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Obie Stillwell, Former OSU Buckeye walk-on, Buckeye Fever television co-host and real estate professional serving hundreds of residents in affordable housing. Obie Stilwell has lived enough lives for three people—and in this episode, Coach Tim Brown dives into the through-line behind all of them: faith-driven leadership and relentless perseverance.

From Mansfield roots to Big Ten locker rooms, Obie shares how a walk-on mindset—humble, gritty, and resilient—continues to shape how he leads family, work, and community today. The conversation spans the Breakfast Club he co-founded that regularly brings together more than 700 people across race, industry, and age, the realities of overseeing 248 units for elderly and disabled residents, and the art of running a mission with a business backbone.

Obie pulls back the curtain on why hard coaching is often the truest sign of belief, how to accept critique as investment, and why endurance—quiet, steady, uncompromising endurance—is the hidden currency of sustainable leadership.

Things turn deeply personal when Obie opens up about his son’s multi-year court battle and his own cancer fight—and the faith, scripture, and village of mentors that carried him to the other side.

You’ll leave with actionable lessons and a mandate:

• build rooms where difference strengthens community
• give people chances to fail, learn, and come back stronger
• lead in ways that are measurable and humane
• bridge generations so wisdom and energy align

If you’re building something that lasts—family, business, ministry, or neighborhood—this story will sharpen your mindset and expand your mission.

If this episode fuels you, share it with a leader in your circle, leave a review, and subscribe for more conversations that inspire excellence, service, and purpose.

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What. A. Year.
Coach Tim Brown kicks off this special Be A Baller Podcast episode by reflecting on the unforgettable journey of 2025 — a year overflowing with stories, student leadership, and community impact.

From powerful conversations to life-changing lessons, this season was shaped by YOU — the listeners, partners, and friends who support the mission of helping young people lead with purpose and faith.

And now the momentum continues.

Season 7 launches Tuesday, January 20th.
Get ready for new voices, fresh conversations, and more inspiration to step up and Be. A. Baller.

Stay subscribed, spread the word, and get ready to make 2026 the most impactful year yet!

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A celebration can tell you everything about a leader’s life’s work. When Dr. Moses Newsome Jr. returned to Norfolk State University for the 30th anniversary of its social work PhD—the school’s first doctoral program—he saw former students running departments, teaching his own daughter, and carrying forward a mission built on access, excellence, empowerment, and legacy. We dive into how those outcomes were forged: a childhood in Charleston, WV where compassion wasn’t preached, it was practiced; a track scholarship to Toledo that opened the first door; and mentors who steered raw purpose toward social work and higher education.

From the Howard classroom to the dean’s office, Dr. Newsome describes the moment he realized teaching 20 students at a time wasn’t enough. He began writing to scale his message, then pursued leadership to build structures where service could multiply. That vision drove a decade-long effort to launch Norfolk State’s PhD program, navigating state approvals and institutional change to lift a master’s-level university into doctoral territory. The story doesn’t stop there—he went on to shape national standards with the Council on Social Work Education, embedding inclusive curricula, international perspectives, and community engagement across HBCUs and PWIs alike.

We also unpack what makes HBCUs uniquely powerful: real nurture, practical support, and faculty who refuse to let students fall through the cracks. For early-career academics, Dr. Newsome offers hard-won advice—pick your lane (micro, or macro), find mentors aligned with your mission, and build a body of work that opens doors for others. His definition of legacy is both personal and systemic: not just who follows you, but what practices they carry forward. Listen for a masterclass in servant leadership, institutional change, and the kind of commitment that turns a career into a lineage. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so more listeners can find the show.

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Coach Tim Brown sits down with business leader and PR powerhouse Gayle Saunders to explore how faith, family, and fierce preparation shaped her journey from a small Kentucky town to a thriving communications career. Gail shares powerful lessons on resilience, representation, and building a legacy that lifts others. Her message is clear: believe in yourself, stay prepared, and keep going—your legacy starts now.

Gayle shares the quiet reality of breaking barriers as the first Black female news videographer in Columbus. Confidence came from preparation. Responsibility came from representation—capturing hard news while insisting on dignity for Black and brown communities. That mindset later powered a leap into entrepreneurship. In 2014 she founded Saunders PR Group with a clear mission to elevate voices, build wealth, and open doors for creatives who rarely get a seat at the table. The hard-earned lesson: protect your business while you serve others—clear scopes, fair pricing, and boundaries are acts of stewardship.

Her message is clear: believe in yourself, stay prepared, and keep going—your legacy starts with you do next. If this resonates, tap follow, share this episode with a friend who’s ready to lead, and leave a review so others can find the show.

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OSU football alum Maurice Hall shares how he rebuilt his identity after football, trusting God and hard work to guide him into filmmaking. Along with co-writer/director Tony L. Patterson, he breaks down the real moment that inspired Worst Christmas Ever and the values that shaped it.

The cast opens up about love after divorce, co-parenting, and the chaos of blended families during the holidays—all rooted in honesty, faith, and grace. With takeaways on perseverance, purpose, and choosing the right circle, this episode is a reminder that even messy moments can lead to meaning.

Tune in, share with a friend, and keep building your legacy. Subscribe for more legacy-minded stories, share this episode with someone who needs a hopeful holiday, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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Shaniece M. Wise, certified business expansion coach, minister, and best-selling author sits down with Coach Tim Brown in this power-packed episode of the Be a Baller Podcast, to unpack how purpose, profit, and prayer can thrive under the same roof.

From a childhood grounded in family, education, and service, to coaching CEOs and scaling companies across multiple industries, Shaniece shares a clear, energizing blueprint for building a business that outlives its founder.

Faith is the operating system in Shaniece’s world. She opens up about the heart behind her 30-day devotional for entrepreneurs—each day pairing scripture, affirmation, prayer, and a specific business action to fuel both spiritual and operational alignment. Tim and Shaniece explore practical ways to pray over your operations, finances, team, and opportunities while keeping spiritual eyes open for divinely aligned doors.

You’ll also hear the inspiring origin story of her Unstoppable Community—a movement for entrepreneurs who keep pushing after setbacks through real accountability, structure, and shared momentum.

Together, they dig into the hard-won lessons of sustainable scaling:
• Hire help sooner than feels comfortable
• Document systems so the business runs without you
• Protect the CEO’s most valuable asset—time
• Trust the 90-day compounding method
• And use the integrity filter: “All money isn’t good money.”

Shaniece breaks down why identifying your ideal client protects culture, margins, and mission—and how to walk boldly in your calling without compromising character.

If you’re wrestling with growing beyond six figures, craving clarity about your assignment, or ready to build a legacy rooted in integrity and faith, this conversation will sharpen your focus and lift your spirit.

Subscribe, share with a founder who needs this, and drop a review with one insight you’re putting into action this week.

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Coach Tim Brown and his wife Karmen Brown join us for a special Be A Baller Podcast - Next Up Ballers crossover to unpack how a girls’ basketball program, a van full of athletes, and a whole lot of faith grew into a movement that equips families, schools, and churches. From the first seeds they planted to the stories that now span generations, they show how purpose turns small acts into lasting change. Tim and Karmen believe legacy isn’t a trophy but a trail you leave in people’s lives?

We dig into the true origin of Be A Baller, the TAKE/ABC vision, and why talent without values drifts. Karmen shares her roots in a tight-knit community where church and family set the rhythm, while Tim credits a sixth-grade teacher whose standard of excellence reoriented his life. Together they lay out a simple framework: faith as the foundation, family as the first ministry, and community as the multiplier. The conversation tracks their COVID-era pivot into podcasting, guests who were ready to be heard, and the consistency that keeps people coming back.

If you’re a parent, coach, teacher, or young leader, you’ll hear direct, practical wisdom: write a vision you can live by, guard it when life gets loud, and make your legacy in the everyday reps—showing up consistently , speaking kind words, and offering real opportunities. You cannot be what you cannot see, so model what you want multiplied. We close with two simple challenges you can do this week to move your legacy from idea to action.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with someone who needs the nudge, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find these stories. Your support helps this community grow—and helps the next person say yes to their purpose.

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From the South Side of Columbus to the Chief’s Office, Sgt. James Fuqua has built a life around service, mentorship, and faith. In this powerful Be a Baller: Building a Lifelong Legacy conversation, Coach Tim sits down with Sgt. Fuqua to explore what it really means to lead with integrity—on and off duty.

We trace his path from Columbus South High School to the U.S. Army, and into a career with the Columbus Division of Police, where he’s served in patrol, recruiting, and the gang unit before joining the Chief’s office. Through every role, his message stays consistent: the most important tool isn’t on your belt—it’s your mouth.

Sgt. Fuqua reminds us that leadership isn’t about rank—it’s about presence, humility, and the courage to listen first. His story is a call to live with compassion, build bridges, and lead with faith that outlasts the uniform. Learn how he builds trust, trains officers, and leads with heart—while staying grounded in faith and community.

#BeABallerPodcast #Leadership #Faith #Legacy #CommunityPolicing #SgtJamesFuqua #LawEnforcement #Service #ColumbusOhio #BuildingTrust #PurposeDrivenLife #BeyondTheBadge

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