Christopher Gabriel Program

Long-standing CGP boxing analyst Derek X makes his first visit back in studio since before Covid. Derek follows the opening monologue with his own thoughts on how soft/tough today's pro athletes are vs their predecessors from 20 to 40 years ago. Also, what world champion Josh Taylor may do with his four belts and how that would affect former world champion Jose Ramirez.

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More with Derek as we discuss Jose Ramirez, Tyson Fury, Canelo Alvarez, the possibility of a Spence-Crawford fight and what Frank Aleman is doing to engage, excite and mentor youth in the Central Valley through boxing.

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Nick Schager makes his weekly visit to The CGP with one major film opening and two streaming options: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (theaters), The Staircase (HBO Max) and The Big Conn (Apple TV+). Nick is the entertainment critic for The Daily Beast.

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Nicole Linder makes her second visit to The CGP on KMJ. We discussed what, exactly, MMC does for the community. Also, how Fresno ranks in the region with domestic violence issues, education in schools and how summer is their "busy season"... which for MMC, is not a good thing. 

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Continuing with Nicole, we discussed where homelessness and domestic violence cross over, domestic violence homicides in Fresno and a major fundraising event coming up for MMC. 

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Natalie Benson has joined The CGP many times, this being her first visit to KMJ. She joined the program to discuss the rise of the water polo program at Fresno State (she was the first coach), immediate and longterm expectations, the potential to win a national championship here and a preview of their NCAA quarterfinal match vs defending national champion USC. Natalie's a three-time All American and national champion at UCLA, Player of the Year her senior year, a two-time Olympic medalist and a member of the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame. 

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Nick makes his weekly visit with three streaming options he'll review: Ozark Season 4, Part 2 (Netflix), Under the Banner of Heaven (FX on Hulu) and We Own This City (HBO). Nick is the Entertainment Critic for The Daily Beast. 

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The minor league baseball franchise Savannah Bananas are not just a successful club along the beautiful Georgia coast, they are a legitimate global phenomenon. Emily Cole, co-owner of the club with husband Jesse, joined me to share what is truly a remarkable story of drive, dedication and passion to a vision for a baseball club and a commitment to a community that has evolved into a large, extended family. They operate from the idea it's always someone's first game. Or as their website says, "Fans First. Entertain Always. All Inclusive."

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More with Emily as she explains the origin of the name "Bananas," the immediate reaction to it (hint: not good) and how they turned what were standard run-of-the-mill nights at the old ballpark into a circus of fun, frivolity and great baseball. 

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Alyssa Charlston is a multitalented broadcast journalist who has done just about everything. Play-by-play for basketball in the Pac-12 and WCC, digital content creator for Gonzaga Basketball, studio preview shows for the Washington Huskies and now a sports anchor and reporter for Seattle's Fox 13. If that isn't enough, she played college basketball at Idaho and professionally in Europe. The sports media landscape has changed for the better with more women in jobs across the industry. Alyssa joined me to talk about it, both broadly and how the journey has been for her.

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