The Giving Game

Sophia Whitesell
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

What happens when you take sports away from athletes? You find out who they really are. Hosted by Sophie, The Giving Game is a one-of-a-kind podcast where athletes step out of the game and into something bigger. No stats. No scores. No surface-level interviews. Each episode is tied to a real, 7-day fundraising challenge—supporting causes that matter to the guests and giving listeners a chance to be part of something meaningful. You’ll hear raw conversations, unexpected stories, and a side of athletes the world rarely sees. This isn’t about sports. It’s about impact. Do you want to play?

  1. 2d ago

    Gamifying Giving: Ryan Beckmann on Hero Picks and Reinventing How America Donates

    This is a special one. Host Sophie Whitesell sits down with Ryan Beckmann, founder of Hero Picks, to announce a major collaboration between their two platforms — and to unpack the story behind an idea that started with a hockey shootout bet and turned into a new way to fundraise for good causes. Ryan walks through how it all began: his son Tino's terrifying week in the Phoenix Children's ICU, a text from former NHL goalie Eddie Lack that turned into an unlikely friendship, and a charity shootout challenge that snowballed from "let's keep it small" into a sold-out rink event with pro athletes, WWE talent, and a Jackass alum taking slap shots. What followed were more events, Ryan's own nonprofit, and a hard lesson: even great events with real star power don't raise nearly as much as people assume. That gap is what led to Hero Picks — a platform that "gamifies giving" through Hero Tokens, prediction games, and sweepstakes-style entries into real experiences (meet-and-greets, FaceTimes, on-ice moments, memorabilia) — all while directing dollars toward smaller, deserving nonprofits that get buried under the small number of organizations that receive the majority of U.S. donations. Sophie and Ryan dig deep into why fundraising has barely evolved in decades, why storytelling (not size) is what actually moves donors, and why smaller nonprofits have an underrated advantage: real, personal stories big organizations can't replicate. Hero Picks is launching soon — details on how to get it are below. What We Cover(00:01:15) The origin story: Tino's ICU stay and a text from NHL goalie Eddie Lack(00:02:45) The shootout bet that started it all — and why it almost didn't happen(00:04:40) Going viral on the Empty Netters podcast and selling out an Arizona rink(00:06:10) The hard truth: big events don't always mean big money(00:08:02) Why instant gratification changed how people expect to give(00:09:01) The idea behind Hero Picks: Hero Tokens, predictions, and gamified giving(00:11:33) How Hero Tokens work and why there's a free mode of entry(00:12:27) The storytelling problem: why smaller nonprofits get lost in the noise(00:16:45) Why fundraising hasn't evolved in 10-20 years(00:17:39) Donor fatigue: why people default to giving to what they already trust(00:35:20) The uncomfortable truth about "selfless" giving(00:38:01) Why refusing help can rob someone else of their own joy(00:43:11) Ryan's own lesson in learning to accept generosity(00:47:34) Ryan's perspective on giving to people on the street(01:09:00) Advice for small nonprofits: differentiate your story or get lost(01:11:02) Why smaller organizations have a real advantage over big-name charities(01:13:55) Why Americans gave more than ever despite economic pressure(01:16:00) How Hero Picks and The Giving Game are teaming up(01:21:41) Where to find and download Hero PicksAbout Ryan BeckmannRyan Beckmann is the founder of Hero Picks, a platform built to "gamify giving" by combining predictions, sweepstakes-style rewards, and real athlete and celebrity experiences to drive donations toward nonprofits — including smaller, under-the-radar organizations often overshadowed by major national charities. Ryan's journey into fundraising began with grassroots charity hockey events built around personal relationships with professional athletes, and evolved into a broader mission to modernize how people give.

  2. 3d ago

    Alex & Alyssa Highsmith on Fighting Food Insecurity, Faith & Building a Foundation Together

    Alex Highsmith and his wife Alyssa join The Giving Game for a rare joint interview — one where host Sophie Whitesell openly admits she knows nothing about Alex's NFL career and everything about the couple's foundation. That's exactly the point of this conversation. Alex and Alyssa pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to run the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, debunking the assumption that athletes just write checks and let a team handle the rest. Both are hands-on every week — Alex on Tuesday meetings between football commitments, Alyssa deep in the sponsorship and operations side as, in Alex's words, "the backbone of the foundation." The headline announcement is Alex's Locker Room, a new initiative launching in partner high schools in Pittsburgh and Wilmington, NC, aimed at tackling food insecurity among student athletes — providing meals, hydration, hygiene essentials, and nutrition education for kids who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Alyssa, a certified nutritionist and nurse, explains why fueling young athletes properly is about more than food access — it's about education they'll carry for life. The couple also opens up about their foundation's back-to-school drives, the Dancing Grandma Scholarship (named for Alex's late grandmother, who went viral dancing when he was drafted), the Run for Colorado Scholarship honoring a high school classmate lost to violence, their faith, how they met and got engaged, and what it's really like navigating NFL life as a couple who insists on staying grounded and involved. If this conversation moved you, you can support the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation using the link below. What We Cover(00:52) The biggest misconception about running an athlete-led nonprofit(02:41) Announcing Alex's Locker Room — fighting food insecurity in partner high schools(04:59) Alyssa's background as a certified nutritionist and nurse(07:11) Getting to know the Highsmiths: partner-interview questions about each other(11:41) What Alyssa does behind the scenes that makes the foundation possible(14:22) The foundation pillar that feels most "Alyssa"(14:52) The back-to-school bash story that stuck with Alyssa(16:33) The Dancing Grandma Scholarship and honoring Alex's grandmother(19:26) Why empathy for kids who lack resources matters to the Highsmiths(20:41) Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination vs. winning a Super Bowl(24:03) Alex on identity beyond football and his faith(31:55) How Alex proposed to Alyssa(34:01) What sets Alyssa apart as an NFL wife who still works full-time(35:05) Creating a safe space for NFL wives navigating trades, moves, and isolation(36:47) Trusting people's intentions at a public level(38:33) Biggest wins and biggest challenges facing the foundation today(40:23) Alex's dream partnership: Dick's Sporting Goods(45:15) If given $100 million: Alex's vision for a foundation facility and school(49:15) Where to donate and support the Alex Highsmith Family FoundationSupport the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation👉 Website: AlexHighsmithFamilyFoundation.org 👉 Instagram & Facebook: linked in bio Can't give financially? Subscribe to the foundation's newsletter, follow along with Alex's "Fuel Up Fridays," and share their mission — community support matters as much as dollars.

  3. Jul 25

    Jennifer George on Building Girls Basketball Worldwide, Athlete Identity & Life After Sports

    She showed up to a $50,000 boarding school with no shoes — and that moment changed everything. In this episode of The Giving Game, host Sophie Whitesell sits down with Jennifer George, founder of Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, for a wide-ranging, no-sports-talk conversation about basketball as a tool, not an identity. Jennifer shares the origin story behind her foundation, born from her time playing for Jamaica's national women's basketball team and coaching at Montverde Academy, where she watched firsthand how talent alone isn't enough — kids from humble beginnings need real support to make the most of life-changing opportunities. Jennifer opens up about growing up in Orlando with a strict, British-military father and a "yes mom" who balanced things out, choosing recreation and event management over criminology after a rocky freshman year, and building a decade-long career as a strength and conditioning coach before founding her nonprofit. She and Sophie dig into life without kids by choice, the "rich auntie" life, and why nobody questions men the way they question women who don't want children. The conversation turns candid around athlete identity: Jennifer's advice for young athletes on separating self-worth from performance, the danger of treating sports as "the end all be all," and why she pushes girls in her program to know who they are outside the game. She also talks about the power of the Professional Athletes Community (PAC), the real cost and stigma athlete-led nonprofits face when competing for donor dollars against big-name organizations, and a brand-new partnership with Bras for Girls to support middle schoolers navigating an awkward age. If Jennifer's story moved you, consider supporting Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation using the links below. What We Cover(00:46) What is Girls Basketball Worldwide, and why it started with a girl who had no shoes(02:43) Basketball as the tool, not the goal: Jennifer's path to college(03:32) Failing pre-law, finding recreation and event management at Florida(05:00) What separates a good event from a great one(06:51) Life without kids by choice — and the "rich auntie" mentality(09:10) Family background: a British military dad, a 96-year-old father, and growing up in Orlando(13:27) Bora Bora, bucket-list travel, and Jennifer's annual Jamaica trips with the foundation(16:43) Nerding out on sociology and strength & conditioning(24:54) Planning her exit from pro basketball before it happened(27:12) Advice for athletes on the transition out of sport(29:52) The danger of tying your worth to your performance(32:48) How social media, NIL, and year-round sports have changed youth athletics(38:31) Pro Athlete Community (PAC): building real relationships beyond networking events(45:33) Jennifer's 5-year vision for the foundation(47:37) Individual donors, golf scrambles, and what actually moves the needle(50:01) Why athlete-led nonprofits struggle for donor credibility — and why they deserve it(54:33) How to get involved with Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation(55:30) New partnership announcement: Bras for GirlsSupport Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation👉 Website: girlsbasketballwf.org 👉 Social: Girls Basketball Worldwide (Instagram) Donations, sponsorships, and partnership inquiries can be made directly through the website.

  4. Jul 17

    MMA Fighter Justin Wren on Addiction, Recovery & Fighting for Congo's Forgotten Pygmy Tribe

    What happens when an MMA fighter stops fighting against people and starts fighting for them? In this episode of The Giving Game, host Sophie Whitesell sits down with Justin Wren — former MMA fighter, keynote speaker, and founder of Fight for the Forgotten — for a conversation that goes far beyond the cage. True to the show's rules, there's no sports talk here. Instead, Justin opens up about hitting rock bottom with addiction, surviving two suicide attempts, and the sunrise that changed everything. Justin shares how he was adopted into the Pygmy tribes of the Congo Basin rainforest — the Mbuti, Efe, and Batwa peoples, among the oldest and most marginalized people groups on Earth — and how that second family inspired a nonprofit unlike any other. Fight for the Forgotten has helped secure over 3,000 acres of land rights, brought clean water to more than 100,000 people through 200+ sustainable water projects, and recently opened a critical access hospital with a thriving maternity ward. Every donation to Fight for the Forgotten during this campaign will be TRIPLED thanks to two matching gifts. Give at the link below and turn $10 into $30. What We Cover(00:00) The sunrise that saved Justin's life(02:02) The 3X matching gift — every donation tripled(02:54) What is Fight for the Forgotten? Justin's adoption into the Pygmy tribe(05:01) Why 230,000+ water wells in Africa are broken — and how to build ones that last(07:53) "Slow down and listen": the problem with fly-in, fly-out charity(12:02) Sophie's Ugandan colleague on "patronizing" Western aid(19:31) Voluntourism vs. expert volunteers — and the new Base Camp project(21:38) Rock bottom: addiction, treatment, and how the mission found Justin(22:59) Andy Bo's story: the $1 pills that could have saved a child's life(26:06) Why the Pygmy people had no land rights — and reclaiming 3,000+ acres(28:37) Modern-day slavery: 400,000–600,000 Mbuti enslaved in the Congo(31:28) Finding home in the rainforest (and surviving malaria six times)(37:58) Fight for Her: the women-led initiative behind the new maternity ward(39:27) Meeting Amy — love, relapse, and second chances(44:25) Be a lighthouse, not a lifeguard: supporting someone through addiction(47:27) How Justin learned to forgive himself: purpose through service(50:36) "I can't afford rehab" — Justin's honest answer(54:22) The yellow shoes, the second suicide attempt, and the most epic sunrise of his lifeAbout Justin WrenJustin Wren is a former professional MMA fighter turned humanitarian, keynote speaker, and founder of Fight for the Forgotten, a nonprofit dedicated to building better lives for the Pygmy peoples of the Congo Basin through holistic, locally led community development — land rights, clean water, farming, education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods. Two matching donors mean every dollar you give right now is worth three. A $10 gift becomes $30. A $100 gift becomes $300. 👉 Donate at fightfortheforgotten.org or fftf.org Connect with Justin WrenWebsite: fightfortheforgotten.orgInstagram: @thebigpygmy

  5. Jul 10

    Soccer as a Tool for Social Change: Dr. Hajar Abulfazl's Inspiring Journey

    In this episode, Dr. Hajar Abulfazl shares her inspiring journey from Afghanistan to the US, highlighting how soccer empowers refugee and immigrant youth, especially girls, to build confidence, leadership, and community. Discover how sport can be a tool for healing, advocacy, and social change.

  6. Jul 6

    From Navy to NASCAR: Jesse Iwuji's Journey of Giving

    In this episode, Jesse Iwuji shares his journey from Navy officer to race car driver and philanthropist. We explore his charitable work with veterans, kids facing illnesses, and organizations supporting long-term missions, emphasizing the importance of giving back and living with purpose.

  7. Jun 26

    From the Field to the Community: Laurence Maroney's Mental Health Mission

    Discover the inspiring journey of NFL player and community advocate Laurence Maroney as he shares insights into mental health, the importance of giving back, and how he is transforming his community through his foundation. This episode emphasizes the critical need for mental health support, especially among athletes and youth, and offers practical ways to foster resilience and compassion. Donate for LM39 Foundation: https://www.lm39foundation.com/donate-today

  8. Jun 19

    Hope in the Hardest Moments: Dave Dravecky’s Incredible Journey

    What happens when the career you’ve worked your entire life for is taken away in an instant? In this powerful episode of The Giving Game, former San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky shares his journey through cancer, depression, loss, and the mental health struggles that followed. After being diagnosed with cancer in his pitching arm, Dave faced challenges that went far beyond baseball. He opens up about the emotional toll of uncertainty, the impact on his mental health, and the moments when hope felt impossible to find. Dave also shares how faith, family, and community helped him persevere through life’s darkest seasons and how he now helps others facing cancer and adversity through his nonprofit, Endurance. This conversation is a reminder that no matter what you’re facing, hope is never out of reach. In this episode: ⚾ Dave’s battle with cancer 🧠 Mental health during life’s toughest moments 🙏 The role faith played in his recovery ❤️ Finding purpose through pain 🤝 How Endurance is helping people facing cancer today If this story inspires you, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who may need a little hope today. MentalHealth #CancerSurvivor #DaveDravecky #TheGivingGame #Hope #Faith #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness #CancerSupport #Podcast

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

What happens when you take sports away from athletes? You find out who they really are. Hosted by Sophie, The Giving Game is a one-of-a-kind podcast where athletes step out of the game and into something bigger. No stats. No scores. No surface-level interviews. Each episode is tied to a real, 7-day fundraising challenge—supporting causes that matter to the guests and giving listeners a chance to be part of something meaningful. You’ll hear raw conversations, unexpected stories, and a side of athletes the world rarely sees. This isn’t about sports. It’s about impact. Do you want to play?

Information

  • Creator
    Sophia Whitesell
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sophia Whitesell
  • Show Website
    The Giving Game

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