Darren Waller a former NFL athlete, shares his journey of self-discovery, addiction, and recovery with us in this episode. He discusses the duality of his identity and some of the challenges he faced while navigating life as a professional athlete. Waller's candid reflections on his struggles with addiction and the path to recovery highlight the importance of self-acceptance and finding purpose beyond sports.

Waller shares his vulnerable experience of an overdose, the subsequent realization of his addiction, the transformative power of music, and his commitment to finding a deeper purpose in his life moving forward.

Listen to the NEW EP: Internal Warfare: This Too Shall Pass

Connect: @CariChampion @RakkWall

Learn More: DarrenWaller.Org

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The Black Effect Presents... Naked Sports with Cari Champion!

Welcome to Season 4 of NAKED SPORTS!

We're excited to kick off the season with a six-episode docu-series, *The Making of a Rivalry*, which follows the rise of women's basketball stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The series traces their journey from high school to college, examining the media frenzy that has fueled their rivalry. It highlights their impact on the sport and how they've shaped the perception of women's basketball. The series also explores the importance of rivalries in sports and why competition is essential.

This episode features interviews with players, coaches, and sports journalists, offering insights into the players' skills, personalities, and the challenges they face.

Special guests in this episode include Jemele Hill, Sarah Spain, Sabreena Merchant, and more."

Connect: @CariChampion @NakedwithCariChampion

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Cari delivers a powerful love letter to Black women in this heartfelt episode. She reflects on the emotional impact of Kamala Harris's election campaign and subsequent loss, exploring themes of resilience, vulnerability, and the collective pain felt by Black women across the country while emphasizing the importance of hope and community.

Joining Cari is Bozoma Saint John, to help highlight the unique strength of Black women and their unwavering commitment to excellence, even in the face of adversity. The day after the election, Bozoma posted on Instagram with the caption, "Good morning to my sisters, and only my sisters." One of the slides in her post broke down the "Sex by Race" numbers, highlighting how Black women showed up at the polls to support Harris. The post concluded with an abstract image of a Black woman sitting on the edge of a bed—"Blue Monday" by Annie Lee—capturing the exhaustion and emotional weight of the moment. This message resonated deeply with Cari and many other women in the days following the election.

Black women, this episode is for you.

Connect: @CariChampion @NakedwithCariChampion

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With the election this week and so many experiencing understandable concern, this special episode with Elliott Connie offers hope amidst political turmoil.

This conversation highlights women's empowerment in sports and politics, the impact of mental health on political discourse, and the pervasive issues of racism and confirmation bias in society.

The episode opens with a special message from Thomas Booker and concludes with encouraging words of hope for listeners to fight for what matters to them, emphasizing the importance of voting and civic engagement.

Connect: @CariChampion @ThomasBooker @ElliottConnie

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Cari Champion and Master Tesfatsion discuss the current NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys' ongoing struggles, Jerry Jones' controversial history, and the role of Black athletes in activism. The conversation highlights the complexities of sports culture, the challenges faced by athletes, and the need for accountability in leadership.

Connect: @Master_Tesfatsion

@CariChampion @NakedwithCariChampion

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Cari engages in a deep conversation with Angela Rye, exploring the intersections of sports, politics, and culture. Angela shares her upbringing in an activist household, the nuances of advocacy, and the significance of using platforms for social change. They discuss the importance of activism, the role of athletes in political engagement, and the stakes of the upcoming election.

Connect: @CariChampion @NakedwithCariChampion

@AngelaRye

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On the season finale of The Making of a Rivalry, Cari interviews Gina Prince - Bythewood, director and screenwriter whose resume includes: The Old Guard, The Woman King and Love and Basketball - a film that centers a Black athlete with dreams of being the first woman to play in the NBA.

Trista Krick, also joins the conversation to discuss what the future holds for the league and the rising stars who are coming.

WNBA players featured at the end of the episode:

• Angel Reese
• Odyssey Sims
• Dearica Hamby
• Lindsay Allen
• Brianna Turner

Connect: @CariChampion @NakedwithCariChampion

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In this episode, Cari delves into the dynamics of rivalries in sports and music, with a particular focus on the perceived rivalries between female athletes, such as Caitlin Clark versus Angel Reese, and likens them to those between artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.

If we're being honest, there’s a societal compulsion to compare women, pitting them against each other as though the real competition lies in the comparison itself rather than the sport. The ongoing narrative of placing women in opposition has proven to be a profitable story, one that has fueled various industries throughout history.

We also examine the responsibilities these women carry as public figures and emphasize the vital role authenticity plays in how they represent themselves.

Cari Champion interviews Suzy Exposito, an independent journalist based in Los Angeles, and Justin Tinsley, a senior reporter with ESPN's Andscape.

Connect: @CariChampion @NakedwithCariChampion

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