Role Players: Recent Episodes

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In this episode of Role Players, the guest is, well, me, BJ Stillwell! As of the last month, I am the Marketing Manager of the Phoenix Mercury. I wanted to take this episode and tell you about my new role and my overall experience in sports - from my beginnings of having a love for basketball, through college, and up until my current position. Through my monologue, I really wanted to open up about my journey and the truth and realities about my experience. I add in a few pieces of advice weaved through my story that I hope will resonate as key learnings that I wish that I had known myself. Lastly, I wanted to once again highlight the importance of women's sports to further drive home the commitment that advocates and allies should make in their own lives if they really mean what they say. Thank you all for taking time to get to know me a little bit more!

Follow BJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjstillwell/

Check out our Newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7031087364173152256

Check out our Linktree for more ways to listen and engage: https://linktr.ee/roleplayerspod

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In this episode of Role Players, we interview Meena Sayah, Account Executive at the Sacramento Kings. Meena weaves a descriptive narrative of her sports dream and the sometimes harsh reality and difficulty of getting there. Desiring to work in sports journalism, she decided to go to a junior college to work full time and save money, planning to finish at a 4-year university and move into a job after college in sports media. What follows is a very real and moving story of feeling trapped, working full time in school, the pressures and pitfalls of the undergraduate system, and the very real truth of not finding the job that you wanted, or perhaps, not finding a job at all. Meena's story is powerful and a true testament that no matter the hurdles and obstacles one faces their journey, you can still achieve success in your life.

Follow Meena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meena-sayah-39b566231/

Check out our Newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7031087364173152256

Check out our Linktree for more ways to listen and engage: https://linktr.ee/roleplayerspod

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In this episode of Role Players, we interview Jessica Stallworth, Event Manager of US Sports at Adidas. We start by diving into her history working in sports events, beginning with her time in the athletic department at Pepperdine University and how it prepared her for her role at Adidas. We discuss the pros and the cons of working in events, and she shares the keys to a successful mindset in sports. We chat about the importance of camaraderie and authenticity and how they build trust amongst peers, finishing with an anecdote on the importance of spicy margs.

Follow Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicastally99/

Check out our Newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7031087364173152256

Check out our Linktree for more ways to listen and engage: https://linktr.ee/roleplayerspod

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In this episode of Role Players, we interview Zach Younker of the Milwaukee Bucks. We begin by analyzing Zach's time in Milwaukee and the infectious energy that has swept over the city, only being described as the “Giannis Effect”. We take an aerial view of sales in sports - the realities, the misconceptions, the stereotypes, but also the versatility and flexibility that can be found in this career path. We finish up with an anecdote on balance, sacrifice, and support; all 3 of which are vital if one wants to not only survive, but thrive in their career in sports.

Follow Zach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-younker/

Check out our Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7031087364173152256

Check out our Linktree for more ways to listen and engage: https://linktr.ee/roleplayerspod

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In this episode of Role Players, we interview Hailey Dougherty of the Atlanta Hawks. We begin our conversation discussing the nuance of our shared positions within partner marketing in terms of partnerships and brand marketing. We then highlight the importance that is found in internships and masters programs, hitting on the main point of "experience over education". We finish up talking about two very important topics in women's sports and NIL, leaning heavily on Hailey's experience and involvement in both spaces for greater context of their importance in the sports landscape.

Follow Hailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/h-dougherty/

Engage with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7031087364173152256

Check out our Linktree for more ways to listen and engage: https://linktr.ee/roleplayerspod

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On this episode of Role Players, we interview Nakel McClinton, Social Media Manager of the Miami Heat. Join us, as BJ and Nakel bond over the NBA in-season grind and the familial environment that gets created through the shared experience of working in sports. Then we have an in depth conversation about COVID - how it changed how we all work, affected collaboration, and the pros and cons of hybrid work. We finish up with our discussion regarding the social media landscape and why sports has the best stories.

Follow Nakel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nakelmcclinton/

Engage with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjstillwell/

Check out our Linktree for more ways to listen: https://linktr.ee/roleplayerspod

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“Role Players” is an interview-style podcast that dives into the backgrounds of sports professionals, featuring conversations about their career trajectory, the defining moments that allowed them an opportunity to work in sports, and other anecdotes they would share with the next generation of sports professionals in an effort to educate and inspire.