The Winded Podcast | Sports Talk Interviews and Sports Media Stories

Cassidy Collins joins The Winded Podcast to talk about her path from Washington State cheerleader to weather forecaster, reporter, and on-air personality at KTAL News in Louisiana. In this episode, Cassidy shares how she got into broadcast journalism, why she unexpectedly fell in love with weather forecasting, and what it has been like moving from Washington to Louisiana to work in local TV news in a major severe weather state.

We also talk about the difference between a weather forecaster and a meteorologist, what it takes to cover severe weather, how social media is changing TV news, and why authenticity matters so much in local broadcasting. Cassidy also opens up about her time as a Washington State cheerleader, her confidence on camera, and the award-winning reporting that helped shape her career.

This episode is great for anyone interested in weather, meteorology, broadcast journalism, KTAL News, local TV news, news reporting, on-air hosting, college cheerleading, and women in media.

https://beacons.ai/windedpodcast

Guest links:
Instagram: @cassidycollins.tv

Evan Flanagan, better known as Flannygolfs, joins The Winded Podcast to talk about his journey from college baseball at URI to becoming a golf content creator in Massachusetts. In this episode, Evan shares how he got into golf after his baseball career ended, how he developed into a low-handicap player after starting golf at 23, and how social media helped him build a brand in the growing world of golf content, Instagram golf, and TikTok golf.

We also talk about golf improvement, short game practice, putting, golf tips, and why scoring in golf is often more about saving strokes than hitting perfect shots. Evan explains how his background as a pitcher helped his golf swing, how filming his rounds has helped him analyze his game, and why realistic golf content connects more than highlight-only content. This episode also covers golf influencers, YouTube golf, the Creator Classic / creator tour style golf space, and the rise of the online golf community.

This is a great episode for fans of golf, golf creators, golf social media, Boston golf, Massachusetts golf, public golf, short-form sports content, YouTube golf culture, and anyone trying to get better at golf while still having fun with the game.

The Winded Podcast Links

Evan Flanagan - @flannygolfs Links

Mark and Grace from The Brain Buzz Show join The Winded Podcast to talk about how they built one of the most fun and creative trivia-based shows on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Patreon. In this episode, they share how their friendship started, how Brain Buzz came together, and what it takes to keep creating short-form content that feels fresh, funny, and genuinely entertaining.

We also talk about the creative process behind the show, how they come up with ideas, what kinds of games and formats perform best, and the balance between making content for the audience versus making content that is just fun for them. Mark and Grace also open up about social media growth, viral videos, the challenges of filming man-on-the-street content, and why Brain Buzz has become such a positive corner of the internet.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in trivia, short-form content, TikTok creators, social media growth, creative partnerships, online entertainment, and building a show with personality and chemistry.

Brain Buzz Links

Bailey Martin returns to The Winded Podcast to talk about her new single “Mastermind,” her continued shift from country music into pop, and what this next chapter of her career looks like. In this episode, Bailey shares the inspiration behind “Mastermind,” how she approaches songwriting, and why this new sound feels more aligned with who she is as an artist.

We also talk about the writing process, working with producers and collaborators, balancing storytelling with emotion, and what fans can expect from her upcoming release “What I Needed.” Bailey opens up about finding her sound, how she thinks about pop versus country, and the excitement and pressure that comes with putting out new music. The conversation also touches on lupus awareness, healing, and the personal growth behind this new era.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in songwriting, pop music, country-to-pop artist transitions, independent artists, Nashville, music releases, lupus awareness, and behind-the-scenes artist conversations.

Guest links:
Instagram: @baileymichellemartin
TikTok: @baileymichellemartin
Spotify/Apple/Amazon: Bailey Martin

Nezzie Thomas joins The Winded Podcast to talk about fitness, personal training, balance, and building a healthier mindset around exercise and nutrition. In this episode, Nezzie shares her path from a college athlete dealing with injury and mental health struggles to becoming a certified personal trainer who helps people cut through fitness misinformation and create sustainable habits. She also opens up about how her approach to health changed over time and why true progress is about much more than aesthetics.

We also talk about gym culture, common misconceptions around nutrition and training, the importance of mobility, and why so many people get stuck chasing unrealistic body goals. Nezzie explains how she works with clients to build consistency, confidence, and independence while still enjoying life outside the gym. The conversation also touches on growing up as the daughter of former Bruins goalie Tim Thomas and how that shaped her relationship with sports and discipline.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in fitness, personal training, gym motivation, nutrition, strength training, mobility, mental health, and building a healthier long-term relationship with exercise.

Follow Nezzie

Sophia Richards joins The Winded Podcast to talk about growing up in a small town in North Dakota, becoming Miss North Dakota 2024, working as a lifestyle host and producer, and navigating a major career transition. In this episode, Sophia shares how she went from farm life to pageants to television, what she learned from competing on the Miss America stage, and how recent changes in her career have opened the door for new opportunities in social media, hosting, and content creation.

We also talk about the realities of pageant life, what people misunderstand about the work that goes into it, the pressure and reward of competing, and how Sophia has stayed connected to the pageant world as a mentor and director. The conversation also covers North Dakota roots, broadcast media, personal branding, social media growth, and why women do not have to fit into just one box.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in pageants, Miss North Dakota, Miss America, women in media, lifestyle hosting, social media, small-town stories, personal branding, and career reinvention.

https://www.instagram.com/thesophiarichards/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sorichhh

Sammy Smith joins The Winded Podcast to talk about coming home to Massachusetts and signing with the Boston Legacy, the city’s new NWSL expansion team. In this episode, Sammy shares her journey from Hanson, Massachusetts to Boston College, Texas A&M, and professional soccer in Iceland before landing back in Boston on a two-year deal. She opens up about what it means to represent her home region, build something from the ground up with an expansion club, and play in front of Boston fans at Gillette Stadium.

We also talk about her success in Iceland, the transition into the NWSL, the culture being built with the Boston Legacy, and why this is such an exciting moment for women’s sports in Boston. Sammy shares thoughts on growing up on the South Shore, the recruiting process, learning through challenges, and what it is like to play against some of the biggest names in women’s soccer.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in women’s soccer, the NWSL, Boston Legacy, women in sports, Boston sports, college soccer, professional soccer overseas, and the growth of women’s sports in New England.

Guest links:
https://www.instagram.com/sammysmlth/
https://www.instagram.com/bostonlegacyfc/

Bekah Shininger joins The Winded Podcast to talk about her life as a marathon runner, pacer, content creator, and Columbus Blue Jackets ice girl. In this episode, Bekah shares what it takes to pace a marathon, how she helps runners hit major goals, and why building community through running has become such a big part of her journey. She also opens up about balancing endurance sports, social media, and life in the sports world while staying authentic to herself.

We also talk about her recent experience pacing the Eugene Marathon, running with asthma, how she built a strong running community online, and what people misunderstand about being an ice girl. Bekah shares insight into marathon preparation, brand partnerships, social media growth, and the mental side of endurance sports. The conversation also covers women in sports, content creation, and the power of showing personality instead of just performance.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in marathon running, pacing, women in sports, social media, endurance training, fitness content, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and building a real community online.

Guest links:

https://www.instagram.com/bekinreallife/

https://www.tiktok.com/@bekah.marathonrunnergirl

Danny Ervin joins The Winded Podcast to break down the world of NIL, how it is changing college sports, and what athletes need to understand about branding, authenticity, and long-term opportunity. In this episode, Danny shares his experience as an NIL agent with Red Envelope Sports, clears up common misconceptions about the industry, and explains how athletes can create real value beyond just chasing the biggest dollar amount.

We also talk about the transfer portal, athlete branding, social media strategy, financial literacy, and what brands are actually looking for when they partner with college athletes. Danny gives insight into how NIL deals really work, why authenticity matters more than follower count in many cases, and how athletes can position themselves for lasting success both during and after college.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in NIL, college sports, athlete branding, the transfer portal, sports marketing, sports agencies, and the future of college athletics.

Guest links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyervin48/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dannyervin48

Scott Atwood joins The Winded Podcast to talk about his recent engagement, his path into marketing, and how he built a strong personal brand through golf content, networking, and authentic online storytelling. In this episode, Scott shares what he has learned from helping small businesses grow, why putting yourself out there matters, and how content can open doors when it is rooted in value and personality.

We also get into golf culture, public course reviews, the rise of relatable golf content, and why the weekend golfer is still underserved in the content world. Scott explains his approach to networking, personal branding, business growth, and building content without obsessing over the end goal. The conversation also covers dating, taking chances, New England golf, and the kind of authentic content people actually want to watch.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in golf content, marketing, small business growth, networking, personal branding, entrepreneurship, social media, and building an audience through authenticity.

Guest links:
Instagram: @scotttatwood
Twitter/X: @scotttatwood
TikTok: @scotttatwood
YouTube: @scotttatwood