In this episode of the
B-Student Podcast, Betsy sits down with
Ryan DeVos, Managing Director of the
Orlando Magic, for a candid conversation about legacy, leadership, and building something new without abandoning what came before.
Ryan opens up about what it was like to grow up carrying the DeVos name, why he chose Orlando to “spread his wings,” and how he learned to lead with humility while building trust in high-stakes environments. They explore Ryan’s approach to innovation inside legacy organizations, including launching
Magic Gaming and stepping into emerging spaces like
Major League Pickleball with the
Orlando Squeeze, and co-creating the elevated social club experience behind
Hamlin House.
This is a conversation about responsibility and opportunity, entrepreneurship with a seventh-generation mindset, and the real discipline of prioritizing family while building a career at the intersection of sports, community, and business.
Time Stamps:- 00:00 Preorder Reminder: Human in the Room
- 01:05 Welcome Ryan DeVos (First Podcast as a Guest)
- 03:00 Growing Up DeVos: Legacy, Pressure, and the “Fishbowl”
- 06:10 Why Orlando and Rollins: Spreading His Wings
- 08:30 Introvert to “Trained Extrovert”
- 10:20 Building a New Lane Inside a Legacy Organization
- 12:25 Failure Tolerance as the Precursor to Innovation
- 15:00 Family Ethos: Risk, Entrepreneurship, and Responsibility
- 17:20 Magic Gaming: Why the NBA 2K League Made Sense
- 20:10 How Ryan Built Trust and Credibility Early On
- 23:05 Opportunity + Responsibility and Seventh-Generation Thinking
- 26:10 Family First: Choosing a Different Path and Prioritizing Kids
- 29:10 Pickleball Play: Orlando Squeeze + Why It’s Growing Fast
- 32:20 Hamlin House: Elevating the Club Experience and Community
- 35:30 What’s Next: Managing Director Role and Focus for the Future
- 36:35 Where to Find Ryan + Hamlin House + Orlando Squeeze
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Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
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Connect with Betsy Gardner:Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/
Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/Pre-order your copy of Human in the Room today! Use code BSTUDENT through Friday, March 27 to receive 10% off.
Books can be preordered at
humanintheroombook.com.
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Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/