Painless Podcast

Painless Podcast episode 40: Jeannie Goldstein & Scott Kirkpatrick (Partners, Chicago Sports + Entertainment Partners) Jeannie and Scott share their stories of breaking into sports marketing, how they came together to create their own agency and how they became experts on Olympic and Paralympic athletes, through five olympic games - all on Episode 40 of the Painless Podcast. To connect with Chicago Sports + Entertainment Partners... -Web: www.ChicagoSEP.com -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoSportsandEntertainmentPartners ***** Sign up for your complementary Painless membership that access to other members, job and event postings and our email newsletter at: www.Painless.Network Please support our partners: +Assemble: You're busy making your business successful. The last things you need to worry about are long-term commitments, hidden fees or limited access. That's why Assemble provides you with a truly turnkey short-term office. One flexible, short-term membership. No surprises. Learn how Assem

Painless Podcast episode 39: Steve Buzby (CEO, Revel Marketing) Steve Buzby is passionate about sports and event partnerships. Not just selling sponsorships, but finding true partners. Not just getting meetings, but getting the right ones so they become great connections. Hear Steve’s story, including how he struck out on his own, and then about a year in pivoted to terrific results on Episode 39 of the Painless Podcast. To connect with Steve and Revel Marketing... • Steve’s email: Steve.B@revelmarketing.co • Web: www.revelmarketing.co • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REVELMarketing.co/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revelmarketingco/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/17909425/ ----- Sign up for your complementary Painless membership for access to other members, job and event postings and our email newsletter at: www.Painless.Network Please support our partners: +Assemble: You're busy making your business successful. The last things you need to worry about are long-term commitment

Painless Podcast episode 38: Jim “Skinny” Sheahan & Jen Kramer (Special Olympics Chicago) Skinny Sheahan and Jen Kramer have both played key roles with numerous successful events around Chicago – the Marathon, Taste of Chicago, Navy Pier/McCormick Place, and many more. Hear some of their stories including how they both become so involved with Special Olympics Chicago on Episode 38 of the Painless Podcast. To connect with Special Olympics Chicago... • Special Olympics Chicago: http://sochicago.org • Polar Plunge: http://chicagopolarplunge.org • 50th Anniversary details: https://www.specialolympics.org/50th.aspx • Special Olympics Chicago on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialolympicschicago/ ***** Sign up for your FREE Painless membership that access to other members, job and event postings and our email newsletter at: www.Painless.Network Please support our partners: +Monroestar: Your website is an essential marketing tool to attract customers. Whether the goal is to educate the public or serve a

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 11 Ed Molitor, CEO, The Molitor Group Throughout his professional career, the words “coaching” and “leadership” have been synonymous with the positions Ed Molitor has held. Growing up in Chicago’s north suburbs, Ed played basketball at Palatine High School for his father, coaching legend Ed Molitor, Sr. He took the lessons he learned from his father, applied them to a college basketball career, and then into college coaching and his current calling as an executive coach and motivational speaker. Ed’s leadership skills, traits, and behaviors are the reasons he has realized success as a college basketball coach, mortgage broker, and motivational speaker who talks about the life lessons learned in competitive athletics. Ed shares some of these lessons with Deon and Eric, and discusses how he came into his current role as the CEO of The Molitor Group. Ed also gives insight on how the “Athletics of Business” program takes lessons learned in competition an

Painless Podcast episode 37: Tony Schiller (Partner, Paragon) Those of us in sports or event engagement marketing are much better off that Tony Schiller took a job at the renovated Chicago Theater rather than get his doctorate and become a psychologist. Though he still often fills the role of “therapist,” he has instead helped build Paragon Marketing, an agency with a great culture and a history of doing some terrific work. Hear his story and how he got to where he is today on Episode 37 of the Painless Podcast. To connect with Tony and Paragon... • Paragon: http://www.paragonmarketing.biz • Twitter: @atschiller - https://twitter.com/atschiller • Twitter: @paragon_mktg - https://twitter.com/paragon_mktg • LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d2bgr8/ • LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/36530/ Book Tony mentions: “Why They Follow” by Scott Love. A link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Why-They-Follow-Positive-Influence/dp/1518650295 ***** Sign up for your complementa

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 10 Paul Shirley, Author, Stories I Tell on Dates / Former NBA Player He blogged before anyone knew what a “blog” was, he famously asked a LOT of team owners if he could keep his jersey, he played on one of the best NBA teams of all time, and now he’s released his second book. Former NBA player Paul Shirley joins Deon and Eric to talk about Paul’s book, “Stories I Tell on Dates”, as well as sharing some of his stories about playing pro hoops, and how he found his way to his new career. “Stories I Tell on Dates” isn’t just about dating, or hoops. It’s a book about how a professional athlete works to relate to others, and it shares stories very similar to things many of us grew up with (albeit with a lot more humor!). The book isn’t just for basketball fans…anyone should be able to relate to the stories, and will find Paul’s writing introspective, humorous, and enjoyable. You can order your copy of Paul’s book at www.storiesitellondates.com. The Fad

Painless Podcast episode 36: Justin Breen (Founder, BrEpic Communications) Hear from journalist turned PR entrepreneur Justin Breen on helping start up DNAInfo, then leaving to start his own firm earlier this year. We also discuss the demise of DNAInfo, how he’s changing the approach to media relations and content generations and why he looks to help others. To connect with Justin... • BrEpic: https://www.brepicllc.com • Facebook: @BrEpic - https://www.facebook.com/BrEpic/ • Twitter: @BrEpicComm - https://twitter.com/BrEpicComm • Instagram: @BrEpicBreen - https://www.instagram.com/brepicbreen/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbreen1/ Book Justin mentions: “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin (St. Martin’s Press). A link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250183863/ Sign up for your complementary Painless membership that access to other members, job and event postings and our email newsletter at: www.Painless.Network Please support

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 9 David A. Goldstein, Author, Alley-Oop to Aliyah / COO, U SPORTS Alley-Oop to Aliyah is a recently-released book by author David A. Goldstein. It’s the incredible true story of four decades of African American basketball players travelling to Israel to play professional hoops. This subject is close to Deon’s heart, as he’s featured in this book. David joins Deon and Eric, and they discuss how the book came to be, some of the more interesting stories that former players shared with David, and we learned a little bit about the writing process. In addition to authoring this book, David is a journalist and sports executive based in Toronto. He’s currently the Chief Operating Officer of U SPORTS (Canada’s equivalent of the NCAA). You can learn more about the book, and purchase it, at www.alleyooptoaliyah.com. The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt. Deon currently does television studio work for the Big Ten Network and radio color ana

Painless Podcast episode 35: John Murray (Arena Partners / World Sport Chicago / Chicago Sports Commission) To connect with John... • Arena Partners: www.getinthearena.com • World Sport Chicago: www.worldsportchicago.org • Special Olympics 50th: http://www.specialolympics50.org • Twitter: @iamjohnmurray • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmurrayarenapartners Sign up for your complementary Painless membership that access to other members, job and event postings and our email newsletter at: www.Painless.Network Please support our partners: +NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. If you’re interested in joining the NCSA team and helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities, visit the NCSA Careers page at www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers. About the Painless Podcast: Get to know interesting people, jobs and places to work in and around sports, e

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 8 Steve Raquel, President of the Council of Chiefs and 29th Chief Illiniwek (1993) For Fighting Illini fans, the “War Chant” music has been synonymous with Illinois athletics for nearly 40 years. As of August 2017, the University of Illinois announced the chant is no more. With this backdrop, we recently saw protests and unrest at the university, as the 2017 Homecoming Parade was interrupted by Chief protesters. Steve Raquel, the 29th Chief Illiniwek, and current President of the Council of Chiefs, joins Deon and Eric to share insight into the University’s decision on the War Chant, as well as some history on Chief Illiniwek and how the Chief was “retired” in 2007. Deon also shares his views, as a former Illini athlete. The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt. Deon currently does television studio work for the Big Ten Network and radio color analysis during Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball games. Eric can be seen on the Comcast “Ga

Painless Podcast episode 34: Rob Cressy (Founder, Bacon Sports & Cress Media) Get fired up with Rob Cressy with his story of leaving digital media sales to go all in on living and creating great sports content. To connect with Rob... • Web: www.baconsports.com or www.cressmedia.com • Twitter or Facebook: @RobCressy @BaconSports @CressMedia and @InfieldChatter Please support our partners: +NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. If you’re interested in joining the NCSA team and helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities, visit the NCSA Careers page at www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers. +The Hot Chocolate 5K & 15K are two of the largest races of their kind in the world. Painless listeners can take $5 off entry with the code “HCPAINLESS” when you register at www.hotchocolate15k.com! HURRY - race is Oct 29! About the Painless Podcast: Get to know inte

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 7 Stephen Bardo, Analyst, Big Ten Network / Founder, Point Guard Vision College basketball has uncertainty surrounding it, with the FBI indicting a handful of assistant coaches and a shoe executive. Plus, Louisville’s Rick Pitino has been placed on administrative leave, essentially ending his tenure as head coach. Current Big Ten Network analyst, and former Flyin’ Illini, Stephen Bardo joins Deon and Eric to discuss what’s next for the NCAA, and will there be another shoe to drop. Plus, hear about the worst thing Stephen heard about when he was being recruited. In addition to Stephen’s media work, he runs “Point Guard Vision,” which helps student-athletes and their parents maximize the sports experience. Learn more about Stephen and PGV by visiting www.stephenbardo.com. The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt. Deon does TV studio work for the Big Ten Network and radio color analysis for Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball. Eric can be se

Painless Podcast episode 33: Jason Coyle (CEO, Stadium / Co-founder, 120 Sports) To connect with Stadium... • On the web: WatchStadium.com • On broadcast television digital antenna in 50+ markets • On Twitter: WatchStadium.Twitter.com • On the Stadium app, available in the App Store, as well as on Apple TV The full Teddy Roosevelt quote we talk about: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his plac

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 6 Adrian Burgos, Editor-in-Chief, La Vida Baseball As the MLB playoffs are about to heat up, many players of Latino descent are poised to make an impact on which teams make it to the World Series. Being in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month, and with Puerto Rico on many of our minds due to Hurricane Maria, Deon and Eric get a chance to talk baseball with Professor Adrian Burgos, Jr. Professor Burgos is the Editor-in-Chief of La Vida Baseball, a Professor of History at the University of Illinois, and a foremost scholar in Latino baseball history. He’ll share more about the history that Latinos have played in the Major Leagues, the difficulties they’ve faced in the game, and the challenges many have just trying to make it up the professional ranks. Plus, we’ll tell you some of the young players who’ll be making a difference in this year’s playoffs. You can learn more by visiting www.lavidabaseball.com. The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Er

Painless Podcast episode 32: LIVE Big Data & Sports Innovation Panel with... Gabe Ottolini (CRO, Block Six Analytics) Nathan Frank (Data Scientist, STATS) Lotika Pai (Co-founder, POWWFUL) Dezeree Christman (VP of Digital, PCGSportsDesk) To connect further via web / Twitter: www.blocksixanalytics.com / @Block6Analytics www.stats.com / @STATS_insights www.powwful.com / @POWWFUL www.pcgsportsdesk.com / @PCGSportsDesk And find our co-host WISE Chicago at https://www.facebook.com/WISEChicago / @WISEChicago Please support our partners: +NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. If you’re interested in joining the NCSA team and helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities, visit the NCSA Careers page at www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers. +Spikeball Nationals are October 14 at Chicago’s Cricket Hill in Montrose Harbor. Want to get in? Sign up a team TODAY at h

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 5 All-TIme Illini Great, NBA Star, pro boxer and TV analyst Kendall Gill Kendall Gill is one of the all-time great Fighting Illini basketball players, and a 15-year NBA veteran. One of the stars of the ’89 Flyin’ Illini joins Deon and Eric to talk about his college time, playing with Nick Anderson, how he thought the Illini would have been in 1990 had Deon not redshirted. As a current NBA analyst for CSN Chicago, Kendall also shares some of his predictions on where the Chicago Bulls are headed and some of his observations of the many new faces Bulls fans will see this season. The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt. Deon currently does television studio work for the Big Ten Network and radio color analysis during Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball games. Eric can be seen on the Comcast “Game of the Week,” and other sports and entertainment segments, for Comcast in Chicago. Keep in touch with the FadeAway on the following social media ch

Dave Zimmer (Co-owner and CEO, Fleet Feet Sports Chicago) Steve Ginsburg (Owner and CEO, RAM Racing) Meet two of the most successful players in running and endurance sports, Dave Zimmer from Fleet Feet Sports Chicago (www.fleetfeetchicago.com) and Steve Ginsburg from RAM Racing www.ramracing.enmotive.com). How did they build their respective businesses? And how exactly did these two competitors become friends and collaborators? The Hot Chocolate 5K/15K are two of the largest races of their kind in the world. Painless listeners can take $5 off entry with the code “HCPAINLESS” when you register at www.hotchocolate15k.com! To connect further on Twitter: @FFdavezimmer @FFChgo @HotChocolate15k @RamRacing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fleetfeetchgo/ https://www.instagram.com/ramracingorg/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fleetfeetsportschicago/ https://www.facebook.com/HotChocolate15K/ https://www.facebook.com/ram.racing.7 PAINLESS/WISE EVENT SEPT 20! Join us TONIGHT (9/20) from 6-8p at Brickhouse

Painless Podcast episode 30: Carey Pinkowski (Executive Race Director, Bank of America Chicago Marathon) Tim Hadzima (General Manager, Abbott World Marathon Majors) The 40th Bank of America Chicago Marathon (www.chicagomarathon.com and @chimarathon) is just a few weeks away. Hear from race director Carey Pinkowski (@careyrunschi) on how they turn 26.2 miles of urban roadway into a world-class endurance event for 45,000 runners. Tim Hadzima (@timmyhad) from Abbott World Marathon Majors (www.worldmarathonmajors.com and @wmmajors) joins as well to talk about the collaboration between the world’s top six marathons, including Chicago. PAINLESS/WISE SPORTS & TECH EVENT SEPT 20! Join us from 6-8p on Sept 20 at the new Brickhouse Tavern at Wrigley Field! Tickets are selling fast – get yours here TODAY: https://www.eventsprout.com/event/painlesswise-sports-tech-event Please support our sponsors: +NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workpl

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 4 Former Illinois Assistant and UIC Head Basketball Coach Jimmy Collins Going back in Illini history, Deon and Eric sit down with Jimmy Collins, former Assistant Coach for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Coach Collins also made a name for himself in the Final Four as a star guard at New Mexico State, and is the University of Illinois at Chicago’s all-time leader in coaching wins. In this episode, Coach Collins tells us how he found his way into coaching, and his thoughts on how he successfully recruited Chicago during the Flying Illini days. He also shares who his toughest “sell” was to convince to come to the University of Illinois. The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt. Deon currently does television studio work for the Big Ten Network and radio color analysis during Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball games. Eric can be seen on the Comcast “Game of the Week,” and other sports and entertainment segments, for Comcast in Ch

Painless Podcast episode 29: Scott Paddock (President, Chicagoland Speedway) Hear from the head of Chicagoland Speedway as NASCAR is about invade town. Check out www.chicagolandspeedway.com for track and event info. For opportunities to join their team scroll down to “Join Our Team” at the bottom of their homepage. PAINLESS/WISE SPORTS & TECH EVENT SEPT 20! Join us from 6-8p on Sept 20 at the new Brickhouse Tavern at Wrigley Field! Tickets selling fast here: https://www.eventsprout.com/event/painlesswise-sports-tech-event This week’s sponsors: +NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA emphasizes the importance of their staff team, and has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. If you’re interested in joining the NCSA team and helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities, visit the NCSA careers web page at www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers. +Spikeball Nationals are October 14 at Chicago’s Crick