Best Magic Squirrel Network Podcasts (2024)

1
Jack Graham: Sports Producer and Executive, ABC, NBC, Golf Channel 45:38

8d ago45:38

45:38

Will sports fans continue to search for their favorite teams on streaming services behind paywalls? What are the LIV Golf broadcasts doing to improve or change sports TV? Will Tiger and Rory's TGL work? Will Tiger play the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50? Jack Graham is the man to ask. A former VP of Live Tournaments at Golf Channel and a longt…

1
Grant Boone: CBS, NBC, Golf Channel Announcer 47:54

18d ago47:54

47:54

Grant Boone works as a golf announcer for NBC and Golf Channel, primarily on the LPGA Tour. His prior experience includes coverage of Amen Corner for the Masters on CBS, plus work in dozens of sports for ESPN, Turner and Fox. In this episode we discuss the 2024 US Women's Open, the state of the LPGA, what the LIV Golf rift has done to the men's gam…

1
Steady Eddie: Mike Germond, Steadicam Operator 36:02

1M ago36:02

36:02

In 1975, a cinematographer from New Jersey named Garrett Brown invented the Steadicam -- a wearable rig with counterweights that enabled camera operators to create shots that were never before imaginable. Nearly 50 years later, Steadicam shots are everywhere in movies and TV. The Steadicam revolutionized sports television. My guest on this episode …

1
NCAA Golf Championships, with Golf Channel's Steve Burkowski 45:15

2M ago45:15

45:15

The month of May brings the onset of college golf's postseason. The men's and women's fields for the 2024 NCAA Golf Championships were announced on Golf Channel at the end of April; with regional play beginning May 6, Steve Burkowski joined the podcast to handicap the fields. "Burko" has been with Golf Channel for over 20 years, and has carved out …

1
Dave Mishkin: Voice of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Author of "Blind Squirrel" 53:53

2M ago53:53

53:53

Dave Mishkin has been the radio voice of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning for over 20 years, and recently published a fiction novel called "Blind Squirrel." As he tells it, the book is hockey-adjacent, and tells the story of Noah, a former pro hockey player who deals with mental health issues. As an aspiring writer myself, I was interested in hearing …

1
Ann Liguori: Sports Journalist, Entrepreneur, Author of "Life On The Green" 35:21

3M ago35:21

35:21

Ann Liguori wears many hats: sports journalist, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author. She was the first woman to host a call-in show on New York's WFAN, the original sports talk radio station in the US. She's covered multiple majors in golf and tennis, has reported from the Olympics, Ryder Cups, and Solheim Cups, and is perhaps best known for t…

1
Puttin' On The (Ethan) Ritz: Sports TV Graphics Producer, Production Manager 46:04

3M ago46:04

46:04

Ethan Ritz is one of the smartest people I know. Grew up in Virginia, played college lacrosse at Tennessee, worked for Golf Channel for many years as a graphics producer and now holds a similar role at LIV Golf and farms himself out as a production manager. He's been there and done that, including the Olympics, the Ryder Cup, and all of golf's majo…

1
Sports Photography, with Cy Cyr 32:57

3M ago32:57

32:57

Cy Cyr (pronounced 'sigh sear') is an acclaimed photographer based in Orlando. His sports credits include Golf Channel, NBC, Sports Illustrated, Golf Digest, and ESPN, and he's a go-to photog for the PGA Tour. Beyond sports, Cy is highly regarded in editorial, commercial, and portrait work, with clients like Mitsubishi, Yamaha, and Discovery Channe…

1
Dave Revsine, Big Ten Network and ESPN 48:52

4M ago48:52

48:52

Dave Revsine is the lead studio host and a play-by-play announcer for the Big Ten Network. He's one of my oldest friends in the business, going back to the days of ESPN and the original launch of ESPNEWS. In this episode, we talk about his path from Chicago to an investment banking job he hated, his return to broadcasting, and how ESPN and the Big …

1
LeslieAnne Wade: Former CBS SVP, Communications, Consumer Media Expert 48:07

4M ago48:07

48:07

LeslieAnne Wade has enjoyed a remarkable career in public relations and communications, much of it in the sports space. After working in sports information at the college level, she moved to USA Network, where she handled PR for a variety of events, including the first Ryder Cup to be televised live from Europe. She is perhaps best known for her te…

1
Super Bowl Preview and Silly Prop Bets, with Todd Wright 47:50

5M ago47:50

47:50

Todd Wright is one of my oldest friends in the business. He’s known for “All Night with Todd Wright,” a national show on ESPN Radio that he started in 1996. He was also on nationwide on Sporting News Radio, and made frequent appearances on local radio in Tampa, where he still lives. We worked together for several years at the old Sun Sports, where …

1
Gary Christian: A Life In Golf 50:24

5M ago50:24

50:24

For an Englishman, Gary Christian has an All-American story. Coming from a working class background in Britain, he learned to play golf with a set of cut-down, hickory-shafted clubs. A successful amateur career led to a scholarship at a junior college in Alabama, where he played well enough to transfer to Auburn. Turning pro at the age of 28, he pl…

1
Florida Man: Television's Paul Kennedy 58:13

5M ago58:13

58:13

In 1988, a new regional sports network was launched in Tallahassee, Florida. Called 'Sunshine Network,' its first property was Florida State University, and the first announcer for FSU sports was Paul Kennedy. 36 years later, Paul is still broadcasting Florida sports. He was on the mic when the Orlando Magic played their first game; same for the Ta…

1
Golf Commentator Jerry Foltz, Golf Channel and LIV 57:59

5M ago57:59

57:59

Jerry Foltz is a golf lifer. He picked up the game as a kid in Las Vegas, was an All-American in college at the University of Arizona, and then (in his words) "backed into" a career in golf broadcasting that started at Golf Channel and now continues with LIV Golf. In all, he's had well over 20 years on a microphone. In this episode, we trace his pa…

1
Mike Soltys, Former PR Executive at ESPN 40:21

6M ago40:21

40:21

Mike Soltys spent 43 years at ESPN -- as he puts it, 98 percent of the company's history. Originally hired as an unpaid intern by ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen, Mike rose to the very top of the Worldwide Leader's public relations department, documenting the biggest sporting events in the world and managing the explosive growth of the ESPN brand. He d…

1
Ron Sirak, Journalist 52:31

7M ago52:31

52:31

If it happened in golf in the last 40 years, Ron Sirak probably saw it, and wrote about it. He's a former senior writer and executive editor for Golf Digest and Golf World magazines and a longtime contributor to Golf Channel. A champion of the women's game, he might be the only media member to cover all of the men's and women's major championships …

1
Poker Star: Joe Stapleton, Commentator and Comic 51:20

7M ago51:20

51:20

Joe "Stapes" Stapleton is a star in the poker world -- as he once put it, he's "poker-famous." He's a longtime poker commentator with credits that include PokerStars, The World Series of Poker, The Big Game, and Poker Night in America. In a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation, he outlines his path from upstate New York to Hollywood, where he's…

1
Better Sports Betting: Steve Rubenfaer, CEO, BettorTakes 30:14

7M ago30:14

30:14

In 2018, the US Supreme Court struck down a law that prohibited sports gambling outside of Nevada. In the years since, more and more states have legalized sports betting, and sports media has fully embraced 'the line' as content. Steve Rubenfaer, CEO of BettorTakes, walks us through the trends in the industry and outlines his BettorTakes app -- a p…

1
Ray Almeda, Global PR Lead, EA Sports 44:09

8M ago44:09

44:09

The video game industry did $235 billion in revenue in 2022, and that number is expected to jump to $321 billion by 2026. Six of the 20 best-selling games in '22 were sports titles, and two of the top 7 in sales are produced by Electronic Arts, or EA. Ray Almeda, a former gaming journalist, is now the Global PR Lead for EA's sports portfolio, overs…

1
Alex Russell: Manager, Player, Talent, Tour Relations and Booking, NBC and Golf Channel 45:51

8M ago45:51

45:51

You're watching a tournament on Golf Channel, and a celebrity drops by the booth for a visit. Maybe you're watching Live From early in the week at a major championship, and Dustin Johnson or Rory McIlroy joins the announcers on set. Ever wonder who sets that up? Alex Russell is part of a two-woman team at NBC / Golf Channel responsible for contacti…

1
High Seas, NBA Hardwood, Hot Sauce: The Ballad of Dan Ballister 22:51

8M ago22:51

22:51

Dan Ballister is a Naval Academy grad and former Surface Warfare Officer who has diverse experience in business. He oversaw digital media for the NBA as part of 20 years in digital media and internet advertising. He tells the story of how a compliment at an Army-Navy tailgate turned into The General's Hot Sauce, a brand that creates employment oppo…

1
Alex Gimenez: Manager, Major League Operations & Professional Scouting, Boston Red Sox 58:17

9M ago58:17

58:17

As a kid growing up in Miami, Alex Gimenez dreamed of working in baseball. That dream carried him to Cornell University, where he faced a crossroad: pursuing a career in broadcasting, or choosing a path that would lead him into a front office. Now the Manager of Major League Operations and Professional Scouting for the Boston Red Sox, Alex recounts…

1
Dave Stevens: Sports Reporter, Motivational Speaker, Teacher, Disability Advocate 36:30

9M ago36:30

36:30

My guest on this episode is a 7-time Emmy winner as a sports journalist. A three sport star in high school, he played college football and later had a brief stint in minor league baseball. Today, he teaches media and production at the college level while also hosting a nationally syndicated podcast and running youth sports camps, and is prominently…

1
The Spo Show: Directing Live Events, with Peter Esposito 43:53

9M ago43:53

43:53

Previous episodes of "Media Credentials" have covered directing live studio shows (with Eric Rutledge) and producing live events (with Ray Jacobs). Now, a new combination -- directing live events. Peter Esposito started his broadcasting career at a small college in New England, moving to an entry-level position at ESPN, and then joining Golf Channe…

1
Ray Jacobs: NHL Senior Coordinating Producer and Live Golf Producer 50:50

9M ago50:50

50:50

My guest on this episode is a hockey guy, but like most hockey guys I’ve met in my career, he’s also a golf guy. Ray Jacobs is the senior coordinating producer for the National Hockey League’s production arm, a staff job he took in 2023 after 20-plus years on the road as a freelance golf producer. We touch on that familiar theme -- freelancing vers…

1
From Madden & the NFL to Valspar & the PGA Tour: Media Relations with Rick Odioso 48:39

10M ago48:39

48:39

With over 40 years of experience in the NFL and nearly 30 years with the PGA Tour, Rick Odioso has collected some stories. He's the Media Director for the Valspar Championship, while also freelancing as a statistician for the NFL on FOX, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. As the former PR Director for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rick ma…

1
Kristi Hujik: ESPN, Golf Channel, SiriusXM, Health Coach 54:46

10M ago54:46

54:46

Kristi Hujik is a certified health coach and Senior Producer for PGA Tour Radio on SiriusXM. We shared newsrooms together for over two decades at both ESPN and Golf Channel, a bizarre overlap in our careers that neither one of us can truly explain. Kristi talks about her journey in sports media, starting at a local radio station in Pennsylvania and…

1
Versatility and "Pivoting": Julie Hoddy, Production Specialist 33:12

10M ago33:12

33:12

For many in sports media - particularly those who work behind the scenes - freelancing is a way of life. Staff jobs are often hard to come by, even more so in the post-Covid 'gig economy.' Julie Hoddy forged a long career as a freelancer in sports television before pivoting to a corporate role outside the realm of sports. We talk about her transiti…

1
Nathan Strack, Production Designer, Pinehurst Resort and Country Club 36:12

10M ago36:12

36:12

Nathan Strack is the Production Designer for the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. Pinehurst is one of the most prestigious golf complexes in the United States, home to nine golf courses and the host site of the 2024 US Open. Nathan talks about his experience there, how his golf background meshes with his skills as a graphic designer, and why Pine…

1
The Sports PR Life, with Dan Pearson 36:23

11M ago36:23

36:23

Dan Pearson is a veteran sports PR executive with experience in college athletics, Arena Football, the XFL, baseball, and more. A longtime Central Florida resident, he continues to work in semi-retirement as a sportswriter for local weeklies. Dan is a storyteller, and offers sound advice for those considering a career in sports media. Great stories…

1
College Football Chaos with Marc Daniels, Voice of UCF 36:30

11M ago36:30

36:30

Marc Daniels has been the Voice of the UCF Knights for nearly 30 years, and hosts a daily radio show on Orlando's 96.9 The Game. We discuss the explosive news in college football regarding conference realignment, and how sports other than football might be affected. We also delve into UCF's entry into the Big 12 this fall, and the impact it will ha…

1
George Galante, Senior Director of Communications, Orlando Magic 48:45

11M ago48:45

48:45

George Galante joined the Orlando Magic as a PR intern while still in college. Nearly 30 years later, he is still part of the team. As the Senior Director of Communications, he's a managing editor for the team's media guide, a daily contributor to game notes, a coordinator of interviews for players and coaches, and a stat guru who travels with the …

1
"Sports Intelligence" with Justin Ray, Head of Content, Twenty First Group 43:47

12M ago43:47

43:47

My guest on this episode is my former Golf Channel colleague Justin Ray, who is now the Head of Content for Twenty First Group, a company that bills itself as a "sports intelligence agency." From their website: “Performance analytics enables us to drive sporting success for athletes, teams, leagues and investors, and enable brands, broadcasters and…

1
Sportscasting 101: Eric Rutledge, TV Sports Director and Course Director at Full Sail University 43:41

1y ago43:41

43:41

Eric Rutledge got his start as a TV sports director in college, and eventually made his way to Golf Channel, where he spent nearly 20 years, primarily doing studio work. He explains what a director does, and we go deep into all the different jobs in the control room, and the remote production truck. Eric currently directs live golf for PGA TOUR LIV…

1
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel Columnist and Radio Raconteur 45:08

1y ago45:08

45:08

Mike Bianchi is a sports columnist for the Orlando Sentinel and one of the most influential voices in the Southeast. His 20-plus years with the Sentinel coincides with a lengthy career as a sports radio host in Orlando, and he was also a regular TV talk show panelist with me in the old days of Sun Sports (now Bally Sports Sun). A proud native Flori…

1
Keith Hirshland: LIV Golf Producer, Veteran of Golf Channel and ESPN, Author 51:34

1y ago51:34

51:34

Keith Hirshland is an Emmy-winning sports television producer whose path started in Hawaii, passed through Orlando as he helped launch the Golf Channel, and now finds him in the producer’s chair for live broadcasts of the upstart LIV Golf League. LIV is backed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. On June 6th, 20…

1
Michael J. Whelan, Golf Channel Original 41:49

1y ago41:49

41:49

Michael J. Whelan is an Emmy-winning former television executive, a veteran of CBS and HBO Sports, who was a driving force in the creation of Golf Channel. He’s also living proof that sometimes the story behind the executive bio is complicated. In this episode, you’ll hear about his biggest events, including Wimbledon, the Olympics, and the Buster …

1
Davey Finch, Hall of Fame CBS Camera Operator 38:23

1y ago38:23

38:23

Davey Finch worked as a camera operator for CBS Sports for over 40 years, and he is indisputably one of the best ever at his craft. In 2010, he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, the first camera operator to be so honored. His fellow inductees that year included Pat Summerall and John Madden. In this episode, you’ll hear about …

1
Mike Eaby, Coordinating Producer, Westwood One Sports 41:44

1y ago41:44

41:44

From humble origins -- a boxing match in Pittsburgh in 1921 -- live sports on the radio has evolved into an everyday part of our lives. In this episode of Media Credentials, I speak with Mike Eaby, the Coordinating Producer at Westwood One Sports, one of the largest sports radio networks in the United States. Mike oversees radio production for the …

1
Sellers Shy, Producer, PGA TOUR on CBS 34:25

1y ago34:25

34:25

CBS has been televising professional golf for nearly 70 years, and in that time, the network has employed exactly three lead golf producers. Sellers Shy is the third. A two-time high school golfer of the year in his native Tennessee, Sellers oversees more than 20 weeks of PGA TOUR coverage in addition to his duties with college football and the NFL…

1
Tracey Veal, Manager, Media Relations, PGA TOUR 53:00

1y ago53:00

53:00

If you're a media member -- or hope to be -- Tracey Veal is the PGA TOUR's gatekeeper. She approves media credentials for the Tour's biggest events, including the PLAYERS, the Presidents Cup, and the FedEx Cup Playoffs, among others. She also coordinates with local tournament teams to make sure the logistics are squared away before every event, and…

1
TV Golf Production, with Lina Bustos Elias of Golf Channel and PGA TOUR LIVE 33:12

1y ago33:12

33:12

On this episode, we meet Lina Bustos Elias, a multitalented producer for Golf Channel and PGA TOUR LIVE. Lina left her native Colombia at the age of 17, moving to the US with a golf scholarship to Georgia State. After a stop at CNN Español, Lina arrived in Orlando at Golf Channel, and has forged a career that combines her love for the game with her…

1
Florida Citrus Sports and College Football in Orlando, with Sam Gardner, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications 50:40

1y ago50:40

50:40

On this episode of Media Credentials, my guest is Sam Gardner. Sam is the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for Florida Citrus Sports, the non-profit that stages the Citrus Bowl, the Cheez-It Bowl, the Camping World Kickoff game, and a plethora of other events in Central Florida. Though football might be the focus, it turns out Sam ha…

1
Making TV Magic, with Tye Eastham, VP of Broadcasting, Orlando Magic 33:34

1y ago33:34

33:34

On this episode of Media Credentials, an interview with Tye Eastham, VP of Broadcasting for the Orlando Magic. We cover his path from Indiana University to the NBA, his longevity with the franchise, and the process of producing live basketball. We also discuss how remote production has changed the industry, and what may come next. Plus, why the Mag…

1
2023 Masters Preview 15:43

1y ago15:43

15:43

A quick preview on the eve of the 2023 Masters. My experience with the tournament, an examination of the 18 LIV players in the field -- including six former champions -- and some history for the contenders. Plus, sleeper picks and a pick to win.By Whit Watson

1
Hi Hello 22:56

1y ago22:56

22:56

As the title suggests, this is my brief introductory episode, as we set the stage for what comes next on Media Credentials. I give a (very short) summary of my career in sports broadcasting and relentlessly pitch my website. Also, some frequently asked questions: what's Tiger Woods like? What's your favorite PGA Tour stop? What's the deal with thos…

1
Knock Off 1:33:37

4+ y ago1:33:37

1:33:37

After a short hiatus we're back at it talking about all the JCVD movies. This month Paul is joined by one of the hosts of the VT Network podcast, Miguel aka Deadman, to talk about his favorite Van Damme movie Knock Off. This 1998 movie is a must see for JCVD fan and a must listen for people who have never seen it before. --- Support this podcast: h…

1
Double Team 44:32

5y ago44:32

44:32

We breakdown Jean Claude Van Damme's first box office failure Double Team. Released in 1997 this Basketball Pun filled movie stars JCVD, Dennis Rodman, and Mickey Rourke. Stay turned to the end to hear a clip from Crystal Waters - Just a Freak featuring Dennis Rodman. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vditsjc/support…

1
Maximum Risk 33:35

5y ago33:35

33:35

This month we explore the 1996 movie Maximum Risk. An interesting story with classic 90s action you won't want to miss out on this JCVD movie. You can now find us on the Podcoin app.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vditsjc/support

1
The Quest 34:10

5y ago34:10

34:10

Paul talks about the 1996 movie, The Quest. Join Paul as he breaks down the entire movie and find out the movie directed by Van Damme himself turned out. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vditsjc/support

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