Seb White is a multi-faceted creative and co-founder of MUNDIAL; the magazine that both redefined football culture and reminded you why you loved the game.

He talks us through the evolution of the mag, from a passion to project with his mates to, checks notes, a full time gig with his mates. One that inspired a new wave of independent football media, not least this platform.

Through ‘giving it a go’ and unwavering authenticity Seb created a body of work that spoke to countless fans across the world (and annoyed a few too).

What's next is up for grabs. Whatever it is, he'll do with heart and, if the past 10 years are anything to go by, you'll know about it.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The football podcast that isn't about football is clearing its congested fixture list and dropping to bi-weekly releases for a few months.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m taking a short break to spend time with my boys and will be back on Tuesday, 4 February, with more conversations from the legends shaping the football landscape. Until then, there’s plenty to catch up on—dive in and enjoy!

JF

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US photographer Matthew Stith is a creative shunning the concept of boundaries. 

A broken foot in college put his goalkeeping gloves on ice, guiding his hands away from the ball and towards a camera.

When opportunity knocked—through a friend in MLS—Matthew seized it, setting off on a path that’s more about discovery than destination. 

For him, photography is just one medium to explore the world, with football acting as the lens that brings it into focus.

Through the Football Case Study, Matthew connects with people across the globe, celebrating the game while providing a stage for other creatives to do the same. It’s more than a project; it’s a love letter to football, its culture, and its power to inspire.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucas Mendes is what you would call a multi-faceted talent in the football landscape — professional player, club owner, and community builder decorating a CV belying his 26 years.

In this episode, we explore his journey, from his roots in the D.C. United Academy system to how he’s using Virginia Dream FC not just as a football club giving a platform to players, but a creative house giving a collaborative vehicle to artists, building a club culture that inspires both on and off the field.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Gordon a photographer/director and Co-Founder of Forty One Magazine and its football-focussed creative studio.

Rich shares how the '94 and '98 world cups opened his heart to the game, his gateway into photography and when these two passions finally caught up with each other, giving rise to a creative career spanning over a decade.

Rich's career is built on both passion and a drive to push himself as a creative whilst wedging the door open to those following behind.

A storyteller at heart, through Forty One, he not only aims to share authentic stories from the North American landscape, but open the game to those who might not even know they love it yet!

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenny Simmons’ story is one of passion, purpose, and paving the way for meaningful change.

Whether it's pursuing progress or practicing the transformative power of manifesting, following her vision and creating impact has always been the common thread.

We discuss her journey from Lancaster to playing college football in the U.S, before landing at Nike where her time on the Jordan brand steered her towards mindset coaching and, ultimately, where we find her today, beginning a new chapter with MANON – a consultancy focused on empowering black and brown women in the football space. 

Enjoy the episode? Grab me a coffee and fuel me for the next one.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Nolan is the Co-Founder of Sefton Park Rangers and Creative Agency, All Our Friends.

He shares the club's evolution, from its founding to the meaningful impact it has on both the local area and Jake himself and how his experiences with the club opened the doors to creative projects within Liverpool and beyond.

We also explore the delicate balancing act of fatherhood and work, why pursuing a feeling trumps pursuing a pay check and the rewards that come with risks.

Enjoy!

__

Send caffeine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexis James is a freelance writer, journalist, and podcaster, focussing on human stories from the fringes of sport and society.

Used to asking the questions for countless pieces over a two-decade career, including several pieces for NPLH Magazine, he switches seats to answer a few.

From placements in local news as a teen to BBC features and much in between, Alexis shares some of the realities of a professional freelance career and the role 'bread and butter' writing plays in long-form creative pursuits such as his book Unsung, an anthology shining a spotlight on the men and women in the shadows of sport and Off-Field, a monthly newsletter featuring tales from the fringes of sport.

It hasn't always been easy, if ever, but his chosen path has scratched the dual itch of a career in journalism and a desire to connect with and share people's stories.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The football podcast that isn't about football will be back on Tuesday 12 November, 2024. I'm taking a little break to spend some time with my new family and get the boys on some drills and ready for West Ham's academy.

In the meantime, there's plenty of gold in this resource we've built, most recently with SEASON ZINE founder, Felicia Pennant.

See you on the other side.

JF

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Felicia Pennant is, in my friend Madison's words, the real deal. After speaking with her for an hour, I'm inclined to agree.

A self-confessed book worm as a kid, she shares her journey from hiding out in the library to leading the line with the seminal football and fashion platform SEASON zine.

Felicia highlights the importance of adding value through her work whilst providing a platform for others to share theirs, how knowledge and confidence go hand-in-hand and why the presence of ego in a creative isn't such a bad thing.

All that and more whilst sipping on a Diet Coke!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In New Hampshire, a movement to impact a thousand lives began with a simple Instagram post

Despite the lush green forests and quaint towns of the Granite State, the football scene is pretty barren. Well, it was until Chris Pinkham and Yusufu Juma set out to change that in the form of Beech Street FC.

Through a love for their community and a desire for change, they provided a platform unlike anything the state had seen, saving good players from falling through the system's cracks and giving them a sense of purpose and belonging in the process.

It started with football but it's already so much more than that, its impact and legacy setting a standard for all those that follow.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darian Jenkins is a retired pro turned analyst for CBS and DAZN.

Darian talks us through her discovery of the game during recess kick abouts to National Championships with UCLA and the injury that would ultimately curtail her career in the NWSL.

Easy to dwell on what might have been. Difficult to find a new direction. Unless the universe shows you one.

Off pitch she now finds herself in a stronger position to push change, challenging the narrative attached to players of colour and bringing a fresh perspective of the game.

We also touch on the meditative power of walking, the art of manifestation and 90’s ankle weights, teeing us up nicely for a part 2 down the line.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

** Please excuse audio imperfections **

Mike Geddes has worn many hats throughout a varied career, from his beginnings as a BBC journalist to co-founding football club Oakland Roots and lots more in between.

But beyond the titles, his focus lies on the impact he can make.

His journey is a blend of passion and purpose, whilst searching for balance between the demands of his professional life with the importance of family.

Mike's story is one of intentionality, driven by the belief that the work we do, whether on a global or local scale, should matter.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cody McCullough is a multi-faceted creative with a client list to make your eyes water – EA Sports, MLS, Adidas, Venezia, it goes on... and on. Incredible to think it all began with a basic camera and a speculative message to the SoccerBible socials!

He discusses his 'say yes now, figure it out later' approach, his experiences of the creative industry within the game, how they've impacted his enjoyment of it and the feelings this evokes, offering a view on where it all goes from here and what that looks like for him.

Pre-dating the career, traditional North American sports played a pivotal role in his youth before Danny Dyer's Football Factory exposed him to a world he instantly knew he wanted to live in – one that's ultimately about human connection and impacting others.

By his own admission, the landscape isn't perfect, but he loves it and he's in it for the long haul.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric Beard is, on paper, a Creative Director and the final co-Founder on my Where is Football, bingo card.

Off paper, he's a creative in the purest sense of the word, prioritising collaboration and connection which is not only at the root of the Where is Football platform, but his creative output across the board.

Whether working for global brands, such as EA or Nike, collaborating on freelance projects or simply just creating, his approach is consistent - finding the fun in it.

Eric shares how the practice of gratitude informs his view on both work and life and stresses the importance of creating space to exist for yourself before clocking in for the various roles we play in our lives.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zito Madu is a man very much marching to the beat of his own drum. 

Growing up in Nigeria, football played a prominent role in his life and nothing changed when moving to the US in 1998; A successful college career with the University of Detroit preceded signing for USL’s Detroit City before heading to Turkey’s second division.  

It’s here it all gets interesting. 

Wanting to learn about himself outside of the game, he walked away from it – in a professional capacity – to pursue a path of creativity and exploration of the self.

With writing his vehicle of choice, Zito has driven a road of unknowns since, embracing opportunities when he spots them and never fearing a pivot when the answer is ‘No’ to the question ‘Does this feel right?’

As he says, ultimately it’s about how you feel. What is the consequence of ignoring that? 

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EL Johnson is a multi-disciplined creative with a co-founders list as long as your arm: the 2 Cents FC podcast, Forty One Magazine and it's football-focussed creative studio and MLS Next Pro's The Town FC all wear his fingerprints.

A self-taught creative with an unorthodox route into the football space, EL discusses the entrepreneurial inspirations behind his stable pursuits, the challenges of juggling ambition and workload with parenthood and the importance of honouring his younger self throughout it all.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Harkes is a professional footballer currently playing for New England Revolution in MLS.

Sarah Teegarden-Harkes enjoyed her own professional playing career with stints in the US, Sweden, France and Scotland before heading down a new path in 2022 with non-profit Boston Scores.

Sharing experiences of their respective professional landscapes, they walk through the realities of maintaining a relationship whilst living apart, Sarah's transition away from the game and how their individual and combined experiences led to the formation of Simply Sublime.

Through the platform, they're not only sharing their own stories but opening the door for others to do the same and building a community along the way.

Over to Ian and Sarah...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photographer Eduardo Villalobos' journey began in a way you're unlikely to guess: photographing a snowman on an iPhone 7!

It wasn't long before he picked up a 'real' camera in 2016 as a way of becoming closer to the game he loved and the trajectory remained sharp, first shooting local high school teams before skipping several steps on the experience ladder and answering an ad to shoot in MLS.

A sure sign of self-confidence in a young man who backs his ability and knows where he wants it to take him.

The smart money is on him getting there.

Over to Eduardo...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born in Bogotà, Colombia, Diego Hurtado grew up knowing two things; hustle and football. So it's no surprise he earned money in the playground and became an academy player in his teens.

Injury and an ultimatum from an impatient coach coincided with his Mum's move to the US and he had a decision to make: stay in Colombia, alone, and hopefully recover in time, or head to Miami for a fresh start.

He chose Miami and a journeyed career around the USL followed.

Despite hints his path lay elsewhere, with false starts at the NY Cosmos and Las Vegas Lights, his determination to play was in constant battle with the instability of the landscape.

But, opportunity knocked, awakened something in Diego and presented a new pathway to explore – sports apparel.

Diaza Football was born and, thanks to that same determination from his playing days and a little entrepreneurial magic, has not only grown but is flourishing, with designs worn by amateurs across the US and the likes of Ronaldinho and Kakà.

Diego's journey highlights the rewards that come not only with focus and discipline, but in taking risks and seizing opportunities when you see them.

He may be done playing, but life is still very much about all he ever knew; hustle and football.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photographer Kaitlin Marold grew up wanting to be a Police officer, seeing it as an opportunity to connect with and help her local community.

A stop watch and one second kept that dream from turning into a reality and sent her down a path that would not only open up the game she loves but lead her to the top of the Rockefeller Centre and a shoot with USWNT's Emma Hayes.

It's been a quick climb but not an easy one with late nights, long drives and lots of steps outside of her comfort zone.

But through shooting and supporting her beloved NYCFC she's found all of the things she was looking for in the force; connection, community and the ability to be of service to that community – all with the added bonus of not having to polish her boots!

Enjoy!

_____

If you enjoy the podcast and think it's worth it, send caffeine or grab something from the store

Thanks for the support.

JF

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Cowburn is Founder and Design Director of Acid FC, the brand with football undertones rooted in creative culture.

You're joining the conversation after some off the record catching up to learn of Ed's pathway from studying Law and Accounting and a career in insurance to designing this seasons kits for his beloved Leeds United.

It's quite the leap with Lance Armstrong and David Bellion playing supporting roles in a creative career now in it's twentieth year.

Ed walks us through that change of direction, the motivations driving his career longevity, his visions for the next stage of it and the weight of responsibility around those Leeds kits - especially the third!

Enjoy!

_

You can support the podcast at nplhmag.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dakota Fox Graf is a photographer with one of the less conventional routes into the industry, having swapped the front line of combat for the side lines of Major League Soccer.

With a big interest in health and fitness and little interest or involvement in the game beyond the odd kindergarten kick about and a few World Cup games on TV whilst serving in Afghanistan, the path he’s on could not have been on his radar.

But indifference towards the game evolved into infatuation when landing a performance coach internship at Columbus Crew.

Working with the Academy teams, he spotted an opportunity to document their games and, in a few short years, finds himself pitch side shooting the stars MLS.

Dakota shares his experiences in the military, evolving love for the game and the pride he feels as he again finds himself serving his country, this time as a Performance Coach with US Soccer’s youth teams.

With that full-time role, a burgeoning photography career and raising a young family, Dakota is a guy who thrives with a full plate.

Enjoying the podcast? Support it here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zack Goldman is Co-Founder of the wonderful Where is Football platform and founder of Tiger 11, the agency working with football's most creative teams, leagues and brands to build their sporting, marketing, and operational strategies.

Needless to say we don't really talk about any of that in great detail.

Instead, Zack share's his learnings from a career that started at Oxford United in England and has since taken him around the world to collaborate with the likes of Adidas, Nike, MLS and Japan's J-League.

With a career built in alignment with his values and grown holistically through relationships, Zack's perspective offers an opportunity to reframe how we see football; not as the be all and end all, but as an accessory to what we're ultimately all looking for – community and connection.

Enjoy!

____

You can support the podcast with caffeine here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Robles left Brazil for the United States as a teenager and went on to become one of the finest photographers in the world.

How? Falling in love with a camera at his friends house and chance meetings with an established photographer had something to do with it. But not everything...

Sam's journey highlights the rewards of hustle, risk taking and seizing opportunities when you see them. A little bit of 'immigrant mentality' didn't hurt either.

He walks us through the route from working 7 days a week at a car wash to shooting for Sports Illustrated and a literal locked door at Under Armour metaphorically opening one on the floor below that would take him around the world with The Players Tribune.

A dream job that doesn't come without great sacrifices. But he doesn't see any other option.

Over to Sam

____

You can support the podcast as a subscriber or caffeine donor at nplhmag.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artist, Emily Marrocco began painting just before the pandemic which, looking at her work, is both incredible and encouraging for anyone thinking about picking something up for the first time.

Emily shares the realities of living with ADHD, how it impacts her art and the work in progress of flipping the diagnosis on its head to see it as a super power to be harnessed.

Initially drawn to landscapes, Emily quickly shifted into portraiture and out of her comfort zone – something we learn she isn't averse to doing, be it international business trips at the age of 21, or swerving the home-from-home comfort of London in favour Manchester when leaving Australia two years ago.

That move and the complications that came with it temporarily pulled her away from the canvas. Passing time in a job unaligned with her heart she found herself in a 'Fuck this' moment, quit on the spot and did what she came here to do – pursue a career in painting.

Over to Emily...

Enjoy!

_____

You can support the podcast as a subscriber or caffeine donor at nplhmag.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali Williams is arguably one of the busiest folks in showbiz.

FootballCo's Brand Strategist walks us through a career taking in NWSL's Gotham FC, San Diego Wave and Angel City as well Adidas and MLS. But not before we meet her dog, Fester. Yes, that's him in the background not a motorbike passing by her apartment.

Growing up in football-loving Portland, it was perhaps inevitable the game would play some sort of role in her life but, over the course of this chat it's clear football IS her life.

It didn't quite work out on the pitch (more on that later), but a trip to Old Trafford reminded Ali there was more to the game than playing it. Returning home to her college paper, she assigned herself as beat writer for Real Salt Lake and hasn't looked back.

From then 'til now, Ali's storytelling has not only impacted the way she enjoys the game, but helped shape the experience of countless people throughout the stages of her career.

Over to Ali.... and Fester.

_____

You can support the podcast as a subscriber or caffeine donor at nplhmag.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pablo Bayona Sapag is Editor-in-Chief and co-Founder of CLUBELEVEN, the digital media publication connecting football fans across North America.

Born in Peru to a Peruvian father and Chilean mother he was destined to be passionate about something. Unsurprisingly that was football.

Pablo shares his love of storytelling, the opportunistic origins of CLUBELEVEN, formed with brother Gabriel, and how it would ultimately lead him away from a career in medicine. Imagine having to tell your parents, who happen to be doctors!

But the heart wants what it wants and it's to our gain as the platform and it's talented nationwide roster of contributors continue to deliver untold and inspiring stories from the American game.

Enjoy!

___

You can support the podcast as a subscriber or coffee donor at nplhmag.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Killian Page is a Boston born, San Francisco based Director, Photographer and Producer.

If you're not familiar with the name, don't worry he hadn't heard of me either. But you will have seen his work with San Francisco City FC.

Killian details his childhood discovery and love of photography before sports and all the other things that go with being a teen temporarily re routed his path until re-arming himself with a camera whilst studying Industrial Psychology on the West Coast.

Post college he continued shooting whilst working for sustainable footwear brand IndoSole. When the pandemic hit, rather than taking cover in the relative safety of the corporate environment, he took a shot at full-time photography.

He shares the roles of both building relationships within his community and the support of his network in his successes to date, how to add structure to the unstructured freelance landscape – including the odd semester at the University of Youtube, and the three main requirements of turning your creative skills into a sustainable, professional business.

At the heart of it all, collaboration, connection and community are the bedrock of everything he does.

Enjoy!

You can support the podcast at nplhmag.com

Show note: The documentary referenced at the tail end of the episode is titled 'They'll Love Me When I'm Dead', with the subsequent film titled 'The Other Side of the Wind'. Both are available to watch on Netflix

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pete Hoppins has a career path to pique your interest.

After studying fashion in Northumbria UK, he found himself in London designing for Box Fresh. Wanting a change, he shouted "I'm a designer, get me out of here" and headed to Amsterdam for a role at Nike.

They packed him off to Portland, Oregon where he'd eventually become Design Director for the sporting behemoth.

Then he sacked it all off to run a pub!

From creating designs for football's elite to creating community in his adopted home via the Toffee Club, Pete found fulfilment and balance whilst finding his way around a sink full of dishes.

Entrepreneurship has brought a different set of challenges than those of the corporate environment but Pete shares how the lessons learned in that career help him navigate running the Away Days brewing Co. as well as his design consultancy, Home and Away.

Enjoy!

_______

You can support the podcast as a subscriber, with caffeine funds or grabbing a magazine at nplhmag.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaron Durand is the Sports Marketing Manager at Avery Dennison and arguably the nicest guy in showbiz.

He explains the role Avery Dennison plays within football and beyond (spoiler alert - they're everywhere) and gives a fascinating insight into how they can and will change the way the game is watched.

We also rewind through career stints at Twitter, Adidas and youth counselling, and chat dogs, family, photography, and Andrei Kanchelskis.

Lots to take away throughout on career opportunities, work ethos, relationships and personal growth.

Enjoy!

______

You can support the podcast and its growth at nplhmag.com

Show notes:

Stutz is the documentary we couldn't place and is available to watch on Netflix

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you know Virginia Dream and Vermont Green you’ll know the work of Casey Peckio; the US designers fingerprints are on the output of both clubs, not least Virginia.

Their 2024 jersey release (you know the one) had all of our eyelashes fluttering in their direction and Casey shares details on the process behind it, why he works with clubs like these, how they push him as a creative and what this path gives him that playing the game didn’t. 

He also offers his perspective on seeking growth in his field, the benefits of collaboration and why he’s excited at the prospect of topping his latest efforts rather than daunted by it. 

But not before we discuss the importance of long distance running, the nuisance of hay fever and brilliance of Bruce Springsteen. 

Enjoy!

____

You can support the podcast and its growth as a subscriber or caffeine donor at nplhmag.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As co-founder of Atoot, the grassroots non-profit using football to empower young girls of rural Nepal, Sarah Van Vooren is doing what I’d call God’s work. And the good news is she’s not the only one! 

Sarah shares the origins and mission of Atoot along with the impact it and other organisations like it has on the individuals involved and the communities they are a part of. 

For good measure, she walks us through her own route into the ‘sports for development’ landscape which though has seen her work in countries such as India, Cambodia and Haiti, began on a study trip to Italy whilst on a Golf scholarship. Life, eh? 

An insightful, educational and often inspiring conversation highlighting the positive power of football when harnessed by those such as Sarah, her colleagues and those like them around the world.

Enjoy!  

_____

You can support the podcast and its growth as a subscriber or caffeine donor here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tommie Battle is an NYC-based self-taught and published Black photographer specialising in portrait, photojournalism, and sports photography.

In this episode he opens up on life as a kid in a military family, how the experiences that came with it shaped his life and how, along the way, Roberto Baggio planted a seed that would bloom into not only a passion for the game but a career in it.

The NYCFC photographer also discusses the importance of tuning into your younger self, practicing self-care, and checking those around you are doing the same.

There’s also a bit in there about his photography career that’s well worth a listen.

Enjoy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DiDi Haračić is the goalkeeper for NWSL side Angel City.

With a job like that it’d be easy to wrap up the intro there. But DiDi lives somewhat of a double life – when she’s not stopping shots, she’s taking them.

Off pitch, DiDi finds peace (and therapy) through her lens, the ocean and often a combination of the two. 

We talk about both her photographic and football journeys, their similarities and how the foundation laid by her parents armed her with a resilience to meet the challenges of both.

In DiDi’s words, “Believe in your path, believe in your journey. Do your best not to compare” 

Enjoy.

____

You can support the podcast and its growth as a subscriber or caffeine donor here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aside from being an incredibly handsome man, Tarek Pertew is CEO and co-founder of NYC Footy, the co-ed league initially formed 'for fun' back in 2010. 

Fourteen years on, Footy has not only consolidated itself in the city, but has grown into the largest amateur league in the United States whilst only existing inside the boundaries of the Big Apple. For now, at least!

Tarek discusses the off-pitch battles that come with running the league, the cost to not only his own experience of the competition, but his health, how he finds balance (sometimes, anyway) and the motivating factors that keep him going. Spoiler alert: it’s love not money. SWOON!  

It’s impossible to say how many lives Footy has impacted in a positive way, but I can say with certainty this conversation offered me a ton of value and encouragement to draw from on my own journey.

There might be something in there for you too.

Over to Tarek 

___

To borrow a line from NYC Footy, if you think I deserve it you can support the podcast in two ways at nplhmag.com, follow the show and leave a review.

Thanks for the support

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mack Mansfield is President and CEO of USL newcomers Brooklyn Football Club and Executive Director of Two Bridges Football Club, a non-profit dedicated to enriching New York’s inner-city youth through a first-class soccer environment, intense academic preparation, and leadership development.

But before that, he was a young player with a dream of becoming professional and that dream took him to Germany with stints at the academies of Schalke and Cologne.

Mack shares the impact that dream ending had on his mental health, the career path it then led him down back in the US and how a phone call from the blue not only presented a way back into the game, but provided an opportunity to be of service which would change the trajectory of his life and ultimately dozens of others.

Over to Mack...

If you enjoy the podcast, there’s more information on how you can support it’s growth at nplhmag.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enjoying the podcast? Support the show with caffeine here.

Jordan Jesolva is one third of Neighborhood Sports Club, the creative collective using football, fashion and art to build community for the people of Oakland, California. 

That’s pretty cool, but we don’t really talk about that.

Instead, Jordan shares the origins of her football love story, that playing professionally was the only option she ever saw for herself and how that dream was met with constant opposition from her body.

No bitterness in sight, though. She’s stronger for every injury and corresponding surgery, finds herself exactly where she’s meant to be and in a position to help those fighting the same battles.

All that and more, including breath work!

Over to Jordan

_____

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our collection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Enjoy the episode? Shout me a cortado here or subscribe to the NPLH clubhouse here.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enjoying the podcast? Support the show with caffeine here.

This week I’m joined by This Fan Girl founder Amy Drucquer. And occasionally her coffee machine.

Amy charts her journey from childhood match days with her dad and the sense of belonging that came with those, to the wilderness years of early adulthood when football stadiums no longer felt like home. 

Knowing this wasn’t a feeling unique to her and with a creative itch to scratch, Amy began an ambitious photographic project across the country to re-address media representation of female fans. 

Along the way she not only reclaimed her place in the game but, through This Fan Girl, forged a community for women in search of one in the process. 

But it doesn’t end there and we’ve got Leicester City winning the Premier League to thank.

Over to Amy.

___

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our collection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dylan Autran is one third of creative Collective Neighborhood Sports Club.

A childhood desire to carve a career as a player saw him collect a few stamps on his passport via France, Finland and Norway.

It was in the latter where the early seeds of NSC were sewn and a flight home to California, to turn out for hometown club Oakland Roots, would open the doors back to a childhood when football wasn’t about finding the next contract, but a vehicle for creative expression and a gateway to connection and community.

Listen to the way he talks about his Under 10 team and tell me he wasn’t destined to be doing what he’s doing now. 

You’ve got to leave home to come home, right? 

Enjoy! 

———

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our collection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was an easy one for me.

I asked Nikita Taparia how one comes to live a dual life as a mechanical engineer and prolific photographer in the NWSL. She did the rest.

From early exposure as a child, taking photos of friends and its role in her studies, Nikita details how the medium, a love of geometry and a helping hand from Geography would open up the game to her in a way she’d never imagined - or anyone else for that matter. 

In time, it would take her across state, the country and, eventually, the world. But more importantly, when she needed it, it got her out of her head as the stresses that came with a PhD weighed upon her.

With a career born out of competitiveness with herself, honed on the touchline in real time and played in tandem with some of the games icons, as they hang up their boots, what’s next? 

Over to Nikita…

———

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our collection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max Ornstil is a former pro athlete turned entrepreneur and creative from Oakland, California. 

He shares the challenges of transitioning from a life with a very clear path and identity, to one without either as one third of the creative collective Neighborhood Sports Club. 

Falling in love with the game aged five, Max lived out his boyhood dream in exchange for a number of sacrifices along the way only for someone else to tell him when the dream was over. 

Where that door closed, a world of possibilities opened and, as Max tells us, Neighborhood Sports Club has not only given him the opportunity to reconnect with passions cast aside as his career took over, but reminded him why he fell in love with the game in the first place. 

More takeouts than a strip mall in this one. Enjoy! 

———

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our collection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Desbaillets is a Canadian entrepreneur, media personality and founder of the charity GOAL. 

Our first conversation came in the midst of the pandemic, when his podcast, The 1st Half was in its embryonic stages. 

Picking up four years later, the show, his businesses and the charity continue to thrive and it only took about 4 minutes of this call to understand why.

Paul details how life in hospitality lends itself well to building a successful podcast, the karmic origins of the charity, why community is key and his take on what it takes to move forward. 

The conversation came four days before I left the relative safety of full-time employment and I’ll be honest, I saw an opportunity for a bit of free mentoring to help me on this new path.

I took plenty from it and hope you can too.

As he says, "you’ve got to be open, loose and ready to go!"

Enjoy!

--------

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our collection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrea Vílchez is a Florida-based photographer at the beginning of what promises to be an exciting career.

Still four months from graduation at the time of recording, Andrea already boasts a portfolio of work from the NWSL, WNBA and MLS, not to mention the Grand Prize Award of Club Eleven’s North American Soccer Photograph of the Year contest – congratulations! 

She shares her family's journey from Nicaragua to Florida, how the game helped her adapt to life in a new country and how picking up a camera for the first time opened up that same in a way she hadn’t seen before. Looking at her work, it’s hard to believe that was little over three years ago!

Speaking with Andrea reminded me that you don’t always necessarily need to look towards age and experience for inspiration. Her drive and attitude provided me with yet another timely reminder at a crossroads on my own path. 

Enjoy!

---

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our collection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drake Ramberg needs little introduction, but I'll give him one anyway.

An Oregonian born and raised in the vicinity of Nike HQ, he would go on to spearhead the brand's drive into the football space, revolutionise kit design, and build a legacy over the next three decades.

Over to Drake.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Sandison is best known in the football space for founding seminal indie magazine MUNDIAL, way back in 2014. 

We spoke at the very beginning this year about the early days of the publication, how it evolved from a spare-time project to an internationally recognised brand over the following decade, and adjusting to life after the mag. 

But there’s plenty more to his story than the successes of MUNDIAL. Dan shares how his creative journey began with a love of film and wanting to make them, before heading to university to study it and quickly realising he didn’t!

A love of writing was discovered in the process and, after knocking on a few doors, they began to open. An assist from his dad in the form of some time off work enabled him to explore an opportunity and the rest is history. Well played, Dad. 

There are some key learnings here on perseverance, perspective, the value of support and, as we’ve heard across many episodes, the importance of backing yourself. 

Enjoying the podcast? Support the show with caffeine here.

———

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our collection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jacqui McAssey is founder of GIRLFANS, the photo zine pushing for increased female fan visibility, as well as a leading voice on female representation through campaigns with Nike, Liverpool and COPA90. 

As well as the progress made during 10 years of GIRLFANS, we discuss the early influence of Liverpool’s victory parades during the 80s, the importance of play in formative years and activism through creative output.

A self-confessed non-academic student with a GCSE in needlework, we learn how she went on to become a senior lecturer in Fashion and communication at Liverpool John Moores University with works archived in the British Library - quite the turnaround! – and why she might be spending a bit more time at the Bingo hall.

Enjoy! 

———

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our collection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nathen McVittie is a Creative Strategist across the sports, gaming, music and entertainment spaces.

In the football landscape his fingerprints can be found on the work of well-known brands such as FIFA, MLS, Nike and Adidas, along with leading clubs such as Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City. He’s also co-founder and Creative Director of Where is Football – one of the most respected independent outlets in the game.

But we don’t really talk about any of that. Instead, we touch on trauma, its impact on life choices, photography as an outlet, the importance of broadening horizons for the creative process and his 1971 Datsun 240z.

A conversation of immense value in many ways with plenty to draw from. But be careful, I was so hyped up, I typed up my resignation the following day.

Enjoy!

———

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our colection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US artist Geoff Gouveia takes us through his journey from cutting his teeth on the unloved buildings of Riverside, CA to working with leading brands such as FIFA and Adidas.

He recalls how an inspirational trip to Brazil in 2014 during a crossroads in his career planted the seeds for a change in direction and how he set about making that happen on his return home –including cross country flights for coffee!

Geoff’s career shows us how backing yourself publicly and an air of tenacity are often as important as artistic ability, if not more, and how elementary school may have offered some spoilers on how his life would pan out.

Enjoy! 

----

NPLH is more than a podcast.

Once you've hit the follow button, visit nplhmag.com to enjoy online reads, subscribe to our newsletter, and browse our colection of magazines, prints, and apparel.

Your support keeps us playing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.