Naked Sports with Cari Champion
The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts
NAKED SPORTS lives at the intersection of sports, politics, and culture. It is a niche groundbreaking interview-based show that dives deep into the lives of the game-changers who have helped shape our world. We explore how sports are interwoven not only into their personal lives; but the role they play in the global experience. NAKED SPORTS is hosted by Cari Champion, a trailblazing broadcast journalist and television personality renowned for her pioneering contributions to sports media for women.
In each episode, this distinguished host sits down with, a diverse array of athletes, politicians, and cultural innovators who have left an indelible mark on their fields. Through intimate, unfiltered conversations, the show reveals the raw and vulnerable sides of their journeys—peeling back the layers to explore the defining moments, personal struggles, and transformative experiences that live at the intersection of sports, culture, and politics.
These conversations are thematically linked to live at the intersection and on this new season of NAKED SPORTS, we begin with a six-part docu-series, The Making of a Rivalry: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese, in which Cari questions how this “rivalry” started. Does the necessity for success depend on a foil? In a time of divisiveness, are sports—more specifically the WNBA—a reflection of our country? Or will the greatness of two supernovas unite this country and heal race relations?
NAKED SPORTS guests will span varied backgrounds, providing diverse perspectives as we examine how sports play a crucial role in nearly every aspect of life.
Connect: @CARICHAMPION
In each episode, this distinguished host sits down with, a diverse array of athletes, politicians, and cultural innovators who have left an indelible mark on their fields. Through intimate, unfiltered conversations, the show reveals the raw and vulnerable sides of their journeys—peeling back the layers to explore the defining moments, personal struggles, and transformative experiences that live at the intersection of sports, culture, and politics.
These conversations are thematically linked to live at the intersection and on this new season of NAKED SPORTS, we begin with a six-part docu-series, The Making of a Rivalry: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese, in which Cari questions how this “rivalry” started. Does the necessity for success depend on a foil? In a time of divisiveness, are sports—more specifically the WNBA—a reflection of our country? Or will the greatness of two supernovas unite this country and heal race relations?
NAKED SPORTS guests will span varied backgrounds, providing diverse perspectives as we examine how sports play a crucial role in nearly every aspect of life.
Connect: @CARICHAMPION
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 19, 2024 • 36min
ISHA BLAAKER - The Film Origin
Isha Blaaker joins Naked today to discuss his background growing up in Suriname and the Netherlands, his aspirations in martial arts and modeling, and his transition to acting. He shares his experiences working on a Tyler Perry film and the growth he has seen in his acting skills. Isha also expresses the importance of the film 'Origin' in shedding light on racism and race relations. Isha opens up about his own experiences with racism in America and the challenges he has faced.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 12, 2024 • 37min
THE SUPER BOWL EDITION
It’s a Super Bowl Edition on NAKED this week and Cari sits down with Kobe Turner, a nose tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, and Coach Michael Locksley, the president and founder of the National Coalition for Minority Football Coaches. Kobe discusses his love for music and his dream of becoming a high school choir director. Coach Locksley talks about the lack of minority head coaches in the NFL and the work his organization is doing to promote and prepare aspiring coaches. Both guests share their experiences and perspectives on the importance of character, familiarity, and third-party validation in the coaching industry. Connect: @CariChampion @KobieTurner @CoachLocksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 5, 2024 • 48min
ANTONIA HYLTON - Madness
In this conversation, Antonia Hylton discusses her book 'Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum' and the history of Crownsville, a mental facility for black patients during the Jim Crow era. The conversation covers the background of Antonia's interest in journalism and mental health, the discovery of Crownsville, the construction and operation of the facility, the treatment of patients, and the broader implications of Crownsville as a microcosm of American history. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding and sharing our history to address the challenges of mental health in present-day America. Connect:@CariChampion @AHylton26 Learn More: AntoniaHylton.com Order MADNESS the BookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 29, 2024 • 37min
DR. CHERYL P. WILLIAMSON - The Power of Affirmations
In this conversation, Cheryl P. Williamson discusses the power of affirmations and the impact they can have on one's life. She shares her journey of using affirmations to overcome challenges and manifest her desires. Cheryl emphasizes the importance of self-love and the need to pour into oneself before pouring into others. She also talks about her writings, including her recently released book, “Affirmed Volume Two”. Connect: @CariChampion @CherylPWilliamson Learn More: CherylPWilliamson.com Read: Affirmed Volume TwoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 22, 2024 • 1h 6min
CHIKÉ OKONKWO – Being An Artist is a Political Act
In this conversation, Chiké Okonkwo discusses his background as a Nigerian growing up in the UK, his journey to becoming an actor, and the challenges and triumphs he has faced in the industry. He reflects on the impact of the film 'The Birth of a Nation' and the importance of telling untold stories. Chiké also shares his experiences as a black man in America and the perseverance required in the acting profession. He discusses his voice acting work on the Calm app and the TV show 'La Brea,' where he explores his character's backstory. We also explore the importance of complex characters and the impact of historical work. He shares his favorite performances by Denzel Washington, Robert De Niro, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sidney Poitier. He also introduces us to his new venture as one of the founders of Mansa, a platform for curated black culture. Connect: @CariChampion @ChikeOkonkwo Subscribe: Cari Champion’s YouTube Channel Learn More: Mansa.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 15, 2024 • 1h 3min
WILSON MORALES - The Talent Can’t Do it All
As we celebrate award season, Wilson Morales joins us from BlackFilmandTV.com to discuss predictions and he offers a 101 on the overall award show selection process. Connect: @CariChampion @WilsonMoralesFilm Let us know your Oscar favorites and why! @NakedwithCariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 8, 2024 • 41min
Is Black Excellence Enough?
Is Black Excellence a shield that protects us from scrutiny or attacks from extremist with subpar accusations that seemingly weigh heavier that our excellence by their accounts? Being great at doing what you do does not equate to an opportunity to continue to do so. Last week, Claudine Gay, the first black woman to hold the title of President of Harvard University in its 388 years history resigned or rather was forced to step down after being accused of plagiarism. Throughout countless occasions we can pinpoint circumstances where persons of color were forced to redirect their greatness or remove their excellence from the deemed goal, due to ill-intended persecution, is this another one of those scenarios? Learn More: Claudine Gay Connect: @CariChampion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 1, 2024 • 37min
BEST OF NAKED 2023
As we embrace a new year, we are taking a moment to highlight some of our favorite episodes and we hope you are also reflecting on your accomplishments from 2023! Happy New Year Champions! Connect: @CariChampion Visit: CariChampion.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 25, 2023 • 51min
DENIESE DAVIS - Reforming Hollywood
Today is a gift to filmmakers and anyone who has a vision for their goals. A masterclass coupled with an intimate backstory of how Deniese Davis became the Producer she is today. Davis is entering into 2024 with her new company, Reform Media Group, and a production deal with Tyler Perry Studios to start creating her first film. Based on her trajectory thus far and her work with Issa Rae, the next chapter will continue to inspire. Connect: @CariChampion @MsDeniese Learn More: RMG x TPS Deal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 18, 2023 • 46min
MITCHELL S. JACKSON – A Fashionable Storyteller
Mitchell S. Jackson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. His debut novel The Residue Years won a Whiting Award and The Ernest J. Gaines Prize for Literary Excellence. But well before his acclaimed career took flight; he wrote a feature on three athletes from his neighborhood who didn’t make it to the NBA. Now years later well into his acclaimed career, his latest book brings him full circle back to the beginning with, “Fly” a coffee table book that fuses fashion with basketball. Listen to the end to hear Cari and Mitchell discuss their favorite NBA player’s fashion choices. Connect: @CariChampion @MitchSJackson Learn More: MitchellSJackson.com FLY – The Big Book of Basketball Fashion Amazon | BOOKSHOP | B&N | POWELL’S | AppleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
