Rephonic
Artwork for What a Lad
Rugby
Super Rugby
All Blacks
Crusaders
Mental Health
New Zealand
Rugby World Cup
Coaching
New Zealand Rugby
Hurricanes
Japan
Gambling
Brodie Retallick
Auckland
Wallabies
Canterbury
Rugby Union
Cricket
Injuries
Substance Abuse

What a Lad is a podcast by James Marshall who talks to some of the biggest names and best lads on the planet.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes341Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsRugby

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Artwork for What a Lad

Latest Episodes

Jeremy's story is one of the most powerful we've ever shared on What a Lad.

Growing up in an abusive household, Jeremy experienced years of physical violence. Carrying that trauma into adulthood, he eventually became the very person he never wanted ... more

Daniel Hobbs may not be a household name in New Zealand sport, but his story is one of the most powerful we've ever shared on What a Lad.

Known throughout Tasman rugby as a respected strength and conditioning coach, Daniel opens up about the horrifi... more

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has one of the most remarkable stories in Australian rugby. He didn't even start playing rugby union until Year 12, yet just a few years later he was making his Super Rugby debut before earning his first Wallabies cap against the... more

Ben Volavola has one of the most unique careers in world rugby. Across a 13-year professional journey, he's played for the Waratahs, Crusaders, North Harbour, Canterbury, Rebels, Racing 92, Bordeaux, Perpignan, Agen, Leicester Tigers, Queensland Reds... more

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Recent Guests

Daniel Hobbs
Tasman trainer with a remarkable survival story
Episode: Daniel Hobbs- Change is Possible
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Australian rugby player, Wallabies forward
Reds, Wallabies
Episode: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - What a Lad
Ben Volavola
Professional rugby player with a global club career and Fiji national team representative
Flying Fijians, various clubs including Waratahs, Crusaders, Reds, Leicester Tigers, Bordeaux, Racing 92, Perpignan, Agen
Episode: Ben Volavola- What a Lad
Jayden Broome
Former rugby player from Gore who became a symbol of resilience after a near-fatal brain injury
Southland Stags, New Zealand Māori rugby
Episode: Jayden Broome- What a Lad
Kieran Read
All Black and Crusaders star, leadership figure
New Zealand Rugby / Crusaders
Episode: Kieran Read- What a Lad
Jeff McTainsh
Leading rugby commentator, Sky TV commentator, and high-profile rugby voice in New Zealand
Freelance broadcaster / Sky
Episode: Jeff McTainsh- What a Lad
Bryce Heem
Professional rugby player with a 15-year career in NZ NPC, Super Rugby, Sevens, and overseas clubs
NZ rugby venues; Worcester; Toulon; Blues; Chiefs
Episode: Bryce Heem- What a Lad
Peter Gubb
Queensland Rugby League legend, known for his humor and leadership on and off the field
Wynnum, Queensland Cup clubs (various)
Episode: Peter Gubb- What a Lad
Seti Tafua
Former rugby player, Hurricanes analysis team member
Hurricanes
Episode: Seti Tafua- What a Lad

Host

James Marshall
Host of the What a Lad podcast; known for guiding conversations with rugby players and coaches, blending story-driven interviews with practical insights.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Great entertainment

    Love the show, I always have a good laugh.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bennewton
    Australia3 months ago
  • Fantastic Podcast

    Always such an enjoyable listen whoever the guest. Always entertaining and informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    9jimbo
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Podcast with everything

    Well done Jimmy, What a lad is my fav podcast.

    It’s so enjoyable i particularly love the structure of the conversations, your guests become so relaxed with your calm, fun, cheeky interactions.

    Guests share insights not heard before which is always followed up with a solid audience interaction and on the spot questions. Perfect content creators and not your questions ! Genius !

    Living in NSW this keeps me engaged, entertained and present.

    Love all the episodes James, Kia Ora!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kirkyboy6
    Australiaa year ago
  • Lad

    Essential weekly listening. Great Lads.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mark Stafford 01
    New Zealanda year ago
  • Pod magician!

    So smooth. James Marshall is a master conversationalist. Nobody better. He somehow seduces hard rugby men into revealing funny anecdotes and personal insights that no other podcaster gets. It’s magic every time out.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seattle quacker
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Great balance of humor, storytelling, and sport-focused analysis that resonates with rugby fans and aspiring guests alike.
Fans love the deep-dive, long-form conversations with elite rugby players.
The host keeps guests relaxed, which leads to authentic stories and actionable insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#40
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#36
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#81
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#32
Australia/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#50
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#67
France/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jayden Broome- What a Lad
Q: What did you think when you first realized the injury might end your rugby career?
I wrestled with the idea that I might never play again, but I focused on getting better and finding new ways to stay connected to the game through coaching and refereeing.
Jeff McTainsh- What a Lad
Q: How did you break into the top level of rugby commentary and get your first big break?
I started with college rugby, used coaching and notes from mentors like Ken Laban, then moved into NPC and Sky, where opportunities arose by taking voice checks on Crusaders games and gradually stepping up when needed.
Bryce Heem- What a Lad
Q: What was the highlight of your time in England and France and how did the moves shape you?
He reflects on winning the Trans-Tasman with the Blues and the experience of playing in Europe, noting the different tactical realities, culture, and language learning, which broadened his perspective beyond just the on-field success.
Bryce Heem- What a Lad
Q: How did you get into mortgage broking and was it always a plan alongside rugby?
He explains a gradual shift after overseas stints, learning from Isa Nassir and mentors, and eventually building a real interest in property and finance that complemented the post-rugby life.
Peter Gubb- What a Lad
Q: Best piece of advice for a What a Lad listener
Say yes when you get those opportunities, because the good stuff seems to be beyond that.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About What a Lad

What is What a Lad about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Seasoned interviews with top rugby figures and other high-performing athletes, mixing candid career stories, leadership insights, and personal resilience. Guests range from former pros and current players to coaches and entrepreneurs, with a consistent emphasis on mindset, teamwork, and life beyond sport. The format tends to mix humor, deep-dive storytelling, and practical takeaways for listeners who crave behind-the-scenes context, leadership lessons, and relatable yarns from lads who've excelled at the highest levels. A notable edge is the blend of athletic superstardom with down-to-earth banter, creating a personable, interview-driven vibe that's easy for potential guests and sponsors to connect with. Potential listeners and sponsors sho... more

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How many listeners does What a Lad get?

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What are the audience demographics for What a Lad?

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How many subscribers and views does What a Lad have?

To see how many followers or subscribers What a Lad has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to What a Lad?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What a Lad:

1. Between Two Beers Podcast
2. The Dom Harvey Podcast
3. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Australia & New Zealand
4. DSPN - Devlin Sports Podcast Network
5. Aotearoa Rugby Pod

How many episodes of What a Lad are there?

What a Lad launched 6 years ago and published 341 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact What a Lad?

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What guests have appeared on What a Lad?

Recent guests on What a Lad include:

1. Daniel Hobbs
2. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
3. Ben Volavola
4. Jayden Broome
5. Kieran Read
6. Jeff McTainsh
7. Bryce Heem
8. Peter Gubb

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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