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October 13, 2024 40 mins
We’re proud to share a handful of recent interviews from our guests. The Grind is dedicated to exceptional conversation, and will always go above and beyond to make sure you have a platform to tell your story. If you’ve had experience you want to share with with us, please get in touch - we’d love to hear it.

Host: DJ Retro The Grind Podcast
Instagram: @DJRETRO1990  
Instagram: @THEGRINDLV
Website: www.thegrind.online (AD Space Available)
Guest: Multi-Award Winning Sports Analyst, Kelsey Nicole Nelson
Guest Website: www.listeninwithknn.com and www.kelseynicolenelson.com
Founder, "Books Breaking Borders: Books to End Educational Bankruptcy"
Professor of Radio & Podcasting, Doral College /Capstone Advisor, Georgetown University 
Twitter | @therealknelson
LinkedIn | Kelsey Nelson
Instagram | @TheRealKNelson
Facebook| Kelsey Nicole Nelson

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 3 (00:45):
Here we are another episode of The Grind. Thanks for
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is going to take us on the trip.

Speaker 4 (00:56):
Trips and places and moments in my life where I
discovered hip hop artist. You all ready to go.

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Speaker 5 (01:07):
Life got stereo, So this Perry a press play The
Grind starts the rhyme start.

Speaker 6 (01:23):
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y'all the life. Don't help you out on this little rule.
The purpose to enlighten you. With all we do, flags, exposure, interviews,
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Speaker 2 (01:39):
Get tune into the Grinds.

Speaker 6 (01:41):
It's time we take it over with this life on
your line other.

Speaker 4 (01:45):
Hello, my grinders, how are you doing today? DJ Retro
here with you with another installment of the podcast called
The Grind. This week, our guest is actually joining us
from the East coast Wow, DC area.

Speaker 3 (02:00):
Man, I can let you know that this guest is
very special. I'm gonna tell you why. Award winning hmmm.

Speaker 4 (02:10):
I mean, man, yeah, I can definitely see that. Sports enthusiasts, journalists.
I can keep going, but I would like her to
introduce herself to let her know let us know, excuse me,
who our special guest is this week? Guests, are you
here with us our mystery guests?

Speaker 2 (02:31):
I am here and thank you so much TJA Retro
for having me. I am so excited to see to
you and hello to all your listeners. Like you said,
I am. I'm based on the best coast, the East
Coast that I am Telsi Nicle Nelson. I am a
woman of many hats entitles, but as you said, most
people know me from my work and sports broadcasting. So

(02:51):
I do television and radio for a plethora folks, most people.
I'm from Fox Sports working with the A ten networks
nowadays for college sports season. Being back, super excited about that.
I've been on Peacock and m VC shows, but I
talk all things sports. I'm just super super excited, you know,
for that. And then also in addition to sports, I
teach sports. I'm professor at George Washington University teaching the

(03:15):
inaugural Sports Writing and Reporting class. That's been so fun
this fall semester getting up for my eight am class
and my twenty students. But it's been honestly, it's a
blast getting back to the next generation as journalists. And
then I'm also a multi business owner. So I've two businessants,
two businesses. One it's called Encryption. It's the multi media
communications consulting firm. Essentially just helping people tell their story right.

(03:38):
How do you brand yourself, how do you package you up?
And how do you deliver it to different audiences. And
I've been working with great clients about for the nonprofit
space and that it's so funny. We think about what
you do if you do some my things. And then
I also send to the owner of Listening to the
cann It is a podcast network company. I'm super excited
about Listening to the Canaan. If you haven't listened to
you yet, I will tell you your new favorite sports and

(04:01):
entertainment podcast. But we welcome on special guests each and
every week through audio and live stream shows and they
just get into their story who they are, former athletes
or current athletes, and you know, get into their wives.
That's been so fun. I have two internship programs I
run through that One is for HPCU students giving back
to historically black colleges and universities, and the other is

(04:22):
just a digital multimedia communication internship. So it's been really
really fun working with all of these great students this year.
And then I worked with the nonprofit build as director
of communications with the group called mentor So that's been
Obviously the name is kind of self senatory, but it's
all about mentorships and giving and making sure its the
two way Stree write the book Mentor and Mentor, So

(04:43):
I somehow maximize my twenty four hours in the day.

Speaker 4 (04:47):
So my first question to you is, I think it
is very for you hot. When do you find time
to sleep?

Speaker 2 (04:53):
Oh my gosh, I will tell you I am with
the people. I take long naps.

Speaker 3 (04:57):
I'll say, Okay, okay, you have to live.

Speaker 2 (05:01):
You have to live. I do somehow sleep. But I
will tell you, like when I am up, I just
I'm very good at time management. I'll say you, dear Retral,
I am that person. If I am on a call
with you, it's business because otherwise you are texting, your
emailing me or your messaging me on social media. It's
some things I don't want to talk to people. It's
just because my time is very limited, right, and so
I just have to get really good at putting myself

(05:22):
on focus and kind of getting into my groove right
where I can be my best self. Because I always say,
I don't want to just say I do a lot
of things. I want to do a lot of things
and do them all very well, because otherwise I don't
need to be doing them right. So I really put
a lot into the quality of my work, not just
the quantity, because I wouldn't have the quantity without the
quality of the work. So I have just been blessed,

(05:43):
I guess to that God has graced me, you know,
with the ability to manage all of these different projects.
And always say, God doesn't put anything on you that
you can't bear or handle, so he must think I
have these big shoulders I'm assuming carrying the weight of
all these different things.

Speaker 3 (05:59):
And I'm sure you do. You know you were built
for this, souh.

Speaker 4 (06:02):
After everything you've explained, I've visited your website as well.
I see everything that you have going on that you
have posted there. You have a plethora of things that's
going on, very professional, even like the way that you
got back with me when I sent my podcast, I
reached out to you, Hey, would you like to do
it instantaneously?

Speaker 3 (06:21):
This is a woman's business.

Speaker 4 (06:22):
Ineously, Yeah, she says, then let me take a look.
She must have did her sneaking around like what she saw.
Then we're here now, So I thank you, thank you.
I appreciate it.

Speaker 2 (06:36):
The insight.

Speaker 4 (06:37):
Yeah, I love the initials of your radio show Kateen
and Kelsey Nicole.

Speaker 3 (06:41):
Yes, great, thanks for the origin. So now here's the
origin story part. We like to know, how.

Speaker 4 (06:48):
Did you get into being wanting to be a journalist broadcaster.
I'm assuming it started with sports? Did you did you
always liked sports? Did you play sports?

Speaker 3 (06:58):
What was going on with that?

Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yeah, I haven't always been a sports fan. Like when
you grew up in the D and D area, the DC, Maryland,
Virginia area, you're immersed in sports. I don't know if
you grew up here and not like sports. You know,
I grew up in the days of Hoya pre and
Noya I remember, you know, George fount Rock at McDonald's
Rena when my Turps had their glory days. You know,
I will never forget the college Park games when we

(07:20):
played Duke, and yes, I still hate Duke. I will
never be a Duce fan. Very proud Marylander, you know,
right here. But you know it, it's been great. You know,
I've seen the Ravens Sinster inception right strowing up here
in the area. I remember that ninety six and then
of course, I mean back in the day too, when
Washington was good as a football team and the Wizards
to be there, when the Wizards were really good. Wizards

(07:42):
ages zero fan Gilbood Arena's leading that team Crome Butler
dues Anteline Gamison. The old MCI Center used to play
going to the phone booth. So for me, you know,
I always look sports. I got free tickets to games
with my family, boys and girls club kids, and I
love playing sports. I've always been naturally competitive. Works was
a great thing obviously to get involved in. I was
always tall. You know, when you're tall, people will always

(08:04):
pull you in different ways. Love watching Williams sisters growing up.
I played tennis, I played volleyball. I had basketball, you know,
coming through the ranks. My dad went I come from
an HBC sports family too, right, so all my aunts
mister Jackson State, my dad went to Grandma's State. And
if you ever have been around an HBC sports fan,
you know that is life. So that's kind of the
immersed world I grew up in. I liked I just

(08:25):
always loved telling stories. And I remember my parents would
always watch the news, and I just want the power,
you know, that they had and these journals that were
able to come into all of our homes and essentially
give us the rundown right and we trusted them. So
I think for me, the scene, the trust that journal
will have the power to reach so many people and
just the storytell, you know, tell stories in their own
unique way, get the most out of somebody that they're interviewing.

(08:47):
That has always been attractive, I think to me, and
I've kind of always been a person that you know,
has loved to retain knowledge and spread it to others.
And so journalism a kind of a natural film for me.
And luckily I have been able to you know, make
a fashion a career and something like I said, now
three sixteen and also giving back to young people with
what I'm doing.

Speaker 3 (09:07):
How tall are you?

Speaker 4 (09:08):
So when you said I'm tall, I'm like, okay, and
I'm looking at the pictures, I'm like, wonder, Okay, you.

Speaker 2 (09:16):
Get extra and it's funny. I'm five eight, but I
hit puberty early, so I was like taller than everybody
before they got called you know. I remember, you know,
my fifth in elementary school, I was the tallest. But
I will never forget Jacob. He was this Russian kid
in my elementary school. He was the only person taller
than me at the time. And so I think I
was a fallows through middle school then high school. All

(09:38):
the guys decided to catch up and get a little
bit taller than me some of the girls. But I
had that rank, you know, for a long time, but
then college humbled me. When you get around the University
of Maryland athletes and you see what it is to
kill short. So I think five to eight with pride,
without hills, without hills, bots without hills become taller when
they see me in the gowns and stuff. But like,

(09:59):
are you sixty? And like maybe in these fields, maybe
that's what I'm about to say.

Speaker 4 (10:02):
It might be the heels giving you an excellance there.
But that's good to go anywhere, So we'll take that. So, so,
when you were in college playing play in sports and whatnot,
how did you make the where was the transformation at like,
so from being player or player coach?

Speaker 3 (10:20):
I could see you as a coach. I don't know
why that.

Speaker 2 (10:23):
Might be in the future. I could see that.

Speaker 3 (10:26):
Where was Where was that transition?

Speaker 4 (10:27):
Did somebody walk up to you and say, hey, you know,
miss Nelson, we got an opportunity for you.

Speaker 3 (10:33):
What was that shift?

Speaker 2 (10:35):
Yeah? I want service. I didn't actually didn't play sports
in college. I play sports through high school. I wouldn't
I tried to even play sports at Maryland. I would
have been a wonderful four year bench player because I
held there. And I say, that was so much praise,
but I'll never again I interview.

Speaker 3 (10:54):
Like that.

Speaker 2 (10:56):
I know my spot, I know my wrong. I entered
Maryland my psychology major just because I was coming out
of high school and I was like, I was over
our yearbooks for two years in high school. I was
the news managing editor for the newspaper. But essentially I
left some dough to my head because you know, everybody
first to ask you what you're gonna major it, and
I remember saying girls. And I was always like, why
would you be a journalist? Like you want to be broke,
like you don't want to make money, and you know

(11:17):
I don't come from money. So I was like, wait
a minute, your sound from me that those people and
I watched it on TV and they're writing they don't
make any money. And so I was like, all right,
well I needed to make money. So I used to
love I still do. I was still in a very
big s Law and Order SB news band and you
sill of CSI. I've always loved crime shows, and so
I have always liked just and I don't think I've
always been good just communicating with people. So I was like, okay,

(11:39):
I'm just in a psychology major, like I want to
get into the minds and he was trying to figure
out like why they do what they do and try
to help them right, become more. That was my thoughts.
So I went to Maryland started my site classes and
I was just not happy. I was in all my
inter sight classes and the electives, and you know, I
just lost my passion. And I've always been like I
one that have loved education, academic, but it wasn't there,

(12:01):
you know, and so I'd love to forget, you know.
I went to my advisor and I was like this, yeah,
this isn't working out, and so we was like, okay,
well let's look at what you want to do. What
are you good at? And I just went back to
my passion of journalism, so, you know, kind of did
the requirements, just pushing to the journalism school at Maryland
and so thankful because once I did, everything kind of
just changed for me. In college, right, I was happy.

(12:22):
I was happy again.

Speaker 3 (12:22):
I was in what I loved.

Speaker 2 (12:24):
My classes were smaller, my professors were working journalists, I
got to connect with them. I was getting great internship
experience in journalism, and I think for me, what switches.
I stopped listening to others and I listened to myself.
I really think that's what it was. And then also
I had to bet on myself. I was like, you
know what, Look, maybe I will be a room journalist,
but at least I'll be doing when I was. And
I will tell you both journalists can make money. Y'all,

(12:46):
do not let that fool you. But also you have
to realize, like, if you live for other people, you'll
never truly just know who you are. I think in
college it was a great time for me to discover
who I was, you know what I liked. And then
again I just told myself if I felt, hey, pelling
on my own, nie on my old, on my own accord,
Because when you're in failure, those people that wanted you
to do something else, they're not going to be in

(13:06):
the failure with you. You have to go through it alone,
right And when you're in success, a lot of that
is you going through it alone. And y'all still have supporters.
But the main thing is how are you going to sell?
How are you going to handle us. I think that's
the best thing I learned, is that you just have
to listen to yourself, listen to your heart, and listen
to your passions. And I think for me, I'm kind
of the rest of the history, and so I'm just
so thankful I took that chance on believing on me.

Speaker 7 (13:29):
Cann Yeah, I'm glad you did too. I got a question,
how about Yeah, because you have to bet on yourself.
I mean, that's like me, and people say this is crazy.
So I'm gonna share a little.

Speaker 4 (13:40):
Bit about this, right, So, okay, I may so when
I was fracticing, and you know, you come up, that's
your craft, right, You learn your turn tables. You know,
I know my music, but it's part the tables are
an instrument, so.

Speaker 3 (13:50):
You got to learn how to work, right.

Speaker 4 (13:51):
So I always listen to myself. I bet on myself.
I listened to my own music. I'm always critiquing myself. Man,
I could he did that?

Speaker 2 (13:58):
Right?

Speaker 3 (13:58):
Man? That transition sucked. Don't know what happened there?

Speaker 4 (14:01):
And then you just keep going by. So I always
revert back to my skill my skill set, how can
I do better? Reflective of what you just said, people
need to see what you're doing honing your craft, which
is a great segue into my next question is when
did you feel well, you always knew just by you talking,
you knew where you wanted to be, But what was

(14:23):
that first interview for you where you said, this is it.
I really get to show people what I've been practicing for,
what I've been you know what I mean working for. Yeah,
So it was that very first interview for you that
kind of stood out.

Speaker 2 (14:40):
You know, I think it's so many things. I feel
like I've had so many interviews like and I was
blessed interview you know, very high ranking, you know, celebrity
folks from the beginning. But I think for me, it
was during COVID and I had a chance to interview
LeVar Ball and this is at the height right of
the Big ball of brand, you know, when the Big
Baller brand was everything. But he couldn't get enough of

(15:01):
the Ball family and the Ball brothers. And I think
what happened was, you remember he was going to all these
shows and folks were initially kind of irritating him, I
getting him mad. But I think I had attempt to
welcome him on my show Listening with Cann and I
talked to him as a black father. I wasn't trying
to go for anticks. I wanted to know who he
was because I understand the business, and I understand sometimes

(15:21):
what people will put on for a show. And also
I understand when networks we sometimes want from a verson
write for ratings. I didn't want that. I wanted to
know who he truly was. And so you know, I
think this I was actually probably right before COVID, right,
it was like twenty eighteen. But I'll never forget like
we talked, and you know, I'm on a conference reported
line much like this that we used for my station,

(15:42):
and I never forget, like at the end of the interview,
because I was like, it's an hour show and I
wrapped that hour, but he was still talking and my
boss like called her an after. He's like, why why
did you studies? Why'd you ain't not be so smisit
to talk to you? He was like, we could have
made this a multi part, but mind you, Like, I
really loved the conversation he had. It was real and candid,
and I'll never forget when we dropped the episod. So
I started getting pings in my email and my social media.

(16:03):
It started getting picked up every site from Europe, you know,
to where his youngest son was bound to play, to
you know, California and the Lakers, and it was crazy, right,
So I think for me that was definitely one of
the interviews that was like, I think I had been
on the scene, but I think that put me more
on a national landscape right where then I wasn't just

(16:24):
Kelsey nic Cole Nelson to d C sports reporter, and
then it was Kelsey to Cole Melson based in d C,
who was this national reporter that folks need to know about.
So I'm so thankful for that. And it's probably one
where I pointed out during COVID, I interviewed Jasmine Jordan,
of course Michael Jordan's eldest daughter, and that was another
one I think that people were like, wow, like who

(16:45):
is this young woman that is interviewing want getting a
chance to interview usbian Jordan? And then number two just
doing in this eloquent way. And I you know, COVID
was a unique time for so many of us were
we were house bound, you know, we didn't know what
was happening with the world, right Unfortunately, people were eye
must be right, right, it's really trying time for so
many of us. I think people really were just looking
for a way to connect it, you know, kind of

(17:06):
put their minds at ease. And so I'm also just
so thankful for you know, that opportunity because also after
that interview, so many people start handing out like wait,
how did you get job and enjoy it? You know
it was it was really really cool. If I think those
are two interviews that sent on my mind in terms
of in terms of people, you know, that really helped
to help other people know my talents. Right, I always

(17:27):
have known my talents, but to helps other people know
my challenge and the trajectory.

Speaker 4 (17:31):
At which I was going, Why do I have a
feeling that you have more of an organic approach to
people that want to talk to you?

Speaker 3 (17:38):
I had.

Speaker 4 (17:38):
I had a feeling that you really don't have to
You don't have to go out there and like solicit
for Hey, you want to be you know what I'm saying,
It's kind of like you really seem like people gravitate
to you and they want to naturally talk to you
and say, hey, yes, I would love to take your
invitation to be on the shows that, well.

Speaker 2 (17:56):
That is so kind, but I would you, yes, like
I have been I have been black, right, like people
always say, I have a light around me and my
energ with you, right, And this is just me. How
I talk to you is how I talk to my students,
and how I talk to my internship glasses, it's how
I talk to my friends. So I talk to my
family like I don't know how to turn myself on
and off, like this is just me. It's I don't

(18:17):
and people who do that, you know, hey, people have
to do, you know, whatever works for them. But I
can't be somebody else. It's enough energy trying to be myself, right,
And I really do enjoy people, So I really do
try to make people comfortable. If you've seen me, I'm
a natural smiler. It is very hard for me to
give you a serious face. Ever, my parents said, I
came out the wound smiling, So this is this has

(18:37):
just been something that's been natural to me. But I
do try to make people comfortable because I can't get
the best out of you if you're uncomfortable, right. And
then also and then I just do try to be
just again disvulnerable. I mean myself, I'm never afraid to
share my story or who I am, because then I
can't expect you to do the same with me, right,
I can't ask something from you that I'm not willing
to do. So I think I have just been blessed

(18:58):
to grow up and I diverse. Yeah, I think I've
been around so many types of people, you know, I've
had a chance in high school to be a student
ambassador and live abroad. Like I'm just so thankful for
just all of the gifts that life and God have
afforded me. And I think again, it's put me in
a place, you know, where I'm able to connect in
a way with people from all different backgrounds, from all
different countries, even if we don't speak the same language. Right,

(19:20):
We're just going to comfort in our in our silo,
are in solace together. And so I'm just I don't
know how to describe a DJ retro, but it's something
and I'm thankful for it because it's really helped, they think,
propel me in my career. It was all that I
want to do again, just to give back touch people
and just connect people together through storytelling.

Speaker 4 (19:39):
Has there ever been an interview or a question somebody
would wanted you to ask to somebody and you're like, no,
I'm not doing that, like where you were not where
you weren't comfortable and say, well, that's not the time
and place to ask that type of question.

Speaker 2 (19:54):
You know, I wouldn't say it's an exact question, but
I'll tell you sometimes I'll have pr reps reach out
to me.

Speaker 4 (19:58):
I don't know.

Speaker 2 (19:59):
They sometimes when you to like not ask certain questions
or to ask questions, and I tell them, Hey, if
somebody comes on to my show, it's organic. I don't
have any pre questions, right. I do some background research
and I get the ideas and thoughts, but there's nothing
I'm not going to necessarily ask because I go where
they take me. Right, So like for instance, I had
a special guest on and that's only just want to
talk about his family. This guy comes on, we just

(20:20):
start talking naturally and he gets into his family. So
then I'm going to dig deeper, right if that person
mentions it, So I make sure that's clear, because you know,
I'm not a robot. You know, I know AI is here,
but Kelsey is not AI. I think I'm not to
be progressed. I can only be myself and like I said,
and I don't want anybody to come on that's not
going to be real with my listeners. That's not fair

(20:41):
to me, and that's not fair to my listeners and
my audiance and those who trust and have credibility in me, right,
because they're trusting that these people I bring on they're
going to get something from them. And mind you, during
my livestream show, fans also have the opportunity to ask questions,
and I also want their questions, you know, to get asked,
and so I need people that are going to be
open and willing. I'm afraid right now, that's not to
say that sometimes you know, people won't put stuff in

(21:04):
right that I'm just like, I'm not asking that question right,
or maybe that person has already answered it. But but
it's been there's nothing that's been like crazy. I like
to think I have an informed listener and then that
people really know they so people don't try to try
me with those with the craziness, which I'm blast about.

Speaker 4 (21:22):
I think that's the brand you've built too, right, So, so,
like you make the point trusting they come on. Over
your series of interviews, the things that you've done in
the industry, and the business the friendships. Yes, so your
brand speaks volumes for that. Thank you and that gets
back to so everybody you have to visit her web page.
How did you feel when you were because there's a

(21:44):
lot of great information there.

Speaker 3 (21:45):
Your podcast is located there. All your achievements.

Speaker 4 (21:48):
There's a couple I want to point out.

Speaker 3 (21:50):
To see how you feel.

Speaker 4 (21:51):
You've received the DC Sports Media Person of the Year. Yeah,
you have also received the Presidential Lifetime Achieving Award of
twenty twenty four and you know, how did you both
two years in a row?

Speaker 2 (22:07):
My god, It's so funny because people are like, how
do you get all people warns? And I tell people like,
I don't know, Like I just I'm just doing me.
I really am. I'm just doing me as I've been
blessed to do me. And honestly, it's been great to
be seen, right. I don't do this for awards, but
it's amazing, Like especially because my presidential awards like got
won in New York out of ceremony and the other

(22:27):
one was in Houston. I'm based in DC. So it
told me you're so much more than like you immediate
local community and that people were seeing you everywhere. So
you know, thank gosh, you know for social media and
everybody kind of just seeing you everywhere. And then the
DC Sports Media of the Year, that one meant a
lot to me because like, there's no place like home.
I love DC. This is the most powerful city in

(22:50):
the world, and it's what's kept me here, is what's
kept my base here. And so you know, to be
a young girl folks in other area from the German
Town Maryland Clarksburg, Maryland Arena, which is you know, kind
of smaller suburb the nation's capital to be able to
then you know, see sports grades come through DC. A
lot of sports grades have come through here. So to
be named, you know, one of the greats, like I'm humbled, honestly,

(23:11):
it makes it's so humbling. I'm so grateful. I'm so thankful,
and just lets me know that that I'm walking in
my purpose honestly and following his path. Because you know,
if I didn't think I was good at this stuff,
I wouldn't be doing it. I wouldn't subject people to
bad sports knowledge or bad sports cakes. So I like
to think, you know, I'm doing this because I have
a gift, and it's a gift I want to share

(23:32):
with others and the Presidential Lifetime Achieving Awards. You know,
I just turned thirty two and to have lifetime achievement,
I don't take that. I don't take that lightly. Like
and mind you, I'm hoping and I'm hoping God has
a lot more lifetime for me to be able to
continue to achieve. Like for me, this is still just
the beginning. My mind's always going right with what I
want to achieve. So I'm just thankful for them. But

(23:54):
I hope people know this probably will not be the
last because I'm still working hard every single day. When
awards are not, I'm going to give back and I'm
going to I'm going to do the sports, I'm going
to do the teaching, and I'm going to be in
the community, like I'm launching a foundation at the end
of this year. So you know, for me, the wheels
are never going to be slowing down. If anything, They're
just going to keep turning and pivoting into different ways

(24:16):
that I can continue to make it make an impact.

Speaker 4 (24:19):
You know, in the community. It was a mistery Ioki
did DJ so Steve Aoki. He had he holds the
world record for being in the air the most. Right,
he sends less time than he does in the air.

Speaker 3 (24:29):
Right, sounds like you're right behind him.

Speaker 4 (24:31):
So how much time do you actually spend on the
road between your foundations? Oh my god, partnering with folks, interviews,
covering teams, traveling with and you have your own network,
I mean, you have your own media outlets, so even outlet,
So how many how much time do you actually spend
on the road. And I want people to get a
good idea of gamorous, but you're putting the work in

(24:55):
behind the scenes.

Speaker 2 (24:56):
It's a lot. It's a lot. I'll tell you. It's funny.
Now that I'm teaching, I actually stubble a little bit
less because obviously I have to be here two days
a week at a teach in person at George Washington.
But like I literally just got back from the Space
Coast Area in Florida for those I don't know, and
that's ground central Florida. But beautiful, beautiful, so like your Cocoa,
your Cocoa Beach Area, NASA, you know, rocket launches, and

(25:19):
it was so beautiful. I was down there doing the
speaking engagement with the Space Space Coast Black Chamber of Commerce.
But I'll about to say every weekend I'm usually out
like doing a speaking engagement, are at some type of that,
and a lot of the weekdays I've actually had to
try to tell myself to slow down. But I'm going
to play this clip for my landlord my apartment so
she can hear that, like we might have to do
a little something on this wreck because I'm not always here,

(25:42):
so you know, it could be dropped DC red it's crazy.
I had to put that in, But no, it's I'm
always moving. But like I said, it's honestly, I always
tell myself and remember those that know me, there's a
calm in my chaos. And so for most people, like
doing a lot would make them, they probably wouldn't like it, right,
it would make them. For I was so crazy, like
they couldn't just focus. But for me, again, it's a

(26:02):
calming sensation when I end so so many multiple things,
like I've been doing multiple things my entire life, Like
when we would talk to my parents, my parents are
used to this, like you know, so I would say,
I'm true to this, I'm new to this, and this
is just kind of what it gets me going, you know,
And in life is always kind of having multiple things
going on, and I'm just thankful again that I've been

(26:22):
able to touch, you know, so many different things in
different ways. So I will tell you how I'm able
to do so many things is I'm high energy. High
energy means I have to keep myself focused on something
and luckily that something has become something. And it's just again,
it's what inspires me every day. You know, to get
up early and I go to sleep late.

Speaker 4 (26:42):
So after the long work hours, it looks like you
have family and place check friends are there to support you.

Speaker 3 (26:46):
Check professional there.

Speaker 4 (26:48):
What do you do to unwind? What are your favorite
things that you'd like to do?

Speaker 2 (26:52):
Oh my god, I love music, but God did not
luck me with the voice. My little sister got the voice.
But I'm a little salty. When I got back ushered
with gone to the DC Baltimore eras, so so I'm
gonna have to come see somewhere. But I do love
live music, like when I can. I love going to concerts,
I love laughing, love comedy shows. Scary movies are my
absolute favorites. So I do try to go to the

(27:13):
movies when I can, even though there hasn't been a
good scary movie in a long time. So I'm not
to talk to the folks. I'm gonna have to go
talk to the folks in Hollywood or some body's gonna
have to give me an answer to where we haven't
just a few movies and just kind of I just
like meeting with people, right, So a lot of festivals events. Luckily,
you see in the summer, there's so much to do.
Like I've got the jazz that's going on this weekend.

(27:35):
I come from southern roots, including New Orleans. I'm super
excited about that. So kind of anything with like music,
good food and vibes, I'm usually in there. That's kind
of just how I get my piece. And then luckily
I also have a beautiful addize based honestly in my place.
And I always tell tell people like I always have
an hour every day I can patch to myself, no
phone and TV, like you know, just me. So sometimes

(27:57):
I'm taking a walk around my neighborhood and go on
my audio and just like this, resting, like you know,
just looking out into the world. So that has also
helped me just keep my calm in peace, you know,
with what I with what I do now.

Speaker 4 (28:10):
You did mention music, love live music, you.

Speaker 3 (28:12):
Know me being a d Yeah, you know.

Speaker 4 (28:16):
So I always ask like, yes, what are your top five? Like,
what are your top five things that you like to
listen to? I've heard everything from podcasts to metal to
you know, I'm not looking for any specific answer, but
it is a way to expose our listeners and our
new guests to different music that's out there, different artists
or traditional So, you know, when you're in the mood

(28:39):
or you're in you know, not so good day, a
fabulous day, what do you put on? What is in
your relations.

Speaker 2 (28:48):
Say? I am a real R and B girl, So
I love nineties R and BS And then I'm saying
two thousands R and B two. I'm gonna go for
nineties to two thousands. I think that was friends already.
I'm like, I love R and B. I love just
good music. What else do I listen to? Him? Like?

(29:09):
What else is in my playlist? I've been listening with me,
you know, I love a lot of Now a lot
of is a lot in my playlist? Well, really, there's
a lot in my playlist right now. They helped me
get up in the morning, folks. I'm gonna just be
honest with you. Next Stallion is in my playlist. I
guess like the modern era of hip hop. I love,
I used to love listening to let us see, did

(29:33):
I Do five? Did I Do five? I feel like
that's probably like my my, my era. But yeah, nineties
and two thousand Rby though is very heavy, very very
heavy in my playlist.

Speaker 3 (29:44):
Well, yeah, there's a lot of groups in there.

Speaker 4 (29:46):
Just by saying that there's there's more than five to
fifteen minutes I.

Speaker 2 (29:50):
Have in my and was so good back in the day,
it was it was.

Speaker 4 (29:55):
You know, and you know, I get into this discussion
with a lot of folks too. And the reason why
I ask the reason why I asked this is because
when folks are interviewing, and then when you go back
and listen to your interview, usually what you listen to
is your vibe that's on the show, and people come back.

Speaker 3 (30:13):
You know what, Now I see why I listen to
the music.

Speaker 4 (30:17):
It's like, yeah, I think it's right. So how we
relax or how we move around, how we unwind, how
we decompress, how we show so I do. It's one
of the universal languages outside of math, right, so everybody.

Speaker 2 (30:32):
Joys you I would, And I would say sports is
the other universal one like I would. Yeah, that's kind
of why I love both of them because no matter
where you go, like, there's always going to become up
to sport being played, and there's always going to be
some type of music being lesson tell And that's why
I think I love about just what those two things
do for all of us. Right, Like I'm Michael Jackson, girl,
think about his you know, you know his impact on

(30:54):
the world, right or what he usen like people love music.
I think, you know, those two things that really show
the beauty in the world, because I like the two
things that can really truly bring people together.

Speaker 4 (31:07):
Is there one game that I have to ask you
this question because I was thinking about this whole thing,
and I know you probably won't have one single answer,
but is there one game that you have covered that
blew your mind?

Speaker 3 (31:21):
Like Wow, that was.

Speaker 2 (31:24):
Amazing, Oh my gosh. And I was at the twenty
sixteen NBA Finals and of course calvs fans or ful Rina,
that one was definitely up there. But you know, I
always just say super Bowls are incredible because I mean
it's the Super Bowl, right, Like there's right and mind you.

(31:45):
I know, not every super Bowl is good, but like,
just for me, every super Bowl is special. I'm steel Like, wow,
I'm here right at the at the biggest. I was
at the twenty eight to three super Bowl. Wow, that
was That was obviously a big one. But I like
the NBA Finals. That one was crazy and being an
Oratville for the last time, right, so the Oracle first

(32:06):
is no more for Golden State Warriors. But I think
that one really holds very special in my heart. When
the Mystics finally won their w NBA Final, that was
big for me. Like I told you, I'm a hometown girl, right,
so that was big. Like I said, it's not one answer,
but I think everything is. There's a lot of things
that are. Just like I said, it's truly special for

(32:26):
me because they hold special places in my heart. Whether
it's like you know, the local because I grew up
watching the Mystics, right so to be able to go
from a young girl to see them, you know, achieve
something you know so great, like that's something I'll never
forget and I will always cherish, you know, just just
being part you know of that moment again, their first
ever one. You never forget your first but I think

(32:49):
you know that that twenty nineteen Mystics Finals is definitely
up there as well.

Speaker 4 (32:54):
So being in broadcasting and journalism. We hear about all
the fabulous things that a lot of us, or any
any career that we have achieved, and we're so proud
of it. But is there one lesson learned as you've
been coming up through the ranks or just sharpening your.

Speaker 3 (33:11):
Craft to say, Wow, this was a difficult.

Speaker 4 (33:14):
Time for me, but I'm glad it happened, and this
is what I learned out of it, something that you
could share with any Yeah.

Speaker 2 (33:20):
I mean there's so many times, right, Like people look
at your social media on your website and think your
life is perfect. My life is far from perfect. There's
so many hard days, there's so many nos, right, I
still get you know, to this day. I think for me,
one of the things I think an example I'll share
is it was a job with the Washington Wizards, so
I really really wanted, right, there's a hometown basketball team.

(33:42):
I grew up watching them. I was working for a
public access television at the time. And then see a
broadcast I do and I get this email like, hey
you Sab you come out and come talk to you about
a new show we're starting. So I'm like, oh my god,
the Wizards have reached out to me and they you know,
they want to talk with me, and you know, I
get there and the interviews, it's great. They said they're
going to follow up with me. You know, I'm feeling

(34:03):
good leaving. I'm thinking I got this in the bag right,
like you know, when you've done a good interview all
that just say, you know. I remember, like a month
goes by, I was like following up and like nothing,
I hear nothing from them. And then another month goes by,
I hear nothing from them, and then like two more
months go by, and all of a sudden, I see
a social media post announcing the new hosts of the show.

(34:24):
Mind you, I was not one of them. So I
said this example to say, like I was heartbroken. I
remember I was outside on the street and I saw
it that I lived. I'm not an emotional personally, Like
unless I'm watching movies. I really not a crier because
I some reason, I get really emotional girl movies. Don't
ask me why, but I just remember I started bawling
out crying because I felt like a failure, and I
was like, dang, my hometown team doesn't want me. And

(34:46):
like I said, the home is so important to me
because this is where I this is where I was made, right,
this is where I built myself. You know, I'm a
person that tweets about the DNZ breeding baller like I
love this area to my heart and soul. And I
was back at that moment because in that moment, I
thought I was done. Like I just thought I wasn't
good and I thought that was the end of the
road to me. And I was like, dang, no home
Downham doesn't want me. Nobody else's gonna want me. But

(35:08):
I look back at that moment and I think about now,
how I cover the same team for different networks, national networks.
You know, I had the same team facing with someone's
love and care when I go back to games, and
I realized that that was God knew that wasn't for
me at the time, and that wasn't where he wanted
me at the time. And so I say all that
to say, like, don't think if you don't get to

(35:30):
that first dream job that that's the end for you.
There will be something else out there for you. But
also just knowing in life like he couldn't have emotion.
It's okay to cry and pay to be angry or mad,
but really it's what you do with that. Once, after
I finished crying, I get back home and I got
on the computer and I started applying, and I kept applying,

(35:53):
and I fixed up my room, right, I fixed up
my resume. Essentially, I went back to the drawing board
and I was just like, look, what do I need
to do to make sure that others see how good
I am? And so that's what I share to say, like,
don't don't let that anger in frustration make you, you know,
leave leave what you always worked for, or don't make it,
you know, make you mad and angry at the world.
Met Well, I just turned it into into energy. I

(36:14):
turned that no into the world on and I just
kept putting, getting put onto other things and other opportunities.
I turned my energy on, you know, to to to
just for got applying and seeing what else was out there.
And obviously that's why I'm talking to you here today,
because that was not the end of my road and
many more opportunities, you know, Canda, I had never even
dreamt of our magic, Like honestly, I wanted to start
off just being a local sports supporter. Right, I've done

(36:37):
national shows now, I've been a national report. I've done
international shows. So that just shows you know, yea, and
sometimes when that when that opportunity doesn't com it because
God has something bigger and better for you, and you
just have to trust his time, trust his planning, and
then trust your process to get to that moment.

Speaker 3 (36:54):
Now, that was a beautiful way to put that.

Speaker 4 (36:55):
That was very eloquent, and I hope all of our
listeners and our.

Speaker 3 (36:59):
New follow please take that into heart. I know we
are all striving to do.

Speaker 4 (37:04):
Better every day and to hear stories like that that
really really gives that motivation to those that need it,
including myself. Every day I'm pushing myself too. If you
want to hear more of Kelsey Nicole Nelson's story, you
can't reach your at www dot kelce nicolenelson dot com.
A lot of great information there, a lot of links

(37:26):
to get in touch with her if you need her,
if you want to book her, you can go do that.
And I just encourage everybody to go there and see
what this woman.

Speaker 3 (37:35):
Is all about.

Speaker 4 (37:36):
So before we get out here, miss Nelson is there
anything you'd like to tell us, any extra last words
or where where we.

Speaker 3 (37:44):
Can find you at to as well.

Speaker 2 (37:45):
Well, this was amazing. DJ Retro, thank you so much
for having me. I always had a blast, and you know,
I love starting my story because I hope it inspires somebody,
you know, even the tough parts, right. But I just
shared with you there was at one point in my
life where that I never tell anybody about that your job,
So that's how people are going to judge me, right
and also see me as a failure. But now you're
not seeing there's beauty and vulnerabilities and that we can

(38:07):
all learn lessons right from that. And again just that
being transparent, and I'll say just also to be that's
the authentic and everything that you do, that would be
the lesson I tell everybody. People can tell when you're
real and when you're being yourself, and that's what people
want in this world. I think that what we need
more on in this world. But I'll just say, I
hope you guys you know, want to follow and connect.
I'm on social media the real k now. Then your

(38:28):
girl finally got on TikTok set out to my little
sister for pushing me and my boys. The answer I
got off to Jacob or how to be with my
TikTok videos. But I'm on Twitter, I'm on Instagram, I'm
on everything. Like my website is the best that USIC
way to reach me. And again, I just want to,
you know, spread love, spread love to the world, and
just be good and be kind to people. And I'm

(38:49):
excited to see you know where the journey goes. So
I hope people can connect with me and follow the
story and journeys of GUS. I'm getting started. There's a
lot more I wanted to accomplish, and it's because of them.
And I'm here because of my amazing support system and
my amazing supporters that I know and don't know in person.
I just continue to support the journey and support the

(39:09):
can and brand.

Speaker 4 (39:11):
Well, thank you.

Speaker 2 (39:12):
You know.

Speaker 4 (39:12):
One thing I like to do is we like to
check in with you from time to time.

Speaker 3 (39:15):
Just like, hey, where are you at this week?

Speaker 4 (39:17):
Do probably make a time minute update. Hey I'm over
here this week, we're covering this, this is what I
got going on for K and N. And then you know,
kind of checking in with you and kind of help
you spread your brand because your brand's already there. We
just helped spread it everybody else and enjoy it as well.
So that's what we like to do.

Speaker 3 (39:33):
We like to partner.

Speaker 4 (39:34):
We just don't like to get don't do podcasts and
then you never never hear from us again.

Speaker 3 (39:38):
We like to do, you know.

Speaker 2 (39:40):
So that's I love that that connection is important. Yeah,
please divide. I'm much grace to.

Speaker 3 (39:45):
The follow up. Well, we're going to be respectful of
you time.

Speaker 4 (39:48):
We know we're going to give you about fifteen minutes
back because you have another appointment that you need to
get you that you expressed, So thank you for taking
time out for us today.

Speaker 3 (39:55):
We appreciate it.

Speaker 2 (39:57):
All right, thank you so much. I can fairly appreciate
what you You a table essay and so all your
listeners is a great say bye guys, have a great one.

Speaker 1 (40:06):
H
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