Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews WWE "Friday Night SmackDown" host Corey Graves. Jessica and Corey discuss a wide range of topics including becoming the host of "Friday Night SmackDown," Michael Cole and Triple H getting him into WWE commentary, wife Carmella opening up about her miscarriage, working with Pat McAfee, Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-1:33: Welcome Corey Graves to Short and to the Point
-1:42: Becoming the voice of “SmackDown”
-3:04: Comparing preparation for an analyst to a host
-4:32: Managing the nerves
-6:11: Being yourself
-7:28: Being patient with yourself when learning commentary on the fly
-8:46: Developing a broadcasting style 
-10:25: Tapping into the passion
-11:21: Lessons from Michael Cole
-13:13: Injecting drama into broadcasts
-15:36: Praise from Michael Cole
-17:48: Characteristics Cole saw in Corey to get him to try commentary
-19:08: Educating and entertaining the audience as an analyst
-20:25: Working with Pat McAfee
-21:27: Relationship with Triple H
-22:56: How is Triple H on the headset?
-23:38: Changes in how the media covers pro wrestling
-26:13: Comparing today’s WWE to the Attitude Era
-28:26: Walking out as a wrestler compared to as a commentator
-30:39: Retiring from in-ring wrestling
-33:18: Being known more as a commentator than as wrestler
-35:00: Announcing retirement
-37:11: What would Corey want “broadcaster Corey” to tell “wrestler Corey?”
-38:08: Carmella’s support of Corey
-40:45: Being open with discussing relationship
-44:07: Carmella opening up about her miscarriage
-45:28: Embracing the fact that both people in a relationship aren’t perfect
-48:02: Tackling parenthood together with their WWE schedules
-50:05: Cody Rhodes
-54:22: Needing to fail in order to succeed

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews 15-time AMA motorcycle champion and NBC analyst for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series Ricky Carmichael. Jessica and Ricky discuss a wide range of topics including hating racing as a kid, his displeasure with the "GOAT" nickname, racing in NASCAR, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-2:51: Welcome Ricky Carmichael to Short and to the Point
-3:03: Transition from racer to commentator to host
-5:59: Starting out in broadcasting
-8:08: Evolution of social media during Ricky’s career
-10:41: What is Ricky not good at?
-13:56: Importance of having confidence, or lack thereof
-15:51: Respecting opponents/being hard on yourself
-16:49: Hating racing at the beginning
-20:14: Racing feeling like a job
-22:40: High school
-24:04: Giving advice
-27:31: Revisiting the GOAT farm
-31:39 Baseball
-36:19: Catering to younger crowd in motorsports
-37:56: Being called the “GOAT”
-41:27: Hall of Fame voting talk
-43:40: Retirement
-48:06: Comfortable with embracing retirement
-48:31: NASCAR racing
-49:49: Difficulty going from motorcycles to NASCAR
-51:48: Keeping racing mentality going from motorcycles to NASCAR
-53:11: Daytona race track design
-56:22: What goes into track design?
-57:37: James Stewart's growth as an analyst

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews ESPN NBA reporter/host Cassidy Hubbarth. Jessica and Cassidy discuss a wide range of topics including growing up in Chicago during the Bulls' dynasty, Filipino culture and the NBA, trying to keep family life private as a public figure, being a mom, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-2:15: Welcome Cassidy Hubbarth to Short and to the Point
-2:21: Growing up in Chicago during the Bulls’ dynasty
-4:29: Stopping yourself from saying “we”
-5:39: How has fandom changed now that Cassidy is in sports media?
-7:18: Finding the balance between being a reporter and being a fan
-9:26: Changes in digital media since Cassidy started
-13:32: People being anti-digital at first
-16:22: Filipino culture and basketball
-19:32: Working with Nikko Ramos
-21:41: Women in sports media/growing the sideline reporter position
-23:22: Learning not to compare yourself to others
-26:06: Adjusting work/life balance after becoming a mom
-28:46: Advice to someone in sports media who wants to be a mom
-31:45: Sneaker culture
-34:27: Compliments
-35:47: Balancing comfort and style
-39:48: Parenting advice Part 2
-45:34: Keeping family life private

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. Jessica and Vinnie discuss a wide range of topics including returning to the Royals, having high expectations for the Royals in 2024, hosting a podcast, being Zack Greinke's teammate, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-2:00: Welcome Vinnie Pasquantino to Short and to the Point
-2:31: Where does the IDGAF attitude come from?
-3:53: Players opening up more
-5:24: Spring training/rehabbing shoulder
-6:03: Mentality when dealing with an injury
-7:31: Royals being a playoff team in 2024
-9:33: Bobby Witt Jr.
-11:08: Salvador Pérez
-12:09: What makes for a good clubhouse?
-13:33: Added expectations and pressure for the 2024 Royals season
-14:02: Takeaways from 2023
-14:43: Maintaining motivation throughout a season
-16:54: Possibility of being traded during wedding
-18:03: Dealing with rumors
-18:40: Hosting a podcast
-21:13: Biggest surprise when hosting a podcast
-22:38: Profile picture
-26:13: Zack Greinke
-27:43: Getting older
-30:06: Being promoted to the Big Leagues
-32:24: Do players care about being on prospect lists?
-33:51: Being able to tell who can play before they do
-35:59: Emotions of being promoted
-38:19: Difficulties coming back from injury
-38:37: Being a “stud”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews NFL Network writer/standup comedian Adam Rank. Jessica and Adam discuss a wide range of topics including the Super Bowl, working at NFL Media, performing standup, Taylor Swift at NFL games, being an Angels fan in the post-Shohei Ohtani era, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-2:02: Welcome Adam Rank to Short and to the Point
-3:19: Changes within NFL media since Adam started
-5:49: Going from being a fan to working in the media
-8:24: Blogs
-12:27: Owning getting predictions wrong
-15:43: Joe Flacco
-18:00: Pressure on high-priced players
-21:36: Adam’s stand-up comedy
-26:05: Doing crowd work in stand-up
-27:42: Dealing with people not laughing at your jokes
-31:28: Remembering the jokes that don’t land
-37:02: 49ers-Chiefs Super Bowl
-38:20: Taylor Swift at NFL games
-40:59: Being an Angels fan post-Ohtani
-48:04: What should MLB media do that NFL media is already doing a good job covering the sport?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews NFL players Ryan Jensen and Garrett Gilkey. Ryan and Garrett discuss with Jessica a wide range of topics including athletes needing to open up more about mental health, their luxury home company GILK, playing with Tom Brady, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

If you are interested in checking out GILK, visit their website gilk.com and follow GILK on Instagram @wearegilk.

-2:16: Welcome Ryan and Garrett to Short and to the Point
-2:42: What are Ryan and Garrett up to?
-4:13: GILK’s mission
-5:43: Transitions in life
-7:37: Making the decision to retire as a pro athlete
-11:31: Attaching trauma to what a player is going through in retirement
-14:15: Using competitive nature an athlete has in GILK
-15:31: Processing injury and transitioning into a post-playing career
-17:37: Being teammates with Tom Brady
-18:27: Being a “protector” on and off the field
-19:51: Transparency being important in GILK
-25:21: What Ryan and Garrett experienced that told them they were being taken advantage of
-28:45: Vulnerability being a taboo topic for athletes
-31:26: The “dumb jock” stereotype
-35:05: Ryan not being an asshole
-39:04: What does the Buccaneers organization mean to Ryan and Garrett
-42:22: Athletes opening up about mental health
-45:18: Dave Canales

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews ESPN baseball analyst Eduardo Pérez. Jessica and Eduardo discuss a wide range of topics including Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs, Eduardo's thoughts on the media when he was a player compared to being a commentator, Shohei Ohtani's massive contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-2:26: Welcome Eduardo Pérez to Short and to the Point
-2:54: Adjusting to changes in the game as a player turned broadcaster
-6:52: Mentality of progressing through baseball
-8:48: Being an extension of the Latino community through broadcasting
-11:12: Interview style
-12:59: Dealing with media as a player compared to being in media
-15:33: Speed of reporting news over the years
-17:13: Cubs/Rangers on ESPN Opening Day
-19:45: Managers getting paid
-21:12: How can a manager be a difference maker?
-24:12: Observing to see if a manger is struggling to get control of clubhouse
-27:45: Shohei Ohtani
-29:51: Would Eduardo someday become a coach or manager?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews Yahoo Sports' and Fox Sports Radio host Jason Fitz. Jessica and Jason discuss a wide range of topics including Jim Harbaugh's future, Bill Belichick leaving the Patriots, playing fiddle for The Band Perry, being let go by ESPN, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-2:57: Welcome Jason Fitz to Short and to the Point
-3:00: Covering National Championship Game
-4:00: Stopping to smell the roses when working in sports
-5:38: Performing concerts in huge stadiums
-7:01: Is it easier to perform when having a routine every night?
-8:36: Creating memories through music and sports
-11:10: College football resurgence
-13:42: Jim Harbaugh staying at Michigan
-16:08: Houston Astros/Michigan Wolverines parallels
-19:54: “College football is dying” narrative
-22:59: Jim Harbaugh as a college head coach compared to as an NFL head coach
-25:55: Jim Harbaugh not a great fit for the Raiders
-29:09: Will a non-quarterback win NFL MVP this season?
-32:54: Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots’ structure
-35:36: Patriots’ roster
-36:36: Nick Saban era and evolving with the times
-39:55: Leaving ESPN
-43:55: Is “betting on yourself” teachable?
-46:51: Inserting music background into sports
-48:52: Concert someone needs to go see

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During his Tuesday weekly appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers insinuated that ABC late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel is on Jeffrey Epstein's list of associates and co-conspirators of a child sex-trafficking operation. Kimmel responded on X, denying any involvement or contact with Epstein and threatening legal action against Rodgers. Is this the straw that breaks the camel's back for Disney regarding Rodgers' McAfee appearances on ESPN? Host Jessica Kleinschmidt spoke with Awful Announcing writers Brendon Kleen and Sam Neumann on a live episode of Short and to the Point.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray. Jessica and Robert discuss a wide range of topics including Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto going to the LA Dodgers, the disappointment of the San Diego Padres, the pace of MLB free agency, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-2:12: Welcome Robert Murray to Short and to the Point
-2:31: Pace of MLB free agency this offseason
-5:34: Sleep schedule
-7:33: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
-9:38: San Francisco Giants missing out on top free agents
-12:02: Giants roster
-14:56: Arizona Diamondbacks building off of 2023
-17:55: Short pitchers
-20:07: Bullpen market
-23:20: Jesús Luzardo
-28:00: Trying to break some news
-30:59: Outlook for the 2024 season
-34:18: Playoff format
-36:11: San Diego Padres
-40:04: Spring Training signings
-41:13: Team that can surprise and make some big signings this offseason

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.