Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet has entered the podcast space.
In conjunction with Acast, VanVleet is launching the "Bet On Yourself" podcast, premiering on Wednesday, Nov. 3. Season 1 of the podcast, which will consist of 12 episodes, "will feature conversations about perseverance, struggles, and success with up-and-coming Black Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs in Canada," according to a release.
— Fred VanVleet (@FredVanVleet) November 3, 2021
The title plays off of the mantra that has fuelled VanVleet from going undrafted in 2016 to becoming a solidified starter on the cusp of an All-Star breakthrough.
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In the release, VanVleet, who will co-host the podcast with his business partner and mentor Derek Folk, said that "with this podcast, we hope to pay it back and empower the BIPOC community here in Canada and beyond by bouncing around ideas, helping to solve problems, and giving these incredible entrepreneurs a powerful platform from which they can grow their businesses."
Among the guests that will join VanVleet and Folk are Baba Ajayi, CEO of digital platform Andie, Tammy Yui Coine, co-founder of art rental marketplace Partial, Mark Marsolais-Nahwegahbow, founder of Birch Bark Coffee, Veneise Gorge, owner of Jamaican-inspired marinade company Yawdi's and Nate Behar, who is an Ottawa Redbacks wide receiver and co-founder of influencer marketing company ATNMY.
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Folk, who is the Chief Operating Officer of Folk Williams Financial Management, added that "our primary goal is to help BIPOC entrepreneurs launch and operate successful businesses."
On availability, VanVleet shared that "I wanted everyone to be able to hear the important conversations we’re having, which is why I partnered with Acast to make sure the show is available to listeners on any and every podcast platform.”
As such, the podcast will be available on any podcast player via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcast and Overcast, among many other platforms. You can subscribe ahead of time to ensure that you don't miss Episode 1 of "Bet on Yourself" and check out the intro, featuring VanVleet and Folk here.
Following the podcast's debut on Nov. 3, new episodes of Season 1 of "Bet on Yourself" will release every Wednesday.
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