The Spread: Where Sports and Creativity Meet Bottom Line

In this episode Cari Sekendur speaks with Chris Shreve, Co‑founder and Head of Growth at Vokol, the first AI audio platform built for sports. Chris explains how Vokol transforms written content into personalized, conversational sports broadcasts that keep fans on team sites and apps, unlock new sponsorship revenue, and power use cases from game‑day copilots to creating custom audio for kids. We cover brand voice onboarding, adoption barriers in sports, and why emerging leagues and women’s sports stand to gain the most from this tech. Try Vokol’s personalization tools and hear how audio can become a true force multiplier for your marketing at https://www.vokol.ai/Subscribe to The Spread for more stories exploring where business meets creative in athletics.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.

On this episode of The Spread, Cari Sekendur speaks with Dawn Scott, a high-performance professional whose career spans two Women’s World Cup wins, an Olympic gold, and work with FIFA, the US Women’s National Team, England, and the Washington Spirit.Dawn shares why performance in women’s football is shaped by more than training plans or technology. Leadership, culture, environment, and psychological safety all play a role. Cari and Dawn discuss how these insights apply to building high-performing sports organizations and brands.This episode is essential listening for marketers, founders, and sports leaders who want to create differentiated teams and organizations.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio

In this episode of The Spread, host Cari Sekendur sits down with Erin Bailey, founder of Momentum Management, to explore what it will take for professional runners to stand out in the rapidly changing sports landscape.Erin shares why storytelling beyond race day is becoming essential, how athletes like Nikki Hiltz and Emma Bates are redefining connection with fans, and why influencers are sometimes outpacing pros in visibility and earnings. She also digs into the challenges of athlete storytelling, from restrictive broadcast rules to limited budgets, and the opportunities ahead as brands, leagues, and athletes themselves invest more deeply in authentic content.Whether you’re a sports professional, a brand leader, or just curious about how fandom is evolving, this conversation highlights the pivotal moment we’re in and what it means for the future of athlete stories, sponsorships, and community building.Subscribe to The Spread for more stories exploring where business meets creative in athletics.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.

“There’s nothing more disrespectful than saying everyone is great.” — Haley Rosen, CEO of Just Women’s SportsWomen’s sports are growing faster than the NFL did in its early years, but the ecosystem around them is still playing catch-up. In this first episode of The Spread's Future of Sports Series, I talk with Haley Rosen, CEO of Just Women’s Sports, about what it takes to build a fanbase, and an industry, with staying power.We get into:Why the media can’t just “root for everyone,” and how real analysis builds real fan cultureHow the next-gen fan is digital-first, hyper-engaged, and showing up on purposeWhy coverage has to go beyond game recaps: we need news, takes, debate, and dramaWhat inspired JWS’s new show Between the Lines with Lisa LeslieWhy growing women’s sports starts with digital storytellingThe massive gap in reaction content, and what happens when we fill itListen now!Subscribe to The Spread to catch the other episodes in The Future of Sports Series.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.

Blockchain is transforming sports, and it's not just about the fans.Lucy Mills, founder of Ready Sport Global, joins The Spread to talk about how Web3 and blockchain are creating new pathways for inclusion and social impact in sports.We discuss how blockchain is being used to fund social impact initiatives, particularly for underrepresented groups, and how sports organizations are leveraging these technologies to better engage global audiences.One of the most inspiring aspects of our conversation was the focus on blockchain’s potential to democratize funding, ensuring that projects with broad community support, not just the biggest backers, get the resources they need.This is a must-listen for anyone interested in how technology can reshape the future of sports and create positive change for communities everywhere.Subscribe to The Spread for more stories exploring the creative side of athletics.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.

Olivia Witherite, Marketing Director for the Webby Awards, shares her experience transitioning from the always-on sports industry, at companies including The Game Day and The Athletic, to her current role, where she’s creating a team culture centered around work-life balance.Olivia candidly discusses the issue of burnout and the crucial mindset shift she embraced after stepping back from the world of sports marketing. She reflects on how the ambitious athlete mentality influences the business of sports and how it’s sparking conversations around mental health in the industry.Join your host, Cari Sekendur, and hear how Olivia is prioritizing her creative expression and the importance of defining your identity and value beyond your career. Subscribe to The Spread for more stories exploring the creative side of athletics.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.

Join us as we explore the intersection of endurance athleticism, entrepreneurship, and authenticity with Bill Armstrong, CEO of endurance sports nutrition brand NEVERSECOND. Are endurance athletes inherently creative or more practical? How does authenticity in athlete marketing play out for his brand? We delve into these topics on this episode of the Spread.Discover Bill's unique approach to marketing, which focuses on authentic storytelling from athletes who genuinely love NEVERSECOND's products. Learn about the challenges and rewards of building a brand in the endurance sports nutrition industry, and gain valuable insights into the decision-making process behind investing in branding early on.As a former endurance athlete who holds 18 years of experience running a successful B2B product manufacturing company, Bill brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Tune in to this episode of The Spread and gain valuable insights from Bill's journey.Subscribe to The Spread for more stories exploring the creative side of athletics.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.

Your host, Cari Sekendur, sits down with Tim Bartels, the CEO and Co-Founder of Velous, a sports-recovery footwear startup. Tim brings a wealth of industry experience, having previously led sales for renowned brands such as Columbia, Keen, and DC Shoes.Our conversation dives into Tim's personal and professional journey since launching Velous. Join us as we explore the valuable lessons he's learned while navigating the crowded landscape of the sports footwear market.Discover the pivotal moments that led Tim to make the leap from the corporate world to the challenging yet rewarding realm of startups. And, learn how Velous crafts a compelling brand story that resonates with both retailers and consumers, setting them apart in the competitive world of sports footwear.Join us on this journey into innovation and entrepreneurship with Tim Bartels on The Spread.Subscribe to The Spread for more stories exploring the creative side of athletics.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.

Dive into the intersection of art and sport with Jasmine Maietta, Founder and CEO of Round21. Jasmine's journey from professional athlete to executive at brands like Reebok and Peloton has uniquely positioned her to bring a fresh take to the sports equipment market with her company, Round21.Join us for a discussion on how Round21 is breaking new ground by infusing creativity into basketballs, ping pong paddles, apparel, and more. And, learn about their innovative approach to designing equipment that doubles as a canvas for artistic expression.Learn about Round21's collaborations with iconic brands and celebrities, including the Basquiat estate, basketball sensation Brittney Griner, and the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. Jasmine shares the behind-the-scenes stories of these partnerships and how they've contributed to Round21's mission to empower the creative spirit in all of us.Don't miss this inspiring conversation that celebrates the fusion of art and sport. Jasmine's passion for creativity, inclusivity, and community shines through as we explore Round21's impact on the world of athletics. Tune in to discover how Round21 is transforming the game, one artistic design at a time.Subscribe to The Spread for more stories exploring the creative side of athletics.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.

We delve into how the beloved brand, Honey Stinger, has made its mark in sports nutrition with two remarkable guests. Cari Sekendur, your host, sits down with Wendy Mayo, VP of Marketing, and Luke Cherry, Sr. Director of Sports Marketing, for an enlightening conversation that unveils the creative forces propelling Honey Stinger's success.We get to know Wendy Mayo, a visionary marketer with a deep background in sports nutrition, as she shares how Honey Stinger harnesses creativity to build a die-hard following and expand into new markets. Join us to gain insights into how the brand uses the power of storytelling to connect with athletes and athleisure-ites alike.Luke Cherry shares how he infuses his personal passion for athletics into Honey Stinger's marketing and sales strategies. Learn how Luke seamlessly merges his athlete's perspective with targeted marketing techniques to amplify Honey Stinger's reach.Throughout this episode, we discover how Honey Stinger navigates the crowded sports nutrition market, fosters devoted athlete partnerships, and carves a unique space by blending creativity with strategic marketing acumen.Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a marketing aficionado, or someone fascinated by the intersection of creativity and business in the world of sports nutrition, this conversation will leave you inspired and enlightened.Subscribe now to The Spread and get ready to learn how creativity powers sports business.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.

Welcome to the first episode of The Spread! We delve into the extraordinary world of Goal Click, where creativity, business acumen, and the magic of disposable cameras intersect. Join host Cari Sekendur as she invites founder Matthew Barrett to take center stage, sharing the inspiration behind Goal Click's vision and the remarkable impact it has had on the global football community. Discover how this creative platform goes beyond traditional storytelling, starting with the unassuming medium of disposable cameras to uncover the soul of soccer in every corner of the globe.Matthew's entrepreneurial journey unfolds, shedding light on the delicate balance between creativity and business. Gain insights into the challenges he has overcome and the creativity he employs to foster partnerships and expand Goal Click's reach, all while staying true to the authentic spirit of the organization.Prepare to be inspired as we dive into the power of Goal Click storytelling, capturing the raw emotions, camaraderie, and passion that define the beautiful game. Experience firsthand the stories that Goal Click has immortalized, from the fervor of the US Women's National Team to the resilience of refugees finding solace in football.Join us on this thought-provoking episode of The Spread, where we celebrate the artistry, the business savvy, and the global impact of Goal Click. Whether you're a football enthusiast, a creative soul, or someone passionate about the intersection of sports and storytelling, this episode will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power created when sports and creativity collide.Subscribe to The Spread for more stories exploring the creative side of athletics.The Spread is produced by Butter Studio.