Intangible Podcast

Marc Trachtenberg is the founder, chairman, president and CEO of Silk Title Co, leading organizations of over 1,000 employees across real estate and financial services. On this episode of Intangible he sits down to talk about the intangibles that actually built his career, and none of it is the version people assume when they see the success from the outside.

Marc opens up about going bankrupt in his first business, the exact moment he realized the failure was his own fault, and how he rebuilt his mindset from the ground up. He breaks down what he calls the...

Annie Bailey is a former Division I lacrosse player at the University of Colorado, a boarding school graduate from Culver Academies, and now a CEO and Equity Partner at Rise Sports Advisory — a firm built to help elite athletes build generational wealth, not just a paycheck.
In this episode, Annie breaks down exactly why 75 percent of NFL players end up broke or divorced within five years of retiring, what the average two-year NFL career actually means for long-term financial planning, and why the identity crisis that hits athletes when the sport ends is just as dangerous as the fi...

Six years grinding overseas. Multiple country jumps. Undrafted in 2006. Chris Copeland could have walked away from basketball more times than he can count, but instead he became Belgian league MVP, signed with the New York Knicks in 2012, and earned the nickname The X-Factor over 171 plus NBA games with the Knicks, Pacers, and Bucks.

In this episode of Intangible Podcast, Chris sits down with former NFL center and host Chris Spencer to break down the mindset that took him from undrafted free agent to the NBA stage at Madison Square Garden. They get into the psychology degree that...

What does it actually take to build generational wealth as a professional athlete? In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, Chris Spencer sits down with Michael Ledo, CEO and founder of Rise Family Office, for the unfiltered conversation most athletes never get to have until it is already too late.

Michael is the nephew of Eugene Parker, the first major Black sports agent in America. He is a two-time Division II All-American running back whose ankle injury became the turning point that led him to build three athletic training facilities, develop over 100 Division I athletes and 15 NFL...

Most athletes say they're coachable. Beno Udrih has a question that will change the way you see yourself.

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, two-time NBA champion, 13-year NBA veteran, and current G League head coach Beno Udrih sits down with host Chris Spencer to unpack the intangibles that took him from a small village in Slovenia all the way to back-to-back championships with the San Antonio Spurs.

Beno gets honest about what it actually means to be coachable — not just with the coach who talks your language, but with every coaching style you'll ev...

Shan Foster is the all-time leading scorer in Vanderbilt history. His number is retired. He was named SEC Player of the Year, drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, and played professional basketball across four continents. But the story that made all of that possible starts long before any of that — in New Orleans, in an abusive household, learning how to survive by wearing different masks every single day.
In this episode, Shan breaks down the intangibles that built him — not the accolades, but the actual wiring underneath them. He talks about how an abusive stepfather, a friendship with a kid...

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, Chris Spencer sits down with Janee’ Kassanavoid, one of the most powerful and inspiring throwers in the world.

Janee’ shares the mindset, discipline, and inner strength it takes to compete on the global stage, while also carrying the pride of her Comanche heritage into everything she does. From chasing big goals to handling pressure, overcoming setbacks, and learning how to trust the process, this conversation is packed with lessons for young athletes, parents, and coaches.

This episode is a reminder that greatness is not just about talent. It is a...

Former Oregon Ducks wide receiver and Atlanta Falcons player Drew Davis joins Chris Spencer on the Intangible Podcast for a powerful conversation about football, identity, leadership, and life after the game.

Drew’s journey took him from Denver to the University of Oregon, where he was part of one of the most exciting eras in Ducks football, to the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons. But this episode goes deeper than stats, highlights, and football memories. Drew opens up about the mindset it takes to bet on yourself, the reality of being an undrafted free agent, and what yo...

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit with Emmanuel Adebi, Vanderbilt tight end and former Cornell standout, to talk about the mindset, faith, and discipline it takes to keep chasing greatness when the road does not look like everyone else’s.

Emmanuel’s journey is bigger than football. From competing in the Ivy League at Cornell to earning his opportunity at Vanderbilt in the SEC, his story is about resilience, belief, and finding strength in the things people cannot always measure. He opens up about his path as an athlete, the role faith has played in h...

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, former NFL center Chris Spencer sits down with former Ole Miss defensive back and NFL safety CJ Moore for a powerful conversation about grit, resilience, faith, and the mindset it takes to keep going when the path doesn’t go as planned.

CJ shares what it was like growing up in a small Mississippi town with no stoplights, working on the farm, competing with his twin brother, and building the work ethic that carried him from Ole Miss to the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans. He opens up about going un...

What does it really take to reach the highest level… and stay there?

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, Chris Spencer sits down with WNBA veteran Marissa Coleman and professional fighter Camee Adams for one of the most real conversations we’ve had about mindset, adversity, and identity.

These two athletes come from completely different paths. Marissa knew early she was destined for the WNBA and went on to build a 12-year professional career. Camee’s journey didn’t even begin until she was 26 years old, already a mother of two, stepping into a fight gy...

What does it really take to go from the end of the bench… to the Pro Bowl… to walking away from millions to follow your purpose?

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, former NFL Pro Bowl tight end turned psychologist, Dr. Julius Thomas sits down with Chris Spencer to break down the intangibles that separate average athletes from elite performers.

Julius shares his unbelievable journey—from struggling as a freshman athlete, to switching from basketball to football late, to catching touchdowns from Peyton Manning—and ultimately stepping away from the game to pursue a deeper c...

What does it really take to rebuild your life after losing everything?

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with David Meltzer—former CEO of Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, entrepreneur, investor, and one of the most impactful voices in business and sports today.

David opens up about going from the top of the sports world to losing over $100 million… and the mindset shift that brought him back stronger than ever.

This conversation goes deeper than business and sports. It’s about human nature, faith, humility, and the unseen intangibles that separa...

What does it really take to go from the projects to becoming a Super Bowl Champion?

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with NFL wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Richie James to break down the mindset, discipline, and unseen traits that helped him beat the odds and stay in the league.

From growing up in Sarasota with limited structure to becoming a standout at Middle Tennessee State and eventually carving out a role in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, and Kansas City Chiefs — Ri...

What happens when you walk away from the NFL at your peak?

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jelani Jenkins—team captain at the University of Florida, NFL starter, and a player who made the rare decision to retire at just 26 years old.

But this conversation goes way deeper than football.

Jelani opens up about the mindset his father instilled in him from a young age, the power of belief and affirmations, and how those intangibles carried him all the way to the NFL. He...

What does it take to thrive in the most pressure-packed position in football?

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, former Alabama placekicker Gunnar Raborn joins Chris Spencer to break down the mindset required to succeed when the entire game comes down to one kick.

Growing up in Louisiana as a multi-sport athlete, Gunnar didn’t even start kicking until his junior year of high school. But that late start turned into a journey that took him to Alabama football, where a moment with Coach Nick Saban would permanently reshape how he viewed pressure and pe...

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, Chris Spencer sits down with Vanderbilt basketball standout Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda to unpack the mindset, resilience, and intangibles behind her journey from Sioux Falls to the SEC.

Ndjakalenga’s story is one every athlete should hear. From growing up in a sports-driven family with roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to becoming South Dakota Player of the Year, to competing at the highest level of college basketball at Texas and Vanderbilt, her path has been built on discipline, adaptability, and relentless work ethic. 

She describes herself as a “Swiss...

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, Chris Spencer sits down with former MLB outfielder Tyson Gillies — a man whose story goes far beyond the stat sheet.

Drafted by the Seattle Mariners and later traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, Tyson also represented Team Canada on the world stage. But what makes his journey truly powerful isn’t just professional baseball — it’s perseverance.

Tyson grew up losing over 70% of his hearing and had to fight through bullying, misunderstanding, and being labeled early in life. Instead of shrinking, he leaned into sport. From hoc...

Josh Cuthbert isn’t just a strength coach. He’s a culture builder. A mindset architect. A guy trusted by elite NFL athletes like George Kittle to build not just muscle — but longevity.

Josh breaks down what truly separates the grinders from the gifted. Why the offseason matters more than Sundays. Why “compound interest” applies to your workouts. And why too many athletes are pampered before they’ve earned it.

From coaching at Louisiana Tech and Cal, to working under elite strength minds, to now developing NFL pros and high-performing CEOs, Josh shares the raw truth about...

What does it really take to go from a 7-year-old kid racing boys in Michigan to standing on the Olympic stage with a medal around your neck?

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with Olympic bronze medalist Taylor Manson to uncover the mindset, discipline, and faith that carried her from Lansing, Michigan to the world stage.

Taylor is an 11-time All-American at the University of Florida, a multiple-time SEC standout, and an Olympic medalist in the mixed 4x400 relay. But what makes her story powerful isn’t just the medals. It’s th...

As the Winter Olympics capture the world’s attention, few sports demand more courage, composure, and trust than luge—and few athletes embody those intangibles like Emily Fischnaller.

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with one of the most accomplished and resilient athletes in winter sports. Emily’s journey spans Junior World Championships, World Cup titles, multiple Olympic Games, and one of the most difficult comebacks in elite sport after a career-threatening Olympic crash.

While fans watch athletes chase hundredths of a second on the world’s biggest stage, Emily takes us behin...

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with Jordan Ta'amu for a real conversation about what it takes to survive — and lead — when the path isn’t linear.

Jordan’s journey from Ole Miss to the NFL and spring football is a masterclass in betting on yourself. He opens up about staying ready when opportunities aren’t guaranteed, developing confidence without constant validation, and learning how to lead a locker room through uncertainty. This isn’t a highlight-reel conversation. It’s about the unseen work, the mindset shifts, and the discipline that separate quarterbacks who last from...

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit with Jaelen Strong, former NFL wide receiver, Arizona State standout, and now a state-championship winning high school coach.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Jaelen didn’t take the traditional path to the NFL. He bet on himself through junior college, grinded his way to Arizona State, became a 3rd-round NFL Draft pick, and lived the reality of playing at the highest level. But this conversation goes far beyond stats, highlights, or draft position.

Jaelen opens up about the mental and emotional side of football that most people ne...

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, former NFL cornerback Daryl Worley sits down with us for one of the most real, honest conversations we’ve had on the show.

From growing up in North Philadelphia to becoming a third-round draft pick out of West Virginia Mountaineers, Daryl breaks down the mindset, discipline, and adaptability required to last nearly a decade in the NFL. He opens up about navigating league politics, transitioning roles, reinventing himself through special teams, and what it truly means to be labeled “a pro” in an NFL locker room.

Daryl also shares...

Former MLB pitcher Josh Lindblom joins the Intangible Podcast for one of our most honest and powerful conversations yet. From being a 2nd-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers, grinding through the minor leagues, bouncing between teams, and eventually reinventing himself overseas as a KBO MVP, Josh takes us inside the real journey of a professional athlete.

This episode is all about the intangibles that don’t show up on the stat sheet—identity, resilience, composure, faith, and learning how to compete with freedom instead of fear. Josh opens up about performance-based identity, handling failure, navigating care...

What happens when elite competition, creativity, faith, and adaptability collide? In this episode we sit down with Nelson Smith to unpack one of the most unique journeys in modern sports.

Nelson’s story stretches far beyond the field. He was a multi-sport athlete playing football and baseball in college, suffered a devastating injury that forced him to rethink his identity, navigated isolation and uncertainty during COVID, and unexpectedly found a new lane through content creation. That journey eventually led him into the fast-growing world of Banana Ball, where performance, entertainment, and fan connection all matter.

Th...

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, We sit with Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss Women’s Basketball standout and former Ohio State Buckeye, for a powerful and honest conversation recorded live in Oxford, Mississippi. Cotie opens up about her transfer journey, why she initially didn’t want to come to Ole Miss, and how Head Coach Yolette McPhee-McCuin (Coach Yo) poured into her not just as an athlete, but as a human being.

Cotie shares what fans don’t always see — the mental toll of competition, the pressure of playing in the SEC, navigating social media criticism, and the...

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit with Rachel Folden, one of the most influential coaches in modern baseball and softball. Rachel is a four-time All-American catcher at Marshall University, a former professional fastpitch standout, the first female coach in Chicago Cubs history, founder of Folden Fastpitch, and now a coach in the New York Mets organization 

Rachel opens up about her journey from struggling hitter to elite performer, how adversity shaped her mindset, and why learning to reframe failure is a skill every athlete must develop. She shares powerful lessons on leadership, confidence, empathy, a...

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit with Ole Miss softball phenom Mackenzie Pickens — a rising SEC star with the mindset and motor every young athlete should study. Mackenzie breaks down the pressure, the grind, and the intangibles that fuel her confidence on the biggest stage. If you’re chasing greatness or raising an athlete who is, this conversation is pure gold.

Mackenzie opens up about her journey to Oxford, what it’s like growing up with a twin sister who also plays college softball, and the pressure that comes with being labeled “the one who can...

Today on the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with Compete Every Day founder, keynote speaker, and leadership coach Jake Thompson — a man who has trained over 85,000 leaders and built a global brand rooted in one message: your habits will take you where your hype never will.

Jake opens up about developing composure in the toughest moments, redefining what competition really means, and why the greatest opponent you’ll ever face is the one in the mirror. He even breaks down his COMPETE Framework, the same mindset model he teaches to athletes, Fortune 500 teams, and high performers around the...

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with Ole Miss volleyball standout Gabi Placide — a fierce competitor with a quiet intensity and a heart for leadership. Gabi opens up about her journey from Colorado to the SEC, why the Grove sold her on Ole Miss, and how ambition carried her from a mid-major to one of the biggest stages in college volleyball.

Gabi talks about the intangibles that truly shape her game: hunger, consistency, competitiveness, confidence, staying grounded in a social-media world, and what young girls need to see from female athletes today. She br...

Clemson great and former NFL defensive end Austin Bryant joins Chris Spencer for a powerful, raw, and inspiring conversation about the intangibles that shaped his life on and off the field. From growing up in a small South Georgia town to winning two national championships at Clemson and navigating the highs and lows of the NFL, Austin opens up in a way young athletes and parents rarely get to hear.

He reflects on the village that raised him, the toughness he learned competing with older cousins, and the moment a position switch from quarterback to defensive end...

In this episode of The Intangible Podcast, former UCLA and Florida State tight end Jordan Wilson opens up about the qualities that shaped his journey — faith, resilience, leadership, and an obsession with greatness. From growing up in Nashville with a strong faith foundation, to ACL setbacks, to transferring across the country, to fighting his way back from an Achilles tear, Jordan’s story is a masterclass on what separates good athletes from great ones.

Young athletes, parents, and coaches — this episode is loaded with lessons you can apply today. Jordan breaks down how to han...

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, Chris Spencer sits down with Jake McKenzie, VP of Membership & Community Engagement for PAC (Pro Athlete Community). Jake’s journey from foster care and instability to becoming one of the most trusted leaders helping pro athletes transition into life beyond sports is powerful and deeply human.

Jake opens up about his early upbringing, the identity battles that came with leaving football, and how vulnerability became his greatest strength. He explains the heart behind PAC and the “new locker room” they’re building—one designed to give current and former pros a space to...

Super Bowl Champion and 13-year NFL veteran Rodney McLeod joins host Chris Spencer on The Intangible Podcast to talk about the intangibles that fueled his career—from going undrafted to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rodney opens up about his upbringing in D.C., lessons in leadership and composure, the faith and family foundation that grounded him, and his transition into life after football—now as an ESPN SEC analyst and co-founder of the Change Our Future Foundation with his wife, Erika.

This conversation dives deep into the mindset behind longevity, the impo...

Former Alabama wide receiver Mac Hereford joins The Intangible Podcast to unpack what it’s really like to grind your way into Nick Saban’s program — and how that experience shaped his mindset beyond football.

From waking up at 4:30 AM to catch passes in front of D1 scouts, to earning his spot on one of the greatest college football teams ever, Mac reveals the discipline, faith, and character that carried him through it all.

This episode dives deep into mental toughness, leadership, and the transferable skills athletes can carry into life after sports. Whether you’re an at...

What happens when the game ends — but your purpose is just beginning?
 In this powerful episode of The Intangible Podcast, former Tennessee defensive back Derrick Furlow Jr. joins host Chris Spencer to talk about the real work that begins after the final whistle.

Derrick opens up about growing up in southwest Atlanta, finding football as his escape, and how a devastating ACL injury forced him to face a bigger question: Who am I outside the game?
Now an author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Derrick has dedicated his life to helping athletes navigate tra...

Katy Sullivan is proof that limits are meant to be redefined.
Born without the lower halves of her legs, Katy grew up in Alabama in a family that never saw her disability as something to fix — only something to face head-on. That foundation shaped her into one of the most inspiring performers and athletes in the world.

In this powerful episode, Katy joins Chris Spencer to talk about the resilience that carried her from the track to the stage — from representing Team USA at the Paralympic Games to starring on Br...