The Giving Game

Rescue Dogs, Second Chances & #LovePup with Jess McClain | The Giving Game Ep. 23

Episode 23 is here. 🐾 Jess McClain sat down with me to talk about how the #LovePup Foundation changed her life, and why rescuing dogs ended up rescuing her too. We get i

Love Makes Room: Anthony Trucks on Foster Care, Identity & Becoming More

Anthony Trucks’ story is one of resilience, identity, foster care, and turning adversity into purpose. A former NFL player, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and foster care

Former NBA Point Guard C.J. Watson on Family, Legacy & the Quiet Storm Foundation

Former NBA point guard C.J. Watson joins The Giving Game to talk about the Quiet Storm Foundation, the family-run nonprofit he co-founded in 2009 with his parents and bro

"We Don't Cure Cancer, We Cure Bad Days": Kelyn Rowe & Erik Rees on the Jessie Rees Foundation

This is a special two-guest episode. Former professional soccer player Kelyn Rowe joins The Giving Game alongside a very special bonus guest, Erik Rees, founder of the Je

Former NFL Running Back Terron Ward on Mentorship, Scholarships & the Wardboy Project

Former NFL running back Terron Ward joins The Giving Game to talk about the Wardboy Project, the foundation he co-founded with his brother to support underprivileged yout

Former NBA Player Kareem Rush on Building University Heritage Group and Giving Back to NIL Athletes

Recorded in-person in Kansas City, former NBA player Kareem Rush joins The Giving Game to talk about University Heritage Group (UHG), the exclusive alumni membership bran

Super Bowl Champion Martin Gramatica on Building Mortgage-Free Homes for Wounded Veterans

Former NFL kicker and Super Bowl champion Martin Gramatica joins The Giving Game to talk about the Gramatica Family Foundation, which began by building mortgage-free home

Gary Forbes on Playing in the NBA with Type 1 Diabetes and Building The Sole Survivors

Former NBA player Gary Forbes joins The Giving Game to talk about The Sole Survivors — a children's multimedia platform he created featuring superhero characters who each

Sergio Garcia on Family, Giving Back & Building FORE Kids ATX in Austin

Professional golfer Sergio Garcia joins The Giving Game to talk about the Sergio and Angela Garcia Foundation and its flagship event, FORE Kids ATX — a two-day fundraiser

Stephen Piscotty on Losing His Mom to ALS and Turning Grief Into the ALS Cure Project

Former MLB outfielder Stephen Piscotty joins The Giving Game to talk about the ALS Cure Project, the nonprofit he co-founded with his father after losing his mother, Gret

Gamifying Giving: Ryan Beckmann on Hero Picks and Reinventing How America Donates

This is a special one. Host Sophie Whitesell sits down with Ryan Beckmann, founder of Hero Picks, to announce a major collaboration between their two platforms — and to u

Alex & Alyssa Highsmith on Fighting Food Insecurity, Faith & Building a Foundation Together

Alex Highsmith and his wife Alyssa join The Giving Game for a rare joint interview — one where host Sophie Whitesell openly admits she knows nothing about Alex's NFL care

Jennifer George on Building Girls Basketball Worldwide, Athlete Identity & Life After Sports

She showed up to a $50,000 boarding school with no shoes — and that moment changed everything. In this episode of The Giving Game, host Sophie Whitesell sits down with J

MMA Fighter Justin Wren on Addiction, Recovery & Fighting for Congo's Forgotten Pygmy Tribe

What happens when an MMA fighter stops fighting against people and starts fighting for them? In this episode of The Giving Game, host Sophie Whitesell sits down with Jus

Soccer as a Tool for Social Change: Dr. Hajar Abulfazl's Inspiring Journey

In this episode, Dr. Hajar Abulfazl shares her inspiring journey from Afghanistan to the US, highlighting how soccer empowers refugee and immigrant youth, especially girl

From Navy to NASCAR: Jesse Iwuji's Journey of Giving

In this episode, Jesse Iwuji shares his journey from Navy officer to race car driver and philanthropist. We explore his charitable work with veterans, kids facing illness

From the Field to the Community: Laurence Maroney's Mental Health Mission

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 i

Hope in the Hardest Moments: Dave Dravecky’s Incredible Journey

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 pit

The Hidden Struggles of Athletes and How to Overcome Them with Ben Zobrist

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

Baseball, Badges & Purpose with Matt Stone

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 m