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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 sports—but into the power of showing up, evolving, and staying ready.

What makes Jeff’s journey even more powerful is the personal transformation he experienced in mid-career. After committing to his health and discovering CrossFit, Jeff found himself in a new chapter—this time calling events at the CrossFit Games, proving that growth doesn't stop, even after decades in your profession.

This conversation dives into:

• Jeff’s early sports experiences—from youth league soccer to college club hockey
• His start in broadcasting and lessons from nearly three decades behind the mic
• The evolution of media and how staying curious keeps you in the game
• How a personal health journey led to new opportunities in a completely different space
• Why showing up consistently still matters—whether you're on the field or behind the scenes

Whether you're in sports media or navigating a pivot in your own career, this episode will leave you inspired to lean into your strengths, stay open to change, and keep building your voice.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to hear more stories of resilience, reinvention, and career journeys.

Connect with Jeff online:

Instagram @JeffABrightwell | X: @JeffABrightwell

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

The 5th Quarter Podcast is changing from a weekly schedule to an every-other-week schedule.

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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
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- 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-athlete shaped his leadership approach.

✅ Navigating career shifts – Moving from coaching to administration and the lessons learned along the way

✅ Building leadership in others – How he empowers athletes to develop confidence and take ownership of their growth.

✅ Relationships & trust – Why success is about people, not just performance.

✅ Food & culture! – Nate’s love for great food, how he adjusted from Texas flavors to Louisiana cuisine, and his ever-growing restaurant bucket list across the country.

Nate’s journey is proof that leadership is built through trust, adaptability, and creating opportunities for others. And sometimes, the best conversations happen over a great meal.

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Listen to related episodes: Ep 3 with Andre Turner

🔗 Follow & Connect

📧 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of career and branding strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader: https://sandy-adams.com/newsletter 📧

For full show notes, visit https://5thquarterpodcast.com/episodes/

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

The 5th Quarter Podcast is changing from a weekly schedule to an every-other-week schedule.

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: 5thquarterpodcast.com | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website

Send us a text.

- 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 face, and what she’d tell young girls chasing the same dream.

✅ Small-town beginnings and finding her love for the game
✅ Winning a state title and stepping up to D1 basketball
✅ College recruitment during COVID and choosing Omaha
✅ Mental and physical challenges along the way
✅ The future of women’s basketball and what still needs to change
✅ What’s next for her and advice for the next generation

Her story is a reminder that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and believing in yourself, even before others do.

🎧 Listen in for an inspiring conversation about career journeys, stepping up, and embracing the unknown.

To send us a message, just scroll to the top of the show notes and click the link "send us a text" to text the show directly!

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

The 5th Quarter Podcast is changing from a weekly schedule to an every-other-week schedule.

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: 5thquarterpodcast.com | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website