Kara Lawson from top tier athlete to prominent coach in basketball, formidable leadership and life lessons, Pat Summit stories, Boston Celtics, restoring Duke Women's program as a powerhouse & Gold Medal run with Team USA in 2026 FIBA World Cup

"Who puts us in the best situation to win each night...I'm here for all the smoke!" Kara Lawson Kara Lawson joins Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor for a powerful conversation about the journey from elite athlete to one of basketball’s most respected leaders and coaches. Fresh off a Gold Medal win at the 2026 FIBA World Cup, Coach takes us inside her experience with USA Basketball and the challenge of coaching a roster loaded with some of the greatest talent in the world—including Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers—and finding the balance between individual greatness, different personalities and one shared mission on the international stage. Not afraid to ruffle feathers or cave to criticisms, Coach explains her approach to leading and winning at the highest levels. She opens up about the leadership lessons that have guided her, the impact of legendary coach Pat Summitt, and the stories and wisdom she carried forward from her time around one of the most influential figures in women’s basketball. Lawson also reflects on her experience with the Boston Celtics and how working inside the NBA sharpened her understanding of leadership, culture and team-building. Lawson takes us from her childhood, where her father introduced her to football and helped shape the toughness, discipline and competitive mindset that would define her life, to becoming a top-tier basketball player and eventually a prominent coach. Now at Duke, Lawson discusses the challenge of restoring a historic women’s basketball program to powerhouse status, building a culture that demands excellence, and developing players beyond what happens between the lines. From playing football with her dad to learning from Pat Summitt, from the Celtics to Duke, and from elite player to elite coach, Kara Lawson shares the leadership, sacrifice, resilience and life lessons behind her remarkable basketball journey—and what it takes to lead the best talent in the world. Full video episode streaming on Netflix now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“No one teaches you how to be famous.”Xavi Simons  From being a young football sensation in the spotlight to navigating family, fame, setbacks and the weight of expectations, Xavi Simons joins The Pivot for an honest conversation about the journey behind the player. Xavi opens up about growing up with the world watching, finding his identity beyond the hype, and the family and people who helped shape him along the way. Sharing how his father was not present and being the namesake of a professional footballer came with pressure and expectations. He takes us inside the difficult decision to leave Barcelona’s academy at just 16, walking away from the club where he grew up and beginning a new chapter that would ultimately shape his career. He also reflects on the pride and pressure of representing the Netherlands on the world stage — and the heartbreak of watching the 2026 World Cup from home after an ACL injury ended his season and took away the opportunity he had worked toward. Now facing the next chapter of his career, Xavi talks about his recovery, his future in soccer, the lessons he's learned through adversity, and what it means to carry the expectations that have followed his name since he was a kid. Fame came early. The setbacks came too. Now Xavi Simons is writing the next chapter of his story. Full Episode streaming now on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colin Kaepernick joins Ryan, Channing and Fred for one of his most personal and revealing conversations yet. A decade after he took a knee and changed the conversation around athletes, race, protest and power, Colin is telling the story behind the story in his new memoir, The Perilous Fight. From growing up as a Black child adopted into a white family, to the experiences and misconceptions that shaped him long before he ever stepped onto an NFL field… from becoming a star quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers and reaching the Super Bowl, to the decision to protest during the national anthem and everything that followed. Colin opens up about what people have gotten wrong about his journey, what actually led him to kneel, the fallout with the NFL, the years of questions surrounding his career, and the moments behind the headlines that he says have never fully been told. He also gets candid about his relationship with Jay-Z, their conversations surrounding the NFL and Roc Nation, and why that relationship became complicated. And then there’s the part of Colin’s story that exists beyond football and activism: fatherhood, family, identity, purpose and the man he has become today. A conversation about childhood, race, football, sacrifice, power, relationships, fatherhood, misconceptions, and what it means to stand on what you believe—even when the world decides to define you for itself. Full video playing now on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"When one door closes, another opens and if it doesn't, kick it down until it does." Ryan Clark Football season is back, we kicked off week 1 launching our own kick off with our new Sports Studio show as Ryan, Channing and Fred share their journey of resilience, redirection and shaking up the industry. It's a lesson in rebuilding and turning let down into opportunity and the guys share how they pulled off mission impossible efforts to kick off the football season in a new pivotal way. The guys reflect with raw emotion, thoughtfulness and share the highs and lows of the process rooted in brotherhood to get to where we are now. Leading right into College football season kick off and RC's LSU Tigers coming out strong, Lane Kiffen's leadership, Arch Manning the future, top ranked colleges and the support of HBCU teams. Giving their insights and locker room takes while having fun talking off the field like RC's Hyrox adventure, Chan's sports-parenting and Freddy T's reflection on life as we get into a new season of life. Also, the guys applaud Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese quieting the unnecessary noise as WNBA season is underway. Full video episode out now on Netflix. And Check out our new Sports Show on Mondays at 2pm est on The Pivot YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I’m a peace with my career. I had nothing else to prove. "Clay Matthews Clay Matthews is back — and he’s giving us the story behind the story, joining Ryan, Channing and Fred to talk all the changes big and small in life. From USC to the NFL, Super Bowl champion, defensive force and one of the most recognizable linebackers of his generation, Clay Matthews sits down for a conversation about the journey that made him — on and off the field. After hanging low for years after retiring, Clay opens up about his rise from USC to Green Bay, winning a Super Bowl, building a defensive legacy and what it really took to compete at the highest level of football. The Super Bowl play to upset the Pittsburgh Steelers is a defining moment in his career but also a painful one for Ryan to revisit as it was his team on the losing end. But this conversation goes beyond the stats, sacks and championships. He gets honest about why he stepped away from the game for so long, what life after football has looked like, and finding purpose outside of the sport that defined so much of his life. And perhaps most importantly, Clay talks about being a dad and coaching his kids in flag football — bringing the same standards of accountability, discipline and respect that were demanded of him throughout his own career. What does it mean to hold your kids to a high standard while still letting them find their own path? We also get into Clay’s next chapter, including his work with Netflix, his evolving role in entertainment and the hilarious viral headlines surrounding his “new look” that had everyone doing a double take this week. Partnering with Caesar's Sportsbook, Clay gave everyone a run for his money when he appeared in public for the first time in years with an enhanced maxxed out look that had the world buzzing if it was really him...shortly after he announced his partnership with Caesar's and how the Sportsbook and app have had some "work done" just as he did to launch this next chapter. This is Clay Matthews beyond the helmet — the competitor, the father, the storyteller, and the man who has figured out the right balance between football and family. Full video episode now streaming on Netflix. The Pivot Podcast a partner of Caesar's Sportsbook. Please play responsibly. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA,MI, MS, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, ON, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, Washington, DC or Puerto Rico. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MS, MO, NJ, TN, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (http://mdgamblinghelp.org/) or WV: Visit 1800gambler.net (http://1800gambler.net/); AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; OH, VA, LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City),Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed operator): Call 1-800-MY-RESET; NV:Call 1-800-522-4700; ON: Visit connexontario.ca (http://connexontario.ca/) or call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247; Puerto Rico: Call 1-800-981-0023; llame a la línea PAS de ASSMCA 1-800-981-0023. ©2026, Caesars Entertainment. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or Call 1-800-MY-RESETMA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (http://gamblinghelplinema.org/) NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Be so good they cant ignore it." Fred Warner The San Francisco 49ers star joins The Pivot to talk about the journey, adversity, and mindset behind becoming the leader of one of the league’s toughest defenses. Going from having Super Bowl MVP locked up to losing the game, Warner opens up about chasing the Lombardi, the lessons that came from falling short, battling back from injury, and what it takes mentally and physically to return to the field at the highest level. He gets real about his family, the people who keep him grounded, and the responsibility that comes with being a leader in the 49ers locker room. He also breaks down the transition to a new defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris, what changes on the field, and how he plans to set the tone for the next chapter of San Francisco football. This is Fred Warner beyond the helmet — his journey, his setbacks, his family, his leadership, and his relentless pursuit of a championship. Check out the full episode streaming now on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie Baker on the Future of College Sports What happens when college sports becomes one of the biggest business, political and cultural battlegrounds in America? On this episode of The Pivot Podcast, Charlie Baker, NCAA President and former Massachusetts governor, joins the conversation for a wide-ranging discussion about the rapidly changing world of college athletics. Baker breaks down the chaos surrounding the NCAA, the evolving NIL landscape, the future of college football, and what the next era of the student-athlete experience could look like. He also opens up about LSU and the controversy surrounding NFL players going back to college and how it affects the identity of college sports and how much financial implications are coming from NIL and transfer portal. The conversation goes beyond football, with Baker discussing the explosive growth of women’s sports, the opportunities and challenges facing women athletes, and how college athletics can continue building momentum across the country. And because college sports and politics are increasingly intertwined, Baker weighs in on the role of politics in college athletics, the pressures facing universities and the NCAA, and where the line should be drawn between government, institutions and sports. From NIL and conference realignment to football, women’s sports, LSU, politics and the future of the NCAA, this is a candid conversation about an industry undergoing one of the biggest transformations in its history. The rules are changing. The money is changing. The power is shifting. And Charlie Baker is at the center of it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The hardest fight is life, another man doesn’t scare me.” Conor Benn In a powerful and eye-opening conversation, the guys sit with Conor Benn for one of his most honest and vulnerable conversations yet. The son of British boxing legend Nigel Benn, Conor grew up carrying a family name that came with enormous expectations. But behind the undefeated record, the spotlight, and the pressure to live up to his father’s legacy was a young man fighting battles that had nothing to do with boxing. In an emotional and vulnerable moment, Conor opens up about his journey through suspension, the scrutiny and isolation that followed, and reaching a point where the weight of everything became so overwhelming that he contemplated taking his own life. He shares what brought him back from that place, how he began to find himself beyond boxing, and the people and experiences that ultimately helped save his life. He shares how there is no such thing as fear and that his perspective on fighting has changed realizing getting in the ring is nothing compared to what he’s endured.  Now, with his upcoming fight against Ryan Garcia, Conor talks about what this next chapter means to him — not just as a fighter, but as a man. He discusses redemption, purpose, mental strength, what he has learned from the darkest moments of his life, and where he sees his career and life going from here. This is more than a boxing conversation. It’s a story about falling apart, finding yourself, saving your life, and discovering what you’re truly fighting for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The league is about getting better, if you don’t, you are out.” -Malik Willis As NFL training camp officially wraps, now it’s time to see how some of the new faces in new places approach the 2026 season. We had the privilege of sitting with one of the break out stars over the past couple years who is getting his chance to be back leading a team.  Miami’s quarterback, Malik Willis, joins The Pivot for a wide-ranging conversation about the journey that has shaped him both on and off the football field — from growing up with the foundation of good parents, finding his way through college football, and eventually making his way from Tennessee to Green Bay and now Miami. Willis opens up about the highs, setbacks, lessons, and growth that have come with chasing his dream of becoming an NFL quarterback. He reflects on his college path, the experiences that helped shape his game and his mindset, and the people who kept him grounded along the way. Now entering a new chapter as the quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, Willis talks about the expectations that come with getting his opportunity to lead an NFL franchise. He discusses adjusting to a new team, a new city, and a new head coach, while embracing the responsibility and pressure that comes with being the guy under center. His bond with Coach Jeff Hafley has helped him grow into the leader the team needs especially with a young roster, specifically at wide receiver. But beyond football, the conversation gives a glimpse into the person behind the helmet. Known for his relaxed demeanor and calm presence, Willis talks about staying true to himself while navigating the noise, expectations, and scrutiny that come with playing quarterback at the highest level. From Tennessee to Green Bay to Miami, Malik Willis’ story is one of perseverance, patience, family, growth, and believing in yourself when the path doesn’t always go according to plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The entire team is bought in to Ben Johnson’s winning ways.” Coltson Loveland  As we are getting close to wrapping our training camp tour, we caught up with Chicago Bears’ first-round pick who sits with Ryan and Channing for an honest, fun and wide-ranging conversation about his rise from a small-town young buck in Idaho to becoming one of the biggest names in college football at Michigan — and now, one of the NFL’s most intriguing playmakers. Colston takes us behind the scenes of the journey, the sacrifices and the moments that shaped him along the way. From Idaho hometown hero to winning a National Championship at Michigan with Jim Harbaugh to being selected as a first round draft pick to Chicago Bears. His name is rising quickly to the top of the NFL, he talks about feeding off the energy from Ben Johnson, the dawg mentality of his quarterback Caleb Williams and being apart of a roster determined to win at all costs.  He recounts last season’s comebacks, his career high performance, the heated rivalry between Green Bay, Bears’ playoff run and the expectations the team has instilled on themselves to chase a Lombardi trophy this season.  Colston gives his perspective on Johnson’s offensive mind, his coaching style and why players are excited about what he’s building in Chicago. He talks about Caleb’s unique ability to make plays that seemingly shouldn’t be possible, what it’s like developing chemistry with him and why the Bears’ offense has so much potential. Chicago and the NFL world has already embraced Colston — and apparently, so have the ladies As he acknowledges the attention that comes with being a young NFL star, his growing fan base and what it’s like adjusting to life in the spotlight while still continuing to prove himself on the field. To Colston, It's bigger than the draft status, the attention or the hype...It’s about his goals in the NFL, what he wants to accomplish in Chicago and the mindset required to bring championships to the city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices