This week on The Set Peace Podcast, we’re joined by Ace Ishmael Francis, a coach, developer, mentor, and leader whose journey through football has been built on purpose, resilience, and creating opportunities for others.

Ace’s story begins within professional academy environments, spending time at different football clubs, experiences that shaped her understanding of both the opportunities and challenges within the game. But this episode isn’t just about the clubs it’s about carving out a space in football where impact matters as much as progression.

In the first half of the conversation, Ace reflects on her pathway through football and coaching, including her experiences working internationally in Canada and the USA, and how those environments influenced her approach to player development and culture. We talk about learning to lead in spaces where she often had to earn respect quickly, and how knowledge, consistency and authenticity became her strengths in an industry still evolving in how it supports women in football.

The second half of the episode moves into purpose beyond the pitch. As a Regional Talent Manager within the Women’s Talent Pathway, Ace speaks openly about responsibility, mentorship, and the importance of safeguarding young players both on and off the field. She shares the thinking behind founding Project Ace Sports, her development academy aimed at creating better environments for young players
This is a conversation about leadership, representation, and building structures that last. Ace’s journey shows that success in football isn’t just about where you play it’s about what you leave behind for the next generation.

A thoughtful, honest and inspiring episode about football, development, and using the game as a platform for real change.

The set peace podcast is about more than football it’s about the people behind it.

Every 2 weeks, we sit down with guests across the game from pros to physios, coaches to players, these are the conversations we all need to hear, in football and in life.

With 45 minutes talking football and 45 minutes on mental health and well-being these conversations are for everyone whether you’re in football or not.

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This week on The Set Peace Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Dickson. a footballer whose career spans the professional game, international football, and the realities of longevity, reinvention, and purpose beyond the pitch.

Chris takes us through a journey that has seen him play across England and overseas, experience different football cultures, and represent Ghana at international level.
From early promise and moves through the Football League, to loans, transitions abroad, champions league and later chapters in non-league football, his story reflects the adaptability and resilience required to survive in the game.

In the first half of the episode, we dive into Chris’ football journey the excitement of opportunities, the uncertainty that comes with movement and change, and the lessons learned from playing in different environments both at home and abroad. He speaks honestly about expectations, pressure, and how each stage of his career shaped his understanding of football and himself.

In the second half, the conversation shifts to life beyond just playing. Chris opens up about mindset, wellbeing, and the importance of preparing for life outside football. He speaks about the love for his son and the difficultly of that relationship at the time of being a footballer going from club to club.

This episode is about growth, perspective, redefining success a powerful reminder that football is a chapter, not the whole story and also that goals never done.

The set peace podcast is about more than football it’s about the people behind it.

Every 2 weeks, we sit down with guests across the game from pros to physios, coaches to players, these are the conversations we all need to hear, in football and in life.

With 45 minutes talking football and 45 minutes on mental health and well-being these conversations are for everyone whether you’re in football or not.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A9VTGxhEW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: @thesetpeacepodcast

TikTok: thesetpeacepodcast

Website: www.thesetpeacepodcast.com

This week on The Set Peace Podcast, we’re joined by Josh Hare, current Hornchurch FC defender, whose football journey is deeply rooted in family, resilience, and perseverance.

Growing up surrounded by football, Josh’s path into the game was shaped early on. With his dad, cousin, and uncle all involved in football including family links to the professional game and youth setups such as Gillingham football was never just a hobby, it was part of everyday life. From watching, learning, and dreaming, Josh developed a strong understanding of what it takes to survive in the game from a young age.

In the first half of the episode, Josh takes us through his football journey the early promise, the expectations that come with a footballing family, and the challenges that tested him along the way. He speaks honestly about injuries, setbacks, and moments where his career could have gone in a very different direction, and how those experiences ultimately shaped the player and person he is today.

In the second half, the conversation shifts beyond football. Josh opens up about the mental side of the game dealing with frustration, recovery, self-doubt, and the importance of having the right people around you during tough periods. He reflects on how injuries affected his mindset, how perspective has changed over time, and why enjoying football again became just as important as chasing levels.
This is an honest, grounded conversation about football, family, and resilience a reminder that progress isn’t always linear, and that sometimes the journey itself builds the strongest foundations

The set peace podcast is about more than football it’s about the people behind it.

Every 2 weeks, we sit down with guests across the game from pros to physios, coaches to players, these are the conversations we all need to hear, in football and in life.

With 45 minutes talking football and 45 minutes on mental health and well-being these conversations are for everyone whether you’re in football or not.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A9VTGxhEW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: @thesetpeacepodcast

TikTok: thesetpeacepodcast

Website: www.thesetpeacepodcast.com