Just Wondering... with Norm Hitzges

Norm Hitzges is back, and he’s not sugarcoating a damn thing about the Dallas Cowboys’ upcoming season. In this episode of Just Wondering, Norm takes a long, hard look at the Micah Parsons-sized hole in the Cowboys’ defense and asks the question no one in Jerry World wants to hear: can Dak Prescott really carry this circus?

From a schedule that looks more like a punishment than a path to the playoffs, to an offensive line that inspires about as much confidence as a paper straw in a milkshake, Norm breaks it all down with his trademark wit and brutal honesty. He doesn’t stop at Dak either—Tyler Booker, Nate Thomas, Kenny Clark, and the special teams crew all get their moment under the microscope. And yes, even Jerry Jones gets a little free advice (spoiler: it’s about not treating the salary cap like Monopoly money).

It’s sharp, it’s funny, and it might sting a little if you’re a Cowboys optimist. But hey—this is Just Wondering, and Norm’s just saying what everyone else is too nervous to admit.

Chapters

00:00 – The Cowboys Without Micah

02:13 – Win Now or Go Home

04:29 – The O-Line and the “Pray to the Football Gods” Plan

09:30 – Dak, This Is On You

11:39 – Special Teams: The Lone Bright Spot

13:49 – Jerry’s Spin Zone

14:36 – Sponsors, Steaks, and Full Moons

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk

Norm Hitzges has seen some wild Cowboys moves in his day, but this one? Trading Micah Parsons right before the season like it’s a garage sale deal? That’s next-level Jerry Jones. In this Labor Day edition of Just Wondering, Norm rips the wrapping paper off the Parsons trade and takes you behind the curtain of the Cowboys’ money mess, questionable logic, and Jerry’s stubborn “I don’t talk to agents” routine. (Spoiler: he definitely should).

This isn’t just another breakdown of stats and contracts—it’s a snarky autopsy on how America’s Team went from “Super Bowl hopes” to “hope we stop the run.” Along the way, Norm points out how the Cowboys managed to both save money and light themselves on fire, why Parsons-to-Green Bay makes the Packers terrifying, and why Cowboys fans are once again stuck screaming at their TVs.

Oh, and in true Norm fashion, there’s steakhouse chatter, Alabama slander, and a little Arch Manning reality check. Buckle up, because this one swings harder than Jerry’s checkbook.

⏱️ Chapters

0:00 – Micah Parsons traded & retirement planning (Norm multitasks, as always)

2:05 – Salary cap gymnastics: how the Cowboys tripped over their own wallets

4:51 – Jerry Jones goes full “I don’t talk to agents” mode

12:42 – Life without Micah: welcome to defensive mediocrity

13:31 – Draft strategy or dartboard session? You decide

17:21 – Cowboys’ defense minus Parsons: now featuring fewer nightmares for QBs

20:46 – Reallocating money… but will it actually matter?

22:15 – Cowboys trade talk and steakhouse talk (equally juicy)

22:57 – Bama struggles & why Arch Manning’s Heisman hype just flatlined

24:41 – Wrapping it up: Dallas tradition, fan frustration, and the eternal Cowboy soap opera

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk

When you think of Ron Washington, you think of grit, leadership, and baseball wisdom that spans generations. But in this episode of Just Wondering, Norm Hitzges sits down with the Los Angeles Angels manager to uncover a story that goes far beyond the field.

Washington opens up about the three terrifying days he ignored warning signs—until he landed in the hospital for an emergency quadruple bypass surgery. With honesty and humor, he shares what it was like to come face-to-face with mortality, the lifestyle changes he’s making, and why he still feels “born to lead” in baseball.

Alongside Ron’s powerful story, Norm delivers his trademark mix of sports and heart: tackling the controversy over Tommy Fleetwood edging out Scotty Scheffler in golf’s latest championship, and spotlighting the McLean brothers’ awe-inspiring row across the Pacific Ocean—a journey for both world records and clean water charity.

This episode blends sports history, raw humanity, and the kind of conversation you don’t want to end.

Chapters

0:00 – Ron Washington’s Health Scare & Career Reflections
A 57-year career in baseball, interrupted by a fight for his life.

3:41 – Quadruple Bypass Surgery
Ron describes the scary reality of waiting too long to see a doctor.

7:03 – Breaking Habits, Building Health
How smoking, rehab, and recovery shaped his new daily battle.

9:20 – Baseball, Leadership, and Resilience
Why Washington still feels called to lead—even after his surgery.

10:26 – From Fried Food to Fresh Choices
The diet shifts that keep him on track.

11:58 – The Road Back to the Dugout
Ron shares his December recovery milestone and hopes to manage again.

17:14 – Life Beyond Baseball
Reflections on age, health, and a hopeful return to New Orleans.

19:00 – Golf Controversy: Scheffler vs. Fleetwood
Norm questions how a dominant season wasn’t rewarded properly.

22:16 – Rowing Across the Pacific
The McLean brothers chase records while raising funds for clean water.

👉 A story about baseball, resilience, and the unshakable will to keep going. Subscribe to Just Wondering and catch new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. 

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk

In this episode of Just Wondering, Norm dissects the Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster and isn’t shy about calling out the biggest surprises — including who stayed, who got cut, and why some decisions make little sense. From Joe Milton’s shaky preseason play to the looming need for backup quarterbacks, Norm lays out the challenges facing the Cowboys as the season opener approaches.

Shifting to baseball, Norm takes a hard look at the Texas Rangers’ season collapse. Despite having one of the best pitching staffs in franchise history, injuries to Nathan Uvalde and Jacob deGrom have gutted their postseason hopes. Norm explains why 2026, not 2024, may be the Rangers’ best chance to truly capitalize on their talent.

And because it wouldn’t be football season without picks, Norm reminds listeners about his legendary college and NFL predictions — a tradition he’s carried for over 45 years. He closes the show with an invite to the RoughRiders Stadium Fantasy Football Draft, promising fans a chance to talk sports, strategy, and everything in between.

Whether you’re a diehard Cowboys fan, a frustrated Rangers supporter, or just hungry for sharp sports analysis, this episode packs in everything you need to kick off the fall season.

Sign up for Norm's Picks of the Pole, here: https://payhip.com/PicksofthePolewithNormHitzges or email Norm for picks: norm13tenmail.com

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction & overview of today’s topics
1:45 – Cowboys 53-man roster breakdown and biggest surprises
6:08 – Rangers’ collapse: wasted pitching and slim playoff hopes
9:54 – College football and NFL picks — Norm’s track record
11:46 – Fantasy Football Draft Night at RoughRiders Stadium
12:53 – Sponsors: Fluent Financial & Bob’s Steak and Chop House
13:49 – Final thoughts and closing remarks

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk

In this fiery episode of Just Wondering, Norm Hitzges takes listeners deep inside the mind of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones — part fan, part fanatic, and all-in on chasing his elusive “own” Super Bowl. With over 35 years of watching Jones from both up close and afar, Norm unpacks the highs, lows, and downright head-scratching moves that have defined Jerry’s three decades of Cowboys control.

From overpaying players in contract negotiations to letting personal grudges dictate decisions, Norm calls out the disconnect between Jones’ desire to win and his ability to build a winning formula. Along the way, Norm explores the drama around Micah Parsons’ stalled deal, breaks down a rumored trade with Green Bay, and dissects the Cowboys’ exhibition game performances with his trademark wit and precision.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes Jerry tick—or why the Cowboys’ trophy case has been empty for 30 years—this episode delivers the candid truth.

Sign up for Norm's Picks of the Pole, here: https://payhip.com/PicksofthePolewithNormHitzges or email Norm for picks: norm13tenmail.com

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 – Setting the stage: Inside the mind of Jerry Jones & Fluent Financial sponsor message

2:14 – Jerry Jones: Fan vs. fanatic and the obsession with his Super Bowl

4:50 – Contract blunders: Parsons’ agent plays chess while Jerry plays checkers

7:32 – Rumored trade: Micah Parsons to Green Bay? Norm says “make the deal”

9:00 – Cowboys roster shakeups & exhibition game breakdown

12:42 – Sports betting picks & sponsorship shoutouts

🔑 Key Themes:

Jerry’s relentless pursuit of his legacy-defining Super Bowl.

Why wanting to win and knowing how to win are two very different things.

The Parsons contract saga and what it reveals about the Cowboys’ negotiation style.

Roster evaluations from preseason—including who might sneak onto the 53-man roster.

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk

In Part 2 of this extraordinary conversation, Just Wondering host Norm Hitzges continues his deep dive into the incredible life of explorer Karl Bushby — the man walking his way into history. For nearly three decades, Karl has trekked over 36,000 miles across the globe, chasing his dream to be the first person ever to walk all the way around the world.

In this episode, Karl opens up about the most dangerous chapters of his expedition: facing guerrillas in the Darien Gap, being detained in Russia after crossing the frozen Bering Strait, and the mental grind of keeping his journey alive through political obstacles and personal sacrifice. He also shares stories of unexpected kindness from strangers, evolving technology that reshaped his travels, and how strict rules of his mission — no skipping, no shortcuts — have kept him honest through every mile.

This is not just a travelogue. It’s a raw, adventurous story about human resilience, determination, and what happens when you simply refuse to quit.

Sign up for Norm's Picks of the Pole, here: https://payhip.com/PicksofthePolewithNormHitzges or email Norm for picks: norm13tenmail.com

Chapters:

0:01 – Karl Bushby’s epic journey nears its final stretch

2:23 – A 27-year walk: rules, purpose, and determination

8:00 – From $500 in Patagonia to worldwide support

12:34 – The strict “no skipping” rules that shaped the expedition

15:19 – Crossing the Bering Strait and detention in Russia

18:45 – Danger in the Darien Gap: guerrillas, gunpoint, and survival

20:57 – Norm wraps with sports picks, steakhouse talk, and sponsors

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk

What does it take to walk around the world — literally? In this remarkable episode of Just Wondering, Norm Hitzges sits down with explorer Karl Bushby, who has spent the last 27 years on a 36,000-mile mission to be the first person to circumnavigate the globe entirely on foot.

From surviving in Patagonia with little more than road scraps and berries, to crossing the icy, unforgiving Bering Strait, Karl’s journey has been defined by grit, danger, and an unshakable belief in the impossible. Along the way, he’s faced guerrillas in the Darien Gap, been detained by Russian authorities, and endured financial setbacks — yet through it all, he’s pushed forward, mile after mile.

Speaking from Istanbul as he nears the end of his epic journey, Karl shares his motivations, brushes with death, encounters with kindness, and the strict rules that have shaped his quest. This isn’t just a story about walking — it’s a testament to endurance, resilience, and the audacity of the human spirit.

If you’ve ever doubted what one person can achieve, Karl Bushby’s story will change your mind.

Sign up for Norm's Picks of the Pole, here: https://payhip.com/PicksofthePolewithNormHitzges or email Norm for picks: norm13tenmail.com

Chapters:

0:01 – Introducing Karl Bushby: A lifetime adventurer joins from Istanbul

2:23 – Why walk the world? How a young paratrooper’s idea became a mission

8:00 – Surviving Patagonia with $500 and the kindness of strangers

12:34 – The two rules that define Karl’s journey

15:19 – Crossing the Bering Strait and being detained in Russia

18:45 – Facing guerrillas in the Darien Gap and 18 days in Panamanian jails

20:57 – Norm shifts gears: football picks, sponsors, and what’s ahead

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk

In this episode of Just Wondering, legendary broadcaster Norm Hitzges doesn’t sugarcoat a thing as he dissects the Dallas Cowboys’ exhibition performance against the Baltimore Ravens. From Joe Milton’s painful stat line to a run game stuck in neutral, Norm lays out exactly why fans should be concerned heading into the regular season.

With Baltimore outgaining Dallas nearly 400 to 176 yards, Norm highlights the Cowboys’ offensive dysfunction, a defense that looks just “okay,” and a coaching staff with tough decisions ahead. He also widens the lens, touching on the Texas Rangers’ struggles, blown leads, and dwindling playoff hopes—before teasing some extraordinary adventures and upcoming football picks you won’t want to miss.

It’s vintage Norm: sharp, witty, brutally honest, and endlessly entertaining.

Sign up for Norm's Picks of the Pole, here: https://payhip.com/PicksofthePolewithNormHitzges or email Norm for picks: norm13tenmail.com

Chapters:

0:00 – Cowboys fans vent & retirement planning talk with Fluent Financial

2:11 – Joe Milton’s rough night: quarterback woes and offensive failures

6:05 – Outmatched: Cowboys struggle against Ravens’ second and third string

8:44 – Roster decisions, depth chart concerns, and preseason takeaways

10:33 – Texas Rangers meltdown: blown leads and fading playoff hopes

14:27 – The global trek of Carl Bushby and Norm’s football picks preview

15:52 – Sponsorships, future adventures, and wrapping up Just Wondering

Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfw

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk

Norm Hitzges sits down with longtime Cowboys radio voice (and former NFL quarterback) Babe Laufenberg to talk about where America’s Team really stands heading into the season—and yes, it’s a little more complicated than the hype would have you believe.

From the uphill climb in the NFC East to an offensive line that might just be the key to the whole season, Babe breaks it down with his trademark candor. The two dig into the Micah Parsons contract standoff (and even toy with the possibility of a trade), swap war stories about leadership, and rewind to Babe’s own days under center—complete with a Troy Aikman coin-flip “competition” for the starting job.

It’s football analysis served with sharp insight, a few laughs, and a leaf-blower anecdote you didn’t know you needed.

Brought to you by Fluent Financial — Retire earlier. Live better. — and Bob’s Steak & Chop House — A Dallas tradition for over 30 years.

Chapters:

0:00 – Babe Laufenberg joins from Oxnard (with bonus lawnmower soundtrack)

1:46 – The NFC East reality check: closing the gap on Philly & Washington

3:06 – Offensive line watch: Guyton, Thomas, Booker & the battle in the trenches

6:54 – The Micah Parsons contract standoff — could a trade actually happen?

10:55 – Leadership, spring workouts, and Sean Lee stories

12:36 – Leaf blowers, lunar landings, and press conference interruptions

13:06 – How long will Babe keep calling games? (“As long as they’ll have me”)

14:18 – The Troy Aikman coin-flip QB competition of 1989

15:44 – Norm’s sports picks & the gospel of Bob’s Steak & Chop House

Sign up for Norm's Picks of the Pole, here: https://payhip.com/PicksofthePolewithNormHitzges or email Norm for picks: norm13tenmail.com

Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfw

Instagram: sunsetloungedfw

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk

The scoreboard may say 31–21, but Norm Hitzges knows preseason football isn’t about the final score—it’s about what those plays, penalties, and coaching decisions reveal.

In this episode of Just Wondering, Norm takes you inside the Cowboys’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, breaking down everything from questionable play-calling to standout performances by under-the-radar players.

Why did the Cowboys settle for a chip-shot field goal instead of testing their young talent? How do controlled scrimmages factor into roster decisions with only three preseason games? And why does John Harbaugh treat August like the Super Bowl while Andy Reid treats it like practice?

It’s all here—plus Norm’s candid thoughts on depth chart battles, the hidden value of preseason mistakes, and a few eyebrow-raising observations about the Cowboys’ growing list of corporate partnerships.

Chapters

0:00 – Preseason Handicapping: Why It’s Tricky Business

2:08 – Cowboys vs. Rams: Coaching Choices & Missed Opportunities

7:54 – Standout Performers: Malik Davis, Elijah Clark, Zion Childress & More

10:54 – The Cowboys’ Commercial Kingdom – Who’s Sponsoring What

13:14 – Norm’s Affordable Picks for Football & March Madness

14:23 – Behind the Mic: Sponsorships & Production Notes

Sign up for Norm's Picks of the Pole, here: https://payhip.com/PicksofthePolewithNormHitzges or email Norm for picks: norm13tenmail.com

Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfw

Instagram: sunsetloungedfw

Tiktok: sunsetloungedfw

X: SunsetLoungeDFW

FB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

📍 Follow & Listen

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and review to help others find the show.

Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk