Naked Sports with Cari Champion

Michael Jai White is a unique leader within his lane. White holds eight black belts and many titles as an Independent filmmaker.  In this episode, we talk about White's life prior to acting including his work as a security guard for Oprah. He also shares some of the challenges he faced as an alpha black male earlier in his career. Fast forward White didn't wait for a role to be handed to him, he decided to create them independently.  His latest film, Outlaw Johnny Black is now in theaters.  Connect: @CariChampion @OfficialMichaelJaiWatch More: Michael Jai YouTube ChannelLearn More:  MichaelJaiWhite.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A child of the arts with inspiration from all directions. Growing up with a musical family and entering the game at an early age.  Mya recently celebrated the 25th year Anniversary of her first album, released a new single, and unreleased projects she can’t wait to share! In this episode, Mya defines what being an artist means to her and how important it has been to start her own independent label. She made a commitment to herself; to write her own narrative while loving herself completely. Connect: @CariChampion @MyaPlanet9 Learn More: MYAMYA.com Listen: Whine ft Bounty KillerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phoebe Robinson returns to the podcast and she is back on tour! We love having her join us and being witness to her genius. Robinson is having a good time developing spaces for her creativity to thrive and it's allowing her to live and work outside of any specific box or idea. When Phoebe entered the indie comedy scene in 2008 it wasn't her ideal, but now she has hit her stride.   Connect: @CariChampion @dopequeenpheebs Tour Dates: PhoebeRobinson.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tommy Davidson was raised in an era where quality came first as an entertainer, he prides his work and longevity based on the company and talent he group up with.  We learn about his life from the beginning; from being adopted to learning racism and what his skin color meant in the world, to his early start as a comedian making his friend laugh that pushed him to the stage. Read: Living in Color: What's Funny About Me: Stories from In Living Color, Pop Culture, and the Stand-Up Comedy Scene of the 80s & 90s Connect: @CariChampion @TheRealTommyCat Learn More: TommyDavidson.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Mills is a household name, she has been making history since her appearance at the Apollo Theatre at eleven years old to her role as Dorothy in The Wiz on Broadway and winning Grammy’s for her music as a solo artist.  Mills has so many stories from over the years in business; from dating Michael Jackson, being on set with Diana Ross, a love fest with Motown, and more. She shares these monumental experiences casually, but they are undoubtedly legendary. Listen to learn more about her upcoming tour, including a special stop in Montgomery, Alabama to stand against injustice. Connect: @CariChampion @IamStephanieMills Learn More:  IAMSTEPHANIEMILLS.COMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a very special edition of NAKED, it is different from our normal format. We are introducing a new segment and conversation but what really makes this episode special is the intimacy between Cari Champion and her dear friend Jessica Thorpe. The topic is dating and the search to find, “the one”.  Thorpe shares her very unique insight into the single black female hula-hoops, that are prevalent on the dating scene. This is a silly episode, but it circles back to how important it is to be true to who you are and what you want in life. Connect @CariChampion @iammsJessica Let us know your thoughts and experiences dating, leave a comment via Apple Podcast or wherever you’re listening, or slide in the Naked Podcast DMs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Willmore has helped shaped television comedy over the last 3o years.  He is a veteran and a champion in the game working on household favorites such as, In Living Color, The Bernie Mac Show, The Office, Insecure, Grown-ish, and many many more. He is a Writer, Producer, and basketball enthusiast. Wilmore joins us today to discuss the WGA writer’s strike, some of the black women in Hollywood he’s mentored over the years and his NBA thoughts on the season. Connect @CariChampion @LarryWilmore Learn More: LarryWilmore.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sasheer Zamata is an actress, singer, and comedian.  In this episode, she shares her experiences coming up as a black woman in improv, her time at the Upright Citizens Brigade, and SNL. Similar to all thespians as the SAG and WGA strike continues, we couldn't discuss her upcoming roles. We were able to celebrate her new podcast, "Best Friends" with Nicole Byer, and her new self-produced stand-up special, "The First Woman". Connect: @CariChampion @theSheerTruth Special Pre-Order: Sasheer Zamata - The First WomanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kokomo City is a documentary about four transwomen, the black community, our phobias, and our “conditioned ideas” towards alternative lifestyles.   D. Smith’s personal story as a transwoman has not been easy, she has been blacklisted, discarded, embarrassed and etc, but this road led her to her truth as a storyteller and Director. While listening if any portion of this episode makes you feel discomfort offer yourself grace.  Try to remember that the world is changing, so in a lot of ways we are all adjusting, unlearning, and “transitioning” to become a society that doesn't transfer pain but heals and accepts one another for our differences.  Watch the Trailer: KOKOMO CITY - Official Trailer / Directed By: D SMITH / in Theaters July 28th Connect: @carichampion @truedsmith @kokomocityfilm Learn More. KOKOMO CITY FILM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ice Cube is a pioneer in hip-hop. He has been able to thrive in the music and film industry and is now expanding into sports.   In 2017, Cube founded, "The Big3" - a black-owned three-on-three-premier global league that features many of the most popular and skilled athletes of all time. The league offers an opportunity for great ballers to coach and continue playing the game they love in front of home-court fans.  As the Big3 continues to expand, there are some who oppose its growth, Adam Silver the current commissioner of the NBA in particular. Cube joins us to go over in detail the obstacles of the Big3 and we also address the rumor about the Super Bowl.  Connect:  @CariChampion @IceCube @TheBig3 Learn More: Big3.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.