Right About Now - Legendary Business Advice

The Business of NIL: Parents, Brands, and the Power Behind College Sports | Justin J. Giangrande

Ryan Alford sits down with Justin J. Giangrande, Founder and CEO of NETWORK, for a wide-ranging conversation on how NIL is reshaping college sports from the inside out. Justin explains what athlete representation actually looks like in the NIL era, why schools, conferences, and brands are all still figuring out the rules in real time, and why the real power in college sports now sits with a handful of decision-makers who still have not fully aligned. He also breaks down how his firm approaches school negotiations, why the best deal is not always the biggest one, and what parents need to understand before trying to navigate this world alone. Ryan brings the business and brand lens, Justin brings the operator and agent lens, and together they unpack why NIL is both a mess and a massive opportunity. This episode is especially useful for parents, athletes, marketers, and anyone trying to understand where the business of college sports is actually headed. Topics Covered * NETWORK’s role in collegiate sports marketing and NIL * Why regulation still has not caught up * The tension between athlete opportunity and roster chaos * How brands should think about NIL and athlete partnerships * Why high school NIL may be the next big unlock * What parents need to know before picking representation * How schools can create more real endorsement value * Why some sports still have massive untapped upside Connect with Justin J. Giangrande / NETWORK * NETWORK: thenetworkadvisory.com * Justin J. Giangrande bio: thenetworkadvisory.com/team/justin-j-giangrande * Justin on Instagram: @jg.network * NETWORK on Instagram: @thenetworkadvisory Connect with Ryan Alford / Right About Now * Right About Now: ryanisright.com * Right About Now YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCc8gmekIb1SS1s216ASNT_w

The Million-Dollar Skill Most Professionals Are Losing: Fearless Authenticity, Communication, and Persuasion

Ryan Alford sits down with Jeanne Sparrow for a conversation about leadership, communication, and why authenticity is more than just “being yourself.” Jeanne shares how her media career, family storytelling roots, and work as an author and speaker shaped her view that real influence comes from spoken communication, memorable stories, and service to others. She also explains why so many teams struggle internally before they struggle externally, and why spoken confidence is becoming a bigger advantage as more people rely on text, email, and AI to do their talking for them. Ryan connects with Jeanne especially around marketing, persuasion, and what it really means to sell an idea in a way people remember. This episode is especially useful for leaders, entrepreneurs, speakers, and anyone navigating a career or identity transition. Topics Covered * Jeanne Sparrow’s path from radio and TV to speaking and authorship * Why stories stick more than lists or information * How authenticity and service work together * Why strong communication is still a competitive advantage * The gap between school performance and real-world performance * How leaders can communicate with more clarity and impact * Why AI will not replace human motivation and spoken influence Links * Jeanne Sparrow official site: jeannesparrow.com * Fearless Authenticity book page: jeannesparrow.com/book * Ryan Alford official site: ryanisright.com

Why Founders Must Rethink Their Teams in the Age of AI

AI is changing more than workflows — it is changing what teams are, how leaders lead, and what kinds of people businesses need next. In this episode, Ryan Alford talks with Veronica Shelton, co-founder of Oak Theory, about accessibility, inclusive design, neurodivergent thinking, leadership without ego, and why curiosity is often the trait that separates good founders from great ones. They also go deep on the practical side of AI adoption: how roles are blending, how companies can stay lean without losing humanity, and why resisting change is no longer a viable option. Ryan connects with Veronica especially around founder leadership, team evolution, and the challenge of helping people adapt to a world where AI is becoming part of nearly every role. The result is a smart, current conversation for anyone building a company, managing creative work, or trying to understand where modern work is actually headed. Topics Covered * Veronica Shelton’s path into product design and creative tech * Why curiosity drives real success * Accessibility, psychology, and better digital experiences * The human implications of AI at work * How Oak Theory is evolving team roles with AI * Why leaders need to drop ego and tell the truth * Ryan Alford and Veronica Shelton on what adaptation really looks like Links * Oak Theory: oaktheory.co * Under the Oak: undertheoak.co * Veronica Shelton on LinkedIn: LinkedIn profile for Oak Theory co-founder Veronica Shelton. * Right About Now / Ryan Alford: ryanisright.com

From Zero to Hero: Lessons on Rejection, Resilience, and Momentum

Every entrepreneur talks about the breakthrough. Fewer talk honestly about the rejection, chaos, and setbacks that come first. In this themed compilation episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford brings together powerful moments from conversations with Alex Morton, Jen Gottlieb, Ken Wentworth, and other guests who know what it means to rebuild, reinvent, and push through resistance. The result is a sharp, motivating episode about what really creates traction: resilience, self-awareness, better decision-making, and the willingness to execute before you feel ready. Ryan ties these conversations together with the bigger lesson behind the show: breakthroughs do not come from consuming more information. They come from acting on the right insight at the right time and refusing to stay stuck. Topics Covered * Rock bottom moments that became turning points * Why rejection is often the start of real progress * Authenticity, confidence, and reinvention in business * The first win that changes how you see opportunity * Strategic financial thinking and margin improvement * Why execution matters more than motivation * How Ryan Alford frames resilience across every industry Connect * Ryan Alford / Right About Now: RyanIsRight.com * Social Media: @RyanAlford * Join our newsletter: https://ryans-newsletter-148404.beehiiv.com/

From Zero to Hero: Lessons on Rejection, Resilience, and Momentum

Every entrepreneur talks about the breakthrough. Fewer talk honestly about the rejection, chaos, and setbacks that come first. In this themed compilation episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford brings together powerful moments from conversations with Alex Morton, Jen Gottlieb, Ken Wentworth, and other guests who know what it means to rebuild, reinvent, and push through resistance. The result is a sharp, motivating episode about what really creates traction: resilience, self-awareness, better decision-making, and the willingness to execute before you feel ready. Ryan ties these conversations together with the bigger lesson behind the show: breakthroughs do not come from consuming more information. They come from acting on the right insight at the right time and refusing to stay stuck. Topics Covered * Rock bottom moments that became turning points * Why rejection is often the start of real progress * Authenticity, confidence, and reinvention in business * The first win that changes how you see opportunity * Strategic financial thinking and margin improvement * Why execution matters more than motivation * How Ryan Alford frames resilience across every industry Connect * Ryan Alford / Right About Now: RyanIsRight.com * Social Media: @RyanAlford * Join our newsletter: https://ryans-newsletter-148404.beehiiv.com/