CORTside

Mar 07 2021 1
CORTside Podcast artwork

Basketball has the power to take us through many facets of life. From the baseline to the boardroom, join host Mike Cortese as he takes you CORTside to discuss topics from basketball to business and everything in between. Cortese, M.B.A., M.S., a teacher, basketball coach, and entrepreneur will help you navigate through some of the stories and lessons the game has taught us with a variety of guests from both industries.

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Chris Herren - One Day At A Time

Mar 07 2021 42 mins  
This BONUS episode of The CORTside Podcast details the inspirational journey of the once basketball superstar turned addict turned advocate, Chris Herren. Herren discusses his days growing up in Falls River, Massachusetts, and how drugs and alcohol became a struggle for most of his life. Chris went from a professional basketball star to battling for his life. Now he spends his time

Jamal Mashburn - One Step Ahead of The Game

Dec 20 2020 102 mins  
The season finale of The CORTside Podcast, features 12 year NBA veteran, former NBA all-star, and now successful entrepreneur, Jamal Mashburn. Mashburn is commonly referred to these days as “the biggest after-basketball success story”. Mashburn discusses in detail, his path to the NBA, how basketball was always a means to an end, and how he always kept his eye on a long-term go

Alisha Valavanis - Talking Teamwork and Championships with Seattle Storm CEO & GM

Oct 18 2020 52 mins  
In Episode 11 of the CORTside Podcast, we are so excited to welcome WNBA Champion Seattle Storm’s GM Alisha Valavanis! Alisha and Seattle just stormed their way to a 2nd championship in the past 3 years down with two of the WNBA’s top players of all-time, Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart. Alsiha discusses the importance of teamwork and how to create high functioning organizations d

Jennifer Azzi & Blair Hardiek - Giving Back And The Global Growth Of The Game

Oct 04 2020 69 mins  
In Episode 10 of the CORTside Podcast, we sit down with two of the great player’s in women’s basketball history, and current NBA Global directors, Jennifer Azzi and Blair Hardiek. Azzi played for Stanford University from 87-90’ and was awarded as the Naismith Player of the Year as well as Final Four Most Outstanding Player in Stanford’s 1990 National Championship season. Ha

Derrick Thomas - The Importance of Representation

Sep 28 2020 40 mins  
In Episode 9 of the CORTside Podcast, we are joined by CEO and Founder of Pro Shark Sports, Derrick Thomas. Thomas discusses the importance of representation and how his company is pioneering a new networking approach for athletes and sports agents. Derrick Thomas was a four-year basketball standout for Drexel University starting in 90 games and was a top defensive player in the CA

Malcolm Lemmons - Impact Beyond The Game and Building Your Brand

Sep 13 2020 50 mins  
In Episode 8 of The CORTside Podcast, we are joined by the author of Lessons from the Game and Impact Beyond the Game: How Athletes Can Build Influence, Monetize Their Brand, and Create a Legacy, Malcolm Lemmons. Lemmons discusses the transition after basketball and building your own personal brand.Malcolm Lemmons is a basketball player turned entrepreneur, author, and public speak

Dave Butler - Leadership, Opportunities, and Collectively Producing Positive Outcomes

Sep 06 2020 58 mins  
In Episode 7 of the CORTside Podcast, we are joined by Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors, Dave Butler who discusses the philosophies and strategies that guided his success from his playing days at the University of California to his rise in the financial arena. Butler provides details about the correlation between success and being passionate about your craft, not looking for sho

Dr. Niki Williams - Attacking Game Day and Learning to Pivot in Life

Aug 30 2020 36 mins  
In Episode 6 of the CORTside Podcast, we are honored to have healthcare hero Dr. Niki Williams sit down and discuss attacking game day and the importance of the ability to pivot in life. Dr. Williams has been on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19 working as an Emergency Room Physician for two NY hospitals.Williams is a former Pittsburgh high school basketball star who w

John Elefterakis - The Laws of The Game

Aug 23 2020 58 mins  
In Episode 5 of the CORTside Podcast, we sit down with a good friend of the show and fellow New Yorker, John Elefertakis. In only ten short years since founding his firm, EEP Law, John has quickly distinguished himself as one of the top personal injury attorneys in the New York and New Jersey area. John Elefertakis has appeared on CNN with Anderson Cooper and has made several appea

Niesha Butler - The Business of Ballin' and Technology

Aug 16 2020 47 mins  
Episode 4 of the CORTside Podcast features guest Niesha Butler as we discuss overcoming adversity, her basketball journey, and her company Ballin’ Technologies which teaches coding, STEM and technology through sports for the youth in her community. Butler talks about her time in NYC where her basketball game resulted in astonishing accolades such as being the first female to play