
The Post Game Podcast
Conversations with former athletes about the transition from the field to business . We’ll be diving into life after the game, mindsets, habits, career paths, and much more.
Latest episodes

Dec 13, 2024 • 48min
Ep. 53 - Alex Feinberg: Staying in the Game Long Enough, It's Up to You
Alex Feinberg is a Vanderbilt graduate and former professional baseball player.
After retiring from baseball, he worked for Google, a hedge fund, and a cryptocurrency exchange before building an audience on Twitter, helping people become healthier.
He is the Founder of Insanely Addictive, where he offers group and performance coaching, helping people break through limiting beliefs.
What You’ll Learn About:
How he translated skills from getting drafted to getting job
offers
Learning rules of the “new game” you’re playing
Working for Google
Being in control of your own dopamine
Money for Optionality
Humans lacking foresight
It’s up to you to change your life
Stay in the game long enough
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro
(2:00) – Alex’s Background
(3:50) – Dedication to training in 20s
(5:40) – Insanely Addictive
(7:20) – What kind of player was he?
(10:20) – Learning his surroundings
(12:00) – Vanderbilt Baseball
(13:15) – Minimal IQ Requirement
(16:20) – I want to work for Google
(18:45) – Talking to hiring manager in person
(20:45) – Environment
(22:30) - $130,000 employees
(24:40) – Control of dopamine
(26:30) – Risk tolerance
(30:00) – Thoughts on Money
(33:00) – Multiple bids for good offer
(34:30) – Family and Perspective
(37:30) – Contrarian Ideas
(40:00) – Dedicate 3 years to something
(42:20) – Getting in shape
(45:30) – It’s Up to You
(46:30) – Optimism for the future
(47:30) – Where to find Alex
Links:
Alex Feinberg Twitter (X)
Insanely Addictive Website
The Post Game Podcast:
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Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com
Intro Song: Days Go Bye

Dec 6, 2024 • 44min
Ep. 52 - Kelsey O'Connor: From D1 Softball to a Professional Speaking Career
Kelsey O’Connor is a motivational speaker and former
Division 1 Softball Player at NC State University.
A career ending head injury put an end to athletic career,
but a viral commencement speech at graduation made her realize a new path.
Today, she travels the country sharing her story and
perspective.
What You’ll Learn About:
Kelsey’s softball career ending abruptly
Her Speech at NC State’s graduation
Building a speaking business
Living beyond “labels”
Her thoughts on Preparation
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro to Kelsey
(2:30) – NC State experience
(6:00) – Her injury
(12:00) – Softball ending abruptly
(14:30) – Comparison to other people
(17:15) – Speech at graduation
(19:45) – Self-awareness
(24:00) – Launching a speaking career
(27:30) – Learning the business side of speaking
(30:30) – Starting her podcast
(32:15) – Hiring a coach
(33:45) – Preparation
(35:45) – Her Faith
(42:45) – Where to find Kelsey
Links:
NC State Graduation Speech
kelseyoconnor.net
Instagram
Tik Tok
The Post Game Podcast:
The Post Game Podcast on Twitter
The Post Game Podcast on Instagram
The Post Game Podcast YouTube
Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com
Intro Song: Days Go Bye

Nov 22, 2024 • 48min
Ep. 51 - AJ Ramos: Inside the Mind of an MLB Closer
AJ Ramos is a former MLB All Star Closer with the Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and Los Angeles Angels.
After playing his college ball at Texas Tech, he was drafted in the 21st Round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He went on to be an All Star in 2016 with the Marlins.
After battling several injuries, he was forced to retire from baseball and figure what was next.
He is the founder and host of The Locker Room, an interview series where he sits down with athletes and gives an inside look into their mental and physical performance.
What You’ll Learn About:
The transition out of baseball
Negativity fueling you
Visualization – Painting a picture
The flow state
Preparation and doing the work
Maintaining perspective
Why he started The Locker Room
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro to AJ Ramos
(2:00) – Figuring out who he was outside baseball
(4:50) – How do you download information?
(7:50) – AJ’s Upbringing
(9:50) – Visualization
(15:00) – Breathing
(19:00) – Preparation
(21:50) – Routine of an MLB closer
(25:50) – Being present as possible
(26:30) – Walkout song
(28:30) – Filling the void in retirement
(31:00) – Becoming a Dad
(32:30) – Perspective and Gratitude
(34:20) – The Locker Room
(38:30) – AJ’s trainer
(41:00) – Faith
(45:50) – Where to find AJ
Links:
The Locker Room YouTube
AJ Ramos Instagram
The Locker Room with AJ Instagram
AJ Ramos on X
The Post Game Podcast:
The Post Game Podcast on Twitter
The Post Game Podcast on Instagram
The Post Game Podcast YouTube
Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Nov 13, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep. 50 - Matthew "Whiz" Buckley: The Fight Against Veteran Suicide
Matthew “Whiz” Buckley is a former US Navy TOPGUN Fighter Pilot and the Chief Executive Officer of TOPGUN Options LLC.
He is also a Keynote Speaker, Best Selling Author, host of The MAX Afterburner Podcast.
He founded his 501c3, No Fallen Heroes, to help end veteran suicide through the use of psychedelic assisted therapy.
What You’ll Learn About:
Compartmentalizing trauma
Transitioning out of the military
Ending Veteran Suicide – No Fallen Heroes
World’s greatest ponzi scheme
Re-discovering faith
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy for Vets
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro to Whiz
(2:40) – Whiz’s upbringing
(7:10)- Childhood tragedy
(12:15) – Compartmentalizing
(14:00) - Pursuing being a fighter jet pilot
(18:15) – Getting in your bubble
(22:30) – The Flow state
(24:10) – Daniel Carcillo
(26:30) – Trading is a form of combat
(30:00) – Transition out of military
(32:50) – Veteran Suicide
(36:00) – Can’t take it with you
(43:40) – Look at things differently
(47:50) – MST
(49:50) – Re-discovering faith
(52:50) – Warriors to peacemakers
(56:20) – Big Pharma
(1:01:00) – What’s Next?
(1:03:30) – Marcus Luttrell
Links:
No Fallen Heroes
Whiz Instagram
MAX Afterburner Podcast
The Post Game Podcast:
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The Post Game Podcast YouTube
Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Nov 8, 2024 • 39min
Ep. 49 - Jim Cavale: Lessons from Entrepreneurship & The Future of College Athletics
Jim Cavale is the founder & Chairman at Athletes.org, the players association for college athletes. AO delivers on demand support, helps athletes amplify their voice, and maximize income.
He has also founded companies NextSpex, Iron Tribe Fitness, and most recently INFLCR.
He stepped down as the CEO of INFLCR in August 2023, to help build Athletes.org alongside former NFL Vet, Brandon Copeland.
Jim lives in Birmingham Alabama with his wife and 3 kids.
What You’ll Learn About:
Jim’s passion to create
Getting people in the “right seat on the bus”
Lessons from his entrepreneurial journey
Now It’s Legal
Turning Ideas into Execution
Story of Athletes.Org
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro to Jim
(2:30) – Ted Talk 10 Years Ago
(5:00) – Taking the risk going to Montevello
(8:10) – Putting a team together
(11:40) – Building off early Entrepreneurial Experiences
(14:50) – Opportunity to build business in college sports
(18:20) – Exit from INFLCR
(20:10) – Trying to be all things to all people
(23:10) – Now It’s Legal
(24:30) – Getting ahead of trends
(27:00) – Challenging NCAA Leaders
(30:30) – Structure and Chaos in NCAA Sports
(33:20) – Support, Voice, Income
(37:20) – Opportunities for Former Athletes
(37:50) – Where to Find Jim
Links:
Instagram
LinkedIn
X.com
Athletes.org Instagram
Now Its Legal Podcast
The Post Game Podcast:
The Post Game Podcast on Twitter
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Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Oct 26, 2024 • 42min
Ep. 48 - Noah Stauffer: Building Brand as an Athlete, Founder-Led Content, and Taking the Risk
Noah Stauffer is the head of brand for Adam Breneman, leading all content, branding, and marketing efforts.
He's previously held roles at one37pm (a GaryVee owned company) and dunk.
Noah also writes a weekly Newsletter called the Creator COO, documenting his journey running a creator's brand.
Links:
Noah Stauffer Newsletter
Noah Stauffer Instagram
The Post Game Podcast:
The Post Game Podcast on Twitter
The Post Game Podcast on Instagram
The Post Game Podcast YouTube
Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Oct 18, 2024 • 1h 11min
Ep. 47 - Karl Blum: Translating Baseball Lessons into Life After Sports
Karl Blum is a former college baseball player at Duke and Rutgers and currently a Sr. Associate at JDS Sports, a Sports & Entertainment Private Equity Firm based in NYC.
His journey to tap into his full potential on the mound led
him out to Missoula, MT in 2023, after four years away from the game.
He also hosts JDS Sports’ podcast, Inside Moves, where he shares
the stories of founders and entrepreneurs.
What You’ll Learn About:
Qualities of good founders
Who’s driving the car?
Channeling nervous energy
Being open to experimentation and change
The power of optimism
Tools to improve performance and buying in
Similarities between baseball and careers
Building something you care about
Lessons learned from the podcast
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro to Karl
(0:30) – Mets vs. Phillies
(3:15) – Nick Castellanos
(6:30) – Similar podcast projects
(8:40) – JDS Sports
(10:10) – Qualities of good founders
(11:00) – Self Confidence
(13:00) – Who’s driving the car?
(15:10) – Anxiety
(16:40) – What does nervous look like to you?
(20:00) – Baseball & Business Article
(22:15) – Going back to watch old work
(24:00) – Everyone hangs it up
(28:40) – Journey back to baseball after college
(33:00) – Working smarter to get better
(35:00) – Mental game of hitting
(38:00) – Expectations
(39:40) – Great leaders in his life
(42:00) – Playing for Chris Pollard
(43:00) – Controlling heart rate and centering focus
(45:20) – The science behind breathing
(48:40) – Translating baseball lessons into career
(52:00) – Look around and love the guy next to you
(57:45) – Front Office Sports origin story
(59:00) – Cutting through the noise
(1:02:30) – What are you enthusiastic about?
(1:04:30) – If you care about it, you’ll put more effort in
(1:05:40) – Lessons from the podcast
(1:09:00) – Staying Present
(1:10:00) – Mets Playoff Run
Links:
JDS Sports Website
Karl Blum LinkedInKarl Blum Instagram
The Post Game Podcast:
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Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Oct 11, 2024 • 34min
Ep. 46 - Dana Cavalea: Closing the Gap on Potential, Coaching America's Top CEOs, Nobody Really Cares
Dana Cavalea is the former Director of Strength & Conditioning and Performance for the New York Yankees and a World Series Champion.
He is currently a High Performance & Executive Leadership Coach to C-Suite Leaders, Sales Teams, Tech, Private Equity & Venture Capital Leaders.
He is also a speaker, author, podcast host, and founder of Freedom Farms, a family farm providing Americans with naturally raised beef, chicken, and pork.
What You’ll Learn About:
Moving towards the thing you’re called to move
towards
What’s the first feeling you have
Closing the gap on potential
Coaching the top CEOs
How does he manage his time?
Posing the question “where are we going?”
MLB managers relatability to players
The Four things people are afraid of
Nobody’s Thinking about you
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro to Dana
(2:40) – Always leaving something for something
(4:30) – Embracing who you are
(5:40) – First feeling
(7:50) – No interest in the fluff
(10:20) – Working with CEOs of big companies
(12:30) – What’s bothering you and where can you improve?
(14:15) – Fatigue
(15:20) – How does Dana stay on track
(19:15) – First 6-12 months require your time
(20:00) – Only as good as your team
(20:40) – Where are we going?
(22:45) – Different mentalities
(24:30) – Joe Girardi vs. Rob Thompson
(27:20) – Evolution of management styles
(28:00) – Mariano Rivera story
(29:10) – 4 Things People are Afraid of
(31:00) – Nobody cares
(33:40) – Where to find Dana
Links:
Freedom Farms Website
Dana Cavalea Website
Dana Cavalea LinkedIn
The Post Game Podcast:
The Post Game Podcast on Twitter
The Post Game Podcast on Instagram
The Post Game Podcast YouTube
Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Oct 4, 2024 • 52min
Ep. 45 - Christian Ponder: Expectations of a 1st Round Pick, Performance Anxiety, and Founding The Post
Christian Ponder is a former NFL Quarterback with the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers.
He played college football at Florida State University and was drafted 12th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
After retiring in 2016, he started down the wealth management path, but missed the competition and community aspect to the locker room.
He founded The Post, an invite-only leadership network for athletes to come together post playing career and make the transition from sports to business.
What You’ll Learn About:
The expectations of an NFL 1st round pick
Performance Anxiety
Building confidence with kids
Quarterbacks being in the right system
The transition out of the NFL
How he started The Post
Investing in self-awareness
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro to Christian
(2:40) – Christian’s Football Roots
(5:45) – The Journey to Florida State
(9:20) – Tough Freshman year
(11:00) – Confidence from Jimbo Fisher
(13:15) – Replacing Brett Favre
(14:00) – Added pressure as a 1st round pick
(16:30) – Performance Anxiety
(18:10) – The Root Cause
(20:00) – Relationship with his kids
(21:40 – Decision to walk away from the NFL
(24:25) – Sam Darnold
(26:00) – Cycle of 1st round QBs
(28:00) – Starting his career after football
(30:20) – Influence of our environment
(33:50) – Transition out of sports
(36:15) – Starting The Post
(39:00) – Finding his co-founder
(40:00) – Biggest challenges of starting a business
(43:15) – Long Term vision for The Post
(47:15) – Building the brand one step at a time
(48:45) – Self Awareness
(51:30) – Where to find Christian
Links:
Email: Christian@thepost.co
www.thepost.co
Christian Ponder LinkedIn
The Post Game Podcast:
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The Post Game Podcast YouTube
Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Sep 25, 2024 • 44min
Ep. 44 - James Hilovsky: Helping Athletes Transition From Sports to Franchise Ownership
James Hilovsky is a franchise broker and the founder of The Fran Dream, a franchise consulting company that saves you time, helps you avoid frustration, and streamlines your search among franchise opportunities.
After beginning his career in the restaurant business and gaining experience in several franchises, James founded The Fran Dream to empower entrepreneurs and sports professionals to go after their business ownership dreams.
He helps former athletes maximize their success in business, craft personalized paths to franchise ownership, make smart investments, and establish franchise network connections.
What You’ll Learn About:
What is a franchise?
Why work with athletes?
What are examples of successful franchises?
Finding a franchisor that will give you best chance to
succeed
Adopting an athlete’s mindset
Should you buy into a franchise or buy an existing business?
Timestamps:
(2:40) – Minor League Baseball with Phillies
(4:00) – What to do when the cheering stops
(6:00) – Franchise Brokers
(7:10) – What is a franchise?
(9:30) – Why work with athletes?
(13:15) – The benefits of owning a franchise
(15:15) – Examples of successful franchises
(20:00) – Behavioral Survey to understand yourself
(23:30) – How involved do you have to be in the business?
(26:20) – Why is James passionate about this?
(28:20) – Books he’s reading
(30:30) – Maintaining a positive mindset
(34:15) – Advice to his children
(38:30) – Not all going to be rosy
(39:30) – Franchise business or buy existing business?
(40:15) – Getting ghosted
(42:30) – How to get started with James
(43:00) – Where to find him
Links:
The Fran Dream Website
James Hilovsky LinkedIn
Email: james@thefrandream.com
The Post Game Podcast:
The Post Game Podcast on Twitter
The Post Game Podcast on Instagram
The Post Game Podcast YouTube
Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com
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