The NATA-Cast

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of NATA-Cast, hosts Mollie Pillman, MS, MBA, CAE and Katie Scott, MS, ATC, CAE are joined by Tyler Lesher, DHSc, ATC, CSCS, a private practice performance therapist, Adam Annaccone, EdD, LAT, ATC, CES, PES, a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at The University of Texas at Arlington, and Murphy Grant, LAT, ATC, NASM-PES, chair of the NATA AT Compensation Task Force, for a candid conversation on athletic trainer compensation and professional value.
Sparked by concerns around pay, workload and responsibility, the discussion explores why compensation continues to lag and what can be done to address it. The group examines factors such as cost of living, workload demands and the need to better demonstrate the value athletic trainers bring through clearer documentation and communication of ROI.
They also take on broader structural questions, including autonomy, reimbursement, employer education, potential title changes and the role of associations versus unions. Throughout the episode, the conversation stays candid and solutions-focused, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue and engagement across the profession.

NATA-Cast is produced by Association Briefings.
Follow The National Athletic Trainers' Association on social media!
Facebook
X
Instagram
LinkedIn

Have an idea for an episode or series? Send us an email! 
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of NATA-Cast, recorded during NATA’s Hit the Hill Day in Washington, D.C., hosts Mollie Pillman, MS, MBA, CAE, and Katie Scott, MS, ATC, CAE, are joined by Deanna Kuykendall, NATA’s Director of Government Affairs, and Jim Twaddell, Senior Policy Advisor at Venable LLP, to discuss the impact of advocacy in action for athletic trainers. The conversation highlights how ATs connect directly with congressional offices to advance key priorities, including mental health funding through the Dr. Lorna Breen Act and efforts to standardize credentialing within the Defense Health Agency. They also reflect on the success of grassroots efforts like the H2F campaign and share ways members can stay engaged through district meetings, action campaigns, and ongoing feedback.

NATA-Cast is produced by Association Briefings.

Follow The National Athletic Trainers' Association on social media!
Facebook
X
Instagram
LinkedIn

Have an idea for an episode or series? Send us an email! 
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of NATA-Cast, hosts Mollie Pillman, MS, MBA, CAE, and Katie Scott, MS, ATC, CAE, are joined by Lauren Stephenson, MA, ATC, Michael Goldenberg, MS, ATC, CES, and Dave Csillan, MS, LAT, ATC, to explore how an annual National Athletic Training Month trip to New York City’s Today Show Plaza has become a powerful platform for visibility and advocacy. What began as a simple idea—sparked by seeing other professions featured on national television—has grown into a decade-plus tradition. The group reflects on the early days of pre-dawn travel, long hours in the cold, and the intentional strategy behind showing up consistently with creative messaging to help broadcasters and the public better understand the role of athletic trainers. At its core, the conversation centers on advocacy, visibility, and community building. The guests highlight the importance of bringing students into the experience from the beginning, creating opportunities for networking, mentorship, and real-world engagement that make advocacy both meaningful and memorable. They also discuss how the initiative has matured over time, with stronger coordination, leadership structure, and alignment with NATA’s broader communications efforts. Throughout the episode, the group underscores how consistency, creativity, and collective effort can elevate a profession’s voice and create lasting impact.
NATA-Cast is produced by Association Briefings.
Follow The National Athletic Trainers' Association on social media!
Facebook
X
Instagram
LinkedIn

Have an idea for an episode or series? Send us an email! 
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of NATA-Cast, hosts Mollie Pillman, MS, MBA, CAE, and Katie Scott, MS, ATC, CAE, take listeners inside the upcoming NATA presidential election, explaining how the process works, what has changed, and why participation from every athletic trainer matters.

They are first joined by NATA President A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT, and Presidential Election Oversight Task Force Chair Tim “Westy” Weston, MEd, ATC, who walk through the full election timeline, from initial declarations through the final vote. The conversation also highlights several updates designed to improve transparency, fairness, and communication, including virtual town halls  and expanded eligibility that allows more volunteer leaders beyond past and current district directors to run for president.

The episode also introduces listeners to the two candidates for NATA president. David Gallegos, MA, ATC, Cert. MDT, Deputy CEO of Southwest Sport & Spine, reflects on his leadership journey and shares his perspective on advancing visionary board discussions, strengthening individual member value, and addressing recruitment, retention, and professional identity in the profession. Rob Marshall, LAT, ATC, a long-time secondary school athletic trainer and association leader, discusses the importance of boots-on-the-ground perspectives, enhanced recruitment and retention resources, and clearer governance and leadership development across the association.

The conversation reinforces a central message: every member’s voice and vote play an important role in shaping the future of NATA and the athletic training profession.

NATA-Cast is produced by Association Briefings.
Follow The National Athletic Trainers' Association on social media!
Facebook
X
Instagram
LinkedIn

Have an idea for an episode or series? Send us an email! 
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail
In the season premiere of NATA-Cast, hosts Mollie Pillman, MS, MBA, CAE, and Katie Scott, MS, ATC, CAE, share a special live recording from the recent AT Alliance meeting, bringing together leaders from across the athletic training profession. NATA President A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT  joins Brian Conway, LAT, ATC, of the Board of Certification, MaryBeth Horodyski, EdD, ATC, LAT of the NATA Research and Education Foundation, and Toni Torres-McGehee, PhD, SCAT, ATC of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education to discuss how the Alliance has evolved into a unified effort to advance athletic training across workplace settings. The conversation highlights strategic planning and governance priorities, credentialing and accreditation updates, research and workforce initiatives and coordinated advocacy to strengthen recognition and value of athletic trainers. The episode also explores key challenges facing the profession, including recruitment and retention, transition to practice, compensation and work-life balance, concluding with audience dialogue on supporting mid-career professionals and sustaining the workforce.

NATA-Cast is produced by Association Briefings.
Follow The National Athletic Trainers' Association on social media!
Facebook
X
Instagram
LinkedIn

Have an idea for an episode or series? Send us an email! 
[email protected]