Pivot Podcast

"My story isn't a basketball story, it's a life story." Greg Oden

On this episode of The Pivot Podcast, we sit down with former No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Greg Oden for one of the most honest and powerful conversations of his life.

For years, Greg Oden's name has been tied to one word: "bust." Drafted ahead of future MVP and NBA champion Kevin Durant in 2007, Oden became the subject of endless debates about what could have been. But as Durant himself has said, Greg was never truly given a chance—his career was derailed by injuries before the basketball world ever got to see what he could become.

In this raw and revealing conversation, Greg reflects on the pressure of being the No. 1 pick, the weight of expectations, and the frustration of seeing his legacy defined by circumstances beyond his control. From his rise as a high school phenom and Ohio State star to the devastating injuries that robbed him of years on the court, Greg shares the emotional and physical battles that shaped his journey. Parts of this conversation bare all as Greg's transparency truly brings his pain and passion to the forefront.

He opens up about his time with the Portland Trail Blazers, the criticism and scrutiny that followed him throughout his career, and what it was like earning a second chance with the Miami Heat and reaching the NBA Finals alongside some of the game's biggest names from Lebron James to Dwayne. Wade to Chris Bosh.

Beyond basketball, Greg discusses his struggles with mental health, depression, addiction, self-worth, and the challenges of rebuilding his life after the game. He speaks candidly about regrets, losing loved ones, what ifs , public perception, and the process of finding peace with a career that never unfolded the way anyone expected.

This episode isn't about what Greg Oden wasn't. It's about who he is, what he endured, and how he found the strength to keep moving forward when the world had already written his story for him. Greg's new chapter is leading as a dedicated father, mentor, college advisor and also filmmaker, with his feature film "Bust" getting ready to release.

A powerful conversation about resilience, perspective, redemption, and one of basketball's greatest "what ifs."
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“Men put a mask to hide what appears to be weak to the world.”-Jason Wilson 

On this powerful episode of The Pivot Podcast, the guys sit down with bestselling author, martial arts master, mentor, and transformational leader Jason Wilson for a raw and inspiring conversation about manhood, healing, and emotional strength. Known for his groundbreaking work helping boys and men navigate trauma, masculinity, and mental health, Jason opens up about the life experiences that shaped his mission and the impact of his Detroit-based youth development program.

From the discipline of martial arts to the vulnerability required for true healing, Jason shares how he’s helping redefine what strength looks like for men today. The conversation dives into his bestselling books, his mentorship philosophy, the emotional struggles many men silently carry, and why healing—not hiding—is the path to becoming whole.

With honesty, wisdom, and hard-earned perspective, Jason challenges outdated ideas of masculinity and offers a blueprint for resilience, accountability, and emotional freedom. This one hits deep and truly instrumental on many levels, especially with family values—this is a conversation every man, parent, coach, and leader needs to hear.

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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“Champions do daily what everyone does occasionally.”-Kenny Smith 

NBA champion, award-winning analyst, and basketball icon Kenny “The Jet” Smith joins The Pivot for a layered conversation about basketball, brotherhood, family, and legacy. From his early days at the University of North Carolina playing under legendary coach Dean Smith to winning back-to-back NBA championships with the Houston Rockets, Kenny reflects on the defining moments that shaped his career and his life.

Kenny opens up about competing during the Michael Jordan era and shares stories about his longtime relationship with MJ, what made him different, and how that generation transformed basketball forever. He reveals never-told-before stories of college shenanigans, ultimate confidence and being touted the 6th overall pick yet still having animosity towards a certain someone in Chicago.

The conversation also jumps into the chemistry and chaos behind the scenes of the award-winning Inside the NBA, as Kenny reveals what it’s really like working alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson on one of the most beloved shows in sports television. He opens up about how the show became one of the most influential programs in sports television and why authenticity has always mattered most as it's given an extra voice to new media like podcasts.

Beyond basketball, Kenny gets candid about fatherhood, marriage, relationships, personal growth, and navigating life in the spotlight while staying grounded through family. The crew also talks about the current state of the NBA, the rise of Victor Wembanyama, today’s superstars, the evolution of the game, and what the future of basketball looks like moving forward.

Kenny doubles down on his official prediction for who will win the 2026 NBA Finals in a conversation filled with laughs, wisdom, untold stories, and real perspective that only that locker room can deliver.

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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"I spent a lot of time and pain trying to hide things from everyone." Thomas Davis

On this episode of the The Pivot Podcast, former NFL linebacker Thomas Davis Sr. sits down for one of his most raw and emotional conversations yet. From a childhood shaped by adversity to becoming an All-American at University of Georgia and a cornerstone of the Carolina Panthers defense, Thomas opens up about the journey behind the success fans thought they knew.

He reflects on battling through three devastating ACL tears in the same knee, defying every expectation to return to the field and eventually becoming one of the most respected leaders in the NFL. Thomas also shares what it was like playing alongside Luke Kuechly, building one of football’s most feared defenses, and helping lead Carolina to the Super Bowl. He shares the one time he regrets not listening to Luke and the Lombardi it possibly cost him and his team.

But beyond the accolades and highlight reels, Thomas speaks candidly about the darker chapters of his life — his dependence on painkillers during his playing career, the physical and emotional toll football took on him, and the personal consequences that followed after retirement. In a deeply vulnerable discussion, he addresses his divorce, the estranged relationship with some of his children, and the struggle to rediscover himself after the game ended.

This is a conversation about resilience, accountability, pain, healing, and what happens when the cheers stop and real life begins.

Powerful one, 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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“It is a privilege to go see what’s possible.” Allyson Felix 

The saying goes, pressure is privilege and on this episode of The Pivot Podcast, the guys sit down with Olympic legend Allyson Felix for one of the most honest and inspiring conversations. From becoming the most decorated track and field athlete in Olympic history to chasing an unprecedented comeback at 40 to defying odds in motherhood, Allyson opens up about the mindset, sacrifice, and resilience that continue to drive her.

She reflects on the difference between failure and success, why mental health became just as important as physical performance, and how some of her hardest moments shaped her greatest victories. Allyson also shares the deeply personal story of her troubled pregnancy, the life-threatening complications she faced, and how motherhood completely transformed her perspective on sport, business, and purpose.

The conversation dives into her groundbreaking stance against Nike over maternity protections for female athletes — a decision that sparked industry-wide change and empowered women across sports to use their voices unapologetically.

Beyond the track, Allyson talks about building businesses alongside her brother, creating opportunities beyond athletics, and what the future looks like after competition. This episode is about legacy, courage, reinvention, and proving that greatness doesn’t stop with medals — it evolves with purpose.

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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