Leveling The Playing Field

Content Warning: This episode contains a discussion of sexual assault and child molestation. There is no detail provided, however, I wanted to let you all know beforehand.

Nancy Hogshead-Makar is an Olympic gold medalist, attorney, CEO, women’s advocate, and change maker. During the 1984 Summer Olympics, she brought home 3 gold medals and one silver medal. However, she has truly made her mark in her advocacy for girls and women in sport. Her career began as an intern at the Women’s Sports Foundation. She worked at a large law firm advocating for women’s rights to equal opportunity in sport in higher education (Title IX). A lover of education, she was a professor at Florida Coastal School of Law for 12 years, before she returned to WSF to be their Senior Director of Policy. Today, she is the CEO of Champion Women, focusing on advocacy for women and girls in sport. Nancy was the driving force behind the creation of the US Center for Safe Sport and the Safe Sport Act. To say she is a badass would be an understatement. She speaks with Bobbi-Sue and gives a lesson on all things related to keeping children in sport safe and why they Olympic movement needs reform.

Big thanks to FIU for sponsoring this episode!

If you’re thinking of going to grad school, check out Florida International University‘s online graduate programs!

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

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Bobbi-Sue is back! This week, she speaks to Nefertiti Walker, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Isenberg School of Management and Assistant Professor for the McCormack Department of Sport Management at the University of Massachusetts. She is the co-chair of the Diversity Committee for the North American Society of Sport Management, a member of the espnW College Athletics Advisory Panel and the LGBT Sports Coalition Leadership Team. Nef has focused her research on Sport Organizational Behavior, Inclusion, and Equality (including intersectionality, gender issues) in Sport.

She is a former collegiate athlete having played basketball at Georgia Tech and Stetson University. She was selected as a WNBA Top-40 pre-draft selection in 2006 and was signed to play professionally in Bohn, Germany. Instead of playing pro ball, she decided to pursue a PhD. and has been inducted into the Stetson University Athletics Hall of Fame. She is currently working on various projects regarding inclusivity in intercollegiate sports.

The interview touches on a lot of the issues surrounding diversity, inclusivity, and intersectionality in sport including times when those issues impacted Nef’s education and career.

Big thanks to FIU and Simple Contacts for sponsoring this episode!

If you’re thinking of going to grad school, check out Florida International University‘s online graduate programs!

If you’re in need of buying some new contacts, check out the special offer Simple Contacts is offering to Leveling The Playing Field listeners!

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

The post Leveling The Playing Field: Nefertiti Walker of The University of Massachusetts appeared first on Radio Influence.

Margaret Schlachter is a bit of a renaissance woman. She was one of the first women on the scene of obstacle course racing. After 10 years in education and coaching, Margaret found herself at a crossroads. She discovered OCR (Spartan Race, to be exact), began a website to document her training for World’s Toughest Mudder, and became one of the top professional athletes in the sport. Margaret’s website, Dirt In Your Skirt, became the premier destination for all things OCR and was the impetus for her book, which is being re-released in September and is currently available for pre-order. Her career took some interesting turns and is ever-changing. These days, she has a podcast, Dirt In The Skirt the Podcast, is often a contributor and writer for Outside Magazine, Trail Running Magazine, Self Magazine, Shape Magazine, The Huffington Post, Associated Press, and many more. In addition, she focuses a lot of time as a media consultant/director for various entities. This conversation is chock full of wisdom for anyone who wants to take the path less traveled.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

The post Leveling The Playing Field: Margaret Schlachter, Obstacle Course Race Expert appeared first on Radio Influence.

After our very tough episode last week, this week’s episode brings some much-needed levity. Bobbi-Sue chats with Susie Piotrkowski, VP of Sales for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

Susie’s career began at IMG and then moved onto media buying and then Fenway Sports Management. Her next move, to Spartan Race, would be career changing. She finally got to test her chops at selling and she hasn’t stopped since. There are some f-bombs in this episode – more than usual because New Englanders talking do that.

Susie has great advice for people in school and coming up the ranks in the sports industry. Lots of shoutouts to Spartan folk. The most important part of the entire interview is when Bobbi-Sue and Susie talk Kanye and then shout out to Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, as one does.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

The post Leveling The Playing Field: Susie Piotrkowski, VP of Sales for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) appeared first on Radio Influence.

Morgan McCaul is so much more than just a “Nassar Survivor.” She is a dancer, student, advocate, organizer, sadly allergic to cats, friend, daughter, girlfriend, teacher, intern, change maker. At almost 20 years old, she has experienced more than I wish upon anyone. Imagine your first year of college. What were you doing? Morgan has been fighting for justice in court, and for change at Michigan State University and in the Michigan legislature. Morgan is one of over 300 “sister survivors” of Larry Nassar’s abuse and the systemic failure of the sports industry – at the junior, collegiate, and national levels – to protect athletes against sexual abuse and predation. She shares her experience and the ways that we can help in this week’s episode.

This episode does contain descriptions of and references to child sexual abuse and molestation. While I hope that everyone listens, as her story and the stories of the other 300 should be heard, I recognize this may be tough for some of you. Please do what you need to for your own self-care. Know that there are resources available through RAINN.org and the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.

In January, Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for his assaults.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

The post Leveling The Playing Field: Morgan McCaul, Nassar Survivor appeared first on Radio Influence.

On this week’s episode, Bobbi-Sue speaks with Heather Martin, Integration Specialist for Heritage Werks. While her title and company don’t sound super “sporty,” her current role gives her access to some really cool sports history. Previously, she worked in the Athletics Department at Pepperdine University and the Detroit Pistons. The conversation goes from how hard it must have been to choose the most beautiful university in the US for college to how social media can make or break someone’s brand. Heather’s time at Pepperdine started just as the internet became a “thing” and continued until Twitter became commonplace. She talks a lot about the things she did as a student employee that lead to her full-time post-graduate position.

Big thanks to this week’s sponsors: Simple Contacts and Ruby Receptionists! There’s a special offer for Simple Contacts in the episode, go find it.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

The post Leveling The Playing Field: Heather Martin, Integration Specialist at Heritage Werks appeared first on Radio Influence.

On the pod this week, Bobbi-Sue speaks with Darla Hall, the owner of In the Sports Zone. In the Sports Zone is a company that puts out sports-themed activity and coloring books. Through licensing deals with colleges, MLB, NFL, and other brands, the company has grown year over year.

It all started with an idea to help one little kid kill time while in the hospital. Darla is a graduate of Ball State with a degree in journalism and marketing. She had a great career in marketing and advertising, including with her own company, when she made the jump to licensed consumer products. It is clear in this interview that Darla has found her purpose in life, as she donates many activity books to and spends a lot of time with kids in hospitals.

Before the interview though, Bobbi-Sue goes on a bit of a fan-girl tear about the AMAZING women who crushed the Boston Marathon. She is, obviously, excited about Des Linden being the first American woman to win Boston in 33 years but the fact that #TeamUSA had 7 of the top 10 was almost too much for her. The other big story from the Boston marathon is Sarah Sellers. Who? Exactly! She finished second and no one knows anything about her. If you know Sarah Sellers, let Bobbi-Sue know. She wants to get her on the pod!

This episode is brought to you by LOLA, who makes it sponsorship debut. Go to www.mylola.com and use the special code mentioned in the show to get 40% off your first order! Bobbi-Sue is thrilled since she’s known about this 100% organic cotton feminine care brand for a while now! Welcome LOLA!

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

The post Leveling The Playing Field: Darla Hall of In The Sports Zone appeared first on Radio Influence.

Bobbi-Sue has another local woman in sports pop by her apartment for this week’s episode. Claire Lessinger is the Director of Special Events for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. TBSC is the organization that attracts and puts on major sports and entertainment events in the Tampa Bay region such as the Super Bowl, Final Four, and College Football Championship. Prior to TBSC, Claire was head women’s volleyball coach at USF (and assistant coach before that). She was a student-athlete at UF where she met her mentor, Mary Wise. This episode is chock full of information as it relates to coaching, being a former student-athlete, health and wellness, and coffee shops in Tampa!

Big thanks to Florida International University Online. If you’re thinking of going to grad school, check out their online graduate programs!

Also, if you’re in need of a virtual receptionist, make sure you’re checking out our friends over at Ruby Receptionists.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

The post Leveling The Playing Field: Claire Lessinger of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission appeared first on Radio Influence.

This week’s guest is a little different than usual, Bobbi-Sue interviews someone outside of the sports world that she has been friends with since law school. Novelist and lawyer, Lauren Stahl, joins the pod to talk about her career path. She went from assistant district attorney to unemployed to author back to law with writing as her “side hustle.” She is the author of “The Devil’s Song” which Bobbi-Sue has raved about on the pod before. Lauren’s story is extremely interesting because while she was an ADA her father, the President Judge of their county, was federally indicted on corruption charges. This forever altered the course of Lauren’s career and gave her the push to begin writing.

This episode of Duffified Live is brought to you by Audible. Audible is offering Leveling The Playing Field listeners a free audiobook with a 30 day trial membership. Just visit audible.com/ltpf and browse the unmatched selection of audiobooks, original audio shows, news, comedy, and more from leading audiobook publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazines, newspapers, and business information providers. You can download a title free and start listening now. It’s that simple. Go to Audible online or text “LTPF” to 500-500 to get started.

This episode is also brought to you by Florida International University’s online graduate degree program. Check it out at fiuonline.com.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

The post Leveling The Playing Field: Lawyer/Novelist Lauren Stahl appeared first on Radio Influence.

On this week’s episode, Bobbi-Sue interviews the Head Women’s Golf Coach at USF, Coach Erika Brennan. Coach Brennan was named to her current position in December 2017. Prior to USF, she was the Head Women’s Golf Coach at Southern Mississippi for three seasons. At Southern Miss, she led her team to six tournament titles.

Erika was a student-athlete at Western Carolina where she studied sport management. She shares a lot of insight on leadership, mentorship, and being a perpetual student. We even hear about her penchant for dancing around and the one time she did karaoke in front of 40,000 people.

She also has her own podcast called Leading Beyond Sport, an audio experience for coaches, administrators, and student-athletes at the college level. She dives in to relevant topics that go beyond sport tactics via interviews, audible blog style content and narration to help you buck the status quo, own your brilliance and LEAD BEYOND SPORT!

Thank you to EasyKicks for sponsoring this week’s episode. Check them out if you have kiddos! They are a new subscription service for kids shoes! For $20 a month, swap out your kids’ shoes for a new pair no questions asked. Visit EasyKicks.com/joinnow and use the discount code “ezlisten” at checkout for $5 off your first month in the club.

This episode is also brought to you by Florida International University’s online graduate degree program. Check it out at fiuonline.com.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LTPFPod or check out the website at LTPFPod.com. Bobbi-Sue can be found on Twitter at @BobbiSue. Please send us your comments and thoughts. You can also email us at [email protected].

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

The post Leveling The Playing Field: Erika Brennan, USF Head Women’s Golf Coach appeared first on Radio Influence.