Same Game Different Turf

Former NFL Pro Bowler and No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick Ronnie Brown joins Same Game Different Turf to discuss what happens after achieving the dream you've worked toward your entire life.

From growing up in a small Georgia town to starring at Auburn and spending 10 seasons in the NFL, Ronnie shares what it was like navigating success, identity, and the transition into a completely different career as a financial advisor. We discus...

This episode features Frank Brown, CEO of Communities In Schools of Atlanta, one of the nation's leading organizations focused on helping students overcome the barriers that prevent them from succeeding in school and in life.

Frank's story is one of education, relationships, and purpose. Growing up in a single-parent household in Charleston, South Carolina, Frank’s brother was sentenced to 15 years in prison for voluntary ma...

This episode features Justin Anthony, founder of Yebo Beach Haus, Lion's Head Private Club, and several of Atlanta's most recognized hospitality concepts.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Justin's life revolved around soccer. From the age of six, he knew he wanted to become a professional player and spent years pursuing that dream. But after a serious knee injury changed the trajectory of his career, he was forced to confront one o...

From the 1996 Olympics to OutKast, TLC, Usher, Pink, Babyface, T.I., Nike, and Adidas, DL Warfield has spent decades helping shape culture through art and creativity.

In this episode of Same Game Different Turf, I sit down with fine artist and creative director DL Warfield to discuss creativity, resilience, authenticity, relationships, and what it takes to build a career that stands the test of time.

DL shares stories from designin...

This episode features Brian McGowan, President of Centennial Yards Company, the largest sports adjacent entertainment district underdevelopment in the world. Brian’s career is a masterclass in navigating transitions. His work has spanned the Obama Administration, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office, leading Invest Atlanta, and serving as CEO of the Atlanta BeltLine.

We discuss career reinvention, leading through unc...

This episode features Herm from Roadshow, one of the most trusted names in the high-end automotive world. From selling cars out of Cincinnati to building a globally recognized brand that works with athletes, entertainers, and top executives, Herm’s journey is built on persistence, relationships, and doing business the right way.

We get into how Roadshow was built from the ground up, what it actually takes to earn trust at the...

This episode features Tiffany Willis, former SVP of Investor Relations at Starbucks, whose journey redefines what success actually looks like. From becoming a mother at 14 and facing homelessness to rising through PwC, EY, and leading investor relations at a $130B company, Tiffany’s story is a masterclass in resilience, ownership, and purpose-driven leadership.

We unpack what it really means to own your narrative, how your st...

In this episode of Same Game Different Turf, I sit down with David Pollack, former University of Georgia player, three-time All-American, first-round NFL Draft pick, former ESPN analyst, speaker, author, and host of the See Ball Get Ball podcast.

David shares a powerful story of identity, transition, faith, resilience, and learning how to make every day count. From becoming under-recruited, to elite football player, to suffering a ...

In the latest episode of Same Game Different Turf, I sit down with Elicia Azali, Chief Marketing Officer at Beazer Homes, to talk about leadership, marketing, and building a career that aligns with who you truly are.

Elicia’s journey from Oberlin, Ohio to the C-suite is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about where you start.

It’s about work ethic, mentorship, and the courage to be yourself in rooms wher...

This episode features Mariangela Corales, General Counsel of Goodwill of North Georgia, and a proud Latina leader whose journey reflects ambition, resilience, and cultural pride.

As the daughter of Cuban immigrant parents, Mariangela carries a deep sense of responsibility and gratitude into her work. We discuss what it means to be a Latina executive in corporate law and nonprofit leadership, often navigating rooms where you are the...

Former NFL Pro Bowler D’Brickashaw Ferguson shares the real story of life after football — the identity shift, the divorce, the uncertainty, and what it took to rebuild from the ground up. Brick went from open-heart surgery as a kid to a 10-year NFL career without missing a game. But after retirement, he had to face a different kind of pressure: figuring out who he is beyond the NFL. He tried multiple careers, the messy...

This episode features Steve Koonin, CEO of the Atlanta Hawks and former executive at Coca-Cola and Turner. Our conversation goes beyond sports and business. We discuss how to handle change without losing your sense of self, how to build a career that lasts, and how to stay relevant as things keep changing. We cover guiding principles, transferable skills, reputation, leadership, adaptability, and the habits that help us keep moving...

Mayo Sowell’s journey is one of the most powerful examples of redemption, identity, and purpose you will ever hear. After an injury ended his football career, Mayo chased instant gratification, turned to fast money, and eventually faced major prison time. But what happened in that season reshaped his entire life.

In this episode, we explore:

• The identity crisis after sports • How “quick wins” can destroy long-te...

Nate Hybl was a standout quarterback at Oklahoma and played in the NFL. When football ended, he found himself starting over with no clear plan that forced him to confront who he really was.

That led him into restaurant kitchens to founding gusto!, a fast-casual brand built on energy, optimism, and life-giving food. We explore how identity, obsession, and a willingness to do unglamorous work can turn a hard transition into a meaning...