At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua , we sit down with rising Michigan State linebacker Jordan Hall — a leader on and off the field whose impact is already being felt across the Big Ten. Jordan opens up about: → How his faith in Jesus grounds him through the highs and lows of being a student-athlete → Lessons in leadership that translate far beyond football → The transition from I...

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we're sitting down with Jeremy Sasson, the visionary behind Heirloom Hospitality, the group responsible for some of the most acclaimed dining experiences in the country. Jeremy shares his journey from his early inspirations to creating a hospitality brand known for unforgettable service, design, and cuisine. We explore the mindset it takes...

From overlooked to undeniable. In this inspiring episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua , Manny sits down with Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert to talk about his unlikely journey from Brother Rice High School to the NFL. An undrafted free agent out of Northern Illinois, DaRon has navigated position changes, injuries, and the pressure of proving himself in one of the league’s most compe...

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we're sitting down with 4 x NBA Champion Draymond Green. Draymond has become a legend on the court, but his legacy off the court is growing swiftly. He has a major goal of becoming a billionaire one day, and in this conversation, we touch on how exactly he plans to get to that point, and what other young athletes should focus on to surpass...

At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua welcomes former Chicago Bear, speaker, and author Desmond Clark to the mic. In this episode, Desmond shares his inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing in Florida to becoming a standout receiver at Wake Forest and achieving a 12-year career in the NFL. He opens up about the invaluable life lessons he learned from his coaches, including the transformative i...

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, Manny sits down with Charles L. Ruiz (AKA Charlie Ruiz), a leadership performance coach, keynote speaker, and former professional baseball player, to uncover the transformative power of presence in leadership and life.  With a career spanning professional sports, the startup world, and leadership coaching, Charles has developed a unique approac...

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Notre Dame Football starting guard Rocco Spindler. Rocco Spindler is the son of Marc Spindler, a former NFL defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions. He shares with us his upbringing, how wrestling made him a great football player, the reality of being a five star recruit in high school, and the promise he made his grandf...

In this episode of "At the Podium" with Manuel Amezcua, Wallo267 shares his incredible transformation from serving 20 years in prison to becoming a successful entrepreneur and social media influencer within just 7 years outside of the system. Wallo talks about the importance of having a clear end game, setting goals, and making lists to keep on track with your final end vision. He emphasiz...

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Josh Ross, linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens and former Michigan Wolverine.  Josh takes us through his journey from Southfield High School to standout performances at Michigan to his ongoing career in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. Josh shares the importance of family pride and how his family's unwavering suppo...

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with National Champion, NCAA ‘24 cover athlete, and aspiring philanthropist Donovan Edwards. Donovan Edwards is entering his final year at Michigan, and is looking to help the Wolverines defend their national championship for the 2024-2025 season. With his head coach Jim Harbaugh leaving for the NFL’s LA Chargers, many though...

Brenden Rice is a professional football player for the LA Chargers, former Colorado Buffalo and USC Trojan, and the son of the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Jerry Rice. In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, Manny and Brenden go deep on Brenden’s upbringing in Chandler, Arizona, the pressure involved in being the son of an NFL legend, his time at USC with Caleb Williams and...

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Alexander (A.J.) Johnson. A.J. is one of Tennessee's greatest linebackers of all time, is a member of Gainesville’s Hall of Fame, and is a professional football player in the NFL. Manny and A.J. discuss how A.J. set clear expectations for himself from a young age. As you’ll hear, A.J. believes that in order to reach...

On this week’s episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, Manny is sitting down with Bill Burke, former Michigan State Spartans quarterback. Currently, Bill works with The Podium Group and is the author of Victory Outside the Arena: How Athletes Can Go From Isolated to Inspired Once the Applause Begins to Fade.  Before this new phase of his life though, he learned the power of focusing and givi...

Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with a long time friend of Manny’s, Amir Syed. Amir is the child of Iranian immigrants who fled in the midst of war. The Syed family ultimately settled in Chicago where Amir’s father Hassan undertook many small business opportunities to keep food on the table and support his family. Through these experiences, Amir earned an MBA in stre...

Today on "At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua," we’re sitting down with Jason Wilson. Mr. Jason Wilson is the founder and CEO of The Yunion (pronounced "union"), a non-profit youth development organization in Detroit, Michigan.  Since 2003, The Yunion has effectively reached more than 15,000 youth and young adults through innovative prevention programming, trauma-informed care, paren...

On this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with the head football coach and athletic director of Detroit Country Day School, Dan MacLean. Coach MacLean has taken Detroit Country Day to 7 state championships and has won two. During his almost 4 decades holding this position, he has had the honor of coaching some of the NFL’s highest profile players, and has helped coun...

Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with former NFL players Israel Idonije and Jake Butt. Both Israel and Jake have played the game of football at the highest level, and are now taking the skills and lessons they learned in the NFL to their lives outside of the game. Israel Idonije’s journey started in Canada at the University of Manitoba, but his hard work took him to a...

Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with NCAA and Michigan State Legend, Greg Kelser. Greg Kelser has lived a life unlike many. He moved over 10 times as a child due to the fact that his parents were in the military, and along the way he acquired a unique approach to life that is still serving him today. He has overcome obstacles during his athletic journey, ranging from...

Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we have the pleasure of sitting down with John Huggins, a safety from Jackson State University who will be waiting to hear his name get called in the 2024 NFL Draft. John’s story begins in the Bronx, but he had many stops along the way. He played high school football in Florida before committing to Florida State. However, after Jimbo Fisher took the Texa...

Join us for an inspiring journey on At the Podium as we delve into the remarkable story of Jana Webb, the CEO and Founder of JOGA World. Born and raised in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Jana's passion for sports and yoga led her to revolutionize athlete performance with her innovative approach. Despite facing adversity, including two near-fatal accidents, Jana turned to yoga for rehabilitat...

Join us on At The Podium for an invigorating episode featuring DJ Myint as she brings her electrifying beats to Detroit's top sports organizations, igniting the stadium with her contagious energy. Explore the vibrant world of Nicole Myint as she shares her journey from local venues to global stages, igniting joy and creating pathways for positive change. As the 2023 DETROITER of the year, Nico...

This week on At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we are delighted to introduce one of the youngest and most promising performers ever featured on the show – Avery Gach. Hailing from Wylie E. Groves in Beverly Hills, MI, Avery has quickly made a name for himself as a standout blue-chip offensive tackle recruit. Throughout our conversation, Avery generously shares valuable insights into his journey a...

Join us this week on At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua for an intimate exploration into the remarkable career and mindset of Lauren Walsh. As the EVP of Branding and Marketing at Solid Foundation Management, Lauren has made it her mission to guide athletes and entertainers toward their podium moments, both on and off the field. From her beginnings as a self-starting collegiate athlete to becoming...

Join us At The Podium for an exclusive episode featuring the extraordinary Dwane Casey. Beyond the basketball courts and championship podiums, Casey's life story is a tapestry of early triumphs, family bonds, and a coaching legacy that spans decades. Key Points for Listeners: - Early Triumphs and Top Recruit: Explore Dwane Casey's early life, from his birth in Indianapolis to becoming a to...

Embark on an inspiring journey with Nathan Carter, the resilient Michigan State Running Back #5, as he shares his story of overcoming adversity. Born on May 22, 2002, in Rochester, New York, Carter's early life laid the foundation for a remarkable journey in football. A standout at Bishop Kearney High School, he not only excelled on the field but also demonstrated leadership as a team captain...