Culture, cocktails and chaos: The evolution of the Club 520 universe

The Club 520 network is expanding its footprint beyond the hardwood. 

Following a massive year that saw a partnership with Adidas and sustained momentum across the sports landscape, the podcast network launched its first female-led offshoot with The Volume: “It’s 5:20 Somewhere” on April 15. 

The new weekly podcast features fan-favorite Briana “Barbee” Palmore alongside co-hosts Trop and Ki Ki. The show blends high-energy conversation with the signature cocktails that first introduced Barbee to the Club 520 audience. 

A redemption story turned fan favorite 

Barbee’s rise within the 520 network started with a loss. Initially appearing as a contestant in a “Martini-making competition,” she failed to secure the win but was later called back as a fill-in for the original champion. 

“I was so grateful to be able to pick up that opportunity, because I wanted to redeem myself after I took that loss,” Barbee said. 

The one-time fill-in quickly became a permanent fixture after listeners lobbied for her return. When the time came to anchor a new show, Barbee reunited with the “OG First Ladies of Club 520” — Trop and Ki Ki — who had previously appeared on the main pod. 

Driving greatness in a male-dominant space 

Club 520 Podcast host and Indiana native Jeff Teague, an NBA champion, says the expansion is about more than just basketball. 

“Club 520 was never just about basketball. It’s about building something that resonates beyond the game, in culture, in lifestyle and in the moments people actually live,” Teague said. “‘It’s 5:20 Somewhere’ is the next step in that. Barbee, Trop and Ki Ki bring an energy that’s real, and that fits exactly what we’ve been building.” 

While the show is nested under The Volume sports network, the goal is to establish a recognizable brand that thrives as a female-led voice in a male-dominant space. The format will eventually transition into hosting guests, with a primary focus on WNBA stars and other female podcast hosts. 

The cost of passion: Quitting the 9-to-5 

The transition to a lead host of “It’s 5:20 Somewhere” hasn’t been without its hurdles. Barbee admitted that balancing a full-time job, her role on Teague’s show, motherhood and her new podcast became “overwhelming.” 

In a move to prioritize the network’s growth, she recently left her traditional career behind. 

“I did quit my job to pour more into the podcast,” Barbee noted, citing a desire to dedicate those 40 hours a week to making the show something great. “Especially, it’s so much fun doing the podcast that it doesn’t feel like work”. 

Keeping it ‘Nap’ on a national stage 

Despite the national backing from The Volume, the 520 crew has no intention of “de-Napifying” their content. The local flavor of Indianapolis — references to 38th Street, Martindale Brightwood, Riverside, Post Road and local staples like Long’s Bakery — remains the true pulse of the brand. 

“That is a part of our brand. We are so Nap Town, and the thing is, our fans look forward to that,” Barbee said. “They are loving learning about Indiana.” 

That local loyalty will be on full display in May during the upcoming “520 Day” festivities. The celebration is set to include a field day — where Barbee jokingly looks forward to “making a fool” of herself — as well as a concert designed to bring the podcast’s supporters into close quarters with the hosts. The field day functions are open to all, while the concert is listed as ages 21+. 

“It’s 5:20 Somewhere” drops weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. As the show’s official tagline promises: “Where the cocktails hit, the conversations go left, and the chaos is always somewhere in the mix.” 

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Contact multimedia reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.