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

Summary:

Guest Samir Hernandez is all about embracing life’s journey, staying humble and hungry, and building community-centered relationships. Throughout all his stages– college hooper, banker, Jordan Brand rep, and independent filmmaker, that competitive nature that was instilled in him as a kid in South Central Los Angeles never left.

Timestamps:

0:00 - 18:21 → Growing Up In the L.A. Basketball Scene

18:21 - 35:42 → Overcoming Challenges and Building Relationships

35:42 - 57:19→ Taking Risks In Post-Athletics Life

57:19 - End → Learning Across Industries & Putting Film Skills to Work

Summary:

In episode four of The Second Half Podcast, Jabari and Garren Strong have a conversation about how athletes can stay motivated and find their vision after their playing career closes. Strong was a wide receiver at the University of Oregon before transitioning into a career in marketing at Nike/Air Jordan. Now, Strong is going back and helping student-athletes just like his former self make the most of their college careers—both on the field and off the field—with his organization called Circle of Winners. The moral of the story? Surround yourself with the right people and keep that winner’s mentality wherever you go.

Timestamps:

“First Half”

0:00 - 16:46 Upbringing & Falling in Love with Sports

16:46 - 32:59 College Football Journey & Resilience

“Second Half”

32:59 - 1:06:25 Post-Sports Life: Working with Nike

1:06:25 - End Entrepreneurial Venture: Circle of Winners

In this episode of The Second Half Podcast, host Jabari Saunders sits down with Jeremy Smith. The two former athletes discuss Jeremy’s upbringing, his unique college experiences, and how he overcame obstacles to achieve great things in the digital marketing space after his basketball career came to a close.

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“First-Half”

0:00 - 21:44 Upbringing & Early Basketball Journey

21:44 - 32:00 Variety of College Experiences

32:00 - 46:15 Finding Professional Footing

“Second-Half”

46:15 - 59:50 Building Relationships in Corporate Life

59:50 - 1:10:20 Career Advice & Current Endeavors

Super Bowl Champion. Dual-Sport Athlete. Entrepreneur. In episode two, Jabari talks to a friend and former colleague, Dennis Dixon. In this wide-ranging discussion, Dixon shares his knowledge and insights on how he was able to navigate a career in professional sports and transition away from it successfully when the time was right. You won’t want to miss this.

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“First Half”

0:00 - 12:26 Upbringing, Family Values, & Choosing a Path

12:26 - 25:37 College Life - Athletics and Academics

25:37 - 36:44 Professional Football Career

“Second Half”

36:44 - 43:22 Retirement & Shift to Corporate Life

43:22 - 53:21 Entrepreneurial Ventures & Life Advice

In episode one, Jabari sits down for an open and honest discussion with L. Rick Cornett. Cornett is a former professional basketball player turned entrepreneur. If you are an athlete or former athlete yourself, or simply fascinated by the stories of people like L. Rick Cornett, this episode is for you. The two discuss it all; Cornett’s upbringing, his athletic and academic career at Notre Dame, his work-family balance, and tips for success.

Timestamps:

“First Half”

0:00 - 4:13 - Upbringing & Choosing Basketball

4:13 - 12:48 - College Career: Notre Dame

12:48 - 20:29 Overseas Professional Career


“Second Half”

20:29 - 34:50 Get-to-know-you & Transition from athletics to other endeavors

34:50 - 44:43 Current Projects and Family Life