In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about their first games back on the ice with their teammate Maegan Hough. They talk about the Covid protocols in place for this season, the difference from last year, and their level of comfort being back in the arena. They also chat about the new developments that have come to rec curling, including changes to the post-game socializing, and their expectations for the 2021-22 season. For more, be sure to visit us at GameofStonesPod.com...
Oct 06, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott recap the Pre-Pre-Trials. They talk about the teams that qualified for the Trials, the format of the Trials Direct Entry Event, and what to expect from the teams that didn't punch their tickets to Saskatoon. They then discuss the Pre-Pre-Trials, remarkable weeks for Sean Grassie and Jill Brothers, and Kerry Galusha earning a berth to the Pre-Trials. They also go over their experience in the building, the protocols in place, and give credit to Curling Canada for in...
Sep 27, 2021
In this week's episode, Sean and Scott talk about this week's Pre-Pre-Trials event being held in Ottawa. In one of the two concurrent events, 2 men's and 3 women's teams will qualify for the Olympic Trials in Saskatoon, with the other teams heading to the Pre-Trials in Liverpool, Nova Scotia in October. In the other event, the Pre-Pre-Trials, 2 men's and 2 women's teams will qualify for the Pre-Trials. The Game of Stones team will be on-site throughout the event, so be sure to follow along @Game...
Sep 22, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott are joined by Nevin Demiliano, who runs Team Brendan Bottcher's social media accounts. Nevin talks about how he got involved with the team, their use of train GIFs, and how Brendan's socks became a thing during the World Championship. He also discusses interacting with fans without encouraging trolls, the epps and flows of social media during the curling season, and offers up some tips for curling teams looking to improve their social media presence. For more on N...
Sep 14, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott are joined by Kirk Muyres, second for Team Dunstone, to talk about how television coverage can influence fans' perceptions of players. Kirk talks about learning to play with cameras and fans, how teams are interacting with fans in an age of social media, and how TV games can shape that engagement. He also offers some insight into how players think of TV games, the differences between players' real-world and in-game personas, and how fans can distinguish between th...
Sep 07, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott wrap up their series ranking the top curlers by decade. This week, it's the 2010s! From Vancouver to the start of the pandemic, they talk about who they think stands atop the rest of the past decade. Disagree? Do get in touch @GameofStonesPod Be sure to visit us at GameofStonesPod.com
Sep 01, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott offer up their rankings of the best players from the first decade of the 2000s. Agree with their picks? Let them know if they missed someone on social media @GameofStonesPod Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com
Aug 25, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott welcome former Team Switzerland skip Elena Stern to discuss the upcoming referendum on same-sex marriage. We talk about the backgrounmd to the referendum, the state of the campaign, and how the curling community can support the LGBTQ2+ community. You can find more information about the campaign to support marriage equality here . If you missed it, be sure to check out the roundtable hosted by the Global Initiative for DEI in Curling on the International Day Agains...
Aug 18, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott continue their series looking at the best players by decade. Today, it's pop music and big clothes as they look back at the 1990s. They go through the decade and talk about the best performances from national, world, and Olympic championships to rank the top 10 players of the decade. Be sure to let us know what you think of our rankings and how you think the best players of the 1990s stack up. Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com...
Aug 11, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about some of the key skills needed to succeed in curling and how they may be useful in some of the sports we've been watching as part of Tokyo 2020. They talk about balance, strategy, teamwork, and yelling, among others, and debate in which summer sports those skills would be most useful. From Beach Volleyball to Weightlifting they talk about how curling attributes can help Summer Olympic athletes while also doing a deep dive into the modern pentathlon....
Aug 04, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott look back on the 1980s in curling to rank the top 10 players from the decade. The first decade with a full complement of Women's World Championships and the first time curling was in the Olympics (as a demonstration sport) was full of some of the best players to ever take to the ice. Do you agree with our rankings? Be sure to let us know if we missed anyone who should have been included. Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com...
Jul 28, 2021
This week we kick off a new series of episodes ranking the top players by decade and we're starting with the 1970s. Who topped the world of curling in the era of bell-bottoms and platform shoes? The 1970s brought us the first women's world championship & some of the best players the sport has ever seen. Let us know if you agree with our rankings and visit us at GameofStonesPod.com .
Jul 21, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about some of the biggest innovations in the history of curling and how they were received within the Spirit of Curling. Some were deemed perfectly acceptable while others prompted accusations of cheating and going against the sport's integrity. These include the advent of turns, long slides, broom technology, and time clocks. The guys talk about each and what themes emerged and how the Spirit of Curling has influenced the sport's evolution. Be sure to visit ...
Jul 13, 2021
With Wimbledon in full swing, Sean and Scott offer up their curling comparisons for the top 5 players on the WTA and ATP tours. The break down each players' strengths and weaknesses in order to determine which top curling team has the most similar profile. Let us know if you agree with our picks. Be sure to check out one of our favourite episodes offering our curling comparisons for some of the world's top golfers. Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com...
Jul 02, 2021
In this episode, we play another round of Canada's fastest growing game show, Name That Shot! This time it's shots from the 2021 Calgary Bubble. Play along as Sean plays clips of some of the season's best shots and Scott tries to Name That Shot! If you missed them, be sure to check out our past Name That Shot! episodes: https://www.gameofstonespod.com/episodes/2021/1/28/name-that-shot https://www.gameofstonespod.com/episodes/2020/11/25/guess-that-shot Be sure to visit us at GameofStonesPod.com...
Jun 23, 2021
In this episode, Sean talks with Greg Smith, skip of Team Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2021 Brier, about LGBTQ2+ representation in curling. They talk about the importance of Pride Month, inclusion at the highest level of the sport, Greg playing John Epping in the first ever Brier game between two out skips, and the impact on young athletes. Be sure to check out our episode visiting the 2019 Gay Nationals: https://www.gameofstonespod.com/episodes/2019/6/27/behind-the-scenes-at-the-canadian-ga...
Jun 16, 2021
In this episode, we re-visit the most prominent curling commercials from the Bubble. We talk about all the overplayed ads to which we were subjected: Bad Coffee, Everybody Poops, 40 Years of Scotties and so many more and see how they stack up against each other. Agree with our picks? Think we're way off? Did we miss an ad? Be sure to let us know @gameofstonespod or GameofStonesPodcast@gmail.com Be sure to visit us at GameofStonesPod.com!
Jun 08, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott look at where the men's teams rank after the 2021 season. Scott breaks down the numbers to offer up his rankings while Sean provides his reaction. Let us know how you think the teams stack up. Be sure to visit us at GameofStonesPod.com
Jun 02, 2021
In this episode, Sean offers up his power rankings of women's teams following the 2021 World Championship. Using the results from the Bubble and the eye test, Sean goes through his top 10 teams while Scott chims in with his thoughts. Let us know if you agree with these rankings or if you think Sean is way off. Be sure to subscribe to Game of Stones wherever you get your podcasts and visit us at GameofStonesPod.com
May 26, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott recap the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship. They talk about Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds' win, a great week for Norway, and some missed opportunities in the gold medal game. They also talk about the teams that qualified for the Olympics, relegation, and the struggles of the specialists. Join us at GameofStonesPod.com for all our past episodes and links to the merch.
May 25, 2021
In this episode, we dish out some superlatives from the curling bubble. We talk about the best team, best shot, best game, plus some fun categories included Strangest Oddity and Most Fun Character. Let us know if we got these awards right or if we missed some categories. Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com for a full list of nominees and winners. Be sure to check out Matt Sussman's article profiling some of the best bubble games: https://www.si.com/curling/news/the-11-most-popular-curling-bubble-gam...
May 22, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott look ahead to the 2021 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Aberdeen, Scotland. They talk about Olympic qualificaition, potential bubble hangovers, and the advantage of mixed doubles specialists. They also talk about some of the less known teams, the countries who haven't been represented at a world championship so far this year, and the playoff format. Be sure to subscribe and rate wherever you get your podcasts and visit us at GameofStonesPod.com...
May 15, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott look back 2021 Women's World Curling Championship. They talk about back to back wins for Switzerland and Silvana Tirinzoni, a strong performance for the Russian Curling Federation, and the first American medal in 15 years. They also talk about Anna Hasselborg's week, Denmark qualifying for the Olympics, and Kerri Einarson's and Team Canada's tough week. They finish by talking about Scotland's tough week, looking ahead to the Olympic Qualifying Event next December ...
May 11, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott briefly talk about the final Grand Slam (1:37) before discussing which teams they think will punch their tickets to the 2022 Winter Olympics (4:35). They then go through the field team by team (12:00) and finish off by talking about the positive Covid tests for one of the incoming teams (1:04:34). Be sure to head to GameofStonesPod.com for all our past episodes and be sure to check out our new merch!
Apr 28, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about an outstanding win for Rachel Homan at the Champions Cup, Bruce Mouat bouncing back after the World Championship final, & all the other stories coming out of the Champions Cup, including a tough week Anna Hasselborg & a terrific run for Tracy Fleury. They also discuss the pros and cons of 'around the rings' coverage and look ahead to the Players Championship.
Apr 20, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about 5 thigns they'll be watching at this week's Champions Cup. They talk about the teams making their first appearance in the bubble, lineup change, the format, & make their picks for the week. Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com
Apr 14, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott look back on the men's world curling championship. They talk about Niklas Edin's 5th world championship, their final with Bruce Mouat and Team Scotland, and the outstanding 5th end of the gold medal game. They also talk about the Covid scare over the weekend, the teams that didn't qualify for the Olympics, and Team Canada's week. As mentioned in the episode, if you want to learn more about the production side of curling broadcasts, check out over conversation with...
Apr 13, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott are joined by Curling Canada CEO Katherine Henderson to talk about the new diversity and inclusivity initiatives announced last month. They talk about the program's background, the consultation process, and efforts to diversify curling and both the rec and elite levels. You can find more info on the initiatives here: https://www.curling.ca/diversity-inclusivity/#:~:text=Diversity%20and%20Inclusivity,new%20wave%20of%20diverse%20members Check out more episodes, post...
Apr 08, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott preview the 2021 Men's World Curling Championship. They talk about all 14 teams heading to Calgary, the format, and the importance of this event to the 2022 Olympics. They also talk about the TV coverage, who they expect to punch their tickets to Beijing 2022, and what they're looking forward to this week. Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com for all our episodes, plus a link to our Merch, with all proceeds going to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation and Food Banks Canada...
Mar 30, 2021
In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship. They talk about Kerri Einarson and Brad Gushue's win, the divide between mixed doubles specialists and players from 4-person teams, and the future of mixed doubles. They also talk about some of the communication issues we saw, the debate around the playoff format, the 'controversy' surrounding Olympic qualification and much more.
Mar 27, 2021
