Summary:

This week’s guest, Taylor Burner, brought the energy and insights to make for a must-listen episode. From collegiate basketball in the U.S., to an overseas playing career in Israel, to starting her own women-led marketing and branding agency in Chicago, Taylor Burner has seen it all, done it all, and has learned tons along the way. The moral of the story: do what’s right by your people, be honest about your goals, and watch the results naturally come.

Timestamps:

“First half”

0:00 - 17:14 → New York City upbringing, finding mentors

17:14 - 28:38 → On & off-court adventures as a women’s college hooper

28:38 - 42:19 → Making a professional career in Israel

“Second Half”

42:19 - 54:00 → Networking post-athletics, bouncing back from setbacks, and working with brands

54:00 - 1:08:32 → Lessons in entrepreneurship and knowing your value

Summary:

Guest Chris James spent his childhood in the projects of Chicago playing basketball and football at local parks. He took this competitive drive and passion for sports with him to the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign where he soon recognized the disparity in academics for student-athletes. His experience sparked the inspiration to create the HEROH Foundation, an organization providing resources for both athletic and academic successes to young people. The HEROH Foundation has the mission of giving back to James’s childhood community and the surrounding Chicago Public Schools.

Timestamps:

0:00 - 6:46 → Growing Up in the Projects of Chicago Playing Basketball

6:46 - 31:45 → High School Transition to Growing Skill and Reputation in the Football Recruiting World

31:45 - 44:57 → Life as a Football Student-Athlete at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign

44:57 - 50:22 → 30 second timeout: Getting to Know the Guest on a Personal Level

50:22 - 59:50 → Post-College Life: Coaching and Educating Athletes with the HEROH Foundation

59:50 - 1:17:11 → Lessons Learned as a Business Owner, Father, and Retired Athlete

Summary:

Kerhyl Gantt was an elite high school and college swimmer and has since channeled her passion for sports into the marketing world. In this episode, Kerhyl shared her experiences growing up in Houston, as a swimmer at an HBCU, and as a young adult working for Nike and Amazon Prime Video. For anyone looking to get into a career in marketing, you won’t want to miss this episode of The Second Half Podcast.

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Timestamps:

“First Half”

0:00 - 11:25 → Accessibility and representation in youth sports

11:25 - 30:42 → Sport as a “way out” & HBCU Experience

30:42 - 48:38 → Transitioning into life after swimming

“Second Half”

48:38 - 1:02:38 → Finding career path through Nike

1:02:38 - End → Career change and life advice