Time Out

This episode explores how soccer and the World Cup connect with geopolitics, international relations, and global influence. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with Andrés Martínez, the co-director of The Great Game Lab at Arizona State University, where he also serves as a special advisor to the university president. His work explores the global convergence of sport, media, and geopolitics. Previously he served as editorial page editor of the Los Angeles Times and assistant editorial page editor at The New York Times, where he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He is the author of The Great Game: A Tale of Two Footballs and America’s Quest to Conquer Global Sport, published in early April this year. 

This episode features an in-depth discussion on the planning, logistics, and science that drive successful mega sporting events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with John Terry, Vice President of Events at U.S. Soccer Federation. He oversees coordination of event operations for U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team matches, including venue operations, field/turf management, security, and facility operations. He earned both his Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sport Management from West Virginia University.

This episode features a discussion on how innovation and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of fairness and decision-making during the World Cup. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with Juan Jose “Cheche” Vidal, a pioneer in the application of technology in the FIFA World Cup. He served as Vice President for Technology during the USA 1994 World Cup. A former NCAA and Olympian soccer player, he attended Boston University on athletic scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in Biomechanics and Technology Applied to Sports.

This episode features a behind-the-scenes look at media operations and communication strategies at the highest level of international sport. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with Rob De Leede, a professor of public relations and communications at The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. He previously served as press officer for the Dutch National Team (1995–2004) as well as media officer for FIFA and UEFA. He has covered multiple FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships. 

In this episode, Dr. Peter McGahey talks with Scott Snyder - the Senior Director of Sport Development for AYSO - American Youth Soccer Organization. Scott shares the importance of an athlete or child-centered approach to grassroots sports - the games belong to them. Scott discusses some of the challenges that the professionalization of grassroots youth sport poses and some strategies he’s implementing to positively focus this professionalism and lower barriers to access and participation.  

In this episode, Dr. Peter McGahey talks with Ken Martel - the Senior Director of Player & Coach Development for USA Hockey. Ken describes some of the unique challenges of youth hockey and the importance of a player’s first grassroots coach.  Ken discusses the importance of creating youth sports environments where every player feels like they belong and are valued - coaches, parents, leagues partnering together to make this the reality. 

In this episode, Dr. Peter McGahey talks with Dr. Joanna Lane - the Senior Director of Education and Program Development for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Dr. Lane discusses the importance of grassroots coaches instilling and fostering a passion for playing in their athletes. Sharing the importance of empowering athletes, Dr. Lane describes the importance of showing up and being there for your athletes -  valuing them as people and helping them grow and get better.

In this episode, Dr. Dana K. Voelker talks with Bianca Smith – the first Black woman to coach in Major League Baseball history. Bianca flips the script for young people looking for role models, describes how others can advocate for women in sport leadership positions, and takes honest perspective on the value of diversity in sport at the highest levels; through her storytelling, she exemplifies what it means to be person-centered.

In this episode, Dr. Dana K. Voelker talks with Rachel Balkovec – the first woman to manage a Major League Baseball (MLB) – affiliated team and the first woman to become a full-time strength and conditioning coach and full-time hitting coach in MLB history. Rachel gets real about her experiences with discrimination as a woman in professional sport coaching, her perseverance through rejection, the difference makers in her career, and perspectives on mentorship.

In this episode, Dr. Dana K. Voelker talks with Val Ackerman – commissioner of the Big East Conference, founding president of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and past president of USA Basketball. Val reflects upon the impact of Title IX, launching the WNBA, life as a working mother, the biggest changes she has seen across her storied career, and hopes for the future of girls and women in sport.