Episodes

June 2, 2025

42 For Life: Scott and Jordan Holthouser

The NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is focused on highlighting NC Fusion Alumni. NC Fusion believes that its mission of “providing intentional experiences through sport to positively impact people FOR LIFE” is seen best through the true stories of its alumni.  In this podcast Scott Wollaston, CEO, will interview Jordan Holthouser who will share about his youth soccer journey in Twin City Soccer, his current role in coaching at NC Fusion, and how his...
41
May 20, 2025

41 - Coffee Conversations: Parent Q&A

Grab your favorite morning beverage and join us for another Coffee Conversation sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist with NC Fusion’s CEO, Scott Wollaston, and CXO, Sarah Bridges. This episode answers real questions from real parents in the club (using fake names, of course) including questions about whether to move your child from the recreation program to the junior academy and how to balance the desire to “win” versus the “long term development” as a parent with your child. Oh, an...
40
March 26, 2025

40 - For Life: Scott and Nik Grundseth

The NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is focused on highlighting NC Fusion Alumni. NC Fusion believes that its mission of “providing intentional experiences through sport to positively impact people FOR LIFE” is seen best through the true stories of its alumni.  In this podcast Scott Wollaston, CEO, will interview Nik Grundseth who will share about his youth soccer journey, his entrepreneurial pursuits of owning his own business (TCC Junk Removal), an...
39
March 24, 2025

39 - Coffee Conversations: Parent Q&A

Grab your favorite morning beverage and join us for another Coffee Conversation sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist with NC Fusion’s CEO, Scott Wollaston, and CXO, Sarah Bridges. This episode answers real questions from real parents in the club (using fake names, of course) including questions about the balance of external rentals and events at our facilities versus membership programming, and also about the possibility of training facilities centrally located in the Triad for Fusion...
38
Feb. 18, 2025

38 - Coffee Conversations: Parent Q&A

Grab your favorite morning beverage and join us for another Coffee Conversation sponsored by Atrium Health with NC Fusion’s CEO, Scott Wollaston, and CXO, Sarah Bridges. This episode answers real questions from parents in the club including questions about how player fees are set and how to navigate all the different levels of soccer.
37
Jan. 27, 2025

37 - Coffee Conversations: Parent Q&A

Grab your favorite morning beverage and join us for another Coffee Conversation with NC Fusion’s CEO, Scott Wollaston, and CXO, Sarah Bridges. This episode answers real questions from parents in the club including questions about the oversight and evaluation of coaches, the nature of coaching changes and the club wide evaluation and awareness of all players at all levels.
36
Oct. 11, 2024

36 - Coffee Conversations: Mental Heath

Grab your favorite morning beverage and join us for another Coffee Conversation with NC Fusion’s CEO, Scott Wollaston, and CXO, Sarah Bridges. Today’s episode is all about mental health and how we can provide better support for our athletes. Joining us is Dr. Kim Quigley of Onrise – NC Fusion’s newest partner in the mental health space – who empowers the athletes in your life through athlete-specific peer support, therapy, psychiatry, and crisis services.
35
Sept. 3, 2024

35 - For Life: Sarah and Molly Widderich

The NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is focused on highlighting NC Fusion Alumni. In this podcast John Pardini, ECNL Girls Director will interview Sarah and Molly Widderich who will share about their youth soccer journeys, their current playing experiences, and how their youth experiences are shaping who they are today.
34
Aug. 23, 2024

34 - Coffee Conversations: Team Managers

Join Scott Wollaston, Chief Executive Officer, and Sarah Bridges, Chief Experience Officer, in today’s NC Fusion Coffee Conversation focused on all things TEAM MANAGERS! These unsung heroes are a vital volunteer role within our organization, and we dive right into all the things they do and don’t do in this role. In addition, in the final minutes, we share a staff secret that many members never knew! Don’t miss it!
33
May 31, 2024

33 - For Life: Gerry Gibson

The NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is focused on highlighting NC Fusion Alumni. In this podcast we will hear from Gerry Gibson, former player in NC Fusion (as a former player at Twin City Youth Soccer Association) and director of the recent full length documentary “Through the Lines” which follows the story of the 2021 season for the NC Fusion USL 2 Team. Gerry shares about his youth soccer journey along and gives a behind-the-scenes perspective on th...
32
April 16, 2024

32- Coffee Conversations: Burlington

Join us for another Coffee Conversation as NC Fusion’s CEO, Scott Wollaston, and CXO, Sarah Bridges, discuss all things Fusion while answering member’s FAQs in the time you finish a nice cup of coffee. In this episode, we will be chatting with JP Strachan, Burlington Soccer Club’s Director, as we prepare for the exciting merger between NCF and BSC this summer. During our time together, we will hear about the history of the program, our current partnership and behind-the-scenes-work, and the fun ...
31
April 16, 2024

31 - For Life: Cooper Vandermaas Peeler

The NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is focused on highlighting NC Fusion Alumni. In this podcast we will hear from Cooper Vandermaas Peeler, former player in NC Fusion (as a member of Guilford United Soccer and Burlington Soccer Club), former collegiate player at UNC Chapel Hill and Elon University, and current coach at Burlington Soccer Club. Cooper shares about his soccer journey, his personal journey, and how his experiences have shaped him into bei...
30
March 6, 2024

30 - Coffee Conversations: USL-W Team

Grab a cup of joe and join us for another Coffee Conversation with NC Fusion’s Executive Director, Scott Wollaston, and Chief Experience Officer, Sarah Bridges. In this episode, we focus our attention on our pre-professional women’s program - the NC Fusion USL W team! Joining the conversation is Head Coach, Anthony Suarez. He guides us through all things USL W and what this fantastic, summer program brings to NC Fusion, the community, and even more, how you can support!
29
March 4, 2024

29 - NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast - Interview with Wells Thompson

The NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is focused on highlighting NC Fusion Alumni. In this podcast we will hear from Wells Thompson, former professional in Major League Soccer, Wake Forest Alum, and NC Fusion (by way of Twin City Soccer) alum who will share about his soccer journey, his personal journey, and how his soccer experiences have shaped what he is doing today through Soccer Resilience.
28
Feb. 21, 2024

28- Coffee Conversations: Recreation Program

It’s time for another Coffee Conversation with NC Fusion’s Executive Director, Scott Wollaston, and Chief Experience Officer, Sarah Bridges. Grab your drink of choice and join us as we dive into discussing NC Fusion’s Recreation Program. Jumping on the call is none other than Head of Rec, Andrew Fleming, and we chat through all things that make the rec program what it is – one of the most important programs in our organization.
27
Dec. 5, 2023

27- Coffee Conversations: United Soccer Coaches’ Convention

Snag a cup of coffee and join NC Fusion’s Executive Director, Scott Wollaston, and Chief Experience Officer, Sarah Bridges, as they tackle a few of our members’ FAQs. This Coffee Conversation highlights an upcoming January event that is near-and-dear to our soccer coaching staff – the United Soccer Coaches’ Convention: an event where many coaching staff attend to develop, learn, and network. In the time you finish your cup of coffee, you’ll learn what it is, why it’s important, and who all is in...
26
Nov. 28, 2023

26 - NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast - Interview with Madi Pry

The NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is focused on highlighting NC Fusion Alumni. In this podcast we will hear from Madi Pry who will share about her soccer journey, what she’s doing now, and how her soccer experiences have shaped who she is today.
25
Oct. 19, 2023

25- Coffee Conversations: Coaching Development

Snag a cup of coffee and join NC Fusion’s Executive Director, Scott Wollaston, and Chief Experience Officer, Sarah Bridges, as they tackle a few of our members’ FAQs. This Coffee Conversation highlights the behind-the-scenes initiatives and resources that are happening to help our coaches continually improve – not only for our athletes, but for themselves. Head of Education, Mark Simpson, joins us and expounds on two specific coaching development initiatives this year: the Mentorship Program and...
24
Oct. 13, 2023

24 - NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast - Interview with Tanner Beason

The NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is focused on highlighting NC Fusion Alumni. In this podcast we will hear from Tanner Beason, current Major League Soccer player and NC Fusion alum who will share about his soccer journey, his current experience in Major League Soccer, and how his youth soccer experiences have shaped who he is today.
23
Sept. 29, 2023

23- Coffee Conversations: The Wonderful Weather

Grab a cup of coffee and join NC Fusion’s Executive Director, Scott Wollaston, and Chief Experience Officer, Sarah Bridges, as they tackle a few of our members’ FAQs. This Coffee Conversation talks about all things weather – our operations as an organization, what goes behind decision-making when it’s raining or snowing or high temps, and overall general processes. They’re bringing in Head of Operations and Facilities, Austin Homan (aka “Hurricane Homan”) to guide our listeners through the most ...
22
Sept. 25, 2023

22 - NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast - Interview with Sarah Niblock

The NC Fusion “For Life” Podcast sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is focused on highlighting NC Fusion Alumni. In this podcast we will hear from Sarah Niblock (formerly Sarah Peatross) who will share about her soccer journey, what she’s doing now, and how her soccer experiences have shaped who she is today.
21
Aug. 11, 2023

21- Coffee Conversations: Adults in Sports

[11:55 AM] Sarah Bridges Snag your breakfast beverage and join NC Fusion’s CEO, Scott Wollaston, and Chief Experience Officer, Sarah Bridges, as they tackle a few of our members’ FAQs. This coffee conversation focuses on our older members of the organization – our ADULTS. Joined by Head of Core Sports, Noah Downs, and Physical Therapist, Dr. Ali Hartman, we’ll talk through the benefits of adults in sport and how you can get active, today!
20
May 1, 2023

20 - Coffee Conversations: Navigating the Tryout Season

Grab a cup of coffee and join NC Fusion’s CEO, Scott Wollaston, and Chief Experience Officer, Sarah Bridges, as they tackle a few of our members’ FAQs. This Coffee Conversation hones in on one of the most difficult parts of the youth sports world – tryouts! How can we as parents help our kids navigate the highs and lows of the tryout season and the stress that it inevitably brings? We’re joined by Gordon MacLelland from Working with Parents in Sport, and his wisdom and experience in this space m...
19
Feb. 14, 2023

19 - Coffee Conversations: Lines of Communication

Grab your brewed coffee and join Executive Director, Scott Wollaston, and Chief Experience Officer, Sarah Bridges, for another Coffee Conversation where they tackle FAQs from our membership. In this episode, they discuss NC Fusion’s lines of communication and what to do when an issue comes up during your experience with NC Fusion. While we wish we did everything right, we know there are situations that need to be worked through. Join us in learning a bit more on how to approach that key moment i...