Born To The Game Podcast

The Inflection Network
The Inflection Network
  • 4.8 (20)
  • Sports

Welcome to Born To The Game Podcast. Hosted Mariah Woodson, the daughter of NBA great Mike Woodson, and her cousin Temara Payton. This podcast is where the children of legendary athletes, entertainers, businessmen and entrepreneurs share what it’s really like growing up under the lights of legacy. From identity to trust, from pain to purpose, these stories break down what fame can’t protect you from—and what it means to build a name of your own.

  1. Sep 24

    Featuring: Jenkins & Jonez Podcast: 1996 Bracket Winner + Fake 49ers Player

    www.patreon.com/jenkinsandjonez to unlock more episodes We talked about the 1996 Bracket ending, the fake 49ers player, and our Dookie Butts of the Week. YouTube link: https://youtube.com/live/Y0_NaK71Ync?feature=share Find the Show: Jenkins & Jonez Podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Featuring: Jenkins & Jonez Podcast: 1996 Bracket Winner + Fake 49ers Player

  2. Sep 22

    Growing Up as Terry Crews Daughter & Finding Her Voice | Born to the Game Podcast

    Tera Crews knows what it's like to inherit a legendary name — and still have to prove you belong outside of it. In this episode of Born to the Game, Tera, daughter of Terry Crews, opens up about growing up Crews, from being on set for White Chicks and Everybody Hates Chris to getting trampled by fans and feeling hyper-aware any time her dad gets recognized. She talks about what it was really like having a famous father who was quiet at home, often away filming like a military dad, and the best advice he ever gave her: don't put yourself in a position where you're already defeated. Tera also gets candid about building her own lane in LA nightlife, from promoting at The Reserve to launching her brand What's the Tee?, learning to spot posers, advocating for women DJs, and why having her money in order mattered more than connections. She shares her honest journey with body image, gastric bypass, liposuction and GLP-1s, body dysmorphia, growing up in a predominantly white area, and letting go of good hair pressure, plus hot takes on nepo babies, privilege, and why LA nightlife is more about being seen than having fun. This is a conversation about identity, pressure, family, purpose and learning how to honor where you come from without letting it define who you become. Subscribe for more conversations about family, identity, pressure, purpose and the truth behind legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Sep 15

    Jeffrey Osborne Jr. on R&B, Famous Parents & Building His Own LEGACY | Born To The Game Podcast

    Jeffrey Osborne Jr. knows what it’s like to inherit a legendary name — and still feel the need to prove you belong. In this episode of Born to the Game, Jeffrey opens up about growing up as the son of R&B icon Jeffrey Osborne, why he often introduces himself simply as “Jeff,” and the complicated truth about having a famous parent while trying to build an identity and career of your own. He also gets candid about whether R&B was better in the ’80s and ’90s, why connections can sometimes matter more than talent in today’s music industry, and his journey from college basketball to making music. From growing up around Lakers games, Magic Johnson and Johnny Gill to discovering his own purpose through self-mastery, fatherhood and creativity, Jeffrey reflects on the lessons his parents gave him and the legacy he wants to pass on to his own children. He also shares his approach to being a present father, the simple “seven-minute” parenting practice he uses with his kids, his passion for filmmaking and flute-making, and what’s ahead as he prepares to release new music — including “Exposure.” This is a conversation about identity, pressure, purpose, family and learning how to honor where you come from without letting it define who you become. Born to the Game is produced by ARCA Media Group in collaboration with Inflection Network and distributed through iHeartMedia. Subscribe for more conversations about family, identity, pressure, purpose and the truth behind legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Aug 25

    Shaya Bryant: Grief, Loss & Carrying Her Family's Legacy Forward (Part 2) | Born To The Game Podcast

    What does it take to keep showing up for your family after unimaginable loss? Shaya Bryant — daughter of NBA and European league legend Joe "Jellybean" Bryant and sister of Kobe Bryant — returns for Part 2 of her deeply personal conversation with Born To The Game, going even deeper into grief, healing, and legacy. In this episode, Shaya opens up about: Losing seven family members in six years — including her father, brother, niece, grandmother, and in-laws Grief as waves, not a straight line — why some days are harder than others, even years later Leaning on therapy monthly and using the gym as her own form of therapy Why she refuses to grieve alone — relying on her husband, kids, and sister for support Raising her sons knowing they may be compared to their uncle Kobe on the basketball court Celebrating her daughter Autumn's birthday — which falls on Kobe's birthday — while holding both joy and grief Redefining legacy as unconditional love, good energy, and being remembered as the family's "unicorn" A surprise video message from her children and an emotional legacy objects segment to close out the conversation This is Part 2 of 2 — catch Part 1 if you missed the first half of Shaya's story. New episodes are live every Tuesday. Full videos are live every Wednesday on YouTube. Subscribe to Born To The Game for more honest conversations about culture, family, entertainment, ambition, and legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Aug 18

    Shaya Bryant: Daughter of Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, Sister of Kobe, On Her Untold Story (Part 1) | Born To The Game Podcast

    What's it really like growing up as the daughter of an NBA player and the sister of a global icon? Shaya Bryant — daughter of NBA and European league legend Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, and sister of Kobe Bryant — joins Born To The Game for Part 1 of a deeply personal two-part conversation about family, legacy, identity, and life behind the fame. In this episode, Shaya opens up about: Growing up in a basketball family and moving overseas to Italy and Switzerland as a kid Learning Italian in months and the culture shock of returning to Philadelphia Her tight-knit bond with Kobe growing up — "thick as thieves," pranks, and no real fights Kobe's early work ethic, 6am gym sessions, and the moment that shaped the Mamba Mentality Her father Joe "Jellybean" Bryant as a present, playful dad and the lessons he instilled Navigating fame, privacy, and protecting her peace from public perception Motherhood, grief, and carrying her family's legacy forward on her own terms This is Part 1 of 2 — Part 2 drops next week with even more of Shaya's story. New episodes are live every Tuesday. Full videos are live every Wednesday on YouTube. Subscribe to Born To The Game for more honest conversations about culture, family, entertainment, ambition, and legacy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Aug 4

    Summer League, NBA Legends & the HIV Stat We Can't Ignore: A Solo Reflection | Born To The Game Podcast

    What does it mean to hold space for celebration, grief, community health, and legacy all in one week? Host Mariah Woodson flies solo this episode — Tamara Peyton couldn't make the trip — to reflect on a jam-packed week at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Mariah walks through the events, moments, and conversations that shaped her week, including: Attending the NBA Legends Annual Event and watching her father fellowship with the pioneers of the game, A surprise, full-circle moment when former guest Olden Polynice praised "Born to the Game" to a room of NBA legends Missing the "She's Got Time" summit — founded by Swin Cash to empower women across sports and entertainment — and committing to attend next year.  A candid conversation with her dad and her husband about how Summer League is really used to evaluate young talent, not just wins and losses An unforgettable "10 out of 10" Jeezy concert experience in Vegas A critical PSA from the National Basketball Wives Association summit: per the CDC, Black women account for over half of new HIV diagnoses among women in the U.S. despite being just 13% of the female population — and why safe sex, regular testing, and ending the stigma matter Processing what it means when fans stop her in person to say the show matters to them A first look at an upcoming Summer League behind-the-scenes YouTube series New episodes are live every Tuesday. Full videos are live every Wednesday on YouTube. Subscribe to Born To The Game for more honest conversations about culture, family, entertainment, ambition, and legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Jul 28

    Iyana Halley & Manny Halley Jr. on Legacy, Grief, and Growing Up in Entertainment | Born To The Game Podcast

    What does it mean to carry your family’s legacy while building an identity of your own? Iyana Halley and Manny Halley Jr. — siblings raised around music, acting, television, and entertainment — join hosts Mariah Woodson and Tamera Peyton for a candid conversation about family, grief, identity, motherhood, and finding your own path in the industry. The siblings reflect on growing up as the children of talent manager and television producer Manny Haley, their close bond as children, and the experiences that shaped them after the loss of their mother, Yolanda Haley. In this episode, Iyana and Manny Halley Jr. open up about: Growing up in the entertainment industry and navigating life as industry kidsMoving from Brooklyn to Atlanta and adjusting to a new worldSharing a room, having late-night talks, and praying together as childrenThe legacy of their parents and the impact of their mother, Yolanda HaleyProcessing grief and learning to cope with loss in different waysIyana’s acting journey, including her experience on Abbott ElementaryBalancing motherhood, identity, and a growing entertainment careerManny Halley Jr.’s work in music, acting, and television producingTouring with Keyshia Cole as an opening actThe unforgettable Fabolous phone call arranged by their fatherTheir upcoming BET project, Lot PatrolAdvice for aspiring actors, musicians, producers, and entertainment professionalsWhy family, purpose, and personal growth matter when building your own legacy New episodes are live every Tuesday. Full videos are live every Wednesday on YouTube. Subscribe to Born To The Game for more honest conversations about culture, family, entertainment, ambition, and legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Jul 21

    From MTV's My Super Sweet 16 to Building Her Own Legacy – Allison Mathis Jones | Born To The Game Podcast

    What happens when a reality TV moment becomes one of the most precious memories you have left? Allison Mathis Jones — daughter of legendary Atlanta attorney and civic leader Charles Mathis and a familiar face from MTV's My Super Sweet 16 — joins hosts Mariah Woodson and Tamara Peyton for a candid, layered conversation about identity, legacy, grief, and what it truly means to have it all. Allison grew up in Atlanta's elite circles — Grammy parties at home, T.I. and Jermaine Dupri dropping by, and a father who represented some of the biggest names in entertainment. But behind that world was a young woman learning what it meant to carry her father's name, face public scrutiny, and eventually lose him far too soon. In this episode, Allison opens up about: What it was really like filming MTV's My Super Sweet 16 — and why it was largely her dad's idea The legacy of Charles Mathis and how long it took her to grasp his full impact on Atlanta Her journey through grief and how loss reshaped her purpose Launching Moments to Media Content Co., helping brands create social media-ready content Why she believes women can have it all — just not all at once Balancing motherhood, marriage, real estate, content creation, and entrepreneurship Finding your identity outside of being someone's wife or mother The one word she'd use to describe herself: multifaceted New episodes drop every Tuesday. Full videos every Wednesday on YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Welcome to Born To The Game Podcast. Hosted Mariah Woodson, the daughter of NBA great Mike Woodson, and her cousin Temara Payton. This podcast is where the children of legendary athletes, entertainers, businessmen and entrepreneurs share what it’s really like growing up under the lights of legacy. From identity to trust, from pain to purpose, these stories break down what fame can’t protect you from—and what it means to build a name of your own.

Information

  • Channel
    The Inflection Network
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Born To The Game Podcast

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