Ep 27: The Politics of Finding Peace - Featuring Alexis Belton

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele takes a deep dive into Bill Belichick’s controversial relationship with his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson and whether the relationship is changing how people view the future NFL Hall of Famer. Jemele is then joined by Lanny Smith, the founder of the popular fitness brand, Actively Black. Lanny, a former Houston basketball player, discusses how he rebounded from a devastating injury that cost him his NBA career. Lanny also shares how Ryan Coogler's Black Panther movie served as inspiration for Actively Black, the challenges he faces in trying to turn his company into the “Black Nike,” and the impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs. In the final segment, Jemele shares her favorite story about Gregg Popovich, who recently stepped down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele addresses the Shedeur Sanders draft controversy, making a compelling case for why Sanders’ fall in the draft was a talent-based decision. Jemele is later joined by professional golfer Alexis Belton, a World Long Drive Tour champion who keeps it real about the challenges of pursuing a professional golf career. Alexis candidly shares some mental health struggles she’s endured trying to finding her place in golf, how she found her voice after dealing with some racial incidents as a college golfer, and how she’s using her experiences to support and empower other aspiring golfers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele takes a deep dive into how some in sports are using their money to curry influence with this presidential administration. Jemele is later joined by ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Tiffany Greene, the first Black woman to do play-by-play in college football on a major network. Tiffany shares how she fell in love with play-by-play broadcasting, how she prepares for games across multiple sports, and what it means to be an HBCU graduate that does play-by-play commentary for HBCU football games. Tiffany also shares the inspiring story of how longtime Good Morning America host Robin Roberts impacted her career. In the final segment, Jemele reveals some of her favorite sports literature.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele jumps into the case of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who held out from team meetings and practices because he reportedly sought to raise his salary from $2.4 million to $4 million. Iamaleave and Tennsessee parted ways, but is this the new reality for college football?  Jemele is later joined by former NFL player Chris Kluwe, who recently was arrested at a Huntington Beach, Calif., city council meeting for performing an act of peaceful civil disobedience. Kluwe also shares why he feels he was blackballed from the NFL for his support of same-sex marriage and how he feels like the American public needs to resist during this tumultuous political time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele takes the Los Angeles Dodgers to task for visiting the White House after Donald Trump’s administration temporarily erased Jackie Robinson’s military history on the Department of Defense’s website. Jemele is then joined by sports business guru Andrew Brandt, who has worked in a NFL front office, negotiated player contacts, and is the  executive director of the Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law at Villanova University. Andrew breaks down the $6.1 billion sale of the Boston Celtics, why he believes the Dallas Cowboys are worth $10 billion, and what revenue sharing will bring to college sports. Andrew also shares his choice for the Sports Business Hall of Fame, meaning which players who have secured great contracts despite not having the results to match. Plus, Jemele answers an intriguing question from a SPOLITICS listener: Who is her all-time Detroit Pistons starting 5?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele takes a 360-degree view of the transfer portal, looking at its impact on college basketball, including the upcoming men’s and women’s Final Four. Jemele is then joined by former SportsCenter anchor Kenny Mayne in a wide-ranging interview that covers Kenny’s career journey, the bold moves that led him to ESPN, the devastating injury that ended his college football carer and how it ties into the organization he began to help veterans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele breaks down what’s wrong with Fox Sports’ list of greatest women’s college basketball players ever and shares her own list. She is then joined by comedian Roy Wood Jr., who shares his passion for baseball, thoughts on why the sport needs a major African-American star, and his observations about the state of political media. Roy also discusses why he chose to focus his latest stand-up comedy special, Lonely Flowers, on the epidemic of loneliness in America. Finally, Jemele pays tribute to boxing great George Foreman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's opening filibuster, Jemele breaks down the Department of Defense temporarily deleting the military history of Jackie Robinson. Later, she is joined by Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal, the creators of the Earn Your Leisure platform. Rashad and Troy discuss their new book, You Deserve To Be Rich, a step-by-step guide that teaches people how to build their wealth. Rashad and Troy share anecdotes about their financial growth, share the top reasons people are intimidated when it comes to growing their finances, and common financial mistakes people make when they begin their investment journey. Jemele then closes out the episode by remembering former NBA player Junior Bridgeman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the NFL’s free agency in full swing, on this week’s filibuster Jemele remembers Curt Flood, the Major League Baseball player whose fight for free agency became the blueprint for other players to fight for their freedom. Jemele also explains why Flood deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame based on how his court battle with MLB changed th esport forever. Jemele is then joined by Matthew Hatchette, a former NFL veteran who transitioned into filmmaking and storytelling. Hatchette reflects on his time on the Minnesota Vikings with former teammates Randy Moss and Randall Cunningham. He also shares the triumphs and challenges he’s faced transitioning into entertainment. Jemele also answers a question from a “spolitician” about what would be a winning platform for a politician in this political climate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s opening filibuster, Jemele makes the case for why MLB legend Pete Rose shouldn’t be inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously, despite pressure from Donald Trump. Jemele is then joined by Etan Thomas, a college star and former NBA veteran who has become one of the leading athlete-activists. Etan explains why speaking up always has been important to him, and how he navigated having strong opinions about race and politics during his playing career. Also, this week, a “spolitician” asks Jemele how she feels about so many former athletes getting into the sports media industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.