In Episode 19 of From the Playground to the Foreground, Jon and Scott welcome Jamey Newberg, creator of the beloved Newberg Report, for a conversation that covers way more than just baseball (though there's plenty of that too).

Jamey shares how his passion for minor league baseball became a creative outlet in the ‘90s—starting as an email thread that morphed into one of the most trusted fan-driven publications in the sport. What began as stress relief from his day job as a trial attorney has become a Texas baseball staple.

They also dig into a surprising curveball: artificial intelligence. As an adjunct law professor at SMU, Jamey reflects on how AI is reshaping both legal education and the future of journalism. It’s a wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation with a few aha moments and plenty of laughs along the way.

#FromPlaygroundToForeground #JameyNewberg #NewbergReport #BaseballLife #MinorLeagueMagic #TexasBaseball #SMULaw #AIinEducation #PrintJournalism #DallasPodcast #BaseballAndBeyond

In one of the most powerful episodes of From the Playground to the Foreground yet, Jon and Scott sit down with Matt Nalker, Executive Director of The Arc of Mississippi—an organization fighting every day for the rights and dignity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). But Scott has an especially personal connection to Matt.

Matt shares the moving story of Cody Richardson, a young man who faced a traumatic childhood in foster care and found stability and compassion through The Arc. When Cody tragically passed away in his mid-20s, Matt made the life-changing decision to donate his organs—an act of generosity that saved lives, including Scott Bennett's. Yes, Scott received Cody's heart!

What began as Scott’s effort to thank a donor’s family has evolved into a deep and lasting connection with Matt, who has spent decades championing disability rights after his own daughter was born with severe disabilities. Today, he continues to lead with empathy, courage, and an unwavering commitment to advocacy.

This episode is a tribute to legacy, connection, and the very best of humanity—showing how two people, brought together by chance and tragedy, are now working side-by-side to raise awareness for organ donation and disability advocacy.

#FromPlaygroundToForeground #TheArcOfMississippi #OrganDonation #DisabilityAdvocacy #PodcastWithHeart #DisabilityRights #HumanityInAction #MakeADifference #DallasPodcast

In this episode, Jon and Scott welcome Samantha "Sam" Erger, Head Coach of SMU Women’s Volleyball—and a true force on and off the court. From leading her team to NCAA tournament success to mentoring All-Americans and Pro League draftees, Sam is redefining what excellence looks like in women’s sports. 🏐🔥

They dive into her journey to SMU, the shifting landscape of college athletics in the age of NIL, and why women’s sports deserve a lot more spotlight than they get. Plus, Sam shares her thoughts on the mental side of the game—and why it’s key to long-term success, whether you’re chasing titles or just trying to survive Tuesday.

And yes, the episode includes a very serious debate during the hat-pull segment about the movie Cast Away. Spoiler: Jon is wrong, and we’re not letting it go. 🎬🏐

Smart, funny, and full of spikes (figuratively and literally)—this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen or watch now and catch all episodes at the link in bio.

#FromPlaygroundToForeground #SamErger #SMUVolleyball #DallasPodcast #WomenInSports #CollegeAthletics #NILEra #MentalHealthMatters #VolleyballLife #CoachEnergy #DFWPodcasts #WomenCoaches #CastAwayMovie