Can the NBA afford for LeBron James to retire?

In Part 2 of this Beyond Normal Media conversation, Kenny Groom and Less Bless dive into one of the biggest questions facing professional basketball. As international stars continue to dominate the league and player brands become larger than ever, what happens when the NBA's biggest attraction eventually walks away?

From LeBron James' economic impact to the rise of Victor Wembanyama, player empowerment, and the future of American basketball, this episode explores the intersection of sports, business, entertainment, and global culture.

In this episode, we discuss:

🏀 Why LeBron's value extends far beyond basketball
💵 The economic impact superstar athletes have on cities and franchises
🎟️ Why entertainment may now be just as important as winning

Whether you're a sports fan, business leader, or simply curious about how entertainment drives billion-dollar industries, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the future of professional sports.

Subscribe for more conversations exploring business, media, sports, and culture through a different lens.

#LeBronJames #NBA #SportsBusiness #SportsEntertainment #Basketball #BusinessOfSports #BeyondNormalMedia

Text us what you think

Support the show

Follow us on:

Website | www.beyondnormalmedia.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/

Linkedin | www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media

What if professional sports are closer to Hollywood than we want to admit?

In Part 1 of this Beyond Normal Media conversation, Kenny Groom sits down with sports personality Less Bless to explore how the business of sports has evolved beyond wins and losses. From television rights and fan loyalty to franchise value and media narratives, this episode asks whether today's biggest leagues are built as much for entertainment as they are for competition.

The conversation explores why WWE and the NBA may have more in common than most fans realize, how cities build lifelong sports identities, and why markets like Charlotte are still searching for theirs.

In this episode, we discuss:

🏈 Is professional sports becoming entertainment first?
📺 How TV deals shape modern sports
🌎 The difference between sports culture in Charlotte, Baltimore, and other
💰 How leagues monetize passion through branding, storytelling, and media

If you enjoy conversations about sports, business, branding, and culture, this episode will challenge the way you think about the games you watch.

Subscribe for more conversations exploring business, media, sports, and the ideas shaping what's next.

#SportsBusiness #NBA #NFL #SportsEntertainment #BusinessOfSports #Charlotte #BeyondNormalMedia

Text us what you think

Support the show

Follow us on:

Website | www.beyondnormalmedia.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/

Linkedin | www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media

In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Calvin Robertson, enterprise UX design leader, educator, and founder of Jubileague, to discuss how human-centered design, leadership, and technology can come together to create better experiences for people.

Calvin shares his journey leading UX and innovation initiatives across organizations like Corning, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and the Federal Reserve while also building platforms focused on gaming, mentorship, and community impact.

The conversation explores the role of empathy in technology, how design shapes the way organizations operate, and why meaningful innovation starts with understanding real human needs instead of simply building more features.

If you’re interested in UX design, leadership, innovation, technology, or building more human-centered systems, this episode delivers thoughtful insights and practical perspective.

Text us what you think

Support the show

Follow us on:

Website | www.beyondnormalmedia.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/

Linkedin | www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media

In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Marcus Wade, founder of Genesis 1 Technologies and co-founder of Waste Wise Innovation, to discuss how faith, technology, and sustainability can come together to solve real-world problems.

Marcus shares the story behind the Topper Stopper, a smart recycling system that uses barcode verification, AI, and rewards-based engagement to reduce recycling contamination and improve sustainability outcomes for universities, venues, and businesses.

The conversation explores startup culture in Charlotte, the role of analytics in product innovation, and how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can create meaningful impact across industries and communities.

If you’re interested in sustainability, AI, entrepreneurship, or founder journeys rooted in purpose, this episode delivers valuable insights and inspiration.

Text us what you think

Support the show

Follow us on:

Website | www.beyondnormalmedia.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/

Linkedin | www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media

In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Dana Duckworth to talk about what it really means to bet on yourself after layoffs.

Dana shares her journey of navigating career uncertainty, rebuilding confidence, and stepping into new opportunities with intention. From handling unexpected transitions to trusting your own value, this conversation is filled with honest lessons for founders, professionals, and anyone facing change.

If you’ve ever had to pivot, rebuild, or remind yourself of your worth, this episode will hit home.

Listen in as we discuss resilience, career growth, leadership, and why your next chapter may require you to choose yourself first.

Text us what you think

Support the show

Follow us on:

Website | www.beyondnormalmedia.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/

Linkedin | www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media

In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Ronnell Richards, founder of Business & Bourbon, to discuss the power of authentic selling and relationship-driven business growth.

Ronnell shares how his experience in sales leadership shaped his belief that the best salespeople succeed not by talking more, but by listening better. Through his community-focused networking platform, he’s helping professionals build deeper relationships that lead to real opportunities.

The conversation explores how entrepreneurs and sales professionals can strengthen their networks, build trust with clients, and create meaningful conversations that lead to long-term success.

If you’re looking to grow your business through stronger relationships instead of traditional sales tactics, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

Text us what you think

Support the show

Follow us on:

Website | www.beyondnormalmedia.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/

Linkedin | www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media

In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, we sit down with Jarrett Thomas, Chief Revenue Officer of OTB Digital and creator of the More Than A Title podcast. With nearly a decade in digital marketing and a powerful personal brand built on authenticity, Jarrett walks us through how he’s transforming the way sales and storytelling intersect in the creator economy.

Tune in as we talk about growing your influence without cold calls, the power of consistency on platforms like LinkedIn, and why digital storytelling matters more than ever for today’s founders. Whether you’re in marketing, sales, or just starting your brand journey, Jarrett’s story is a masterclass in showing up and building real impact.

Thanks for tuning into the Beyond Normal Podcast!

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay updated on all our future episodes from Beyond Normal Media. Got a takeaway or question? Drop it in the comments—we want to hear from you!

🔗 Learn more at: https://otb-digital.com

Text us what you think

Support the show

Follow us on:

Website | www.beyondnormalmedia.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/

Linkedin | www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media

In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, we sit down with Rachel Cash, founder and CEO of Elroi, to explore how data privacy is evolving in the age of AI. With a background in law and years of experience in healthcare tech, Rachel breaks down what companies need to know to stay compliant, ethical, and competitive in a rapidly shifting digital world.

Listen in as we discuss the rise of privacy-first products, what true data ownership looks like, and how leaders can embed trust into their systems from day one. Whether you’re building a startup or leading innovation at scale, this episode offers a clear roadmap for navigating data privacy in today’s AI-driven landscape.

Thanks for tuning into the Beyond Normal Podcast!

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay updated on all our future episodes from Beyond Normal Media. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below—we love hearing from you!

🔗 Discover Elroi: https://www.myelroi.com

Text us what you think

Support the show

Follow us on:

Website | www.beyondnormalmedia.com

Instagram | www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/

Linkedin | www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media