Press Pause

Wright Creative

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PRESS PAUSE is owned and operated by WRIGHT CREATIVE, a branded content and video production firm that brings professional and original reporting and storytelling to business. Headquartered just outside Charlotte, N.C., and founded in 2015 by Heather Keets Wright and Mark W. Wright, Wright Creative blends journalism experience with content marketing, content strategy, platform-building, and award-winning creativity.

21 JAN

Dr. Alison Thompson: Called to Serve

Press Pause welcomes Dr. Alison Thompson, founder and CEO of Third Wave Volunteers, a global humanitarian leader with decades of front‑line disaster response experience. Driven by her nine months volunteering at Ground Zero after 9/11, Dr. Thompson built Third Wave Volunteers into a network of more than 30,000 first responders delivering aid in crises from Syria and Ukraine to Afghanistan, and beyond. After Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica last October, Third Wave's rapid response team worked directly with families and communities cut off after the Category 5 storm to deliver food, solar lights, clean water solutions, communication systems, medical support, and other essential supplies. A recipient of the 2026 New South Wales Australian of the Year award for her humanitarian work, Dr. Thompson shares her perspective on the long road ahead toward recovery for Jamaica.

29 min
23/05/2025

Diary of a Black Psychologist — with Author Dr. Biko Sankofa

Developmental psychologist, educator, and author Dr. Biko Sankofa takes Press Pause to another dimension. Born in Trinidad and Tobago and shaped by his years at Howard University, Dr. Sankofa's journey—rooted in lived experience and spiritual inquiry—sets the stage for a thought-provoking conversation about his new book, Transcending the Human: An Alien's Guide to a Universe of Infinite Possibilities. Part memoir, part manifesto, the book follows Vusi, a character who, on his path to self-discovery, grapples with ego, identity, and the boundaries of being human. In conversation with host Mark W. Wright, Dr. Sankofa unpacks how the limitations we accept can become gateways to growth—if we're willing to do the work.

47 min
19/02/2025

Patrick Agyemang's Soccer Journey Always Had Goals

Patrick Agyemang admits that even he has to pinch himself when he reflects on how his life — his soccer life — have turned out. Just a few years ago, as a high schooler, his game garnered zero interest from colleges. It quickly became clear that if he was going to achieve his dream of playing professionally, his path to pro would need to take some unconventional turns. But with a strong family unit behind him, Agyemang stayed the course — first showcasing his potential at Division III Eastern Connecticut State University before catching the attention of Rhode Island University, where he flourished. At the 2023 MLS Combine, Agyemang shared that he felt optimistic after his conversations with Charlotte FC and hoped they'd call his name on Draft Night. They did, and Agyemang hasn't looked back since. As the club's leading goalscorer from last season, Agyemang is optimistic about a top-four finish in 2025 — and a deep playoff run. In this episode of Press Pause, Agyemang reflects on how his deep Ghanaian roots continue to shape his personal growth and gazes into his crystal ball to predict what the soccer gods have in store for him personally in 2025 — and beyond.

26 min
07/02/2025

ESPN's Jay Harris Still Enjoys Calling Plays

It may sound cliché, but Jay Harris approaches each day with the goal of being better. "It's a thing—I never want to feel like I've arrived... like I've conquered this," says Harris, who in February 2025 celebrates his 22nd year at ESPN, most of it spent hosting the network's flagship show, SportsCenter. Even with a shelf full of SportsCenter Emmy Awards, the Norfolk, Va., native remains driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence. "I don't care if [your content] is going to social media, to Mars, or to cable TV—it doesn't matter. My job is to be a journalist every single day, and to do everything journalistically." Harris joined the Press Pause podcast and shared that it was in 11th grade when he first felt inspired to pursue journalism. Twenty years at ESPN, he says, have flown by. "But it's been a good ride," he reflects. "As blurry as it is, it's been a good ride."

32 min
05/12/2024

"The Basketball 100" with The Athletic's Rob Peterson

The Athletic's NBA Deputy Editor, Rob Peterson, joins Press Pause (from chilly central Connecticut!) to discuss The Basketball 100—the definitive ranking of the 100 greatest NBA players of all time—and his role in bringing this ambitious 737-page book to life. Rob played point guard on this effort, collaborating with The Athletic's award-winning team of writers and analysts, including veteran columnists David Aldridge and John Hollinger. In this episode, he trades shots with Mark W. Wright, dives into the art of the ranking, explains why Derrick Rose (yes, D-Rose!) didn't make the cut, defends Draymond Green's inclusion, and much, much more.

42 min
27/08/2024

Positive Vibrations with "Bob Marley: One Love" Actor Sheldon Shepherd

Actor Sheldon Shepherd had never heard of Neville Garrick prior to reading for the part for the Bob Marley biopic Bob Marley: One Love. But after he googled Marley's longtime friend -- and creative director on his iconic albums -- Shepherd found himself drawn to Garrick, who served as historical advisor on the film which has grossed upwards of $179 million worldwide. "In my opinion, I think I got the best role in that film and it came to me without me even knowing [Garrick]," explained Shepherd, an award-winning actor, writer and music artiste best known for his role in Storm Saulter's Better Mus' Come and Idris Elba's 2018 directorial debut, Yardie. In a wide-ranging conversation with Press Pause host Mark W. Wright, Shepherd talked about his journey as an actor and stressed the mportance of creating art "that connects with people on a deeper level." "The project was such a breeze," Shepherd said of One Love. "I just feel for a fact that Bob Marley's energy was with us filming this project."

50 min
13/05/2024

Kevin Merida: The Eternal Optimist

Kevin Merida is brewing with optimism. The self-described "free agent" — who most recently served as executive editor of The Los Angeles Times — believes that despite the evolving media landscape, there are still stories to be told, and told in a variety of ways. The longtime media executive and newspaper veteran joined Press Pause and shared thoughts about the challenges newspapers face. "We now have that sophistication, but we haven't become as sophisticated as the business has become," Merida explained. "We are great at interrogating every other kind of industry, but when it comes to us we don't interrogate what we do." Host Mark W. Wright invited his former ESPN colleague to Press Pause and chopped it up on an array of topics — including Merida's solution to making the NBA's All-Star Weekend relevant again.

45 min
02/04/2024

Life Taught Ex-NFL Pro Tremayne Stephens How to Pivot

He was an all-state running back in his hometown of Greer, South Carolina. He followed that up with a record-setting career at North Carolina State, where his 3,553 rushing yards is still good for third all-time in Wolfpack history. Surely a long NFL career would follow. But by 27, Tremayne Stephens found himself out of the league after just four seasons. With no plan or prospects for his post-NFL life, a dejected Stephens ventured on a path to realizing even more than he dreamed of. Now an entrepreneur, sought-after public speaker and social influencer, the man with the shortlived NFL career is proud to share his story, which is rooted in overcoming and pivoting.

43 min

PRESS PAUSE is owned and operated by WRIGHT CREATIVE, a branded content and video production firm that brings professional and original reporting and storytelling to business. Headquartered just outside Charlotte, N.C., and founded in 2015 by Heather Keets Wright and Mark W. Wright, Wright Creative blends journalism experience with content marketing, content strategy, platform-building, and award-winning creativity.

Creator

Wright Creative
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

20
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2022
Show Website

Press Pause