Crunching Tackles

Crunching Tackles

By Crunching TacklesSociety & CultureSports
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Crunching Tackles episodes

  • Episode 36: Reunited, and it feels so good!

    John and Chad reunite IN PERSON for this very special episode of Crunching Tackles. Taking a break from the around the world theme, we discuss:

    - How the shortened offseason has hurt soccer and may hurt the NBA

    - Kim Ng and the first female GM hire across the four major American sports

    - A mid-round Masters update

    - If Baby Yoda should be canceled for genocide

    - And Chad recommends the Apple TV original show, Ted Lasso.

    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!

    38 min
  • Episode 35: Around the World - Canada

    Crunching Tackles takes a visit to our next-door neighbors Canada on this week's episode! We've been looking to uncover the unique aspects of sporting culture around the world - and this week's episode takes a look at the land of ice hockey and maple leaves. 

    We discuss: 

    - The fascinating origins of lacrosse

    - Canada's love for winter sports (for obvious reasons)

    - The role Canada played in forging hockey culture 

    - Curling! 

    - And we wrap things up by breaking down the Mandalorian episodes to date. 

    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles! 

    48 min
  • Episode 34: Around the World — South Africa

    John and Chad are continuing their mini-series, taking the Crunching Tackles podcast around the world, to uncover the unique aspects of sporting culture in various parts of the world. Today, they visit South Africa, and have a very deep discussion about the blending of race and sports in that country's culture.

    On this week's podcast, we discuss:

    - The Mandalorian Season 2

    - Rugby and the end of apartheid in South Africa

    - Why Africa struggles in international soccer

    - Invictus

    - And even more Jose Mourinho conversation.

    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!

    42 min
  • Episode 33: Around the World — India

    John and Chad are continuing their mini-series, taking the Crunching Tackles podcast around the world, to uncover the unique aspects of sporting culture in various parts of the world. Today, they arrive in India, discussing curling, polo, and the impact of British imperialism on sporting culture around the world.

    On this week's podcast, we discuss:

    - If John really understands Japanese cartoons as much as he thinks he does

    - The greatest international rivalry in the history of sports

    - What is Kabiddi?

    - Why Senator Ben Sasse should be the next MLB commissioner

    - And how far would you go to harass an opposing team?

    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!

    39 min
  • Episode 32: Around the World — Japan

    John and Chad start a new miniseries, taking the Crunching Tackles podcast around the world, to uncover the unique aspects of sporting culture in various parts of the world. Today, they start in Japan, talking about sumo wrestling, baseball, soccer and the heritage of Japanese sports.

    On this week's podcast, we discuss: 

    - What Star Wars character should be the theme of the next trilogy

    - What kind of sport can a 600 lb. man play

    - How Japan was introduced to baseball

    - Does reverse cheating make up for cheating

    - And why Tom Brady is starting to show his age

    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!

    50 min
  • Episode 31: What a Weekend!
    With John out of quarantine and catching up on all the work he missed, he gets together with Chad to go on a brief journey through the sports world this weekend. From the NBA Finals, to Liverpool and Manchester United, with a bit of baseball and football too, the boys tackle all the biggest stories from a packed weekend.
    On this week's podcast, we discuss:
    - If Jimmy Butler or LeBron James are going to win the NBA Finals
    - What the heck is happening in soccer?!?!?
    - How COVID-19 is impacting the NFL season so far
    - Who will win the World Series?
    - And why Chad misses movie theaters, with a bit of a dating confession.
    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
    28 min
  • Episode 30: Behind the Paywall
    Why is John furious about having to pay for Peacock TV to watch Arsenal, and what does that tell us about sports entertainment? Are the growing number of streaming services good or bad for sports tv? What do they mean for the sports fan?
    On this week's podcast, we discuss:
    - If referees are ever responsible for the outcome of a game
    - Why John is furious about having to pay for soccer
    - If streaming services are ruining the fan experience
    - Lowering the goalposts (literally)
    - And why athletes need to be more careful before responding to the death of Breonna Taylor.
    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
    42 min
  • Episode 29: Stereotyping Sportsfans
    After diving into polling data and demographic information, Chad and John break down what an average sports fan looks like. Is it different for different sports? How does age come into account? What about political beliefs?
    On this week's podcast, we discuss:
    - Baby Yoda's heritage
    - How demographics impact sports, and what it means for the future
    - Should sports be concerned about declining ratings?
    - Giannis winning NBA league MVP over LeBron
    - And Kanye West's latest Twitter-storm pit two sports apparel giants against each other.
    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
    43 min
  • Episode 28: Lights, Camera, SPORTS!
    With the abundance of sports documentaries currently available on-demand, what are the best ones? What makes for an excellent sports documentary? And what do these documentaries do to the way fans view sports?
    On this week's podcast, we discuss:
    - Which sports documentaries are the best
    - What makes for a good sports documentary
    - Skip Bayless and his comments about Dak Prescott
    - Kansas City Chiefs fans booing unity
    - And what lightsaber color we would both have if we were Jedi.
    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
    45 min
  • Episode 27: What's On Second?
    Major league baseball has experimented with several rule changes this season, including the designated hitter and runners on second base. What do the guys think about these rules, and what other rules would they like to see sports try?
    On this week's podcast, we discuss:
    - Star Wars and Batman (somehow at the same time)
    - If MLB rule changes are good for baseball
    - What rule changes we would like to see sports try
    - The US Open COVID protocol
    - And John heaps praise on Tottenham Hotspur: All Or Nothing documentary.
    As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
    46 min

About Crunching Tackles

From the publisher's feed

Hello and welcome to Crunching Tackles, a podcast where John Nekrasov and Chad Wylie discuss the biggest cultural issues that affect the sports world. Tune in to hear our takes on the controversial…