
Pivot Podcast
470 episodes — Page 8 of 10

S2 Ep 19Pretty Vee: Getting Fired From Job Led to Finding Her Calling in Comedy, Film & Business
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Vena E, known as Pretty Vee on social media and an entertainment mogul, known for her hilarious skits and funny dances sits with Ryan, Channing and Fred for a conversation covering her journey from childhood to stardom. Growing up with her parents in south Florida, one of Vee’s greatest motivators and influences is her her mother, who spent her life as a pastor, educator and a constant force of encouragement to Vee’s aspirations to follow an unlikely career path. Seeing her parents hard work all her life, Vee worked several hourly jobs while trying to figure out the next steps to put her in position to follow her dream but the catalyst to start her journey was when Vee was fired and credits that moment of being let go to giving her the push to pursue her passion. Trying to break into comedy and what was considered for so long a man’s world, Vee never was intimidated and always motivated to reinvent herself and find new ways to use her skits to generate attention. Living by the philosophy of a delay is not denial, Vee never took a no as a never and turned very closed door into another opportunity to go after he dreams. Amassing a social media following over 6M, Vee continues to entertain the world with her comedic skits, risk taking storylines and dominate the industry with her savvy business skills, using her characters to create products for women to help boost confidence and a fun easygoing lifestyle. Sustaining longevity in a Hollywood lifestyle is the continued goal for Vee as her path has allowed her to capitalize on every opportunity, carving her own niche in the comedic space and build a brand sustainable with respect and success in a cut throat entertainment business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 18Deion Sanders Coach Prime’s Emotional Reveal on His Health, Family Support & HBCU Backlash
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find In an emotional and layered conversation covering everything from his HBCU exit, to new job at Colorado, his grave health scare, the importance of family and progression...Deion doesn't hold back as the guys chat through many tough topics and are able to soak up the wisdom and grasp the spirit of a man willing to share his trials, tribulations as well as celebrate the wins along the way too. Following the recent social and cultural uproar from his comments on recruitment, leaving Jackson State University for Colorado- Coach Prime is not shying away from the backlash and speaking honestly as he opens up to Fred, Ryan and Channing about the past couple months of change. In a long awaited conversation dating back to a previous exchange where Channing told Deion he didn't see him at a HBCU for a long time because of the lack of money and resources- Deion sets record straight that it was never about money, it was always about a calling to make a difference and create opportunities. Focused on what's in front of him and adapting to the opportunities life creates and the importance of bringing those close to him along on the journey, especially with his children. Ryan asks Prime how HBCUs will continue to grow without his footprint and blueprint, especially after bringing 5-star players like Travis Hunter with him in his exit and how will the programs maintain that level of attention without his contributions. Deion credits his time at JSU for making him the coach he is today and proud of the foundation he built for others to expand upon and explains why he felt it was his time to move on. Deion becomes emotional when Fred asks about the importance of community and continues to discuss family through his recent health scare. In a moment of vulnerability, Deion opens up about having no control as he battled one of the toughest things he’s ever been through and one of the scariest too, having blood clots in his lower extremities which led to amputation of two toes. Relying on those close to him, it was extremely difficult to be away from his children as Prime emotionally shares one moment with his son Shedeur which really put into perspective the effects change was having on not just him, but everyone close to him. Being one of the greatest athletes in our era and an icon on every level, Ryan talks to Deion on how doing the physical things that made him a legend are now the things he is unable to do and how that transition has been mentally. "I hope to run again one day...that's my goal, to be able to run," Deion says with watery eyes, it's the little things sometimes we take for granted who made us who we are that we no longer can do- that's when life becomes real. With the odds stacked against him, Deion is known for being a winner everywhere he goes and with everything he does which makes this transition to a new level, a challenging one. Ryan reiterates the importance of strong leadership and putting good people in proper places to excel and grow with him, which Deion has mastered. Close to selling out the stadium in Colorado for the first time in years, Prime talks about what it takes to build a championship program and his goals for the upcoming years as not just a coach but a father too. Deion’s next chapter as the head coach of Colorado is being documented for an upcoming series on Amazon Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 17ESPN’s Mina Kimes: Yale Graduate to NFL Analyst on Earning Respect in an Unlikely Space
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Today we sit down with Mina Kimes, a woman and friend we all admire and truly respect for the niche she has created and breaking barriers for women in sports and television. As an ESPN NFL analyst, media personality and writer, Mina has set the standard and continues to raise the bar in sports analytics. This conversation covers everything from her academic success, embracing her Korean heritage and the importance of representation which has led to finding her voice in the industry. Graduating summa cum laude from Yale University, some may say Mina may be over qualified for talking football and stats but she shares her why with Channing, Ryan and Fred as she explains she took what she was good at and mixed it with doing what she loves. Mina opens up about her relationship with her father and the influence he’s had on developing her love for football. Being raised as a military child and always moving around, Mina credits her nomadic life as the foundation of her strength and adaptability. Being a Korean woman is not the traditional candidate for this job, which Mina talks about relying on her coworkers to give her confidence and acceptance but admittedly opening up on her struggles with imposter syndrome for a lot of her career and an extreme focus on perfection. Fred relates to this to fight or flight vulnerability and opens up about doubtful times he had during his rookie year and how he overcame it as well. Mina’s intelligence and unique spin combining numbers and football makes her a rarity in the sport media space and a pivotal member of ESPN’s highly respected NFL Live show. An avid Seattle sports fan, Mina couldn’t leave without talking football and proving her predictions for the organization and future with Geno Smith. Tap in every Tuesday at noon eastern for our premiere episode of the Pivot. Special drops on Friday afternoons at 3:30 pm. We are your one-stop platform for all your sports and entertainment content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 16Maxx Crosby on Life Changing Pivot, Raiders QBs, Being a Girl Dad, Influence of Kobe & Mike Tyson
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Considered one of the best Defensive Ends in the game, Maxx Crosby’s journey to becoming a household name is more than just hard work on the field, it’s the humility and dedication as a man that truly makes his story inspirational. The guys sit down for a conversation that hits home for all of us as we all have moments in life we aren’t proud of or we try to keep hidden, but releasing the attachments and learning from the dark times is what makes the brighter days so meaningful. Opening up about the tough times of addiction, how it affected his game, his relationships, his family- Maxx takes us through the moments that led to him the life changing pivot and how he’s faced adversity head on and has come out even stronger on the other side. Extremely difficult to imagine and re-live, listening to Maxx’s story gives a new perspective of beating the odds and rooting for the good guy. Coming up on three years of sobriety in March, Maxx highlights that as a proud moment but becoming a father to his daughter Ella is truly the pivotal moment in his life that has brought everything full circle. Maxx raves about being a girl dad in good company with Ryan, Fred and Channing who all know the feeling and also expresses intimate gratitude to his wife Rachel who has stood by his side through it all. Despite his addiction, Max performed at a high level on the field which often tricked him into believing he didn’t have a problem. But now with a clear heart, Maxx has taken his ability to another level and shares in the confidence that he can be one do the best to ever play the game at his position. After a difficult season, Maxx talks about all the changes this off-season and what the Raiders need to do to be back in playoff contention this coming year, starting with finding a new QB. Tune in now to hear Maxx’s thoughts on what the key steps are this off-season for him and his teammates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 15Lil Duval on Life Changing Moment, Humor in Difficult Times & Saying Whatever He Thinks
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Ryan, Channing, and Fred sit down with Lil Duval in one of his first conversations since his life-threatening accident in the Bahamas as he shares how his life has changed both physically and mentally since. Opening up to the guys, Lil Duval shares his recollection of the incident and talks through his mindset laying on side of road while waiting for help and how he tried to find humor in the difficulty of it and how the accident has helped teach him reassurance and the vulnerability of having to depend on others for help. Transitioning the conversation to his multi talented career, Ryan asks about navigating social media backlash and how Lil Duval has mastered not caring what others think while maintaining credibility and honesty in sharing his experiences and thoughts publicly. Never having ill intent and always knowing his audience to understand their relatability to his jokes and comments has been important to his sustainability and success. Opening up about his truth and vision from a young age, Lil Duval has always envisioned his success and says he has no finish line because he’s reinventing himself and evolving daily. Sharing the Jacksonville connection with Lil Duval, Fred talks about how the power behind the name “Duval” has transcended the city and caught on in culture to put Jacksonville on the map and a new swagger to those who live there, especially with their beloved Jaguars team! Not missing an opportunity to use the guys and their stories as comedic material, Lil Duval has some fun imitating Fred as a host and making jokes about Ryan and Channing. With Rehab going well and Lil Duval feeling more like himself, next up for him is his “Back On My Feet” tour! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 14NFL’s Aaron Jones & Jamaal Williams: Rival RBs Forging a Family Bond Through Football
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find For four seasons, Aaron and Jamaal were constants in the Green Bay Packers backfield before Jamaal settled for a two-year deal with the NFC North rival Detroit Lions in 2021. Aaron and Jamaal describe their relationship as more of “brothers” than friends. Fred and Channing curiously ask how they maintained the brotherhood despite competing for same role on same team and even now that they are on rival teams. Jamaal talks about how the decision to leave Green Bay to go to the Lions was hard but in the end had to do what was best for him and his family. One commonality that Aaron and Jamaal bonded over and share was having influential male figures in their life. For Aaron, his father and for Jamaal, it was his uncle/trainer. In an emotional conversation, Aaron and Jamaal open up about the recent loss of these men in their lives and how it’s affected them and changed their course of life. With one of the major NFL offseason storylines tracking where QB Aaron Rodgers lands, Aaron Jones talks about his teammate’s leadership and drive pushed him to be a better player on the field and understand more the impact of winning and how to handle disappointment. Jones said he doesn’t want to see Rodgers leave but is prepared for what the team may be like with his absence. With a trio of running backs sitting together, you know the show can’t end without Fred asking who their top 5 RBs currently in the league are and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 13Musiq Soulchild Our R&B OG Talks His Classics, Music Journey, Struggles & His New Album
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Considered one of the most influential R&B artists of all time, Ryan, Fred, and Channing dive into Musiq’s path to this point and discuss his transformation to stardom. Musiq opens up about his upbringing which he attributes to a lot of growing pains over the years. Dropping out of college and leaving the house at 17, Musiq talks about being forced to grow up quickly and the impact it had on him personally and professionally. From Musqi’s perspective, it was all a big risk for him to pursue his passion and he questioned himself every step despite the success and quick climb up record charts! Inspired by the sounds of similar artists such as D’Angelo, Musiq talks about how he worried if his sound would be accepted by the majority. Learning more about music and using his pain to produce legendary songs, he reflects on his process of writing songs and what moved him to produce this style. Ryan, Fred, and Channing reflect back on their days of listening to Musiq’s songs and the romantic tone it set, especially his big hit, Love. Musiq lets the guys know that Love was actually a therapy session for him and a product of searching for his definition of love. Fred goes down to the path of what it’s like to be in the industry limelight and how the journey affects him. Despite his 20+ years of experience, Musiq shares how he still gets nervous under the bright lights and even still gets nervous with every performance. He talks about his struggles balancing being an introvert and having an extroverted profession. Inspired by Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder, Musiq plans to continue to make music that’s a soundtrack to life. Fred, Ryan, and Channing don’t shy away from letting him know that he’s a legend in their book and that his music has forever impacted moved them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 12Emmitt Smith: Dallas Cowboys, Walter Payton, NFL Records, LeBron, CoParenting & Moving On
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Emmitt shares how a young man from Florida who had dreams of playing for the star turned his vision into a reality breaking the mold and going far beyond what he imagined. Opening up to Fred, Ryan and Channing- the football legend talks about how his purpose went far beyond the game and becoming an admirable man solidified his legacy. Meeting Walter Payton for the first time helped Emmitt shape his mission and knowing that breaking the running back’s record was on his radar, he worked everyday as that was his mission. Sharing memories and stories of playing for the Cowboys during the glory days of the 90s, Emmitt talks about what it was really like playing for America’s team. Away from the field and away from the bright lights and star, Emmitt shares how being a father and how finding life again after separating from his wife of almost two decades changed him and redefined his purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 11All-Pro Cam Jordan on Saints QB Options, Defensive Mindset, Key Losses, & Family Legacy
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 10Eagles Legend Brian Dawkins on Super Bowl, Philly vs KC, Andy Reid, HOF Career & Family
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 9QB Geno Smith on Leadership, Early Criticisms & Conflicts, Russell Wilson & Super Bowl
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Seattle's Pro Bowl Quarterback Geno Smith joins The Pivot to talk his comeback story from overcoming adversities in a sports world who wrote him off to finding himself again as one of the top QBs in the NFL. In a rare moment, Smith who's known for being quiet and often reserved, is opening up to address early criticism of his NFL career, how he overcame certain perceptions on and off the field, dealt with conflicts and regained his confidence leading the Seahawks to the playoffs this season. Geno talks with Ryan, Fred and Channing addressing some of the obstacles he faced from draft wknd, to playing in NY to a fight with a teammate and how his close upbringing with his family helped ground him and shape the man he is today. Being one of the few black starting quarterbacks in the NFL, Geno shares his excitement and pride in seeing Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts face off in the Super Bowl and makes his pick as to what team he sees winning it all and why. Tap in every Tuesday at noon eastern for our premiere episode of the Pivot. Special NFL seasonal drops on Friday afternoons at 3:30 pm. We are your one-stop platform for all your sports and entertainment content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 8Victor Cruz Being an Underdog, Super Bowl, Dating in Public Eye & Infamous Giant Boat Trip
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Super Bowl Champion and actor/entertainer Victor Cruz joins The Pivot for a conversation about being the underdog, his evolution as a man and how playing football shaped his purpose and led him on a path to stardom and success. Going from an undrafted rookie to impressive back to back early seasons with the Giants, winning a Super Bowl and becoming widely known for his touchdown celebration salsa dance moves, Victor used his on field success to help carve a niche for him in the Big Apple, finding himself in the spotlight with fashion, film and philanthropy. Growing up in Patterson, NJ attending boarding school, having some troubles in and out of college and losing his father, Victor credits his success to becoming the man of the house at an early age and to his upbringing watching his mother work hard made him want to do the same. No stranger to adversity, Victor made a career of overcoming setbacks and after suffering a very serious injury on the road in Philadelphia where he tore the patellar tendon in his right knee, the wide receiver documented his recovery process and shocked the world when he returned to the field a year later. Ryan, also undrafted turned Super Bowl Champion, talks about how the journey through the league is different for guys who don't get their number called on draft day and Victor echoes that sentiment and opens up on why his story means so much, especially to young people who are chasing a dream. Creating a legacy for his family and the young people of his hometown is most important to him and he shares with Fred why giving back and showing today's youth what is possible is most important. Channing isn't going to let him off easy and comes right out and asks about his very public break up with Karrueche Tran and how he landed the actress and model to begin with. Victor talks about dating in the public eye and the effect it has on his relationships, the headlines his daughter reads from it and how he navigates his personal life looking to be in a long-term relationship again. With the recent playoff run by his New York Giants, Victor shares his excitement around the team and gives his Super Bowl pick but Ryan couldn't let him off the hook without asking for the real story around the infamous boat trip Victor and his teammates took the morning after winning a playoff game a few years back that received public backlash and nicknamed a curse of a trip as the favored Giants ended up losing the next round. We get the real story on the infamous boat outing with Trey Songz! If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 7NY Giants S Xavier McKinney Talks Eagles, Daboll, Super Bowl & Career Threatening Injury
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find After making an unexpected run in the post season, NY Giants safety and captain Xavier McKinney talks this past year, Head Coach Daboll’s success, the Eagles as the team to beat, his accident that threatened his career and how it changed his life. The former Alabama stand out is used to the spot light but playing in the New York market has proved to be a bigger opportunity than he imagined and grateful for his place as the Giants defensive captain and for the leadership he comes to work with everyday. Picking the Eagles to win the Super Bowl, McKinney talks about how playing against the divisional rival has motivated the Giants to elevate their play and continue to be a NFC contender. He talks about the offensive leadership and play by QB Daniel Jones and star running back Saquon Barkley as difference makers in the team output this season and how imperative it is to get them both signed under contract before next year. Crediting new head coach Brian Daboll for the change in team chemistry and attitude, Xavier believes his coach is the only choice for coach of the year because his commitment to winning and approach in leadership skills. During his bye week, Xavier suffered an ATV accident crushing his left hand and leaving him unable to play for seven weeks during the season. Xavier shares how humbling the incident was and how taking full responsibility for the mishap and the effect it had on his teammates. Returning in time for the last regular season games and two crucial play off wins, McKinney shared his gratefulness in getting back on the field and how it changed his perception. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 6Celebrating One Year of The Pivot: The Best & Most Defining Moments w/ Ryan, Channing, Fred & Guests
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Celebrating one year of The Pivot as we look back on our defining moments and the best of, as Ryan, Channing and Fred reflect on the past year and the pivots we all have made personally and professionally. We appreciate everyone who's been on this journey with us and invite you all to kick back and join us as we take a trip down memory lane sharing behind the scenes moments, our funniest times, the long days and long nights as we chat about the ins and outs of what has made The Pivot space it is today. Don't forget to leave us a comment on what your favorite moment and guest have been over the past year. Thank you for all the support...we are just getting started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 5DeMaurice Smith: Exec Director of NFLPA Speaks on League, Goodell & Guaranteed Contracts
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find With the NFL being one of the most premiere sports leagues and a lucrative form of entertainment to people all over the world, but to many, it is still considered a job, especially the men who play the game. Today in a special edition of The Pivot, Ryan, Channing and Fred sit down with the man who is at the helm of the NFL's Player Union- DeMaurice Smith for an in-depth conversation covering the state of the union, player's contracts, injury clauses and the relationship with owners and the commissioner Roger Goodell. Ryan starts the conversation going back to working as player rep before the lock out in 2011 and how the league has changed from then and continues to evolve every year. De talks about how he got involved as the head of the union and his passion behind his purpose and explains why he is often seen as an adversarial figure between the players and the owners and league. Fred and Channing ask a lot of questions around injury clauses after what we saw happen with Damar Hamlin a few weeks ago as well as guaranteed contracts around quarterbacks and specifically ask about Lamar Jackson and what the future looks like for him as well as learn why it takes a unified front to go against a multi-billon dollar business. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 4Kwame Brown Former No.1 NBA Pick on Playing with MJ, Kobe & Clears Air- ‘I’m Not Crazy’
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find The former NBA first overall pick Kwame Brown, often known for being outspoken and his public rants about life, society and what’s wrong with culture and sports, joins The Pivot today for an in-depth conversation about who he truly is as a man and what he stands for. Ryan, Channing and Fred sit down with Kwame to peel back the layers of this once basketball great and find out if it’s anger or frustration that fuel his words. Selected as the first overall pick at age of 19 in 2001, Kwame talks about his experience as a child and rough upbringing to making it out to discover a life as not just a professional basketball player, but one of the best in the country at his young age. Kwame talks about playing with Michael Jordan, the misconceptions of his rookie year and why he was labeled a problem player and later known as a bust. He shares his experience of playing with Kobe Bryant and being on the court for the legend’s historic 81 point performances and also how Kobe shaped him as a better player and man. Sharing his truth regarding past issues and incidents between his ongoing battle with Stephen A Smith, the use of the word bust and former players speaking out on him- Kwame is not holding back and using his voice as an open book through his platform. Working now to help today’s youth and provide an outlet and teach through his experiences, Kwame is focused on bringing reality to young men in the community and helping them evolve into better people with hope through opportunities. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 3Eric LeGrand, Former Rutgers Player Talks Life Changing Football Injury & His Life Now
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Former Rutgers star Football player Eric LeGrand became paralyzed making a tackle during a game in October 2010…since then Eric has used his experience to impact people all over the world and inspire perseverance during tough times. Filming this episode prior to Damar Hamlin’s incident, Ryan went back and visited with Eric to get his reaction and thoughts watching that Monday night game to include as part of the original episode. Visiting Eric in his home state of New Jersey, Fred, Channing and Ryan had the chance to sit and talk with the young man about his love for life, passion for football and will to help others. Eric described the play on the field and the moments after where he felt like his life was over followed by the realization that not only would he never play the sport he loved again but he’d never walk again either. Taking us through the trials and tribulations of that time, Eric has since parlayed his experience into an entrepreneurial spirit and created a legacy of motivation for anyone who knows his story. From Creating different brands around his name, to signing with the Tampa Bucs as an honorary player to being a sports broadcaster to opening his own coffee shop back in his home town…Eric has never spent a day feeling sorry for himself, only trying to become better and find more opportunities. Eric’s story is one everyone should hear and Ryan, Fred and Channing are extremely grateful for the opportunity to share his story and spend time with a young man who is a true role model and epitome of strength. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 2TE Travis Kelce on Chiefs, Bills, Bengals, Patrick Mahomes, Super Bowl, Family & Dating
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Sitting with one of the greatest tight ends to play the game, a super bowl champion and projected first ballot hall of famer…Travis Kelce shares with Ryan, Channing and Fred how his contributions in the sport are just hitting stride and his legacy is still a work in progress. With the NFL post season underway and the Chiefs have the number one seed, Travis says if the team plays flawless football as they are capable of- no team is beating them. Under the leadership of MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes, Travis shares why there is no one more cut out to lead a team than his quarterback and certainly no one more talented to play under center than #15 and that playing for Coach Andy Reid is one of the most motivating and rewarding experiences of the right end’s life. Being a part of this special unit, Travis credits the younger guys on the team for stepping up in unexpected roles this season and admits anything less than Kansas City winning a Super Bowl is a disappointment, but respects the road ahead with tough teams to face in Cincinnati and Buffalo. Always a family first mentality and having his older brother Jason to look up to, Travis credits his close bond with the Philadelphia Eagles star as his motivation to be the best version of himself on and off the field. Travis talks about his life transitions from being suspended at college to putting in the work to reflect and reevaluate his path to everything finally clicking for him as a player leaving behind behaviors that may have derailed his All Pro career. Considered one of the NFL’s most eligible bachelors, Travis is content playing the field right now and focused on football and whatever else is extra. Of course, Channing nominated himself to be a contestant on the next season of catching Kelce for a chance to run with the young, single Chiefs star. Travis talks on rumors of his past relationships and shares some of his craziest attempts by ladies to land a date. Fred talks about the accomplishments of tight end legends Shannon Sharpe and Tony Gonzalez who played before him and asks Travis if he considers himself the greatest of all time...tap in now to hear his response and much more. *Please note this episode was filmed prior to the Monday Night matchup between Buffalo and Cincy and scheduled to release Tuesday 1/3/23. Out of respect and care for Damar, we held the episode until aThe Pivot family and Travis decided we should hold the release of the show out of respect and concern for Damar. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 1Jets Jordan Whitehead on Friendship with Damar Hamlin, His Recovery & NFL Playing Again
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find This past Monday's match up between the Bills and Bengals will forever be a night we all remember as we watched one of our brothers, Damar Hamlin go into cardiac arrest on the field as team trainers worked tirelessly and performed CPR for nearly ten minutes before getting him into an ambulance. Since that moment, the entire country united behind Damar and has been pulling for his recovery through prayer, his community endeavors and his family. Receiving positive medical updates in the past 24 hours about Damar has lifted everyone's spirits and allowed his teammates, friends and brothers around the league to refocus and somewhat prepare to play the game they all love again this weekend. Knowing Damar almost his entire life, Jordan talks about when he watched his friend fall to the ground, how hard it was to watch and the amazing outpouring of support for his friend. Sharing with Fred, Ryan and Channing, Jordan talks about Damar's love for football, his dedication to the community and how bringing joy to others has always been his focus and the type of man he is. He knows that his friend would want him to go out and play Sunday and still be a physical player and that is what Jordan plans to do as he honors his long time brother and friend. Echoing the same sentiment as Damar's family, Jordan says Damar wouldn't want his Buffalo teammates to play for him but he would want to bring positivity to them and have them come together as a team and fulfill their season goals of winning a Super Bowl. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Jordan reminisces about playing against Damar and becoming college roommates and teammates in Pitt and the two forming a lifelong bond and brotherhood both wearing the number three jersey as their NFL careers have taken off. Jordan shares with Channing, Fred and Ryan his plans for after the regular season is to go spend time with his friend and help him recover and hopefully still take the trips they have planned for the off season. Winning a Super Bowl with Tom Brady as part of the Bucs core defensive unit, Jordan has taken what he learned during his time in Tampa, especially the leadership skills and worked to bring them to his Jets team as the young defense shaped out to be one of the toughest and most dominant in the league this season. Following in the footsteps of his cousin and future Hall of Famer Darelle Revis, Jordan's on field play is earning him the reputation as one of the best Safeties in the league and talks about just falling short of making the playoffs this year. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 101Eastside Golf: Story of 2 Young Black Entrepreneurs Breaking Barriers in Sports & Fashion
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Not often do we get to tell the stories behind success but today, we sit with two young men who set out to change the game not just in sports but with their entrepreneurial skills too. Earl Cooper and Olajuwon Ajanaku, two minority business owners share their unique journey from humble beginnings to stardom and success. Earl, a PGA professional and O, the founder of East Side Golf, sit with Fred, Ryan and Channing sharing the back story on how the duo got involved in the sport of Golf, a predominantly white sport, and infiltrated the industry, changing the culture and impacting fashion along the way. Coming from a HBCU background, O used his education and business skills applying it to his passion to carve out a niche in the gold industry. Catching the attention of stars like Michael Jordan, Chris Paul, Tiger Woods, Fat Joe and many others, their style and ideas for fashion have created a buzz not just in golf but in all walks of sports and entertainment fashion. On the heels of their recent Hulu docu-series Grails, the two young entrepreurs are sharing the journey of how turning an idea into a business has not only set out to change the world of golf but also made a cultural impact. The conversation is guided by the story of East Side Golf and its quest break into the world of sports fashion and sneaker culture but also it stories the journey of how a two young men go from humble beginnings to landing a deal with the top brand in the industry. The conversation is filled with bits of humor and wisdom as the guys open up to Fred, Channing and Ryan about the process, the obstacles and the feeling of finally "making it" after so much of the blood sweat and tears is poured into their passion. Sharing personal conversations and moments they have had with big names along the way who not only have inspired them but supported turning the dream into a reality. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 100NHL 3x All Star PK Subban on Racism vs Placism, Celeb Dating, Lindsey Vonn & What’s Next
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find With the historic Winter Classic game coming up on New Year’s Day, Former NHL star and trailblazer PK Subban joins The Pivot for a conversation you don’t want to miss. Over his thirteen year NHL career, The Canadian native forged himself as more than a hockey player, creating his own lane on the ice and leaving his imprint on culture and change. Ryan, Channing and Fred ask PK how a black kid growing up found a love for hockey and how he overcame racial barriers in a primarily white dominated sport to become one of the faces of the NHL and a global star. PK credits his parents for keeping him grounded and focused on his passion, tuning out the negative comments and the naysayers throughout his career to propel to stardom. PK shares his personal experiences with racism in the sport from fans, teammates and others around the league and also how picking and choosing the moments to stand up to it and speaking out against even what his brother went through in the sport as well. Winning the Norris Trophy, playing in Stanley Cup finals, the 3x All Star’s successful career on ice paved the way for his future entertainment, philanthropy and entrepreneurial world, becoming a leader in the minority ownership space with sports franchises. Channing doesn’t miss the opportunity to ask PK about dating celebrities and his former engagement to Lindsey Vonn with the infamous story that she proposed to him and the real story behind their relationship. After retiring at the young age of 33, PK shares why he felt it was the right time to hang up his skates and what his future looks like starting with a career in broadcasting. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 99Tis The Season: Fred’s Jags, Ryan on Discipline, Chan’s Feet, Deion, Fighting & Holidays
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Fred, Ryan and Channing get together to wrap up before the holidays this weekend and are talking about everything from the NFL playoff outlook, to Jaguars to Cowboys to disciplining kids to fighting as grown men and meaning of the holidays. This past Saturday marked an unfortunate loss for the Indianapolis Colts under the leadership of Jeff Saturday, giving Channing more reason to believe that Jeff Saturday isn’t qualified for the job. The guys chime in on the situation and discuss what coaching decisions should look like for the Colts moving forward. Ryan, Fred, and Channing give their opinion on the recent situation with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Giovani Bernard, had with ESPN reporter, after this past Sunday’s game. The guys talk about the importance of journalistic integrity and all give personal experiences with the media during their playing careers. Amar’e Stoudemire was recently charged with battery for allegedly hitting his daughter. Fred, Ryan, and Channing weigh in on their parenting tactics and send well wishes to the Stoudemire family as they go through a difficult time. Staying on topic of being fathers, the guys discuss Tiger Wood’s decision to forego a PGA Tour to spend time with his son Charlie and how at this point in life, that’s what it matters. Fred, Channing, and Ryan give their opinion on the transfer portal and NIL deals and the effect it’s having on college sports. Fred provides solutions to what they see as the lingering issue affecting college students and why Ryan says youth today is impatient. As they talk about the holidays, the guys reflect on why this season is so special for their families and their own personal growth over time. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 98Isiah Thomas 12x NBA All Star on Detroit Bad Boys, Magic Johnson & Feud with Michael Jordan
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Ryan, Channing, and Fred sit down with one of the most iconic athletes who just happens to be their long time idol, NBA hall of famer, Isiah Thomas. The original Bad Boy of Detroit Pistons is opening up and talking everything from his relationship with Magic Johnson to Detroit Pistons changing the game to sharing his side of the infamous Michael Jordan feud. Isiah starts the show saying very simply that he is going to state facts and you can’t argue facts and that it’s one thing to win a championship in the NBA but it’s another to win a championship at every level ever played. Growing up on the West Side of Chicago, Isiah shares how his upbringing was shaped by his mother’s guidance and a family first mentality where his mother cared more about the type of man he’d become vs the money and opportunity being offered. His mom’s influence was so great, it became her decision where he played college basketball and also who he played for. The West Side of Chicago is home to many activists and organizations such as Fred Hampton, Martin Luther King Jr, and The Black Panther Party. Isiah grew up in this environment and recalls marching alongside his mother with Dr.King. Spearheading change at the national level, Isiah used his local groundwork in Detroit to advocate for Black journalists covering the team, more rights for Black NBA players leaving a greater impact with his legacy not just on the court but in culture. Isiah makes his case known for why so many people overlook Detroit Pistons as transcending the NBA and shares what the team really did for the league and how they were the firsts to do many things back then setting the example of how teams should be and move. Known for his historic rivalry with Michael Jordan, Ryan asks what were his thoughts on the way his character was portrayed by Jordan in The Last Dance. Isiah provides The Pivot with an exclusive inside look to his true relationship with MJ and goes on to say that he always looked out for Michael and that their families were even close. He also speaks about how rules within the NBA were changed to protect Michael Jordan. Isaih doesn’t hold back as he shares his thoughts on while he was deemed the a-hole of the NBA when in fact he was the nice guy. Lastly, Isiah lets the guys in on the history of his and Magic’s close relationship and what led up to their legendary interview. He gives credit to the current legends playing the game such as Lebron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, and says they’ve transformed the game in a way we may never see again. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 97UVA's Mike Hollins Shares Story of Surviving the Shooting that Killed 3 of His Teammates
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find In a special edition of The Pivot, we sit down with University of Virginia running back Mike Hollins who survived the shooting that killed three of his teammates a month ago. In an emotional conversation with Ryan, Fred and Channing, Mike opens up about that day for the first time and courageously takes us through the moments leading up to the senseless attack and the minutes following when he was shot. On a school trip to Washington DC with his classmates, that Sunday started off as a happy day filled with so many positive memories for these young people as they took in important parts of history and spent their time laughing, listening to music and enjoying the opportunity. As the bus returned to school that evening, shots were fired by one of the students on the bus, killing three young men and injuring two others, one being Mike Hollins. Mike takes the guys through this emotional day, how he lost his best friend and teammates to the senseless act, his recovery and approaching each day now with love and purpose. A story of tragedy and loss turned into tribute and honor. Tap in every Tuesday at noon eastern for our premiere episode of the Pivot. Special NFL seasonal drops on Friday afternoons at 3:30 pm. We are your one-stop platform for all your sports and entertainment content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 96Druski is Funny & Famous, on Jack Harlow, Drake, Issa Rae & Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda Tour
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find With Channing out of town, Fred and Ryan needed to find someone who could try and fill his shoes, so they tapped Druski, comedian, actor and entrepreneur, who proved to be an excellent fit. From the beginning, the light hearted fun spirit entertainer led the conversation as Ryan and Fred peeled back the layers of Druski learning and understanding how his journey has shaped the person he is today. Becoming famous and most well-known for his hilarious skits on Instagram, Druski first went viral in 2017 with a skit of him counting one-dollar bills that accumulated over millions of views and helped him amass a social media following with close to 6M followers on all platforms. successfully turning his life experiences into a million-dollar business. Being raised by parents who stressed education first, Ryan asks Druski what made him stray from the academic route and turn to comedy. He shares that when he first got to college, he realized it wasn't for him and began chasing his passion. Druski credits his mother for playing a huge role in who he’s become today and how his mom's support and influence was key to his comedic success. Sharing his long term goals, Druski talks about how he would love the opportunity to act in a biopic, impersonating Heavy D if he had to pick and eventually forging his place atop the list of best comedians ever. Being able to receive respect and acknowledgement from industry idols such as Issa Rae and Kevin Hart, Druski jokes that hanging with Jack Harlow and Drake is cool but it wasn't until he started turning the heads of females that he knew he made it. Opening up about trying to find his calling and realizing through a lot of odd jobs he has had over the years that he never felt like he was in the right place but normalizing wanting more for yourself has been a big part of Druski's climb to the top. Although he went through a dark transition period, Druski isn’t afraid to share what those moments were like and believes that every person needs to go through some tribulations and be tested. Helping others through his story, his message to young people is to disconnect from phones and the internet once in awhile and learn to sit with yourself to really have moments of reflection. Druski gives an exclusive look into what fans should expect from his first-ever “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda", a 30-city comedy tour presented by Happy Dad and he also mentions a few staples that will keep people entertained as well as lean into the surprise element with guests and moments. Visit Druski's website for tickets and updates on his tour dates. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 95Clinton Portis: All Pro RB Becomes Face of NFL Scandal, His Prison Time & on Dan Snyder
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find In an exclusive conversation with The Pivot Podcast, Clinton Portis sits with Fred, Ryan and Channing for a transparent discussion on hie he went from being one of the most regarded running backs in the league to the face of a NFL scandal that landed him prison time. In Clinton Portis’s first public conversation since being released from prison, he gets right into it and how he believes he went to jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Ryan recalls mentioning something Clinton said to him in a recent conversation, “I ain’t never stole a piece of bubble gum.”…Feeling the certainty and passion in this statement, Ryan wanted to know how and why this prison sentence came about. Tangled up in a NFLPA insurance fraud scandal, Clinton was one of over 170 names listed in the case and became one of the main ones to take the fall. Clinton says he was unaware of any of the other people convicted for this crime and he believed that based on what was presented in court, he wouldn’t be sentenced, Sepe since there was a hung jury. Clinton tells the guys that this justice system experience was life-changing and allowed him to see that the justice system needs improvement. He shares stories with the guys about conversations he’d have with the guards and other inmates, comparing their sentences based on the crime. Continuing to see the disparity in the justice system, Clinton is dedicated to becoming a spokesman and helping those cope who have been wrongfully convicted. The guys also talk about how Brett Favre seemed to be untouched and his scandal buried for way worse yet, Clinton made headlines for months. Transitioning back to days of playing football, Ryan asks Clinton if he’s upset that this conviction took away his opportunity to receive a gold jacket. Portis says that he does want a gold jacket but finds peace in that his stats have been forever cemented in NFL history and the forever bond he has with teammates and friends. Fred asks about what role having legendary teammates played in his success. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 94Philly's Wallo267 From Prison to Prosperity, Black Businesses & His 5 Min Life Change
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Wallace Peeples better known as Wallo 267 joins The Pivot in a conversation storying his life from a young man growing up on the streets of Philly to serving 20 years in prison to being one of the original innovators in the podcast game and now considered a global influencer, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and marketing phenom. Most well known for his cultural platform Million Dollaz Worth Of Game, which he created with his cousin Gillie Da King, a legendary Philadelphia rapper, Wallo shares his business model that has transcended the podcast game and made an impact around the world. With over 7 million + social media impressions weekly, Wallo has successfully turned his tough experiences, life lessons and natural business instincts into a multi million dollar collaboration. Sharing with Fred, Ryan and Channing how he ended up in prison and his mindset growing up of what he thought earned respect and was the way to success, Wallo taps into an emotional side of his life that is painful but a lesson he applied since. Wallo shares with the guys how his two decades in prison prepared him for life as if he went to school so that when he came out he knew what his calling would be and how he wanted to be a person that he wished he had as a mentor growing up. Admitting that the scariest day of his life was the day he was released from prison with the choice of what to do next and how to get back into society, forging a different path. In his message, Wallo explains how less than 5 minutes of criminal activity cost him so much and landed him 20 years in jail and in his new life that same 5 minutes of energy landed him the opportunity of a lifetime. Ryan acknowledges how Wallo inspires so many people and his enthusiasm is endless around making an impact and always working but feels there is a hole in his heart as he never talks of what he does for himself or that brings him joy. Channing chimes in that Wallo's life habits seem as if he is still institutionalized, keeping a regimented schedule and not very social unless it is for work. Fred is most impressed with the turnaround and Wallo's ability to build, sustain and leverage his social platform into a multi-million opportunity. Opening up about business practices, supporting one another in the black community and following through on basic principles, Wallo gives insight into his brand building and tips on how anyone can make something from nothing. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 93Fred, Chan & Ryan: On Jerry Jones Photo, OBJ Moves & the Hardships of Parenting
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find On this Friday edition of The Pivot, Ryan and Channing welcome back Fred from his world travels and tackle some really tough topics. With all that is going on in the world right now, the guys felt it was necessary to sit as a group and have some timely discussions. The recent release of a photo with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones present during a time of segregation as a teenager sparked a lot of questions but also the need for an important conversation. Ryan leads the discussion saying the photo doesn't say Jerry is a racist but looking at his track record over the years, what should be more concerning is the lack of him in a position to elevate minorities to a higher positions and hasn't. Channing chimes in that his close relationships with his players doesn't mean he's elevating black people but just points to the fact that he is running a business and putting the best people to help him win. This past Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of Sean Taylor's passing and Ryan attended Washington's memorial unveiling which was not the tribute it should have been or could be as the guys talk about how a player and man of his stature deserves way more. OBJ watch is still in effect despite recent airline issues causing different type of headlines, the guys discuss making a mountain out of a molehill with the situation and agree teams will not be affected by this citation. Fred, Channing and Ryan make some late season picks for MVP, Offensive and defensive player of the year and Super Bowl bound teams. As they talk about the holidays and ups and downs of family gatherings, Ryan shares a heartfelt moment as a father and how parenting comes with no playbook and how it is not always the easiest of times, but it's always an unconditional love. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 92Ryan Leaf 1st Round NFL Pick on Fall From Top, Addiction, Prison Time & Life Now
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find The former 2nd overall pick, only behind Peyton Manning in the 1998 NFL draft, Ryan Leaf shares his emotional journey and his fall from the top to finding light again after very dark times. This episode of The Pivot is a story of redemption, addiction, and a conversation about restoring faith with the former first round NFL pick, Ryan Leaf, as he sits with Fred, Channing and Ryan to open up about how the star quarterback found himself in handcuffs a few short years after being at the top of the sports world. After losing his NFL career and football, the one thing he felt defined him, Ryan tried to lean into fame and eventually turned to pills to disguise the pain. His addiction over time led to desperation and burglarizing homes trying find prescription medications and anything that he could find to feed his fix until his actions left him behind bars in prison. Considered one of the best collegiate quarterbacks during his time at Washington State, Leaf admits now he wasn't mentally prepared to be under the NFL microscope from growing up in a small town in Montana to becoming a Heisman finalist to instant stardom and wealth of the NFL. Playing for five years in the league, Ryan admits that his career was over after his third game, despite winning 2 of the 3 because of how he handled them. Blaming everyone else for his short comings and behaviors, his outbursts and arrogance cost him his career, his money and he ended up quitting thinking he was bigger than the sport itself. This choice led him further down a path of poor decisions and pills to numb the absence of the thing he loved most, football. Ryan reflects back on his depression saying he was consumed by the validation of others and tried to cover up the shame of being considered the NFL’s biggest draft bust. Looking back, Leaf explains to guys that he’s grateful for his time in prison because it allowed him to humble himself and learn to take accountability for his actions. Although he believes that rehabilitation is a better solution for nonviolent drug offenders, Leaf shares that his fellow inmates taught him some hard lessons and made him realize the blame and also how to rebuild that life wasn’t over for him. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 91Duke Legend Jay Williams Talks NBA, Kyrie, Media Frenzy & Life Changing Accident
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find NBA Analyst and Duke basketball legend Jay Williams joins the Pivot for a deep conversation addressing some of the latest media controversies and the tragedy he's overcome. With Fred returning from his trip this week, we asked Jay Williams, someone who we admire as an entrepreneur and media personality but also one of the greatest to play the game of basketball, to sit in for a special edition of The Pivot. With Thanksgiving just passing and the holidays around the corner, It's a good time to reflect on life and appreciate the growth life's journey takes us on. Jay joins Ryan and Channing for a conversation covering the latest topics in sports, media and takes us through the trials and tribulations he's experienced from being a star at Duke to being a #2 NBA draft pick to his life changing accident to finding his purpose in life through rehabilitation, media and family. Recently, Jay, a NBA analyst for ESPN, received backlash and sparked some viral debates as he was one of the first to publicly demonstrate support for Kyrie Irving in the controversy around his social media post promoting a documentary "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America" and encouraged people to take a moment and allow for conversation around the situation without immediately condemning Kyrie for his thoughts. The guys go into detail about what led Jay to take this stance and jeopardize his job and put so much on the line to speak his mind. Jay details the night of the motorcycle accident that almost took his life and took the thing he loved most from him, basketball. In an emotional moment, Jay shares the fear and emotional battles he fought while also fighting physically to regain his strength. Finding purpose again and being able to have a gift to impact others through media and his businesses has been life saving and a blessing that Jay doesn't take lightly. A father of three and married to his best friend, Jay talks about how family is the foundation for all that he does and his backbone after growing up with a close knit family but one that wasn't exempt from emotional hardships as well. Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 90Michael Irvin on Cowboys Wins, Jerry Jones, Thanksgiving in Dallas & Super Bowl?
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find The 3x Super Bowl Champ, Hall of Famer, and one and only, Playmaker, Michael Irvin sits down with Ryan and Channing after Dallas' big win vs Minnesota to talk everything Cowboys, Jerry Jones, his dominant era and a deep dive into how his upbringing shaped the man he is today. With Fred away for the holidays, Ryan taps in his playmaker’s partner to join the Pivot to kick off Thanksgiving week with all eyes on Irvin’s Dallas Cowboys to keep up their winning ways. Extremely fired up, Michael can't help share his excitement around this year's Cowboys team and how the meter is hot for this roster to go all the way this season, Championship or bust! Sharing his own memories from playing on Thanksgiving, Michael talks about the infamous Leon Lett moment, playing against Randy Moss and what the city of Dallas was like after the big Thursday game. Opening up about his love and respect for Jerry Jones and his close relationship with former coach, Jimmy Johnson, Michael goes in-depth on how it was just playing football in Dallas it became his way of life, sense of family and purpose. Ryan asks if it was always Dallas for him and Michael shares how he had a special connection to the team as a child from his late father who would watch the games growing up with him. One of 16 kids, Michael learned the importance of teamwork and sacrifice early in life and used it to help propel him to the next level in athletics. Explaining the lineage and meaning of new beginnings behind wearing #88 and how Drew Pearson was the first but Michael wanted to continue to make that the premiere jersey number on the Cowboys for decades to come which he has. Ryan jokes about Michael saying, “If you can’t help me win, you can’t be my friend,” as he talks about wanting to be surrounded by teammates on the Cowboys who had the same unwavering commitment in winning a Super Bowl As he did. If he found out a teammate didn’t align with this same mission, he wasn’t afraid to let it be known to the coaching staff or the player. On the road to three championships and a hall of fame career, Michael had to face greats such as Deion Sanders defensively and Randy Moss who was always in the shadows to be the next best at his position. Michael shares a few stories from the times competing against them and the respect he has for other receivers who may be more physically gifted but given the chance would trade careers with him if they had the chance, specifically citing Randy Moss. Michael has high hopes for this year's Cowboys team and talks about how they don't realize how talented they are sometimes which could be a weakness for them down the stretch. Attributing his success to three special women in his life, his mom, his mother-in-law and aunt, Michael says being able to experience the highs of life with them and travel the world has been the highlight of his life. Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 89Ryan, Fred & Chan: The OG's Talk Twitter, UFC, Jeff Saturday, Deshaun Watson & More
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find It’s Friday and we are chopping it up or as Channing says- just your uncles sitting on the back porch talking about life and what's going on in the world. Many of you have asked for a show with just us, so we figured it's a good time to do that, catch up and talk amongst us OG's. And without a guest, we don't have to be on our best behavior so anything goes in this conversation! We are coming off a heart break after watching our guy Israel Adesanya lose his belt this past Saturday and speaking of Saturday, we also are talking Indianapolis Colts and the controversial hiring of their new head coach, Jeff Saturday along with other news around the NFL including the return of Deshaun Watson and also discuss some other questionable situations going on in sports. Ryan opens the conversation by discussing Izzy's recent fight in which was Fred's first time experiencing the UFC in person and how his emotion had him feeling like he was back on the field. Channing says how he took Izzy's loss personal since the fighter was just on the show while Fred took it personally that people were saying he shouldn't be doing interviews before a fight of that magnitude almost blaming it on a lack of focus instead of the actions in the octagon. This leads into a conversation about superstition and debate between commitment vs routine. Channing, Fred, and Ryan agree that they don’t believe in superstitions but they do believe in preparation. Transitioning to a conversation about the NFL, the guys talk Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, Jeff Saturday's hiring by his friend and former boss, the Rooney rule and return of Deshaun Watson to the Browns facility in an official capacity. Ryan firmly believes that Saturday's hire isn’t a race issue but rather one of familiarity and nepotism while the guys continue the tough conversation of how Deshaun's return will be received in the locker room as well as by Cleveland's fans. Fred thinks as long as he wins, people slowly forget what you were in trouble for but losing often magnifies the trouble surrounding someone. Being connected to controversy isn’t new for professional sports teams and seems ongoing as Fred asks the guys their opinion about Mitchell Miller, the Boston Bruins NHL Hockey Player. The guys get into a deep discussion on whether Mitchell’s career should be over and ruined due to his poor choices and actions as a young boy. Regardless of the outcome, Ryan makes it clear that any situation like this whether innocent or guilty, right or wrong, that athletes or people in the public eye can't ever escape the cloud that follows them with incidents like this. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 88Fat Joe: The Book of Jose, I’ve Done Bad Things in Life but Tried to Better the Wrongs
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Grammy nominated, entrepreneur, philanthropist and now author, Fat Joe, joins Ryan, Fred and Channing for a conversation covering the release of his highly anticipated memoir, “The Book of Jose: A Memoir.” Taking a trip down memory lane, Joe opens up to the guys about the highs and lows of his career, parenting, philanthropy, miscues in his life and discloses some never-heard before moments and stories that peel back the layers of this young man who made it out of the Bronx. From growing up poor, to losing friends in music and from the neighborhood, to his climb to the top of music and stardom to thoughts of taking his own life to forming a close bond with Big Pun to turning pain into inspiration and respect to the greats who came before him is all detailed in Joe's book that comes out today. People see the end results and where he is now, but few understand the struggles and dark moments endured to get to this point in life. Although everything looks on the up and up now, Joe reveals his inner struggles and how he feels like there is a recurring shadow in his life that comes from betrayal and unexpected hurt. At his core, Joe feels he is a good guy doing bad things and he’s been working to set his legacy straight with each level of success and growth. Fat Joe admits that his upbringing in the Bronx wasn’t ideal but his mother’s strength served as the glue for the family and the financial struggles he experienced as a child helped shape the man he is today and his unique appreciation for life and forgiveness. Making music changed his life and Joe credits hip-hop stemming from minority communities as an attempt to make light of oppression and find light in dark times. Channing pushes back on his words, asking Joe where the desire to do bad things came from despite growing up in a loving household as he acknowledges that he did a lot of bad things, some that others knew about and some that no one ever found out about and he asks him how he got to that place in life. Opening up about one moment which changed Joe's perspective on life and made him move differently is revealed as he shares a story of betrayal by a person closest to him that forever changed how he moved. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 87Israel Adesanya: Talks Joe Rogan & Prepares to Defend His Championship Belt vs Alex Pereira at UFC 281
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find In anticipation of Israel's upcoming Middleweight Title fight in UFC 281's main event against Alex Pereira, Izzy is sitting down with Ryan, Fred and Channing a few days ahead of his biggest fight in one of the most candid and entertaining conversations. A global star and one of the top UFC fighters int he sport, Israel knows what's at stake and is embracing it, saying he is going to make this upcoming fight, "A Horror Movie". Fully understanding the energy around this fight knowing that he has lost to Pereira twice in kickboxing, Izzy isn't worried about what others think and knows who he is as the champion and isn't worried about outside pressures. Israel says, people think he is joking when he says, he is prepared to die and prepared to kill, but once he steps into the cage and it lock behind them, it's on. Using the Lion King reference, he explains that sometimes you have to remind yourself who you are like Mufasa did to Simba, and now he is reminding himself who he is, and he knows he's a mother f**cking savage. Getting into how some of his training has changed for this fight and how each of his past bouts have helped him grow and expanded his mind mentally and physically, Izzy shares what it's like preparing for battle and how his outside passions and interests shape his approach to battle, often watching cartoons and reading for motivation and inspiration. Izzy uses the analogy that pressure makes diamonds, and there are moments in a man’s life where he has to step up and this is one of those for me. The last three fights I showed up and made each camp better than the last one and this will be no different. Channing asks him about some of the charismatic traits of his persona, wearing pearls, watching anime cartoons, theatrical fight entrances and why all of these unique aspects of him are important to who he is inside and outside the fight game. Freaky Fred puts some meaning behind his own nickname and asks Izzy about why he has an Only Fans account and what kind of material he puts out there to need one. The friendly banter continues as the guys talk about admiring greatness in other sports and athletes and how it takes a great one to admire a great one. Israel isn't just fighting for himself, he's fighting for his entire team and plans to give it all come Saturday night, even if that comes with physical sacrifice. We are your one-stop platform for all your sports and entertainment content.If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 86NFL WK 9 Turn of an Era w/ QBs, Top Trade Moves, NFC & AFC Picks & RBs in Dallas
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Use code PIVOT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/PIVOT It's Football Sunday and start your day with The Pivot! Our friends at Seat Geek are waking you up with the top football storylines around the league and giving you access to the best of the best! Heading into Week 9 of the NFL season, it's about that time to see what rosters have the talent and depth to finish the season strong and Ryan, Channing and Fred are breaking it down for you. With one of the most active trade deadlines we've seen, the league's top teams didn't stray away from making moves to keep them in contention for the big game come February. Channing is big on Miami and the team's roster moves and feels strongly about Tua's performance that he is not only one of the top talents playing the position but could have been a MVP candidate if he didn't miss two games. Comparing his comeback after injury to Dak Prescott's return in Dallas, Channign says Tua is the better quarterback while Ryan feels that the two will be measured differently as Tua is more on his individual success while it's either Dallas goest o the Super Bowl or Dak and big D is considered a major let down. Getting into Dallas' running back situation and the explosive play of Tony Pollard, Ryan asks Fred to share insight on Pollard vs Zeke Elliott and if there is room for both to share the load or is this a passing of the torch situation. Fred reflects on his time in Jacksonville in similar scenarios and how he sees it playing out. With so many young quarterbacks stepping up with strong numbers and winning ways, the guys talk about if this is the end of an era of greats such as Tom Brady and Arron Rodgers as we see some of these younger more mobile quarterbacks top the league. As the discussion plays out, Ryan also shares a message about criticism he has received recently when speaking about Tom Brady and makes it very clear how he feels about #12 and the success he has had along with his contributions to the sport are unmatched but doesn't take away from his performance this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 85SB Champion Martellus Bennett: Arts Over Football & a Mindset that Cost Him $40M
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Don’t miss out on all the NFL and NBA action this week at DraftKings! Sign-up using http://Dkng.co/pivot or USE Promo Code: PIVOT. Extremely talented as a football player, the offers and potential for Martellus to be one of the top Tight Ends in the league was present from day one, but his heart was always on the quality of life and how he would be remembered not for playing a game but for making an impact. One of the most well-rounded and intellectual Black men under the umbrella of the NFL shield, Ryan, Fred, and Channing dive into Marty’s journey and why he may just be the NFL's top creative mind. Marty opens up about his childhood with a single-parent father for the first nine years of his life before his mother, Penny, who provided the perfect balance between playful and stern, joined in his upbringing. Martellus tells the guys the greatest lesson he learned from his parents was to be present. In 2014 during his tenure with The Chicago Bears, Bennett got into a scuffle with teammate Kyle Fuller. He sets the record straight on The Pivot as to why the situation took place and how he’s a man that stands on principle. However, Martellus tells the guys that core values aren’t always taught to young athletes. Taking the stance that coaches only develop athletes physically rather than mentally, Martellus reflects on the importance of his diverse experiences as a kid such as being a Mathlete. Marty talks about his experience venturing into various projects such as samurai training, founding his creative agency, and becoming an author. Channing inquires about where this change in mindset stems from and Marty refers to always looking to update his “software.” He attests his evolution to three things; reading, traveling, and life-changing experiences. Always cognizant that there is more to life than football, Bennett admits that he almost retired from the league after his third season. Channing asks if that awareness resulted in an early career end which Marty admitted that it did play a major role. After taking a sabbatical to Japan, it was a realization about priorities and passion for Martellus when he realized he'd walk 50,000 steps for his love of curiosity and Arts but not for a NFL check. Towards the end of his career, Marty was one of the very few individuals to first take a knee during the National Anthem. But quickly realized that this form of activism wasn’t the best for him and he’d rather use his pen to improve his surroundings. Turning to his creative agency and love for the Arts, Marty describes the etymology of the name of his small creative agency and his mission to restore imagination and playfulness into society. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 84NFL Stars: The Pouncey Twins on Aaron Hernandez, Politics, Family & Mike Tomlin
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Don’t miss out on all the NFL and NBA action this week at DraftKings! Sign-up using http://Dkng.co/pivot or USE Promo Code: PIVOT. In an emotional and at times, high-tension conversation, Mike & Maurkice Pouncey sit with Ryan, Channing and Fred for a different type of Pivot episode than we are normally used to where the men discuss controversial topics, have extremely heated debates and reveal truth in some scrutinized situations that they've been associated with over the years. Mike, former Miami teammate of Channing and Maurkice, a former teammate of Ryan's in Pittsburgh, known for being two of the best Centers to play in the league during their prime began their NFL career both as first round picks and retired on the same day in Feb of 2021. Extremely talented, the brothers always were at the center of controversial topics and extremely loyal to causes they believed in which a lot of times went against cultural norms and often against their peers in the locker room. Mike and Maurkice received a lot of backlash for their public support and loyalty to former Florida teammate and friend Aaron Hernandez after he was accused of murder and found guilty of several charges involved with serious off the field situations. For the first time since the death of Aaron Hernandez, the brothers publicly cleared the air and set the record straight on how their support was for the person, not the actions. Detailing the days of trial and leading up to finding Hernandez dead in his jail cell, many rumors and speculation circled about what really happened to Hernandez and both Mike and Maurkice share their personal insight into the situation. Fred also chimes in saying how he spoke to Aaron the night before he died as well and his thoughts on the overall feeling surrounding the incidents. Playing college football at Florida, the Pouncey Twins played for Urban Meyer, who they credit for helping them develop into mature men at an early age. Mike shares his thoughts on why Coach Meyer was not as successful at the NFL level as he was in College. Fortunate to play for Coach Mike Tomlin, Maurkice spends time explaining why Tomlin is the greatest leader of men and how he doesn't get enough credit for the impact he has made on so many who have played for him. Ryan asks Maurkice about the infamous conversation that him and Big Ben had on the bench after the playoff loss in the 2020 season and what went through his mind that night to lead to early retirement. In a tearful explanation. Maurkice shares what that moment represented in his life and why it was so important for him to leave the NFL at that moment and also walk away from the game he loved with his brother on the same day. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 83Thomas Jones from NFL Running Back to Hollywood Star: Finding Life After Football
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Don’t miss out on all the NFL and NBA action this week at DraftKings! Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app today! Sign-up using http://Dkng.co/pivot or USE Promo Code: PIVOT. Kicking off Football Friday, We sit down with one of the best NFL running backs to ever play, Thomas Jones who found new success in life after football. It is not an unfamiliar story that athletes struggle to transition in their post careers or to find something as fulfilling as the sport they dedicated their life to but developing a new identity gave new purpose to the former running back. Jones, a member of the 10,000 rushing yards club and a recent Pro Football Hall of Fame Nominee, opens up to Ryan, Fred and Channing about his journey to become who he is today, from a small town and strict family upbringing to playing on the big stage of the NFL and now a Hollywood star. After a very successful on field career and one of the best at the position to play the game, Jones found himself lost after stepping away from the NFL losing that the locker room camaraderie and everyday focus was difficult. Going from waking up early in the morning to being at a NFL facility, Jones found himself on the verge of becoming an alcoholic drinking every morning headed down a dark path until he was introduced to acting which he says, saved his life. Determined to take on a new identity, Ryan points out that when you Google this former star-studded athlete, he’s known for being an “American Actor” rather than an “Ex-NFL Player.” Jones shares with the guys that this distinction was intentional as he has now carved a niche for himself in Hollywood with break out roles in the film industry including, Straight Out Of Compton, Being Mary Jane, P-Valley and now as a Show Runner and Producer in the unscripted world, documenting the lives of other former NFL players adjusting to life after football. Of Course the banter with Channing continues as he starts asking the Channing type questions including what the sex scenes are like and intimate moments on screen with famed actresses such as Gabrielle Union as well as diving into some of his former high profile relationships, specifically his history with actress Meagan Good. Tap in every Tuesday at Noon eastern and on Fridays at 3:30pm est to catch some of the best conversations around sports and culture with life lessons. Our partnership with DraftKings continues and special offers to check out for this wknd's football games. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 82Tracy McGrady NBA Legend & Hall of Famer Talks Penny Hardaway, Kobe & Heartbreak
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find NBA legend and Tracy McGrady welcomes Ryan, Channing and Fred to Houston for a conversation covering his hall of fame career, brotherhood with Kobe and the darkest times he experienced on and off the court. Sharing tales from his storied career and some of the All-Time greats he played with or met along the way that helped him mold his on court play from Michael Jordan to Penny Hardaway to Kobe Bryant to his coaches to his teammates. Being ranked as the best player in the nation at 18 years old, adjusting to money and fame was part of the transition process. Never winning a championship, Tracy's career was defined by his hall of fame talent and one of the best wings to every play the game known for his shooting skills, scoring, dunking and aggressive defense. In an emotional moment, reflecting back on his career, Tracy opens up about the struggles he faced waiting his entire life and working so hard to be apart of a championship team and how his injury kept him from being apart of the run, ultimately sending Tracy to a very dark place where he didn't talk to anyone for months. Tracy describes the moment he realized he wasn't the player he once was capable of being due to injury and age, and the blows he took to his ego leading him down a path of despair. Being selected to the Hall Of Fame is the one thing that helped make all the painful moments and losses suffered along the way less of his focus and learned to relish in the moments of his success and understand the power of his legacy. Tracy's proudest moment has always been earning the respect of his peers and the guys he spent his life playing along side, especially a forever impactful statement from one in particular...the last interview with Kobe Bryant when he shared that the best player he ever faced was Tracy McGrady. Our partnership with DraftKings continues and special offers to check out for this wknd's football games. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 81Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert Talks Tua's Return, Tyreek & Miami as a Top Team in AFC
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is set to return this Sunday as the Miami Dolphins host the AFC rival Pittsburgh Steelers. The guys visited the Dolphins facility and spent time chatting with players and the organization ahead of this week's game to get a feel for the mindset and understanding of having their team leader return after one of the more difficult concussion incidents we have seen in the NFL. Running Back Raheem Mostert sits with Ryan, Fred and Channing to talk about how hard it was for himself and teammates, especially Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to be on the field in Cincinnati and see Tua, their brother, fall as he did. Described as one of the more difficult experiences, the team is full of optimism as they welcome back their team leader. Tua's leadership and determination has been proven and fighting through adversity is just one more level the quarterback has mastered. Mostert talks bout Tua's perseverance and what having him back in the huddle means to the team and that the Dolphins are a team that should be taken seriously as a championship contender in the AFC. The running back, most known for his quickness and dynamic play as part of the infamous 2019 Niners AFC Champion team, recognizes that the talent on this Dolphins roster runs deeper than what was on his team who went to the Super Bowl a few years ago. Mostert also jokes how he is faster than Tyreek dating back to their college days where on paper he is listed quicker than his current teammate and is not backing down that he is faster now either. But makes it clear, when the game is on the line, there is no one else who should get the ball than Tyreek, because he is the best he's seen play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 80Charlamagne: Mental Health, Evolution from Infidelity & Self Sabotage to Life Now
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Entertainment Personality and Entrepreneur, Charlamagne Tha God, a.k.a Lenard McKelvey, joins The Pivot Podcast for a conversation covering everything from mental health to evolving as men personally and professionally and his approach to growth as he continues to expand his entertainment empire. Keying in on the changes and steps as men they can all take to be better friends, husbands, dads and role models for younger generations. Not shying away from his shortcomings and mistakes over the years, he acknowledges the wrongs he did personally and professionally but is proud of who he is today. The guys talk about men in position to succeed and allowing the weaknesses of women, sex and ego take away from the hard work is the biggest mystery to him as they talk about the recent situation with Celtics Head Coach Ime Udoka and the lessons that can be learned. Infamously known for his hot takes and wide open opinions on celebrities that would trigger negative reactions, Charlamagne tells the guys that it has never been his intention to rile people up, he was just always speaking honestly and saying the things everyone thought but was afraid to say. Never giving up on his dream, even after being fired several times, the years of experience and relationships led him to creating a media empire and recently being inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, Charlamagne reflects on his path and recognizes to Fred, Channing, and Ryan that there are definitely things he wishes he could redo or should have held back on when speaking on others lives and careers but the biggest compliment to him is acknowledging the growth from that place to where he is now. Although he had and currently has what others consider the “perfect life”, Charlamagnes opens up and shares with the guys that there were very dark times and there was always this undiscovered void to fill. Influenced at an early age by his surroundings and environment, Charlemagne was on the verge of self-sabotage due to infidelity and substance abuse until he made the Pivot seven years ago to attend therapy which has been life-changing. Therapy and counseling have always been frowned upon in black communities and Charlamagne has set out to change that philosophy and instill a new approach with one of seeking help and preventing activities to promote self sabotage instead of encouraging it. Fred also shares his struggles of anxiety over the years and how therapy has helped ground him and offer him alternatives to get through certain situations which he shares hoping to help others in similar situations. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 79Micah Parsons & Trevon Diggs on Dak & Dallas' D Ready for NFC East Rival Eagles
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Ep 78Deontay Wilder, Former WBC Heavyweight, on Past Suicide Thoughts & Oct 15th Fight
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, sits down with The Pivot Podcast ahead of his fight on Oct 15th at the Barclays Center vs. Robert Helenius, which is his long-awaited return after suffering two straight knockouts from Tyson Fury. Traveling to Tuscaloosa, Deontay's hometown and place where he's been training- Ryan, Channing and Fred are blown away by the journey and growth Deontay expresses and how he's dedicated the past few years to finding himself. From his environment shaping the man he is today to the impact becoming a father has had on his career to his experience with ayahuasca to his plans left in boxing. Considered one of the most prolific boxers of this era, the guys respect his journey from being a small town guy to global stardom and how his upbringing and need to protect himself and loved ones as a means of survival mode shaped him to one of the most successful athletes in the sport. After struggling with suicidal thoughts and suffering from mental health fears, Deontay took the initiative to start rebuilding and healing from the personal and professional trauma experienced. With highs, come lows, and Deontay opens up to the guys and talks about his suicide attempt. A decision lots of athletes face, Wilder explains how he overcame his lowest point, and why he embraces everyday...thankful for being alive. eContinuously on a journey of self-discovery, Deontay talks about ayahuasca and credits his experience with changing his views on life and refocusing his mind on boxing. The birth of his daughter, Naieya Wilder, served as his inflection point and greatest source of motivation. Naeiya was diagnosed with spina bifida in March of 2005 and Wilder turned to boxing as a way to release his family from the shackles of poverty. He quickly learned that his childhood fights served as a master class for his natural-born gift when he sparred with a professional and won. Ryan asks if Deontay has respect for Tyson Fury which he immediately says no while sticking to his story that Fury didn't win that fight naturally and created an unfair matchup. When asked why he didn't speak up more vocally on his thoughts, Deontay honestly responds he didn't want to mess up his opportunity financially and entertaining fans around the world. In recognition of his impact and growth, his home town of Tuscaloosa recently honored Deontay with a statue in the heart of his hometown, which he cites as his biggest accomplishment. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. #1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 77It's NFL Week 5: Talking Tua, Brady, Dallas' D, AFC North, Jalen Hurts & Game Picks
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Use code PIVOT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/PIVOT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 76Tamron Hall Overcoming Odds to Emmy Award Winning Talk Show Host to Media Mogul
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Today on The Pivot, the guys are treated to a special guest- the very talented talk show host, Tamron Hall, for a conversation covering her underdog mentality, highs and lows of her career, starting a family late in her life, the value of second chances and proving people wrong. Ryan, sharing similar Louisiana roots with Tamron, acknowledges that growing up, he didn't see many people that looked like him covering the news, especially females which is why he was so drawn to finding out how Tamron started her career. Opening up about a life changing moment while watching tv with her step dad and seeing Lola Johnson, the first African-American news anchor for a Dallas television station, inspired her to follow down that path and change the trajectory for black women with a passion in media. Now an author and 2x Emmy winner of her own talk show, Tamron admits her road wasn't easy filled with many painful moments and shares how being a black woman on tv was once the loneliest place in the newsroom. Tamron speaks of her initial experience as a journalist and being chosen to cover stories because of her skin color and stereotypes rather than her skills. Fueled by her experiences, her commitment to diversifying the workplace and serving as a bridge to people like herself trying to get into the industry. After leaving the Today Show, Tamron talks about how it was Harvey Weinstein who first tried to meet with her and pitch her on having her own show. Shortly after their first meeting is when Weinstein was exposed for sexual assault and Channing asks Tamron if she ever had any indication or saw signs of his behavior during their interactions.Sharing details for the first time publicly, Tamron opens up on how the entire scandal affected her personally and voices her thoughts on the entire scandal and aftermath of it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 11/20/2022 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. #1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 76Ken Griffey Jr., Iconic Athlete Talks Career, Fatherhood, Aaron Judge & Lebron
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Fired up to sit down with one of the most iconic athletes in sports, Ryan, Channing and Fred welcome one of their long time idols, Hall of Famer and thirteen-time All-Star, The Cincinnati Kid, Ken Griffey Jr. to the Pivot Podcast for a candid conversation covering his upbringing, relationship with his father, highs and lows of his career, the game of baseball today, becoming a pilot, and much more! Known as one of the most prolific home run hitters baseball has ever had, Griffey Jr paved the way for many young black athletes to chase their dreams and became a global icon for his elite play, charismatic attitude and approach to the sport of baseball. Starting the backwards hat trend, earning nicknames of the natural and Cincinnati Kid were all part of the larger than life persona that fans idolized about the young athlete. Following in the footsteps of his father, Ken Griffey, the young Griffey knew playing professional baseball was something obtainable at a young age. Ryan asks him about his experiences with his father growing up and Griffey Jr tells the guys that his father was a “normal” dad. An individual who took pride in household structure and spending quality time with his children. At home, he was dad and on the field he was my teammate. It’s no secret that this father-son duo was historic. Ryan asks about the lack of diversity within MLB and what Griffey believes to be one word- money. Baseball serves to be a challenging sport for minority communities due to financial obligations. They guys speak on the reason behind why he wore #42 and how Griffey Jr understands that his legacy wouldn’t exist without Jackie Robinson’s ability to withstand. Fred and Channing ask about the use of steroids in the league and the effect it has had on the game and players as well as a personal whether he’s ever been affected by not winning a World Series, Ken lets the guys know he’s content because he gets to write HOF after his name and that to him is everything. With not too much left on his bucket list, there is one moment that Griffey Jr is looking forward to seeing, and that is the day where Lebron James may play with his son on the same NBA team. Griffey Jr. shares how he already told Lebron that both him and his dad will be in attendance that day to see them make history. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 1/15/2023 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See T&C at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 74Marcus "Swagu" Spears from NFL to Analyst Talks Cowboys, Celtics & Growth as a Man
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marcus Spears a.k.a “Swagu” joins The Pivot Podcast for a candid conversation covering his faith in God to pressures experienced while playing for the Cowboys to the expectations faced by sports analysts and the challenges men encounter through temptation. Receiving negative feedback as ESPN analysts for not speaking on the Favre situation, Ryan explains how it’s not his job as a host on a football show to talk about a former player’s off the field business- agreeing with Marcus that as football analysts it’s their job to cover what’s going on with players and football teams who play on Sundays. Avoiding speculation and understanding that not all the details are public, the guys talk about the Boston Celtics troubling situation involving the head coach and the shadow or casts for the organization, players and fans. And as men of color in power and positions of success, Marcus struggles to understand how and why people fall into these situations to lose everything they’ve worked for over temptation. Channing, Ryan and Fred all agree but also aren’t naive to the actions that led to Udoka’s suspension and the effect it has on the black community, especially females who looked to his partner Nia Long as a queen in their world. The men dive into a deep conversation of infidelity and Marcus opens up about how he is now in a place that he would never go down that road again. Although stardom was familiar to Marcus, transitioning from college to first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys was challenging on many levels. The guys talk about pressures faced by being drafted early and the environment created by high profile owners such as Jerry Jones and what it’s like to play with a star on your helmet. Marcus shares Joe being deeply rooted in his faith was the only thing that kept him afloat during his career. Admittedly, as a former player and now ESPN analyst- Marcus speaks truthfully that he feels Jerry Jones is intrusive and adds stress to his players. Sharing his most pivotal moment and impact as a man, Marcus touches on his family. Self-aware of how he’s become successful, he pays homage to all those who have cared about him and believed in him along the journey such as his sister, Deidre Spears and how her emotional journey had inspired him the most. We are your one-stop platform for all your sports and entertainment conversations. Our partnership with DraftKings continues and special offers to check out for this wknd's football games. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 1/15/2023 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See T&C at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S2 Ep 73Alex Toussaint: Military School to World Famous Peloton Trainer Shares His Story
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find World Famous Peloton Trainer opens up about his pivotal moment on his journey to the top, fighting for and living out the American Dream. From a troubled childhood to acclaimed Peloton cycling instructor, Alex Touissant joins The Pivot Podcast to share his journey of success, the impact military school has had on his life and how searching for validation from his father shaped who he is today. From becoming the first black trainer at Peloton to now one of the biggest faces of the movement, Ryan, Fred, and Channing engage in a deep conversation about his journey and how it all started. Alex opens up about his “troubled childhood” and being kicked out of every single school he’s ever attended. His struggles led to his parents taking a tough love approach which helped mold and ultimately change the direction of Alex's life. Going years without speaking to his father, Alex opens up emotionally that military school instilled principles and habits that will remain with him forever and the appreciation of hearing the words, "I'm proud of you," from his father is the most instrumental moment of his life. From college dropout to being homeless, Alex shares how he wanted more for himself and had nothing to lose which is why one day, he took his coworker up on an offer to train a cycling class... Since then, Alex has rode his way into history impacting lives around the world and leaving a footprint far beyond what he could imagine as a young college drop out. Mending his relationship with his father and retiring his mother, life looks a lot different each day now as he realizes the impact he has with millions of people who he is able to motivate through movement. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Being the first Black instructor hired by Peloton wasn’t easy but the hardest time at work stemmed from the murder of George Floyd. Alex used his platform to speak on the inequality the Black community experienced, a decision that Peloton supported 100%. This support serves as one of the reasons he’s most proud to work for Peloton. And it wouldn't be our show, if Channing didn’t ask the important stuff! Tune into hear the craziness he asks Alex about and ofcourse getting into his personal life...Channing asks if he’s blown away with how far cycling has taken him in life and wants to know what it's like being the center focus of so many females tuning in everyday. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 bet. Bet must win. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 1/15/2023 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See T&C at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms #1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 72Rotimi: A Son of Nigerian Immigrants Path to Power & Success in Music & Hollywood
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find American actor and singer, Olurotimi Akinosho, a.k.a Rotimi sits down with Ryan, Channing and Fred for a conversation covering everything from his Nigerian roots, music, acting, and his ongoing strive for excellence. Most recently recognized for his work playing the character, Dre, on the hit series Power, one of the most prolific shows over the past decade; the guys dive into Rotimi’s journey to this point and transformation to stardom. He opens up about his upbringing and being raised by immigrants which he attributes to the work ethic he has today. He tells the guys that his mother had a dream when she was 7 months pregnant that Bob Marley spoke to her and said, “Your son is going to finish my legacy.” This dream served as an inflection point for his future and his parents guided him towards entertainment because they believed it was his calling. Inquiring about Rotimi's Nigerian roots and how his values impacted the roles in his life that mean the most which is centered around family. He pays homage to his fiance', Vanessa Mdee by stating how influential African women are and their natural ability to take care of their partners. Africa serves as the motherland for POC and Rotimi suggests that everyone visits to feel connected to their roots. Leave it up to Channing to ask about how he met his now fiance, and to how they keep their relationship spicy! Pivoting back to work life, Ryan asks Rotimi what are his goals moving forward which Rotimi, openly says being self-aware that music is his passion, he plans to continue to serve as a bridge from Africa to America through his music. Inspired by African musicians Burna Boy and WizKid, Rotimi's focus is to become one of the greatest talents to walk this Earth. Wrapping up the conversation, Rotimi switches into his infamous Mr. Butterscotch character that captivates his following. Join our new DraftKings partnership, get ready for football talk and sports conversations throughout the coming months and for us to bring you some can't miss opportunities to make free money by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook App and checking out the special offers using the promo code PIVOT. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 wager. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 9/19/22 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See T&C at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. #1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 71Teddy Swims Football Player Turned YouTube Phenom with 400M Views to Global Artist
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Georgia singer-songwriter Teddy Swims, a.k.a Jaten Dimsdale joins The Pivot Podcast for a conversation covering everything from his influential upbringing, music, relationships, and future as a global recording artist. Teddy Swims, an acronym for Someone Who Isn’t Me Sometimes, has created a niche in a saturated world of music by covering artists and now writing his own music. Considered one of the hottest upcoming artists today, Ryan, Fred, and Channing dive into Teddy’s journey to this point and his transformation to stardom. Teddy opens up about his upbringing which he attributes to developing his chameleon soul. From being the grandson of a pentecostal preacher, a mother who loved southern country music, and a father who gravitated toward hip-hop and soul, music has always been boundaryless for Swims. Discovering early on that football wasn’t in his future, Swims took a risk by pursuing music. Sampling and making covers caught the attention of many such as Meghan Trainor and Warner Records. Teddy shares that his new ways of life took time adjusting to due to his middle-class upbringing and insecurities. Still, in awe of where his voice instrument has taken him, Swims lets the guys know his only goal is to become the best at what he does. Ryan, Channing, and Fred inquire about Teddy’s love for Michael Jackson which sparked a profound topic, black culture. Teddy goes on to pay homage to influential Black artists and states he’d never be in his position without Black culture. And of course, Teddy talks about his love for Black women which excites Channing the most. Join our new DraftKings partnership, get ready for football talk and sports conversations throughout the coming months and for us to bring you some can't miss opportunities to make free money by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook App and checking out the special offers using the promo code PIVOT. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 wager. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 9/19/22 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See T&C at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. #1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices