Between Clean Sheets founder, Cheyenne Foster, shares her transformative journey from a political career in DC to living and traveling in a van across the US.

We discuss how she navigates the challenges of content creation, authenticity, and the capitalist nature of sports while embracing a life of freedom and purpose.

It’s a journey from a life mapped out and golf course meetings, to a nomadic lifestyle centred around community.

She discusses the impact of her new lifestyle on her mental health, her views on sports infrastructure, and we bond over shared tears over stolen bikes… in our thirties.

Enjoy!

You can find more from Cheyenne on YouTube, Instagram, and X

In this episode I speak with photographer and director, George Cotterhill.

We explore the intersection of parenthood and entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges and rewards of balancing family life with running a creative business.

George shares his journey from quantity surveying to filmmaking, detailing the birth of his production company, Rhoda Pond Productions, and the evolution of his work in sports content.

He highlights the importance of emotional storytelling, building relationships in the industry, and the continuous learning process that comes with creative work and the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Enjoy!

Takeaways

• Parenthood brings unique challenges to entrepreneurship.

• Creative journeys often start from unexpected events.
• Building relationships is key in the creative industry.
• Emotional storytelling enhances video content.
• Learning on the job is invaluable for skill development.
• Transitioning to sports content can open new opportunities.
• Balancing work and family requires boundaries.
• Staying fit helps maintain mental clarity for work.
• Social media can be both a tool and a distraction.
• Documentary filmmaking offers a deeper connection to subjects.

Kelvin Quagraine is the Head of Brand at Art Of, the fan-led sports brand defining the culture of fan communities

He shares his journey from aspiring footballer to influential figure in the football community, discussing the impact of dual interests in football and drama on his identity.

We discuss the cultural significance of football, the evolution of fandom, and the importance of mental health and self-awareness.

Kelvyn also highlights his work with the Art Of brand, emphasising the need for creativity and reflection in both personal and professional life.

Enjoy!

Takeaways

• Kelvyn's journey into football began with a passion for the game and performance.
• The duality of interests in football and drama shaped Kelvyn's identity.
• Fluidity in interests can protect mental health and foster resilience.
• Football is not just a sport; it's a cultural phenomenon that connects people.
• Players are increasingly exploring interests beyond football, enriching their identities.
• Art and fashion can serve as powerful expressions of football fandom.
• Education in football can help combat social issues and empower youth.
• Self-awareness and reflection are crucial for personal growth and creativity.
• Injury can lead to new paths and opportunities for self-discovery.
• Radical rest is essential for maintaining creativity and mental well-being.

Chapters

02:40

Journey into Football and Performance

07:43

The Impact of Dual Interests on Identity

09:56

Understanding Football as a Cultural Phenomenon

14:18

The Evolution of Football Fandom

18:08

Art of: Merging Football and Fashion

26:11

Involvement with Football Beyond Borders

31:34

The Role of Education in Football

34:17

Influences and Self-Awareness

40:04

Navigating Injury and Mental Health

41:54

Creativity and Reflection in Work

48:21

Exploring Psychedelics and Creativity

Alexis Guerreros is a comedian from Newark, New Jersey.

He shares his unique journey from corporate America to the world of stand-up, sports fandom, and content creation as co-founder of Soccer Cooligans.

We discuss growing up in New Jersey, how that planted the seeds of his passion for the game and formed the skills that would go on to make him a success in both a corporate and stand-up environment.

Alexis explains how his passions intersect, the importance in that, and the lessons learned along the way about authenticity, risk-taking, and building a vibrant community.

He also hates Elvis. Hates him.

Enjoy!

Key Topics:

• Alexis’ transition from corporate VP to comedian and content creator
• The influence of football and sports culture on his comedy and media ventures
• Building authentic, multi-dimensional personal brands
• Navigating identity and validation in entertainment and sports
• The importance of diversifying passions for personal fulfilment
• Creating engaging content that blends humour with sports insights
• The impact of family, heritage, and international experiences on branding
• How embracing individuality and passion leads to unexpected success

Timestamps:

02:38 - Growing up in Newark and the multicultural sports culture
06:20 - The influence of childhood and immigrant communities on football fandom
11:05 - Building a media brand: Kooligans and content strategy
15:28 - Early moments of success and fan engagement at live matches
20:09 - Navigating identity in the corporate and entertainment worlds
26:15 - The importance of authenticity and finding your niche
32:48 - Diversifying passions: food, football, and media opportunities
37:22 - The evolution of Alexis’ goals and mindset for future growth
44:22 - How external validation shapes confidence and brand development
55:12 - The role of validation in entertainment vs. personal fulfilment
62:13 - Reflections on the World Cup and Alexis’ heritage
67:25 - The importance of adapting ambition and embracing new opportunities

Hi team,

The podcast is taking a break until January.

Until then, plenty to keep you occupied with 100 conversations in the back catalogue.

Thank you for the support this year and those previous.

See you on the other side.

JF

Alexis James returns to discuss the process behind Off-Field, a bumper anthology of long form sports storytelling that explores hidden heroes, niche subcultures, and uncharted communities across the world.

Listeners can use NPLH10 at checkout to enjoy a 10% discount on all orders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I speak with Mike Miles-Boardman, illustrator and founder/director of Visually Speaking, and my old team mate!

Mike walks me through the early days of his career, when you could swap a pint for a job at Reebok, the route to his current position, and touches on some of the personal hurdles worked through along the way. All things I should really have been aware of given I've known him for 14 years.

We cover a lot, from self-worth and finding alignment to career wins, and the losses. It went where it went which means we didn't touch on some important things like Mike's Oscar nomination, or live drawing at the Super Bowl and a World Cup Final. But now that's been covered... enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.