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The Giving Game

Sophia Whitesell 5 Episodes Jun 26, 2026

What happens when you take sports away from athletes? You find out who they really are. Hosted by Sophie, The Giving Game is a one-of-a-kind podcast where athletes step out of the game and into something bigger. No stats. No scores. No surface-level interviews. Each episode is tied to a real, 7-day fundraising challenge—supporting causes that matter to the guests and giving listeners a chance to be part of something meaningful. You’ll hear raw conversations, unexpected stories, and a side of athletes the world rarely sees. This isn’t about sports. It’s about impact.

Episodes

From the Field to the Community: Laurence Maroney's Mental Health Mission Jun 26, 2026 00:51:22 Discover the inspiring journey of NFL player and community advocate Laurence Maroney as he shares insights into mental health, the importance of giving back, and how he is transforming his community through his foundation. This episode emphasizes the critical need for mental health support, especially among athletes and youth, and offers practical ways to foster resilience and compassion.Donate fo

Hope in the Hardest Moments: Dave Dravecky’s Incredible Journey Jun 19, 2026 00:54:49 What happens when the career you’ve worked your entire life for is taken away in an instant?In this powerful episode of The Giving Game, former San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky shares his journey through cancer, depression, loss, and the mental health struggles that followed. After being diagnosed with cancer in his pitching arm, Dave faced challenges that went far beyond baseball. He op

The Hidden Struggles of Athletes and How to Overcome Them with Ben Zobrist Jun 12, 2026 00:54:26 In this episode, Sophia Whitesell interviews Ben Zobrist about his journey through sports, mental health, and his charity Champion Forward. They explore the importance of emotional wellness, authenticity, and redefining success beyond achievements.

Baseball, Badges & Purpose with Matt Stone Jun 7, 2026 00:59:54 Former baseball player, police officer, and Playin Thru host Matt Stone joins The Giving Game for a powerful conversation about mental health, vulnerability, and why so many men suffer in silence.Having spent years in both baseball and law enforcement, Matt has seen firsthand that some of the strongest people on the outside are often fighting battles nobody else can see. Together, we discuss the c

Griffin Pinkow - More Than What You See May 30, 2026 01:04:34 What happens when your entire future changes overnight?In this episode of The Giving Game, Griffin Pinkow opens up about vision loss, resilience, identity, and why blindness didn’t stop him from building a life centered around purpose and impact. Through The Foreseeable Future Foundation, Griffin is working to create support, awareness, and opportunity for individuals navigating blindness and visu

Changing The World Through A Swing: Isaac Sekulima May 27, 2026 01:00:00 Main topics:Isaac’s childhood and early entrepreneurship in UgandaThe transformative power of gratitude and humilityBuilding a social impact foundation for African childrenOvercoming hardship and faith in life’s purposeThe role of love and forgiveness in personal growthCultural differences in dating and marriage expectationsThe importance of community and mentorship in life and sportIsaac’s aspira

Welcome to The Giving Game May 4, 2026 00:00:35 What happens when you take sports away from athletes?You find out who they really are.Hosted by Sophie, The Giving Game is a one-of-a-kind podcast where athletes step out of the game and into something bigger. No stats. No scores. No surface-level interviews.Each episode is tied to a real, 7-day fundraising challenge—supporting causes that matter to the guests and giving listeners a chance to be p

Why Travel Ball Is Killing Community Sports | Tyson Ross on The Giving Game May 15, 2026 00:47:39 Former MLB pitcher Tyson Ross joins The Giving Game to talk about why youth sports are becoming inaccessible for everyday families — and what he’s doing to change that. Tyson opens up about growing up in Oakland, the life-changing impact of community baseball, and how his nonprofit, Loyal to My Soil, is working to bring free camps, equipment, and coaching resources back to underserved communities.

From Green Beret to NFL: Nate Boyer on Purpose Beyond the Uniform May 8, 2026 00:48:19 In this powerful and often hilarious episode of The Giving Game, host Sophia Whitesell sits down with Nate Boyer—a former Green Beret, Seattle Seahawks long snapper, filmmaker, and founder of Merging Vets and Players (MVP).What starts with a mix-up about his identity quickly turns into a deep conversation about life after elite environments—whether that’s the military or professional sports. Nate

The Giving Game

Episodes

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