🎙️ Born to the Game — Father’s Day Special

Fatherhood, Family, Rest, Legacy & Celebrating the Men Who Show Up

In this special Father’s Day episode of Born to the Game, Mariah Woodson and Temara Payton switch things up for a heartfelt, funny, and honest catch-up conversation about life lately, the need to reset, the pressure to always be busy, cooking as a form of peace, and the importance of celebrating fathers and father figures.

Usually, Born to the Game sits down with guests to explore family, identity, legacy, and life inside and around the world of sports. This time, Mariah and Temara invite listeners into a more personal conversation — a virtual coffee date about the highs, the chaos, the lessons, and the real-life moments happening behind the scenes.

The episode opens with the kind of honesty so many people can relate to: feeling overwhelmed, needing to reset, and learning how to be intentional with rest. Mariah and Temara talk about guilt, productivity, motherhood, family responsibilities, and the challenge of allowing yourself to slow down when there is always something else to do.

They also share the ways cooking helps them decompress, from vegan chickpea salad and sweet potato protein bowls to Jamaican curry chickpeas and the lessons passed down from aunties in the kitchen. Their conversation reminds us that food, family, creativity, and culture are all deeply connected — and that cooking does not have to be perfect to be meaningful.

As Father’s Day approaches, the conversation turns toward the role of dads, husbands, brothers, uncles, and father figures. Mariah and Temara reflect on why fathers matter, why active and present men deserve to be celebrated, and how often the good fathers do not get enough recognition. They speak with love and gratitude about the men in their lives, including Coach Mike Woodson, whose influence helped make Born to the Game possible, and Alden Polonise, who joins the upcoming Father’s Day celebration.

This episode is joyful, grounded, emotional, and funny — a reminder to reset, be present, celebrate the people who show up, and honor the fathers and father figures whose love, humor, sacrifice, and presence shape families for generations.

🔑 In This Episode:

A personal catch-up with Mariah Woodson and Temara Payton
Why everyone needs a reset sometimes
Learning how to be intentional with rest
The guilt that comes with slowing down
Balancing work, family, motherhood, and personal responsibilities
Why being busy does not always mean moving forward
Giving yourself permission to unplug
Cooking as a form of peace, creativity, and decompression
Vegan chickpea salad, sweet potato bowls, and curry chickpeas
Learning family recipes from aunties
Why cooking does not have to be perfect
The joy of gathering in the kitchen
Looking ahead to Born to the Game in the kitchen
Celebrating Father’s Day
Why fathers and father figures deserve more recognition
The importance of present and active dads
Honoring husbands, brothers, uncles, and father figures
Why men are needed and valued in families
The impact fathers leave on their children
Shouting out Coach Mike Woodson and Alden Polonise
Funny family stories about dads, cologne, laundry detergent, and Father’s Day gifts
Previewing the special Father’s Day episode
Celebrating the dads, father figures, and legacies that continue to inspire us

💬 Key Takeaway:

Fatherhood is not just about biology — it is about presence, love, sacrifice, humor, guidance, and showing up. This Father’s Day, Born to the Game celebrates the dads, husbands, brothers, uncles, and father figures whose impact is felt in everyday moments and carried through generations.

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