From a sorority girl at UCLA with no plans to work in sports to one of the most trusted names in athlete partnerships and talent booking, Stacey Garcia’s story is all about bold moves and betting on yourself. As a four-time Emmy-winning producer and the founder of Stacey’s Talent Shop, Stacey has helped shape the careers of some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment—including Magic Johnson, LeBron James, and many more.

🎯 We talk about:

• Turning a random Staples Center encounter into a dream job with Magic Johnson
• Breaking into sports without traditional experience
• Building trust and authenticity with athletes and brands
• Helping athletes control their own narratives (before it was trendy)
• Lessons from working with LeBron, ESPN, NFL Network, and Uninterrupted
• Why it's never too late to start building something for yourself

Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about making a leap, Stacey’s journey is packed with lessons on ownership, perseverance, and staying real in a fast-moving media world.

Show Notes

00:06 – Cold Open: “A closed mouth never gets fed” – the bold moment that changed Stacey’s life
00:34 – Intro to the episode and Stacey’s background
01:11 – Falling into sports: From UCLA basketball games to a career pivot
01:53 – The hallway encounter with Magic Johnson that sparked her career
03:58 – Building a career behind the scenes: ESPN, Turner, CBS, NFL Network, Uninterrupted
04:53 – Why Stacey finally launched her own business
05:30 – The key to longevity: Being real, authentic, and mindful
05:59 – Athletes owning their stories: LeBron’s Uninterrupted, KD’s Boardroom, and more
06:54 – Final advice for entrepreneurs: Always get everything in writing

If today’s episode inspired you, do us a solid:

Follow or subscribe wherever you listen
Leave a review—it helps more creators find the show
Share this with someone chasing big ideas

📚 Want more Play the Game?
Check out the middle-grade book series by Amar Shah—Play The Game: The Hoop Con and Play The Game: Take the Shot are out now from Scholastic.

Order here:

🔗 Connect with Amar:
• Website: amarshahwrites.com
• Twitter/X: @amarshahism
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amarshahism
• Instagram: @amarshahism

🎙️ Play the Game with Amar Shah — because you can’t win if you don’t play.

From sneaking into a Fox Sports Radio studio to launching viral campaigns for Caitlin Clark and the NFL, David Brickley has built one of the top social-first agencies in sports and entertainment. As the founder and CEO of STN Digital, David has helped shape the digital presence of some of the biggest names in sports. But his path to success? It started with rejection, side hustles, and a bold pitch to his childhood hero—Kobe Bryant.

🎯 We talk about:

• Breaking into the industry after being told he wasn’t ready
• Sneaking into studios to launch a YouTube show
• Pitching and landing Kobe Bryant as his first big client
• Growing STN from a two-man hustle to a full-scale agency
• Creating the viral Caitlin Clark campaign with the Indiana Fever
• Why most brands are still leaving money on the table with digital content
• The mindset needed to survive the first year (and beyond)

Whether you’re building a brand, chasing a dream, or figuring out how to turn your passion into a business, this episode is full of hard-won lessons and practical inspiration.

00:06 – Cold Open: Sleep deprivation, hustle, and 8 cups of coffee a day
00:37 – Intro to the episode: From Fox Sports Radio to founding STN Digital
01:32 – Starting out: Rejected from hosting, so he launched a YouTube show in 2011
02:28 – The Kobe breakthrough: How free work and hustle landed his dream client
03:06 – Scaling up: Wearing every hat until STN could afford to hire and grow
03:55 – Year one struggles: The grind behind the polished brand
05:13 – What makes great content: Entertain, educate, provide value
06:05 – Caitlin Clark & the Fever: A viral content strategy that made history
07:01 – Growth through relationships, not cold calls
07:50 – Matt Barnes, favors, and how reps led to Kobe
09:40 – The monetization mindset: Creating sustainable content businesses
10:16 – Final advice: Patience, passion, and the power of consistency
11:32 – Closing thoughts: Build your own platform, brick by brick

If today’s episode inspired you, do us a solid:

Follow or subscribe wherever you listen
Leave a review—it helps more creators find the show
Share this with someone chasing big ideas

📚 Want more Play the Game?
Check out the middle-grade book series by Amar Shah—Play The Game: The Hoop Con and Play The Game: Take the Shot are out now from Scholastic.

Order here:

🔗 Connect with Amar:
• Website: amarshahwrites.com
• Twitter/X: @amarshahism
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amarshahism
• Instagram: @amarshahism

🎙️ Play the Game with Amar Shah — because you can’t win if you don’t play.

From launching Kick TV with Major League Soccer to leading global digital strategy at WWE and now at Front Office Sports, Nate Loucks has been at the forefront of digital innovation in sports media. In this episode, Nate shares insights on creating engaging content, adapting strategies for diverse global markets, and the importance of authenticity and audience connection.

🎯 We talk about:

• Breaking into sports media through curiosity and adaptability
• Pivoting Kick TV from a failed SportsCenter model to influencer partnerships
• Leading WWE’s global digital content strategy
• Making sports betting accessible and fun at The Game Day
• Key lessons on adaptability, self-belief, and risk-taking

Whether you’re interested in sports media, entrepreneurship, or digital content creation, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiration.

Show Notes:

(0:06) Intro and career decision-making
(1:33) Early career: MLS and launching Kick TV
(3:04) Pivoting content strategy through influencer collaborations
(4:08) Tailoring WWE’s global digital content for diverse audiences
(6:02) Leading The Game Day and sports betting entertainment
(7:15) Advice for aspiring sports media professionals

If today’s episode inspired you, do us a solid:

Follow or subscribe wherever you listen
Leave a review—it helps more creators find the show
Share this with someone chasing big ideas

📚 Want more Play the Game?
Check out the middle-grade book series by Amar Shah—Play The Game: The Hoop Con and Play The Game: Take the Shot are out now from Scholastic.

Order here:

🔗 Connect with Amar:
• Website: amarshahwrites.com
• Twitter/X: @amarshahism
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amarshahism
• Instagram: @amarshahism

🎙️ Play the Game with Amar Shah — because you can’t win if you don’t play.