WCAT Chats

WCAT Chats 77 | New President Jay Rainey on Storytelling, Listening & Faith

Get to know Westminster's new president Jay Rainey as he chats with hosts Wyatt Garfinkle and Ashaan Patel about connecting, leading, the humanities, teaching math and even some interesting thoughts on why you should learn your "enemy's" story.

Championship Turf: Keeping Westminster Green & the World Cup Ready with Jake Mays

In this episode, hosts Wyatt Garfinkle and Ashaan Patel sit down with the mastermind behind Westminster's pristine athletic facilities: Grounds Manager Jake Mays. If you’ve ever wondered how the campus fields stay in flawless, championship-ready condition year-round despite heavy traffic and unpredictable Georgia weather, Jake pulls back the curtain on the science, strategy, and hard work that goes on behind the scenes.But Jake’s turf expertise extends far beyond our campus gates. He also shares his incredible experience working on the elite, high-stakes team that installed the professional grass pitch at NRG Stadium in Houston for the FIFA World Cup. Jake breaks down the intense logistics, the cutting-edge technology, and the extreme pressure of prepping a field for the world’s greatest soccer stars on sport's biggest stage.From local lawn secrets to global stadium standards, this conversation is a must-listen for sports fans, athletes, and anyone who appreciates the dedication it takes to build a world-class playing surface.

Meet Miah Spencer – From NC State Standout and WNBA Pro to Wildcat Nation

In this episode, newest WCATChats host Izzy Winarsky has an inspiring, close-up conversation with Westminster Basketball assistant coach Coach Miah Spencer. Before bringing her elite expertise to the Wildcats, Coach Spencer carved out a basketball legacy as a star guard at NC State—becoming the only player in the program's 43-season history to score over 1,500 points and dish out 400 assists. Her exceptional collegiate career paved the way to the professional ranks, where she earned a spot in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury and played extensively overseas. In this conversation, Izzy and Coach Spencer explore what it truly takes to transition from the peak of professional athletics into being a dedicated mentor and coach. Coach Spencer shares insights into the grit, discipline, and elite mindset required to survive and thrive at the Division 1 level and beyond. She breaks down how she channels those high-stakes professional lessons into shaping the next generation of student-athletes, teaching them how to elevate their game on the court while building the mental toughness needed for life off of it. Beyond the Xs and Os, this episode touches on the profound personal growth that comes after life in the pros. Coach Spencer opens up about discovering identity beyond the jersey, finding purpose in unexpected life pivots, and the resilience required to overcome heavy personal losses. Whether you're an aspiring high school athlete aiming for the next level or a fan of powerful sports stories, this episode offers a masterclass in perseverance, leadership, and passion.

From the NBA to High School: Mike Irr and the New Standard of High Performance

In this episode, Wyatt and Wilson sit down with Westminster's brand new Head of High Performance to break down what it takes to build elite athletes. With a deep background in sports development, our guest is bringing NBA-level strength, conditioning, and agility training directly to high school athletes after time with the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks, among others.If you want to know how the pros train—and how those exact same principles can transform high school sports performance—this is an episode you want to listen to.

WCAT B-Chats: Startups and Billions with David Cummings

Building a startup isn't just about a great idea—it's about timing, culture, and the relentless pursuit of solving market problems. In the series premiere of WCAT BizChats, hosts Wyatt Garfinkle and Izayn Umlani sit down with the king of startups, David Cummings. As the founder of Pardot (acquired for $95M) and the visionary behind the Atlanta Tech Village, David shares the high-stakes lessons he learned while scaling ventures and why he believes entrepreneurship is one of the greatest forces for good in the world today.Throughout the episode, the trio dives into the "Goldilocks" principle of timing, the dangers of "field of dreams" product development, and how to maintain a rock-solid corporate culture during rapid growth. David offers a masterclass in modern leadership, explaining why he’s now betting big on the revitalization of downtown Atlanta and how AI is acting as the new "Iron Man suit" for the next generation of founders. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned pro, this conversation provides a roadmap for navigating the volatile but rewarding world of business.