BUILT HERE

Mental health is an important part of every student-athlete's success, both on and off the field of play. In this episode, our guest host, Ariel Johnson sits down with Dr. Jay Bean, Coordinator of Performance Psychology, to discuss common misconceptions surrounding mental health, the unique pressures student-athletes face, and the resources available through Wisconsin Athletics. Tune in to lea...

Travis Beckum, UW–Madison football alum and former NFL tight end, joins Built for What’s Next to talk about life after the game, the skills that translate beyond sport, and how student-athletes can use their experience to create opportunities in the professional world. From competing at a high level to building a career in sports, this episode is all about what it takes to make the transition.

Eric Schremp joins Built for What’s Next to break down careers in finance and the power of long-term thinking. From commercial banking and relationship building to skills student-athletes already possess, this episode explores how discipline, delayed gratification, and strategy translate beyond sport. Whether you have a finance background or not, this conversation highlights different paths into t...

Victoria Ziemek joins Built for What’s Next to break down what actually separates candidates in the hiring process. From interview mistakes to professional presence and translating the student-athlete experience, this episode focuses on how to earn opportunities and stand out.

What comes next after sport? In this opening episode of the Built for What’s Next series, we sit down with Duane Cooper , Associate Director of Employer Relations, to talk about preparing student-athletes for life after competition. From internships and networking to career readiness and professional development, Duane shares how student-athletes can start building their foundation now. This is th...

In this episode, McKayla sits down with Olivia, Manager of NIL Athlete Marketing at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to break down what Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) really looks like for student-athletes. From the resources available on campus to the most common myths and misconceptions, this conversation provides a clear and honest look at how athletes can navigate NIL the right way. Wheth...

Join Olivia Rains, NIL Athlete Marketing Manager, as she sits down with McKayla Zillisch from the Badgers Women's Ice Hockey team to introduce the new host of the Built Here podcast. Get a behind-the-scenes look at McKayla’s journey, her passions, and what she hopes to bring to the show for student-athletes.

Join us as we sit down with Nikki Kerstein and Leena Patibandla for an honest conversation about the transition into college. From navigating academics and campus life to building friendships and finding their footing, they share what surprised them most, what challenged them, and what helped them grow. Along the way, Nikki and Leena offer their best advice for students preparing to make the leap....

This month, host Phoebe Bacon (Swim & Dive) and upcoming BUILT HERE host, Omillio Agard (Football), sit down with Sam Green, CEO of NIL with Sam Green, to unpack the current state of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) in college sports. From building your personal brand to navigating opportunities off the field, this episode offers real advice for student-athletes looking to maximize their platfor...

Phoebe Bacon returns with a brand new episode of BUILT HERE , diving into the heart of community and service. She’s joined by Fiona McLaughlin (Track & Field) and Nathanial Vakos (Football) for a meaningful conversation about what it truly means to give back. From impactful volunteer moments to lasting connections off the field and track, they reflect on the experiences that have shaped their...

Join Phoebe Bacon as she sits down with student-athlete Carter Booth (Volleyball) and Associate Head Coach - Volleyball, Brittany Dildine, as they discuss the perception and platform that women's sports has garnered. Hear their personal experiences and advice as they navigate this ever changing landscape of women's sports. Interested in participating? Click HERE to fill out an interest for...

Phoebe Bacon is back with Owen Lindmark (Men's Hockey '25) and Katy Meuer (Women's Soccer '07) to dive into life after college. In this episode, they explore the challenges and triumphs of transitioning to post-college life, discovering new identities, and building meaningful communities. Tune in for an honest conversation and firsthand insights from those who've navigated the...

In this first episode of Built Here: The Badger Built Podcast , host Phoebe Bacon (Women's Swimming) sits down to discuss the reality of the student-athlete experience with Mia Sowders (Women's Soccer) and Austin Brown (Football). They discuss the pressures of social media, the impact of perfectionism, and the unseen side of the athlete lifestyle. Tune in for an honest conversation about t...

A one-stop-shop for all things Badger Built. Hear fellow student-athletes, alumni, experts, and staff discuss their unique experiences surrounding Badger Built and their interests.