Best Spring Stampede Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 463: Monsters Of The Mat 1:15:20

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22h ago1:15:20

1:15:20

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad take us back to the 1980s for some truly bizarre in-ring action from Chicagoland's very own Bob Luce! Bob Luce's Monsters of the Mat embraced the wild, the wacky, and the downright creepy sides of professional wrestling. From mind-controlling sinister ministers to nearly unintelligible Kentucky…

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Ep 505: Recs for a reader in search of "best in class" books 56:50

2d ago56:50

56:50

We love unique reading projects around here, and today's guest has maintained hers since 2021. We're going to hear all about it and explore how she's adding a new twist for 2026. Kate Mosesso is a reader and improv comedian who lives and works in Chicago. She's a lifelong reader, and while she loves the stories on the page, she's an even bigger fan…

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Episode 462: Tony Joins Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling 1:19:03

8d ago1:19:03

1:19:03

On this flashback edition of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad head back to the 1980s—when Tony first joined Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling! Tony reflects on meeting the legendary Bob Caudle, falling in love with professional wrestling as a fan, and the moment he discovered the business was predetermined. It's a fun, heartfelt look at where …

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Ep 504: Niche and nerdy narrative nonfiction 48:10

9d ago48:10

48:10

Historical fiction is a popular genre among many, but today's guest learned a lot about her reading life when she realized this genre wasn't for her! Today Anne is talking with Laura Howard, an Atlanta-area faculty developer and part-time university professor. She’s always seen reading as both a personal joy and a form of connection, whether with t…

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Episode 461: A Hero's Journey 1:55:18

15d ago1:55:18

1:55:18

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony pays tribute to one of the greats, Bob Caudle. The guys are then joined by AEW coach and wrestling legend Chris Hero to revisit some of the most memorable matches of his storied career. Chris guides the guys through his unforgettable battles with Kenny Omega, Bryan Danielson, Austin Aries, Kota Ibushi, an…

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Ep 503: Which cozy mysteries are right for me? 52:21

16d ago52:21

52:21

Breaking into a new genre can feel intimidating. Today Anne is talking with a reader who is keen to explore cozy mysteries, but isn't sure where to begin. Amber Richcreek lives in Bellingham, Washington with her family, where she’s a pre-k teacher and enjoys baking and photography in her spare time. She’s also a lifelong reader and a fan of emotion…

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Episode 460: ROH Death Before Dishonor IV 1:44:31

22d ago1:44:31

1:44:31

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad dive into Ring of Honor's Death Before Dishonor IV! The guys relive the excitement of this standout ROH event, breaking down three epic matches, moments, and rising stars that helped define one of wrestling's most influential promotions and are now major parts of All Elite Wrestling. From hard-…

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Ep 502: Choosing book gifts your friends will love 1:01:19

23d ago1:01:19

1:01:19

We all know that book gifts are the best gifts, and today Anne is talking with a devoted reader who's come to the show looking for guidance on selecting great bookish gifts for the season to come. Meredith Amadee lives in Tucson, Arizona, where she works as a wedding photographer and hosts a book club that's come to play a big part in her life. Eve…

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Episode 459: Tony Watches PWG with Excalibur! 1:56:47

29d ago1:56:47

1:56:47

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad are joined by Tony's AEW commentary partner — the man behind the mask himself, Excalibur! The guys sit back and watch Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's 2011 Steen Wolf, featuring some of the wildest action from one of wrestling's most beloved independent promotions. It's Tony's first-ever PWG watch-alo…

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Ep 501: Crafting a personal curriculum for a lifelong learner 1:03:56

1M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

When she discovered the idea of a personal curriculum, today's guest couldn't wait to apply this concept to her reading life. Amy St. Amand, a primary care clinical pharmacist from Rhode Island, wants to know a little bit about a whole lot of things. She's working to build a personal learning plan that encompasses a variety of her assorted interest…

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Episode 458: The Stars Of CHIKARA 1:36:37

1M ago1:36:37

1:36:37

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad dive into the wild, colorful world of CHIKARA! The guys sit back and enjoy a collection of matches featuring future AEW stars like Eddie Kingston, Brodie Lee, Daddy Magic, and Orange Cassidy — back when he was known as Red Fire Ant! From hilarious moments to pure wrestling magic, Tony and Conra…

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Ep 500: The little things that add up to a rich reading life 1:01:13

1M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

Today marks a major milestone: the 500th episode of What Should I Read Next! To celebrate, Anne is joined by two guests today. First, you'll hear her in conversation with our What Should I Read Next Patreon Community Manager Shannan Malone as they explore what's new in our Patreon community space. Then, Anne welcomes one of our previous guests back…

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Episode 457: Ring Of Honor Spectacles 1:42:42

1M ago1:42:42

1:42:42

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad travel back 15 years to relive three unforgettable showcases from Ring of Honor's Honor Club! Tony experiences for the very first time a wrestling classic between two future Hall of Famers — AJ Styles vs. Bryan Danielson — a match that still ranks among Conrad's all-time favorites. Then, the gu…

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Ep 499: Weird, nerdy, and totally delightful: our conversation with Kevin Wilson 1:05:16

1M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

One of our favorite things to do in our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club is connect with the authors we all love. Every so often we have the opportunity to share one of those conversations with all of you, too. Today you'll be hearing from Kevin Wilson, author of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide selection Run for the Hills and a writer we've long looked for…

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Episode 456: Samoa Joe's Forgotten Matches 1:33:14

2M ago1:33:14

1:33:14

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad rewind about 20 years to revisit the tail end of Samoa Joe's legendary reign as ROH World Champion and his early days in TNA. The guys relive some incredible matches Joe had in the Ohio and western Pennsylvania region against Christopher Daniels and Chris Hero. Plus, Tony reveals his Top 5 Most…

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Ep 498: Books that feel like your favorite comfort TV shows 43:26

2M ago43:26

43:26

Returning to favorite TV shows is a common stress management strategy. Today’s guest would love to find books that deliver the same soothing feelings she gets from re-watching her favorite comfort shows. Kayla King lives on a small-scale dairy and hobby farm in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania. A lifelong reader, Kayla's recently started to branch out fr…

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Episode 455: Tag Team Turmoil 1:45:41

2M ago1:45:41

1:45:41

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad travel back nearly 40 years to a classic episode of World Championship Wrestling from September 1987! The card is stacked — Lex Luger battles Barry Windham for the United States Title, Jimmy Garvin, Jimmy Valiant, and Nikita Koloff are all in action, and Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard face the …

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Ep 497: The magic of bringing book lovers together 45:31

2M ago45:31

45:31

By Anne Bogel

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Episode 454: The Best Of International Championship Wrestling 1:21:12

2M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad take us on a ride through the world of International Championship Wrestling! The guys kick back and relive classic ICW action, featuring Ric Flair vs. Austin Idol, Dory Funk vs. Carlos Colon, Don Muraco vs. Kevin Sullivan, and so much more. Plus, Tony reveals his Top 5 Biggest Wrestling Moments…

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Ep 496: Warm and inviting stories of hearth and home 53:57

2M ago53:57

53:57

When the world feels heavy, many of us reach for books. Today's guest is looking for a specific style of comfort reads. Jemima Welsh is joining Anne today all the way from Brisbane, Australia, where she lives with her family and her pets, including four chickens named for the March sisters. Right now, Jemima is specifically looking for books that f…

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Episode 453: Tony Goes Big Time! 1:12:12

2M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

On this REMIX edition of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad rewind all the way back to 1983 — the year Tony first broke into the wrestling business. Tony tells the story of how he got hired, his very first assignment working with "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, and the moment he learned the truth about professional wrestling. All that, plus plenty of …

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Ep 495: Fall Book Preview sneak peek 37:09

2M ago37:09

37:09

,The team at MMD HQ has always been enthusiastic about fall reading. We shared our first Fall Book Preview back in 2019, and last week we released the seventh annual edition. Today, we’re sharing a sneak peek into this year's event that concludes with Anne describing the first three books in our literary and contemporary fiction category. Our Fall …

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Episode 452: The Evolution Of RAVEN 1:40:07

3M ago1:40:07

1:40:07

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad are joined by ECW/WCW/TNA legend Raven to talk about his brand-new documentary, Nevermore: The Raven Effect. Raven shares how the project came together, where fans can watch it, and how it served as a powerful reminder of his journey and everything he's overcome. The guys also have some fun rev…

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Ep 494: Books brimming with creativity, philosophy, and grace 59:49

3M ago59:49

59:49

Today we're diving into what feels like a particularly nerdy niche of the reading life as Anne is joined by an expert reader. Sarah Kellogg is a cover designer at a big five publisher, and today she and Anne are exploring what goes into the art of cover design. Sarah answers many of our burning questions and sheds light on some of the lesser known …

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Episode 451: The Brain Busters Win! 1:41:41

3M ago1:41:41

1:41:41

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad head back to Saturday Night's Main Event for the night Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard captured the WWF Tag Team Titles! Tony reflects on his time working in the WWF during that era, the magic of Sensational Sherri, and the fever pitch of Hulkamania. Plus, plenty more stories along the way. Wa…

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Ep 493: Books that take you on an epic journey 58:40

3M ago58:40

58:40

Today's guest is facing a shift in her reading life now that she's an empty nester. Candice Brown-Murray lives in South Florida with her husband, children, and dogs. Her career in public relations keeps her very busy along with her hobbies like kayaking, travel, renovating a historic home, and of course, reading. Candice has always been a reader. S…

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Episode 450: SummerSlam 1992 1:42:13

3M ago1:42:13

1:42:13

On this week's What Happened When, Tony and Conrad head back to Wembley Stadium for SummerSlam 1992! Tony watches the legendary Bret Hart vs. British Bulldog match for the very first time. Plus, AEW's ECW Arena residency, Taz's special moment, Tony's friendship with Paul Walter Hauser, and more! Watch the episode on YouTube BLUECHEW - Visit https:/…

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Ep 492: Reflective nonfiction about finding your path 54:34

3M ago54:34

54:34

We love fielding very specific readerly requests that will also appeal to a wide range of readers, and today's episode is just that. Lynn Bain describers herself as an accidental entrepreneur. While she loves to read a wide range of genres and styles, she's here today to get Anne's help in identifying good business books to read alongside her belov…

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Episode 449: Wild'n Out At Road Wild 1999 2:00:15

3M ago2:00:15

2:00:15

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony Schiavone and host Conrad Thompson take us back to WCW Road Wild 1999! And the big question on everyone's mind is: Tony, what the hell are you wearing? Tony breaks down his infamous wardrobe from that night and reveals what really happened to his iconic hat and jacket. But that's not all—Tony also shares …

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Ep 491: Our team's best books of summer (Part 2) 39:03

3M ago39:03

39:03

Today we're sharing Part 2 of our summer superlatives episode, featuring four more of our team members talking about the books they've loved most this season. Our executive producer Will Bogel joins Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club Community Manager Ginger Horton to talk about their favorite summer reads. Then, you'll hear from Modern Mrs Darcy Editor an…

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Episode 448: Bruiser Brody Attacks! 1:48:32

4M ago1:48:32

1:48:32

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad take us back to 1985 for some good ol' Memphis action! The guys discuss the reputation of Bruiser Brody, watch Randy Savage in action before his WWF run, and do commentary on some incredible commercials of the era. Get ready for some fun southern style on this episode of What Happened When! PRI…

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Ep 490: Our team's best books of summer (Part 1) 39:01

4M ago39:01

39:01

Readers, we’re back today with an annual tradition we know so many of you look forward to, as our team joins Anne to talk about their favorite books of the summer and what’s happening in their reading lives right now. As always, our team’s range of reading tastes ensures we share titles from a wide range of genres and styles that will appeal to all…

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Episode 447: WCW Saturday Night 08.08.92 1:45:31

4M ago1:45:31

1:45:31

On this special episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad take us back to 1992 and WCW Saturday Night! On this edition of Saturday Night, we're looking back at the historic moment Ron Simmons beat Vader to become the new WCW World Champion. STOPBOX - Get firearm security redesigned and save 15% off @StopBoxUSA with code WHW at https://stopboxu…

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Ep 489: The satisfaction of sinking into a good book 1:05:15

4M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

Today's guest isn't only a reader with a specific readerly conundrum, she is also a beloved author. Anne has recommended Julie Berry's work to several past guests, and Julie also joined us over in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club back in 2020. Today, she's here to talk with Anne about writing and discovering smart books with big heart. They also div…

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Episode 446: The Finger Poke Of Doom REMIX 2:40:15

4M ago2:40:15

2:40:15

On this REMIX edition of What Happened When, it's' the Finger Poke of Doom! It's the "Butts in Seats" comment. It's all here! The reason WCW lost the Monday Night Wars. Not so fast! Even though those two incidents have resonated among wrestling fans for decades, the main reason WCW lost the war is actually all wrapped up in this episode. This Monda…

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Ep 488: Reading goals that are just lofty enough 59:35

4M ago59:35

59:35

Novels featuring an ensemble cast of characters and multiple points of view are a favorite for today's guest, and she'd love Anne's help in finding more of this particular type of reading experience. Olivia Haber Greenwood is joining Anne from Barcelona, where she's lived for the past seven years working as a copywriter and freelance journalist. Ol…

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Episode 445: "The Irresistible Force" Hulk Hogan 1:27:13

4M ago1:27:13

1:27:13

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad celebrate the legacy of "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan with a look back at one of his most icon matches. Tony shares his thoughts and stories about watching the match while working for Jim Crockett Promotions and what this match caused the company to do. Watch WrestleMania 3, Hogan versus Andre with…

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Ep 487: Sci-fi, fantasy, and a sense of possibility 53:50

4M ago53:50

53:50

Today's guest has joined Anne in conversation on the podcast before, but now our media production specialist Holly Wielkoszewski is in the spotlight as they explore her evolving reading tastes and her favorite genres of science fiction and fantasy. Holly splits her time between New Mexico, where she and her husband are building an Earthship, and tr…

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Episode 444: Mayhem At The Maple Leaf 1:52:54

4M ago1:52:54

1:52:54

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad are taking us back to 1988 for some exciting WWF action from the Maple Leaf Gardens. Terry Taylor does double duty wokring to prove himself in the company. The Million Dollar Man faces off against The WWF champion Macho Man Randy Savage. And The Ultimate Warrior teams up with Demolition to batt…

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Ep 486: Setting-driven stories, accidental reading themes, and winning characters 1:00:46

5M ago1:00:46

1:00:46

Ellen Heath, a reader from the Atlanta area, shares Anne's passion for urban planning, but that's not all they talk about today. Ellen is looking for immersive settings, characters she can connect with, and books that might even teach her something, and Anne has ideas! Ellen and Anne also talk about her Ellen's interesting and unique method for cho…

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Episode 443: Dog Collar Madness! 1:45:52

5M ago1:45:52

1:45:52

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad take us back to 1983 for some very rare Georgia Championship Wrestling from Atlanta's Omni. This show features "Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs. "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer in a Dog Collar Match. Plus, The Road Warriors battle Mr. Wrestling I & II, Tommy Rich vs. "Wild" Bill Irwin in a Bullwhip on a Pole Match…

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Episode 442: Great American Bash 1985 1:47:13

5M ago1:47:13

1:47:13

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad take us back to 1985 and Jim Crockett Promotion's very first Great American Bash! Posted on the WCW YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/9nqDfXv9GIY?si=X2MjNYIGlFkji3fO We start at 53:13 just before the Road Warriors vs the Russians is about to start STOPBOX - Get firearm security redesigned and s…

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Ep 485: A midyear reading check-in 57:52

5M ago57:52

57:52

A midyear reading check-in has become a small tradition around here, and today Anne is welcoming team member Shannan Malone back to the podcast. Today, you'll hear Anne and Shannan dive into the history of this practice before exploring how this year’s been going so far, what they're each excited about, and what’s working (and not working) in each …

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Episode 441: WWWF MSG Action! 06.30.1973 1:40:49

5M ago1:40:49

1:40:49

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad take us back 52 years for the WWWF's very first LIVE show on HBO. The guys are joining the action at 24:43 into the show where we find Gorilla Monsoon facing off against Lou Albano! Other featured matches include WWWF champion Pedro Morales battling George "The Animal" Steele, Chief Jay Strongb…

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Ep 484: A summer to slow down and sink into what you love 46:11

5M ago46:11

46:11

Today's guest is looking for ways to slow down and sink into what she loves most as she plans her summer of reading. Chelsea Siler is an early childhood special education teacher in Tacoma, Washington. She's often found reading to be a source of joy, escape, and growth, and she'd like these positive experiences to be reflected in her reading select…

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Episode 440: Great American Bash 1995 1:48:31

5M ago1:48:31

1:48:31

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad take us back to 1995 for some Great American Bash action! The guys discuss all the happenings in WCW back in the 90's. Plus, Tony shares details of his neck surgery and going back to work way too early. BLUECHEW - Visit https://bluechew.com and try your first month of BlueChew FREE when you use…

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Ep 483: Help me find my new go-to summer author! 1:02:42

5M ago1:02:42

1:02:42

We often discuss auto-buy authors and completist authors around here, and today's guest is a completist on a mission to discover her new favorite summer author. Stephanie Edwards-Gass is a seventh-grade English teacher and an Elin Hilderbrand completist. For years, she's turned to Hilderbrand's novels for summer reading satisfaction. She's read (an…

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Episode 439: Goodbye Hulkamania 1:55:09

6M ago1:55:09

1:55:09

On this episode of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad take us back to 1993 for King Of The Ring and the crowning of Bret Hart as the new king of the WWF! King Of The Ring was also the swan song for Hulk Hogan and his run as the WWF champion and face of the company. Hulkster left the WWF after the event and eventually landed in WCW for his iconic r…

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Ep 482: Diving into evocative ocean reads 50:25

6M ago50:25

50:25

We always love reading on a theme, and today's guest would love to see her real-life love of the ocean mirrored in the pages of her books. Noelle Leong is a science and medicine-focused librarian at a small liberal arts college. She especially loves her work for the opportunities it provides her to join the students on trails and visiting tidepools…

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Episode 438: WWF World Tour 1990 REMIX 2:09:19

6M ago2:09:19

2:09:19

On this FLASHBACK edition of What Happened When, Tony and Conrad watch Tony's masterful producing of the WWF World Tour 1990 VHS special! Tony and Lord Alfred Hayes calls all the action featuring Superly Jimmy Snuka, The Rockers, Hulk Hogan battling the Macho King and so much more! This is a hilarious look back at one of WHW's wildest episodes. STO…