Ever wonder what REALLY happens behind the scenes in sports? ESPN sideline reporter, author, and former Rutgers athlete Lauren Sisler pulls back the curtain on her career. From hilarious, chaotic, and emotional moments from the sidelines, the athletes who surprised her the most off-camera, and the lessons only years in the game can teach, this is interview is a must watch. YouTube: https://youtu.be/dOR-36KkbdUSpotify/Apple Podcast: The Skylar Lara Podcast#espn #rutgers #collegefootball

In the early 1980s, college football’s brightest star seemed destined for greatness…until fate intervened. Marcus Dupree was a phenom from a small town in Mississippi, a running back so talented that he rewrote the record books and made entire programs rethink what was possible.

From legendary high school dominance to the spotlight of the University of Oklahoma, Dupree’s talent was undeniable. Despite the hype, injuries and off-field chaos began derailing a career that had the nation holding its breath. What could have been a storybook rise to NFL superstardom, instead became one of the most infamous “what ifs” in sports history.

In this episode, I unpack the crazy Marcus Dupree story. How could a small-town phenom that captured America’s imagination, let the decisions, egos, and circumstances around him nearly crush a career before it truly began?

Instagram & TikTok: @skylarlarapod

YouTube: The Skylar Lara Podcast

#MarcusDupree #OklahomaSooners #NFL #CollegeFootball #SportsHistory #NCAA #Mississippi #SouthernMiss #LosAngelesRams

Today I’m joined by Avery Chenier — the face of OwnersBox, the GeoGuesser king, and co-host of Gate 14, the biggest baseball podcast in Canada.

We get into Avery’s journey before OwnersBox, how the channel was built behind the scenes, the rise of Gate 14, and what life is actually like off camera. Avery also gives his thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays offseason, the moves they still need to make, and which players could take a big jump this year. We also hit on the Raptors, NFL, and the future of both OwnersBox and Gate 14.

Instagram: ​⁠@skylarlarapod

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dxp4zSMpGyI

Follow Avery: ​⁠@ownersbox @gate14podcast

#mlb #toronto #bluejays #baseball #canada

Former MLB All-Star Jair Jurrjens joins the show to talk about his Braves breakout, the toughest hitters he faced, battling injuries, and how the game has changed since his playing days. JJ also opens up about his upbringing in Curaçao and what life looks like for him now.

Instagram: ​⁠@skylarlarapod

YouTube: https://youtu.be/E08rH_X15vE?si=1Ahe6MiD4AnFEOn6

#JairJurrjens #Braves #MLB #Baseball

In 1978, the NBA witnessed one of the strangest deals in sports history…a franchise trade. Not a player-for-player swap. Not a blockbuster draft move. An owner-for-owner trade.

The legendary Boston Celtics and the struggling Buffalo Braves literally swapped franchises; ownership, front offices, and all. What started as a desperate financial move turned into a chain reaction that reshaped the league, gave birth to the Clippers, and left fans in two cities wondering what just happened.

In this episode, I dive deep into the egos, chaos, and backroom politics behind the NBA’s most bizarre power play. From the smoky boardrooms to the hardwood fallout, this is the story you won’t believe actually happened.

Instagram & TikTok: @skylarlarapod

YouTube: The Skylar Lara Podcast

#nba #boston #buffalo #sandiego #losangeles #celtics #clippers #braves #basketball

She’s been on the sidelines, behind the mic, and all over the SEC. Emily Grace McWhorter has built her name through hustle, storytelling, and a love for the game. From her early days at Georgia Southern to covering Alabama football with Crimson Cover Media and The Next Round, Emily shares her journey in sports media — the grind, the growth, and the lessons learned along the way. We talk Alabama football’s outlook during the bye week, Coach Oats and Crimson Tide basketball, the culture differences she’s seen across college campuses, and how she prepares for game days that millions are watching.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/ysMIhEDqV6c?si=4onGv-iWm-N5erj7

Instagram: @skylarlarapod

#alabamacrimsontide #auburntigers #ncaa

0:00 Intro

0:27 Alabama’s SEC Championship Push & Remaining Schedule

4:23 What to Expect from Alabama Basketball in 2025

6:18 Breaking Into the Sports Media Industry

9:41 Life on the Road: Visiting Colleges Big and Small

14:22 First Sideline Reporting Experience

20:32 Preparing for Game Day Coverage

23:20 The Future of Sports Media & Storytelling

26:06 Emily Grace’s Hidden Talent: Poker

The upcoming Alabama vs. Georgia matchup is one of the most anticipated games of the season, featuring high stakes, and major implications for the SEC. Kalen DeBoer’s arrival in Tuscaloosa has brought a new culture and energy to Alabama football, and the team’s adjustments under his leadership have been a major focus. Former Crimson Tide wide receiver Slade Bolden provides perspective on the roster, team dynamics, and the challenges ahead, offering insight into how Alabama can navigate the rest of the season. From on-field matchups to the program’s evolving identity, this conversation covers everything fans need to know about Alabama football as the season progresses.

Instagram: @skylarlarapod

YouTube: https://youtu.be/u7sbBWVFWf8?si=15SutEuVPA_bR8a-

0:00 Intro

0:27 UGA Preview: Alabama’s Keys to Victory

6:39 Reflecting on FSU: Why Bama Fans Got Frustrated

10:06 Alabama’s Culture Under Kalen DeBoer

13:39 Why Playing Georgia Is Always a Challenge

18:06 Alabama’s Best Players You’re Not Hearing About

20:00 The DeBoer Dilemma: What Happens if Alabama Struggles & Why He Was Hired

25:04 Season Preview: Alabama’s Upcoming Games & ULM Recap

#alabama #georgia #alabamafootball #georgiafootball #uga #alabamacrimsontide #ugabulldogs #ncaa #ncaafootball #tuscaloosa #athens #collegefootball #football #kirbysmart #kalendeboer #sladebolden #skylarlarapodcast

Joining the podcast is legendary Curt Bloom, the longtime voice of the Birmingham Barons and ESPN broadcaster. Curt shares memories from his 30+ seasons calling Barons games, behind-the-scenes stories with Michael Jordan during his baseball journey, and insight into some of the most memorable moments in minor league baseball. From teaching the next generation of broadcasters to reflecting on a career that spanned decades, he opens up about the highs, the challenges, and the untold stories that make baseball so special.

Instagram: @skylarlarapod

YouTube: https://youtu.be/PexutWUtvsQ?si=Z5JkoIjkHQdKj8zT

0:00 Intro0:31 30 Years with the Barons4:10 Evolution of Minor League Baseball8:14 Teaching Broadcasting at Miles & BSC10:00 Birmingham Then & Now12:45 Michael Jordan22:00 Wally Backman & '86 Mets24:47 Barons' NBA Connection27:25 First MLB Broadcast

#mlb #michaeljordan #birmingham #barons #milb #minorleaguebaseball #alabama

0:00 Intro

0:31 30 Years with the Barons

4:10 Evolution of Minor League Baseball

8:14 Teaching Broadcasting at Miles & BSC

10:00 Birmingham Then & Now

12:45 Michael Jordan

22:00 Wally Backman & '86 Mets

24:47 Barons' NBA Connection

27:25 First MLB Broadcast

In this episode, I sit down with Grant Caraway, founder of First Down Training, one of the most influential football training platforms in the world. Grant shares how he built his brand from the ground up, the evolution of quarterback development in today’s game, and the role social media plays in connecting with the next generation of athletes. From training philosophy to business strategy, this conversation dives into both the X’s and O’s and the mindset it takes to build a lasting football brand.

Instagram: @skylarlarapod

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fbw7u0KbOBo?si=zyk_hz8lg-4CDh-j

#firstdowntraining #ncaa #ncaafootball #highschoolfootball #football #grantcaraway #qb #wr #db #nfl #collegefootball

Former Alabama and Western Michigan quarterback Stone Hollenbach joins the podcast to share his unique journey through football at the high school, college, and professional levels. Hollenbach reflects on his time in the Alabama quarterback room under legendary coach Bill O’Brien, offering insight into the learning, competition, and camaraderie that shaped his development. He also dives into his remarkable high school career at Southern Columbia High School in Pennsylvania, where he helped lead his team to back-to-back state championships, and discusses the lessons, mindset, and preparation that contributed to his success. Along the way, Hollenbach shares his perspective on mentoring the next generation of quarterbacks and the qualities needed to succeed at every stage of the game, making this episode a must-listen for fans of football and rising QBs alike.

Instagram: @skylarlarapod

YouTube: The Skylar Lara Podcast

0:00 Intro

0:30 NFL Comparisons

1:03 Back-to-Back State Championships

3:36 Walking On at Alabama

6:24 Learning from Bill O’Brien in the QB Room

10:23 Adjusting to the Speed and Physicality of SEC Football

12:28 Transition from Alabama to Western Michigan

14:26 Culture at Western Michigan

15:32 Mentoring the Next Generation: Training Young QBs

#alabama #alabamafootball #alabamacrimsontide #rolltide #quarterback #football #collegefootball #ncaa #ncaafootball #skylarlarapod #westernmichigan