The Spin Chicks

The Spin Chicks

If you love sports and pop culture, you’re in the right place. Michelle Schmitt Young and Erika Amstadt Hirschfield have teamed up as The Spin Chicks. As seasoned pros in the sports, public relations and multimedia business, Michelle and Erika share their experiences working in sports, tackling the work-life balance and how to thrive in an ever-changing industry. They will share their behind the scenes experiences in locker rooms, competition arenas and in dealing with situations head-on. Spirited. Practical. Influential. The Spin Chicks are all about spirited conversation, the power of practical, the art of influence and the value of knowledge. They also jump in with some good old fashioned girl talk because when they aren’t working, they are trying to live their best life.

Episodes

She’s Got An Eye For This!

August 29, 2024 • 49 mins
Michelle and Erika go behind the lens with photographer Lauren Sopourn in this episode of The Spin Chicks. Lauren's journey into photography began at an early age when she discovered her passion for capturing moments. She pursued her love for photography while studying fine arts at Florida Atlantic University and has since made a name for herself as a talented and award-winning sports photographer. Lauren has built an impressive po...
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She’s Getting the Gold!

July 25, 2024 • 28 mins
In this episode of The Spin Chicks, Erika turns the mic on Michelle to talk about her work with previous guest Lashinda Demus as she prepares to receive her gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris. Lashinda’s journey to the first-ever medal reallocation ceremony has been a long one, and Michelle takes us back to the track at South Carolina, where they met as student-athlete and SID. Michelle recounts the emotional phone call when ...
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Celebrating One Year of The Spin Chicks with Dawn Ellerbe

July 17, 2024 • 47 mins
Michelle and Erika are thrilled to mark the first anniversary of The Spin Chicks podcast by welcoming back their very first guest, the incredible Dawn Ellerbe. A trailblazing track and field collegiate athlete, Olympian, and sports administrator at Vanderbilt, Dawn joins us to reflect on an eventful year. She shares her experiences with a major cross-country move and a significant career change, providing her perspective on persona...
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Bridging the Distance: Javelin Thrower Arshad Nadeem -  Pakistan's Flag Bearer in Paris

July 3, 2024 • 34 mins
The Spin Chicks digitally bridge an 8,000-mile gap to chat with Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's javelin star and 2023 World Championship silver medalist. Joining Arshad is his coach and mentor Salman Butts, who helps with translation. Despite training in scorching 113-degree heat, Arshad's focus remains on the Paris Olympics. He shares insights into his journey, mental preparation and visualization techniques, and how rhythmic dance has ...
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The Long Wait for the Gold Medal is Over

May 29, 2024 • 48 mins
In this breaking news podcast (May 29, 2024), the Spin Chicks visit with U.S. Olympian Lashinda Demus.  Lashinda has been collaborating with the IOC for more than a year.  When the gold medal is placed around her neck in Paris’ Champions Park beneath the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower on August 9th - Lashinda will finally kiss her medal as the champion of the 400-meter hurdles race from the 2012 London Olympics.  This will be the fir...
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My Husband’s A Chef Part II

May 20, 2024 • 35 mins
Michelle and Erika are excited to congratulate Traci Messier on her exciting new career venture. They discuss Traci's transition from a P.R. agency executive to the corporate communications director for U.S. Soccer. They are eager to hear more about her experiences and insights in this new role. Traci shares her enthusiasm about upcoming events, including the 2026 Men’s World Cup. Additionally, she reveals exciting plans for a new ...
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My Husband’s A Chef Part I

May 7, 2024 • 43 mins
During a catch-up session with Michelle and Erika, Traci Messier fondly reminisces about her past as a Syracuse Orangemen cheerleader and her successful 10-year career as a TV sports and news anchor. Traci reflects on how her weekend shift influenced her decision to eventually leave the sports coverage scene in northern New York. She shares stories, including covering the Bills Mafia beat. In addition to her broadcasting experience...
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Behind the Headlines

April 10, 2024 • 44 mins
Michelle and Erika catch up with Bob Gillespie, a former columnist for The State in Columbia, S.C. He reflects on his experiences as a sportswriter for the Gamecocks, Clemson, PGA Tour and more. Navigating the dynamics of being a sports journalist is different and Bob filled us in some of the behind-the-scenes of it all. He talks about just how much the profession has evolved over the years. With the rise of digital media and socia...
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In Roy We Trust

March 20, 2024 • 33 mins
Captivated by the topic of trust with Roy Reid, a leading authority on trust, business, and executive communications, The Spin Chicks make this episode a breakout session as they talk about trust in sports and public relations. Can trust exist in sports and how do Roy’s principles of The Trust Transformation apply in these industries? Roy relishes the coach role as we continue to talk about trust in our daily life.
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Be True To Yourself

March 13, 2024 • 58 mins
Kathleen Hohl built her career in public relations from the ground up, beginning as a softball student-athlete at Akron (the most successful team in school history) to her current position as Manager of Presidential Communication at Marquette. Her journey showcases how being a part of a team shaped her life personally and professionally. Throughout her career, Kathleen has seized every opportunity to learn, grow, and mentor others....
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It’s Always Volleyball Season

March 4, 2024 • 56 mins
He’s got the bug! Jon Wallace is as passionate now about volleyball as he was 40 something years ago when he started playing on the Newport sand courts. In addition to playing in the national championship himself and leading a team to the Final Four, Jon lives, eats and breathes the sport. Jon also loves to talk about marketing strategies, mental approach, branding, and more. He also has an opinion or 10 about recruiting both as a ...
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Always Shining

February 21, 2024 • 66 mins
The Spin Chicks meet up with another “Gamecock Diva,” Shevon Stoddart Nieto. Shevon’s story is one of resilience, love and navigating through unexpected challenges. A two-time Olympian, Shevon hurdled on the University of South Carolina’s first-ever NCAA championship team. While training for her third Olympics, Shevon’s partner, Jamie Nieto, an Olympic high jumper, suffered a serious training injury that changed both of their lives...
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Turning Your Passion Into a Career

February 14, 2024 • 56 mins
Can you imagine the thrill of being able to turn your passion into a career? Anthony Passarelli’s love for broadcasting began as a child attending San Francisco Giants games. Anthony shares his incredible journey with us. As an experienced radio announcer, the voice of the Santa Clara Broncos knows the ins and outs of calling games. But he also knows that doing television and radio are two very different beasts. He fills us in on t...
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A Matter of Trust

February 7, 2024 • 41 mins
Roy Reid is a sought-after speaker and co-author of The Trust Transformation, a program that helps people improve their health and performance in personal and professional life. Roy introduces The Spin Chicks to the key principles of the program, including how harnessing the power of trust changes lives. Roy's personal experience surviving an acute aortic dissection adds a powerful and relatable element to his message. His ability ...
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Making A Difference

February 1, 2024 • 37 mins
When Olympian Natasha Hastings hung up her spikes, she wanted the world to know she was more than just someone who runs fast. She put an exclamation point on her career with a final post on the Player’s Tribute when she officially retired in 2022. Since, she has embarked on a new chapter focused on utilizing her drive, determination, and influence to address critical issues surrounding mental health. Natasha completed her master’s ...
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The 400 Meter Diva

January 30, 2024 • 40 mins
Natasha Hastings has two Olympic medals on her resume as well as a number of NCAA and US titles. The sprinter became known as the 400M Diva while competing on the elite track and field squad at the University of South Carolina, where she also met Michelle. Natasha takes The Spin Chicks on a journey from her early days as a sprinter to her experiences in the professional ranks and with the U.S. Olympic team. Her story touches on the...
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The Best Coaching Job in Football (According to Nick Saban)

January 23, 2024 • 33 mins
The Spin Chicks continue the conversation with Erik Kimrey in this episode. Erik may be known as the head football coach at Baylor School in Chattanooga, but he is famous in South Carolina and across the SEC for throwing “the fade” off the bench in a win over Mississippi State in 2000 as the understudy to starting QB Phil Petty. Erik reflects on that day on the gridiron and so much more. As a philosophy teacher for 10 years at Ham...
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Insider Insight To Breaking News on Nick Saban

January 11, 2024 • 38 mins
The Spin Chicks head in a new direction on this episode. Hours before we flipped on our mics with our guest, Erik Kimrey, Alabama head football coach Nick Saban retired. Coach Saban’s retirement has sent shockwaves through the sports world. Erik is the head football coach at powerhouse Baylor School in Chattanooga. He recently hosted Coach Saban and his assistants on a recruiting visit in his office. Erik’s genius insight into the ...
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Everything Is A Spark

November 30, 2023 • 75 mins
The Spin Chicks go behind the scenes of the public relations industry with marketing guru Ric Bachrach, a PRSA Indie veteran. An entrepreneur at heart, Bachrach specializes in connecting famous people with famous brands at his company, Chicago-based Celebrity Focus. Did we also mention he is a former DI collegiate hockey coach? Join us as Ric takes us through the world of celebrity brand partnerships, the keys to successful brand m...
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Living Life Like A Jedi

November 15, 2023 • 48 mins
The Spin Chicks continue to share behind the scenes stories about college athletics as Michelle and Erika chat with Jesse Pruitt. A Cardinal men’s basketball assistant coach at Stanford University, Jesse and Michelle worked together at Santa Clara University. Pruitt, a California native, is one of the nation’s most prominent young coaches, with head coaching aspirations of his own. Jesse brings experience as a former collegiate pla...
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