Let the Games Begin

In this episode, Carver interviews Bill Shumard, former CEO of the Southern California Special Olympics for over a decade and previous Athletic Director at Cal State Long Beach as well as Cal State Fullerton.  In the interview, Bill discusses his knowledge of the SoCal sports business scene and the biggest misconceptions surrounding the Special Olympics.

In this episode, Carver interviews Bess Barnes, VP of Programming at CBS Sports. In the interview, Bess talks about what goes into the scheduling of games/seasons, CBS's involvement in March Madness, and much more! Enjoy!

In this episode, Carver interviews the President of Global Partnerships of the Oak View Group, Dan Griffis. Dan contributed to the founding of OVG and previously worked as the VP of Marketing for Target. In the chat, he goes over having the right motivations for working in sports, the similarities and differences between sports business and business, how to always keep marketing in mind, and more. Enjoy!

In this episode, Carver interviews Caroline Hendershot, Team Reporter for the New York Jets and Michigan alum. We talk the pressure of being behind camera, how to get over on-air mistakes, and her journey!

In this episode, Carver interviews CBS's lead NFL sideline reporter, Tracy Wolfson, who also spent time as the lead sideline reporter for SEC football on CBS and for March Madness. In the interview, Tracy discusses her career progression, providing avenues for women in sport, the perfection needed for live TV, and more! Enjoy

In this episode Carver interviews America's top performance trainer, Chip Smith.  Chip discusses how he fell in love with performance training... his journey to Russia to unlock some Soviet training secrets... and his rise to become the top performance trainer in the USA.  The roster of NFL greats trained by Chip include 70 players who made the NFL Pro Bowl including Brian Urlacher, Champ Bailey, Jared Allen and James Harrison...  and most important... we talk about his belief in treating the athletes he trains like family.  Enjoy! 

In this episode Carver interviews Vashti Cunningham, America's number one ranked professional high jumper and Nike athlete who recently competed in the Tokyo Olympics. Vashti highlights the mental challenges of an individual sport, how to be more than just an athlete, and more! Enjoy.

In this episode, Carver interviews Dean Dalton, Executive Director of the NFL Alumni Academy and long time assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings. Dean discusses his lessons learned from coaching, the progress and goals of the Alumni Academy and how to separate yourself from the pack when job hunting. Enjoy!

In this episode, Carver chats with Lou DePaoli of General Sports Worldwide who previously served as EVP and CMO of the Atlanta Hawks and Pittsburgh Pirates and EVP and CRO of the New York Mets. We discuss the differences between the MLB and NBA, generating revenue without a prolific team, marketing to specific cities, and more!

In this episode, Carver interviews Greg Winik, President of Content and Executive Producer at the NBA. We discuss the rise of and changes in streaming live sports,  changes in digital media the past two decades, and more! Enjoy...

In this episode, Carver speaks with Steve Mayer, Chief Content Officer and EVP of the NHL.  Steve talks about innovation within the NHL, marketing to a specific audience, taking risks, and more!

In this episode, Carver talks with tenured sports executive Steve Patterson who served as GM with the Rockets, athletic director at UT,  President of the Trail Blazers, and much more! He discusses all things operating a franchise from the top and narrowing in on the business aspect of sports.

In this episode, Carver interviews sports filmmaker John Weinbach who just recently worked in depth on The Last Dance. Previously, he has made made multiple 30 for 30s, and he currently serves as president of Skydance Sports. In the interview, he discusses mixing art and sports, working behind the scenes with athletes, and much more!

In this episode, Carver interviews legendary sports photographer Andrew D. Bernstein about his start in the industry, his work for the NBA, his relationship with Kobe, and his more recent occupation of podcasting. His pictures:http://www.adbapi.com/#/editorial/

In this episode, Carver interviews professional boxer Evan Holyfield, who currently holds a perfect 8-0 record. He dives into the mental tools needed for an individual sport like boxing, carving a name for himself separate from his father Evander Holyfield (3 time world heavyweight champion), and much more. So, enjoy!

In this episode, Carver interviews Emily Weisman who works at a Public Relations Strategist at Riot Games and previously worked with the San Francisco 49ers. Also, Emily interned with the NCAA and the Indianapolis Colts prior to these jobs. In the interview, she discusses the importance of social justice within sports, the key principles of communicating a brand's image, and much more!

In this episode, Carver interviews sports filmmaker John Hock who worked for both NFL Films and NBA Entertainment. He also played a major role in the rise of 30 for 30s on ESPN, working on projects like Through the Wire with Sebastian Telfair. In the interview, he discusses how to perform storytelling within sports,  what to do to improve as a director, how to adapt film style to different sports, and more!

In this episode, Carver interviews Don Sperling, the Vice President and Executive Producer of  Entertainment for the New York Giants. Don manages all branding, marketing, television, radio, digital media, social media, publishing, creative services, events and the live game day stadium production and presentation. Before his time with the Giants, Don was President of D& L Media, and he previously served as Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of NBA Entertainment, NBA TV and NBA.com for fifteen years. In the interview, Don discuses managing the many aspects of entertainment for a massive franchise such as the New York Giants, dives into his time at NBA Entertainment, and gives priceless advice to those trying to work in the sports world.

In this episode, Carver interviews Chris Talbott of The Camwood Group who works as Cleveland Browns' quarterback Baker Mayfield's marketing agent. He previously worked as a marketing executive at Microsoft, BDA Sports, and Wasserman Media. We discuss marketing and working with athletes off the field, social justice in sports, and much more!

In this episode, Carver interviews the amazing Felisa Israel, who served for almost a decade as the NBA's Director of Live Programming and Entertainment after working with the Phoenix Suns for over 6 years as the Director of Entertainment and Special Events. Currently, Felisa owns 10 Fold Entertainment, which has produced events with partners like Bleacher Report and the LA Clippers among many others. Also, Felisa co-founded the IMPACT Internship program and teaches a summer course on Sport and Entertainment at UCLA Anderson School of Management. They discuss planning and managing  events, her role in the start of the WNBA, working with the youth, and much more!

In this episode, Carver interviews Zach Schotz, BodyArmor's social media manager, about managing a brand, marketing athletes and yourself,  the importance of "starting something", and much more!

Get to know what "Let the Games Begin" is all about!

In today's episode, Carver interviews Petros Papadakis. Petros played running back at USC and following his playing career, he moved over to media. He's worked as a sideline reporter for Fox Sports, covering College and High School Football while sometimes announcing games. He's a co-host on the popular LA sports radio show - the Petros and Money Show.  Aside from sports, he's still found success, previously hosting The Challenge on NBA and Pros vs. Joes. In the interview, he goes over his playing career and shift to sports media, and he dishes out advice to those looking to enter either field.

In today's episode, Carver interviews Rutledge Wood who's served as a racing analyst for NASCAR, a reporter with NBC for the Olympics, and the host of the shows like U.S. Top Gear and The Floor is Lava. He discusses his ascent in the sports media world, his experience with the Olympics, his advice to those interested by the sports world, and more!