Best Whit Watson Podcasts (2025)

1
Grills and Greens: Jeff Tracy, Golf Media Veteran and Cowboy Cook 46:33

19d ago46:33

46:33

Ask Jeff Tracy what he does for a living, and prepare to be there a while. A veteran of radio, TV, and podcasting, Jeff is a man of many interests, including cooking barbeque and talking golf. He's created multiple syndicated radio programs and has appeared on countless television shows as a BBQ chef and golf expert. His podcast, "Grilling At The G…

1
Nick Sherburne, Co-Founder, Club Champion 25:57

25d ago25:57

25:57

Nick Sherburne is the co-founder of Club Champion, the industry leader in golf club fitting centers with over 100 locations nationwide. While a teenager in Chicago, Nick took a job at famed Cog Hill and was there when the PGA Tour made its annual stop. He was fascinated by the manufacturers' tour fitting trailers and wondered if that level of techn…

1
Back On Track: Mike Massaro, ESPN/NBC and RFK Racing 37:29

2M ago37:29

37:29

Mike Massaro's passion for auto racing took him from central Connecticut to tracks around the country as a reporter and host for ESPN, ABC Sports, and NBC. Moving from sports to local TV news in Hartford, Mike found himself at a career crossroads. After taking a hard look at his skills and interests and doing some networking, Mike took the leap in …

1
Changing The Game: Andrew Fleming, COO of StreamLayer 41:17

3M ago41:17

41:17

You may not know StreamLayer yet, but you're likely to see their work if you stream live sports. This Chicago-based company provides sports leagues and teams with AI-powered advertising and interactive features that bolster the viewer's streaming experience and increase engagement. StreamLayer COO Andrew Fleming is a former VP and senior counsel at…

1
The Legendary Caddies of Augusta National: Author Ward Clayton 39:35

3M ago39:35

39:35

Ward Clayton is an accomplished communications professional, author and editor with decades of experience. A former sports editor for the Augusta Chronicle, he authored a book in 2004 that gave a first-ever glimpse at the life and impact of the famed caddies at Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters. In 2024, realizing that many of these m…

1
Andrew Kehrer, Senior Art Director, TGL / TMRW Sports 37:24

3M ago37:24

37:24

Andrew Kehrer and I have been stalking each other professionally for almost two decades. He was a co-worker at both Golf Channel and the old FOX sports regional networks in Florida; now, he's down south as the Senior Art Director for TGL and parent company TMRW Sports. His group creates the stunning graphics, video elements, and animations that jum…

1
Phamily Man: Golf Channel Producer & Philly Guy Andrew Bradley 47:29

4M ago47:29

47:29

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! My guest is Andrew Bradley, a longtime field producer for Golf Channel, who travels the world shepherding announcers and camera operators at golf's most iconic venues. We talk about his background in sports media, how he balances his work schedule with a growing young family, and his lifelong passion for Philad…

1
Gary Christian's New Book, "Beat The Course, Not Yourself! One Golfer's Path To A Winning Mental Game" 41:37

6M ago41:37

41:37

Golf broadcaster and PGA Tour veteran Gary Christian returns to the podcast to discuss his latest venture, "Beat The Course, Not Yourself! One Golfer's Path To A Winning Mental Game." The book is a joint venture with sports psychologist Dr. Curt Ickes. Together, Christian and Ickes use a narrative format to explore the mental side of the game, intr…

1
Sarah Kellam, LPGA Manager of Digital Content 53:46

6M ago53:46

53:46

In her role as the Manager of Digital Content for the LPGA, Sarah Kellam is responsible for much of the content you find at the tour's website. She frequently travels with the players and seeks to tell their stories in unique ways. Sarah is a former Division I player herself, competing in her home state at Northern Kentucky University. What she cal…

1
Media Consultant Jay Coffin: Orlando Sentinel, Golfweek, Golf Channel, and Beyond 53:31

7M ago53:31

53:31

Jay Coffin is a veteran journalist who runs his own shop, Coffin Corner Media. In that role, he advises clients on social media presence, communications strategy, and public relations, while staying close to his roots as a writer and editor. Jay worked for the Orlando Sentinel while still a student at UCF, and has remained in Orlando ever since, mo…

1
A Duck's Quack Has No Echo: Inside Jokes with Trey Wingo 55:25

8M ago55:25

55:25

Trey Wingo spent over 20 years at ESPN as a TV and radio host, including 15 years as the host of NFL Live. He's covered Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, and many of golf's major championships, and recently began a new chapter in his broadcast career working for DraftKings Network. Trey and I shared many hours on the desk when ESPNEWS was just…

1
Hither And Yon: Chris Yon, Camera Operator, Renaissance Man 41:59

9M ago41:59

41:59

NYC-based Chris Yon is a versatile, experienced camera operator with a long list of clients -- NBC, CBS, FOX, the MLB Network, plus local broadcasts of the Yankees and Mets. His interest in media started on the playground, where he and a buddy would deliver mock newscasts with the latest elementary school gossip and occasionally deliver play-by-pla…

1
Field of Dreams: Chris Datres, Sports TV Field Producer, High School Umpire and Referee 1:03:58

10M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

The word "producer" has many different meanings in sports media. ESPN and Golf Channel veteran Chris Datres has worn many hats as a highlight producer, graphics producer, and field producer — the last of which means he's the eyes and ears for news on the road. He's also worn many chest protectors and whistles as a longtime high school baseball umpi…

1
Golf Broadcaster Lisa Cornwell: The Women's Game, The Men's Game, The Mental Game 38:02

10M ago38:02

38:02

Longtime golf announcer Lisa Cornwell joins the podcast with thoughts on the current state of the professional game -- which, she says, is a very different answer between the women and the men. A former pupil of David Leadbetter, Lisa won the Arkansas Women's State Championship four times, and played college golf with an eye towards a pro career. W…

1
Jack Graham: Sports Producer and Executive, ABC, NBC, Golf Channel 45:38

11M ago45:38

45:38

Will sports fans continue to search for their favorite teams on streaming services behind paywalls? What are the LIV Golf broadcasts doing to improve or change sports TV? Will Tiger and Rory's TGL work? Will Tiger play the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50? Jack Graham is the man to ask. A former VP of Live Tournaments at Golf Channel and a longt…

1
Grant Boone: CBS, NBC, Golf Channel Announcer 47:54

12M ago47:54

47:54

Grant Boone works as a golf announcer for NBC and Golf Channel, primarily on the LPGA Tour. His prior experience includes coverage of Amen Corner for the Masters on CBS, plus work in dozens of sports for ESPN, Turner and Fox. In this episode we discuss the 2024 US Women's Open, the state of the LPGA, what the LIV Golf rift has done to the men's gam…

1
Steady Eddie: Mike Germond, Steadicam Operator 36:02

1y ago36:02

36:02

In 1975, a cinematographer from New Jersey named Garrett Brown invented the Steadicam -- a wearable rig with counterweights that enabled camera operators to create shots that were never before imaginable. Nearly 50 years later, Steadicam shots are everywhere in movies and TV. The Steadicam revolutionized sports television. My guest on this episode …

1
NCAA Golf Championships, with Golf Channel's Steve Burkowski 45:15

1y ago45:15

45:15

The month of May brings the onset of college golf's postseason. The men's and women's fields for the 2024 NCAA Golf Championships were announced on Golf Channel at the end of April; with regional play beginning May 6, Steve Burkowski joined the podcast to handicap the fields. "Burko" has been with Golf Channel for over 20 years, and has carved out …

1
Dave Mishkin: Voice of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Author of "Blind Squirrel" 53:53

1y ago53:53

53:53

Dave Mishkin has been the radio voice of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning for over 20 years, and recently published a fiction novel called "Blind Squirrel." As he tells it, the book is hockey-adjacent, and tells the story of Noah, a former pro hockey player who deals with mental health issues. As an aspiring writer myself, I was interested in hearing …

1
Ann Liguori: Sports Journalist, Entrepreneur, Author of "Life On The Green" 35:21

1y ago35:21

35:21

Ann Liguori wears many hats: sports journalist, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author. She was the first woman to host a call-in show on New York's WFAN, the original sports talk radio station in the US. She's covered multiple majors in golf and tennis, has reported from the Olympics, Ryder Cups, and Solheim Cups, and is perhaps best known for t…

1
Puttin' On The (Ethan) Ritz: Sports TV Graphics Producer, Production Manager 46:04

1y ago46:04

46:04

Ethan Ritz is one of the smartest people I know. Grew up in Virginia, played college lacrosse at Tennessee, worked for Golf Channel for many years as a graphics producer and now holds a similar role at LIV Golf and farms himself out as a production manager. He's been there and done that, including the Olympics, the Ryder Cup, and all of golf's majo…

1
Sports Photography, with Cy Cyr 32:57

1y ago32:57

32:57

Cy Cyr (pronounced 'sigh sear') is an acclaimed photographer based in Orlando. His sports credits include Golf Channel, NBC, Sports Illustrated, Golf Digest, and ESPN, and he's a go-to photog for the PGA Tour. Beyond sports, Cy is highly regarded in editorial, commercial, and portrait work, with clients like Mitsubishi, Yamaha, and Discovery Channe…

1
Dave Revsine, Big Ten Network and ESPN 48:52

1y ago48:52

48:52

Dave Revsine is the lead studio host and a play-by-play announcer for the Big Ten Network. He's one of my oldest friends in the business, going back to the days of ESPN and the original launch of ESPNEWS. In this episode, we talk about his path from Chicago to an investment banking job he hated, his return to broadcasting, and how ESPN and the Big …

1
LeslieAnne Wade: Former CBS SVP, Communications, Consumer Media Expert 48:07

1y ago48:07

48:07

LeslieAnne Wade has enjoyed a remarkable career in public relations and communications, much of it in the sports space. After working in sports information at the college level, she moved to USA Network, where she handled PR for a variety of events, including the first Ryder Cup to be televised live from Europe. She is perhaps best known for her te…

1
Super Bowl Preview and Silly Prop Bets, with Todd Wright 47:50

1+ y ago47:50

47:50

Todd Wright is one of my oldest friends in the business. He’s known for “All Night with Todd Wright,” a national show on ESPN Radio that he started in 1996. He was also on nationwide on Sporting News Radio, and made frequent appearances on local radio in Tampa, where he still lives. We worked together for several years at the old Sun Sports, where …

1
Gary Christian: A Life In Golf 50:24

1+ y ago50:24

50:24

For an Englishman, Gary Christian has an All-American story. Coming from a working class background in Britain, he learned to play golf with a set of cut-down, hickory-shafted clubs. A successful amateur career led to a scholarship at a junior college in Alabama, where he played well enough to transfer to Auburn. Turning pro at the age of 28, he pl…

1
Florida Man: Television's Paul Kennedy 58:13

1+ y ago58:13

58:13

In 1988, a new regional sports network was launched in Tallahassee, Florida. Called 'Sunshine Network,' its first property was Florida State University, and the first announcer for FSU sports was Paul Kennedy. 36 years later, Paul is still broadcasting Florida sports. He was on the mic when the Orlando Magic played their first game; same for the Ta…

1
Golf Commentator Jerry Foltz, Golf Channel and LIV 57:59

1+ y ago57:59

57:59

Jerry Foltz is a golf lifer. He picked up the game as a kid in Las Vegas, was an All-American in college at the University of Arizona, and then (in his words) "backed into" a career in golf broadcasting that started at Golf Channel and now continues with LIV Golf. In all, he's had well over 20 years on a microphone. In this episode, we trace his pa…

1
Mike Soltys, Former PR Executive at ESPN 40:21

1+ y ago40:21

40:21

Mike Soltys spent 43 years at ESPN -- as he puts it, 98 percent of the company's history. Originally hired as an unpaid intern by ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen, Mike rose to the very top of the Worldwide Leader's public relations department, documenting the biggest sporting events in the world and managing the explosive growth of the ESPN brand. He d…

1
Ron Sirak, Journalist 52:31

1+ y ago52:31

52:31

If it happened in golf in the last 40 years, Ron Sirak probably saw it, and wrote about it. He's a former senior writer and executive editor for Golf Digest and Golf World magazines and a longtime contributor to Golf Channel. A champion of the women's game, he might be the only media member to cover all of the men's and women's major championships …

1
Poker Star: Joe Stapleton, Commentator and Comic 51:20

1+ y ago51:20

51:20

Joe "Stapes" Stapleton is a star in the poker world -- as he once put it, he's "poker-famous." He's a longtime poker commentator with credits that include PokerStars, The World Series of Poker, The Big Game, and Poker Night in America. In a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation, he outlines his path from upstate New York to Hollywood, where he's…

1
Better Sports Betting: Steve Rubenfaer, CEO, BettorTakes 30:14

1+ y ago30:14

30:14

In 2018, the US Supreme Court struck down a law that prohibited sports gambling outside of Nevada. In the years since, more and more states have legalized sports betting, and sports media has fully embraced 'the line' as content. Steve Rubenfaer, CEO of BettorTakes, walks us through the trends in the industry and outlines his BettorTakes app -- a p…

1
Ray Almeda, Global PR Lead, EA Sports 44:09

1+ y ago44:09

44:09

The video game industry did $235 billion in revenue in 2022, and that number is expected to jump to $321 billion by 2026. Six of the 20 best-selling games in '22 were sports titles, and two of the top 7 in sales are produced by Electronic Arts, or EA. Ray Almeda, a former gaming journalist, is now the Global PR Lead for EA's sports portfolio, overs…

1
Alex Russell: Manager, Player, Talent, Tour Relations and Booking, NBC and Golf Channel 45:51

1+ y ago45:51

45:51

You're watching a tournament on Golf Channel, and a celebrity drops by the booth for a visit. Maybe you're watching Live From early in the week at a major championship, and Dustin Johnson or Rory McIlroy joins the announcers on set. Ever wonder who sets that up? Alex Russell is part of a two-woman team at NBC / Golf Channel responsible for contacti…

1
High Seas, NBA Hardwood, Hot Sauce: The Ballad of Dan Ballister 22:51

1+ y ago22:51

22:51

Dan Ballister is a Naval Academy grad and former Surface Warfare Officer who has diverse experience in business. He oversaw digital media for the NBA as part of 20 years in digital media and internet advertising. He tells the story of how a compliment at an Army-Navy tailgate turned into The General's Hot Sauce, a brand that creates employment oppo…

1
Alex Gimenez: Manager, Major League Operations & Professional Scouting, Boston Red Sox 58:17

1+ y ago58:17

58:17

As a kid growing up in Miami, Alex Gimenez dreamed of working in baseball. That dream carried him to Cornell University, where he faced a crossroad: pursuing a career in broadcasting, or choosing a path that would lead him into a front office. Now the Manager of Major League Operations and Professional Scouting for the Boston Red Sox, Alex recounts…

1
Dave Stevens: Sports Reporter, Motivational Speaker, Teacher, Disability Advocate 36:30

1+ y ago36:30

36:30

My guest on this episode is a 7-time Emmy winner as a sports journalist. A three sport star in high school, he played college football and later had a brief stint in minor league baseball. Today, he teaches media and production at the college level while also hosting a nationally syndicated podcast and running youth sports camps, and is prominently…

1
The Spo Show: Directing Live Events, with Peter Esposito 43:53

1+ y ago43:53

43:53

Previous episodes of "Media Credentials" have covered directing live studio shows (with Eric Rutledge) and producing live events (with Ray Jacobs). Now, a new combination -- directing live events. Peter Esposito started his broadcasting career at a small college in New England, moving to an entry-level position at ESPN, and then joining Golf Channe…

1
Ray Jacobs: NHL Senior Coordinating Producer and Live Golf Producer 50:50

1+ y ago50:50

50:50

My guest on this episode is a hockey guy, but like most hockey guys I’ve met in my career, he’s also a golf guy. Ray Jacobs is the senior coordinating producer for the National Hockey League’s production arm, a staff job he took in 2023 after 20-plus years on the road as a freelance golf producer. We touch on that familiar theme -- freelancing vers…

1
From Madden & the NFL to Valspar & the PGA Tour: Media Relations with Rick Odioso 48:39

1+ y ago48:39

48:39

With over 40 years of experience in the NFL and nearly 30 years with the PGA Tour, Rick Odioso has collected some stories. He's the Media Director for the Valspar Championship, while also freelancing as a statistician for the NFL on FOX, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. As the former PR Director for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rick ma…

1
Kristi Hujik: ESPN, Golf Channel, SiriusXM, Health Coach 54:46

1+ y ago54:46

54:46

Kristi Hujik is a certified health coach and Senior Producer for PGA Tour Radio on SiriusXM. We shared newsrooms together for over two decades at both ESPN and Golf Channel, a bizarre overlap in our careers that neither one of us can truly explain. Kristi talks about her journey in sports media, starting at a local radio station in Pennsylvania and…

1
Versatility and "Pivoting": Julie Hoddy, Production Specialist 33:12

1+ y ago33:12

33:12

For many in sports media - particularly those who work behind the scenes - freelancing is a way of life. Staff jobs are often hard to come by, even more so in the post-Covid 'gig economy.' Julie Hoddy forged a long career as a freelancer in sports television before pivoting to a corporate role outside the realm of sports. We talk about her transiti…

1
Nathan Strack, Production Designer, Pinehurst Resort and Country Club 36:12

2y ago36:12

36:12

Nathan Strack is the Production Designer for the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. Pinehurst is one of the most prestigious golf complexes in the United States, home to nine golf courses and the host site of the 2024 US Open. Nathan talks about his experience there, how his golf background meshes with his skills as a graphic designer, and why Pine…

1
The Sports PR Life, with Dan Pearson 36:23

2y ago36:23

36:23

Dan Pearson is a veteran sports PR executive with experience in college athletics, Arena Football, the XFL, baseball, and more. A longtime Central Florida resident, he continues to work in semi-retirement as a sportswriter for local weeklies. Dan is a storyteller, and offers sound advice for those considering a career in sports media. Great stories…

1
College Football Chaos with Marc Daniels, Voice of UCF 36:30

2y ago36:30

36:30

Marc Daniels has been the Voice of the UCF Knights for nearly 30 years, and hosts a daily radio show on Orlando's 96.9 The Game. We discuss the explosive news in college football regarding conference realignment, and how sports other than football might be affected. We also delve into UCF's entry into the Big 12 this fall, and the impact it will ha…

1
George Galante, Senior Director of Communications, Orlando Magic 48:45

2y ago48:45

48:45

George Galante joined the Orlando Magic as a PR intern while still in college. Nearly 30 years later, he is still part of the team. As the Senior Director of Communications, he's a managing editor for the team's media guide, a daily contributor to game notes, a coordinator of interviews for players and coaches, and a stat guru who travels with the …

1
"Sports Intelligence" with Justin Ray, Head of Content, Twenty First Group 43:47

2y ago43:47

43:47

My guest on this episode is my former Golf Channel colleague Justin Ray, who is now the Head of Content for Twenty First Group, a company that bills itself as a "sports intelligence agency." From their website: “Performance analytics enables us to drive sporting success for athletes, teams, leagues and investors, and enable brands, broadcasters and…

1
Sportscasting 101: Eric Rutledge, TV Sports Director and Course Director at Full Sail University 43:41

2y ago43:41

43:41

Eric Rutledge got his start as a TV sports director in college, and eventually made his way to Golf Channel, where he spent nearly 20 years, primarily doing studio work. He explains what a director does, and we go deep into all the different jobs in the control room, and the remote production truck. Eric currently directs live golf for PGA TOUR LIV…

1
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel Columnist and Radio Raconteur 45:08

2y ago45:08

45:08

Mike Bianchi is a sports columnist for the Orlando Sentinel and one of the most influential voices in the Southeast. His 20-plus years with the Sentinel coincides with a lengthy career as a sports radio host in Orlando, and he was also a regular TV talk show panelist with me in the old days of Sun Sports (now Bally Sports Sun). A proud native Flori…

1
Keith Hirshland: LIV Golf Producer, Veteran of Golf Channel and ESPN, Author 51:34

2y ago51:34

51:34

Keith Hirshland is an Emmy-winning sports television producer whose path started in Hawaii, passed through Orlando as he helped launch the Golf Channel, and now finds him in the producer’s chair for live broadcasts of the upstart LIV Golf League. LIV is backed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. On June 6th, 20…

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Whit Watson Podcasts

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