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 learn how prioritizing mental well-being can help athletes thrive in all areas of life.

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 the industry and what it takes to build a career over time.

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 the first episode in our Built for What’s Next series — helping student-athletes navigate career spaces and life after sport.

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. Whether you're just getting started or looking to maximize your opportunities, this episode offers practical insight and real-world perspective.

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.Whether you’re an incoming student or supporting someone through the transition, this episode is full of practical tips and real talk to help you start college with confidence.