Advertise on podcast: Field Tested with Brad Arington

In this episode of Field Tested, Brad Arington sits down with Pierce County Head Football Coach Ryan Herring for a conversation rooted in something they both believe in deeply: strong work ethic, and investing in the next generation. Coach Herring shares his perspective on building mental toughness, leading with authenticity, and teaching young athletes how to work through challenges instead of around them. Together, he and Brad unpack a simple truth: success isn’t built on game days. It’s built in the early mornings, the tough practices, the setbacks, the preparation, and the decision to keep showing up when things get hard. The REAL Playbook is more than football. It’s about using your influence to prepare young people for life, building character, creating confidence, setting a standard, and giving the tools to succeed long after the final whistle.

Longtime friends, dog trainers, and now core leaders behind Mossy Pond, Brad Arington, Lee Howard, and Joel Porter sit down on this episode of Field Tested to talk about their different management and leadership styles while carrying the same goal, expectations, and standard. Years spent training dogs have taught this crew more about leadership than they may have realized along the way. The principles are often surprisingly simple: every dog is different, and so is every person. Some respond best to praise and encouragement. Others need pressure, correction, and accountability. The key is knowing who—or what—you’re leading and understanding what it takes to bring out their best. From the kennel to the workplace, Brad, Lee, and Joel share how those lessons have shaped the way they communicate, manage people, hold a standard, and lead their teams. Different personalities. Different leadership styles. Same standard. And if dog training has taught them anything about leading people, it’s this: keep it simple.

In this episode of Field Tested, Brad Arington sits down with Devin Singleton, founder of Singleton Game Calls, for an honest conversation between two good ol’ boys about one of the greatest factors behind lasting success—the people you choose to surround yourself with. From business and family to faith and friendships, they unpack why the composition of your circle matters. They discuss the importance of having people who challenge you, encourage you, and keep you grounded, while also learning to love those who don’t belong in your inner circle, from a healthy distance. Whether you’re building a business, raising a family, leading a team, or simply trying to become the person God has called you to be, this episode is a reminder that your future is often shaped by the company you keep. Because in life, just like in the field, who stands beside you matters.

On this episode of Field Tested, Brad Arington sits down with Nashville’s own Leith Loftin for a real conversation on “risky business.” From walking away from stability to chasing something bigger, Brad and Leith talk through what it really looks like to take that leap. For Leith, that meant leaving behind a steady life in Mississippi to pursue a music career in one of the most competitive places in the world, Nashville, Tennessee. They dive into betting on yourself, navigating the highs and lows, and pushing through the setbacks no one sees. Because when things don’t go as planned (and they often don’t) it’s about holding the line and staying the course. It all comes back to faith and trusting there’s purpose in the process. Success isn’t a straight climb, it’s built in the doubt, the discipline, and the decision to keep going anyway.

In this episode, Brad Arington is joined by Andy Burress and Blake Shouse for a conversation centered on baseball, leadership, and the life lessons that come with both. Highlighting how the game of baseball mirrors life, teaching discipline, resilience, and how to handle failure. Andy shares insight from building 5 Star National into one of the largest youth development organizations in the country, emphasizing that true success is measured by long-term growth, not just wins. Blake speaks on the responsibility of coaches to lead by example and develop players beyond their athletic ability, while Brad ties it all back to the importance of character, accountability, and doing things the right way—even when no one is watching. Throughout the episode, a common theme stands out: baseball is just the platform. The real mission is developing young men into leaders who are prepared for life beyond the game.

In this episode, Brad sits down with fellow trainer and respected business owner Chris Akin, founder of Webfooted Kennels. Known throughout the sporting dog industry for producing top-level dogs and setting a standard of excellence, Chris shares the mindset and discipline it takes to build championship teams—both in the field and in business. Together, Brad and Chris dive into the parallels between training champion level retrievers and leading high-performing teams. From developing people and dogs to holding the line on standards, they discuss the importance of consistency, accountability, and the relentless pursuit of improvement. This conversation covers what it really takes to rise to the top in a competitive industry. Whether you’re running a kennel, leading a team, or chasing excellence in your own field, this episode is packed with lessons on leadership, discipline, and setting the bar higher every day.

Behind every strong leader is someone who makes it all possible. In this episode of Field Tested, Brad sits down with his wife, Ellen Arington, for a candid conversation about the often overlooked but critical role of the follower. From building Mossy Pond together to navigating the pressures of leadership, Ellen shares what it means to support a vision, strengthen a team, and lead by example—even when you’re not the one in the spotlight. Brad and Ellen discuss why the best leaders understand the value of those walking beside them, how trust and humility shape great teams, and why the people willing to carry the load behind the scenes are often the real MVPs. It’s a powerful conversation about partnership, perspective, and the kind of leadership that only works when everyone understands their role.

After swapping stories from a lifetime in the outdoors, the conversation takes a deeper turn as Brad sits down with legendary Hank Parker and longtime friend Danny Bennett. What begins with stories of success in the field shifts to something far more important: leadership rooted in faith. Hank shares his conviction that the greatest leaders are those who choose to follow the Lord first. He reminds us that every one of us has a platform, whether it reaches thousands of people or just one person, and with that platform comes responsibility. Through faith, integrity, and daily example, we have the opportunity to shape the people we’re called to lead. In the end, the greatest legacy isn’t what we accomplish — it’s the influence we leave behind.

Super Bowl weekend calls for championship conversations. Leadership, grit, and the mindset it takes to perform when the stakes are highest. On this episode of Field Tested, we sit down with two-time Super Bowl Champion and New England Patriots team captain David Andrews to talk leadership, locker room culture, accountability, and what it takes to build and sustain a championship standard.

In this episode of Field Tested, Brad Arington sits down with Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, for a leadership conversation that goes beyond titles and politics. Kemp shares practical insight on decision making, building a good team, why every role matters, and the importance of learning every position before stepping into leadership. This episode delivers practical, field-tested wisdom for those preparing to lead, and those committed to leading well.

In the first full episode of Field Tested, Brad sits down with longtime mentor and leadership expert Alan Guarino to dig into what it truly takes to achieve greatness: in business, in the field, and in everyday life. Alan is a West Point graduate and the Vice Chairman of Korn Ferry, the world’s largest leadership consulting firm with over 11,000 employees across 60 countries. His leadership insights have been featured on FOX Business, CNBC, and Forbes, and now in his new book, Greatness Code, published by Wiley.   Together, Brad and Alan break down the habits that define great leaders, the importance of learning how to follow, and the mindset required to inspire those around you. This episode sets the stage for a series built on real leadership shaped by real life.   Order Alan’s new book, Greatness Code, here: https://www.greatnesscode.com/

In this kickoff episode of Field Tested, Brad Arington shares the story behind the podcast and the roots of his leadership journey — from long days in the field with dogs by his side and early mornings in the swamp, to building Master-level retrievers, coaching ball, and growing a successful hunting operation. Brad lays out what listeners can expect each month : honest conversations, hard-earned lessons, a lot of faith, and the kind of grit that only comes from getting your hands dirty and stepping out of your comfort zone. Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, coaching kids, or simply want to be better at everything you do, this podcast is for anyone who believes real leadership starts in the field.