Category Archives: Uncategorized

Season 4: Episode 1 – Dia Simms (CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequlia)



Welcome to the first episode of “Meetings” with Paul Rivera. On this show PR sits down with the CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila, Dia Simms. They discuss her journey from her first job at the Department of Defense to working as Puff Daddy’s Executive Assistant to running his empire just 10yrs later, her current role as CEO at Lobos, what’s ahead for the brand, and advice to young entrepreneurs trying to figure it all out.


Season 3: Episode 10- Anthony Saleh (Music Entrepreneur and Investor)



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with music entrepreneur and investor, Anthony Saleh. They discuss how 20yr old Anthony pitched iconic rapper NAS to manage him, advice to anyone trying to get in the Manager game, the value of learning to lead from behind, why he Invests in tech startups, and the art of betting on yourself.


Season 3: Episode 9- Josh Pyatt (Co-Head of WME Sports)



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Co-Head of WME Sports, Josh Pyatt. They discuss Josh’s iconic roster of athletes including LeBron James, A-Rod, Dale Earnhart Jr, Ray Lewis, and more, working with Michael Strahan to pave the way for second act careers after sports, Kobe Bryant’s obsession with Harry Potter books during research to write his own book, and what it took for Josh to go from the infamous mail room to partner at WME Sports.


Season 3: Episode 8- God Shammgod



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Dallas Mavericks Player Development Coach & basketball legend, God Shammgod. They discuss how Shammgod got his name, rooming with a future NBA great at ABCD camp, Biggie and Jay Z coming to high school games in the 90’s, unintentionally creating the “Shammgod” move, his time in the league as a player and how he’s influenced the last, current and next generation of ballers. 


Season 3: Episode 7- Carlton McCoy (Master Sommelier and CEO of Lawrence Family Enterprises)



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Carlton McCoy, Master Sommelier and CEO of Lawrence Family Enterprises. They discuss the California wildfires impact on the wine making industry, the dedication it took Carlton to become one of only 269 Master Sommeliers in the world ever, the under representation of black and brown people in the wine industry (he’s 1 of 3 African American Master Somms in the world), how to order when you’re out to dinner with friends or on a date, and the legend of the infamous “cougar juice”.


Season 3: Episode 6- Josh Kroenke (Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment)



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Rams, and Arsenal F.C. to name a few), Josh Kroenke. They discuss. Josh’s very unique role across all the families properties from sports to real estate, life in the NBA bubble during the Denver Nuggets Playoffs run, owning the iconic Arsenal Football Club in London, and his advice to young execs looking to thrive in the sports industry.


Season 3: Episode 5- Alfie Brody (VP, Global Marketing at NBA 2K)



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with VP of Global Marketing at NBA 2K, Alfie Brody. They discuss Alfie’s ambitions to make it to the league, getting there but in a different way than you think, the myths and facts about 2K players ratings, the art behind casting the cover athlete, and the culture shift around playing video games as a career. 


Season 3: Episode 4- Fara Leff (COO Klutch Sports Group)



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Chief Operating Officer of Klutch Sports Group, Fara Leff. They discuss Fara’s untraditional path to working in sports, how working as an executive assistant for 6 years gave her the experience she needed to be successful in her role now, the power of relationships and being nice, working with Rich Paul, and helping build Klutch Sports Group into one of the top athlete agencies in the world.


Season 3: Episode 3- Jed Berger (Global CMO of Foot Locker Inc)



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Global CMO of Foot Locker Inc, Jed Berger. They discuss Jed’s early days co-founding and building Dime Magazine, what PR was like as a young professional when he started his first job at Dime, Jed becoming a SVP of Marketing at Models by age 27, and the valuable life lessons and values he credits his success to so far. It’s real, insightful, and everything you’d expect from The Paul Rivera Podcast.


Season 3: Episode 2- John Elliott



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with designer John Elliott. They discuss how John blended his two passions of skateboarding and basketball when building his brand, doubling down on relationships vs getting a formal education in fashion design and the story behind the once in a lifetime opportunity to design a shoe with Nike and LeBron James.


Season 3: Episode 1- Kendrick Perkins



The Paul Rivera Podcast is back! We’re kicking off Season 3 with NBA Champion and ESPN analyst, Kendrick Perkins! They discuss Kendrick’s journey to the league, playing with three future league MVP’s at the same time in OKC, teaming up with LeBron from AAU to the NBA, his NBA bubble predictions and how he accidentally fell into an analyst career.

This convo is as authentic as it gets, everything you’d expect from Kendrick Perkins! 


Season 2: Ep 4- Mario Carbone



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR is joined by Chef and Managing Partner of Major Food Group, Culinary legend Mario Carbone. They discuss how this pandemic is affecting the hospitality business, his Italian upbringing, what happened when they tried Carbone delivery, and Mario even gives non-culinary legend PR a few tips as he whips up a quick Italian dish in the kitchen.


Season 2: Ep 3- Draymond Green



On the first remote episode of the Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with NBA Champion and returning guest, Draymond Green. They discuss how he found out the NBA season had been suspended, what he’s been up to during this new reality, his transition to team Converse & when he thinks he’ll play in an NBA game again. It’s everything you expect, and a lot of what you wouldn’t, from NBA All-Star Draymond Green.


Season 2: Ep 2- Jamal Henderson



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with President of Spring Hill Entertainment, Jamal Henderson. They discuss his days at Pepsi Co, partnering with Drake to revive the classic show Top Boy, and the expectations around making one of the most anticipated movies ever; Space Jam.


Season 2: Ep 1- Michael Cherman



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with streetwear designer and cultural tastemaker Michael Cherman, the Founder of China Town Market. They discuss his early days trying to get on, his insane attempts to get noticed, creating 1 of 1’s for King James & breaking every rule along the way to create his own lane.


Episode 13: Rich Paul



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with NBA powerbroker Rich Paul. They discuss why he doesn’t like being called an agent, the grind to get to the top, how he deals with the hate, why he’ll never get credit for LeBron, and how he might be your favorite jump shooters favorite jump shooter.


Episode 12: Salehe Bembury



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Senior Director of Sneakers and Men’s Footwear designer at Versace, Salehe Bembury. They discuss his first job at Payless, being one of the few Kanye West design Alumni, and how him never getting hired for his dream job at Nike was the best thing that ever happened to him.


Episode 11: Omar Johnson



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Marketing guru Omar Johnson. They discuss how he stumbled into marketing, his journey from Campbell Soup, to Nike, to Beats By Dre, his big break working with music industry icon Jimmy Iovine & helping grow Beats into one of the most culturally relevant brands in the world


Episode 10: Victor Cruz



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Super Bowl Champion Victor Cruz. Vic discusses getting his first check in the league, life after retirement, his personal thoughts on Antonio Brown & says names on the best and worst dressed players in sports!


Episode 9: David Creech



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with former VP of Design at Jordan Brand, and current VP of Brand Creative at Nike, David Creech. They discuss his unconventional path to Nike, his big Olympics break and working alongside GOATS!


Episode 8: Maverick Carter



More Than An Athlete, More Than a Businessman, More Than LeBron James’s Friend. On this episode of the Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with friend, business partner, and UNINTERRUPTED’s More Than An Athlete founder Maverick Carter.  They discuss entrepreneurship, the value of failure, and how curiosity, mentorship, and continued self education are critical to sustained success in todays business climate.


Episode 7: Danny Sillman



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with the 30yr old CEO of Relevent Sports, Danny Sillman. They talk about how he started his first business managing money for athletes from his college dorm room, his involvement in bringing the biggest soccer clubs in the world to the US, and the time he tried to reach out to Stephen Ross by emailing 15 different email variations, spoiler alert; it worked!


Episode 6: John Seymour



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Brooklyn entrepreneur John Seymour to talk about his creation of the famed chicken and waffle spot Sweet Chick, his friendship and eventual business partnership with legendary rapper Nas, and how he credits Google with basically everything he knowns. 


Episode 5: Chris Brancato



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Narcos creator, Chris Brancato to talk about his journey from Teaneck, NJ to the sets of Hollywood. They discuss the inspirations behind his writing, insightful advice for young creatives breaking into the industry, and his newest project with Hollywood legend, Forrest Whitaker.


Episode 4: Raven Varona



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Bronx born photographer and creative Raven B. Varona. She talks about shooting the goat HOV, flicking it up for the King, and what its like shooting for the biggest superstar in the world, Beyonce.


Episode 3: Nigel Sylvester



On this episode of The Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with professional BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester to talk about how he rode his bike from Queens NY to stardom.  They discuss how created his own lane within sport and culture, turning pro, and the global success of his ‘GO’ content series. 


Episode 2: Shoe Surgeon



On episode 2 of the Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with Dominic Chambrone aka “The Shoe Surgeon” to talk about his rise from shoe repair cobbler, to one of the biggest names in sneaker culture.


Episode 1: Draymond Green



On the debut episode of the Paul Rivera Podcast, PR sits down with 3x NBA Champion, 3x NBA All Star, and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green! They discuss his arrival in the NBA, the Dynasty that is the Golden State Warriors, and Draymond’s mostly unknown relationship with LeBron James.