Patrick Agyemang admits that even he has to pinch himself when he reflects on how his life — his soccer life — have turned out. Just a few years ago, as a high schooler, his game garnered zero interest from colleges. It quickly became clear that if he was going to achieve his dream of playing professionally, his path to pro would need to take some unconventional turns.

But with a strong family unit behind him, Agyemang stayed the course — first showcasing his potential at Division III Eastern Connecticut State University before catching the attention of Rhode Island University, where he flourished.

At the 2023 MLS Combine, Agyemang shared that he felt optimistic after his conversations with Charlotte FC and hoped they'd call his name on Draft Night. They did, and Agyemang hasn't looked back since.

As the club's leading goalscorer from last season, Agyemang is optimistic about a top-four finish in 2025 — and a deep playoff run.

In this episode of Press Pause, Agyemang reflects on how his deep Ghanaian roots continue to shape his personal growth and gazes into his crystal ball to predict what the soccer gods have in store for him personally in 2025 — and beyond.

It may sound cliché, but Jay Harris approaches each day with the goal of being better. “It’s a thing—I never want to feel like I’ve arrived... like I’ve conquered this,” says Harris, who in February 2025 celebrates his 22nd year at ESPN, most of it spent hosting the network’s flagship show, SportsCenter.

Even with a shelf full of SportsCenter Emmy Awards, the Norfolk, Va., native remains driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence. “I don’t care if [your content] is going to social media, to Mars, or to cable TV—it doesn’t matter. My job is to be a journalist every single day, and to do everything journalistically.”

Harris joined the Press Pause podcast and shared that it was in 11th grade when he first felt inspired to pursue journalism.

Twenty years at ESPN, he says, have flown by. “But it’s been a good ride,” he reflects. “As blurry as it is, it’s been a good ride.”

The Athletic’s NBA Deputy Editor, Rob Peterson, joins Press Pause (from chilly central Connecticut!) to discuss The Basketball 100—the definitive ranking of the 100 greatest NBA players of all time—and his role in bringing this ambitious 737-page book to life.

Rob played point guard on this effort, collaborating with The Athletic’s award-winning team of writers and analysts, including veteran columnists David Aldridge and John Hollinger. In this episode, he trades shots with Mark W. Wright, dives into the art of the ranking, explains why Derrick Rose (yes, D-Rose!) didn’t make the cut, defends Draymond Green’s inclusion, and much, much more.

Actor Sheldon Shepherd had never heard of Neville Garrick prior to reading for the part for the Bob Marley biopic Bob Marley: One Love. But after he googled Marley's longtime friend -- and creative director on his iconic albums -- Shepherd found himself drawn to Garrick, who served as historical advisor on the film which has grossed upwards of $179 million worldwide.

"In my opinion, I think I got the best role in that film and it came to me without me even knowing [Garrick]," explained Shepherd, an award-winning actor, writer and music artiste best known for his role in Storm Saulter's Better Mus' Come and Idris Elba’s 2018 directorial debut, Yardie.

In a wide-ranging conversation with Press Pause host Mark W. Wright, Shepherd talked about his journey as an actor and stressed the mportance of creating art "that connects with people on a deeper level."

"The project was such a breeze," Shepherd said of One Love. "I just feel for a fact that Bob Marley's energy was with us filming this project."

Kevin Merida is brewing with optimism. The self-described “free agent” — who most recently served as executive editor of The Los Angeles Times — believes that despite the evolving media landscape, there are still stories to be told, and told in a variety of ways. The longtime media executive and newspaper veteran joined Press Pause and shared thoughts about the challenges newspapers face. “We now have that sophistication, but we haven’t become as sophisticated as the business has become,” Merida explained. “We are great at interrogating every other kind of industry, but when it comes to us we don’t interrogate what we do.” Host Mark W. Wright invited his former ESPN colleague to Press Pause and chopped it up on an array of topics — including Merida’s solution to making the NBA’s All-Star Weekend relevant again.

He was an all-state running back in his hometown of Greer, South Carolina. He followed that up with a record-setting career at North Carolina State, where his 3,553 rushing yards is still good for third all-time in Wolfpack history. Surely a long NFL career would follow. But by 27, Tremayne Stephens found himself out of the league after just four seasons. With no plan or prospects for his post-NFL life, a dejected Stephens ventured on a path to realizing even more than he dreamed of. Now an entrepreneur, sought-after public speaker and social influencer, the man with the shortlived NFL career is proud to share his story, which is rooted in overcoming and pivoting.

Charmaine Wilkerson's pie-in-the-sky aspiration for her debut novel -- Black Cake -- was simply to get it published. The former journalist whose award-winning short stories can be found in various UK and US anthologies and magazines may have sold herself short. In the two years since Black Cake was published, Wilkerson's novel would land on President Barack Obama's "Favorite Books of 2022" list and went on to lay the foundation for Hulu’s television adaptation (executive produced by Oprah Winfrey). In an exclusive sit-down with Press Pause, Wilkerson shared her inspirations for her novel, her process for writing and (no spoilers!) whether fans should be optimistic for a season season.

When you stand on a stage — the President of the United States to your right and the Vice President to your left — with the most powerful and influential people in the world mean-muggin' you, it’s understandable that even the most seasoned comedian might get nervous. And, Roy Wood Jr. admits to it.

But his mentality, during any performance, remains the same. “This is the job, these are the jokes, no one in this room can end my career,” Wood Jr. told Mark W. Wright on Press Pause. “Not being a good comedian one time is not enough to kill your career — so the more I looked at it like that, the less concerned I had with nerves.”

Wood, who last spring headlined the 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner to its highest ratings since 2017, talked about his career journey after wrapping his seven-city Happy to Be Here Live Tour.

Twenty-six years in the business has the Birmingham, Ala. native grateful to still have the opportunity to do what he loves. "I'm grateful and gracious," he said. "You can't control who your audience is. I just put out what I put out, and [to] the people who want to show up, thank you."