Episodes

  • 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
  • Eddie Lewis on USA Soccer's World Cup Legacy & What It Takes to Win in 2026 | Mac Engel

    Eddie Lewis on USA Soccer's World Cup Legacy & What It Takes to Win in 2026 | Mac Engel
    Jun 17 2026
    Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram sits down with former U.S. Men's National Team player Eddie Lewis to reflect on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is now officially underway in North America. Lewis, who was part of the legendary 2002 U.S. squad that last won a World Cup knockout match, shares his journey from teaching himself soccer skills with a tennis ball at UCLA to breaking barriers as an American playing professionally in England. The conversation covers the state of youth soccer development in America, the cultural explosion of the sport, and what a successful tournament run would look like for the U.S. men's team on home soil. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    27 mins
  • Father's Day & Ted Engel: The Toughest Man I've Ever Met | Engel Angle

    Father's Day & Ted Engel: The Toughest Man I've Ever Met | Engel Angle
    Jun 4 2026
    Join Fort Worth Star Telegram's Mac Engel on this deeply personal Father's Day tribute as he shares the remarkable story of his 93-year-old father, Ted Engel, a Depression-era kid from Staten Island who built an extraordinary life through sheer determination and sacrifice. Mac explores themes of generational toughness, family responsibility, and what it means to be part of America's greatest generation, revealing how his father's journey from a dysfunctional New York household to corporate success shaped his own perspective on work, sacrifice, and what truly matters in life. This heartfelt episode from the Engel Angle podcast offers both touching family stories and broader reflections on American values, fatherhood, and the sacrifices previous generations made for their children. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    36 mins
  • Meet Your Heroes: Stewart Copeland & the Art of Not Being Let Down | Engel Angle

    Meet Your Heroes: Stewart Copeland & the Art of Not Being Let Down | Engel Angle
    May 26 2026
    Join Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Mac Engel as he shares the highs and lows of meeting childhood heroes throughout his career, culminating in an unforgettable interview with Police drummer Stewart Copeland. From awkward encounters with baseball legends Eric Davis and Dick Vitale to heartwarming moments with Ernie Banks, Mac reveals the unvarnished truth about what it's really like when you finally meet the people you've idolized. Plus, hear exclusive clips from his recent conversation with Copeland about the Police reunion tour and why sometimes it's perfectly okay to be starstruck. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    36 mins
  • Top Gun Turns 40: Why Maverick's Celebration Scenes Are Total Bullshit | Mac Engel

    Top Gun Turns 40: Why Maverick's Celebration Scenes Are Total Bullshit | Mac Engel
    May 14 2026
    Mac has an evolved relationship with the popular Tom Cruise movie, Top Gun, which celebrates its 40th birthday this month.
    The film came out when Mac was an aspiring movie critic for his middle school newspaper in Indianapolis.
    As he grew older, and "Top Gun Maverick" was released, his views of the films changed. But a few things still gnaw at him.
    (Plus, this gives him the chance to tell you that he once flew with the Blue Angels).


    Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Mac Engel shares his hilariously specific problems with the Top Gun franchise as the original movie turns 40 years old. From his teenage review that trashed the 1986 classic to his current appreciation for both Top Gun and Maverick, Mac reveals the absurd details that really bother him about these beloved films. Drawing from his own experience flying with the Blue Angels, he tackles everything from oxygen mask usage to unrealistically long celebration scenes that no movie critic has ever complained about before. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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    26 mins
  • Stanley Cup Magic vs March Madness Upsets: Why NHL Playoffs Rule | Mac Engel | Engel Angle

    Stanley Cup Magic vs March Madness Upsets: Why NHL Playoffs Rule | Mac Engel | Engel Angle
    May 6 2026
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Mac Engel makes a bold case for why NHL Stanley Cup playoffs deliver the ultimate postseason experience, even though hockey ranks fourth among major American sports. Drawing from 25 years covering everything from Super Bowls to Final Fours, Engel breaks down what makes playoff hockey special - from passionate fans in jerseys to golden goal overtime drama and iconic trophy celebrations. He also warns that college basketball's March Madness upsets, once the only postseason experience better than Stanley Cup playoffs, are disappearing as the NCAA expands tournaments to appease power conferences and preserve their survival. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    32 mins
  • French Lick Origins: The Impossible Larry Bird Story | Keith O'Brien | Engel Angle

    French Lick Origins: The Impossible Larry Bird Story | Keith O'Brien | Engel Angle
    Apr 25 2026
    Bestselling author Keith O'Brien reveals the untold origin story of Larry Bird's rise from poverty in rural Indiana, including his traumatic departure from Indiana University and near-disappearance into blue-collar obscurity before Indiana State coach Bill Hodges literally drove the streets looking for him. Through interviews with Bird's childhood friends, teammates, and coaches, O'Brien uncovers the hidden details of how the "Hick from French Lick" almost never made it out of his small town, offering a completely different perspective on one of basketball's greatest legends. Discover the fascinating backstory behind Bird's legendary 1979 NCAA championship game against Magic Johnson and how a traumatized teenager shooting baskets alone at midnight became one of the NBA's most iconic players. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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    45 mins
  • SAT test trauma & one of the NBA's bigger issues | Engel Angle

    SAT test trauma & one of the NBA's bigger issues | Engel Angle
    Apr 14 2026

    Sports journalist Mac Engel shares two unforgettable stories in this episode of the Ingle Angle podcast: his catastrophic SAT experience as a 2.0 GPA high school student who overslept, forgot his ID, and scored an embarrassingly low 700, and his passionate defense of modern NBA basketball against constant criticism. Engel argues that today's NBA players are more skilled and athletic than ever, but explains why media coverage focuses on negativity over appreciation of the game's evolution. A hilarious and insightful look at academic disasters, sports commentary, and how nostalgia shapes our perspective on professional basketball.

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    32 mins