Pivot Podcast

“I was a rare commodity.” Champ Bailey 

Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey joins Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor for a conversation that goes far beyond football.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive backs to ever play the game, Champ reflects on the mindset, preparation, and discipline that helped build his legendary career. From his early days in the NFL to becoming a shutdown corner who rarely allowed quarterbacks to challenge him, he opens up about what made him different and the standards he held himself to every time he stepped on the field. 

Revealing one of the hardest experiences Champ went through, he shares the tough reality of learning business, that sometimes no matter how good you are at something, if you aren't a decision maker's pick, you won't be given the chance for success. He takes us inside one of the biggest trades in NFL history, recounting his move from Washington to Denver and how that moment reshaped the trajectory of his career. He also revisits his remarkable 2006 season, when he reached the peak of his powers and cemented his reputation as one of football's most feared defenders. He also weighs in on comparisons to fellow all-time great Darrelle Revis, offering his perspective on the debate and what separates elite cornerbacks from the rest.

The conversation wouldn't be complete without reliving one of the most iconic plays of his career — the unforgettable 99-yard interception return against New England. Champ gives a play-by-play breakdown of what he saw, what he was thinking, and how close he came to finishing the touchdown that fans still talk about today. We have some good laughs as he takes us inside what was going through his mind running down the field before he was brought down. 

Now a father, Champ shares how life and leadership have evolved off the field, discussing family, fatherhood, and the lessons football taught him that he carries into raising his children. 

From humble beginnings in Georgia to Canton, Ohio, Champ Bailey's story is one of talent, sacrifice, and perseverance, as he reflects on the self-belief that took him from a small-town athlete with big NFL dreams to one of the most dominant cornerbacks the game has ever seen...sharing invaluable advice for the next generation of athletes and the conversation is truly a masterclass in greatness from one of the game's all-time legends.

Don't miss this unforgettable Pivot with Champ Bailey.
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"Who says you can't win on a losing hand?" Kane Brown

The Pivot takes Nashville...Country superstar Kane Brown joins The Pivot for one of his most candid conversations yet, opening up about the unlikely path that took him from posting videos on social media during work breaks to becoming one of the biggest names in country music.

Sitting down with Ryan, Channing and Fred, Kane reflects on the challenges of breaking into a genre where he often feels overlooked, he shares how his determination, faith and family values help him navigate obstacles, racial encounters and industry skepticism along the way. Despite chart-topping success, sold-out arenas and countless accolades, Kane explains why he's never fully satisfied and continues chasing the next level. From battling self-doubt, loneliness that comes with success and mental health struggles of navigating fame, the conversation hits all levels.

The conversation dives deep into his life off the stage—from recording music with his wife and building a family together to embracing the role of fatherhood and finding purpose beyond fame. Kane also opens up about the frustrating pattern of being passed over during awards season, how criticism became fuel, and why gratitude and ambition can coexist.

A lifelong Georgia football fan, Kane shares stories about his friendships with some of the biggest names in sports, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, offering a glimpse into the relationships he's built far beyond the music world.

From viral videos and self-belief to family, legacy and the pursuit of greatness, Kane Brown delivers an honest look at success, sacrifice and the question he's still trying to answer: When you've reached the top, what does the finish line really look like?

This is a conversation about resilience, identity, purpose and the relentless drive to keep pushing forward—even when the world says you've already made it.
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“This isn’t Little League, there’s no rule we all have to line up and shake hands.” Ryan Clark 

Special Friday Pivot as we prepare to spend the coming days doing what we do! Father's Day is supposed to be about celebrating dads—but in pure Channing fashion, He marks it as the dumbest holiday on the calendar!

We get into why he feels that way and talking so much more as Chan, Fred and Ryan start the convo fired up about a legendary summer of sports heating up— with underdogs becoming icons, Knicks championship unifying the city that doesn’t sleep, and the World Cup action kicking off being everything it’s promised to be!  Checking out FIFA favorite on the pitch to the growing conversation around Victor Wembanyama, respect among competitors, and where sportsmanship fits in today's game.

The conversation takes a turn as the guys discuss the things we struggle to tell our families and the people closest to us, the emotions we carry in silence, and why vulnerability remains one of the hardest challenges for men.

The guys reflect on the passing of their fellow teammate and friend Aldon Smith, the pressures athletes face long after the cameras stop rolling, and why mental health conversations need to move beyond headlines and hashtags. 

And as we head into the weekend of Dad’s, Ryan, Channing, and Fred chat fatherhood, family, and the realities of being the men their kids count on. Channing gets personal about his father's impact on his life and the funny memories they made together in his final days. 

From laughs and locker-room stories to honest conversations about grief, family, purpose, and fatherhood, this is one of those episodes that reminds you why The Pivot is more than a sports podcast—it's three men trying to make sense of life in real time.

Pivot Family...comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know!
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“16 years in the NBA and 70% of my career, I played depressed. “-JR Smith

In this episode of The Pivot Podcast, former NBA champion and basketball icon JR Smith sits down for one of his most candid conversations yet. From his rise as a high school phenom to a 16-year NBA career, JR reflects on the highs, lows, and lessons that shaped his journey.

He opens up about playing on the biggest stage alongside LeBron James, competing in multiple NBA Finals, and what it meant to win an NBA Championship. Beyond the highlights and headlines, JR shares the personal battles he faced with mental health, the pressure of fame, and navigating life under constant public scrutiny. JR also revisits one of the most questionable and talked about moments of his career—the infamous NBA Finals play that became a defining headline of his legacy—sharing what was going through his mind, how he handled the backlash, and the lessons he learned from a mistake that nearly altered basketball history.

JR also discusses some of the darkest moments of his life, including time spent in jail, the devastating loss of a close friend, and how those experiences changed his perspective forever. He speaks honestly about fatherhood, the challenges and rewards of parenting, and the responsibility of being a role model for his family.

Now in a new chapter of life, JR reflects on personal growth, finding purpose beyond basketball, and the mindset that continues to drive him forward. This is a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about resilience, redemption, and discovering who you are when the game is no longer the center of your world.

Don't miss this powerful episode of The Pivot with JR Smith. Pivot Family...comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know!
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"Everything Gets Answered In Season 5..."Mekai Curtis

On this Friday special of The Pivot Podcast, we sit down with actor Mekai Curtis, the breakout star of Raising Kanan, for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, family, and the journey to becoming one of television's most compelling leading men as part of Powerbook III's hit drama series.

Mekai reflects on his early days as a child actor on Disney Channel, the sacrifices his family made to support his dreams, and how his parents' unwavering belief gave him the confidence to pursue a career in Hollywood. He opens up about the challenges of growing up in the entertainment industry, finding his identity as an actor, and the lessons that shaped him along the way.

The conversation dives into his starring role as Kanan Stark in Raising Kanan, including the pressure of carrying a hit series, the show's massive success, and what it's been like collaborating with executive producer 50 Cent and an accomplished cast and creative team. Mekai shares behind-the-scenes stories, discusses the relationships he's built with his fellow actors, and reveals how he prepares for one of television's most complex characters.

With Season 5 marking the final chapter of Raising Kanan, Mekai reflects on the show's legacy, the emotional process of saying goodbye, and what he hopes fans take away from Kanan's journey. He promises that cliffhangers will be answered and the show will make viewers live and breathe every scene. He also discusses the importance of balancing real life with the darker realities of the character he portrays and how he protects his mental and emotional well-being while bringing Kanan to life.

From Disney Channel to leading one of the biggest dramas on television, Mekai Curtis' story is one of faith, hard work, family support, and staying true to yourself. This is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Pivot Family...comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know!
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