Inaugural Episodes to Feature the Johnson Family and Sports Broadcasting Legend Chris Arnold
Inaugural Episodes to Feature the Johnson Family and Sports Broadcasting Legend Chris Arnold
4th Quarter Plus Overtime is proud to announce the launch of the 4th Quarter Plus Overtime Podcast Series, a new platform dedicated to meaningful, short conversations surrounding athletics, leadership, mental wellness, NIL education, identity, and life beyond sports.
The podcast was created to bring together influential voices from across the athletic landscape—including athletic directors, college coaches, former and current athletes, sports professionals, wellness experts, and community leaders—to share insights that help athletes thrive both during and beyond their playing careers.
Episode One: The Johnson Family Story
The inaugural episode will feature the Johnson Family, founders of 4th Quarter Plus Overtime. As a family deeply rooted in athletics, Ellisa and Kim Johnson, along with their children, will share their personal journey through youth sports, collegiate athletics, family support systems, triumphs, setbacks, and the lessons learned from navigating sports together.
Having raised and supported Division I student-athletes, the Johnson family has experienced firsthand the realities of recruitment, athletic performance, injuries, academic expectations, identity development, and life beyond competition. Their story serves as the foundation for the creation of 4th Quarter Plus Overtime and its mission to provide athletes with the tools, resources, and support needed to succeed both during and after their athletic careers.
Listeners will gain an authentic look at the impact sports can have on an entire family and why athlete development must extend beyond wins, losses, and statistics.
Episode Two: Chris Arnold – A Lifetime Behind the Microphone
The second episode will feature Chris Arnold, one of the most recognizable and respected voices in sports broadcasting.
With a career spanning more than four decades, Arnold has become a household name throughout Texas and the sports media industry. Since 1996, he has been an integral part of the Dallas Mavericks organization, serving as a courtside analyst and later becoming the team’s Game Night Emcee and Inclusion Ambassador.
Arnold was selected to emcee the 2010 NBA All-Star Game at AT&T Stadium before a record-setting crowd of more than 108,000 fans—the largest attendance ever recorded for a basketball game in the United States. He is an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, longtime sports talk radio personality, and a member of both the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame.
A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Arnold began his broadcasting career as a teenager and has spent more than forty years interviewing, covering, and connecting with some of the biggest names in sports. Throughout his distinguished career, he has earned a reputation for authenticity, professionalism, community engagement, and storytelling.
During the conversation, Arnold will discuss the evolution of collegiate and professional sports, the impact of media on athlete development, the opportunities and challenges presented by NIL, and lessons learned from covering elite athletes throughout his career.
Conversations That Matter
As an extension of the 4th Quarter Plus Overtime mission, the podcast will explore the real-life experiences, challenges, and opportunities athletes encounter throughout their journey. Discussions will focus on topics including:
- Athlete transition and identity
- Mental health and emotional wellness
- NIL education and financial literacy
- Leadership and mentorship
- Career development and life after sports
- The evolving landscape of collegiate athletics
- Building purpose beyond athletic competition
Each episode will feature authentic, thought-provoking conversations designed to educate, inspire, and empower athletes, families, coaches, educators, and athletic professionals.
Part of a Larger National Initiative
The podcast series represents one component of a broader 4th Quarter Plus Overtime initiative that includes athlete development programming, educational resources, mentorship opportunities, community engagement, a forthcoming book authored by Ellisa Johnson, and an upcoming short documentary project focused on the three family athletes and the transitions, identity, and life beyond sports.
Together, these efforts aim to create a national platform that supports athletes before, during, and after the game.
The official guest lineup for the inaugural season will continue to be announced throughout June and July 2026, introducing a diverse group of leaders who are helping shape the future of athletics and athlete development across the country.
Up Next:
Kris Cooke – CEO of Peak Performance, Florida, Former College Athlete
Laron Mason – Owner of Body by Laron, Former NBA Player
Special Acknowledgment
The 4th Quarter Plus Overtime Podcast Series will be broadcasted from Beyond the Book, an independent bookstore and community gathering space located in the heart of Homewood, Illinois.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Tenia Davis, owner of Beyond the Book, for opening the doors of this remarkable space and partnering in a shared commitment to education, dialogue, leadership, and community engagement.