What's In Your Bag? With Andrew Robinson

"Just Keep Going" is a mantra that has become a foundational piece to everyday life for Ike Iroegbu. When you get cut from the Olympics for no other reason than politics, "Just keep going". When you receive a random phone call while sitting on your couch one morning saying you're going to be playing in your first NBA game in a few hours, "just keep going". When you decide to start a brand to highlight overlooked basketball players, there was no better phrase to sum it up than "just keep going" This phrase is one that can be used whether you're an athlete, or a mailman in your local neighborhood trying to provide for your family. At the end of the day, you just have to keep going! Ike joined the show to discuss some of these trials and tribulations that have come along the way during this basketball journey, that include stops with the Clippers during the NBA preseason, the NBA G League, and some of the best leagues in the world including the ACB in Spain, and the Serie A in Italy. We get into some of the politics that exist in both of these situations, and have a transparent conversation on everything you need to know to make an informed decision on both options. We then shift our focus to the athlete empowerment era that we're currently in. An era that promotes creativity, freedom of expression, and leaning into creative outlets that can give you the fulfillment that we all seek outside of whatever our 9-5 may be. Ike takes us inside the inception of his brand "Just Keep Going" and what it looks like to manage a brand of that scale while being a full time professional athlete. This is one of those episodes that every hooper should tune into! A conversation that you'll leave thankful that you heard, and looking forward to your next opportunity to "just keep going!" Make sure you like, and subscribe to the show, so you don't miss any more conversations just like this one!

Dayne Carter is the definition of what it looks like to be an artist in 2024. He's invested in his craft to the point where he's committed to releasing a single every month of 2024. However, he's also harnessing a love for sports and creativity, while working for Bleacher Report, one of the largest media platforms in the world. We sit down with Dayne to discuss the balance between pursuing a career in music, while also maintaining a job in corporate America, and how those two things have come to benefit one another in certain situations. Dayne shares an all time story of meeting one of his rap idols, J. Cole through an impromptu run in with Lebron James. It's a once in a lifetime story that you have to hear to believe! Dayne takes us through his upbringing in New Jersey/New York that first made him fall in love with hip-hop, as well as how a family relationship landed him a job at a company we've all come to know as Uninterrupted & Make Springhill. Dayne embodies everything it means to be a creative in 2024, and his insight into the industry is something you can apply no matter what field you're in! So get your notepad out, because this is one of them one's you'll have to listen to twice to get the message!

Maclaine West had no idea when she started inviting friends over to her house for dinner on Thursday evenings, that it would turn into one of the most fulfilling endeavors she'd embark on over the next few years. The founder of Soul Supper joined the show to discuss what the journey has been like building what she describes as a "human connection brand" from inception to today where it is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing communities of collaboration that you'll find anywhere. We discuss the importance of connection, and how supper can invite more conversations and encourage more breakthroughs than you'd ever imagine. We also discuss how West has been able to brand Soul Supper to partner the endeavor with over 30 brands and corporations who have bought into the authenticity of the brand, and everything that it stands for. From the pitch deck, all the way to the supper table we discuss the process it takes to conduct outreach and secure brand partners at even the grassroots level. We end the episode with perhaps one of the most powerful conversations we've had here on the platform, where our host gets put in the hot seat, which leads to a deep dive into realizing the beauty of your surroundings and being where your feet are. This is one of those episodes you'll want to watch over and over again once you finish it, so make sure you follow the show so you don't miss a single second!

Victoria Mazzeo has worked with some of the largest brands in the world. Brands such as Adidas, Gatorade & Google. She's also had the opportunity to work with A-List clients such as Michael Rubin, Jeanie Buss, Allen Iverson, & Tracy McGrady to name a few. But how did a former division two athlete turn a basketball career into a business career today that allows her to travel all over the world, while crossing paths with some of the most influential people in the industry? She sat down on the podcast to share her incredible journey, from rebounding in a small gym in Philadelphia for Jameer Nelson & upstart NBA trainer Drew Hanlen, to sitting courtside at every Sixers game in that same city, but now, for work! We discuss how to use the game of basketball to propel you into doors and opportunities your mind could never imagine! So get your notepad out for this one, because it's full of gems that could change the course of your basketball career, and your post basketball life! Make sure you subscribe to the show so you don't miss anymore conversations just like this one!

Merix Alexander has become one of the most well known NBA photographers and videographers by bringing a unique editing style that combines the art of basketball with the art of music and rhythm to produce a piece that encapsulates everything modern about today's game. Merix joined the show to discuss his unique style that we all have come to love, as well as the new era of basketball content where R&B music and slow jams go together with basketball highlights like we've never seen before. We discuss the privilege of shooting all-time greats like Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, and how that has impacted the way Merix approaches shooting a game. We also recap NBA All Star weekend, dive into an impromptu run in with Larry June & Currency that has turned into a relationship that has paid dividends for Merix, and reflect on the impact "sight seeing" has had on Merix's creative lens. This is an episode you don't want to miss! So Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any of the conversation!

Clifford Taylor IV has become the blueprint for what it looks like to be an Athlete creator. From playing football at the University of Florida alongside the likes of Kyle Pitts, Kadarius Toney, and more, Taylor quickly realized he had a talent for story telling, which has allowed him to amass over 1.6 Million followers across Tik Tok, Instagram, and Youtube. We caught up with Taylor to discuss his journey from the playing field, to the creator economy that has allowed him to work with some of the largest brands in the world and alongside some of the biggest athletes & creators in the industry. We touched on his time working in the corporate space winning a Super Bowl with Odell Beckham Jr. and the Rams, as well as working for the NBA and having the opportunity to cover the NBA finals, a childhood dream manifested. Clifford then shared the reasoning behind his departure from the coorporate world, and into the current era of his life as a one man media platform that is responsible for two of the most viral memes on social media over the last few years. We get to the bottom of the inspiration behind the "A win in a win" sound, as well as the "Lakers need a Center" which still is making its rounds on the internet today! We then get to the fun stuff, and discuss some of the reasons why content creation is one of the fastest growing industries today. Due to the amount of money brands are pouring into campaigns and influencer budgets, we talk some financials that will have you with a new found respect for some of your favorite creators! All in all this was an insightful conversation that will change the way you look at the modern day athlete forever! Don't forget to subscribe to the show, and leave a comment if you enjoy this conversation!

KJ Wright, also known as Kelcey Wright Johnson, has become one of the faces of the NBA media scene due to her work as the Memphis Grizzlies sideline reporter and host. Getting the opportunity to cover the upstart Grizzlies and superstars such as Ja Morant is a dream job for most, and one that causes KJ to pinch herself still to this day. However, with a large platform, comes a large amount of people who decide to say nasty things over the internet, with the veil of social media to hide behind. We caught up with KJ to discuss how she dealt with her most recent social media battle, after someone made a nasty comment after a picture surfaced of her interviewing Ja Morant during a game this season. KJ opens up about the struggles that came along with dealing with being panted in that light for the world to see, and how she chooses to deal with people who choose to be negative over the internet. A very candid conversation was had, and wright shared many tips on how to stay true to who you are, as well as how she's been able to make a name for herself in this NBA space after departing from Canada almost five years ago. If you're an NBA fan, someone who aspires to work in the media, or just a sports fan who enjoys hearing new perspectives on the industry, then this conversation is a MUST WATCH! Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel, so you don't miss any more conversations just like this one!

The content creation industry is one that is simultaneously one of the largest growing industries in the world, but also one of the most mysterious in terms of what it actually takes to be successful in it. We sat down with Infamous Kayce to discuss her journey from a hooper, to becoming one of the most sought after basketball influencers in the NBA and WNBA space. We touch on how she first got into the industry after finishing her collegiate playing career. Kayce shares her reaction when she was offered the largest financial payout she'd ever received to work on a campaign. And she shares her advice on how to navigate choosing an agency, pitching yourself for collaborations, and how you can get started in the space. We couldn't let her go without getting the story behind the infamous green hair, and how that has become her calling card when it comes to branding opportunities. It turns out, being unique pays a lot more than fitting in! Kayce shares a once in a lifetime story about interviewing Kobe Bryant, an innocent encounter with Gigi in the women's bathroom, and the memories that will last forever from that day. This is an episode filled with amazing industry insiders, timeless stories, and perspective that you can't get anywhere else! So make sure you subcribe to the show so you don't miss any more conversations like this one!

Securing a job at a corporation like Bleacher Report right out of college is something many of us in this space could only dream of! Then to follow that up with four years at House of Highlights, getting the opportunity to travel across the country to cover the game of basketball... talk about a dream come true. However, at some point, it becomes time to spread your wings, and begin to build that empire of your own. We sat down with Jessica Camille to discuss what life has been like since entering her free agency era after leaving House of Highlights to be her own boss. We discuss the process of securing clients and new job opportunities as a freelancer, the great debate between going corporate vs. building your own brand as a creator, as well as some of the risks and rewards that are associated with both. We have a wholesome discussion around the importance of building genuine community, and finding friends in the industry who don't gatekeep opportunities, but rather try to lift you up & find ways to support you. For the sports girlies, we discuss two of the most influential women in sports today, who have changed the way we all view and consume sports content today! All in all, this conversation was one of the best we've had on the platform to date! Full of advice, inspiration, and direction for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the sports industry! Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don't miss anymore conversations just like this one!

"Started from the bottom now we here" is a phrase that has become cliche over the years, however, it describes the journey of Jody Hou, also known as "WYDJody", to a tee! After quitting photography after college, the COVID-19 pandemic created an opportunity for Jody to reconnect with an old passion, that turned out to be the opportunity that changed everything. We reflect on the path that it took to fall back in love with photography, some of the people who inspired her along the way, as well as what it means to be looked at as an inspiration to others today. We racap some of the MAJOR events Jody has worked such as the Vanity Fair Oscar's after party (The night of the infamous Will Smith slap), shooting for Google Pixel alongside Druski, and working with brands such as Spotify, Peacock and so many more! However, the core of this discussion is about the importance of relationships, and building friendships along the way that can carry you while on your journey in this industry. No matter where you are in your journey, this episode will inspire you to find your tribe to go on this wonderful ride called life with! Be sure to subscribe to the channel and follow the show in order to see more episodes just like this one!

Imagine paying your way to NBA All Star Weekend, with no gigs locked in, just a camera, your best friend, and vibes! Then, imagine leaving that weekend with over ten thousand more followers, hundreds of new connections, and experiences to last a lifetime. That's what Sydne Griffith did when she took her talents to charlotte for NBA All Star Weekend in 2019, and now, almost five years later, that decision has turned out to be one that changed the course of her life forever. We caught up with the Arizona based photographer, better known as "SydG" to discuss her journey into the space that catapulted after that 2019 weekend in Charlotte to discuss everything that went into the decision to take that trip, what life has been like as a result of that trip, and what advice she would offer to creators looking to secure a similar kind of "big break". Sydne drops some gems on the importance of putting yourself out there, as well as how to deal with "no's" in an industry that makes it seem like "yes" is already a foregone conclusion! We also touch on the legendary spades tournament hosted by DWade at All Star Weekend, some of Syd's favorite moments on the job, and of course we couldn't let the holiday season roll through without getting Syd's take on her favorite Christmas movies of all time! This was a jammed packed episode, filled with amazing stories, great perspective, and some life changing advice, so make sure you subscribe to the channel so you don't miss more conversations just like this one!

What's life like working for an NBA All-Star who just became the cornerstone of an upstart NBA Franchise. Tristan Forbes is the man responsible with the task of taking the brand of Houston Rocket's Star Fred VanVleet to a level we haven't seen before. We caught up with him to discuss the new life in H-Town, what went into his departure from the Raptors, and some key tips that have allowed him to be in the position he's in today. We recap memorable stops along the way, such as working with Serge Ibaka, which included a trip to Congo in 2019 fresh off the Raptors championship celebration, a trip to Greece that started it all with Xavier Rathan-Mayes, and some pieces of advice you won't get anywhere else. We also get some fun NBA roadtrip stories, touch on some golden era Canadian basketball, and of course we couldn't let the episode go by without getting a classic 6God story from one of Toronto's finest! Make sure you like and subscribe to the show, so you don't miss any episodes just like this one!

Joely Live has been in the spotlight since she was five years old. From modeling shoots with Gisele Bundchen, to being a sports illustrated kid reporter, Joely has lived her entire life in the public eye. She joined the show this week to discuss the highs and lows of being in the industry, which has included stops working for Young Hollywood, major events such as the Kids choice awards, and most recently starting her own venture with Pucker Up and building that into an exciting new concept. We also reflect on what Joely describes as a "life changing" moment, which came in 2022 when she got the opportunity to walk in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway show in Miami. Joely shares key insights into what has allowed her to achieve this level of success at such a young age, as well as some things that were particularly challenging to overcome along the way. We couldn't let Joely leave without giving her a taste of her own medicine though, as we made her spill some tea that you'll want to make sure you stick around to hear! Make sure you subscribe to the channel so you don't miss this exceptional conversation!

Ashley Tumlinson joined the show this week to share her journey from pivoting after a lifelong career playing volleyball, to now stepping into a new role on the social media team at one of the largest professional sports leagues in the world, the NBA. Ashley shares her journey into creating content, which includes doing freelance photography for people like Lil Baby CJ Stroud Bijan Robinson and many others. We also touched on the past year, in which Ashley was apart of the digital media team with the San Antonio Spurs, which although provided a plethora of opportunities and experience, also came with a lot of stressors that we dive into during the episode! If you're someone who's ever had to pivot, in any area of life, than this conversation is for you! We get into how to transition when one chapter of your life closes, and the stage of depression sets in, and how you can get out of that, and find yourself again! We also of course get into the debate of freelance vs. corporate photography, and which one is more appealing in 2023! All in all, if you're in the creative space, or work with athletes in any capacity, than this conversation is a MUST LISTEN! Make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and stay tuned for more episodes just like this one coming each and every week!

Udonis Haslem just wrapped up a 20 year career with the Miami Heat, after becoming a staple in the Miami Heat organizationand helping lead the franchise to three NBA championships. Now he's stepping into the next phase of his life, retirement, with one of the best managers in the game by his side easing that transition. We sat down with Sunny Piplani, to discuss his journey from Singapore, to playing college basketball in the states, to going to China with Dwyane Wade & UD, & turning a Li Ning internship into a career managing some of the best athletes in the world. Sunny shares a crazy story of how a "shoe plug" back at Choat Boarding School (Yes, that Choat from Power) turned into being the person who changed his life forever. We discuss the process that goes into preparing yourself to work in the business of basketball. From securing internships, to managing relationships, to being a sponge in every situation. We then jump into some of the day to day responsibilities that go into managing a player such as Udonis Haslem, and what a typical day looks like on the job. We also touch on "getting off the payroll" something Rich Paul recently spoke about, that is an important key in taking that next step in the business of basketball. Sunny shares some of his most memorable moments traveling to China with Li Ning & Way of Wade Brand alongside DWade, UD, D'Angelo Russell, CJ McCollum and so many more! You won't want to miss some of these stories! All in all, this was a great insight into the behind the scenes lives of some of the best basketball players in the world, and if you've ever wanted to work in this industry, then this episode is a must watch!

Maya Reese, also known as "Overtime Maya" has contributed to helping Overtime Women's Basketball become the most followed women's sports platform across instagram and TikTok. We caught up with her to discuss her journey that has involved conversations with some of the faces of women's basketball, people such as Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, and Paige Buckers. We begin with her time at Howard University, that saw her complete internships with platforms such as complex, BET, NBC Sports, and ESPNU. We discuss the process that went into securing these opportunities, and how they affected her career going forward. We couldn't miss out on an opportunity to highlight the fact that Maya became an Emmy Award winner at the age of 25, she discusses what winning the award at that age meant to her, and dropped some gems of inspiration for others trying to follow suit! We capped off this conversation discussing the growth of Overtime, and how its affected the new age athlete in the era of social media. Are athletes more focused on going viral and getting posted on overtime rather than actually playing the game the right way? We have a candid conversation on athletes such as Mikey Williams, who have directly been impacted by the era of social media. This is a conversation you absolutely don't want to miss! So make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any more conversations just like this one!

Travante Williams has perhaps the craziest journey to professional basketball that you'll ever hear in your life. From working at Jack In The Box to pay his way through school, to lacing up against Jabari Parker and Jahlil Okafor in the ACB, you've never heard of someone go from flipping burgers, to one of the top leagues in the entire world. We sat down with Travante to discuss his crazy path making it out of Alaska, the state that's home to some NBA royalty such as Mario Chalmers, and Carlos Boozer, and how he aims to become to latest Alaska native to continue to put the land of the midnight sun on the map across the world! We get down to the nitty gritty to find out what went into Travante's departure from Sporting after a four year run that saw him become the most decorated player in the clubs history, as well as what made Manresa the right club to begin to blaze a new path. You'll want to stick around for the answer! We end off the conversation with a classic draft that saw Travante pick an All-Time Alaska Starting 5 that could go against Andrew's All-Time DMV starting five. You guys let us know who wins! Make sure to like, comment and subscribe to the channel, for more conversations just like this one!

Swish Cultures is easily one of the most well known basketball platforms across the world. Whether it be documenting overseas players, showing behind the scenes of NBA workouts and games, or putting the world on to the next up and coming high school athlete before the world catches on, Swish Cultures has changed the way we look at the game of basketball online. We sat down with Ashten Smith-Gooden, one of the founders of this legendary platform to discuss the process of building a business of this magnitude from scratch. We start all the way at the beginning, and uncover what sparked the inception of Swish Cultures, and how we got to the point we're at today, where swish has become the go-to source for everything basketball related. We discuss the highs and lows that come with being a black owned company, favorite moments from being around athletes such as Lebron James, Russell Westbrook, and so many others, as well as what the future has in store for Swish! Make sure to like & subscribe to the channel for more episodes in our creator series!

Jessica Slate works with some of the best athletes in the world on building brands digitally, and showing up in your community outside of the basketball court. From NBA Hall of Famers like Tracy McGrady, to multiple time All Star Andre Drummond, and young up & coming players such as Grant Williams and Torey Craig, Jessica is in the trenches helping with everything from social media posts, to charity work, foundation events, and so much more. Simply put, if you need something to get done, Jessica is your girl! In this episode, we discuss her work founding the Slatehouse, which provides services to professional athletes involving anything social or digital, as well as concierge services that cover everything else outside the margins! Jessica has a plethora of experience in the broadcast industry, so we dive into her work with the WNBA, Longhorn Network, and events such as working the Super Bowl that have allowed her to develop her skillset in this digital space. We discuss the ins and outs that go into building a team at the NBA level, and what makes certain people cut out for it, and other not so much. Jessica gives some tips on breaking into the industry, and ditching that five or ten year plan you probably had for yourself in college, it almost never goes as planned! We get into working with a max contract player such as Andre Drummond, and what goes into building a brand for a player of his caliber off the court. We also have a super timely conversation on crisis management, and how to respond in case of a situation such as Ja Morant or Zion Williamson arises where you may need to do some damage control. We end it off with a game of who's most likely too, which will give you some insight on your favorite NBA players, as well as a draft of the top NBA cities that you don't want to miss! Make sure to like this episode, and subscribe to the channel if you enjoyed this conversation! There's a lot more on the horizon!

Mike Ade Ojo, or "Be Like Mike" as most of us know him sits down with us to discuss his journey to becoming one of the most sought after NBA photographers in only his first year on the job. We walk through his ten year pro career that took him all around the world, and eventually put a camera in his hand for the first time. We recap his "Rookie of the Year" season covering the NBA, and touch on some of his favorite moments, favorite shots, and of course, shooting for the legendary publication that is Slam, and what that meant to him as a basketball purist. We would be remiss to not take a stroll down memory lane to his time sharing the backcourt with prolific NBA scorer CJ McCollum during his college years at Lehigh, and what CJ has done to help his career even after college! We end off with a draft of our favorite sports movies ever, that will surely have you feeling nostalgic by the end!! Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations just like this, as our creator series rolls on!