Almost Fans
Two friends, women, and moderately knowledgeable sports enthusiasts bring you Almost Fans. We dive into the drama and behind-the-scenes stories of mainstream sports like the NFL, NBA, soccer, and more, while shining a spotlight on incredible women making waves in the game. Along the way, we share our personal experiences as working moms, exploring modern parenting, pop culture, and entertainment. It’s fun, relatable, and perfect for anyone who loves sports—or wants to learn to love them. Join us weekly for laughs, insight, and sports talk you’ll actually enjoy!
Episodes
51 episodes
050: NCAA Volleyball - Powerhouses, Verticals, and Why the Whistle Blew
College volleyball gets the Almost Fans treatment! We’re breaking down how the NCAA volleyball season actually works, from non-conference chaos to the 64-team tournament and Final Four powerhouses like Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas, and S...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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59:17
049: Inside Inclusive Sports, the Miracle League, and a Family’s Fight Forward
A single moment changed everything for the Sherbondy family. In this episode, pastor and sports dad Dugan Sherbondy walks us through his daughter Eva’s traumatic brain injury, the long road that followed, and how inclusive sports became a lifel...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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58:46
048: Inside Ski Racing - Speed, Skill, and Growing Up in a Winter Sports Family
Strap in—Almost Fans is hitting the slopes! This week, alpine racer and coach Christie Bedinghaus takes us deep into the world of skiing: mastering technique on Midwest hills, competing against elite mountain athletes, and navigating the world ...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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41:32
047: Curling Culture, Olympics, and the Community Behind the Broom
Curling season is here — and we’re taking you straight onto the ice for the strategy, skill, and sneaky intensity behind this Olympic favorite. Recreational curler Allan Veeler joins us to break down the sport like you’ve never heard it: the ba...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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42:47
046: Sports Investigations, Olympic Coverage, and Stories That Shape the Game
Olympics season is coming—and sports reporter Rachel Axon is here to pull back the curtain. After years covering the Games, she breaks down the biggest storylines in Olympic coverage, sports investigations, and women’s sports. We dig into Milan...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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52:43
045: Coaches, Cash, and the College Football Playoffs
College football is a wild ride—powered by $100 million coaching contracts and NIL chaos. We break down the College Football Playoffs, how the system actually works, and why the expansion matters. Then we look ahead to the next decade of NCAA f...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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42:29
044: Fast Breaks, Foul Calls, and Fun – College Hoops 101
If NCAA basketball feels complicated, don’t worry—we’re breaking it down for you. New college hoops rules, confusing calls, and tricky fouls? We’ll explain them with real-life analogies, mini-quizzes, and plenty of laughs. From men’s and women’...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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49:42
043: Breaking Formation – Inside the First Detroit Lions Cheer Squad
Nicole Moffatt helped make history as one of the original Detroit Lions cheerleaders, blending athleticism and artistry on the NFL sidelines. Before that, she danced professionally in New York City — even appearing on Good Morning America
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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44:04
042: Beer, Brackets & Adult Rec – Dive into Grown-Up Sports Culture
From beer league hockey to fantasy football heartbreaks, we dive into the wild, laugh-out-loud world of adult rec sports. We'll break down the glory, grit, and group chats that make beer leagues legendary—plus the excuses, post-game beers, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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40:45
041: Life After the Pro Soccer Whistle - Playing the Toughest Matches Yet
Kristin Slater has lived every version of a comeback—college soccer star, pro athlete, mom, and breast cancer survivor. She’s played through pressure, pivoted careers, and rebuilt her identity more than once. In this episode, we talk about what...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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46:07
040: Simone, Naomi, and Why Mental Health Is Performance Health
When Simone stepped back in Tokyo and Naomi walked away from the mic, the world paid attention. Their decisions didn’t show weakness—they redefined strength. This episode explores the rise of mental health awareness in sports, the science of sp...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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57:10
039: MLB Playoffs Explained, Curses Broken, and Legends Made
The MLB postseason is more than a bracket—it’s a battlefield of curses, comebacks, and champagne-soaked celebrations. We explain how the playoffs really work, then dig into October’s wild rituals, from rally caps to superstitions. Along the way...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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55:13
038: The Mental Game - Pro Golf, Resilience, and Life After the LPGA
What does it really take to compete at golf’s highest level? Tess Hackworthy, a five-time Wisconsin State Women’s Open champion and former LPGA pro, joins us to break down the mental, physical, and emotional demands of life on tour. She shares ...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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55:09
037: Fuel, Finish, Repeat – Inside the World of Endurance Sports
What really happens when you sign up for race after race, year after year? Endurance athlete Christina Balcer takes us behind the scenes of long-distance running, cycling, and the ultimate test—Ironman. From wild mid-race snack stories to...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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53:57
036: Adjusted for Greatness – Chiropractic Secrets from Women’s Pro Sports
What do pro softball pitchers and volleyball players have in common? Intense stress on their bodies—and a chiropractor who helps them bounce back. Dr. Jennie, team chiropractor for the Madison Night Mares and LOVB volleyball, reveals how adjust...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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33:32
035: Strong Is the New Standard – Women, Weightlifting, and Bodybuilding
Step inside the world of bodybuilding and strength training with our guest Jason Vlastaras — a personal trainer, lifelong weightlifter, and natural bodybuilding competitor. We dig into the myths that won’t die, the mental grind behind the muscl...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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45:38
034: Carbs Are Not the Enemy – A Dietitian’s Guide to Fueling
What do Division I athletes and busy moms have in common? They both need fuel to perform. We're joined by a Registered Dietitian for a Division I college program, who shares her playbook for energy, recovery, and strength—without the fad diets ...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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37:24
033: Fantasy Football for the Rest of Us - Tips, Tricks, and Trash Talk for Beginners
Welcome to your crash course in fantasy football—the game that makes Sundays way more dramatic. We’re joined by Jake, our resident commissioner and repeat guest, to break down everything beginners need to know: draft strategies that actually wo...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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47:04
032: The NIL Era – How College Athletes Are Monetizing and Redefining the Game
NIL is transforming college sports—driving brand deals, viral TikTok fame, and a new era of athlete empowerment. But beyond the million-dollar headlines, what does Name, Image, and Likeness really mean for everyday student-athletes? We sit down...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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41:59
031: The NFL for the Rest of Us – Quarterbacks, Watch Parties, and What Not to Say
Want to enjoy the NFL without memorizing the playbook? This episode is your ultimate NFL crash course—from what happens in the off-season to how the salary cap actually works (spoiler: it’s complicated but kind of fascinating). We break down th...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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1:01:06
030: Gymnastics Unpacked – Deductions, Leotard Drama, and NCAA Predictions
Think gymnastics is just flips and glitter? Think again. We’re diving into the powerhouse world of women’s gymnastics with former competitive gymnast and superfan Kaleigh Gabriel. This episode unpacks everything from how scoring deductions real...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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42:45
029: Burned Out by Age 13 - The Hidden Cost of Youth Sports
Youth sports in America have become high-pressure, high-cost, and high-stakes. In this episode, we unpack the truth about youth sports burnout, the myth of athletic scholarships, and why so many kids are walking away from competitive play. We d...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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56:42
028: Golf Gets Funny - Hally Leadbetter on Legacy, Lefties, and Leveling the Playing Field
Hally Leadbetter is shaking up golf with comedy, creativity, and a mission to make the game more human. We dive into her viral rise—from growing up in a golf dynasty to becoming one of the sport’s freshest media voices and most recognizable gol...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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1:04:10
027: Elite Cycling, Pro Racing, and Team Tactics — Inside the Peloton with Lucy Shaw
Former British pro cyclist Lucy Shaw takes us inside the world of elite women’s cycling—from grueling training weeks and intense stage races to navigating life as the youngest rider on a pro team. What does it really take to compete at the high...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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55:35
026: The WNBA Takeover - Unrivaled Basketball, Viral Fashion, and the Rise of Angel Reese
Welcome to the WNBA’s biggest moment yet. We break down the viral rise of the iconic WNBA orange hoodie—spotted on Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Naomi Osaka—and how it helped take the league mainstream. We dive into Unrivaled, the new 3x3 wome...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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48:08