When I first joined the Buckeye State Hockey team, the other guys were talking about a (future) podcast launch. I was interested, and eventually came to be a part of the podcast launch. I had no clue that would mean 19 episodes, a (moderately successful) 2 hour trial with a livestream, and (in total) 17+ hours of silly hockey talk. All while learning as we went (and at times flying around with no clue what was going on). Quite a thing to join, eh?
We’ve already posed the full credits, so go check those out. For a different twist on things, here’s my recap on Season 1 of the Total BS Podcast.
A Few Numbers
As I am wont to do, I thought about the scale of the experience through some numbers. Nothing fancy here, simply a shock at how it all went.
Episodes: 19
We finished 18 regular releases and 1 live show at the trade deadline to complete the regular season coverage. You can find all the 18 standard ones either here on the blog or iTunes, and the 3 most recent are always up on Soundcloud. I came in with an open mind, and I’m amazed and pleased at how many we managed to do in the regular season. I’m also shocked that we still have ideas for what’s to come.
Guests: 22
Starting with the second episode (and in 15 of the 19 overall), we were lucky enough to bring in some of the greatest writing, analytic, and storytelling talent in the NHL as guests. I’m still learning my voice and direction (different from a writing voice). While we developed, these incredible people took time to chat with a couple of guys in Columbus. To say they’ve saved our bacon is an understatement.
There are a few I’d like to point out in particular. First: I can’t thank Alison Lukan enough for supporting our blog, and her status as first podcast guest (and most common guest) is a testament to that. She’s a great reporter, a great person, and we are lucky as CBJ fans to have her around. She’s been on our show 3 times and is the very best.
There were two other guests with multiple appearances. The first was our first Skype guest, Flyers blogger Bob Roberts. Bob is an incredible guy, passionate about his team and with knowledge to back up his feelings. If you aren’t following him on Twitter already, you should get on that. He was brave enough to be the first non-Columbus personality on our show and he set an incredible standard.
The second with two spots: BS Hockey’s own Avery Kreemer. Avery especially came through in the clutch on our last episode of the season when Sam was out. He’s a lot of fun to chat with, offering a distinct, different, and important view on the CBJ. I’m excited to see him join us again.
Special thanks to everyone who hopped on our crazy Deadline Live episode. It was a bit of a fly-by-the-pants experience, and somehow they were all amazing. Also thanks to Puck Daddy, Hockey-Graphs, and Hockey Buzz for having such awesome bloggers (7 of our guests came from these 3 sites). Finally, thanks to our Bloguin cousin sites for supporting our silly little cause.
You can find the full guest list on the Credits post.
The Full Plug List
Near the end of every episode, Sam and I took some time to talk about some other things we’re eating, listening to, exploring, or generally interested in. We called them the Non-Hockey Plugs (I cheated and talked college hockey stuff once), and while they don’t really fit the “credits” page, I kept track anyway. Here’s the full list of plugs:
The Decemberists, Pierce Brosnan, turkey sandwiches (with cranberry sauce & stuffing), Brad Larsson’s soul patch, Atlanta Georgia/Grits, Adam Heinemen (for our incredible graphics), Modest Mouse, the How Did This Get Made Podcast, Munn Arena (at Michigan State), The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Stuart Scott, Teddy’s Restaurant (in Rome NY), Whiplash, The Imitation Game, Sam’s jokes (he’ll be here all week), Belle & Sebastian, Sleater-Kinney, Athens OH Drunk Food (Betty’s, Souvlaki’s, Big Mama’s), Ray Ray’s Hog Pit, Sam’s brother, Pitchfork Classics, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Rooster Teeth, In a World, Hot Chicken Takeover, Billy EIchner, The Machine of Death, Parks & Rec, Radiolab, Sun-dried tomato pesto, Animal Crossing, Buckeye Lake Winery, Community, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, All Songs Considered, Ohio University (High Fest), Bob Ross, The Big Bang Piano Bar, Better Call Saul, 99% Invisible.
My Thank You List
Because I can: here’s a list of people I’d like to thank for making this goofy little show happen this year.
First, Alison again. It may sound like overkill. It isn’t. To know there is someone helping to put the wind at your back is valuable in ways I can’t describe.
Next, to the BS Hockey crew: Mark, Jeremy, Nick, Paul, and Avery. Mark, for having bigger ideas than I could ever consider (that live show thing was his fault); Jeremy, Nick, and Paul for being supportive and offering the right constructive notes to help us be better; Avery for asking interesting questions and being a great guest.
I’d also like to thank Greg Wyshynski and Jeff Marek. One was a guest (which is mind-blowing), but they’re here out of inspiration. They set the gold standard for hockey podcasting. Sometimes I run out of stuff to talk about in a weekly 50 minute show. They generate content almost every weekday, often for over an hour. It’s insane. I look up to them, and if our show can be half as good? It’ll be a huge personal success.
Finally, thanks to Sam. Sam is the real reason this show happens, even though he’ll tell you otherwise. I just hit some buttons. Sam’s confidence makes this show possible, and he leads the podcast with fearless joy. He was bold enough to ask most of the guests to come on, managing to snag (among others) two Puck Daddy writers and the most famous Marlies’ blogger around. He steers the show with impressive hosting skill and makes everything work. Sam challenges me to be better just be being so excellent. I have no choice but to keep pace!
We’re going to try to keep this up through parts of the summer and into next year. We have a few ideas about what’s next, and I hope you’ll join us for more audio adventures into hockey.
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