Best Neil Irving Podcasts (2024)

1
The Finder Pod: Nate Jones proposes the NBA Gauntlet 45:02

21m ago45:02

45:02

This podcast episode is free. If you’d like to receive more content like this and access to all of The Finder’s content and participate in the comments, become a paid subscriber. The NBA 82-game regular season is just around the corner. Balls are bouncing. Lineups are forming. Ideas are flowing. Friend of The Finder Nate Jones, an NBA agent and ent…

1
The Finder POD: Kirk Goldsberry and Brandon Payne 1:03:55

5M ago1:03:55

1:03:55

Early this week, I texted Kirk Goldsberry to invite him onto the pod and talk about his awesome new book, HOOP ATLAS: Mapping the Remarkable Transformation of the Modern NBA. He was in. He had one request. Can we get Brandon Payne on too? YES. A man of many talents, Goldsberry is a professor of Sports Analytics at the University of Texas and has wo…

1
17: Al Bright 20:03

7M ago20:03

20:03

Al Bright was an acclaimed artist and renowned educator. In 1965, he became the first full-time Black facility member at his alma mater - Youngstown State University, where he taught art and established the Africana Studies program. His art work has been exhibited at, or is in the permanent collection of, several venerable museums in addition to ma…

1
Episode 109 - Colton Crawford 1:16:39

8M ago1:16:39

1:16:39

Colton Crawford is a member of The Dead South and a BJJ brown belt.In this episode, we discuss life on the road, the creative process, Twitch streaming, Banjo playing, and much more.By Daniel Strauss

1
The Finder pod: Analytics storyteller Neil Paine 1:17:24

8M ago1:17:24

1:17:24

You might have seen the Patrick Mahomes stat that went viral this week. The man behind that stat, Neil Paine, joins us this week at The Finder. An old colleague from the ESPN days, the whip-smart proprietor of Neil’s Substack talks about using numbers to do premium storytelling, his final days at the now-defunct The Messenger, Denver’s altitude as …

1
📺 Finder Film: 26 minutes of unpredictable Kyrie Irving with Brandon Payne 5:00

9M ago5:00

5:00

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.tomthefinder.com After Kyrie Irving dropped 44 on the red-hot Knicks, we had to run it back with Brandon Payne. Stephen Curry’s longtime trainer Brandon Payne couldn’t wait to talk about Irving’s array of shot-making, creativity and space creation. What struck me about Irving is how …

1
📺 Finder Film: Wemby's 27-9-5 vs. Bucks with Brandon Payne 2:00

9M ago2:00

2:00

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.tomthefinder.com Victor Wembanyama celebrated his 20th birthday by melting candles and melting minds on Thursday. 27 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks in just 26 minutes against Milwaukee Bucks’ frontline of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. The numbers don’t do his performance ju…

1
📺 VIDEO: Finder Film -- 37 minutes on Steph's 36 points with Steph's trainer Brandon Payne 2:00

9M ago2:00

2:00

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.tomthefinder.com Stephen Curry dropped 36 points on Tuesday night against Orlando with a couple shots that made its way through socials. Since y’all seemed to love the Steph moonball video we did, I sent out the Brandon Payne bat signal. He’s been Stephen Curry’s skills trainer and s…

1
Episode 108 - Pat Divilly 1:46:16

11M ago1:46:16

1:46:16

Pat Divilly is an author, podcaster and wellness coach specializing in mens work and breathwork. He is also a brown belt in BJJIn this episode, we chat about Pat's journey into the fitness and wellness space, his thoughts on masculinity, social media, breathwork, and much more.By Daniel Strauss

1
The Finder Pod: Tray Edwards 1:07:12

1y ago1:07:12

1:07:12

One of my favorite people (and a favorite to so many others in the NBA universe), my friend Travonne “Tray” Edwards joins the pod at a very … let’s say transitional time in my life. The copywriter at top ad agency Weiden-Kennedy / author of two books / confidante to NBA stars / Count The Dings co-founder / social media expert / Compton native / ama…

1
Episode 107 - Simon Shears 1:38:33

1y ago1:38:33

1:38:33

Simon Shears is a fitness coach and author of "Working [it] out: What actually makes us exercise"In this episode, we discuss Simon's background in sports and exercise and take a deep dive into how our evolutionary psychology rules out behavior and how this pertains to exercise.By Daniel Strauss

1
The Finder Pod: ESPN's Dan Orlovsky 1:00:14

1y ago1:00:14

1:00:14

This week’s guest is ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, a former NFL quarterback and terrific TV analyst for ESPN NFL Live and Monday Night Football. He’s also bff’s with my older brother Chuck. This week on the pod, we discuss: * Why don’t pro athletes play two sports anymore? My recent piece on Bo and Deion. * Why specialization and year-round youth sports is …

1
The Finder Pod: ESPN Bet with Ben Aronson and Ben Fawkes 1:06:24

1y ago1:06:24

1:06:24

I was going to wait a bit before I launched a podcast on The Finder. And then on Tuesday, ESPN went ahead and announced ESPN The Sportsbook! Kinda. I had lots of questions so I asked my two industry buddies/gurus to hop on — the Bens. Ben Fawkes — formerly of ESPN Chalk, the gambling section of ESPN.com, and VSiN — came to us from Vegas to share hi…

1
Episode 106 - Daren Moris 1:30:04

1y ago1:30:04

1:30:04

Daren Morris is a BJJ black belt, an OG of the Northern grappling an MMA scene, founder of ASW, and co-founder of Grapplefest. A true hidden gem of the UK martial arts scene. In this episode, we discuss Darens journey through martial arts and many of his unique perspectives on MMA and grappling.By Daniel Strauss

1
16: Irving Lev 16:40

1+ y ago16:40

16:40

On October 12, 1922 Youngstown, Ohio welcomed its newest citizen, Irving Lev. Born to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, he came of age during the Great Depression and went on to serve his country flying combat missions in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Two of those missions were at Normandy on D Day. After returning home from the war, Irv …

1
Episode 105 - Pete Irving 2:24:14

1+ y ago2:24:14

2:24:14

Pete Irving is a former professional MMA fighter and kickboxer. A BJJ black belt and head coach of Newcastle Fight Centre.In this episode we discuss Pete's martial arts journey, training in Brazil when few were making the trip, the early days of MMA in the UK, the transition to coach and his thoughts on modern MMA and much more.…

1
15: Sweet Memories Vintage Tees and Candy 13:53

1+ y ago13:53

13:53

Memorial Day Weekend — and the first sound and sighting of the iconic neighborhood ice cream truck surly declare summers arrival. But did you know the latter is owed to Youngstown?! This episodes’ guest, Linda Barton did with the result being the founding of Sweet Memories Vintage Tees and Candy. The year, before it’s 100th anniversary, Barton, a f…

1
Episode 104 - Chris Crossan 2:35:04

1+ y ago2:35:04

2:35:04

Chris Crossan is a catch wrestler and BJJ black belt under Eric Paulson. In this episode, Chris tells his story, and quite a story it is. Starting life as a bit of a trouble maker Chris was able to turn his life around with martial arts and religion.This episode we discuss the early days of MMA and grappling in the UK and especially the North East,…

1
Episode 103 - Owen Livesy 1:48:18

1+ y ago1:48:18

1:48:18

Owen Livesy is a Judo commonwealth gold medalist and professional grappler. In this episode, we discuss Owen's judo career and his recent transition and success in professional grappling.By Daniel Strauss

1
14: Emily Fedner 17:00

1+ y ago17:00

17:00

Former line cook Emily Fedner started her Food Lovers Diary Instagram while a student at Ohio State. It has since blossomed to over 135 thousand followers and catapulted her to the forefront of foodie influencers, while landing lucrative sponsors and partnerships. She’s the co-proprietor of the pop-up ‘Petite Pasta’ operating out of the vaunted ‘Ra…

1
Episode 102 - Neil Adams 2:18:34

1+ y ago2:18:34

2:18:34

Neil Adams is the most decorated British Judo competitor of all time. A 2-time Olympic silver medalist, World and European champion. He is a renowned coach and is known as "The Voice of Judo" for his work as a commentator.In this episode we discuss his start in Judo, his competition career, his mindset, his emphasis of the ground game, his thoughts…

1
13: Cameron Granger & Jacob Mason-Macklin 18:00

1+ y ago18:00

18:00

Artists Cameron Granger, 29, and Jacob Mason-Macklin, 27, first met while attending Columbus College of Art and Design. The two came up together in the local art scene, exhibiting in the same galleries around town, while forging their talent, skill and voice through inspirational exchanges with fellow like-minded creatives. In “It’s Time For Me To …

1
Episode 101 - Sam Crook and Franck Takoudjou 2:20:08

1+ y ago2:20:08

2:20:08

Sam Crook works full-time, teaching BJJ at the Francis Ngannou foundation, a martial arts based social project in Batié, Cameroon. Sam rejoins me on the podcast after 3 years, talking about everything that has happened at the foundation since we first spoke. He is also joined by his top student, Franck, who is over here with him competing in his fi…

1
Episode 100 - Nick Brooks Memorial 2:11:26

2y ago2:11:26

2:11:26

On the anniversary of his tragic passing, I talk with Chris Hearn and Joao Santos as we remember Nick Brooks.By Daniel Strauss

1
Episode 99 - Emily Kwok 2:01:26

2y ago2:01:26

2:01:26

Emily Kwok is Canada's first female BJJ blackbelt and world championIn this episode we talk about Emily's journey into martial arts, the early days of BJJ in the US and Canada, training with some of the greats of the sport, competing and competition mindset, performance coaching, and much moreBy Daniel Strauss

1
Episode 98 - Ffion Davies 2 2:27:54

2y ago2:27:54

2:27:54

Ffion Davis is the current IBJJF and ADCC world champion.Recently off the back of her history-making ADCC win, we chat about the whole ADCC experience, her training camp, her competition mindset, travelling, teaching, opening up a gym and much more.By Daniel Strauss

1
Episode 97 - Simon Hayes 2 3:23:08

2y ago3:23:08

3:23:08

Simon Hayes is a BJJ black belt, BMX champ and oscar-winning sound Engineer.One of the most popular episodes of the entire podcast, Simon Hayes is back again. We chatted modern BJJ, ADCC, lockdowns, long-distance cycling, weight lifting and a whole lot more.By Daniel Strauss

1
12: Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini 23:54

2y ago23:54

23:54

American folk heroes are not of their own choosing. Just ask Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. As a former World Boxing Association champion, film producer and a native son of Youngstown, Ohio, Mancini shrugs, “I just happen to be that guy.” Mancini became a hero at a time when Youngstown needed one most. Let’s go back to the late 1970s. On Sept. 19, 1977, …

1
11: From Cleveland For Cleveland 20:02

2y ago20:02

20:02

Actor and producer Lili Reinhart (Chemical Hearts and CW’s Riverdale) leads off From Cleveland For Cleveland, a six-part monthly conversation series (July - December) bringing Hollywood talent back to their Ohio roots. The 101- year-old Capitol Theatre on Cleveland’s West side will serve as a fitting venue for this interactive live event, with a po…

1
Episode 96 - Priit Mihkelson 2:33:30

2+ y ago2:33:30

2:33:30

Priit Mihkelson is a BJJ black belt and owner of Defensive BJJ.In this episode we talk about Priits background in martial arts, how he got into grappling, his different approach to teaching and learning, the importance of defense, and much more.By Daniel Strauss

1
10: Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series that Changed Baseball 28:12

2+ y ago28:12

28:12

April 15, 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking through Major League Baseball’s color barrier. Weeks later — less celebrated, but perhaps as transformative — a young, soft-spoken Larry Doby became the first Black American League player, as he joined the Cleveland Indians. Unlike Robinson, Doby had no minor league easing-in sea…

1
9: Michael Feinstein 21:56

2+ y ago21:56

21:56

This episode’s guest is a multi-platinum selling Grammy and Emmy nominated recording artist, who says he never had a plan for his life. Instead, following his ear and heart lead him to a successful three-decade career performing, promoting and preserving the Great American Song Book: An evolving roster of classic American music, primarily from the …

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