Episodes

  • Sideline Reporters: Kansas-Mizzou Firestorm & the Talk-About-It Question | Mac Engel

    Sideline Reporters: Kansas-Mizzou Firestorm & the Talk-About-It Question | Mac Engel
    Sep 20 2026
    Mac Engel breaks down the viral controversy over Kansas football's civil war-themed hype video ahead of its Missouri rivalry game, and the fallout after Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz called it out post-game. Then, Mac dives deep into the evolution of sideline reporting, from Ahmad Rashad and Lisa Guerrero to Erin Andrews and ESPN's Holly Rowe, exploring double standards, social media's changing role, and why most sideline questions are painfully predictable. Packed with sports media insider stories, including a wild Drew Bledsoe benching moment from Mac's own reporting days, this episode is a candid take on college football rivalries, TV production costs, and the real value of sideline reporters. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    38 mins
  • Is Journalism Dead? TCU, Pablo Torre & the NBA's Access Wars | Mac Engel

    Is Journalism Dead? TCU, Pablo Torre & the NBA's Access Wars | Mac Engel
    Sep 9 2026
    Does journalism still have a place in sports and entertainment media, or has it been replaced by access-driven content and paid influencers? Mac Engel breaks down the TCU football media ban, ESPN's shifting role in the NBA's Kawhi Leonard salary cap scandal involving Pablo Torre and the LA Clippers, and behind-the-scenes stories from interviews with Ryan Gosling, Kevin Hart, and Aaron Sorkin. A candid look at how power has shifted from newsrooms to teams, leagues, and brands, and why real journalism still matters even as entertainment programming and conflicts of interest dominate sports media today. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    39 mins
  • New Media, Old Beat: RJ Ochoa on Blogging, AI & the Cowboys Content Wars | Mac Engel

    New Media, Old Beat: RJ Ochoa on Blogging, AI & the Cowboys Content Wars | Mac Engel
    Aug 28 2026
    Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram dives into the rise of new media and what it really takes to build a career covering pro sports from outside the press box. He sits down with RJ Ochoa of Blogging the Boys, a remote Dallas Cowboys reporter who built a decade-long following without living in DFW, to talk journalism versus content creation, the AI threat to sports media, blogger stigma, and why humility and human connection still matter most in the influencer era. A candid, insightful conversation for anyone curious about the future of sports journalism, new media, and the Dallas Cowboys media landscape. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Tony Romo, My First Book & The Grateful Truth Behind His CBS Suspension | Engel Angle

    Tony Romo, My First Book & The Grateful Truth Behind His CBS Suspension | Engel Angle
    Aug 15 2026
    Mac Engel takes a deep, personal look at Tony Romo following his DUI arrest and CBS suspension, weighing whether the network should fire its top NFL analyst and exploring why broadcasters often burn out after leaving the game. Engel also shares behind-the-scenes stories from his 2007 biography on Romo, tracing the quarterback's improbable rise from undrafted walk-on to Dallas Cowboys star and media sensation. A candid mix of sports media analysis and personal reflection on fame, gratitude, and the pressures facing former NFL players turned broadcasters. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    42 mins
  • Marshall Newhouse on NFL Money, Loneliness & Life After Football | Marshall Newhouse | Engel Angle

    Marshall Newhouse on NFL Money, Loneliness & Life After Football | Marshall Newhouse | Engel Angle
    Aug 5 2026
    Mac talks to former long time NFL offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse, who played in the NFL from 2011 to 2020. He played for the Packers, Bengals, Giants, Raiders, Panthers, Patriots and Titans. He was a starter. He was a backup. He played in front of Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady.
    Marshall lived the realities of the NFL life, from the money, to the online attacks, insecurity, to its loneliness.

    Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram sits down with Marshall Newhouse, an NFL offensive lineman who defied the odds by playing eleven seasons after being a fifth-round draft pick in 2011. The two dig into the real truth about athlete finances, pushing back hard on the viral trend of retired players downplaying million-dollar contracts, while Newhouse opens up about the surprising loneliness of being a journeyman player bouncing between eight NFL teams. From blocking for Tom Brady under Bill Belichick to navigating social media criticism, CTE concerns, and the financial pitfalls that trap young athletes, this is a candid and compelling conversation about what pro football life is really like beyond the highlights. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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    53 mins
  • Mac Engel Goes to Sicily & The WNBA Needs to Get Out of Its Own Way | Engel Angle

    Mac Engel Goes to Sicily & The WNBA Needs to Get Out of Its Own Way | Engel Angle
    Jul 27 2026
    Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is back from a exhausting trip to Sicily, where he shares a surprising celebrity encounter, visits ancient Greek and Roman ruins that still influence modern stadium design, and gets inspired by the real-life filming locations from the latest Indiana Jones film. Then Mac shifts gears to tackle the WNBA at 30 years old, arguing that the league's biggest obstacle to mainstream success is not sexism or misogyny, but rather a media and leadership culture too distracted by off-court narratives to focus on a product that is genuinely better than it has ever been. From Caitlin Clark's treatment on the court to Commissioner Kathy Engelbert's media missteps, Mac makes the case that the WNBA needs to get out of its own way and let the game do the talking. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    29 mins
  • World Cup Joy, Ranch Dressing Fever & America Is NOT the Fattest Nation on Earth

    World Cup Joy, Ranch Dressing Fever & America Is NOT the Fattest Nation on Earth
    Jul 11 2026
    Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reflects on the joy and surprises of covering the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sharing why hosting in North America has exceeded every expectation. From Arlington's AT&T Stadium hosting more matches than Los Angeles, Miami, and New York to the hilarious reactions of international visitors discovering bottomless chips, free refill fountain drinks, and ranch dressing, this episode captures what makes American food culture uniquely fascinating to the world. Mac also digs into the real data on global obesity rankings, revealing that despite our supersized portions, the United States is not actually the fattest nation on earth. A fun, wide-ranging solo episode perfect for World Cup fans, sports media enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a good deep dive into American culture. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    19 mins
  • World Cup Confessions, Tartan Army Magic & NFL in London | Andy Kerr | Ep 237

    World Cup Confessions, Tartan Army Magic & NFL in London | Andy Kerr | Ep 237
    Jun 29 2026
    Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is fully converted — the 2026 FIFA World Cup has won him over, and he sits down with British sports broadcaster Andy Kerr to break down everything from England's tournament chances to the legendary Tartan Army taking over South Beach. The two dig into the expansion to 48 teams, the flaws in American youth soccer development, the lasting impact of Brexit, and whether the NFL could ever plant a franchise in London. If you love soccer, sports culture, or just want a great transatlantic conversation about the world's game coming to America, this episode delivers. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    51 mins