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
Sep 26, 2022 • 1h 19min
He Owes Denzel Money! - Jay Pharoah
In today’s episode, we have, Obama, Jay Z, Eddie Murphy, and Denzel Washington joining us by way of Jay Pharoah. Pharoah is an Actor, Comedian, and Impressionist best known for his work on SNL. Comedy found Pharoah in his adolescence where he used it as a way to fit in and avoid getting bullied by his peers. We discuss his top comedic influences and how celebrities feel about impressions. Watch the Trailer: Out of Office Connect: @CariChampion @JayPharoah Watch the in-studio interview on YouTube - Wednesday, September 28th! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 19, 2022 • 56min
The Woman King with Gina Prince-Bythewood
Gina Prince Bythewood is a distinguished director dedicated to putting strong black characters in the forefront of her films. Which hasn’t always been easy, Bythewood shares with us the ongoing fight of her career to do exactly that. One would say with the release of her new film, “The Woman King” now in theaters she is certainly winning, but she knows the fight continues. Bythewood has been making films for the last twenty years, releasing her first feature, “Love and Basketball” in the year 2000. One would also think that after such a masterpiece for the culture and film history she would have the support needed to make the films she wanted. Let’s just say that ignited the rage that fueled her to become the Director she is today. The Woman King is a historical epic that is based on an alternate history of The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states in Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries, starring the Academy Award-winning actress, Viola Davis. This is an absolute much watch, not only for the amazing talent, but when you watch it, you’re signing up to join the fight towards making sure more films like this get made. Watch the Trailer and Get Your Tickets: TheWomanKing.movie Connect: @CariChampion @GPBmadeitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 12, 2022 • 54min
Bevelations with Bevy Smith
Best-selling author of BEVELATIONS – Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, Bestie, #TedTalk Speaker, Award Winning TV & Radio Host. In this episode Bevy shares some of those lessons and a few stories from her journey. Bevy and Cari swap Tupac stories and we gained insight into the inspiration behind her best-selling book. Connect: @CariChanpion @BevySmith Stay updated with the latest episodes: @NakedwithCariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 5, 2022 • 48min
When We ALL Vote with Stephanie Young
When We All Vote is a leading national, nonpartisan initiative on a mission to change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap. With only 65 Days until the Midterm Elections Executive Director, Stephanie Young joins us to discuss the history and importance of voting. “Democracy is a team sport.” Stephanie Young Resource: When We All Vote Connect: @CariChampion @SlynnYoung @WhenWeAllVote Let us know if you will be voting during the 2022 midterms: @NakedwithCariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 29, 2022 • 60min
The Hustle Muscle is Strong with Carla Hall
Recipes, Fashion, Fun from Restauranteur, Author, and Chef Carla Hall. Hall shares her stories from the runway to the kitchen. Her motto is to say yes, adventure follows...then growth and this has proven to be the recipe for Hall's success. Hall's hustle muscle is strong with several books available including a Children's book, Carla and the Christmas Cornbread" and an upcoming show entitled,"Chasing Flavor" premiering in January! Learn More: CarlaHall.com Connect: @CariChampion @CarlaPHall Share with us your favorite family recipe: @NakedwithCariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 22, 2022 • 43min
POPS with Craig Melvin
Craig Melvin is an award-winning news anchor on NBC News’ “TODAY,” a co-host of 3rd Hour TODAY, an anchor on MSNBC Live, and a host of “Dateline.” His breaking news coverage and reporting appear across all NBC News and MSNBC platforms. Melvin walks us step by step on the road to getting, “the dream job…the gig” that he has now and the important lessons he learned from his Pops that helped shaped the man he has become. Learn More: Pops: Learning To Be A Son And A Father Connect: @CariChampion @CraigMelvinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 15, 2022 • 32min
The Joy of Show Business with Sheryl Lee Ralph
Sheryl Lee Ralph is an American actress, singer, author, and activist. Ralph shares stories of her life in show business; from her very first audition, experiencing fame, and the various roles of her career. Ralph currently stars on Abbott Elementary and is the founder of, Diva's Simply Singing" the longest consecutive running musical AIDS benefit in the country. Connect: @CariChampion @theSherylLeeRalphSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 8, 2022 • 1h 27min
Game with Grant Hill
This is a special extended episode with one of the players that inspired Cari’s initial attraction to collegiate basketball. Grant Henry Hill is an American former professional basketball player who is a co-owner and executive of the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association. He joins us from his family’s home in the D.C. area to share stories of his upbringing, family, and long-lasting commitment to the game. Read: Game: An Autobiography Listen: Game: An Autobiography – The Audiobook Connect: @CariChampion @realGrantHillSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 1, 2022 • 48min
Living Loudly with Tatyana Ali
When you’ve been in the business since childhood your perspective of the industry has generations of evaluation and insight. We spend some time discussing yesteryears but in addition to what we know of Ali, she expounds on her dedication to the maternal health of black women. After experiencing a difficult birth with her son, Ali started to question why. Why her? Why do so many black women in America have such incredibly difficult deliveries? Connect: @TatyanaAli @CariChampion Who should we interview next? @NakedwithCariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 25, 2022 • 1h 7min
Reasonable Doubt with Michael Ealy
This next guest needs no introduction, on second thought we may need to, because he has the tendency to cause quite the uproar, especially among the ladies. Michael Ealy has had high-class problems for the last twenty-plus years, but somehow he is still shy and humble to receive all the attention. With a consistent career and staying power, he gears up for his latest project, “Reasonable Doubt” scheduled to premiere this fall. Ealy speaks openly about his longevity and how he controls his lane. Connect: @MichaelEaly @CariChampion Who’s Your Favorite Celebrity Crush? @NakedwithCariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
