Tom Petty’s music isn’t just listened to; it’s lived. Seasoned musicians Ronnie Gregg and Jake Thistle join for a heartfelt exploration of the legendary artist's impact on their lives and careers. Discover how Petty’s unique storytelling, memorable melodies, and rock-and-roll spirit have reshaped the music landscape and inspired generations of artists.  

JAKE THISTLE

Website

Spotify

iTunes

Instagram

RONNIE GREGG

Southern Accents website

Ash Ron music YouTube

Ash Ron music Facebook

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FIFA referee Brooke Mayo shares her incredible journey from a young soccer player in Texas to officiating at the highest levels of international soccer, including the World Cup. Dive into her unique perspective on the sport that combines passion, discipline, and the unexpected challenges of being a female referee in a male-dominated field.  

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In a world where success in sports often seems contingent on talent and strategy, Coach Travis Hudson of the Western Kentucky University Lady Topper volleyball team offers a refreshing perspective. In three decades at the helm, Hudson has accumulated over 800 wins and led his team to numerous championships and NCAA tournament berths, but asserts that the team’s achievements on the court are a reflection of who they are off it. 

For Coach Hudson, coaching transcends the sport itself. He believes in using volleyball as a platform to help players navigate their personal journeys, cultivating an environment where players feel valued, respected, and empowered. This culture has contributed to the low transfer rate from the program, as athletes choose to remain part of the WKU family, even when facing challenges.

Hudson's journey into volleyball coaching is anything but conventional. Growing up in a small community in Edmondson County, Kentucky, he initially made his mark as a football and basketball player.  In college, he became intrigued with the sport of volleyball, not realizing he would soon become the youngest head coach in Division I volleyball at just 24 years old.  Despite having never played the sport, Hudson immersed himself in the world of volleyball, focusing on building relationships and understanding the dynamics of coaching rather than solely mastering the X's and O's.  The results speak for themselves.

Hudson’s journey offers invaluable insights into the role of culture, relationships, and personal development in coaching. His belief that success is rooted in who players are as individuals, rather than just their performance on the court, sets WKU volleyball apart. As he continues to lead his team, Hudson remains committed to nurturing a supportive environment, ensuring that every player feels valued and empowered to succeed, both in sports and in life.

WKU Volleyball

Travis Hudson Bio

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Kellyn Robinson shares her journey from soccer player to a key organizer of FIFA World Cup events. As she prepares for the upcoming semifinal match in Dallas, Robison reflects on the enormity of the FIFA World Cup operations. With eight games already hosted in Dallas, her passion for soccer and event management has united, allowing her to contribute to a global event she loves.

Get behind-the-scenes insights into the World Cup, and learn about the complexities of managing VIP experiences at one of the world's biggest sporting events.  Robison also shares her experiences in music and event management, providing valuable insights for aspiring professionals in these fields.  

Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a music lover, or someone interested in event management, Robison's story is a testament to following your passion and seizing opportunities.

Key Takeaways

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Over the course of a remarkable career spanning Rolling Stone, MTV, ABC, and ESPN, Chris Connelly has become one of the most respected voices in American journalism and pop culture storytelling. From profiling icons like Madonna, Tom Cruise, and U2 in the early days of Rolling Stone to becoming a familiar face during MTV’s golden era, his work has consistently blended insight, humanity, and cultural relevance.

At ESPN and ABC, Connelly has contributed to programs including Outside the Lines, E:60, Good Morning America, and 20/20, producing award-winning stories that go far beyond headlines and highlights.

We also discuss ESPN’s inspiring “My Wish” series, which Connelly has hosted since 2006 in partnership with Make-A-Wish America. The series has become one of the network’s most emotional and impactful features, granting sports-related wishes to children facing life-threatening illnesses.

In this conversation, we talk about:

A special conversation for a milestone 100th episode.

Make-A-Wish Foundation

ESPN - My Wish playlist

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The road to the College World Series begins this weekend with NCAA Regional action at sixteen sites across the country. Miami Hurricanes assistant coach Chris Dominguez helps preview his team and the Gainesville Regional. 

Dominguez was a standout collegiate player for the Louisville Cardinals before eventually reaching the major leagues, where he won a World Series title. The Coral Gables native is back home as part of the Hurricanes’ coaching staff, looking to help Miami build on last year’s Super Regional appearance and ultimately punch its ticket to Omaha. 

Key Topics

Resources

University of Miami Baseball 

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Melissa Brumm is here to preview Abbey Road on the River, affectionately referred to as "AROTR", the world's largest Beatles-inspired music festival.  This will be the 25th edition of the event held each year over Memorial Day weekend at Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville, IN.

Attendees will enjoy over 250 Beatles and 60’s themed concerts performed by 50 different bands from around the world. They can also enjoy a Beatles-merchandise marketplace, on-site food and beverages, retail and craft vendors, interactive art and activities for kids.

More than 20,000 music fans from across the world have been regularly attending Abbey Road on the River since 2002. They come with friends, with kids, with grandkids, or even alone. They come because it’s a place where everybody’s happy. A place where the fans mingle with the bands, and the bands become fans when they watch fellow bands perform. A place where every day is like a magical mystery tour down memory lane.

Abbey Road on the River (Website)

AROTR Ticket Link

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Michael Eaves is a six time Emmy award winning sports journalist.  He is most often seen anchoring nighttime editions of SportsCenter from the studio but has also anchored from the road at the Masters and other events. He also has reported from the Summer and Winter Olympics.

In addition to anchoring SportsCenter from the Masters and other golf events, Eaves in 2021 expanded his role to conducting post-round interviews with players during ESPN’s live coverage of the Masters. He also has been a host of MMA Live for ESPN and previously hosted NBA Countdown.

This marks Eaves’s second visit to show. Be sure to check below for a link to our first conversation, where we took a deeper dive into his broadcasting journey and career path. 

In this episode, we discuss Rory McIlroy’s recent Masters victory—and, like good Kentuckians approaching the first Saturday in May, we also spend time talking horse racing and the Kentucky Derby. 

Season 2 Episode with Michael Eaves

V Foundation: Cancer Foundation for Research

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Leading off this year’s Kentucky Derby lead-in lineup is Dan Metzger, President of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). TOBA plays a vital role in the thoroughbred industry through education, advocacy, and philanthropy. The organization welcomes newcomers to the sport, supports longtime participants, and has a meaningful voice in policy decisions—That includes a seat at the table for the International Grading & Race Planning Advisory Committee, which Metzger likens to the College Football Playoff committee—sorting through mountains of data to determine which races earn Graded Stakes status, and at what level. 

Metzger wasn’t born into horse racing. His career began with legendary broadcaster Cawood Ledford, the voice of the Kentucky Wildcats and an award-winning figure in racing media. From there, Metzger’s path took him to Breeders’ Cup Limited and eventually to TOBA, where he has served as president for more than 25 years. His perspective spans decades of growth and change across the sport. 

Our conversation covers current trends in the industry—the challenges of a declining foal crop, the economics driving racetrack closures, and the bright spots like younger fan engagement, event-driven experiences, and strong numbers at recent sales. We also dive into some top venues and favorite Derby memories. 

There’s plenty here for both the casual racing fan and the diehard. 

Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA)

Breeders Cup

Churchill Downs

Keeneland Racecourse

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Chrissi Poland is an acclaimed vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.  A true soul singer at heart, she is known for both silencing a room and bringing that room of listeners to their feet with her vocal ability and deep connection to the music she is delivering. 

Poland has shared a stage or studio with legends like ‘Soul Man’ Sam Moore, Mavis Staples, and Smokey Robinson; contemporary artists like Scissors Sister, Sheryl Crow, and Lady Gaga; and countless others. 

On her album FOREVER MUSCLE SHOALS, Poland shines a light on the music recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in the late 60’s/early 70’s including the songs of Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Bob Dylan, The Rollings Stones, Cher and more. We discuss that work as well as her original music which she takes great pride in. 

Our topics span from her adolescent days performing for anyone that would listen, to cutting her teeth in New York City, to the unique demands of balancing touring the world with motherhood. 

Chrissi Poland - Website

Chrissi Poland - YouTube

Chrissi Poland - Spotify

Chrissi Poland - Facebook

Chrissi Poland - Instagram

We appreciate you listening to the Tinman Podcast!  Be sure to follow us or subscribe wherever you find your favorite podcast.

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