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- In this episode of The 5th Quarter, Sandy Adams sits down with former college football player and first-generation college graduate Emmanuel Orange. Born in Haiti and raised in Florida, Emmanuel shares what it was like adjusting to life in a new country, learning English through experience, and finding his voice—and purpose—through football.

From his early years at Naples High School to his time as a team captain at Carson-Newman University, Emmanuel opens up about leadership, identity, and what the game taught him about resilience. He also talks candidly about the transition from football to the corporate world, and how he's now building a successful career in medical sales.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Growing up between two cultures and learning to adapt
• The impact of being a first-generation college graduate
• How football shaped his discipline and leadership style
• What it felt like to retire from the game
• Building a life and career beyond the field

Whether you played sports or not, this episode is a powerful reminder that the skills you build in one season of life can carry you into the next. Emmanuel’s story speaks to anyone navigating change, finding their identity outside of titles, and learning how to redefine success on their own terms.

Plus, Emmanuel answers the flash fire round and shares what he’d tell his 9-year-old self if he could go back.

Follow Emmanuel on Linkedin

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

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- Coach Courtney Burns, head coach women's basketball at Post University, joins The 5th Quarter Podcast to share her journey from athlete to coach and how she’s helping players grow on and off the court. From trust-building to teaching self-motivation and staying focused on the next step, Courtney opens up about the mindset behind her coaching and the resilience it takes to lead through change.

Her story is full of lessons for anyone navigating a career transition or searching for purpose in a new chapter.

Show Highlights:

• How Courtney transitioned from player to coach and redefined her identity
• Her philosophy on building trust and developing the whole athlete
• Teaching her team to stay present, focus on small steps, and self-motivate
• The role of resilience in coaching and career reinvention
• Her work in youth training and why it fuels her off the court too

🎧 If you're in a season of change and wondering how to turn your experience into a new chapter of impact—this episode is for you.

Looking for more career strategy? head on over to sandy-adams.com

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Sandy Adams sits down with former NBA point guard and current Memphis Grizzlies color commentator Brevin Knight to talk about grit, belief, and finding your second act.

Brevin opens up about growing up with a chip on his shoulder, being overlooked in high school recruiting, and how a chance viewing by Stanford changed everything. His story is one of relentless confidence and quiet resilience.

In this episode:

• Growing up in New Jersey with something to prove
• How Stanford found him by chance
• Belief that fueled his rise to a 1st round NBA draft pick
• Navigating his rookie year in Cleveland
• Life after the league and finding purpose behind the mic

Now a trusted voice courtside in Memphis, Brevin reflects on what it means to pivot, build a new lane, and keep showing up long after the final buzzer.

Connect with Brevin on X @brevinknight22

Tune into his podcast, Knight Court

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

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- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Sandy Adams sits down with Geoff Mack, the public address announcer for the University of Memphis Tigers Football and Men’s Basketball teams.

From growing up in Wyoming to becoming the iconic voice heard at every Tigers game, Geoff shares stories of family, legacy, and what it means to own the mic.

In this episode:

• Following in his older brother’s footsteps
• What he wanted to be as a kid
• How he landed in Memphis
• Becoming the voice of the Tigers
• His kids announcing games this year
• Behind-the-scenes prep and nerves
• What the mic means to him today
• And the ONE name that threw him off his game

Legacy, love for the game, and the power of one unforgettable voice — this one’s a must-listen.

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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The Voice of Consistency: Jeff Brightwell on Longevity, Preparation, and Evolving in Broadcasting

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast – On the Sideline, host Sandy Adams interviews Jeff Brightwell, a veteran play-by-play broadcaster and proud University of Memphis alum.

With a career spanning nearly 30 years across radio, TV, and digital platforms like ESPN and CBS Sports Network, Jeff brings a wealth of insight not just into sports—but into the power of showing up, evolving, and staying ready.

What makes Jeff’s journey even more powerful is the personal transformation he experienced in mid-career. After committing to his health and discovering CrossFit, Jeff found himself in a new chapter—this time calling events at the CrossFit Games, proving that growth doesn't stop, even after decades in your profession.

This conversation dives into:

• Jeff’s early sports experiences—from youth league soccer to college club hockey
• His start in broadcasting and lessons from nearly three decades behind the mic
• The evolution of media and how staying curious keeps you in the game
• How a personal health journey led to new opportunities in a completely different space
• Why showing up consistently still matters—whether you're on the field or behind the scenes

Whether you're in sports media or navigating a pivot in your own career, this episode will leave you inspired to lean into your strengths, stay open to change, and keep building your voice.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to hear more stories of resilience, reinvention, and career journeys.

Connect with Jeff online:

Instagram @JeffABrightwell | X: @JeffABrightwell

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, I sit down with Nate Brown—former college athlete, longtime coach, and now a leader in athletic administration. From the field to the front office, Nate’s career has been built on leadership, resilience, and helping the next generation of athletes grow into their potential.

In this conversation, we dive deep into:

✅ The transition from player to leader – How his experiences as a student-athlete shaped his leadership approach.

✅ Navigating career shifts – Moving from coaching to administration and the lessons learned along the way

✅ Building leadership in others – How he empowers athletes to develop confidence and take ownership of their growth.

✅ Relationships & trust – Why success is about people, not just performance.

✅ Food & culture! – Nate’s love for great food, how he adjusted from Texas flavors to Louisiana cuisine, and his ever-growing restaurant bucket list across the country.

Nate’s journey is proof that leadership is built through trust, adaptability, and creating opportunities for others. And sometimes, the best conversations happen over a great meal.

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Listen to related episodes: Ep 3 with Andre Turner

🔗 Follow & Connect

📧 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of career and branding strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader: https://sandy-adams.com/newsletter 📧

For full show notes, visit https://5thquarterpodcast.com/episodes/

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
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- In this episode, we sit down with Grace Cave, a standout D1 athlete from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as she reflects on her record-breaking college career.

From growing up in Weeping Water, Nebraska, to winning a state championship, to navigating college basketball during COVID, Grace shares the highs, the struggles, and what’s next.

She also dives into the state of women’s sports, the challenges female athletes still face, and what she’d tell young girls chasing the same dream.

✅ Small-town beginnings and finding her love for the game
✅ Winning a state title and stepping up to D1 basketball
✅ College recruitment during COVID and choosing Omaha
✅ Mental and physical challenges along the way
✅ The future of women’s basketball and what still needs to change
✅ What’s next for her and advice for the next generation

Her story is a reminder that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and believing in yourself, even before others do.

🎧 Listen in for an inspiring conversation about career journeys, stepping up, and embracing the unknown.

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: Website | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website

Send us a text.

In this episode, Sandy sits down with Gwendolyn Sanders Woods, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis.

Gwendolyn shares her incredible journey from growing up in Memphis, navigating childhood adversity, and discovering her passion for track & field through the mentorship of a middle school coach.

Episode Highlights:

• Overcoming childhood adversity in Memphis.
• Finding track & field through mentorship.
• Competing at the University of Memphis.
• Transitioning from athletics to her career.
• Pursuing higher education and leadership growth.
• Becoming the first female CEO of BGCM.
• Her vision for empowering Memphis youth.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about perseverance, purpose, and leading with heart!

Find out more information about Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis on their website: bgcm.org

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: Website | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website