#MediaMonday – Sasha Graham
Today’s #MediaMonday comes to us from Sasha Graham, the host of the award-winning, weekly podcast, Sports Will Save Us All.
Tell us more, Sasha!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up without a TV, on a farm in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley. I left when I was 18 to go to college at University of San Francisco where I majored in Broadcast Communication and quickly developed a passion for television and film.
How did you get your start in writing, working in the media? Tell us your story and experience so far.
I had worked in (and with) media for years, including as a film publicist and television writer/segment producer in San Francisco, and later as a VP of National Publicity for the Walt Disney Studios. After moving to Arizona, I decided to try my hand at writing children’s books. My second book was about a sporty little girl named Whitney (Whitney Wins Everything) and my publicist booked interviews for me with multiple sports podcasts as part of the publicity campaign. I especially loved those conversations and when it came time to decide my next steps launching my own sports podcast, Sports Will Save Us All, felt like a fun, natural, and challenging progression.
Tell us about your show and your role? What types of pitches are you looking for?
I produce and host a weekly podcast in Scottsdale called Sports Will Save Us All. Every week I talk to a new guest about their experiences with sports and the impact sports have had on their life—Two years in and I’ve talked to everyone from professional athletes to filmmakers, sports reporters, a sports ophthalmologist, fans, authors, dancers, a Paralympian…the list goes on and on. I love chatting with enthusiastic people who have a sports story to tell.
What are your favorite stories to work on?
Humans are a fascinating, impressive, and often unpredictable bunch; my favorite stories to work on are the ones where I think I know where it’s going and then it takes a sharp left turn into territory I never expected. It’s what keeps me coming back for more.
What are some of your hobbies?
When I’m not watching, reading about, or talking about sports, I love playing sand volleyball with my longtime team, The Marmots, and volunteering with Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship.
What are your favorite local spots?
I love Arizona so much. You can regularly find me everywhere from Christopher Creek campground outside of Payson to Raven’s View Wine Bar in Cave Creek to the volleyball courts at Scottsdale Ranch Park to Old Town Scottsdale during the holidays. I feel so lucky to live in such an extraordinary place!
What is the best way to reach you?
I can be reached via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com—or via Instagram DM @SportsWillSaveUsAll. The show is available on all the major platforms and our website is www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com.
