The 5th Quarter Podcast with Sandy Adams

The 5th Quarter Podcast with Sandy Adams

A bi-weekly podcast that delves into the lives of retired athletes as they navigate the uncharted waters of life after their competitive careers end. Host, Sandy Adams, brings forth captivating interviews, sharing the stories of athletes who transitioned into new endeavors, discovered their purpose beyond sports, and the highs and lows along the way. Plus a new mini series "On The Sideline" conversations with current athletes and people working in the sports world.

Episodes

October 1, 2025 93 mins

What happens when your biggest passion leads you to unexpected places and the search for what’s next?

Dr. Kishi Smith-Rey’s journey started on the soccer fields of Southern California, where her love for the game carried her to Division I at Cal State Fullerton. Along the way, she faced injuries, setbacks, and the challenge of balancing athletics with academics as a first-generation college student.

After retiring from competitive so...

Mark as Played

 - Former University of Memphis basketball player and overseas pro, Will Coleman, joins Sandy to share his inspiring journey from a late start in basketball to playing professionally in Europe—and now leading lower and middle school athletics at St. George’s Independent School in Memphis.

Will opens up about the mentors who shaped him, the challenges of balancing fatherhood with a pro career, the struggles he had along the way and h...

Mark as Played

- On this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, I sit down with Jason Munz, the University of Memphis men’s basketball beat reporter for the Commercial Appeal.

Jason grew up in Natchez, Mississippi, got his first byline as a high school student, and has since covered everything from Friday night football to the Super Bowl blackout in New Orleans. Since 2019, he’s been the voice Memphis hoops fans turn to for Tigers basketball coverage...

Mark as Played

 - Behind every game-day moment, there’s a team working off the field to make it possible.

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast – On the Sideline Series, we sit down with Duvante Lane, Director of Development for the University of Colorado Buff Club.

We talk about:

  • His pathway into college athletics and the different roles that shaped his career
  • Why development and fundraising matter for student-athletes
  • How NIL is changing th...
Mark as Played
August 6, 2025 67 mins

 - In this episode, Angie Allen shares how she went from multi-sport high school athlete in high school—never having rowed a day in her life—to becoming one of the fastest rowers in Kansas history.

She opens up about:

  • Growing up in a D1 football family and how that shaped her mindset
  • The surprise recruiting journey that landed her on KU’s rowing team
  • What it’s like to lose your sport to injury and find purpose in the unknown
  • Pivotin...
Mark as Played
July 16, 2025 59 mins

 - 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...

Mark as Played
July 3, 2025 69 mins

- 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 ...

Mark as Played
May 21, 2025 52 mins

- 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 resili...

Mark as Played

 - 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 ki...
Mark as Played

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 ...

Mark as Played
April 2, 2025 65 mins

- 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-...

Mark as Played

 - 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 fac...

Mark as Played

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...
Mark as Played

- In this special episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, host Sandy Adams honors National Girls & Women in Sports Day by exploring the history, achievements, and future of women in athletics.

From Title IX’s impact to the record-breaking success of female athletes in 2024, this episode is all about celebrating progress—and recognizing the challenges still ahead.

Episode Highlights:

  • The Evolution of Women in Sports
  • Major Wins in 20...
Mark as Played
January 22, 2025 71 mins

 - In this episode I talk to Brandon Branch about his unconventional journey to becoming a successful basketball coach. Starting with non-traditional high school and college basketball experiences, Brandon’s path is a powerful example of turning passion and perseverance into impact.

Highlights from the episode:

  • Unconventional Start: Brandon didn’t play traditional high school basketball and only played one year of college ball.
  • Tr...
Mark as Played

 - In this episode of The 5th Quarter PodcastOn the Sideline series, I sit down with sports executive and agent Travis King to explore how faith, hard work, and a little Memphis grit can turn dreams into reality.

Travis opens up about his journey from Memphis roots to sports industry success, sharing powerful insights on mindset, perseverance, and purpose.

Key Highlights:

  • Faith as a Foundation – How staying grounded in faith sh...
Mark as Played

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The 5th Quarter, Sandy Adams sits down with Coach Regina Smith, Morgan State’s inaugural Head Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach, to explore her incredible journey from competitive athlete to pioneering leader.

As the head coach of the first and only HBCU Division I acrobatics and tumbling program, Regina shares how her faith has been a cornerstone of her life, guiding her decisio...

Mark as Played
December 11, 2024 67 mins

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, we sit down with Jason Staub, a former pitcher for Eastern Connecticut State University and now the interim Head Baseball Coach at Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.

Jason shares his incredible journey from a standout high school and college athlete to a coach leading his team to unprecedented success.

Key Highlights:

  • Athletic Journey: Jason reflects on his 14-year baseball career
  • Overcomi...
Mark as Played
November 27, 2024 67 mins

- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Sandy sit's down with former MLB pitcher, Drew Hayes, to explore his inspiring journey from small-town Tennessee to life in professional baseball and beyond.

Drew shares insights into the MLB draft process, the mental toughness required for life in the minors, and the pressure of pitching on the biggest stage.

He reflects on navigating setbacks, learning to move past performance high...

Mark as Played

.  In this episode on the sideline, Sandy sits down with Greg Graber, a renowned mental performance coach, author, and educator, to dive into the transformative power of mindfulness in sports.

Known for his work with college basketball teams, including the Memphis Tigers Men’s Basketball program, Greg shares his journey from the classroom to the court, where he now helps athletes and coaches overcome mental challenges and ...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

    It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.