Pivot Podcast The Pivot A Part of Fanatics

As an athlete, part of the climb is reaching the top and often, fame and wealth steal the spotlight, but what's not really discussed, is how a simple game can shape one's identity and provide purpose.
In a recent conversation on The Pivot, former MLB All-Star Matt Kemp joins Ryan, Channing, and Fred to unravel the multifaceted journey of life as a professional baseball player. Kemp shares a blend of funny anecdotes and honest reflections, providing a glimpse into the complexities of his career from a small town guy to the big lights of Los Angeles, and the extra pressures that came with playing in the limelight of a big city.
From the challenges of adapting to life in various cities to the weight of fame under the spotlight of Los Angeles, Kemp's experiences paint a picture of the highs and lows that come with being a professional athlete. As Matt navigated the transition into retirement, He compares that time in his life to mourning a family death, juggling all the emotions of losing something you love while facing the uncertainties that lie ahead.
In 2011 Matt Kemp finished second in National League MVP voting to Ryan Braun, and he talks about his reaction to later finding out Braun tested positive for PEDs that season. He won the Hank Aaron Award that year, though, and Kemp reflects on being biracial in baseball as well as the African-American mentors he had in the sport. Still tough to rationalize missing out on that feat, Matt talks about life now, and leaving the baseball to pursue mentorships and other business endeavors.
Throughout the episode, Kemp provides valuable insights into broader themes such as race, identity, and the ever-evolving landscape of rookie vs veterans in the locker room. Playing for the LA Dodgers came with high expectations between living in Hollywood, access to celebrities combined with a fast pace lifestyle while putting up a league high MLB numbers, Matt shares how the pressures sometime were too much to handle and only increased as his personal life took center stage to media outlets and blogs. The guys chat about Matt's adjustment to fame- from the media’s accountability to the dating scene, which Channing can't help but ask about his relationship with superstar Rihanna.
From his mom and dad helping him choose baseball in Oklahoma to Torii Hunter and Don Newcombe guiding him once he reached the majors, Kemp gives praise to the many people who helped him reach the success he had. Yet today he is no longer an active baseball player, and he talks about the unknown struggles of retirement and entering a new chapter as a dad.
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms
New York City, come meet us at Fanatics Fest NYC! We’ll be recording our podcast LIVE with some special guests, signing autographs, meeting fans, taking photos and more. We’re excited to be at FFNYC alongside some of the biggest names in sports such as Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Kevin Durant, Sabrina Ionescu, and more. FFNYC is happening August 16 –18, 2004 at the Javits Center. Tickets are on sale. Visit https://bit.ly/3yw2qAm to learn more and https://bit.ly/3R0f8hn to buy your tickets now!”
GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER(CO/IL/KS/KY/MD/MI/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), or Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), (888) 789-7777 orccpg.org (CT), or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or www.mdgamblinghelp.org(MD), or morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), or1800gambler.net (WV).
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It's Friday and the guys are back as we Pivot our way through all the hot topics of sports and entertainment starting with our own storylines straight through the top headlines of recent. But as usual, you can expect honest, authentic conversation and that locker room type of talk as Ryan, Channing and Fred will always keep it 100 even on the tough topics and being on opposite sides of issues. In partnership with Fanatics, the guys sit down with another three-man show where they talk about recent controversial comments from an NFL veteran to the state of young players entering the NBA and WNBA and more.
The guys may not agree with Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s recent comments during a graduation speech, but they discuss the football world’s responses to a fellow NFL player speaking their mind. Ryan talks about why he disagrees with the speech itself and they each give thier takes on what it is like being a teammate to players whose beliefs don’t align with their own, as Ryan talks specifically to Jason Kelce being a good teammate, fresh out of the locker room, trying to make light of the situation and the media world reacting to it in an unnecessary way.
With all of the talk surrounding Bronny James as a prospect in the NBA Draft, Channing defends the use of nepotism for Bronny to get opportunities, but he and Ryan both touch on how he has to earn his spot in the league. This is similar to Caitlin Clark and the WNBA rookies proving their stardom, and the guys discuss the WNBA’s spotlight with the league’s heated competition so far this season.
The NCAA’s new regulations allowing schools to put money directly into NIL for their athletes is a boost for Power-5 student athletes, but Ryan talks about why he thinks this should have already happened. Channing and Fred also touch on the importance of financial literacy for these athletes to succeed in the long run.
Just like in the NFL, NBA or any professional league, The Pivot and their team is a family, and the guys finish the show talking about the importance of checking in on one another given the recent news about PGA golfer Grayson Murray’s death. 
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms
New York City, come meet us at Fanatics Fest NYC! We’ll be recording our podcast LIVE with some special guests, signing autographs, meeting fans, taking photos and more. We’re excited to be at FFNYC alongside some of the biggest names in sports such as Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Kevin Durant, Sabrina Ionescu, and more. FFNYC is happening August 16 –18, 2004 at the Javits Center. Tickets are on sale. Visit https://bit.ly/3yw2qAm to learn more and https://bit.ly/3R0f8hn to buy your tickets now!”
GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER(CO/IL/KS/KY/MD/MI/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), or Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), (888) 789-7777 orccpg.org (CT), or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or www.mdgamblinghelp.org(MD), or morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), or1800gambler.net (WV)
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Ryan, Fred, and Channing sit down for an exclusive interview with Knicks star Josh Hart as he recounts the highs and lows of his journey to New York following a season that had the Big Apple, and the entire basketball world buzzing.
New York’s playoff run was fueled by a trio of Villanova graduates with Hart, Jalen Brunson and Donte Divincenzo leading way, bringing a veteran mindset and a new sense of toughness to the franchise. With the electrifying atmosphere of Madison Square Garden, Hart sheds light on the inner workings of the team’s success as well as the domino effect that led to their downfall, providing untold stories behind the team's undeniable grit and the misconceptions of playing for Coach Tom Thibodeau. 
Hart knows as well as anybody, that the NBA is a business first, and he opens up about the emotions that come with being traded three separate times. From his wife and kids to finding joy on the court, Hart goes in-depth on the importance of him finding a true home in New York.
Identifying key life moments, Hart shares how his high school years at Sidwell and being away from his parents shaped him into the man he is today and reveals the unlikely lessons (and laughs) learned from becoming an Eagle Scout.
With the NBA Conference Finals looming, Hart hints at who he believes are the best players left in the playoffs, and who he thinks will take home the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms.

New York City, come meet us at Fanatics Fest NYC! We’ll be recording our podcast LIVE with some special guests, signing autographs, meeting fans, taking photos and more. We’re excited to be at FFNYC alongside some of the biggest names in sports such as Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Kevin Durant, Sabrina Ionescu, and more. FFNYC is happening August 16 –18, 2004 at the Javits Center. Tickets are on sale. Visit https://bit.ly/3yw2qAm to learn more and https://bit.ly/3R0f8hn to buy your tickets now!”
GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER(CO/IL/KS/KY/MD/MI/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), or Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), (888) 789-7777 orccpg.org (CT), or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or www.mdgamblinghelp.org(MD), or morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), or1800gambler.net (WV)
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In partnership with Fanatics, we bring you an episode today that is important for us all to takee a listen...Continuing the important conversation around Mental Health, Ryan, Fred, and Channing sit down with Robbie Chosen, previously known as Robbie Anderson, on his 31st birthday, the moment he marks as a new start for the NFL Free Agent. Robbie's career statistics speak volumes about his journey—having started as an undrafted free agent in 2016 to acquiring 4,000 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns, Robbie's impact on the field is undeniable.
In an unguarded and honest conversation, the guys delve deep into Robbie's rollercoaster career path and reflect on his tough upbringing and early years from hard family circumstances to personal decisions to his growth. Robbie describes what it was like growing up without a father in a place full of negative temptations, and the guys ask about how he made it to the league despite the hardships around him. He talks about the moments where his path became cloudy, like being kicked out of college or having harsh sideline interactions, but puts a pinpoint on the ways in which he developed out of the labels people had for him.
The former 1,000-yard receiver still says he has years on the field left in him, and Ryan touches on his admiration for how Robbie is changing his generational curses into blessings. Even with his name changes, Robbie has solidified his identity as a person and a player, but by leaning on his values and faith, he also describes his true definition of success. On a day that's all about personal introspection, Robbie takes a moment to reflect not only on his past but also on his aspirations for the future and legacy as a father, husband and teammate.
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms.
New York City, come meet us at Fanatics Fest NYC! We’ll be recording our podcast LIVE with some special guests, signing autographs, meeting fans, taking photos and more. We’re excited to be at FFNYC alongside some of the biggest names in sports such as Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Kevin Durant, Sabrina Ionescu, and more. FFNYC is happening August 16 –18, 2004 at the Javits Center. Visit https://fanaticsfest.com to learn more and buy your tickets! https://bit.ly/3yw2qAm
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With May being Mental Health Awareness month, The Pivot has had several guests focus on emotional wellbeing from Michael Beasley to Ryan Mundy to Solomon Thomas and more as Mental health remains stigmatized in sports today, but more and more athletes are beginning to break the silence surrounding it and change cultural perception.
In 2018, one NBA star released an emotion-filled tweet that created waves throughout the league, generating awareness of vulnerability while garnering support as the message and impact was felt far beyond the game. Ryan, Channing and Fred sit down with six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan to talk about his mental health advocacy as well as his journey to the league. The 15-year veteran shares stories from his upbringing in Compton, California and reflects on defining moments from his career.
DeMar mentions the influence of figures like Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle in his life and talks about how he is driven to inspire the next generation as well and what kept him from giving up during the darkest times. The guys ask about his trade from the Raptors to the Spurs and he reflects on the difficulty of the move, his legacy after spending 9 years in Toronto and how he handled his father's passing while the NBA pressures continued to build. Many people consider him an NBA star and an all-time clutch player, but DeMar talks about the importance of sharing real stories and being seen as a human being, which he hopes to spotlight in his upcoming book Above the Noise.
DeMar touches on how a difficult environment growing up eventually caught up to him many years later by never coping with loss and how people always tend to believe ultimate highs don't come with ultimate lows. He speaks the truth about the place he comes from, and opens up to Ryan, Channing and Fred on mistruths and misconceptions sharing how Money and fame don't measure happiness but it's through experiences that strength is built and understanding is developed. Never giving up and always wanting to be a light of hope for his family, especially his children, DeMar continues to prove people wrong with his efforts off the court and teaching through conversation.
Only 4 teams left in the NBA postseason as the Eastern and Western Conference Finals jump off today. And our partners at Fanatics Sportsbook are giving away a VIP Experience for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Download the Fanatics Sportsbook app and opt-in, that's it. Entry 5/21/24-5/22/24. It's easy and you too can get in on the playoff action down the stretch!
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms 
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Big Big Day!! As the guys said, the end of our MixTape Era now the album drops....To kick off our new partnership with Fanatics, hosts Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder sit down with none other than the 7x Super Bowl champion and NFL icon, Tom Brady. While the world has seen glimpses of Tom's personality, most recently on Netflix's "Greatest Roast of All Time", The Pivot Podcast dives deep into who Tom really is off the football field and beyond the headlines and storylines.
Reflecting on last week and his takeaways from doing the roast with former New England teammates and coaches, Kevin Hart and other celebrity comedians, Tom is learning to let go of the control he used to have as Quarterback and learning to live in the grey area of life, learning but improving on the decisions he makes each day. Fanatics and The Pivot gift TB with a special memorabilia from the 1981 NFC Championship that brings him back to the innocence of his childhood when his reality was just a dream but a dream ignited by passion for football and love for competition leading him to be one of the greatest to ever step on the field.
After commanding the field for 22 years, Tom became a master of the sport, but our conversation reveals how he continues to evolve as a man, friend, and father away from the game. He discusses the importance of personal growth and reflects on the lessons learned throughout his illustrious career with a strong focus on the quality time with his kids and being there for them in anyway possible.
Opening up about the profound influence his parents had on him, instilling his drive and motivation to succeed from a young age. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise in the NFL, Tom shares the difference makers in his life that kept him focused and determined throughout his career.
To celebrate Fanatics Sportsbook going live in its 20th state, starting from 14th May for 20 days, they are offering over $5m in customer bonuses as well as a number of extra special surprises along the way. Simply download the app to get involved. This episode is brought to you by Fanatics along with Cymbiotika, the #1 leading Wellness Brand creating the best, high-quality supplements without any artificial fillers or toxins. Get 20% off the supplements taking the industry by storm using code Pivot20.
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms.
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