1000 followers on instagram by taking listener questions. Want to have your question answered on the pod? Listen to the end of the pod for instructions!

Special 1000 Follower Solobrief Chris DeSantis
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Celebrating 1000 followers on instagram by taking listener questions. Want to have your question answered on the pod? Listen to the end of the pod for instructions!

Special 1000 Follower Solobrief Chris DeSantis
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Published 2026-04-06

Debrief: Peter Casares

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The recently named CSCAA Division III Coach of the year, Peter Casares of Bates College, joins to recap the year and talk about getting a walk on to a National Championship. Plus, a bonus at the end for all D3 Swimming nerds.

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The recently named CSCAA Division III Coach of the year, Peter Casares of Bates College, joins to recap the year and talk about getting a walk on to a National Championship. Plus, a bonus at the end for all D3 Swimming nerds.

Debrief: Peter Casares Chris DeSantis
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Published 2026-03-30

Debrief: Rachel Stratton-Mills

58 min Transcript
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Northwestern Swimming and Diving Head Coach and College Swim Coaches Association President Rachel Stratton-Mills to share her approach to coaching.

Debrief: Rachel Stratton-Mills Chris DeSantis
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Northwestern Swimming and Diving Head Coach and College Swim Coaches Association President Rachel Stratton-Mills to share her approach to coaching.

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Published 2026-03-23

Debrief: Dr. Randy Wilber

64 min Transcript
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Dr. Randy Wilber is a Senior Sport Physiologist at the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He has worked with numerous Olympic medalists across multiple sports. I press him for insight on overtraining and blood analysis.

Debrief: Dr. Randy Wilber Chris DeSantis
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Dr. Randy Wilber is a Senior Sport Physiologist at the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He has worked with numerous Olympic medalists across multiple sports. I press him for insight on overtraining and blood analysis.

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Published 2026-03-16

Debrief: Kristoffer Henriksen

60 min Transcript
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Renowned Danish sports psychologist Kristoffer Henriksen joins to discuss his life’s work on athlete development and changing the narrative around what it means to be competitive.

Debrief: Kristoffer Henriksen Chris DeSantis
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Renowned Danish sports psychologist Kristoffer Henriksen joins to discuss his life’s work on athlete development and changing the narrative around what it means to be competitive.

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Published 2026-03-09

Debrief: Jordan Cordry

73 min Transcript
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The head coach of Women’s Swimming and Diving at UCLA joins to talk about single gender coaching, making her way to UCLA and sharing knowledge.

Debrief: Jordan Cordry Chris DeSantis
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The head coach of Women’s Swimming and Diving at UCLA joins to talk about single gender coaching, making her way to UCLA and sharing knowledge.

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Published 2026-03-02

Debrief: Adrian Radulescu

48 min Transcript
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Adrian Radulescu is the two-time Olympic coach of Romania, best known for his guidance of phenom David Popovici. In this podcast we talk about how he came to be a coach and how he approaches several common coaching problems systematically.

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Adrian Radulescu is the two-time Olympic coach of Romania, best known for his guidance of phenom David Popovici. In this podcast we talk about how he came to be a coach and how he approaches several common coaching problems systematically.

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Published 2026-02-26

Solobrief: Responding to Brian Schrader's NCAA Criticism

31 min Transcript
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On the eve of the B1G Championship, Brian Schrader went off on the new format and qualification for the NCAA Division I Championship. I respond to what he said and try to put it in context that I don’t see as it was reported out by other outlets.

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On the eve of the B1G Championship, Brian Schrader went off on the new format and qualification for the NCAA Division I Championship. I respond to what he said and try to put it in context that I don’t see as it was reported out by other outlets.

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Published 2026-02-16

Debrief: Christine Eilertsen

42 min Transcript
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My former colleague and the Head of Knowledge and Innovation for Danish Swimming Christine Eilertsen joins to talk about her outlook on talent development.

Debrief: Christine Eilertsen Chris DeSantis
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My former colleague and the Head of Knowledge and Innovation for Danish Swimming Christine Eilertsen joins to talk about her outlook on talent development.

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Published 2026-02-09

Debrief: Ben Hewitt

54 min Transcript
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Fresh off his team setting yet another NCAA DII record, Nova Southeastern’s Ben Hewitt joins to discuss how he ended up at the top program in DIi and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Debrief: Ben Hewitt Chris DeSantis

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Fresh off his team setting yet another NCAA DII record, Nova Southeastern’s Ben Hewitt joins to discuss how he ended up at the top program in DIi and the lessons he has learned along the way.

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Published 2026-02-02

Debrief: Niklas Brix

54 min Transcript
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Niklas Brix joins to discuss trying out for the Danish Frogmen, leadership and dealing with peer pressure from other coaches.

Debrief: Niklas Brix Chris DeSantis
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Niklas Brix joins to discuss trying out for the Danish Frogmen, leadership and dealing with peer pressure from other coaches.

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Published 2026-01-19

Debrief: Matt Sprang

53 min Transcript
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Matt Sprang has been a coach, owned a swim club and now he’s moving on to the next chapter of his professional live. We get together to discuss what he’s up to and the vexing environment around coach wellness.

Debrief: Matt Sprang Chris DeSantis
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Matt Sprang has been a coach, owned a swim club and now he’s moving on to the next chapter of his professional live. We get together to discuss what he’s up to and the vexing environment around coach wellness.

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Published 2026-01-12

Debrief: Aqua Clinic 2026

31 min Transcript
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“Debriefing” the Aqua Clinic in Nyborg Denmark, with highlights from a USOPC Sport Scientist and David Popovici’s coach Adrian Radulescu.

Debrief: Aqua Clinic 2026 Chris DeSantis
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“Debriefing” the Aqua Clinic in Nyborg Denmark, with highlights from a USOPC Sport Scientist and David Popovici’s coach Adrian Radulescu.

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Published 2026-01-05

Debrief: Chris Da Sie, From Pressure to Podium

50 min Transcript
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Coach and author Chris Da Sie joins to talk about his recently published book, from Pressure to Podium.

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5PW4HSR
BN.com - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pressure-to-podium-chris-da-sie/1148919655
IG - https://instagram.com/betweenlaps
YouTube - https://youtube.com/betweenthelaps

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Coach and author Chris Da Sie joins to talk about his recently published book, from Pressure to Podium.

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5PW4HSR
BN.com - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pressure-to-podium-chris-da-sie/1148919655
IG - https://instagram.com/betweenlaps
YouTube - https://youtube.com/betweenthelaps

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Published 2025-12-29

The State of Swim Brief 2025

44 min Transcript
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Summing up the year that was Swim Brief in 2025- thoughts on gratitude, the future and all the amazing things I got to be a part of this past year.

The State of Swim Brief 2025 Chris DeSantis
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Summing up the year that was Swim Brief in 2025- thoughts on gratitude, the future and all the amazing things I got to be a part of this past year.

The State of Swim Brief 2025 Chris DeSantis
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Published 2025-12-22

Debrief: JOEL ROLLINGS!

49 min Transcript
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Breaking out the all caps for the return of Joel Rollings. We discuss his new position at Marquette and get his takes on NCAA, Enhanced Games and more.

Debrief: Joel Rollings Chris DeSantis
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Breaking out the all caps for the return of Joel Rollings. We discuss his new position at Marquette and get his takes on NCAA, Enhanced Games and more.

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Published 2025-12-15

Debrief: Susie Johnson

53 min Transcript
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Susie Johnson, coach and author of not-your-average-mom.com joins to discuss her blog and life lessons from raising five kids in the sport.

You can read her full blog here or follow on facebook.

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Susie Johnson, coach and author of not-your-average-mom.com joins to discuss her blog and life lessons from raising five kids in the sport.

You can read her full blog here or follow on facebook.

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Published 2025-12-08

Debrief: Samantha Livingstone

61 min Transcript
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Samantha Livingstone joins to discuss her new podcast, evaluating coaches on more than performance and more.

Debrief: Samantha Livingstone Chris DeSantis
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Samantha Livingstone joins to discuss her new podcast, evaluating coaches on more than performance and more.

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Published 2025-12-01

Debrief: Greg Meehan (Now as National Team Managing Director)

38 min Transcript
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Greg Meehan returns in his new role to talk about what he’s actually doing to change the direction of USA Swimming.

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Greg Meehan returns in his new role to talk about what he’s actually doing to change the direction of USA Swimming.

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Published 2025-11-27

Debrief: Kathy Shoemaker

35 min Transcript
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This Thanksgiving, we talk to somebody with a nearly 60 year history of coaching in the sport. Come for the wisdom of coaching 8 and unders and stay for the story of what Mark Spitz dad was like when he was an age grouper.

Debrief: Kathy Shoemaker Chris DeSantis


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This Thanksgiving, we talk to somebody with a nearly 60 year history of coaching in the sport. Come for the wisdom of coaching 8 and unders and stay for the story of what Mark Spitz dad was like when he was an age grouper.

Debrief: Kathy Shoemaker Chris DeSantis


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Published 2025-11-17

Debrief: Eric Anderson

53 min Transcript
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Eric Anderson joins me to talk about a coaching adventure that has taken him from Canada to Denmark and now in Malaysia.

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Eric Anderson joins me to talk about a coaching adventure that has taken him from Canada to Denmark and now in Malaysia.

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