You know that feeling when fall sports are wrapping up and winter sports are ramping up, and suddenly you're living at the office with nothing but energy drinks and broken dreams? Yeah, sports people call that Crossover Season. Some call it madness. Barca calls it hell. We call it content.

This week, we're joined by the legendary Eric "Stooche" Jones to swap war stories from the trenches of 14-hour workdays and office naps that didn't quite count as sleep. Sure, crossover season will test your sanity and obliterate your social life, but it also gives you the kind of stories you tell at reunions—the "remember when we literally didn't go home for three days" kind.

We're building our hypothetical Zombie Apocalypse survival bags (because if we had to do this all over again, we'd at least come prepared), comparing notes on what kept us functional during the calendar's most unforgiving stretch.

It's Thanksgiving week, which means it's time for gratitude, family, and... Barca's wildly controversial opinions about holiday food. We're running through what we're thankful for—some answers are snarky, some are surprisingly wholesome, and all are 100% honest.

But let's address the elephant (or turkey) in the room: Barca is categorically WRONG about Thanksgiving food. We said it. We'll defend this position. The rest of you can weigh in.

Happy Thanksgiving to our amazing listeners! May your turkey be moist, your in-laws be tolerable, and your crossover seasons be survivable.

Timestamps

6:13 - Crossover Season: The Zombie Apocalypse

12:40 - Sickness and Survival

14:31 - The Crossover Season Scheduling Nightmare

23:25 - The Gingerbread Man Incident

27:07 - Saturday Triple Header Aftermath

37:10 - The Power of Guest Services

40:06 - Zombie Apocalypse Survival Kit

47:07 - EJ’s Famous Christmas Cards

57:56 - The Great Thanksgiving Debate

1:01:14 - Victory Oatmeal Cream Pies and Camaraderie

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

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This week, we sit down with Joe Dubin, a Nashville native who spent over 20 years as one of Middle Tennessee's most beloved media figures. Known for his "Big Joe On The Go" series, Joe didn't just report stories—he celebrated people. But when the cameras stopped rolling and the identity he'd built came crashing down, Joe found himself in the darkest place imaginable, questioning whether life was worth living.

In this raw and powerful conversation, Joe opens up about losing everything, the "God moments" that pulled him back from the edge, and how he rebuilt his life with a completely different foundation. Today, Joe is thriving again—but this time, his identity isn't tied to the work. It's about the message: We are all worth it.

Timestamps

20:22 - Joe's 20+ year career in Nashville television and his "Big Joe On The Go" series

33:07 - The moment everything fell apart and he lost his sense of identity

34:09 - The "God moments" 

36:26 - Rebuilding from scratch and discovering a new purpose

44:19 - Why getting off the couch and trying is the key to experiencing monumental things

1:02:00 - Working in Sports

1:07:00 - Jimmy Buffett words of wisdom

1:13:20 - State of local media

About Joe Dubin

Current Work:

• Co-host of The Chase and Big Joe Show on 102.5 The Game in Nashville (with Chase McCabe)

• Anchor for Fox 17's high school football coverage

• Weekly columnist for Main Street Media (Middle Tennessee)

• Motivational speaker

Books:

Create The Chaos

Screaming At God

Lord, Please Don't Hit That Mailbox

We All Walk Together

Nashville—We Still Love You

Website:

BigJoeOnTheGo.com

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please know that help is available.

You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org.

If you're not in the United States, you can find international crisis resources at findahelpline.com.

We encourage listeners to prioritize their mental health and well-being. If this topic may be difficult for you, please consider whether this is the right time to listen, and know that you can return to this episode when you feel ready.

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

Find us on all of the socials at NLCPod.

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Look, we've covered a lot of big events. We've survived March Madness. We’ve spent 15 days in Omaha. But this week? A wrinkled tablecloth nearly ended us both. We're diving deep into the weird, obsessive world of press conference staging—the stuff nobody sees but everybody would notice if it went wrong. Trust us, there are stories here.

We’ll then move into the ESPN/YouTube TV debacle. ESPN personalities begging fans to pick sides in a corporate carriage dispute? It's giving "please clap" energy. We break down why this whole standoff is theater of the absurd, and why Pat McAfee—of all people—became the voice of reason by telling his colleagues to stay in their lane. When Pat's the grown-up in the room, you know things have gone sideways.

And finally, since 2014, university presidents and athletic directors have lit a billion dollars on fire just to fire coaches. A billion. So we're offering athletic departments some free consultancy: the green flags and red flags you should actually be looking for when hiring a head coach. Spoiler—it's not just who wins the press conference.

This episode is brought to you by Drape Daddies and The Stapler Meltdown. Barca heard these new sponsors pay premium rates for unhinged ad reads, so we're expecting fat checks. Let's see if they deliver.

Timestamps

03:18 — The table-skirt trigger

13:10 — Pat McAfee, the voice of reason? ESPN personalities and the SEC shilling for The Mouse

46:08 — How to avoid burning through a billion dollars in coaching buyouts - red and green flags for hiring your new coach

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

Find us on all of the socials at NLCPod.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NLCPod

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LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nlcpod

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This week on the podcast, we are thrilled to welcome longtime mentor, colleague and friend Eric Nichols to talk about the latest in digital marketing and technology in the sports universe.

Nichols is a longtime collegiate administrator who honed his craft at Vanderbilt and South Carolina before taking his talents to WMT Digital, a forward-thinking tech firm helping sports teams build personalized and immersive digital experiences. 

We’ll reminisce about his early days about his groundbreaking marketing efforts at Vanderbilt, how Sandstorm took Gamecock Nation by storm, and his thoughts on the latest in digital marketing, AI and where he thinks digital efforts are going in the future.

Buckle up for a masterclass in sports innovation, storytelling, and what happens when you dare to think differently.

Special thanks to our new sponsors, Golden Slides and Drawl Generator. Their financial contributions are greatly appreciated (when we receive them).

Timestamps

10:55 — The Grit Behind the Scenes: Early Mornings and Piss Bags

11:47 — Defying the Odds: Building Traditions at Vanderbilt 

12:27 — The Birth of Sandstorm: How a Song Became a Tradition 

24:05 — Digital Mindset: The Untapped Power of Athletic Websites

28:00 — Curating Content and Building Brand Personality

32:00 — The Power of Data: Knowing Your Fans 

36:00 — Personalization and the Future of Fan Engagement

52:00 — Dynamic Ticket Pricing: AI Finds the Perfect Price 

1:12:00 — Words of Wisdom: Writing, Selling, and Mastering AI 

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

Find us on all of the socials at NLCPod.

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This week on the show, we examine what it takes to be a good storyteller, and how these tried-and-true patterns, which have shaped all of humanity regardless of culture, can affect your career, your relationships with others and your own journey to fulfillment and happiness.

We’re very passionate about these things and think they can add a lot of richness to everything you encounter.

This episode is sponsored by The Ungratefully Dead As A Duck Collection and everyone’s favorite AI assistant, My Sports Pal. We’ll take IOU’s in these trying times.

Timestamps:

Rags to Riches— 8:44 

Man in a Hole: Resilience and Recovery — 32:36 

Authenticity in Storytelling: Sharing the Lows — 36:32 

The Icarus Arc: Flying Too Close to the Sun — 45:19 

Cinderella Story Arc: Rising Again — 53:38 

The Oedipus Arc: Fall, Rise, and Fall Again — 1:01:16 

Breaking Cycles: Lessons from the Oedipus Arc — 1:05:51 

The Simplicity of Storytelling — 1:10:07 

Story Arcs in Everyday Life and Work — 1:12:21 

The Story's Not Finished: Hope and Possibility — 1:15:10 

More on Story Arcs 

Kurt Vonnegut’s Shape of Stories (Video)

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

Find us on all of the socials at NLCPod.

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After planning for a peaceful 25th episode of No Longer Credentialed, we took a U-Turn when we heard the latest from John Calipari and his take on NIL from SEC Media Days. Does he really believe what he’s saying? We’ll take a look at the absurdity of his comments and discuss whether this new era of player empowerment is cracking some of the old kingmakers of college basketball.

We then head to Barca’s old stomping grounds, MLS, to look into its AI slop, which they at least labeled and told us about, and their lack of access for reporters, even when it’s been collectively bargained with the players. Is the lack of access hindering the growth and popularity of their product? Especially with their horrible television deal and no eyeballs on their sport?

This “Silver Jubilee” episode is brought to you by The 5 AM Breakdown and Golden Image. Maybe we’ll get a private jet ride out of these latest partnerships.

Timestamps:

6:46 — Deep Dive: Calipari’s NCAA Scandals

9:41 — Top Transactional Coaches in College Sports

16:03 — MLS & AI Recaps Slop

28:00 — MLS Media Access Debate

32:40 — The State of MLS: TV Deals, Marketing, and Growth

57:07 — Comparing MLS to Other Leagues

1:04:47 — Final Thoughts on Media Relations and League Transparency

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

Find us on all of the socials at NLCPod.

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In this week’s episode, we’ll dive back into the Bill Belichick saga at North Carolina and as we predicted in the early days of the podcast, it isn’t working well. We’ll then dig a few layers deeper and ask, “Who really runs the department?” and provide you with stories of the absolute power of a head coach in a high-major college athletic department and of the ridiculousness of some of their requests and the mental toll it can take on a staffer that’s just trying to do their job.

How did coaches gain so much power? Is there a way to curb it? How much does media coverage play into this dynamic? And what are some ways to change how coaches are perceived? 

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

Find us on all of the socials at NLCPod.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NLCPod

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LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nlcpod

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Timestamps:

UNC's Turbulent Belichick Era: We Told You So  — (03:36)

Do College Coaches Wield Too Much Power? —  (06:05)

The Cult of the College Coach —  (20:22)

Who Really Runs the Athletic Department? —  (26:01)

The Toll of Coach Ego and Burnout —  (31:03)

The Watergate Moment: Hot Mic Revelation —  (34:07)

Promoting The Coach And Forgetting The Players - (40:42)

Will the Power Structure Ever Change? —  (1:06:38)

In this episode, we explore the search for meaning in sports careers, inspired by Viktor Frankl’s philosophy and his book, A Man’s Search For Meaning. We reflect on our own journeys, questioning whether fulfillment comes from titles, pay, or the deeper connections forged through teamwork and adversity. We discuss the universal nature of suffering, the importance of gratitude, and the challenge of finding purpose after setbacks or career changes. Through candid stories—ranging from service trips abroad to the grind of long hours—we reveal that meaning is often found in relationships, community, and the willingness to be vulnerable. 

We’ll challenge you to reconsider what truly matters: Is it the accolades, or the impact you have on others? The episode closes with a reminder that the search for meaning is ongoing, and that embracing curiosity, kindness, and inspiration can transform even the most difficult experiences into something profound.

Key Moments and Timestamps

0:00 — Introduction: The hosts set the stage, inspired by Viktor Frankl’s search for meaning.

1:47 — Why meaning matters in sports and life; the pressure and purpose of coaching.

7:10 — Suffering & Setbacks: Losing a job, facing adversity, and realizing suffering is universal.

17:54 — The Power of Relationships: Meaning found in community, not just career achievements.

24:51 — Service Trip Story: Brandon’s transformative experience in Tanzania, finding purpose beyond work.

29:54 — Gratitude & Belonging: The importance of gratitude, diversity, and belonging in sports.

38:16 — Vulnerability & Boundaries: Honest talk about setting boundaries and the difficulty of leadership.

54:00 — Letting Go of Control: Wrestling with control, technology, and the ongoing search for meaning.

1:09:00 — Closing Reflections: Embracing curiosity, kindness, and the journey to find meaning.

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

Find us on all of the socials at NLCPod.

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In this episode of "No Longer Credentialed," we dive deep into the transformative power of AI in the sports industry. We’ll discuss how AI is reshaping workflows, content creation, and communication strategies for sports professionals. From practical tips on using ChatGPT for copywriting and PR to the importance of maintaining a human touch, the conversation is packed with real-world examples and candid stories from decades in the field. 

Barca is Up To His Ears with certain content traditions that are overdue for retirement. 

Whether you’re a comms pro, coach, or just curious about the future of work. We’ve got it all.

We’re also sponsored by, shoot we forgot because we generated it in AI. Either way, we hope that the check is in the mail.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction: Why AI matters in sports

1:17 – The real story behind sports comms careers

3:17 – Main segment: Practical AI tools for workflow and efficiency

5:41 – Copywriting, brand voice, and the role of AI

14:21 – PR, media relations, and AI’s impact

45:00 – Rethinking social media: this idea needs to head to retirement home

61:33 – Final thoughts and what’s next

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

Find us on all of the socials at NLCPod.

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LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nlcpod

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In this episode of 'No Longer Credentialed,' we interview Andy McNamara, a legendary collegiate athletics communicator who spent nearly 13 years at the University of Oregon (3:19). We cover Andy’s significant contributions, including spearheading two Heisman Trophy campaigns and leading the Ducks football communications effort in two national championship runs. The conversation also delves into Andy's transformative experience after leaving the sports industry in 2017, his perspective on the demise of the Pac-12, and the unusual but liberating transition to a different pace of life. Anecdotes feature special moments like traveling with Heisman finalists and behind-the-scenes experiences at high-profile events, including a memorable encounter with Bob Seger and Emma Stone at the Ed Sullivan Theater on The Late Show With David Letterman. We wrap up by discussing the impact of conference realignments on collegiate sports and the importance of maintaining a work-life balance in the sports industry. 

Are we really this stupid? Boggs is 'Up to His Ears' about the impracticalities and logistical challenges of the current college sports conference alignments, proposing a swap of three schools each between the Big 12 and the ACC for a more sensible setup (39:46). 

Sponsors for this week’s episode are The Third Lane Booster Club and Get Off Your Ass and Refill the Damn Printer Paper (36:16). Our Venmo is NLCPod. 

This episode was produced and written by Brandon Barca and Andy Boggs.

Find us on all of the socials at NLCPod.

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