EPISODE 26: In this episode, the Scout and the GM discuss Super Bowl 50 with a focus on the elite Denver Bronco 3-4 defense’s matchup with the creative Carolina Panther Offense. Will the genius of Wade Phillips, along with a roster full of upper echelon defenders, be able to do the impossible and slow down the confounding Carolina Panther offense? This is a huge question mark, because Carolina boasts a one-of-a-kind talent in Cam Newton. Scheme and talent matchups are on the menu for this episode, so we’re going to open your minds. Enjoy!

Background (Denver Broncos)

1. The Wade Phillips 3-4 Defense - http://www.milehighreport.com/2015/1/27/7922019/the-wade-phillips-3-4

2. Denver Bronco Defensive Scheme Fits - http://www.milehighreport.com/2015/1/27/7922019/the-wade-phillips-3-4

3. Breaking Down the Bronco Linebackers - http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Breaking-down-the-linebackers/3f104fc6-449b-4a02-b460-003cea0abf10

4. Broncos Thankful for Extra Prep Time - http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25461828/super-bowl-50-broncos-happy-with-the-extra-prep-time-for-cam-newton

5. 3-4 Exposed? —> Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys Box Score (2008) - http://espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=281220006

Background (Carolina Panthers)

1. Cam Newton and the Carolina Panther Running Game - http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2016/1/27/10835990/cam-newton-panthers-running-game-jonathan-stewart-mike-tolbert

2. The Rise of Cam Newton - http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000627899/article/panthers-stomp-cardinals-advance-to-super-bowl-50

3. The Scout’s Key “Cam” Plays: 

a.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq7gVv7I4MA (Cam to Steve Smith - 54yd TD)

b.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYwolwUYyrY (Cam Interception - Kam Chancellor 90yd return)

EPISODE 23: This week, The Zeitgeist discusses Kanye vs. Wiz & Amber, the Iowa Caucuses, Facebook Emojis, Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson, and more. Enjoy!

THIS WEEK’S TOPICS

The Sizzle

Kanye vs. Wiz Khalifa (& Amber Rose) http://www.eonline.com/shows/e_news/news/735136/everything-you-need-to-know-about-kanye-west-s-feud-with-amber-rose-wiz-khalifa-watch

Politics

Iowa caucuses: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/01/29/iowa-caucuses-history-jimmy-carter-julian-zelizer/79426692/

Odd News

62-year-old Texas man receives life sentence for numerous drunk-driving arrests and convictions: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/01/23/texas-man-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-after-10th-drunk-driving-offense.html

Health & Science

Are smarter white people actually less racist? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/27/are-smarter-people-actually-less-racist/

Business

Facebook's "Like" button changes: http://qz.com/604684/the-real-reason-why-facebook-is-supplementing-the-like-button-with-emojis/

What We Don’t Care About

16-year-olds and voting: http://www.npr.org/2016/01/18/463489043/unlikely-advocates-push-to-give-16-year-olds-a-vote-and-a-voice

The Tomfool of the Week

Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson – Huh? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jospeh-fiennes-michael-jackson-controversy_us_56aa13f0e4b0d82286d4faf9 AND http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/28/joseph-fiennes-michael-jackson-race-problems-oscarssowhite

EPISODE 12: It's the new year, a great time to set your business plan in motion! At the end of 2015, we talked about the steps needed to break down an idea in order to start running a business. So, over the next few weeks, we’re going to continue to focus on each part of the business-creation process. In this episode, we discuss how you can find what's affordable, relevant, and tested to prioritize your business ideas. Enjoy!

What’s A.R.T.? It’s an acronym that the Mentor and the Visionary created to help you remember your business priorities:

A is for Affordable: Your idea should be something you can afford to give adequate time and resources to. In addition, the return on investment should be worth waiting for. If you need money now, go with a project that has a quick turnaround (e.g., baking cupcakes or washing cars). If you can afford to wait a little longer, go with a longterm project (e.g., a 12-city tour or that mobile app you've been thinking about creating). In other words, make sure that you can afford the investment.

R is for Relevant: Your idea needs to be relevant for you and for your target market. Since the return on your investment can take longer than expected, you must have enough passion to be able to develop your idea successfully for that market. 

T is for Tested: Your idea should be more than just something that only you need or want. Make sure that other people want to pay for the idea you’re developing.

Good luck creating your work of A.R.T., and enjoy your week!

EPISODE 25: Since the first Grand Slam tournament of the year is underway, the Scout and the GM decided to talk tennis. Here’s what their wide-ranging conversation about this year’s Australian Open covers:

(The Connoisseurs recorded this before Milos Raonic stunned Stan Wawrinka in the Round of 16. Boy, they didn't see that coming! But who did?)

–Men’s and women’s matchups in the Round of 16 and the Quarterfinals: (Women) http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/ws/index.html (Men) http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/ms/index.html

–Potential matchups to come

–The rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djokovic–Wawrinka_rivalry

–Djokovic vs. Roger Federer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djokovic–Federer_rivalry

–Djokovic’s place in history as compared to Federer and Rafael Nadal: http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/01/20/is-djokovic-beloved-like-federer-and-nadal/

–Nadal’s decline? http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/sports/tennis/rafael-nadal-australian-open-first-round-loss.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

–Big guys: John Isner, Milos Raonic, and Tomas Berdych: http://espn.go.com/tennis/french14/story/_/id/11015922/french-open-john-isner-slowed-tomas-berdych-paris

–Head games: Gael Monfils, Nick Kyrgios, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Bernard Tomic

–Djokovic’s dominance: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/serena-williams-had-a-remarkable-year-novak-djokovics-was-better/

–Serena Williams’ dominance: http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/14528575/tennis-new-realities-serena-williams

–Serena vs. Maria Sharapova: http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/24/tennis/australian-open-serena-sharapova-djokovic-federer/index.html

–Will this year be the year that Serena and/or Djokovic win the calendar-year Grand Slam? http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/14/tennis/australian-open-tennis-djokovic-serena-federer-nadal/index.html

EPISODE 22: This week, The Zeitgeist discusses #FlintWaterCrisis, Bernie Sanders, the RZA, Stacey Dash, and more. Enjoy!

THIS WEEK’S TOPICS

(Bonus topic: Since the East Coast is snowed in, the Moderator starts this episode with a history lesson on the origin of french toast. Hah!)

The Sizzle

For almost two years, the water supplied to residents of Flint, Michigan has contained alarming levels of lead. We discuss the origins of the contamination, the political response, and the long-lasting effects of lead poisoning: http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/11/health/toxic-tap-water-flint-michigan/

Politics

Bernie Sanders is calling for a political revolution. But does he want that revolt to address slavery reparations? (Uh oh!) Find out: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/bernie-sanders-reparations/424602/

Odd News

The RZA, the iconic producer-rapper-actor who came to prominence as one of the founding members of the “Wu-Tang Clan,” says that all lives matter (including animals) and that black youths should dress properly to not be threatening to the cops. Remember the days when people invited police officers into their homes for some milk and cookies? Huh? http://thegrio.com/2016/01/07/rza-all-lives-matter-black-men-properly-dressed/

Health & Science

Molly Galbraith, a strength coach, rebuts the body-shaming she experienced via a Facebook post. But is her experience relevant for women who aren’t personal trainers? Is her experience simply a result of being a part of the fitness industry? http://www.today.com/health/i-am-worthy-strength-coach-shuts-down-facebook-body-shamers-t67441

Business

Professional landlords are making lots of money via Airbnb. Is that OK? And what are the ramifications? http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-20/study-professional-landlords-generate-500-million-per-year-on-airbnb?cmpid=BBD012016_BIZ 

Also, don’t forget about this Airbnb horror story: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/your-money/airbnb-horror-story-points-to-need-for-precautions.html?action=click&contentCollection=Business%20Day&module=MostPopularFB&version=Full®ion=Marginalia&src=me&pgtype=article&_r=0

What We Don’t Care About

Anything that Stacey Dash has to say: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/01/21/what-stacey-dash-neglects-when-she-calls-for-ending-bet-and-black-history-month/ AND http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/stacey-dash-bet-comments-fox-friends-lies-article-1.2503973

The Tomfool of the Week

Some recent college gra

EPISODE 24: In this episode of Connoisseurs of Sport, the Scout and a new edition to the podcast, the Basketball GM, discuss the current state of the NBA via a comparison to what the league once was. Their conversation focuses on Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and much more. Enjoy!

EPISODE 21: This week, The Zeitgeist discusses #OscarsSoWhite, the State of the Union, Sean Penn & El Chapo, #WheresRey, and more. Enjoy!

EPISODE 23: Connoisseurs of Sport is back! In their first episode of the year, the GM and the Scout focus on an important group of NFL positions: defensive backs or the secondary. (In particular, they focus on cornerbacks.) Since the playoffs are underway, now's a good time to gain some insight into the different roles that these backs play, from Josh Norman to Deion Sanders, and how their responsibilities can differ based on a variety of factors. Remember, all backs are not created equal. Enjoy!

EPISODE 20: This week, in the first episode of the year, The Zeitgeist discusses “Where White People Meet,” Trump vs. Cruz, the new Federal Dietary Guidelines, Steve Harvey, that “armed group in Oregon,” and more. Enjoy!

EPISODE 22: When it comes to the NFL, the Scout and the GM love to talk about wide receivers. And, of all the standouts at that position from the 2014 Draft Class, Odell Beckham Jr. receives the most attention … for good reason. In this episode of Connoisseurs of Sport, the Scout and the GM discuss the budding greatness of Odell and highlight the other standout wide receivers from his draft class. Enjoy!