The Post Game Podcast

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

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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

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

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: ⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

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

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: ⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast on Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast YouTube ⁠⁠ Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

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

Joseph Guzman is a MLBPA Certified Player Agent with Empowerment Sports Group. He has over 6 years of experience as an adviser, mentor, and talent recruiter. Since the 2018 Draft, he has had 40 players drafted / signed with the MLB and over 50 others sign professional contracts elsewhere. Joseph is a Florida Memorial University graduate and has previously worked with the KC Royals at their Dominican Academy and coached in the Valley League with the Covington Lumberjacks.   What You’ll Learn About:  Qualities of the best players he’s seen    Evaluating a players’ mental game as a scout Realities of being an MLB agent How he sees players get back on track mentally   Qualities of players who have success after baseball Timestamps: (0:00) – Intro to Joseph (4:15) – Dealing with health issues (8:20) – Dreams of playing in the big leagues (10:00) – Story about Ruben Amaro Sr. (14:40) – Natural talent vs. player development (17:15) – Evaluating a players’ mental game (20:30) – Mike Trout’s confidence (22:30) – Becoming an advisor / agent (25:30) – Finding players through scouting (27:45) – Evolution of the agency world (32:00) – Tough reality of being an agent (35:00) – Contract situations for different guys (38:15) – Making sure his players are happy (39:00) – Large agencies vs. small agencies (41:45) – The mental grind players go through (43:40) – What do the best do to get back on track? (46:00) - Denard Span story (50:00) – Just be a good human (54:20) – Suggestions on getting into the MLB agent profession Links: Empowerment Sports Group Joseph Guzman Twitter Joseph Guzman 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

Ken Crenshaw is the Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Prior to his time with the D-Backs, he was the head athletic trainer for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and an athletic trainer with the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. Ken grew up on a ranch in Carrizozo, New Mexico and graduated New Mexico State University in 1990 with an undergraduate degree in sports medicine. He is a certified member of NATA and NSCA (National Strength & Conditioning Association) and resides in Chandler, AZ with his wife and three adult sons. What You’ll Learn About: Sticking to your process and who you are A High School coach that changed Ken’s life John Wooden's Pyramid of Success Being present to the moment Ken’s style of Servant Leadership The world isn’t the way it is, it’s the way we are Get to know yourself before leading others Effective Communication Can you teach awareness? Timestamps: (0:00) – Intro to Ken (2:15) – D-Backs heating up (3:45) – 2023 Diamondbacks Finding Identity (6:30) – Love, Trust, Commitment, and Effort (8:40) – Ken’s High School Basketball Coach (13:20) – John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success (14:30) – Change Two Lives (17:00) – Being part of something great than yourself (21:00) – Interest in getting into PT Field (23:00) – Servant Leadership (26:00) – Audio has to match the video (27:00) - We see the world the way we're being (28:50) – This happened TO me or FOR me (31:30) – Torey Lovullo's evolution as a coach (34:00) – What is effective communication? (36:50) - Coming away with an agreement (38:20) – Showing up as the same person (38:50) - Limitations (41:00) – Picking Great People (42:50) – Can you teach feel? (44:00) – Tell me what I need to hear (45:20) – What are you committed to? (48:40) – Curiosity driving him to learn (49:40) - Being adaptable Links: Ken Crenshaw Bio Article on Ken Crenshaw - Connector of People The Post Game Podcast: The Post Game Podcast on Twitter The Post Game Podcast on Instagram⁠⁠ Email Me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com