Pivot Podcast

“I was afraid being a mom would hold me back then it became my greatest strength."- Laura Rutledge

A Pivotal conversation as we celebrate Mother’s Day and all the amazing women who impact lives daily. We welcome Emmy Award-Winning sports television host, Laura Rutledge, for a raw and inspiring conversation about the journey behind the success.

Before becoming one of the most recognizable faces in sports media, Laura was on a path that she never thought would end up landing her a sideline view of sports’ biggest arenas from NFL to College Football to The Masters.

In a deeply personal revelation, Laura opens up about the sacrifices, grief, fear of losing her career after becoming a mom, and the relentless work it takes to show up for both family and purpose. A powerful reminder that strength isn’t just what you achieve — it’s what you overcome.

Laura shares the emotional decision of becoming a mother while fearing it could slow down — or even ruin — the career she worked so hard to build. Reflecting on her recent years, she opens up about the real fear and even disappointment of finding out about her first pregnancy and how that single experience changed her mindset and course of life forever. She talks candidly about balancing ambition with family, overcoming doubt, handling loss, and redefining success beyond titles and television. Laura explains the  support of her long-time husband, breaking the mold and attacking life differently than most couples, Laura opens up on the challenges of having a high profile career, while trying to raise kids away from the spotlight and stay true to her roots.

Although her younger years were shaped by a competitive nature- performing ballet overseas, winning Miss Florida in 2012 and developing a deep love of Gator pride attending Florida University, Laura discovered her true calling and the love of her in life, in an unexpected turn. Laura opens up about meeting her husband, Josh early in life and building a relationship while navigating the uncertainty of a rising career in sports broadcasting. She reflects on breaking into a male-dominated industry, earning respect in sports media, and the pressure that came with constantly proving herself on the biggest stages.

This is a powerful conversation about ambition, sacrifice, motherhood, love, and pure authenticity you don’t want to miss. And from our Pivot Family to yours-Happy Mother's Day to all the women out there who consistently show up with unconditional love and praying for those who may be missing their moms today, we see you and send you strength.
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“Do you want to be right or do you want to win? I want to win.” -Will Packer

When Will Packer pulls up to The Pivot Podcast, the conversation goes far beyond Hollywood headlines, combining sports and business to one of the most entertaining yet educational episodes we've had. Will unpacks the real story behind his rise—from grinding it out as a young mind at at HBCU to becoming one of the most powerful producers in the game.

He shares how he built a billion-dollar film resume from the ground up, turning bold ideas into box office hits while navigating an industry that rarely hands out opportunities. But this isn’t just about success. Packer gets candid about the missteps, the pressure of managing money and expectations, and the moments where everything could have fallen apart.

From producing cultural staples to learning hard lessons about risk, partnerships, and perseverance, his journey is a masterclass in betting on yourself—even when the odds say otherwise. From navigating Hollywood’s gatekeepers to creating opportunities where none existed, his path is paved with resilience, ownership, and vision as we unpack the wins, losses, and the pivots in between—and what it really takes to turn ambition into a lasting legacy.

He reflects on hits like Girls Trip, Ride Along, Think Like a Man, and Stomp the Yard to life—films that didn’t just perform well, but became cultural movements. Along the way, he’s collaborated with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, and the late Paul Walker. On day one of filming Takers, Will had to step in and defuse a tense moment when Paul nearly walked off set—quickly navigating the pressure to keep the production on track. It became a test of leadership, showing how staying composed and solutions-focused can turn a potential setback into a moment of trust and respect.

Filled with inside stories, lessons and advice on staying at the top, this episode is about building confidence as a muscle, taking big leaps, and overcoming rejection in order to get doors to finally open, Will is unguarded and uses humor to share some of his most impactful moments to allow us to see a side of him we haven't before, hoping his story inspires and ignites a fire in others.

Pivot Family, comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know!
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“It’s never easy to relive near death experiences.”-Army Sgt. Randy Adams

As May starts, Mental Health Awareness Month, this conversation highlights the importance of confronting trauma, seeking support, and finding hope even in life’s darkest moments.

From the streets of Chicago to the frontlines of Afghanistan, Randy Adams has lived a life marked by conflict, courage, and ultimately, transformation. In this powerful episode of The Pivot Podcast, Randy opens up about his early years growing up in a tough environment where survival often meant learning how to fight—both physically and mentally. Searching for purpose, he enlisted in the military, a decision that would take him across the world into the heart of war.

Randy shares the realities of combat in Afghanistan, the brotherhood forged in battle, and the life-altering moment that changed everything—an unexpected battle that left him with devastating injuries, leading to sepsis damaging the tissues in his face and forcing life-saving surgery to remove severely compromised portions of his face. This traumatic experience forever changed Randy physically and mentally, suffering so much loss.

But what could have been the end of his story became the turning point. Facing unimaginable loss and a long road to recovery, Randy dives into the emotional and psychological aftermath of his injuries, including the struggle to rediscover his identity. He opens up about the darkness he felt and what was the one thing that kept him from ending his life when he thought disappearing was the only option.

Through faith, resilience, and a refusal to give up, Randy found a new mission. While still strategizing and fulfilling military obligations, Randy shares his heartbreak and tragic story serving as a motivational Christian speaker, using his journey to inspire others to overcome adversity and find purpose in pain.

This episode is a raw and honest conversation about trauma, faith, redemption, and what it truly means to pivot when life takes everything from you.

Pivot Family, comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know!
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“Do you want to be right or do you want to be interesting?” Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

In this episode of The Pivot Podcast, we sit down with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for a candid and inspiring conversation about the road that led him to becoming one of Hollywood’s most compelling actors. Full of energy, spunk and true authenticity, Yahya lets his guard down with Ryan, Channing and Fred- revealing a side of deep pain that has led to difficult healing as well as giving us a glimpse into the traits that make him one of film industry's most sought-after leading men.

Yahya opens up about his childhood, sharing what it was like growing up from Louisiana to Oakland and how his upbringing and community helped shape his voice, work ethic, and backbone in creativity. He takes us behind the scenes of his unconventional journey into acting—from his aspirations of architecture and building to taking a leap of faith into acting classes and fully committing to the craft. Yahya reflects on the risks he took, the doubts he faced, and the defining moments that pushed him forward, offering insight into the discipline it took to break into a competitive industry.

The conversation also dives into his standout roles across major hit projects like Aquaman, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Watchmen—the latter earning him critical acclaim and an Emmy Award. Yahya shares how he approaches complex characters and prepares for emotionally demanding performances, giving listeners a deeper understanding of his creative process.

A highlight of the conversation is his discussion of stepping into his latest role, starring as John Creasy in Netflix's new series Man on Fire, famously portrayed by Denzel Washington. Yahya explains how he honors the legacy of the performance while making the role his own—bringing a fresh perspective, new emotional layers, and a distinct physical presence that reflects his personal interpretation. He goes on to share that choosing to be interesting is more impactful than being right, which is a philosophy that he has used to separate himself from others in his craft.

Grounded, thoughtful, and refreshingly honest, Yahya gives us a deeper look at the mindset, resilience, and purpose behind his rise—making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in creativity, reinvention, and chasing purpose beyond comfort.

Pivot Family, comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know!
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“That is the one regret I have of my time playing in New York.”-Patrick Ewing

In this powerful episode of The Pivot Podcast, NBA legend Patrick Ewing sits down for a candid and reflective conversation about the journey that shaped his life and career. This one hits differently as the Hall of Famer, who rarely shares, opens up on all the highs and lows with transparency, emotion and even a touch of humor. 

From his early upbringing and path to basketball greatness, Ewing opens up about the discipline, challenges, and mindset that carried him from humble beginnings to becoming a dominant force at Georgetown to NBA legend. Grounded by the sacrifice of his parents, Patrick Ewing praises his family's move to the United States from Jamaica and how it not only saved his life but paved the way for him to live his dream.

He revisits his iconic college years, where he helped turn Georgetown into a national powerhouse, and shares what it meant to play under the legendary John Thompson. Ewing opens up on his pivotal moment being selected as the NBA's first overall pick to New York and how he became the cornerstone of the Knicks best years and adjusted to Big Apple fame—embracing the pressure of the bright lights, the physicality of 90s basketball, and the responsibility of leading a franchise hungry for a championship.

The conversation doesn’t shy away from the toughest on-court battles and heated rivalries. Ewing reflects on intense matchups against Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon, offering insight into what made those rivalries so challenging and memorable. He speaks honestly about coming close to an NBA title but never quite securing one, and how that reality has shaped his perspective over time. He also gets into the truth behind his once rocky relationship with his former coach Pat Riley and his gratitude for Jeff Van Gundy.

Whether you are a sports fan or love a success story rooted in family and hard work, this will connect with you as we take a trip down memory lane through one of the most infamous times in all of sports, classic moments forever etched in our mind, and inside stories from some of the greatest basketball games and athletes to ever play, told from the perspective of an absolute legend. How Ewing views his impact on the game, what he hopes people remember, and how he’s found peace with both the triumphs and the unfinished business of his career is one of the more honest, thoughtful, and deeply human conversations we've had that goes far beyond basketball.

Pivot Family, comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know!
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