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
Jul 29, 2024 • 55min
NAKED REPLAY - LYNETTE WOODARD - A True Trailblazer
Lynette Woodard is a retired American basketball Hall of Fame player, the First Female Globetrotter, a 2x Olympic Gold Medalist, and a former women's basketball head coach. Woodard walks us through the particulars of what it’s like to be, "the first". Connect: @CariChampion @theLynetteWoodard Learn More: LynetteWoodard.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 15, 2024 • 55min
NAKED REPLAY - DAWN STALEY - Player, Coach, Legend.
Dawn Staley grew up in a competitive household that prepared her for whatever the outside world would throw at her - but nothing could have readied her for being a female basketball player in the early ’90s. The WNBA was non-existent, and players had few career opportunities to compete professionally, but Staley was determined. She played overseas, worked odd jobs, and kept her head in the game, but not even she could have predicted the road that would lead her to South Carolina. After years of playing and coaching, Staley had witnessed various degrees of inequity, but this year '2021" she changed the sport and the trajectory for women to follow her. Off-the-court Dawn Staley has already won! During this episode, Staley speaks openly about her journey, what it took to get her here, and the risk involved. One thing is for certain; she earned this moment. Now back to the game. Learn More: University of South Carolina Women's Basketball Stay connected @CariChampion @staley05 Send us a message or write a review: @nakedwithcarichampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 8, 2024 • 55min
NAKED REPLAY - DEBORAH JOY WINANS - I Am Enough
Born into a well-known talented family that has made a lasting imprint in the world of Gospel music, the natural progression would be to follow in their footsteps. However, Deborah Joy Winans decided to live her life following the direction of her heart. Deborah Joy is best known for her role in Greenleaf and The Final Say. She joins us today to share a special story about the birth of her son, when Oprah called her, and her upcoming role in the allblk original series, Terror Lake Drive. Connect: @CariChampion @DeborahJoyWinans Learn More: JoyWinans.com Subscribe: Cari Champion’s YouTube ChannelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 17, 2024 • 42min
NAKED REPLAY - ANGIE STONE - Love Language
Angie Stone is a singer, songwriter, actress, and a legend in her own right. You may remember her song, “Brotha” an anthem to uplift our brothers, sons, and fathers. Angie Stone has been consistent with creating art that aligns with her soul, black love, and culture. Her new album, "Love Languages" is now available! Connect: @carichampion @theangiestone Learn More: TheAngieStone.com Listen: Angie Stone on Spotify Angie Stone on AppleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 10, 2024 • 1h 29min
NAKED REPLAY - Van Lathan - Tales of Transformation
Van Lathan is an established host and media personality from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Currently, Van resides in Los Angeles and is developing film and television projects. Lathan is the author of Fat, Crazy, and Tired: Tales from the Trenches of Transformation, Lathan explains in this episode why he wrote this book and how it helped him exercise some of his own demons. Van and Cari have a heated discussion over the unbalanced attraction men and women have to power. The Book: Fat, Crazy, and Tired: Tales from the Trenches of Transformation Connect: @VanLathan @CariChampion Share your thoughts: @NakedwithCariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 3, 2024 • 40min
NAKED REPLAY - LEXI UNDERWOOD - Tomorrow is in Good Hands.
UPDATE: Lexi Underwood made the Forbes 30 Under 30 List. Congrats! Lexi Underwood is young, gifted, and black, and with the love and support of her family, she is on her way to greatness. Eight years ago after booking her role in, "The Lion King" her family decided to move to LA to further her career. Underwood is just getting started and as she leaves her teenage years behind, she readies herself for a softer life with focused intentions. She is an actress and activist with a clear direction for the work her generation has ahead of them.Connect: @CariChampion @LexiUnderwood Learn More: LexiUnderwood.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 27, 2024 • 49min
NAKED REPLAY - JEMELE HILL – On The Other Side
A memoir is a literary example of being, “Naked” and expressing your story to the page. Jemele Hill recently released her memoir, “Uphill” and she doesn’t hold back, but sometimes truth comes at a cost. They say the truth doesn’t have a temperature, but some of her family members (one in particular) was pretty heated over the stories Hill decided to tell in her debut book. In this episode we discuss the aftermath of living your truth, sharing your story, and being bold enough to do so. Hill has consistently exhibited her bravery by standing by her words and opinions and you can expect nothing less from her book or this conversation. Learn More: Jemele Hill About the book: Uphill: A Memoir by Jemele Hill Connect: @CariChampion @JemeleHillSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 20, 2024 • 46min
NAKED REPLAY - STYLES P - Health x Hip Hop
Styles P's name is synonymous with the Lox, New York, Hip Hop, and now a healthy lifestyle. Styles didn't grow up vegan/plant-based, but after making small changes over the years, he adopted the lifestyle to transition his health, mind, and energy intentionally. In this episode, Styles elaborates on how he ventured into creating healthier options in the neighborhoods that need them most. Connect: @StylesP @CariChampion Learn More: Farmacy For LifeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 13, 2024 • 1h 3min
NAKED REPLAY - AMANDA SEALES - I’m On Tour!
UPDATE: Amanda is currently on The Unlikeable Tour Is Amanda Seales misunderstood or just an unfiltered unapologetic loud voice, and you have to be informed on the topics before you can understand her critiques? Seales is a Comedian and Common Sense Specialist and the creator of Smart, Funny & Black Radio. She gained her notoriety after making the radical decision to move across the country from New York to California and within four months was cast in HBO’s Insecure as Tiffany Dubois, she also explains how this character came to life. As she continues to grow her online community and within the public eye, it’s not without a little backlash but we have a feeling, she won’t go quietly into the night…in fact, she might just get louder and louder and LOUDER. Get informed: AmandaSeales.com Connect: @CariChampion @AmandaSealesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 6, 2024 • 31min
NAKED REPLAY - JOCELYN BIOH - A New Generation of Theatre
Highlight: Jocelyn Bioh received five Tony Award nominations for her play, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Shop. Broadway is evolving. With artists like Michael R Jackson, Jordan E Cooper, and our guest today, Jocelyn Bioh, Broadway is becoming a home for our stories. As a Harlem native, Bioh was inspired to tell the story of the women we all have encountered, if/when you've ever visited Harlem. The women who feed the neighborhood's economy and provide a quintessential need. Every person who has visited a salon, deeply understands that getting your hair braided; is a well-rounded experience, perhaps even spiritual. Bioh shares this never-been-told intimate transformation with her audiences on Broadway! The play, "Jaja's African Hair Braiding" is now on Broadway with its 2nd extended run till November 19th. Learn More: Jaja's African Hair Braiding Get Tickets! Connect: @CariChampion @JJBiohSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
