Ep. 21 - How Bright Female Ballers is Changing the Game for Girls with Jazz Ducker

Ep. 22 -Finding Purpose at the Intersection of Art and Basketball with Jeremy John Kaplan

In this episode, Angela interviews Jeremy John Kaplan, a Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist. He centers his practice on public space as a site of collective endurance. Best known for The Gold Nets Project, an ongoing intervention installing gold basketball nets on community courts since 2005, Jeremy reframes shared spaces as environments where care is practiced collectively. The conversation covers Jeremy's background as an artist and ball player, his love for graffiti, his art installation at Socrates Sculpture Park, and his involvement with the Hoop Bus. It also delves into the significance of the Hoop Bus and its impact on the community. The conversation covers the experiences of the Hoop Bus team in New York, their interactions with law enforcement, the impact of the Hoop Bus on communities, and the broader cultural significance of basketball. It also delves into the unexpected encounters and connections made through the Hoop Bus, as well as the future initiatives and expansion of the project. Takeaways * Art and basketball have been integral parts of Jeremy's life since his adolescence. * Graffiti is a form of expression that seeks recognition and visibility, echoing a human desire to leave a mark. * The Socrates Sculpture Park Fellowship and the installation project aim to bring art to the community and make it more accessible. * The Hoop Bus serves as a social sculpture, spreading joy and creating imaginative experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds. Community Impact * Cultural Significance of Basketball Chapters * 00:00 Art and Basketball: A Dual Passion * 06:10 Art Installation at Socrates Sculpture Park * 22:12 The Impact of the Hoop Bus * 29:11 Hoop Bus Interactions with Law Enforcement * 39:22 Future Initiatives and Expansion Connect with Jeremy: Instagram: @jeremyjohnkaplan Instagram: @thehoopbus  Visit his new art installation at Socrates Sculpture Park (32-01 Vernon Blvd, Astoria 11101) @socratespark on Instagram  Connect with Angela: Instagram: @TheAngelaRLewis Substack: https://angelarlewis.substack.com/ [https://angelarlewis.substack.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/] Website: http://angelarlewis.com [http://angelarlewis.com]  Email: info@angelarlewis.com [info@angelarlewis.com]

Ep. 21 - How Bright Female Ballers is Changing the Game for Girls with Jazz Ducker

Jazz Ducker, the founder of Bright Female Ballers, discusses her program's impact on empowering young girls through basketball and mindset development. The conversation delves into the collaboration with the Hoop Bus, Jazz's social media presence, the importance of mindset and determination, and the broader impact of her work beyond basketball. Takeaways * Empowering girls through basketball * Combining basketball and mindset for personal development Chapters * 00:00 Empowerment Through Basketball * 05:40 Bright Female Ballers Program * 13:55 Social Media and Street Ball * 19:06 Mindset and Determination Connect with Jazz Ducker Email: info@brightfemaleballers.com [info@brightfemaleballers.com] Website: www.Brightfemaleballers.com [http://www.Brightfemaleballers.com] Instagram: @up2no_goood Connect with Angela: Instagram: @TheAngelaRLewis Substack: https://angelarlewis.substack.com/ [https://angelarlewis.substack.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/] Website: http://angelarlewis.com [http://angelarlewis.com]  Email: info@angelarlewis.com [info@angelarlewis.com]

Ep. 20 - From Heptathlete to UNC Chapel Hill Professor with Dr. Erianne Allen-Weight

The conversation with Dr. Erianne Allen-Weight delves into the educational value of sport, the science of expertise, the emergence of sport performance as a major, and the impact of youth sports on education. Dr. Allen-Weight shares insights on the transformative power of sport and the need to recognize the holistic development and educational opportunities it offers. She also discusses the science of expertise, emphasizing the role of self-regulation and mentorship in achieving high performance. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating sport performance as a major in university education and the potential career pathways it offers. Dr. Erianne Allen Weight is a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she serves as Director of the Center for Research in Intercollegiate Athletics (CRIA) and is an international leader in sport, leadership, and expertise development. A former NCAA Division I heptathlete, her work explores how people learn, grow, and perform at high levels across sport, business, education, and life. Dr. Weight has authored more than 100 scholarly publications, delivered over 150 invited presentations, and consulted with organizations across athletics, education, and leadership development. Her current work focuses on the science of expertise, self-regulation, human performance, and the future of athlete-centered education. She is also helping lead innovative national initiatives that position sport as a powerful pathway for leadership, STEM learning, identity development, and lifelong growth. Takeaways * Sport as Education * Expertise and Self-Regulation Chapters * 00:00 The Educational Value of Sport * 10:39 The Science of Expertise * 32:23 Youth Sports and Education Connect with Dr. Weight: Website: eweight@unc.edu Email: www.erianneweight.com Connect with Angela Lewis: Instagram: @TheAngelaRLewis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/] Website: angelarlewis.com [http://angelarlewis.com]  Email: info@angelarlewis.com [info@angelarlewis.com]

Ep. 19 - Building Basketball Pathways in Jamaica with P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy

In this episode Angela interviews Wayne Dawkins, Jamaican-Canadian sports entrepreneur, basketball development leader, and the Founder/Director of P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy. The conversation covers the topics of youth development through sports and the impact of international opportunities on young athletes. It delves into the challenges and successes of providing international opportunities for young athletes, as well as the importance of persistence and faith in the face of adversity. The conversation delves into the challenges and impact of youth sports programming, highlighting the importance of community support and the obstacles faced in providing opportunities for young athletes. It also explores the upcoming tournaments and programs of P.H.A.S.E 1 Academy, shedding light on the ways to support their initiatives. Takeaways * Youth development through sports * The impact of international opportunities on young athletes Community impact * Youth sports challenges Chapters * 00:00 Youth Development Through Sports * 16:36 The Impact of International Opportunities * 30:49 Overcoming Fear of Risk * 37:11 Supporting Youth Athletes * 45:06 Upcoming Tournaments and Programs Connect with Wayne https://www.phase1academy.com/ [https://www.phase1academy.com/] Connect with Angela: Instagram: @TheAngelaRLewis Substack:https://angelarlewis.substack.com/ [https://angelarlewis.substack.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/] Website: angelarlewis.com [http://angelarlewis.com]  Email: info@angelarlewis.com [info@angelarlewis.com]

Ep. 18 - From Athlete to Digital Marketing Manager with the Houston Rockets with Andrew Anderson

On this Episode Angela interviews Andrew Anderson, Digital Marketing Manager for the Houston Rockets. The conversation covers the introduction to digital marketing, the journey from athlete to marketing professional, foundational skills in marketing, the role of Google Ads in the marketing strategy, and the impact of AI on marketing. It provides insights into the transition from athlete to marketing professional and the foundational skills required for a career in marketing. The conversation covers the importance of engaging with fans and building a connection, the metrics and behaviors for long-term engagement, social media strategy and content distribution, the transition from athlete to business, and advice for breaking into the sports business without connections. Takeaways * Digital marketing strategies * Transition from athlete to marketing professional Engaging with fans * Building a connection Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Digital Marketing * 08:20 Foundational Skills in Marketing * 17:11 Google Ads and Marketing Strategy * 23:40 Engaging with Fans and Building a Connection * 31:32 Social Media Strategy and Content Distribution * 39:06 Breaking into the Sports Business Connect with Andrew Anderson LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsandrewanderson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsandrewanderson/] Instagram - @ItsAndrewAnderson Email - andrewa@rocketball.com [andrewa@rocketball.com] Houston Rockets - rockets.com [http://rockets.com] Houston Comets - houstoncomets.com [http://houstoncomets.com] Connect with Angela Lewis Instagram: @TheAngelaRLewis Substack:https://angelarlewis.substack.com/ [https://angelarlewis.substack.com/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis/] Website: angelarlewis.com [http://angelarlewis.com]  Email: info@angelarlewis.com [info@angelarlewis.com]