"Give it Context" Podcast by “Jovi Nation”

From my 7th Grade Social Studies teacher to one of the most important men in my life, this man saved me from a lot of worst thoughts and fears! Throughout my lacrosse career, Mr. Sparks stayed in touch with me and I made it a point to see him whenever I came home to visit. A lot has changed since 7th grade and in the episode we do a quick recap of the last 17 years to where we are today. We address the #BlackLivesMatter Movement, athlete activism, and a new topic of serious consideration, a revised version of the American Textbook! I encourage all of my new activists to listen to his unique perspective on where he sees US as a country headed and how we can use the current state in society as a springboard to true CHANGE! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

Hello beautiful people! It’s been too long since I’ve recorded an episode. Unfortunately I was tending to my ailing father who recently passed away, but it was just his time to go and he is in a much better place now. Now to business! In the episode, I speak with a good friend of mine and former professional teammate, Martin Bowes. Martin is an indefinitely retired (concussions) lacrosse player but has stayed active in the lacrosse world through training young athletes at his facility and online. We take an in-depth look into the “Black Lives Matter” movement and the next step for the game of lacrosse as well as how activism will form the next generation. This is a can’t miss conversation. I hope that the lacrosse world gives a serious listen! It’s nice to be back, please TUNE IN! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

NEWS FLASH: Athletes are NOT robots! They have feelings like normal human beings. The stressors of your “9 to 5” job differ depending on the occupation; and more importantly, the levels of stress. Although shooting a basketball, or throwing a football are activities we may have all enjoyed as kids, the stakes grow with every DOLLAR you make doing so. In this episode, I discuss some of the more notable cases of athletes sharing their battles with anxiety, depression, and coping with stress in their respective jobs. Fans of the world, Just remember: The game you pay a ticket to see, isn’t as easy WE (athletes) make it seem, nor as simple to perform as YOU believe it appears. ENJOY! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

Due to the continued spread of the #CoronaVirus, sports as a whole have been put on pause. Professional leagues around the world have ceased all activities while demonstrating some valiant gestures to the workers who have been unable to do their jobs. No NCAA basketball tournament, and the cancellation of ALL spring sports have been the most discussed stories in the sporting world to date...until the NCAA’s decision to give ALL student-athletes currently in school on scholarship the opportunity to return to school for the following year, including graduating seniors! Sounds amazing right? I beg to differ. In this episode, I explain why I believe this is a tactical decision by the NCAA to deflect the most prevalent blame pointed in their direction, and put the onus on the colleges and universities that will be forever changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of student-athletes, both for the good and most importantly the bad. There’s a lot to unpack, ENJOY! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

Social Activism in sports is not a new concept for an athlete. From the 1960’s when the likes of Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali, and Jim Brown gathered at the White House to persuade Americans of all colors and creeds to come together than to live apart (Segregation). That legacy of not “sticking to sports” continues today with some of the most polarizing figures such as Lebron James and Colin Kaepernick starting foundations and even media platforms to show the world that athletes’ have passions outside their respective sports. Unfortunately, even with “noble” causes, athletes can use their platforms and causes as a way to do some very shady activities; on the surface looking like heroes but behind closed doors, carrying out hidden (or sometimes blatant) agendas, sounds like politics right?

Since 2016-2019 has been quite the whirlwind in sports. From President Trump to Barack Obama, Colin Kaepernick to the NFL; everyone has an opinion on the idea of athlete activism, but this episode asks a different question: What have YOU learned in the last three years since Kap’s initial protest? Have you thought of the overall impact of the issue? Has it actually been addressed? Where are we in regard to the issue he was bringing to light? Sidenote: Remember my main objective is to challenge you to think beyond your understanding, and ensure you are open to ALL possibilities. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

In this episode, I explain the true power of being a “Free Agent.” Many people confuse the “business” of sports with their feelings and vice versa; I address that point as well as inform young men and women about the agent’s job. Some key terms: “Restricted vs Unrestricted Free Agent” “Holdout” “Restructured Contract” --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

“Stick to Sports!” “What does he/she know? They’re just an athlete” These are some common viewpoints when a fan doesn’t agree with an athlete’s political stance. What can be done to change this narrative of the “dumb athlete” and when will the casual fan start to realize these athletes are human beings FIRST, and athletes SECOND? On this episode, I use some prominent athletes and their platforms to discuss this ongoing issue across sports. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

Why aren't female athletes paid the same as male athletes? A great question with a complicated answer. As the Women's World Cup has just passed, the conversation has come to our attention even louder than ever. In this episode, I explain the disparity in pay, sexism, and the possible steps that can be made for Women to earn the same wage as men playing the sports they love. P.S. A few of my male athlete examples' income numbers are from 2017 (I realized this after the episode was concluded HAHA) Otherwise ENJOY! (Notable names: Megan Rapinoe, Diana Taurasi, Serena Williams, Danica Patrick) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

In this episode, I speak about the process of becoming a prominent athlete. I speak of what comes with the territory (Priorities, Haters, Self-Awareness) and some helpful ways to deal with the pressure. Self-doubt, anxiety, self-realization....all honest assessments for what an athlete may go through on their journey. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

"Traitor," "Quitter," "Not fully committed..." These are some of the most prevalent critiques from a fan towards a player; but unfortunately these remarks are not well organized. In this episode, I shed some light on the complex relationship that exists between the Fans, players, and the franchise they support. The most important thing to understand is this episode is that the player is in a "lose-lose" situation with the fans that only support them when they're on their team, and a franchise always looking to "improve" their roster after making promises to their "franchise" players.Notable references: Odell Beckham Jr., Demar Derozan, Carlos Tevez, Anthony Davis, and more.. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

Domestic Violence, Reckless Driving, DUI, DWI, etc... How many times have you heard of a professional athlete being involved in one of these actions, and wonder, “How did they not get in trouble?” In this episode, I speak on the inconsistencies of the professional sports world regarding cases of this nature and society’s inability to draw a line. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

In this quick episode, I offer some key advice to the younger athletes’ approach to amateurism as well as ensuring they don’t get burned out or confused with the grind of sports. Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

This is becoming a more prevalent conversation amongst sports both amateur and professionally. Current athletes being reminded of their social media past of tweets from their younger years. Do you believe these earlier life decisions should factor into an upcoming student athlete or current professional? I give my thoughts on this matter and some advice as to how to “manage” their social media platforms and how to avoid the “mistake.” (Athletes mentioned: Josh Hader, Riley Cooper, Steve Clevenger, and Josh Allen.) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

“If you know so much about the game, why aren’t you coaching?;” one of my favorite questions for “helicopter parents.” In this episode, I discuss the hindrance of parent involvement and their unwillingness to play their role in their son or daughters’ athletic achievement. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

YouTube sensations, Parental involvement, Legendary High School legacies, Prospect Camps and Club Tournament “showcases...” I speak on these topics in comparison to the world of AAU Basketball and some tips on how to navigate these days and times of recruiting both from a player and parent’s perspective. Enjoy!

In the final part of the discussion, Dr. Lyons, my Sport Management mentor, and I dissect the slippery slope of paying collegiate student-athletes. We break down the differences between Divisions 1,2,&3, as well as some resolutions to this ongoing debate. ENJOY! (I finally give me thoughts on this episode as well.) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

In the second part of this ongoing discussion, I discuss the potential falls for paying the players while also highlighting the BIG business called “Amateur” sports. Key references: NCAA, “Fab Five,” Johnny Manziel, Todd Gurley, and Terrelle Pryor. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

Should College Student-Athletes be paid? A very popular question these days regarding the state of college athletics with the growing revenue colleges/university are generating. In the episode, I simply preface the “tug of war” on both sides of the equation. Part TWO will go into further details with examples to follow. ENJOY!

“I have friends that are black” “Grow an Afro” “Can I touch your hair?” “I don’t see color” These are some of the most overused and exhausting remarks I’ve heard in my playing career. In this episode, I discuss the obstacles that come with being a black lacrosse player in a predominantly (sometimes completely) white locker room. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

In this episode, I discuss the double standard that exists between athletes and fans. I also give some examples of what's in-bounds or out of bounds for a fan to say. Some notable names mentioned: Tristan Thompson, Kevin Garnett, Carmelo Anthony, Kris Humphries, and Russell Westbrook to name a few. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

On this episode, I discuss the relationship between Politics and Sports and their inevitable outcomes. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

In this episode, I discuss the aftermath of an athlete’s playing career, and the transition into the “Real World.” Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

What do you believe is stalling the growth of the game of lacrosse? This is my take... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

We discuss the ongoing controversies surrounding sports and our moral compass (Ethics). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

We discuss some of the issues between Major League Lacrosse and some of the reasons for why the divorce was imminent. Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

I discuss the characteristics of a team with a winning culture. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

In this episode, we take a look at what is expected of the student-athlete once they have chosen a school to attend. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support

The First episode of "Give it Context" Podcast giving an in-depth look into the NCAA Recruiting Process --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jovan-miller/support