Changing The Game

Jordan Duren
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Careers

Changing the Game is a podcast that highlights bold, inspiring women who are redefining leadership and carving their own paths across different industries, backgrounds, and life chapters. Hosted by Jordan Duren, each episode dives deep into the stories of female leaders who have navigated transitions, taken risks, and challenged the status quo. From corporate trailblazers to creative entrepreneurs, these women share the real, unfiltered truths behind their journeys—what it took, what they learned, and what they’d tell the next woman ready to rise. If you’re ready to break the mold, own your story, and lead with purpose, this show is for you. -------------------------------------------- About Shift Group: Shift Group bridges the gap between military veterans, former athletes, and the business world through coaching and career upskilling. Our mission is to help these individuals unlock their unique skills and experiences and match them with top-tier companies in need of resilient, coachable, and team-oriented professionals. The Shift Connect platform accelerates learning and streamlines the hiring process by connecting employers with pre-vetted candidates who are ready to excel. Customers reduce hiring time, lower costs, increase growth rates, and improve retention. Shift Group is committed to helping businesses build high-performing teams and supporting veterans and athletes in their career development. Discover how Shift Group can transform your hiring process and unlock the potential of exceptional talent. Visit us at shiftgroup.io to learn more.

  1. 1d ago

    How College Athletes Should Prepare for Life After Sports | Carly Kastens (NIL Expert)

    #38: NIL has changed college athletics forever, but according to Carly Kastens, the biggest opportunity isn't just making money. It's using your time as an athlete to figure out who you are beyond the uniform. In this episode of Changing the Game, Jordan sits down with Carly Kastens, former Division I volleyball player at Dartmouth College and Director of College Client Engagement at Altius Sports Partners. Carly has spent the last six years helping universities and student-athletes navigate NIL, revenue sharing, and the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics. Together, they discuss why athletes shouldn't wait until graduation to start building their future, how the skills developed through sports translate into the workplace, and why your story can open unexpected doors. Whether you're a current athlete, former athlete, coach, or simply navigating your own career transition, this conversation is full of practical advice on building an identity that lasts long after the uniform. In this episode:  Carly's journey from Division I volleyball at Dartmouth to Altius Sports Partners  What NIL really is (and what most people misunderstand)  How college athletics is changing behind the scenes  Why internships and networking matter for athletes  The transferable skills employers want from former athletes  How to prepare for life after sports before your career ends  Why your personal story is your biggest competitive advantage

  2. Jul 23

    How Sports Create Elite Problem Solvers | Diane Conklin on Leadership, Resilience, and Business Success

    #37: Former University of Missouri softball player Diane Conklin was part of the first generation of athletes to compete under the NCAA. Since then, she's built and led a multi-million dollar marketing company, coached entrepreneurs around the world, and spent decades helping others solve problems, lead with confidence, and embrace change.  In this episode of Changing the Game, Diane shares why the greatest skill athletes develop isn't just discipline or work ethic. It's problem solving. She explains how that mindset shaped her career, why embracing change builds resilience, and how athletes can confidently forge their own path long after the game ends.  In this episode:  Transitioning from the AIAW to the NCAA  Why athletes are elite problem solvers  Building a multi-million dollar marketing business  How to embrace change with confidence  The mindset behind resilience  Forging your own path despite outside opinions  Diane's Dozen: the lessons sports taught her

  3. Jul 16

    How to Build a Business You Can Actually Walk Away From | Kimberly Wasney

    #36: Most business owners don't start thinking about selling until they're ready to walk away. Kimberly Wasney believes that's already too late. In this episode, Kimberly shares why the best exits are built years in advance, how founders can create businesses that thrive without them, and why your identity matters just as much as your valuation. From helping scale Packed with Purpose from $150K to $9 million as employee number one to co-founding Ripple's Edge Advisors, Kimberly brings a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building companies designed for longevity. In this episode:  Why founders should plan their exit years before selling  The "European Vacation" exercise every business owner should try  Building a business that doesn't depend on you  Scaling from $150K to $9M as employee #1  Why so many founders regret selling their business  Separating your identity from your work  Lessons from sports that translate to entrepreneurshipFollow Kimberly: @Kimberly Wasney on LinkedIn Learn more: Ripple's Edge Advisors

  4. Jul 9

    How High Performers Get Unstuck | Leadership Lessons from National Champion, Madeline Davis Tully

    #35: Former Princeton National Champion rower, Division I coach, and leadership coach Madeline Davis Tully believes confidence isn't something you're born with. It's something you earn through action. In this episode of Changing the Game, Madeline shares what years of competing, coaching championship teams, and now coaching ambitious professionals have taught her about leadership, identity, and sustainable high performance. From navigating life after sport to learning when working harder isn't the answer, this conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone ready to take the next step in their career. In this episode: Why confidence is built through action, not mindsetTransitioning from athlete to professionalLeadership lessons from coaching championship teamsHow to stop feeling stuck in your careerWhy doing less can actually help you achieve moreFinding purpose after sportBuilding a career that's aligned with your valuesWhether you're a former athlete, an emerging leader, or simply someone chasing your next level, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, success, and leadership. Follow Madeline:MDT Leadership: https://www.mdtlead.com/ Substack: https://mdtlead.substack.com/

  5. Jul 2

    From Creighton Basketball to VP of Sales: McKenzie Swanson's Career Playbook

    #34: Former Creighton women's basketball player McKenzie Swanson didn't set out to build a career in sales. After realizing physical therapy wasn't the right path, she earned her MBA from Penn State and took a chance on an SDR role that would completely change the trajectory of her career. In this episode of Changing the Game, McKenzie shares how she went from Division I athlete to VP of Sales, why sales is one of the best career paths for former athletes, and the lessons she's learned leading teams at Hudl, Podium, and Element 451. A conversation about embracing uncertainty, chasing growth, and why the opportunities that scare you the most are often the ones that change your life. In this episode: Why McKenzie chose sales after collegeBreaking into tech with no sales experienceWhy athletes have a competitive advantage in salesLessons from Hudl, Podium, and Element 451What separates great salespeople from good onesWhy your first job doesn't have to be your forever careerWomen in sales and stepping into leadershipWhy you should run toward the scary opportunitiesFollow McKenzie on LinkedIn: @McKenzie Swanson

  6. Jun 25

    How to Figure Out What You Really Want (And Stop Holding Yourself Back) | Tammie Bennett

    #33: What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't a lack of talent or opportunity, but the way you talk to yourself? This week on Changing the Game, I'm joined by mindset coach, entrepreneur, and Show Up Society host Tammie Bennett. From running at UNC and attending Pepperdine Law School to building a coaching business focused on helping women get unstuck, Tammie shares how self-trust, clarity, and kindness can create lasting success. We discuss career pivots, sustainable goal setting, why so many high achievers struggle to know what they really want, and Tammie's powerful "Universe's Drive-Thru" exercise for gaining clarity on your next step. In this episode: Building self-trust during times of uncertaintyWhy process matters more than outcomesThe importance of celebrating small winsHow to reconnect with what you truly wantThe "Did It List" and Universe's Drive-Thru exercisesCreating success without constant self-criticismIf you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next move, this conversation is for you. Follow Tammie Bennett Instagram: @itstammiebennett Website: https://itstammiebennett.com/

  7. Jun 18

    Chelsea Poppens on Retirement, Reinvention, and Finding Purpose After Pro Basketball

    #32: Former WNBA player Chelsea Poppens spent years chasing her dream on the court. But like many athletes, the hardest transition came when the game ended. In this episode of Changing the Game, Chelsea shares her journey from Iowa State to the WNBA, overcoming career-ending injuries, finding her identity beyond basketball, and building a new chapter as a COO, entrepreneur, broadcaster, investor, wife, and mother. A powerful conversation about reinvention, resilience, and why your next chapter can be even bigger than your first. In this episode: Chelsea's path from Iowa State to the WNBAPlaying professionally around the worldRecovering from multiple ACL injuriesBecoming a broadcaster and podcast hostTransitioning from athlete to business leader and COOFinding identity beyond sportMotherhood and redefining successWhy athletes are built for reinventionFollow Chelsea: @chelseapoppens Listen to Champion This Podcast on Spotify!

  8. Jun 11

    The Hidden Pressure Female Athletes Face | Marina Paul, Founder of SuperHera

    #31: Follow Marina on Instagram: @marinapaulLearn more: superhera.com Former Georgetown soccer captain Marina Paul joins Changing the Game to talk about the realities many female athletes experience but rarely talk about openly. We discuss the pressure women face around body image in sports, the identity shift that comes after athletics, and how Marina went from Division 1 soccer to a career at Accenture before founding SuperHera, a company redesigning sports apparel specifically for women’s bodies. This conversation is honest, eye-opening, and an important look at the future of women’s sports. Topics include:  D1 soccer at Georgetown  Athlete identity after sport  Body image & disordered eating in women’s athletics  Leaving corporate life to become a founder  Building SuperHera  The future of women’s sports apparel

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Changing the Game is a podcast that highlights bold, inspiring women who are redefining leadership and carving their own paths across different industries, backgrounds, and life chapters. Hosted by Jordan Duren, each episode dives deep into the stories of female leaders who have navigated transitions, taken risks, and challenged the status quo. From corporate trailblazers to creative entrepreneurs, these women share the real, unfiltered truths behind their journeys—what it took, what they learned, and what they’d tell the next woman ready to rise. If you’re ready to break the mold, own your story, and lead with purpose, this show is for you. -------------------------------------------- About Shift Group: Shift Group bridges the gap between military veterans, former athletes, and the business world through coaching and career upskilling. Our mission is to help these individuals unlock their unique skills and experiences and match them with top-tier companies in need of resilient, coachable, and team-oriented professionals. The Shift Connect platform accelerates learning and streamlines the hiring process by connecting employers with pre-vetted candidates who are ready to excel. Customers reduce hiring time, lower costs, increase growth rates, and improve retention. Shift Group is committed to helping businesses build high-performing teams and supporting veterans and athletes in their career development. Discover how Shift Group can transform your hiring process and unlock the potential of exceptional talent. Visit us at shiftgroup.io to learn more.

Information

  • Creator
    Jordan Duren
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Shift Group
  • Show Website
    Changing The Game