Most people know Arda Öcal from ESPN, the NHL, or one of the million sports moments he somehow seems to be part of, but this episode goes way beyond sports.

We talk about growing up between cultures, building a career in media, internet culture, Connecticut pizza discourse (obviously), and what actually makes people feel connected to a place. Arda also opens up about identity, storytelling, and how sports can become a universal language even for people who feel like outsiders.

It’s funny, chaotic, surprisingly deep at times, and somehow includes both ESPN and New Haven apizza in the same conversation.