Best Mike Bifulco Podcasts (2024)

1
Tales of South American football ft. Jorge Knijnik 53:36

2d ago53:36

53:36

Football plays a central role in many Latin American countries. In this episode, co-hosts Francesco and Guy talk with Jorge Knijnik, Associate Professor at Western Sydney University about his new book, Tales of South American Football: Passion, Revolution and Glory. Jorge provides examples of how the beautiful game is entwined with the continent's …

1
Football and the British Election ft. Co-Host Christina Philippou and Fair Game's Mike Baker 47:00

11d ago47:00

47:00

What does the general election in the UK mean for football? In this episode, one of the FootPol Podcast's favourite guests, Dr Christina Philippou returns to co-host a discussion on the subject with Mike Baker, director of advocacy at Fair Game. Christina and Mike explain the importance of the election for the future of football in the UK, from the…

1
The Politics of Maradona Part 1: Diego as a Global Icon ft. Mariano Paz 32:11

16d ago32:11

32:11

No other football player has been as popular and yet also divisive as Diego Armando Maradona. Few footballers can claim to have achieved the status of political icon like the Argentinian superstar. In the first of two episodes dedicated to the politics of Maradona, co-hosts Francesco and Guy speak to Mariano Paz, lecturer at the University of Limer…

1
The Politics of Maradona Part 2: Diego and the City of Naples ft. Luca Bifulco 40:19

16d ago40:19

40:19

Diego Maradona, arguably the greatest talent ever to grace a football pitch, played for several clubs as well as the Argentinian national team. His image, however, is closely tied to the city of Naples and its football club. In the second of this week's double episodes on the politics of Diego Maradona, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Italian so…

1
What's Coming Up in 2024's 'Summer of Sport'? ft. Nicola Sbetti. 47:29

24d ago47:29

47:29

We're about to enter what has been dubbed the 'Summer of Sport' given the number of high-profile events taking place, from the Euros to the Olympics and the Copa America. Football will therefore be at the forefront of many people's minds and to explore this, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Nicola Sbetti, historian of sport at the University of B…

1
Ukraine's football under the Russian shadow ft. Olga Ruzhelnyk 46:06

1M ago46:06

46:06

Ukraine is a country with a long and rich football tradition. Yet football, like all aspects of life, have been deeply affected by the Russian aggression against the country. In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Olga Ruzhelnyk, a Ukrainian researcher at the Institut des sciences sociales du politique in Paris. Olga explains how footb…

1
'More than a club, a whole people'. Deportivo Palestino ft. Jose Nabzo and Siri Schwabe 40:33

1M ago40:33

40:33

Football clubs often represents different identities: local, political, ethnic and sectarian. Deportivo Palestino, a football club in Chile, is distinct in the way its representation of Palestinian identity. In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Siri Schwabe, associate professor of Anthropology at University of Copenhagen, and Jose N…

1
How is climate change affecting football? ft. Leslie Mabon. 35:46

2M ago35:46

35:46

The impact of climate change on football has frequently been in the news in recent years. The relationship between the beautiful game and the environment is however complex and multi-faceted as explained by today's guest, Dr Leslie Mabon. Leslie, a lecturer in environmental systems at the Open University, explains to co-hosts Guy and Francesco how …

1
Israel's War on Gaza and Palestinian Football 41:19

2M ago41:19

41:19

Amidst the ongoing Israeli attack on Gaza, football might seem a secondary and even irrelevant aspect. Yet football offers a ghastly testimony of the destruction caused by the Israeli attack on Gaza, as well as the dynamics of occupation of Palestinian territory by the Israeli state. In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to journalist K…

1
Match fit. Mental health and football ft. Johnnie Lowery 33:02

2M ago33:02

33:02

Mental health is a growing issue in football but suffers from being seen as a taboo subject. Co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to writer Johnnie Lowery who has published a new book, Match Fit, looking at how mental health affects footballers and fans, why it's been overlooked and what's being done to overcome it. As well as highlighting key moments t…

1
Unsafe bet? The politics of gambling in football ft. Steve Menary 35:35

2M ago35:35

35:35

Football has a gambling problem. In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to award winning investigative journalist Steve Menary about the growth of gambling in the sport, from the football clubs who take the industry's money to the ways that betting companies are encouraging people to bet. Steve also talks about the grey world in which man…

1
Fan activism and gender politics in Brazil ft. Luisa Turbino Torres 46:04

2M ago46:04

46:04

Brazilian football is famous for its noisy and passionate supporters. But Brazilian football fans are not only passionate, they also have a long tradition of political activism. In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Luisa Turbino Torres, assistant professor at Florida Atlantic University, whose research looks at fan activism, gender a…

1
Simple habits for a happier team 4:45

3M ago4:45

4:45

Small changes and management techniques can transform your team's dynamics and boost morale. Explore practices like expressing gratitude, weekly reflections, and eliminating negative behaviors to foster a positive, growing team. Creators & Guests Mike Bifulco - Host ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★…

1
"Bring me that horizon". The politics of Portuguese football ft. Miguel Lourenço Pereira 45:16

3M ago45:16

45:16

How much does the geography and politics of a country influence the development of its football culture? In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to journalist Miguel Lourenço Pereira about football and politics in one of Europe's most fascinating countries, Portugal. Miguel is the author of several books including the recent "Bring me that …

1
BECOME UNREASONABLE: Designing for Hospitality 5:42

3M ago5:42

5:42

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara outlines how to making customers feel exceptionally special. Let's bring these hospitality principles to tech, by creating memorable experiences, and using hospitality to elevate customer satisfaction in product design, engaging with the people using our products. Get yourself a copy of Unreasonable Hospital…

1
What is political in modern football? ft. Cas Mudde 35:28

3M ago35:28

35:28

What makes modern football political? And what is the role of football in civil society? In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Cas Mudde, political scientist, football fan and enthusiastic groundhopper. Cas points to various developments taking place in modern football, from stadia as political arenas for both fans and the authorities…

1
Keep your tools sharp 3:47

3M ago3:47

3:47

The tools we use to get our work done are incredibly important, and taking the time to tune them to work just right can make a huge difference in our productivity and happiness. Creators & Guests Mike Bifulco - Host ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Mike Bifulco

1
From the boardrooms to government: the politics of football in Thailand ft. Arjin Thongyuukong and Matt Riley 38:46

3M ago38:46

38:46

How entwined is football and politics in Thailand? Guy and Francesco talk to Thai scholar Arjin Thongyuukong and UK journalist Matt Riley about the origins and development of the game in Thailand. Matt and Arjin discuss the rise of the national league and the presence of politicians like Thaksin Shinawatra and Newin Chidchob as football club owners…

1
"If he scores another few, then I'll be Muslim too!" The politics of Liverpool's Salah ft. Salma Mousa 39:06

3M ago39:06

39:06

Footballers are global icons, and Mo Salah is probably the most famous Arab and Muslim one today. But does Salah's popularity affect the way that Muslims (and Arabs) are perceived? Guy and Francesco speak to Salma Mousa, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UCLA about the 'Salah effect': how hate crimes in Liverpool and anti-Muslim tweets by…

1
Gestalt: Design principles every developer should know 6:04

3M ago6:04

6:04

Ever felt that you've seen a design that just makes sense to you, but you couldn't quite put your finger on why? There's rules for that. Let's talk about Gestalt... Creators & Guests Mike Bifulco - Host ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Mike Bifulco

1
Why your weekend projects help you level up 4:52

4M ago4:52

4:52

A look at the cognitive science behind the Hierarchy of Competence, and how dabbling with new frameworks and tools can make you a better developer. Creators & Guests Mike Bifulco - Host ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Mike Bifulco

1
Insta-FootPol. What's up with England's new football shirt? ft. Alex Ireland 16:32

4M ago16:32

16:32

In this brand new bonus edition format, Guy and Francesco explore topical issues around football that have a political dimension with the help of an expert. In this episode, Alex Ireland, football writer and football kits connoisseur, talks about England's new football shirt. Nike's decision to put a multi-coloured St George's cross - the symbol on…

1
Take my money! Some of my favorite tools, and why I pay for them 5:02

4M ago5:02

5:02

I'm a huge fan of products that use their a free tier to prove their value, and then convert me to a paying customer. Here are a few tools I pay for, and why I think they're worth it. (00:00) - Take my money! Some of my favorite tools, and why I pay for them (00:09) - Introduction (00:50) - Transistor.fm (01:07) - Transistor's Killer Features (02:1…

1
Tiny Tips for better SEO 6:29

4M ago6:29

6:29

I hear from a lot of devs that they don't know where to start with SEO. Here are 3 tiny tips about to get you started. More from me on SEO I wrote a tutorial on setting up Self-healing URLs on your Next.js site that you might find useful. Ever wonder how to correctly add subtitles to your h1 tags? I've got you covered. These are the SEO tools I use…

1
Football, communities and inclusivity ft. Fulham Lillies and New York International FC 42:09

4M ago42:09

42:09

Can football be more inclusive and embrace groups that have traditionally been left out from the game? In our latest episode, Guy and Francesco learn what some football clubs and fan groups are doing in the UK and US. They talk to Sarah Keig and JulieAnn Thomas of Fulham Lillies, a women's supporters group in southwest London that aims to raise the…

1
The Elephant on the Pitch: Football in India ft. Siddhanth Aney and Siju Mathew 46:27

4M ago46:27

46:27

Most people associate India with cricket. And yet the country has a long and rich history with football, based mainly in India's periphery rather than its Hindu heartland. Guy and Francesco talk to journalists and podcasters Siddhanth Aney and Siju Mathew about the origins of the game from the end of the nineteenth century and India's relative regi…

1
Reflecting on the first year of Craftwork 5:26

4M ago5:26

5:26

Reflecting on my first year as CTO of Craftwork, and the many things I've learned along the way. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Mike Bifulco

1
Smashing the glass ceiling. Football, media and activism ft. Shireen Ahmed and guest co-host Eugenio Giovagnoli 29:22

4M ago29:22

29:22

Co-host Francesco is joined by a guest co-host Eugenio Giovagnoli to talk to Canadian sports journalist and activist, Shireen Ahmed. Shireen has been at the forefront of the battle towards inclusivity in football, particularly in the media. She reflects on the current challenges, the achievements so far made and those that remain, along with a look…

1
¡Que viva Colombia! Football, nation building and identity in the Andean country ft Pete Watson 44:59

4M ago44:59

44:59

Football is a powerful tool in fragmented societies, none more so than Colombia. In this episode, Pete Watson of Leeds University explains to co-hosts Guy and Francesco what role has football played in the formation of a national identity and as a tool of reconciliation in both Colombia and in neighbouring countries. In Colombia the beautiful game …

1
I hate Tailwind CSS. Here's why I use it. 4:42

4M ago4:42

4:42

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that I've come to love. Here's why I use it, and why I think you should too. Have thoughts on this episode? Drop me a line on Threads @irreverentmike Creators & Guests Mike Bifulco - Host ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Mike Bifulco

1
An unequal game? Football, race and education ft. Paul Campbell 46:47

5M ago46:47

46:47

It is often said that football reflects the societies where we live. So what does football tell us about race and education? In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco learn the difficulties that young black footballers faced in their education as they tried to make it in the game from Leicester University's Paul Campbell. Paul also provides insigh…

1
Build, Measure, Listen, Rebuild 2:42

5M ago2:42

2:42

Building better products involves skills you won't learn in computer science school, or at a boot camp. Find success through testing, learning from real-world feedback, and adapting. Creators & Guests Mike Bifulco - Host ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Mike Bifulco

1
Football for everyone! A journey on the margins of the beautiful game ft. Paul Watson 45:14

5M ago45:14

45:14

Football is by far the most popular sport in the world, making it "the world's game". And yet there some countries in the world that don't have a national team or are unrecognised by major organisations like FIFA. In this episode, co-hosts Francesco and Guy talk to Paul Watson about who does and who doesn't get to participate in "official" internat…

1
Fighting for footballers' labour rights ft. FIFPRO's Alexander Bielefeld and Alex Culvin 54:19

5M ago54:19

54:19

Have you ever thought of Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo as workers? Probably not! And yet for global stars as for lower level professional footballers and others in less glamorous leagues, football is a job with 'trade relations'. In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to labour rights advocates, Alex Culvin and Alexander Bielefeld from F…

1
Football's next big thing? The European SuperLeague ft. Anthony Macedo 35:54

5M ago35:54

35:54

The idea of a European Super League that would see top European clubs regularly compete against each other has bee in the news again in recent months, following a recent ruling at the European Court of Justice and its backers' latest proposals. But what would the Super League mean for European football, and will this project ever become reality? In…

1
God's own game? Football and Islam ft. Valentina Fedele 43:12

5M ago43:12

43:12

Do religions and particularly Islam have a view on football? In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Valentina Fedele, Associate Professor of Sociology of Cultural and Communicational Processes at Link Campus University in Rome. Valentina explains how most religions have beliefs and norms that apply to sport generally and football in par…

1
Why your favorite apps and creators all pivot in January 3:56

6M ago3:56

3:56

The new year is a time for change. But why do so many apps and creators pivot in January? We explore the psychology behind the new year's pivot. See the text version of this edition of Tiny Improvements on mikebifulco.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Mike Bifulco

1
'Sing louder if you want a revolution'. The politics of football ultras ft. James Montague 48:05

6M ago48:05

48:05

Football fans are often at the centre of media and public opinion attention: condemned as violent and anti-social or applauded for their contribution to the atmosphere in stadiums around the world. But are football fans 'political actors'? If so, what is their politics? In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to journalist James Montague,…

1
Football against fascism ft Chris Lee 33:45

6M ago33:45

33:45

Football has been used by both politicians as well as fans to advance their own interests. How have fascist and right-wing political leaders and regimes exploited football to promote themselves? And how have fans tried to fight right wing authoritarianism through football? In this episode co-hosts Francesco and Guy talk to Chris Lee, author of The …

1
Fitts' Law, and the Beauty of Big Goals 3:57

6M ago3:57

3:57

By Mike Bifulco

1
Cursed or blessed by talent? Football in West Africa (and some AFCON predictions!) - ft Gary Al-Smith 39:47

6M ago39:47

39:47

West Africa is the home of exceptional footballing talent. In our latest episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Ghanian journalist Gary Al-Smith to understand why the countries in the region - Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Cameroon - produce so many good footballers and how and why many of them end up in Europe. In the episode w…

1
Are we living through a golden era of football diplomacy? ft Heather Dichter 35:12

6M ago35:12

35:12

Is the use of football in diplomacy a modern phenomenon? Or has sport always been used as a diplomatic tool? In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Heather Dichter, Associate Professor at DeMonfort University specialising in sport history, with a focus on diplomacy and twentieth century Europe. Heather explains how the popularity of t…

1
Remembering Pele: Race and football in Brazil ft Ana Paula da Silva 28:42

7M ago28:42

28:42

December 29 marks the first anniversary of Pele's death. As one of the world's greatest football players, Pele's impact goes beyond the football pitch into politics, society and popular folklore. To discuss Pele's legacy in Brazil, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Ana Paula da Silva, who studies race and gender at the Fluminense Federal Universit…

1
A mixed legacy? The Qatar World Cup one year on ft Stephen Cockburn 44:23

7M ago44:23

44:23

What has been the impact of the Qatar World Cup? Has the tournament been a success for the organisers, and what is its legacy in terms of human and particularly labour rights? A year to the day after Lionel Messi's Argentina raised the trophy, co-hosts Guy and Francesco take a look at the reasons behind Qatar bidding for the World Cup and the immed…

1
United or Divided? The politics of Belgian football ft Scott Coyne 38:59

7M ago38:59

38:59

Belgium is known for its waffles, chocolates and beer. And arguably for its football. But what can the beautiful game tell us about the politics and history of the country? Co-hosts Guy (himself a Brussel resident) and Francesco talk to Scott Coyne, Mechelen fan and co-host of the Belgian Football Podcast, the world's premier English language show …

1
Why the Interest with Football in Saudi Arabia? ft Aziz Alghasian and Eyad Elrefai 37:48

7M ago37:48

37:48

Football in Saudi Arabia has been the subject of a lot attention in the last year due to the purchase of high profile players by Saudi teams. But how is the Saudi Pro League doing now that we're several months into the new season? Has it been successful so far? And what does the future of football look like in the Kingdom? To discuss this, co-hosts…

1
Learning is an Infinite Game 5:12

7M ago5:12

5:12

As a founder, you're going to need to learn new skills quickly and efficiently. Keeping your skill for learning sharp is a critical skill, and should can be practiced like any other skill. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Mike Bifulco

1
The ambassador's best friend? Football as a geopolitical tool ft Arthur Snell 36:04

8M ago36:04

36:04

As the world game, how do diplomats relate to football? And how is football being used by states around the world to advance their global interests and influence? To discuss these questions, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to former British diplomat and now geopolitical commentator, Arthur Snell, about his experience of working for the UK Foreign O…

1
Passion, power and politics. The beautiful game in East Asia ft Seungbum Lee 39:00

8M ago39:00

39:00

From Japan's and South Korea's heroics at past World Cups to the advent of global stars from the region, East Asia has made a splash in world football in recent years. The trajectory of the Chinese Super League, however, that it's not all progress. In this episode Francesco and Guy spoke to Professor Seungbum Lee of Akron University about the rise …

1
Dress to impress, or dress to protest? The Politics of Football Shirts, ft. Alex Ireland 31:38

8M ago31:38

31:38

In the last few years, collecting football shirts has turned into a popular hobby for a growing number of fans. But are football kits only pretty patterns and shining colours? In this episode co-hosts Francesco and Guy talk to author Alex Ireland about the politics and economics of football kits, from their development into contemporary fashion and…

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