Born To The Game Podcast

In this special episode of Born to the Game - Summer League Rewind, we revisit our conversation with Zeke Thomas — DJ, activist, and son of NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas. Zeke joined hosts Mariah Woodson and Tamara Peyton live at NBA Summer League 2025 to talk about growing up in the shadow of one of basketball's greatest legends, carving his own identity, and using his platform to fight fo...

Teddy Pendergrass was a legendary singer and songwriter from the 60s and 70s that attracted the attention of women world wide. But when one of the closest women to him is murdered, and then he suffers a near fatal accident years later.. Are people wrong to suggest that the two may be connected? JOIN US as we discuss Teddy Pendegrass and the murder of Taaz Lang. RIP to the victims 💔 Black True Cri...

In this episode of Born to the Game, Alexis Polynice, daughter of 15-year NBA veteran Olden Polynice, opens up about growing up inside professional basketball culture and the unexpected ways her father's career shaped her identity, relationships, and professional path. Olden Polynice's basketball journey was remarkable — born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he played center for the Seattle SuperSo...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Mike Woodson, Mariah Woodson, Olden Polynice & Alexis Polynice NBA Fatherhood, Family Legacy & Old-School Basketball Stories What happens when two NBA fathers sit down with their daughters to talk legacy, family, basketball, and the stories fans never get to hear? In this special episode of Born to the Game, we bring together two father-daughter duos: Mariah Woo...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Father’s Day Special Fatherhood, Family, Rest, Legacy & Celebrating the Men Who Show Up In this special Father’s Day episode of Born to the Game, Mariah Woodson and Temara Payton switch things up for a heartfelt, funny, and honest catch-up conversation about life lately, the need to reset, the pressure to always be busy, cooking as a form of peace, and t...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Zach Woolridge Orlando Woolridge’s Legacy, Life After Loss & Building a Name of His Own What does it mean to grow up as the son of an NBA star whose career stretched from Notre Dame to the Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and beyond — while still learning how to define yourself outside of the game? In this episode of Born to the Game ,...

Description: 🎙️ Born to the Game — Jade Johnson NBA Legacy, Finding Her Voice & Building a Creative Empire Beyond the Game What does it mean to grow up inside NBA culture — surrounded by greatness, discipline, expectation, and legacy — while still learning how to become fully yourself? In this episode of Born to the Game , Jade Johnson, daughter of NBA standout and Phoenix Su...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Danielle Tisdale Wayman Tisdale’s Legacy, Life After Loss & Carrying Joy Forward What does it mean to grow up as the daughter of someone who was not only an NBA star, but also a beloved jazz musician, devoted father, and constant source of joy? In this episode of Born to the Game , Danielle Tisdale , daughter of the late Wayman Tisdale , opens up about growing...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Asia Monet Ray Childhood Fame, Dance Moms & Finding Your Voice Beyond Perfection What does it mean to grow up in the spotlight before you are old enough to fully understand it—and still become your own person beyond the stage? In this episode of Born to the Game , Asia Monet Ray—singer, dancer, actress, and daughter of bodybuilding legend Shawn Ray&mdash...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Jessica & Justin Johnson of The Serving Spoon Legacy, Community & Carrying Forward an Inglewood Institution What does it mean to inherit more than a family business — to inherit a cultural landmark that an entire city calls home? In this episode of Born to the Game, Jessica Bane and Justin Johnson, owners of the legendary Serving Spoon in Inglewood, share...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Kajun Russell Legacy, Identity & Building Your Own Path Beyond the Game What does it mean to grow up in the shadow of one of the NBA’s most intense eras—and still carve out your own identity beyond it? In this episode of Born to the Game, Kajun Russell—entrepreneur, creative, and co-founder of Tuff Crowd—opens up about growing up as the daugh...

  🎙️  Born to the Game — Lucky Rose Kyles Legacy, Identity & Finding Your Own Voice Beyond Fame What does it mean to grow up with one of the most recognizable comedians in the world—and still have to discover who you are beyond it? In this episode of Born to the Game , Lucky Rose Kyles—founder of Pretty Lucky Lips and daughter of legendary comedian Cedric the Entert...

🎙️ Born to the Game — 1 Month In The Grind, The Growth & The Vision | Season 2 Recap What happens when you stop waiting for the “right time” and just go for it? In this special recap episode of Born to the Game , hosts Mariah Woodson and Temara Payton take a step back to reflect on the first month of Season 2—what they’ve built, what they’ve learned, and wha...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Deborah Joy Winans Faith, Legacy & Choosing Your Own Path | The Winans Family Story What does it mean to come from one of the most influential families in gospel history—and still carve your own identity? In this powerful episode of Born to the Game , Deborah Joy Winans—actress ( Greenleaf ), storyteller, and daughter of gospel legend Carvin Winans&mdash...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Kylee Evans (Recap Episode) Presence, Storytelling & Being “Up Next” What happens when raw talent meets authenticity, presence, and purpose? In this recap episode of Born to the Game , Mariah Woodson and Temara Payton reflect on their unforgettable conversation with Kylee Evans—an emerging creative force whose storytelling, energy, and vision left...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Larry Drew Jr. Pressure, Identity & Finding Purpose Beyond the Game In this powerful episode of Born to the Game , we sit down with Larry Drew II. —former NBA Player, McDonald’s All-American, NCAA Basketball National Champion, and son of longtime NBA coach Larry Drew Sr.—to unpack what it really means to grow up in the game. From courtside childhoo...

🎙️ Born to the Game — KyLee Evans Recap Storytelling, Presence & What It Means to Be “Up Next” In this recap episode of Born to the Game , we reflect on our powerful and joy-filled conversation with KyLee Evans —a rising creative force with a voice, vision, and presence far beyond her years. From the moment KyLee sat down with us, it felt like reconnecting with an old f...

🎙️ Born to the Game — KyLee Evans Creating Your Own Lane | Legacy, Creativity & Confidence What does it really mean to grow up around greatness—and still choose your own path? In this episode of Born to the Game , KyLee Evans—writer, creator, and daughter of legendary television showrunner Bentley Evans—shares her journey from growing up inside iconic Hollywood storytel...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Weekly Recap  Joy, Vulnerability & Legacy | Reflecting on Our First Episodes In this week’s recap, we take a moment to reflect on the powerful conversations that launched Born to the Game — from Mariah’s deeply personal and vulnerable debut episode to our inspiring sit-down with Mason Dean. This episode is all about what stayed with us. We tal...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Mason Dean Legacy, Identity & Finding Your Own Voice What does it really mean to grow up in the shadow of greatness and still become your own person? In this episode of Born to the Game , we sit down with Mason Dean , grandson of the legendary Whoopi Goldberg, for an honest, funny, and deeply reflective conversation about legacy, pressure, and self-discovery. From r...

🎙️ Born to the Game — Mariah Woodson Turning Pain Into Purpose | The Story Behind the Show Before Born to the Game became a platform… it was pain. In this deeply personal episode, Mariah Woodson steps out from behind the mic and onto the couch to share the story that started it all. The daughter of NBA player and coach Mike Woodson , Mariah opens up about growing up around the game&md...

Jazmin Erving, daughter of NBA icon Julius “Dr. J” Erving, joins Mariah Woodson and Temara Payton on Born To The Game for an inspiring conversation about life, legacy, and identity. In this episode, Jazmin opens up about: ✨ Growing up as the daughter of one of basketball’s most legendary figures 💬 The pressures and expectations of living under a famous last name 🌟 How she’s building her own pat...

Zeke Thomas — DJ, activist, and son of NBA legend Isiah Thomas joins Mariah Woodson and Temara Payton on Born To The Game for an unforgettable Vegas episode. In this powerful conversation, Zeke opens up about: 🏀 Growing up as the son of an NBA icon 💡 Finding purpose beyond the spotlight 💬 Lessons on identity, resilience, and legacy Born To The Game is where the children of legendary athletes, e...

In this episode of Born To The Game, Mariah & Temara sit down with two powerhouse women who grew up in the glow of sports royalty — but are now shining in their own light. 🖤 Victoria Green, daughter of NFL legend Victor Green 🖤 Chonell Springs, daughter of NBA great Thurl Bailey They open up about the weight of expectations and the realities of growing up as the daughters of famous fathers —...

In this episode of Born To The Game, Mariah & Temara sit down with Justin Johnson, son of NBA legend Eddie Johnson, and Sydney Cheaney, daughter of NBA great Calbert Cheaney — for a raw, deeply human conversation about identity, pressure, and growth. Justin opens up about the emotional weight of following in his father’s footsteps on the court — and the personal mental health battles he faced...