Pivot Podcast

"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.

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“Regardless of what people think of me, I know who I am & let my play talk for me.” Trae Young 

Some conversations hit right on time and this is one of them- we sit down with NBA star Trae Young for one of his most personal and revealing episodes yet, peeling back the layers of one of sports' most misunderstood stars.

From Oklahoma roots to growing up under the guidance of his father and navigating the pressures that came with being a basketball prodigy, Trae opens up about the journey that shaped him into one of the league's most polarizing and electrifying players. He reflects on draft night, being traded moments after being selected, and how that blockbuster deal fueled the chip on his shoulder from day one.

Trae shares stories from his high school days competing alongside future NBA stars Jalen Brunson and De'Aaron Fox, the doubts he faced throughout his career, and the motivation he found every time critics counted him out. He revisits his unforgettable playoff battles in New York, embracing the infamous "F*** You Trae Young" chants at Madison Square Garden and turning hostility into fuel.

The conversation also takes a deeper look at his years in Atlanta—the highs, the heartbreaks, and the magical run to the Eastern Conference Finals that changed the trajectory of his career. Trae reflects on falling short of reaching the NBA Finals, the lessons learned from adversity, and what it meant to carry a franchise's expectations. Setting the record straight, Trae opens up for the first time on how the move to the Wizards became a reality and the misconceptions around his departure from the Hawks, a city that he called home for so long. 

Now entering a new chapter following his move from Atlanta to Washington, Trae discusses leaving behind the city that drafted him, embracing a fresh opportunity with a hungry group of young players and the legacy he hopes to build moving forward. He takes us inside his circle, to understand more just why and how the trade came together.

In an emotional moment, Trae reflects on the bond with his younger brother, the urge to protect him every step of the way and how he works to make sure his career doesn’t cast a shadow on the future he’s creating. Raw, honest, and insightful, this episode reveals the man behind the headlines as Trae opens up about family, criticism, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.

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“If we are teammates working towards same goal, how do we grow apart?”-Channing Crowder 

A Friday with the fellas as Ryan, Channing and Fred unpack the blockbuster headlines in sports this week from AJ Brown to Myles Garrett to Odell Beckham Jr to rising star Jared Verse, discussing how each situation could reshape NFL teams, locker rooms, and championship expectations. The Rams going all in, Patriots and Eagles are all the talk and OBJ reunites with his old team to see if the veteran star can shake up the Big Apple once again.

From the gridiron to the hardwood, the guys shifts gears to share their thoughts on the NBA Finals, the biggest storylines, the pressure moments, and which players are built for the spotlight when everything is on the line. They make their picks and give respect to both Knicks and Spurs stars for one of the best championship match ups we've seen in years.

As always, the conversation goes far beyond sports, as the trio gets real about the things that run them hot, talk why resilience matters when life gets tough, and how success often comes down to refusing to quit when everything points to giving up. They also explore a reality every athlete—and every person—eventually faces: sometimes people grow apart. Whether it's teammates, friends, or family, they discuss how relationships evolve and what it takes to navigate change without losing yourself. With Jay Z popping back out, dropping some new verses- the guys reflect on when legends age out and when to know it's time.

Football, basketball, life lessons, laughs, and unfiltered perspective—it's another can't-miss episode of The Pivot Podcast.

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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"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." 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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“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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