Fly Penguins Fly Podcast

“Approved Vocabulary” 09/15/23

Today marked the start of Penguins Hockey in 2023. In Buffalo, the Penguins’ prospects took on those of the Boston Bruins, as part of the 2023 Prospects Challenge. Spoiler alert, Pittsburgh fell to Boston, 4 goals to 2.

Be soothed by Jeff’s dulcet tones in the intro and have your nerves soothed by ambient crowd noise - piped in live as the voiceover was being recorded - during the first INT at the LECOM Harborcenter.

Then, it’s a good snippet of conversation - recorded earlier this week - between Jeff and co-host Jordan DeFigio.

Finally, we set you down easy with a sign-off recorded back in the studio.

Why the detailed description of the episode? Not sure. Could be because our staff is dealing with anomalous mental and physical ailments, and it just feels like a nice thing do to, giving our listeners a heads up regarding the run of show.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod
Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

LETS GO PENS.

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

This episode includes portions of the following musical selections:

‘Hammers and Tape’ by Jeff Taylor - Special thanks to Chris Morrissey for letting me use his piano while he was across town.

Kid Kodi by Blue Dot Sessions

“DeFigio + Taylor: Penguins Folk” 09/05/23

Some of the Penguins were back on the ice in the Pittsburgh area today, holding unofficial practice. (Per Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now).

Fenway Sports Group has purchased the television network that allows us Penguins fans to watch our team in real time.

These items and more are discussed on today’s episode, plus Jeff opens up about some mental health struggles he’s been dealing with. When we tell you, “We’re here for you,” we friggin MEAN it, folks. Always feel free to drop a line in the DM’s if you’re struggling out there. More often than it’s peaches and cream, life is an obstacle course and tend we need …each other… to get through it. Sending love and strength to anyone who needs to hear it.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod
Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

LETS GO PENS.

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“G.O.A.T. League: 2023 Cranberry Cup Final” 09/01/23

Elite summer hockey in Pittsburgh has a name: “G.O.A.T. League.”

As of this season, the top G.O.A.T. team earns more than just bragging rights through the Winter. The Cranberry Cup is ‘a thing,’ now, and it belongs to today’s guest - and Team Red’s captain - Christian Humphreys. That isn’t the only team Christian plays for, though. During the regular season, Humphreys is a member of Team USA’s U18 roster.

In this episode, you’ll also hear from the head coach of the Penguins Elite U18 program, Dan Mayes. Joining us in that conversation was Jackson Morehouse, a current G.O.A.T. League player himself and a Middlebury College commit for the ’23-24 regular season.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod
Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

LETS GO PENS.

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

This episode includes portions of the following musical selections:

‘Hammers and Tape’ by Jeff Taylor - Special thanks to Chris Morrissey for letting me use his piano while he was across town.

Keeping Up by Blue Dot Sessions

In Passage by Blue Dot Sessions

Hardboil by Blue Dot Sessions

Kid Kodi by Blue Dot Sessions

“The Last Wife” 08/21/23

Ashley Taylor stops by the studio - it wasn’t a long commute for her - and goofiness ensues. Kyle Dubas is mentioned, Jason Zucker is still Mayor of Pittsburgh, and Cheburashka has some things to say.

And while you’re listening today, please: Subscribe to the podcast, leave us a glowing, 5-star review, and tell your friends all about Fly Penguins Fly. The more digi-love you give us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc, the more our audience will grow, etc. Thank you, thank you, thank you.                                                  

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

Sending love to our dear friends in SoCal and Mexico, where hurricane Hilary has caused some major flooding and irreparable damage on many levels.

LETS GO PENS.

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Time Is A Flat Circle” 08/15/23

Cigarettes. Beer. Nietzsche. Little to no cussing.

Hang out with us for 17+ minutes, you (possibly) won’t regret it. And heck, why not come down to the G.O.A.T. League Championship game, at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, PA this Wednesday evening and listen to Jeff and Jordan deliver Jeff’s duet arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner? 7:00pm puck drop, folks. Bonus: You’ll get to witness - in person - the inaugural awarding of …THE CRANBERRY CUP!

And while you’re listening today, please: Subscribe to the podcast, leave us a glowing, 5-star review, and tell your friends all about Fly Penguins Fly. The more digi-love you give us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc, the more our audience will grow, etc. Thank you, thank you, thank you.                                                  

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

We’re here for ya, folks. Thanks for being there for us!

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Rob Rossi Wants A Theme Song” 08/08/23

Happy (belated) Birthday, Sidney Crosby!!

It’s always a treat when Rob Rossi (The Athletic) drops by to talk Penguins Hockey with us. The ink on a monumental, three-team trade that brought Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh has yet to dry. Rob reflects on Monday’s (General Manager Kyle) Dubas press conference, held Monday afternoon at the Penguins’ practice facility in Cranberry, and the trio of Taylor, DeFigio, and Rossi wax philosophical on the future of PIT with EK65 in the mix… and Ruuta/Petry/Granlund/DeSmith… out of it.

The alleged spirit of a certain 1980’s wrestling legend may - or may not - have stopped by the show today, and we’re all about it.

And while you’re listening today, please: Subscribe to the podcast, leave us a glowing, 5-star review, and tell your friends all about Fly Penguins Fly. The more digi-love you give us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc, the more our audience will grow, etc. Thank you, thank you, thank you.              

Link to Jordan’s Mike Tomlin song, discussed on today’s episode:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8Lg2mV1/

‘Proof’ that Kris Kristofferson landed a “huey” in Johnny Cash’s back yard:

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/that-time-kris-kristofferson-stole-a-us-army-helicopter-and-landed-it-in-johnny-cashs-yard/                                      

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton // Rob Rossi @Real_RobRossi

We’re here for ya, folks. Thanks for being there for us.

LETS GO PENS!! 

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Menacing Whirlpool” 07/31/23

Pat yourself on the back, listener. You’ve hung in there with us, through the “Mug Of Summer” and into deepest, swirling saltwater depths of the NHL offseason. It’s all uphill from here, though, beginning with an exciting announcement we’ve got for you today (10:59).

We talk about comets (00:47), guitars (05:27), and a long-ago time when Jeff could slam dunk the hell out of a basketball (14:26).

And while you’re listening today, please: Subscribe to the podcast, leave us a glowing, 5-star review, and tell your friends all about Fly Penguins Fly. The more digi-love you give us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc, the more our audience will grow, etc. Thank you, thank you, thank you.                                                    

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

Deep breath. OK… Now, imagine riding on an ACTUAL comet.

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Mug Of Summer” 07/24/23

Welcome to the absolute MUG of Summer. We’re not really sure what that means, but whatever it is, if you’re withiin striking distance of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, you’re DEEP inside of it. We’re talking music, the newly spruced-up Penguins app, and surf documentaries today, because that’s what one does when trapped in…

THE MUG OF SUMMER.                                                    

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

They’ll find me if I wipe out trying to surf a monster wave off the southern coast of Australia ….. right?  ….. Hello? Anyone?

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Penguins PA Announcer Ryan Mill” 07/17/23

Ryan Mill’s career story is the stuff of dreams. A lifelong Penguins fan, Ryan was skating with some beer league pals when one of them offhandedly mentioned a job posting they’d seen. The rest is a very cool history, one that forever altered the sonic landscape of Pittsburgh hockey.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton // Ryan Mill: @ryanmill

What do Flyers fans scream to the Midnight Moon?

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Summer Digest: Signings, Trades, & Goodbyes” 07/11/23

First, huge congratulations to former guest on Fly Penguins Fly, Genviève Lacasse. She and her partner, Emerance Maschmeyer, both PWHPA goalies, were married just this past weekend. Congrats to them both, and best wishes.

Meanwhile in Pittsburgh… We’ve got signings, acquisitions, and farewells to catch up on.

Don’t know about you, listener, but in recent days and weeks there’ve been SO MANY depth players added to this Penguins roster, we can barely keep track. Therefore let this episode serve as a bit of a guide to all the new player arrival and the basics of their individual contracts.

Jordan couldn’t be present for this episode, so Jeff’s flying solo. Enjoy.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT //Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

Can’t wait for the season to start? Go lace ‘em up and skate hard. You’ll forget all about it.

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO