Voices & Visionaries

Khristina Williams has a saying, ‘delay is not denial.’ She always had a feeling that she was meant to create something. When nothing came of her early attempts to break into sports, she decided to forge her own path and start Girls Talk Sports TV- a digital media network specializing in women’s basketball.Williams shares how Girls Talks Sports TV has given a voice and visibility to women in sports. She explains the significance of being a woman of color and example for other black women and ...

Khristina Williams is redefining how to carve out your niche in sports. In 2018, Williams founded Girls Talk Sports TV, as a way to give a voice and visibility to women in sports, specifically women’s basketball. She bet on herself, and it’s paid off—recently being named a Forbes ’30 Under 30’ in sports.In this long-form conversation, Williams talks about the inspiration for starting her own digital media outlet, the importance of representation and how she’s helping to open doors for the nex...

Marisa Pilla is gearing up for another soccer season, having just wrapped the 2021 NWSL Draft. The reporter and host has turned a lifelong love affair with soccer into her dream career, working national NWSL games for CBS Sports and MLS matches for FS1.Pilla talks about the journey from aspiring broadcaster to interviewing some of the sport’s biggest names. She reflects on fighting for opportunities early in her career and the gratitude she feels, having made a longtime career dream her reali...

Marisa Pilla grew up loving the game of soccer. She calls the 1999 Women’s World Cup a defining sports moment. Fast-forward twenty plus years, and Pilla is now regularly interviewing some of soccer’s biggest names for CBS Sports and FS1, as a reporter and host.In this long-form interview, Pilla shares what makes a good sideline reporter. She offers an in-depth look at her prep process and talks about making the jump from local to national broadcasts.Pilla looks back on her early broadcast job...

From ESPN Emmy award-winning TV producer to now teaching others the value of their own story for Commander-in-She, Valerie Gordon specializes in the art of storytelling.In this five minute REWIND of our episode 25 conversation, Gordon explains what the power of story represents. She shares the common mistakes people make in defining their own story.Gordon talks about her own career pivot and what led her to found Commander-in-She, an organization focused on storytelling for maximum influence ...

Valerie Gordon has always loved the power of a good story. For many years, she was a integral part of turning those stories into TV magic, as an Emmy award-winning ESPN producer. Three and a half years ago, she started a new chapter in her career. Commander-in-She was born- an organization focusing on the art of storytelling for impact and influence.In this long-form interview, Gordon shares what the power of story represents, on leading with your current value and how her next chapter is hel...

At just 27 years old, Rhiannon Walker is already making a strong mark in sports media. A highly-respected NFL features reporter for the Athletic, Walker uses her disarming personality and competitive drive to uncover unique angles, on her hometown Washington Football Team. In this short-form REWIND of our episode 23 conversation, Walker talks about being herself and how it’s helped build relationships with the athletes and coaches she covers. She shares the challenges Covid has presented...

Rhiannon Walker is unapologetically herself- a self-described tomboy and extrovert, now in her third season covering the Washington Football Team. As a feature writer for the Athletic, Walker is constantly in search of the unique angle or person, during a particularly unusual NFL season. The Washington Football Team is embroiled in a name change, owner under fire, a head coach battling cancer and widespread sexual harassment allegations. As one of the victims of the latter, Walker admits...

Sports has brought a lot of clarity to Siera Santos’ life. A career she never anticipated nor imagined as a teenager getting her GED, until she started watching Arizona Diamondback games. Then, as a top student at ASU, she was unsure of where her potential could take her. Turns out that journey was all over the country, in some of the biggest local TV markets, leading to even more life realizations and clarity on her purpose. In this short-form rewind of our episode 21 conversation, Sant...

Siera Santos journey in sports broadcasting has been anything but conventional. From earning her high school GED to starting her broadcasting career in news, Siera is a testament to the power of vision and betting on yourself. Even now, nine months into starting her new job as a sports anchor reporter at Fox 10 in Phoenix, she has yet to be in studio. Adding to that challenge, she’s interviewed only one athlete in person, due to Covid-19 restrictions. In this wide-ranging interview, Sier...