WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment

by Garrett Boorojian

Season 6

Garrett Boorojian and former ESPN SportsCenter Anchor, former ESPN / ABC College Football Live Studio Host, University of Missouri (Missouri School of Journalism) – Leonard H. Goldenson Endowed Chair in Radio and Television Journalism, John Anderson

Garrett Boorojian and John Anderson discuss relationship building in a team environment. John Anderson ESPN Joins Mizzou School of Journalism Faculty John Anderson - Mizzou School of Journalism "John Anderson Professional Practice Professor Endowed Chairs, Journalism Professions Leonard H. Goldenson Endowed Chair in Radio and Television Journalism 205 Reynolds Journalism Institute Missouri School of Journalism Columbia, MO 65211 (573) 882-2360 John Anderson joined the University of Missouri School of Journalism’s faculty in January of 2025 after 25 years anchoring SportsCenter, ESPN’s signature news and information program. Prior to ESPN, Anderson worked for local news stations in Phoenix, Arizona and Tulsa, Oklahoma. He began his career at KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri. Anderson graduated from Mizzou in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He was a four-year member of the men’s track team, competing in high jump, and captained the squad his senior season. Anderson also spent seven seasons as co-host of Wipeout, an extreme obstacle-course series on ABC. A 4-time Emmy award winner, Anderson has broadcast some of the world’s premier sporting events including: The Olympic Games (Track & Field, Opening and Closing ceremonies), The NFL Super Bowl, NBA Finals, MLB All-Star Game, The Final Four, U.S. Open Golf Championships, The Open Championship (British Open), The Rose Parade, World & USA Track & Field Championships, NYC Marathon, Boston Marathon as well as numerous NCAA Championships and Bowl Games. He has been recognized for his work on behalf of the University with the Mizzou Faculty-Alumni Award, The CASE District VI Volunteer of the Year Award and the Golden Quill Alumni Excellence Award. Since 2003 he has sponsored the ESPN/Mizzou internship that sends one journalism student to Bristol, Connecticut every summer. In 2024 Anderson was inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame."

S6 · E54

Apr 13, 2025

1:20:26

Garrett Boorojian and Performance / Mindfulness Expert, Book Author, (Hired as the sports psychologist by 13x NBA Champion, Phil Jackson, to work with 6x NBA Champion, Michael Jordan, and the late 5x NBA Champion, Kobe Bryant), George Mumford

Garrett Boorojian and George Mumford discuss relationship building in a team environment. About | George Mumford "George Mumford’s deeply moving personal story is unforgettable. An aspiring basketball player at the University of Massachusetts (where he roomed with Dr. J, Julius Erving), injuries forced Mumford out of the game he loved. The medications that relieved the pain of his injuries also numbed him to the emptiness he felt without the game and eventually led him to heroin. After years of making meditation on and off the cushion the center of his life and getting clean, Mumford enrolled in Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program and collaborated with him to create the Inner-city Stress Reduction Clinic in the early nineties. When Michael Jordan left the Chicago Bulls to play baseball in 1993, the team was in crisis. Coach Phil Jackson, a long-time mindfulness practitioner, contacted Dr. Kabat-Zinn to find someone who could teach mindfulness techniques to the struggling team—someone who would have credibility and could speak the language of his players. Kabat-Zinn led Jackson to Mumford and their partnership began. Mumford has worked with Jackson and many of the teams he coached to become NBA champions. His roster of champion clients has since blossomed way beyond basketball to include corporate executives, Olympians, and athletes in many different sports." Books | George Mumford Unlocked | George Mumford "Introducing My New Book Unlocked Embrace Your Greatness; Find The Flow; Discover Success George Mumford is a world-renowned psychologist and mindfulness performance expert who has helped superstars such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant transform their careers. In Unlocked, he offers proven strategies for unleashing our innate strengths, avoiding burnout, and discovering enduring success." The Mindful Athlete Book | George Mumford "‘The Mindful Athlete’ Book The Mindful Athlete By George Mumford Michael Jordan credits George Mumford with transforming his on-court leadership of the Bulls, helping Jordan lead the team to six NBA championships. Mumford also helped Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Lamar Odom and countless other NBA players turn around their games. A widely respected public speaker and coach, Mumford is sharing his own story and the strategies that have made these athletes into stars in The Mindful Athlete: The Secret to Pure Performance. His proven, gentle but groundbreaking mindfulness techniques can transform the performance of anyone with a goal, be they an Olympian, weekend warrior, executive, hacker, or artist. With a charismatic teaching style that combines techniques of engaged mindfulness with lessons from popular culture avatars such as Yoda, Indiana Jones, and Bruce Lee, Mumford tells illuminating stories about his larger than life clients. His writing is down-to-earth and easy to understand and apply. The Mindful Athlete is an engrossing story and an invaluable resource for anyone looking to elevate their game, no matter what the pursuit."

S6 · E53

Apr 10, 2025

1:23:36

Garrett Boorojian and former Creative Executive for Tom Hanks, former Producer for "61*" (directed by Billy Crystal), former Chief Speech Writer for former New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, formerly nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, Joe Seldner

Garrett Boorojian and Joe Seldner discuss relationship building in a team environment. Joseph Seldner - Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute "Joseph Seldner Writer/Producer; Founder, Senior Poverty Prevention Project Princeton, NJ Joseph Seldner has more than 35 years of experience in journalism, entertainment and non-profits. He began his career as a journalist, earning a Pulitzer Prize nomination, then moved to the entertainment world, at Columbia Pictures, then as creative executive for Tom Hanks, and later producing the HBO film “61*” (Billy Crystal, director) and other independent projects, and starting the news department for the largest cable TV company in the country. Returning East to raise his young children as a single dad (his best work), Joe served as a speechwriter to a governor, wrote a screenplay about a woman who spent ten years in a Texas prison for a murder she didn’t commit, and continued to write about a wide range of topics, from politics to social issues to parenting, for several publications. He continues to develop film and television projects. Joe has taught seminars on screenwriting and idea development, been a speaker at film festivals, and worked with dozens of actors and producers. Keenly aware of the massive but largely overlooked issue of senior poverty, he founded the non-profit Senior Poverty Prevention Project, aimed at raising awareness of this issue that affects millions of people over 50 in America who have no money saved for the many years they may yet have to live. In 2013, Joe climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, has played touch football weekly – and weakly – since 1995, and is always seeking new challenges and adventures. He has an MBA from Yale, and degrees in journalism and psychology from Columbia, and is the proud father of two and grandfather of three."

S6 · E52

Mar 31, 2025

1:01:30

Garrett Boorojian and College Football Hall of Famer, New Mexico Sports Hall of Famer, Georgia Sports Hall of Famer, 1989 Consensus All–American, 1994 NFL Pro Bowl Wide Receiver, 1998 NFC Champion, Super Bowl 33 Runner–up, Terance Mathis

Garrett Boorojian and Terance Mathis discuss relationship building in a team environment. Terance's relationship with his family, especially his late mother, and the relationships he forged during his football playing days and post–NFL career, make Terance an elite relationship builder admired by so many of his peers, friends, and fans in the state of Georgia, across the country, and around the world. A native of the state of Georgia, Terance went to college out of state and played for the University of New Mexico Lobos where he was named Third–team All–American in 1987 and Consensus All–American in 1989. Terance went on to have a very successful career in the National Football League, where he played for the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a Falcon, Terance was selected to play in the 1994 Pro Bowl (and was Second–team All–Pro that year) and a few years later played in Super Bowl 33 on January 31, 1999. In this historic game, against future Pro Football Hall of Famers John Elway, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Steve Atwater and their Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos, Terance caught the first touchdown pass in Atlanta Falcons' Super Bowl history (a 3–yard touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Chris Chandler). Terance finished his notable NFL career with 689 receptions, 8,809 receiving yards, 12.8 yards per catch, and 63 receiving touchdowns in 206 career games (130 career starts). He had three 1000–yard seasons – and his longest receiving touchdown was 81 yards. Terance had 11 touchdown catches in two of those 1000–yard seasons (1994 and 1998). In 1994, he had 111 receptions, and in 1998, he averaged 17.8 yards per catch. Terance is tied for second in NFL history with six successful two–point conversion catches. Terance's three most memorable games, according to Terance: 1) As a New York Jet (1990) – Returning a 98–yard punt return for a touchdown, which is tied for fourth in NFL history for longest punt return touchdown. The Jets won the game, 24–9, in Week 9. 2) As an Atlanta Falcon (1995) – Catching a 37–yard touchdown, which allowed the Falcons to take the lead and beat the San Francisco 49ers 28–27 in Week 17. The Falcons completed their 9–7 regular season with a win against the 49ers to get into the playoffs. 3) As an Atlanta Falcon (1998) – Catching a 16–yard touchdown, which allowed the Falcons to force and win in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game. Terance previously coached at Savannah State University, Pinecrest Academy (Georgia), Blessed Trinity High School (Georgia), and Fellowship Christian School (Georgia). He's currently the head coach at Morehouse College. As a College Football Hall of Famer, New Mexico Sports Hall of Famer, Georgia Sports Hall of Famer, former collegiate and professional football player, former high school and current college football coach, philanthropist, husband, father, friend, and man of strong faith, Terance Mathis has proven time and time again why he’s an elite relationship builder in a team environment.

S6 · E51

Mar 3, 2025

1:10:04

Season 5

Garrett Boorojian and General Manager of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels (Football), 3x Super Bowl Champion, Book Author, Michael Lombardi

Garrett Boorojian and Michael Lombardi discuss relationship building in a team environment. "I think the only form of currency that matters today is, are you willing to share your knowledge." – Michael Lombardi Garrett interviewed Michael prior to Michael becoming the General Manager of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Football program. Michael joins head coach Bill Belichick who'll lead the Tar Heels with a five-year deal starting in 2025. Full circle: Bill’s father, Stephen Belichick, was an Assistant Coach for a few seasons at North Carolina in the 1950s when Bill was a toddler. When Garrett interviewed Michael on October 27, 2023, Garrett asked Michael where would he like to be five years into the future? Little did Michael, Garrett, and the international sports world know that on December 11, 2024, Bill (as Head Coach) and Michael (as General Manager) would officially join the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Football program to lead the Heels starting in the 2025 season. Garrett's alma mater is UNC–Chapel Hill. https://vsin.com/college-football/vsin-host-michael-lombardi-leaving-to-join-bill-belichick-at-university-of-north-carolina/ "Vienna waits for you." – Michael quoted the famous Billy Joel Michael has won three Super Bowls (one with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers as a Scout for then–Head Coach Bill Walsh, and two with the NFL’s New England Patriots as an Assistant to then–Head Coach Bill Belichick). Listeners and viewers will enjoy learning about the coaching tree of several of the all–time legendary coaches and some of the league's greatest players and Hall of Famers who directly and indirectly, positively, impacted Michael's life and vice versa. When Bill spoke with NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran (2016) about Michael's time working with Bill at the Patriots: "Mike's...one of the smartest people I've worked with. He was huge asset to me for the two years he was here...he studies football and he knows it very well." https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/former-pats-exec-lombardi-critical-of-gronk-others/382612/ Michael, and another legendary football coach Nick Saban (seven–time national champion), first worked with Bill as a part of Bill’s coaching staff at the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. Many years later, Michael would then serve as the General Manager of the Browns. Nick coached alongside Bill's father, Stephen Belichick, for one year at Navy. The great and iconic George Raveling is brought up multiple times by a few of Garrett's guests, including by Michael Lombardi, throughout Garrett’s podcast series. https://coachgeorgeraveling.com/ Michael, George, and Kimati Ramsey co-founded “The Daily Coach.” https://www.thedaily.coach Michael wrote Gridiron Genius: A Master Class in Winning Championships and Building Dynasties in the NFL and Football Done Right: Setting the Record Straight on the Coaches, Players, and History of the NFL. Michael’s career in football has spanned 44 years (collegiate and professional levels combined). Born in Ocean City, New Jersey, he played collegiate football at Hofstra University. Michael is married to Millie, and they have two children Matt and Mick.

S5 · E50

Dec 13, 2024

30:10

Garrett Boorojian and Chief Development Officer at USA Basketball Foundation, four–year letterman and two–year captain at NCAA Division I Women's Basketball at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jennifer Lynne Williams

Garrett Boorojian and Jennifer Lynne Williams discuss relationship building in a team environment. Jennifer Lynne Williams - USA Basketball "Former Alabama State University director of athletics Jennifer Lynne Williams was announced on May 25, 2021, as the chief development officer of the USA Basketball Foundation. Williams will begin her duties on July 1. As chief development officer of the USA Basketball Foundation, Williams is responsible for all aspects of the USA Basketball Foundation, including developing a holistic fundraising platform to support various USA Basketball national team programs and youth and sport development initiatives. Named on Oct. 10, 2018, the director of intercollegiate athletics at Alabama State University, she previously served as Alabama State’s interim athletic director and deputy athletic director for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years. During her time at ASU, the Hornets experienced tremendous success, with athletic teams winning 43 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships, three consecutive commissioner cups and two conference academic awards for the highest GPA under her leadership. Williams spent four years (2012-16) at North Carolina A&T State University as the associate athletic director for development and executive director of the Aggie Athletic Foundation. While there, Williams oversaw all giving initiatives for athletics, while overseeing the athletics marketing department. She also was the liaison between IMG Sports Properties and the department of athletics. In 2014, the Aggie Athletic Foundation was recognized as a model booster organization by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Williams also worked at DePaul University as the assistant director of development for athletics (2009-12) and worked in development and marketing for Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators). Williams was named the 2018 Women Leaders in College Sports Division I (FCS) Administrator of the Year and was selected by her alma mater, North Carolina Central University, as a 40-under-40 Class of 2016 honoree, recognizing young NCCU alumni who have made significant contributions in the arts, entertainment, healthcare, sciences, education, law, business, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, public service or government. A four-year letterman and two-year captain in women’s basketball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Williams began her professional career as a reporter for the Tar Heel Sports Network and as a production assistant for Fox Sports South. The Detroit native earned her bachelor’s degree as a double major in journalism and African American history at North Carolina, and a master’s degree in athletic administration from NCCU, where she graduated magna cum laude. In 2018 Williams was appointed to the NCAA Division I Council, where she served on the Football Oversight Committee as part of her council duties; and was an executive committee member of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD). She also served on the Women Leaders in College Sports Board of Directors, the NCAA Board of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity, the Black AD Alliance, and the Black Coaches United Board of Directors."

S5 · E49

Nov 15, 2024

39:52

Garrett Boorojian and 1982 NCAA Division I National Champion, ACC Regular Season Champion (2001), AP College Basketball Coach of the Year (2001), Vistage Chair at Vistage Worldwide, Inc., Founder at Doherty Coaching, Author, Matt Doherty

Garrett Boorojian and Matt Doherty discuss relationship building in a team environment. Doherty Coaching "Meet Coach Doherty Matt Doherty is a nationally recognized motivational speaker, best-selling author, media personality, and executive coach. His season with New to the Street on Bloomberg TV aired in 2023-2024. He currently appears weekly on The FirstTV and WBT Charlotte. In addition to his keynotes and trainings, he guides corporations, C-suite managers, sales executives, and sports coaches to develop their leadership skills, culture and team dynamics. As a starter of the 1982 National Championship team with Michael Jordan at UNC, he began his leadership journey under the legendary Dean Smith. He went on to be the Head Coach at Notre Dame and North Carolina, and in 2001 led the team to the ACC Regular Season Championship and was named the AP National Coach of the Year. Coach Doherty also was the Head Coach at FAU and SMU, in addition to working with ESPN, the Indiana Pacers, and the Atlantic 10 Conference. Coach Doherty's mission is to “Learn & Grow" every day. His leadership journey took him to the UVA Darden School of Business and The Wharton School. Coach is committed to sharing universal teachings and lessons from the basketball court to the boardroom, all with actionable ideas that will work for you. He will provide the game plan, the rest is up to you."

S5 · E48

Nov 14, 2024

59:03

Garrett Boorojian and former ESPN Analyst / Sideline, General, and SportsCenter Bureau Reporter of 22 years (Horse Racing, NCAA Basketball, and NCAA Football), Jeannine Edwards

Garrett Boorojian and Jeannine Edwards discuss relationship building in a team environment. https://www.espnfrontrow.com/2017/12/cotton-bowl-marks-end-jeannine-edwards-remarkable-career/amp/ "Cotton Bowl marks end of Jeannine Edwards’ remarkable career Edwards was hired by ESPN as a horse racing analyst in 1995, then later branched into college football and basketball sideline reporting. She added general reporting nine years ago and later became a fulltime SportsCenter bureau reporter." "There have been so many stories and interviews that Edwards found it hard to pick career highlights. But she said the opportunity to cover Duke versus North Carolina in basketball, Ohio State versus Michigan in football and American Pharoah’s Triple Crown win are all very memorable, especially the interview she did with Bob Baffert, American Pharoah’s trainer." "Another memorable assignment was Shaquille O’Neal’s retirement, for which the announcement took place in O’Neal’s home, and the NBA star photo-bombed Edwards’ live shot by dancing through in his pajamas."

S5 · E47

Oct 17, 2024

47:17

Garrett Boorojian and KGO–TV Sports Director / ABC7 News Anchor, former ESPN SportsCenter Anchor, former Yahoo! Inc. Show Host, former Sportscaster at KTVU (FOX), Larry Beil

Garrett Boorojian and Larry Beil discuss relationship building in a team environment. Larry Beil Bio: Larry Beil | ABC7 KGO News Team - ABC7 San Francisco (abc7news.com) "At a fairly young age, it became clear that my dreams of playing point guard in the NBA or tailback in the NFL were a longshot. So I decided the next best thing would be talking about sports. I started my journalism career at the University of Hawaii, working on the student newspaper and campus radio station. Through my years in the islands, I covered everything from erupting volcanoes to sumo wrestling, to play-by-play of my beloved UH Warriors. I moved to Northern California just in time to experience the 1989 earthquake and was actually driving through the Caldecott Tunnel during the quake (it didn't move an inch, by the way). After 5 1/2 years at KTVU, I left for ESPN and spent the next 6 years hosting SportsCenter alongside Robin Roberts, Keith Olbermann and Dan Patrick to name a few. People always ask why I would ever leave national television to return to local TV, but for me, it was all about location and lifestyle. So, in 2001, I happily returned to the Bay Area to work for ABC7 News. When I'm not working, you can find me working out or naturally, watching sports. The P-90x DVD workout series is a favorite because it feels so good once it's over. Follow me on Twitter for news and sports updates. If you ever have a story idea, or thoughts on what we're covering, tell me about it on Facebook. Larry Beil co-anchors ABC7 News weekdays at 4 p.m. He also covers sports for ABC7 News weekdays at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. During basketball season, you'll see him co-host ABC7's post-game show, "After the Game." Larry has been with ABC7 News since 2001."

S5 · E46

Sep 7, 2024

1:12:13

Garrett Boorojian and ESPN Anchor (SportsCenter at 6pm EST), former WWSB–TV Sports Director, Associated Press Award winner (3x), and Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communication Hall of Famer, Kevin Negandhi

Garrett Boorojian and Kevin Negandhi discuss relationship building in a team environment. Source: https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/kevin-negandhi/ "Kevin Negandhi is an anchor for the 6 p.m. ET SportsCenter. In 2017, he joined the ESPN on ABC College Football studio team. In addition to being a part of an Emmy nominated SportsCenter, Negandhi has hosted NFL Live, Baseball Tonight, Outside the Lines, College Football Live, NBA Tonight and the women’s NCAA basketball Final Four. Negandhi has also hosted the Special Olympics World Games since 2015. He has been a part of special projects that include co-hosting SportsCenter’s Veterans Day specials and in 2015, he was awarded the Team ESPN Disney Volunteer Commentator of the Year. Negandhi joined ESPN in 2006. Prior to ESPN, Negandhi worked as a sports director at WWSB-TV in Sarasota, FL. While working in Florida, he won three Associated Press awards — “Best Sports Cast” in 2004 and 2005 and “Best Breaking Sports News” in 2005. Prior to that, he was a sports director for KTVO-TV in Kirksville, Mo. (1998-99). Negandhi began his career as a college sports stringer at USA Today in 1995. A native of Phoenixville, Pa., he graduated from Temple University in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He was inducted in Temple’s School of Media and Communications Hall of Fame. Negandhi is the first Indian-American to serve on a national sports network."

S5 · E45

Jul 25, 2024

29:03

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