Podcasts, get your podcasts

Last Sunday was International Podcast Day, so I decided to share some of my favorite podcasts with you, a week later. Your mileage may vary, but these podcasts have inspired, educated, and entertained me. They've connected me to hockey, writing and happiness.

 I added links in a few places. If you listen to any of these stories, I recommend the Only A Game one.

NPR's Only A Game - NPR's sports podcast where they share unique sports stories of varying length.
Hockey episode: 2 Sisters, 2 College Teams, 2 Women's Olympic Hockey Legacies

31 Thoughts with Jeff Marek and Elliot Friedman - I like the positive energy of this NHL podcast.

Burn It All Down - Their tagline is “The feminist sports podcast you need,” and that’s a good description. This podcast is hosted by Shireen Ahmed, Jessica Luther, Lindsay Gibbs, Brenda Elsey, and Amira Rose Davis. I just read Wyomia Tyus' book, which I learned about on this podcast. Tyus was the first person to win back to back gold medals at the Olympics in the 100 meter race. The part of her story that most resonated with me was that she was a college athlete in the 1960's, pre Title IX. Amazing story, I never would have heard of it without this podcast.

ESPN on Ice - NHL talk with Greg Wyshynski and Emily Kaplan. Great interviews in the world of NHL hockey. I like how they don't take themselves too seriously, and show their personalities a bit.

Front & Nationwide - A new Columbus Blue Jackets podcast by Blue Jackets writers Aaron Portzline, Alison Lukan and Tom Reed. Columbus is interesting again this year, with the contracts questions and wondering whether they are good or not. This pod gives close to a front row seat to watching it unfold. Two games in, CBJ reminds me once again of a team for whom nothing is ever easy, having to fight so hard for every win despite the apparent talent on the roster.

Player's Own Voice - This is a CBC pod hosted by Anastasia Bucsis, a 2x Canadian Olympian. She interviews athletes.
Hockey episodes: Tessa Bonhomme formerly of Team Canada Women's Hockey, and here's Julie Chu, Former American Hockey Superstar, now in Canada.

Puck Soup - Greg Wyshynski and Dave Lozo talk about pop culture, nonsense and hockey. If I am ever feeling sad, I listen to this show to make me laugh.

Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch - Richard talks about sports media and talks to sports people. Really interesting stuff, especially as guest delve into their career arcs. 
Recommended Sports Media Podcast episode: Doris Burke and Cheryl Reeve 

That's What She Said with Sarah Spain - Sarah talks to people in sports and media. Similar vibe to The Full 60 but not hockey specific. Sarah is a former Cornell college athlete, now at ESPN. There is a treasure trove of good stuff on her podcast.
Hockey episode: Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux
Couldn't link to the exact episode but it's the 3/14/18 episode.

The BobCast with Bob McKenzie - more great insider information; I'm here for the stories and the Canadiana.

The Full 60 with Craig Custance - Craig talks to hockey and media people.
Favorite episode: Episode 29 with Katie Strang. This is so good. It's funny, it's serious, there's career talk, parent talk and new mom talk.

The Teebz and Beans Show - All kinds of Hockey talk from the University of Manitoba radio station. Teebz writes a blog called Hockey Blog in Canada that dates back years and has lots of women's hockey content, and has all kinds of sports book recommendations. You have to go to the blog and scroll to the bottom to get links to the podcast version of the radio show, but it's worth it.
Favorite episode: Delayne Brian formerly of the Calgary Inferno, who played her college hockey in the CHA.
 
Top Shelf (The Ice Garden) with Hannah Bevis and Michelle Jay - Hannah and Michelle talk about whats going on in women's hockey. The tone strikes as two good friends just having a chat.

Two Writers Slinging Yang with Jeff Pearlman - Jeff interviews all different sorts of writers. Lots of career talk, process talk etc. Again, similar to Sarah Spain or The Full 60. Jeff also writes a personal blog, which is really old school and I love it.
Excellent episode: Episode 51 Candace Buckner, beat reporter for the Washington Wizards

That's all I got. I'll end with a quote that I heard on a podcast this year. Danny Briere on the Full 60 said something like, "I don't miss playing, but I still love the game." It perfectly encapsulates how I feel, and I could not be happier to have discovered hockey fandom at last, after so many years of just being a hockey player.