Japan, by its language, geography and history, offers a fascinatingly distinct culture. And the same applies to interests and philosophies around sport. In this episode, we dive into the host nation’s own Olympic sports to experience a more authentic Tokyo Games, and how seeing the athletic world from a different lens can make it more meaningful. Feel the precision and protocol of Karate with Sakura Kokumai and Tom Scott, and get a glimpse into the wild world of professional Keirin racing with K...
Jun 01, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Tokyo welcomes Skateboarding, Surfing, Sport Climbing and 3X3 Basketball into this summer’s medal count, and with them a whole culture of urban and action sports. We explore these new-school events and how their development outside of the games could actually make them the perfect embodiments of old-school Olympic values. Let Todd Richards take you through the evolution of boardsports with input from riders like Nyjah Huston, Kolohe Andino and Heimana Reynolds, feel the gritty excitement of 3X3 ...
May 25, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Mental game: two words that are as often used as they are hard to grasp. But when the stakes are highest, when all competitors have sharpened their skills and trained tirelessly, psychology may be the deciding factor-both in and out of sports. Get a glimpse inside diver David Boudia’s intricate pre-performance routine, hear from Dr. Mike Gervais (from the Finding Mastery Podcast) how mental training separates good athletes from great ones and understand how these skills apply to adversity and su...
May 18, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Every Olympics has pushed the boundaries of sports technology, but the Tokyo games will see that constant multiplied by Japan’s penchant for tech. Feel how optimizing every single shape and surface propels cyclists to new speeds with Alex Howes, hear how equipment changes do more than improve performance for Tatyana McFadden, understand how old sports are improving with modern tools and go inside the broadcasting magic that transports viewers from their couch right into the action. Join host Lau...
May 11, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 2
The Olympic Torch’s potential to inspire in times of chaos only deepens its power in the extraordinary leadup to Tokyo 2020. We start a brand new season of The Podium grasping the power of the flame. Relive Janet Evans’ triumphant 1996 torch relay with Muhammad Ali, hear a first-hand account of Catriona LeMay-Doan’s very public cauldron malfunction and discover how a clown saved a closing ceremony. Join host Lauren Shehadi for season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium. Episode 1 guests: Tim Layden, Jan...
May 04, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Over the next 12 weeks and right through to the closing ceremony, we’ll bring you deep into the stories and events that have defined the Olympics and those that will shape the Tokyo games. But we’ll also give you an intimate look into the unseen details that only the athletes themselves can tell. From sophisticated sports tech to athletics dynasties, opening ceremony jitters to gold medal storage tactics, experience the lead up to Tokyo with NBC Sports, the home of the Olympic and Paralympic gam...
Apr 14, 2021•2 min
The Paralympic Games start March 8th. In this episode, host Lauren Shehadi looks at how advances in technology have created better prosthetics, which have made it possible for more athletes to compete in the Paralympic Games.
Feb 26, 2018•20 min•Season 1Ep. 31
NBC Olympics Special Correspondent Chef David Chang is the founder of the Momofuku Restaurant Group and just opened Majordomo in Los Angeles. Lucia Cho is the CEO of Seoul's Bicena and the Michelin three-starred Gaon. They talked with host Lauren Shehadi about the diversity and traditions of Korean food, and what to eat in Pyeonchang, host city of the 2018 Winter Games.
Feb 25, 2018•18 min
Host Mike Tirico reflects on his first time hosting primetime Olympic coverage, the U.S. women’s hockey team's gold medal game, and the Games's impact on diplomatic relations between North and South Korea. Plus The Podium team tells the story of chance meeting between North Korean cheerleaders and two young South Koreans at the Games.
Feb 25, 2018•21 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Speedskater Maame Biney and her father, Kweku, stop by the studio to talk about Biney's favorite experiences at the 2018 Games, and what she hopes will be different for 2022. Plus, a look at what led to Norway's dominance in PyeongChang, as the country has now earned the most medals in Winter Olympic history.
Feb 24, 2018•18 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Bronze medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani tell The Podium what made their ice dancing routine successful, their sibling dynamic, and what’s next after taking home the only U.S. medal for individual figure skating. Plus, how announcers call Olympic events for the visually impaired.
Feb 23, 2018•21 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Reporter Tim Struby introduces us to bobsled alternate Briauna Jones, who tells us about her difficult journey to the Olympics -- and her struggle since she arrived. Plus, a men’s ski halfpipe judge explains the judging process, how he takes notes while simultaneously watching runs and why some judges must recuse themselves from competition.
Feb 22, 2018•21 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Many events at the Winter Games involve high speeds, so when athletes get injured, it can be really gruesome. Oftentimes, it’s just a few months between a major injury and a medal-winning event. How do these athletes heal, physically and emotionally? Speed skater J.R. Celski tells The Podium about his difficult injury, and how he overcame his fears to get back into the rink.
Feb 21, 2018•20 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Adam Rippon is here! The figure skater tells Lauren Shehadi why the Olympics is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes about LGBTQ athletes, discusses his friendship with Gus Kenworthy, and tells us why he feels like the winner of the Winter Olympics. Then, the Podium examines the Olympic diet: what's the best food to eat for athletic fuel? Finally, Tom Farrey takes a look at a program designed to maximize Olympians’ training time.
Feb 20, 2018•24 min•Season 1Ep. 24
The Podium follows the fiancé of an Olympic speedskater as he watches the race from the sidelines, and copes with the stress. Plus, Katie Couric has the story of how a small town in Vermont has sent a resident to nearly every Winter Olympics since 1984.
Feb 19, 2018•20 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Nathan Chen tells host Lauren Shehadi how he bounced back to make Olympic history, and talks about the NBA players who influence him. Jonny Mosley reflects on his Olympic career and takes a hard look at the weather's impact on the 2018 Games. Finally, we look at how Danny Davis has taken his passion for snowboarding and applied it to film.
Feb 18, 2018•22 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Gus Kenworthy shares how he calms his parents' nerves when he competes in slopestyle, and explains why being out of the closet at the Olympics is a tremendous opportunity. Plus, Devin Logan breaks down freeskiing, the innovations that changed the sport, and why it’s known as a rebellious discipline.
Feb 17, 2018•17 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Host Lauren Shehadi takes us to women's slalom, where alpine skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin fails to win a medal in her second event in two days in PyeongChang, And The Podium takes a hard look at race and winter sports, with Vonetta Flowers, the first black athlete to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
Feb 16, 2018•21 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Scott Hamilton explains what makes the Shib Sibs so successful, with a close look at the complicated relationships in figure skating and ice dancing pairs. After a brief cameo from an enthusiastic pairs figure skating fan club, host Lauren Shehadi get a crash course in sliding sports (bobsled, luge, and skeleton) from Lewis Johnson, who also breaks down Chris Mazdzer’s silver medal run.
Feb 15, 2018•19 min•Season 1Ep. 19
After a brief cameo from Gold medalist Chloe Kim, the Podium talks to longtime NBC Olympics broadcaster Mary Carillo about breaking gender barriers in sports reporting, her favorite Olympic moments, and the significance of the unified Korean women's hockey team. Then the team heads to the Korean team's game against Sweden, to talk to unified flag-waving fans about the historic moment. Finally, NBC News correspondent Keir Simmons takes us inside North Korea.
Feb 14, 2018•24 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Jamie Anderson and her best friend and fellow gold medalist, Julia Mancuso, discuss their friendship, plus Shaun White shares what it is like to be the “old man” on the slopes, his love of skateboarding and more.
Feb 13, 2018•24 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Guest host David Chang, special correspondent for NBC Olympics, is flummoxed by curling. What are the rules? How do curlers train? Is there alcohol involved? In an effort to better understand the game, he sends Tim Struby to learn the ins and outs of the sport, attends a curling match, and interviews a world champion curler.
Feb 12, 2018•33 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Meet 17-year-old Red Gerard, who just won the first U.S. gold medal in PyeongChang, and his exuberant family, who watched the run with our reporter Tim Struby. Plus, Katie Couric returns to examine how women’s ski jumping got to be an Olympic sport.
Feb 11, 2018•18 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Stars on and off the ice, Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir discuss their journey to Primetime and how the sport of figure skating has changed. Plus, diving into a surprise in the snowboarding world after two superstars, Sage Kostenberg and Kaitlyn Farrington, left the sport — and what they’re up to now.
Feb 10, 2018•21 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Opening Ceremony co-host Katie Couric discusses what to expect from the broadcast (8:30 ET, NBC), the unified team of North and South Korea, and her interview with figure skating star Nathan Chen. We'll also take a look back at some pivotal moments in Olympic history, and at how the Winter Games have evolved from 1924 to today.
Feb 09, 2018•25 min•Season 1Ep. 13
The first NBC Olympics podcast from the world's biggest sporting event. Join the team covering the Winter Games from the ground in PyeongChang. Hosts Lauren Shehadi and Tom Farrey, with reporter Tim Struby, bring you daily competition updates and the stories behind the games. And K-pop, of course. Lots of K-pop.
Feb 08, 2018•1 min
In this episode sponsored by Intel, Rob Simmelkjaer sits down with Intel chief strategy officer Aicha Evans and Intel Sports director David Aufhauser to discuss the technological advancements Intel is implementing at the Winter Olympics, how virtual reality has become a cornerstone of the company's initiatives and the esports exhibition happening in PyeongChang.
Feb 05, 2018•32 min•Season 1Ep. 12
The Podium takes a journey back to Nathan Chen ’s prediction about making the 2018 Olympic Winter Games and how the young wunderkid has mastered five quadruple jumps, something that has never been done at the Winter Olympics. Plus, the U.S. women’s hockey team reflects on the 1998 team that sparked their interest in the game and why the U.S.-Canada rivalry ramped up in 2002....
Jan 29, 2018•11 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Ahead of the Opening Ceremony, The Podium profiles four American all-star Olympians to watch in PyeongChang. Olympic medalist Christin Cooper, New Yorker staff writer Nick Paumgarten, and snowboarding pioneer Todd Richards discuss the rise of revolutionary skiier Mikaela Shiffrin, downhill master Lindsey Vonn, longtime snowboarding star Shaun White, and snowboarding maverick Chloe Kim.
Jan 22, 2018•17 min•Season 1Ep. 10
The Podium examines how snowboarding evolved and gained popularity in the U.S. and made its way into the Olympics. Plus, why there will never be another Shaun White and how Kelly Clark catapulted to the national scene.
Jan 15, 2018•31 min•Season 1Ep. 9
