Intangible Podcast

Abi Brighton shares how a kid obsessed with touches turned the grind into a pro shot in Serie A Femminile. Host Chris Spencer digs into her Vanderbilt years (captain vibes, big lessons), the Tormenta FC roots that built her techy toolkit, and the DM from a Juventus scout that changed everything. Abi keeps it real on moving to Italy—new culture, new language, same hunger—while fighting for minutes in those black-and-white stripes. H...

From Chicago sandlots to the bright lights of the Major Leagues, former Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Garrett Jones joins us for an unfiltered look at what it really takes to make it in professional baseball.

Garrett shares how he went from a multi-sport kid in Chicago to being drafted by the Atlanta Braves, grinding through years in the minors, and finally breaking into the MLB. He opens up about the mental battles of the game, the pr...

This episode of Intangible Podcast features Vanderbilt vice chancellor and athletics director Candice Lee. She recalls growing up an “Army brat,” being born early and having eye surgery as an infant, discovering basketball later than most and instantly falling in love with Vanderbilt during an elite camp. Lee discusses turning repeated ACL tears and knee surgeries into lessons in perseverance and leadership, and explains how mentor...

Parkinson’s at 27? Most would’ve tapped out — Jimmy Choi laced up and ran marathons (literally). Jimmy opens up about growing up in Chicago, being diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s, and turning that life-altering moment into a mission of movement, meaning, and motivation.

Jimmy shares how burpees, family, TikTok antics, and Guinness World Records became his medicine. It’s a story of grit, humor, humility — and a whole lot of he...

From Big Plays to Bigger Purpose: Jordan Babineaux’s Journey Beyond the NFL.
Former Seahawks standout Jordan Babineaux joins longtime teammate Chris Spencer for an honest, powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and leadership after football. Known as "Big Play Babs" for his clutch moments on the field, Jordan opens up about his journey from growing up in Port Arthur, Texas, to carving out a nine-year NFL...

We sit down with former Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett for a real conversation about his journey from Birmingham, Alabama to the SEC, the NFL, and now college athletics leadership. Earl opens up about being raised in the projects, how Vanderbilt University became the perfect fit over Kentucky and Notre Dame, and what it really took to succeed both on the field and in life after football. It’s a conversation about figuring...

We sit with former NFL fullback and media personality Michael Robinson for an unfiltered conversation about purpose, resilience, and the power of community. From growing up in Richmond, Virginia, to winning Big Ten Player of the Year and becoming a Pro Bowler, Mike opens up about the real challenges behind the glory — single-parent upbringing, evolving through adversity, and navigating identity shifts after football.

We dive into wh...

Branding strategist and mentor Lauren Walsh joins the pod for a powerful conversation on identity, authenticity, and building a purpose-driven career. From her early days as a competitive gymnast on Chicago’s South Side to working with elite athletes and entertainers in the NFL, MLB, and music industry, Lauren shares her personal evolution—how burnout and motherhood led her to redefine success and rediscover her “why.”

We dive into ...

Former NFL Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis sits with us for a raw and insightful conversation about the journey behind the stats. He talks candidly about the personal battles that came with being a journeyman in the league, his struggles with emotional control and composure early in his career, and how self-awareness and exposure to new ideas changed the way he lived and competed. We also dive into the lesser-known challenges pro athlet...

Chip Paucek Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Pro Athlete Community (PAC) delves into the journey of personal and professional growth. We talk about how awareness and foundational knowledge can serve as a springboard for future success, particularly highlighting the invaluable impact of community and collaboration in reaching the next level. We discuss how supportive networks and shared experiences within a community can truly propel indi...

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, Chris sits down with former NFL tight end Marcus Pollard! We dive deep into Marcus's incredibly unique journey to the NFL, which wasn't always a straightforward path. Hear the importance of mental toughness, and his incredible ability to handle adversity both on and off the field. It's a reunion between old teammates, filled with locker room laughs and reminiscing about old ...

From the humble farmlands of Union City, Tennessee, to the high-stakes world of NFL general management. Delve into the strategic mind of Jon Robinson as he pulls back the curtain on the intense world of team building. as he pulls back the curtain on the intense world of team building. From navigating delicate quarterback situations and fostering healthy competition to the crucial, unseen qualities that build a winning roster. This ...

Former NFL quarterback DeShone Kizer shares his journey from the football field to the world of startups. He opens up about the pressures of life in the league, what it felt like to step away, and how that decision led him to launch his own tech company.

From his days at Notre Dame to the challenges of finding purpose after football, DeShone talks about identity, mindset, and why he's all-in on building something mean...