Lessons From Sports

In this episode of Lessons from Sports, we go fully on the go from the National Sports Forum in St. Louis for a spontaneous conversation.Wayne sits down with Chris from CUE Audio to unpack the company’s journey, from humble beginnings as a cell phone light show startup to a global, fan engagement platform working with over 350 teams across college and professional sports. This episode dives into how innovation is reshaping the way fans connect with the game.

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, Wayne Partello sits down with longtime friend and CEO and Co-founder of C3 Risk & Insurance, Jamie Reid. What started as a chance connection in San Diego eventually grew into a powerful partnership and a front-row seat to building one of the most culture-driven companies in the insurance industry.Jamie shares the unlikely path that led him from safety management and early struggles as an insurance broker to co-founding C3 and scaling it into a fast-growing firm with more than 150 team members. Along the way, he and Wayne discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, and why culture is the real engine behind long-term growth.

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, Wayne Partello sits down with Sunjay Mathews, a former corporate lawyer who broke into sports and went on to help build FanDuel during its early days. Sunjay shares what it was like operating inside a startup, navigating the sports betting landscape, and later stepping into leadership roles at DAZN and FTX.This episode dives into betting on yourself, taking career risks, and building a path in sports business. 

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello sits down with Steve Shanks, co-founder of Drive Influence, to break down an unconventional entrepreneurial journey shaped by sports, repetition, and resilience.From launching one of the earliest fantasy sports businesses to leaving corporate America, building and selling a multi-million-dollar media agency, and now helping brands, creators, and talent win through Drive Influence, Steve shares real lessons on entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, and scaling businesses.This episode is packed with insights for founders, marketers, and anyone navigating career pivots, growth, and leadership in today’s evolving business and media landscape.

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello talks with Ayo Taylor-Dixon of San Diego State University Athletics about building a career in college sports and sports marketing. From his start as a student-athlete and graduate assistant to leadership roles across multiple Division I programs, Ayo shares lessons on adaptability and navigating the evolving world of college athletics.Wayne and Ayo also discuss what it truly means to “be a student of the game,” the importance of learning every side of the business, from ticket sales and event operations to digital content and NIL storytelling, and why mastering the details separates good professionals from great ones in sports leadership.This episode is packed with lessons for anyone pursuing a career in college athletics, sports marketing, athletic administration, or brand strategy, including insights on career growth, mentorship, innovation, and building programs that scale in today’s rapidly evolving sports industry.

In this episode of the Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello sits down with Mark Fine, Chief Marketing Officer of the Baltimore Orioles. From interning with the Orioles as a college student to returning decades later as the CMO of his childhood team, Mark’s story is a powerful example of how passion, persistence, and relationships can shape a career in sports marketing.Mark shares his path through Major League Baseball, the NBA, Minor League Baseball, the Harlem Globetrotters, the National Lacrosse League, Professional Bull Riders, and major sports and entertainment organizations like Comcast Spectacor, the New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets, and UFC. Along the way, he breaks down the lessons he learned about leadership, brand building, ticket sales, fan engagement, and navigating career growth across leagues and levels.This conversation dives into what it really takes to build a long-term career in sports, how early internships can open unexpected doors, and why relationships and reputation matter just as much as results.

In this episode of the Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello sits down with Bill Hudock for an inspiring conversation about career growth, leadership, and the power of building a path through sports and business. From his early days working in public relations in the NFL to playing a role in some of the biggest moments and organizations in professional sports, Bill shares behind-the-scenes insights and the lessons he learned along the way.Wayne and Bill dive into how to navigate unexpected career turns, develop resilience, and apply the mindset of elite athletes and executives to everyday business challenges. This episode explores themes of mentorship, personal branding, strategic communication, and how experiences in the sports industry can shape success in any field.Whether you’re a sports professional, marketer, business leader, or aspiring executive, this conversation offers practical takeaways on finding your path and turning opportunities into long-term career momentum.

In this episode of Lessons From Sports, host Wayne Partello reconnects with Peter Szabo, a full-circle conversation that began years ago when Wayne was Peter’s intern at Kiss 108.Peter shares how a lifelong love of music shaped his path from radio into the world of music and media technology. His career includes influential roles at Pandora, Shazam, and Spotify, where he helped shape how audiences discover and engage with music at scale.Now the CEO and Founder of Idea Factory, Peter reflects on the lessons learned at each stage of his career, what it takes to build and lead a company, and how experience across media, technology, and leadership compounds over time. Along the way, Wayne and Peter reminisce on their early days in radio and discuss the importance of mentorship, relationships, and staying curious as industries evolve.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, media and music technology, entrepreneurship, and building a lasting career rooted in passion and adaptability.

Don’t miss this week’s episode ofLessons From Sports, where Wayne sits down with Tyson Ross, former MLB pitcher. Tyson opens up about his deep commitment to community involvement and how he’s consistently made time to participate in local events throughout his career. He reflects on the importance of giving back and the role sports have played in helping him connect with others. As the conversation unfolds, Tyson also shares details about his current work, discussing the meaningful ways he’s continuing to positively impact his community. From his early days in baseball to his ongoing efforts to uplift those around him, Tyson’s journey is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make. Tune in to hear his inspiring story!

Don’t miss this week’s episode of Lessons From Sports, as Wayne sits down with Joshua Elias, co-founder and CEO of Frontwave Arena, Southern California's new multi-use sports and entertainment venue in Oceanside. Joshua talks about how he identified gaps in the sports and media market, built a global solution with SponsorUnited, and is now leading the development of the 170,000-square-foot arena, which opened in 2024. Home to the 16-time indoor soccer champion San Diego Sockers, Frontwave Arena also features live music, cultural events, and more. Listen to the full episode now!

Wayne reconnects with his former boss and mentor, Claudia Lezcano—now CEO of Fuku—who guided him during their time together at the Miami Dolphins. Claudia, a seasoned marketing executive with an impressive track record, shares how her leadership philosophy has evolved and the invaluable lessons from sports that have shaped her approach to building and leading strong teams. This episode explores the power of teamwork, the importance of mentorship, and how great leadership can inspire collaboration and drive success. Don’t miss this inspiring story of overcoming challenges, fostering growth, and the strategies behind building winning teams.

In this episode, Wayne sits down with his longtime friend Brian Napoli, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the Philadelphia Eagles, to explore the pivotal moments that shaped his career. From early dreams to navigating critical decisions at career crossroads, Brian shares how he embraced challenges, learned from missteps, and turned them into lessons that fueled his evolution. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, growth, and the unexpected paths that lead to success—both on and off the field.

This week on Lessons from Sports, Wayne reconnects with his longtime friend and current Head of Properties at Excel Sports Management, an industry-leading agency representing top talent, brands, and properties. Jason shares how his determination and willingness to bet on himself paved the way for a phenomenal career in sports management. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation—listen to the full episode now!

Tune into this week's episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with Dan Fulkerson from Batta Fulkerson Law Group. Hear more about Dan's business philosophy, how he integrated his passion for sports into his career and his pursuit of what truly matters to him. Listen to the full episode now.

Tune into this week's episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with Mad Dog Sports Radio Host, Cody Decker. Hear more about Cody's baseball career and then becoming a broadcaster and daily talk show host - flexing his talents as an entertainer. Listen to the full episode now.

Join us for this week's episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne chats with Seth Levit, the Executive Director of The Jason Taylor Foundation. Discover how Seth parlayed his work with the Foundation and his passion for the Miami Dolphins into a successful podcast and now a role on the pre- and post-game radio shows for the Dolphins. Seth shares valuable insights from his interactions with many influential figures throughout his career. Listen to the full episode now.

Tune into this week’s episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with long time friend and restaurateur, Jon Cox. Hear more about how Jon's journey from "Johnny Shots" (a nickname coined by Wayne) to successful restaurateur, and how the lessons from hockey influenced his path along the way. Listen to the full episode now.

Tune into this week’s episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with long time friend and founder & CEO of SponsorUnited, Bob Lynch. Hear more about how Bob identified gaps in the sports and media market, and created a solution that is now adopted globally. Listen to the full episode now.

Tune into this week's episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with long time friend and CEO of Katsiroubas Bros. & Co-Founder of Morrissey Market, Ted Katsiroubas. Hear more about how Ted navigated changes in direction and major crossroads throughout his career. Listen to the full episode now.

Tune into this week’s episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with MLB Network analyst and former player, Yonder Alonso. Gain exclusive insights into Yonder's journey, from his remarkable career on the field to his inspiring transition into the world of sports broadcasting. Listen to the full episode now.

Tune into this week's episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with CEO and President of Ilitch Sports Group, Ryan Gustafson. Hear more about Ryan's background, longstanding career in sports, and the amazing leadership he brings to the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. Listen to the full episode now.

Tune into this week's episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with former Miami Dolphins Offensive Lineman Nate Garner. Hear more about Nate’s unexpected and unplanned journey to playing professional football, untold stories from his time in the NFL, and his career beyond the football field. Listen to the full episode now.

Tune into this week's episode of Lessons From Sports as Wayne connects with Evan Drellich from The Athletic. Hear more about Evan's incredible career covering some iconic sports teams and moments in history as well as some self-reflection on how his choices impacted both his career and his life outside his job. Listen to the full episode now.

For today's episode, Wayne has a long-time friend and fellow radio success story Frankie V join him. Wayne and Frankie started their career together as young kids working at the local radio station in Boston with big dreams of becoming on-air personalities. While they ended up taking different paths from that original first radio gig, they both have had impressive careers that landed them in San Diego. Listen to the full episode to learn more about Frankie V and some of the lessons he's learned throughout his journey.

In the latest episode of Lessons From Sports, Wayne Partello engages in a compelling dialogue with his longtime friend, Rob Bradford. Their friendship, rooted in the early days at WEEI in Boston, has evolved alongside Rob's multifaceted career as a reporter, writer, broadcaster, and podcaster. Wayne takes listeners on a journey through Rob's career trajectory, exploring the pivotal moments that led him to discover his true passions and pursue genuine happiness. Drawing from Rob's rich experiences with championship organizations, athletes, and coaches, the episode unfolds as an insightful exploration of the invaluable lessons derived from the world of sports. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the dynamic exchange between Wayne Partello and the accomplished Rob Bradford. Tune in for more.

In this week’s episode of Lessons From Sports, Wayne invites fellow advertising and sports marketing veteran Ryan Berman to join him. Ryan Berman brings two decades of experience in the advertising industry. From getting started in New York City to his entrepreneurship journey of starting his own agency after moving to San Diego, Ryan’s story includes various highs, lows, and valuable lessons learned along the way.   The Lessons from Sports podcast is hosted by Wayne Partello, CEO, and Co-founder of CUENTO Marketing. Wayne is on a mission to extract universal lessons from the world of sports and apply them across industries while reflecting on his own career shift. The goal of producing this podcast is to give back by exploring how sports-derived wisdom can lead to happiness and success in everyday life. Tune in for advice, motivation, and other stories from various inspiring individuals.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Lessons from Sports Podcast, hosted by Wayne Partello, CEO, and Co-founder of CUENTO Marketing. In this debut, Wayne shares his mission to extract universal lessons from the world of sports and apply them across industries. Reflecting on his own career shift, Wayne commits to giving back by exploring how sports-derived wisdom can lead to happiness and success in everyday life. To kick things off, Wayne connects with his long-time mentor Jim Rushton, currently with the Los Angeles Chargers. Jim's diverse career, from the radio business to IBM, showcases his global impact in helping sports teams leverage information and technology for enhanced marketing and revenue generation. Beyond Jim's revenue expertise, Wayne underscores his true legacy in mentorship and coaching, with a coaching tree that has guided countless individuals toward their versions of success and happiness, including Wayne himself. Join Wayne and Jim as they delve into the transformative lessons from sports, revealing keys to personal and professional fulfillment.

Welcome to the Lessons From Sports podcast, hosted by Wayne Partello, CEO, and co-founder of CUENTO Marketing in San Diego, California. Wayne, with a decade of experience in both media and the front office of professional sports teams, shares his career transition journey and the mission of CUENTO—to extract and apply valuable lessons from sports to diverse industries. Over the past three years, he has witnessed how these lessons can contribute to daily success in business and life. The podcast will feature conversations with individuals who have applied sports-derived insights to achieve success. Wayne aims to share these inspiring stories, hoping to provide listeners with valuable takeaways for their own journeys. Subscribe for compelling narratives and actionable insights that transcend the world of sports.