In this episode of the Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello sits down with Mark Fine, Chief Marketing Officer of the Baltimore Orioles. From interning with the Orioles as a college student to returning decades later as the CMO of his childhood team, Mark’s story is a powerful example of how passion, persistence, and relationships can shape a career in sports marketing.

Mark shares his path through Major League Baseball, the NBA, Minor League Baseball, the Harlem Globetrotters, the National Lacrosse League, Professional Bull Riders, and major sports and entertainment organizations like Comcast Spectacor, the New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets, and UFC. Along the way, he breaks down the lessons he learned about leadership, brand building, ticket sales, fan engagement, and navigating career growth across leagues and levels.

This conversation dives into what it really takes to build a long-term career in sports, how early internships can open unexpected doors, and why relationships and reputation matter just as much as results.

In this episode of the Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello sits down with Bill Hudock for an inspiring conversation about career growth, leadership, and the power of building a path through sports and business. From his early days working in public relations in the NFL to playing a role in some of the biggest moments and organizations in professional sports, Bill shares behind-the-scenes insights and the lessons he learned along the way.

Wayne and Bill dive into how to navigate unexpected career turns, develop resilience, and apply the mindset of elite athletes and executives to everyday business challenges. This episode explores themes of mentorship, personal branding, strategic communication, and how experiences in the sports industry can shape success in any field.

Whether you’re a sports professional, marketer, business leader, or aspiring executive, this conversation offers practical takeaways on finding your path and turning opportunities into long-term career momentum.

In this episode of Lessons From Sports, host Wayne Partello reconnects with Peter Szabo, a full-circle conversation that began years ago when Wayne was Peter’s intern at Kiss 108.Peter shares how a lifelong love of music shaped his path from radio into the world of music and media technology. His career includes influential roles at Pandora, Shazam, and Spotify, where he helped shape how audiences discover and engage with music at scale.Now the CEO and Founder of Idea Factory, Peter reflects on the lessons learned at each stage of his career, what it takes to build and lead a company, and how experience across media, technology, and leadership compounds over time. Along the way, Wayne and Peter reminisce on their early days in radio and discuss the importance of mentorship, relationships, and staying curious as industries evolve.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, media and music technology, entrepreneurship, and building a lasting career rooted in passion and adaptability.

Don’t miss this week’s episode ofLessons From Sports, where Wayne sits down with Tyson Ross, former MLB pitcher. Tyson opens up about his deep commitment to community involvement and how he’s consistently made time to participate in local events throughout his career. He reflects on the importance of giving back and the role sports have played in helping him connect with others. As the conversation unfolds, Tyson also shares details about his current work, discussing the meaningful ways he’s continuing to positively impact his community. From his early days in baseball to his ongoing efforts to uplift those around him, Tyson’s journey is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make. Tune in to hear his inspiring story!

Don’t miss this week’s episode of Lessons From Sports, as Wayne sits down with Joshua Elias, co-founder and CEO of Frontwave Arena, Southern California's new multi-use sports and entertainment venue in Oceanside. Joshua talks about how he identified gaps in the sports and media market, built a global solution with SponsorUnited, and is now leading the development of the 170,000-square-foot arena, which opened in 2024. Home to the 16-time indoor soccer champion San Diego Sockers, Frontwave Arena also features live music, cultural events, and more. Listen to the full episode now!

Wayne reconnects with his former boss and mentor, Claudia Lezcano—now CEO of Fuku—who guided him during their time together at the Miami Dolphins. Claudia, a seasoned marketing executive with an impressive track record, shares how her leadership philosophy has evolved and the invaluable lessons from sports that have shaped her approach to building and leading strong teams. This episode explores the power of teamwork, the importance of mentorship, and how great leadership can inspire collaboration and drive success. Don’t miss this inspiring story of overcoming challenges, fostering growth, and the strategies behind building winning teams.

In this episode, Wayne sits down with his longtime friend Brian Napoli, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the Philadelphia Eagles, to explore the pivotal moments that shaped his career. From early dreams to navigating critical decisions at career crossroads, Brian shares how he embraced challenges, learned from missteps, and turned them into lessons that fueled his evolution. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, growth, and the unexpected paths that lead to success—both on and off the field.

This week on Lessons from Sports, Wayne reconnects with his longtime friend and current Head of Properties at Excel Sports Management, an industry-leading agency representing top talent, brands, and properties. Jason shares how his determination and willingness to bet on himself paved the way for a phenomenal career in sports management.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation—listen to the full episode now!

Tune into this week's episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with Dan Fulkerson from Batta Fulkerson Law Group. Hear more about Dan's business philosophy, how he integrated his passion for sports into his career and his pursuit of what truly matters to him. Listen to the full episode now.

Tune into this week's episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with Mad Dog Sports Radio Host, Cody Decker. Hear more about Cody's baseball career and then becoming a broadcaster and daily talk show host - flexing his talents as an entertainer. Listen to the full episode now.