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How many Euro League caliber basketball coaches have degrees in agricultural engineering, have created their own scouting software, play the guitar and the drums, write and sing songs in their second language and have homes full of books on psychology, science and physics?  Jota Cuspinera is a unique individual with many passions and talents, however, it's basketball that puts food on his table.  Over three decades of coaching experience and he continues striving for growth and new opportunities. Jota Cuspinera, get to know him. 

Nadia Fingall says she wasn't the most coordinated kid growing up.  She says she was a chunky chunk.  She says she started playing basketball for the friends.  Well, she's come a long way since those early days, so far actually that she's now a Stanford Student Athlete Alum and a current professional athlete.  She's a one of a kind type of person and I have no doubts you'll enjoy listening to her speak.  Enjoy!

She's a post player through and through even though her dad did try to get her to extend her game like her big sister, DeWanna Bonner.  Erica is a beast on the boards and in life.  She's a graduate of Stanford University, has played for 4 different WNBA teams and this year is playing EuroLeague with Perfumerias Avenida in Salamanca, Spain.  Oh, and did I mention she also has her own podcast? Check it out at, Bird's Eye View.  

Perhaps she was a late bloomer, but bloom she did.  From suffering through AAU practices and sticking with it because her mom and coaches pleaded her to do so, to receiving a college scholarship, breaking records, being invited to a WNBA training camp and going pro overseas.  Tinara Moore has faced challenges she never imagined for herself, but in doing so she has been able to lead a life she loves.  Mental and physical care, eating clean, reading and nourishing the soul, Tinara makes use of her down time.  Check out her blog, "The Layer Below" via Substack, find the link in her Instagram bio.  

She was never drafted into the WNBA but continued to play overseas and for the Great Britain National team.  Her skills improved and perhaps most importantly, her confidence.  When the LA Sparks came a calling, Karlie was ready.  She's played in NCAA Final Fours with Stanford, EuroLeague with Spanish club Perfumerias Avenida, and shared locker rooms with Diana Taurasi, Skylar Diggns and Candice Parker; and not only that, she works a full time job off the court as well.  ¡OLE! As they say in Spain.

Destacaba de pequeña y se fue de casa aún siendo bastante joven.  Aprendizaje, madurez, presión, son solo unas de las muchas cosas que Mariona Ortiz Vives tuve que gestionar estando sola y lejos de casa, pero gracias a aquellas experiencias ha podido crecer y vivir momentos muy bonitos también.  Aquí hablamos de todo un poco, incluyendo su programa preferida de pequeña, Shin Chan. 

Tanaya grew up in New Haven, CT, playing basketball outside with her brothers, but it wasn't until she was 12 years old when she tried out for an actual team.  She made the squad and the rest is history.  Many awards and accolades later she's just wrapped up year #4 as a professional athlete overseas, having lived experiences in Australia and Spain.  She's humble, hungry and in constant evolution.

She's from the Wolf Pack, and it shows in her views on life, her self confidence and her thirst to explore, investigate and make new connections.  Northwestern University was lucky to have her and it sounds like she was lucky to have them.  She's got that growth mindset.  The world is your oyster, Abbie Wolf (even though you prefer lobster)!  An attitude of gratitude, that's how she roles.  Enjoy the show.

Podcast host, Leslie Knight, is interviewed by former teammate and long time friend, Ana McCusker Fernandez.  Leslie played basketball at Hopkins High School in Minnesota.  Her senior year was highlighted by a State Tournament Championship win and being crowned Miss. Basketball of Minnesota.  She went off to college at the University of Minnesota where she played a total of 35 (or so) minutes during her first two seasons combined.  Fast forward from college graduation (2008) to now as she wraps up her professional career overseas. 

From Flower Mound, Texas and being a multi-sport athlete as a young girl to winning National Championships as a Baylor Bear and going Pro, Lauren Cox talks about the nuances of her journey as an athlete, world traveler and Type 1 Diabetic.  Fun, surprising and educational, get to know this humble, hungry, turn around J post player with the long, golden locks.  

After accepting a walk-on role at San Diego, Johnny Dee unexpectedly found out he'd be receiving a full ride scholarship.  His desire to improve and his lethal 3pt shot earned him a spot on the starting lineup, staring every game but one (due to senior night) his freshman season.  After graduation he took his career overseas and has been playing professionally ever since, except for a little stint as a substitute teacher, but we'll get into that later. Enjoy!  

First generation American, Vionise Pierre-Louis makes her way through life, leading with love, compassion and an insatiable desire to learn, grow and to share all of her newly gained knowledge with those around her, specifically, her family.  From a young age Vivi loved books, and then basketball was added into the mix, taking her places and giving her the opportunity to change the course of her life.  

¿Como era lo de ser deportista de baloncesto en los años 60 y 70 en Madrid?  Vicente Ramos, quien fue votado el mejor base europeo en 1970 te va a contar bastantes curiosidades sobre su carrera como deportista y su carrera académico.  Un tipo muy interesante, capaz de hacer un poco de todo y a sus 75 años sigue siendo activo, dedicando su vida a la humanidad. Un 10 de ser humano, ¡y que bien habla!

Muchos años jugando como profesional de baloncesto en España, una base que era capaz de hacer mucho de todo.  La jugadora Gallega tuvo su primer hijo hace 5 años, volvió a jugar un par de años más y ahora se está preparando para oposiciones.  Una crack y una persona fantástica.  Vaya capacidad de compaginarlo todo. 

From Colombia to Texas to Purdue University and then on to WNBA training camps and Europe, Erika Valek has lead a colorful life for almost forty years.  Erika talks about the ups and downs of her athletic as well as academic journeys, how she overcame obstacles, both mental and physical and what she's up to now.  I love this story and am positive you will, too.  

Desde Vitoria y el País Vasco Itsaso (Mar) Conde viene a Madrid a jugar en su tercer año como deportista profesional en la máxima categoría de baloncesto femenino, la Liga Femenina Endesa.  Juega, estudia para ser profesora y es aficionada de su air fryer, donde dice que las alitas son la mejor receta.  

Kate has been playing basketball for her country since 2003.  Now, at the age of 37 she's entering her third straight season as captain of the Greek national team.  For almost 20 years Kate has been juggling her life as a basketball player, a student, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister and a friend.  The road hasn't been easy but she has learned an immense amount about herself, she's traveled to numerous countries, made friends from all around the world and graduated from college. Here's a bit of wisdom and a few laughs from the ever young, Katerina aka "Soto". 

Una jovencita no tan joven.  A sus 25 años Laura Quevedo ya ha probado lo que es jugar y estudiar en los EEUU, ha ganado una medalla Olímpica en Rio, ha jugado en 7 equipos diferentes de la Liga Femenina Endesa y anoche metió 28 puntos contra ASVEL en el primer partido de EuroCup el la historia del club Movistar Estudiantes. Y lo que le queda. Maja, humilde, trabajadora, sincera, da gusto escucharla.  

The roller coaster ride hasn't stopped for Kayla McCoy and she's been on it since the 9th grade.  A survivor of three ACL tears and an achilles rupture, Kayla continues to pursue her dreams.  She's a Duke graduate, former Houston Dash player, current professional soccer player for the Rangers in Scotland, member of Jamaica's National team and currently enrolled in an online masters program.  She's a glass half full type of person and it was a pleasure listening to her story.  

Desde Argentina a España, el joven Pancho llenó su maleta con ganas, aspiraciones, un deseo incansable y lo más importante, un par de botes de dulce de leche.  Pancho nos habla de su juventud, sus momentos de adaptación, las lecturas que aprendió con la selección de Argentina, la famosa patada, sus rizos ondulados y sobre como conseguir buena química en un equipo (hay que quitar los trajes).  Una leyenda en el ACB y en el Movistar Estudiantes, una conversación entretenida, espero que os guste.