Naked Sports with Cari Champion

This next guest truly needs no introduction, he is a veteran in the game. We get into a conversation about mental health, his family, and of course his music. Kirk Franklin changed the ambiance around Gospel music. He quite frankly made it cool. Found out what’s behind Franklin’s motivation and learn about his upcoming TV show on this episode. Listen to Kirk Franklin's New Single: All Things Conne...

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 disc...

This is a special extended episode with one of the players that inspired Cari’s initial attraction to collegiate basketball. Grant Henry Hill is an American former professional basketball player who is a co-owner and executive of the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association. He joins us from his family’s home in the D.C. area to share stories of his upbringing, family, and long-lasting...

Veteran NBA player and analyst, Jalen Rose joins us on today's episode. We discuss the yesteryears; the unhealthy anger he carried as a young Jalen from the North West Side of Detroit, the Fab FIVE Era/the documentary, and the regrets of not winning more championships. Who doesn't know a child named, "Jalen" despite all odds he is inspiring and evolving.  Learn More: Jalen Rose Follow  @carichampi...

Creative control cannot be given to Katt Williams, he has and always had control. After releasing 11-self-produced specials, Williams releases his second collaborative production with Netflix entitled “World War III”.  Yes, this is a comedic special and yes you will laugh, but the topics/theme of misinformation breaking down the lies vs the truth are worthy of sparking conversation.  In addition,...

Is Amanda Seales misunderstood or is she 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 m...

Van Lathan is an established host and media personality from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At present, Van resides in Los Angeles and is developing both 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 Carrie have a h...

Naked was started during the pandemic as a comfortable space for those to reveal their stories and thoughts openly.  As we conclude Season 2, we are excited to share some of our favorite moments and announce Season 3!!  Thank you for listening and we hope these were some of your favorite moments too!! Connect: @CariChampion @NakedwithCariChampion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Tammy Rivera has been working consistently, hustling to make a way…her way.  Baltimore is not for the meek or the weak, so growing up Rivera had to “hold her own”.  There was no job she would shy away from and fast forward she speaks on how working those odd jobs inspired her current venture.  Despite the survival hustle she always knew singing was one of her ultimate goals and there was more for...

Blessed to learn the easy way as the youngest of seven children, Miller had various examples to guide him toward success, despite his initial dream to become a professional athlete. Miller explains how his love for baseball prepared him for rejection in the industry of acting. In this episode, he shares his failures, his life hack for motivation, and how he defines success. Catch Omar Miller in hi...

Karyn Parson whom you may know as Hilary from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air joins us to discuss her journey from actress, to a writer to reluctant activist.  After the show concluded her purpose started to unfold. Pardon created, Sweet Black Berry with the objective to bring little-known stories of African American achievements to children everywhere.  Parsons may not consider herself to be an activ...

Some would say R&B is dead or at least dying, but our guest today is actively defying that statement. Kevin Ross is an American singer, award-winning songwriter, and producer from Washington, D.C. He is currently an independent R&B artist with two top 30 records on R&B radio making him the first independent artist to do so. Ross is dedicated to pushing the genre forward, making history...

Let's talk about eating healthy and physical wellness. Let's talk about food, baby! Vanessa Rissetto joins us to break down food intake and ways to balance out food proportions. Rissetto is the Co-Founder of Culina Health, a personalized nutrition platform powered by registered dietitians to help you prioritize the way you want to live.  Learn More: CulinaHealth.com Connect: @CariChampion @vanessa...

What's happening in the NBA? Chris Haynes joins the podcast to discuss trades in the league just before the deadline and more specifically where Kyrie Irving is going and why he requested the trade.   Between the time we recorded this episode and it’s publishing date; Irving announced his decision to play for the Dallas Mavericks. Listen to find out why he is worth the trade!  Connect @CariChampio...

The quality of being outstanding or extremely good is the definition of EXCELLENCE according to Oxford Languages However, when you put the word BLACK in front of excellence the definition changes. It elevates once coupled with our truth, our culture, our stories, and our survival.  In this episode, Cari elaborates on this definition, describing her recent experiences in Dubai aka DuBey for Beyoncé...

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erica Campbell always knew the road to her purpose went hand and hand with her gift of singing. Campbell was introduced to the world as a Singer/Songwriter via, "Mary Mary" a popular gospel group formed with her sister. She shares her story about growing up in LA in the church, her dreams, compromising in the industry, and her faith.  Connect: @CariChampion @ImEricaCampbell Listen: Feel Alright (B...

It's the Holiday season, so it's the perfect time for an encouraging story. Finesse Mitchell joins us today to share his story from growing up in Atlanta to his life now in Los Angeles. He speaks openly about his trials and errors, his upward failures and what he loves outside of show business. It is refreshing to hear from celebrities who know who they are outside of what they do or rather what c...

Alison Desir is changing the world through movement. She struggled with depression and found the motivation to change her life through movement, specifically as a runner.  Desir is a mother, an activist, the creator of Harlem Run, and the Author of  Running While Black. Desir has taken action toward her mental health and healing process. Running has become her vehicle not only for personal transfo...

Andrea Lewis is here to advocate for our hair, our skin, and our beauty, not to mention our economic power in the beauty industry. Lewis is a Filmmaker and Actress who developed a six-part documentary for us. There have been ongoing topics about black entertainers not having the adequate support to fit our needs on set and although the industry is slowly "changing", documentaries like The Black Be...

Chloe Arnold is a dream come true story, the serendipity of how her heart, passion, talent, and dreams aligned along the way is nothing short of destiny. From the beginning, her mother affirmed her goals and made what some would quantify as a high achievement, but was Chloe’s plan B.  After working under the mentorship and support of Gregory Hines and Debbie Allen, her life and destiny were cosign...

It is indeed rare for someone to understand the depth of their purpose, message, and legacy. The longevity of Kenny Lattimore's career is rooted in his knowing. As he says during every show, he is here, "To sing to the hearts of women and the minds of men to encourage them in love." During this episode, he talks about; his early career, the impact of his music, and how he has remained an eternal s...

Gabrielle Union is a veteran in the game. We know her name, her beauty, and her work.  No one can deny her star power. We start this conversation with the question, what is the difference betwe en being an entertainer vs an actor? Union eloquently explains the difference. Union then tells the “WHY” behind this role in her upcoming film, Th e Inspection.  As I said before we all know Union - the en...

It’s not an agenda to tell black stories in our totality, it is simply innate.  Leroi’s creative objective is not necessarily to go outside of the box, but simply not to ignore everything that fills it. His resume speaks volumes, but he started as a stand-up comedian. He shares stories from those earlier years; meeting Chris Rock and how that relationship developed over time both personally and pr...

Black Buck is a crackling, satirical debut novel about a young man given a shot at stardom as the lone Black salesman at a mysterious, cult-like, and wildly successful startup where nothing is as it seems. New York Times Best Selling author Mateo Askaripour joins us on today’s episode to discuss his new success. READ: Black Buck The Novel LEARN MORE:  MATEO WRITES CONNECT: @CariChampion @AskMateo...