In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with former Boston College standout and WNBA veteran Carolyn Swords for a conversation that goes far beyond basketball.

Just in time for Women’s Final Four weekend, this episode dives into the momentum, visibility, and transformation happening across women’s basketball right now.

From her journey to Boston College and nine-year WNBA career, to her work with the WNBPA and time on the product team at Nike, Carolyn shares how sport shaped her leadership, and why this moment for the game feels different.

They dive into:

• The evolution of women’s basketball from college to the pros
• What makes this Final Four moment so powerful
• How brands, events, and destinations can show up in women’s sports
• The importance of player experience in building the game

If you’re watching this weekend, this conversation will give you a whole new perspective on what’s happening on and off the court.

Adaptive sports are transforming the way athletes of all abilities experience competition, community, and connection.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Marynka Rojas Gorgen, Director of Operations for Paradragons USA, an organization dedicated to expanding opportunities in adaptive dragon boat racing.

Marynka shares how the Paradragon movement is opening doors for athletes with physical, sensory, neurological, intellectual, and psychological disabilities to train and compete in one of the world’s most community-driven sports. From grassroots education and coaching development to international competition, Paradragons USA is helping grow the sport while ensuring accessibility remains at the center.

The conversation explores how adaptive sports create powerful community connections, the logistics of hosting inclusive sporting events, and the impact that team-based competition can have on athletes’ confidence and quality of life.

In this special extended episode of The Playeasy Warmup, co-founders Kerri and Sean sit down for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about the company’s journey.
From a spontaneous conversation on a Boston roof deck in 2017 to navigating the uncertainty of COVID-19, Sean and Kerri share the pivotal moments that shaped Playeasy’s evolution.
The conversation explores how the company moved from a simple idea, helping people find sports facilities, into a platform connecting destinations, event organizers, venues, and visitors across the sports tourism and destination marketing ecosystems.
They also introduce Destination Experience Co., the parent company behind Playeasy and Compass, and how new technologies like AI are shaping the next generation of destination engagement.
This episode is a candid reflection on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the power of community in building something that lasts.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction: Why We’re Sharing the Full Story

04:33 – The Origin of Playeasy

26:45 – Discovering Sports Tourism & Finding Product-Market Fit

34:30 – Surviving COVID and Reinventing the Platform

1:06:00 – The Catalyst Behind Our New Company Evolution

1:16:30 – Introducing Destination Experience Co. & Compass

1:20:00 – Looking Ahead to the 2026 Innovators Summit

The fitness competition landscape is changing, and World Fitness Project is leading the charge.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, Kerri Shields sits down with Jason Ansley, Global Event Director for the World Fitness Project (WFP), to discuss how they’re reimagining what high-performance fitness events can look like on a global stage.

From signing the top 40 athletes in the world to building a multi-stop international tour with live broadcast in multiple languages, WFP is professionalizing a space where athletes historically paid to compete.

Jason shares:

• Why protecting and fairly paying athletes is mission critical

• What it takes to produce a fitness event like a TV show

• How digital reach and live streaming are reshaping destination partnerships

• Why youth engagement through Project 1 is essential for the future of the sport

• What host cities need to know if they want to partner

With stops across the U.S., Europe, and now Mexico City, and ambitions to expand globally, World Fitness Project is creating something bigger than competition.

It’s community. It’s culture. It’s the future of professional fitness.

As the World Cup heads to Philadelphia, youth soccer is preparing for a defining moment. Karly Kaminsky of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer joins us to discuss marketing youth sports, sponsor integration, data-driven growth, and inspiring the next generation, especially girls, to get in the game.

What does it take to run 65 youth tournaments with just 22 people?

Cait Schmelz and Andrew Dahir of Elite Tournaments share what truly separates good events from great ones – from vendor villages and athlete experience to weather chaos, parking stress, and destination partnerships that actually work.

An honest, practical conversation for anyone in sports tourism.

In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we’re flipping the script on The Playeasy Warmup.

In this special episode, Playeasy Co-Founder & CEO Kerri Shields steps into the guest seat as her close friend Cam Cronin takes over hosting duties. Kerri reflects on her journey as an athlete, founder, and leader – sharing the moments, challenges, and lessons that have shaped her along the way.

From growing up in sports, to navigating coaching changes and setbacks in college, to playing and studying abroad in Northern Ireland, Kerri opens up about how sport has given her confidence, resilience, and a deep belief in community. She also shares how those experiences led to the creation of Playeasy and continue to influence how she leads today.

This conversation explores representation, mentorship, authenticity in leadership, and why creating more pathways for girls and women in sports – both on and off the court – matters now more than ever.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Albert Talafuse, Founder and CEO of Pond Hopper Nation, to explore how fishing can be a powerful driver of community engagement, accessibility, and sports tourism.

Albert shares how a simple idea — taking a few kids fishing — evolved into a national movement that has introduced more than 20,000 children to the sport. From free youth and family fishing events to building partnerships with destinations across the country, Pond Hopper Nation is breaking down barriers and creating inclusive outdoor experiences for all ages and abilities.

The conversation dives into what it takes to host large-scale youth fishing events, what makes a great destination partner, and why early exposure to outdoor sports can lead to lifelong participation. Albert also discusses his current Children’s Fishing Event RFP on Playeasy and how communities can think about these events not just as local programming, but as meaningful drivers of sports tourism and economic impact.

Whether you’re a destination leader, event organizer, or someone passionate about expanding access to outdoor recreation, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how fishing connects people, places, and purpose.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, presented by The Playeasy Innovators Summit, Kerri sits down with Anthony Holman, Vice President of Championships and Alliances at the NCAA, to break down what destinations need to know about the upcoming NCAA bid cycle.

Anthony oversees the strategic direction of more than 90 NCAA championships and brings a unique perspective, having worked on both the destination and organizer sides of major events. Together, they unpack how the bid process has evolved, why the NCAA shifted to a three-year cycle, and what truly differentiates an average bid from an exceptional one.

The conversation dives into the growing importance of data, technology, and community buy-in – from local organizing committees and hotel partners to fan experience and student-athlete care. Anthony also shares real-world examples of creative bids, lessons learned from past championships, and where NCAA championships are headed next.

Whether you’re preparing your first NCAA bid or refining a long-term hosting strategy, this episode offers candid insight from someone shaping the future of championship hosting from the inside.

In this episode of The Playeasy Warmup, host Kerri Shields sits down with Paul Rigault, Founder & CEO of the DØDS Diving League (DDL), one of the fastest-growing extreme sports leagues in the world.

What started as a niche Norwegian phenomenon has evolved into a global sports and media property broadcast to over 200 million households worldwide. Paul shares how DØDS Diving has reimagined competitive diving through a media-first model, athlete-driven storytelling, and an event experience that blends sport, culture, and entertainment.

The conversation explores:

• What it takes to build a new sport in today’s media landscape

• How cities can position themselves to attract emerging leagues

• Why Gen Z fan behavior is reshaping live events and broadcasts

• The league’s expansion beyond Norway, including Tobago and a potential U.S. stop in Boston

• The launch of the DDL Collegiate Tour and its pipeline from amateur to pro

If you’re interested in the future of sports, media, and destination strategy – this episode is for you.