Keep the Flame Alive

This week we're looking at some of the other important people who make the Games happen for us fans. Where would we be without the pictures?

Multifaceted photographer and author Lou Jones talks with us about the wonders and difficulties of photographing the Games -- and shares his training regimen with us.

Lou has shot 13 Olympic Games. 13! You can check out his work at his website -- and definitely check out some of his Olympic work. He's also on Twitter and Insta @loujones2008.

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

We're back in PyeongChang (figuratively speaking) for a look at what's been going on with the Paralympic Games--and the hijinks of one of our favorite mascots, Bandabi.

If you're interested in learning more about guides for visually impaired sports, check out VisionAware.

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

The Paralympics are almost here! Today's guest is World Para Nordic Skiing Sport Technical Committee Chair Robert Walsh, who explains how Paralympic XC skiing and biathlon work. Plus, there's a potential Olympic Fever knitting project in the works, Paralympic trivia, and another sad mascot story.

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

PyeongChang's not over yet! It's time for our 2018 Paralympics preview episodes. Three-time medalist Taylor Lipsett joins the show to discuss the sport of sled hockey. Plus, the Russians are back in the IOC's good graces, and Tokyo 2020's given us a new set of mascots to love!

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

Jill and Alison discuss the most obscure of obscure sports with U.S. Nordic Combined Olympian Bryan Fletcher. Plus news on future Winter bids, an invite to our Fantasy Olympian league and an update on our broadcast schedule during PyeongChang 2018.

Now, you will notice that Jill makes a most excellent joke that our dear guest doesn't quite get. This commercial can't be that old, can it?

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

Just about one week left before the PyeongChang Games begin!! This week we're on the long track with speedskating sprinter Erin Jackson. Erin's a world champion inline skater who recently transitioned to the ice and surprised everyone--even herself--by snagging a spot on the team in the 500m.

Not surprising is that a last-minute trip from the US to South Korea's pretty expensive, so Erin's been doing some fundraising to get her father and two cousins to the Games. Check out her website and Facebook page for more info. She's also on Twitter and Instagram.

Then we head back outside to the snow to preview the cross-country skiing competition. Jason Albert, the host of the "Nordic Nation" podcast on FasterSkier.com, tells us more about the sport and what to look for out on the course.

All this, plus trivia--and what our podcasting schedule will be like during the Games!

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

Rockerskater.com's Jackie Wong was so great that we had to include his full interview here. He goes deep on figure skating--who to watch for, the scoring system, skating judges and the different disciplines....and he humors Jill while she waxes poetic about spirals.

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

It's the week Alison has been looking forward to: Figure Skating Week! We've got three great guests on today's show:

2014 Olympic pairs skater Nate Bartholomay. Look for him on Twitter and Instagram. If you missed his and Deanna Stellato's amazing short program from U.S. Nationals, here it is. They also attempted a throw quad salchow on their long program, which is insanely difficult to do. He and Deanna are currently competing in the Four Continents Championships - here's the results of the short program.

Next we have international Mind-Body Performance Coach Rebekah Dixon, who's working with Canadian pairs skater Meagan Duhamel on sharpening her mental game leading up to the Olympics. Check out Rebekah's website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook page for more information (check out the FB page--she's got some great videos).

Finally, we have the rock star of figure skating analysis, Jackie Wong. Jackie covers figure skating competitions on his website RockerSkating and Twitter feed faster and more astutely than anyone in the sport. He's also host of "Ice Talk," Ice Network's figure skating podcast.

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

We're talking Women's Olympic Ice Hockey this week! First up, Jill is beyond excited to talk with one of the "other Olympians." That's right, the Games wouldn't be possible without officials, and women's hockey linesman Jessica Leclerc has proven she has what it takes to be an Olympic official. We've got her story, plus Jill's conversation with U.S. Women's Ice Hockey forward Brianna Decker.

Then there's exciting news about North Korea and South Korea marching together, tough news for biathlete and Olympic great Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, and trivia!

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

It's snowboard week on Olympic Fever! Jill talks with Alex Diebold, Sochi 2014 bronze medallist in snowboardcross, and Alison chats with halfpipe medal hopeful Chloe Kim at Team USA Winterfest. It's also time to prepare for your Opening Ceremonies party--we talk with Team USA's #1 fan Sarah Patton for party planning advice.

You can follow Alex Diebold on Twitter and Instagram. Chloe Kim is also on Twitter and Insta. Sarah Patton is on Twitter, but you might want to follow her dog Theo on Insta too. That's him in this week's show pic!

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.