An ESPN Statistician Pulls Back the Curtain | Kirk McCarley
Release Date: 08/19/2025
He Built What Didn't Exist, Changing The Game for Thousands| Gregg Baumgarten
Sports Will Save Us All
In this episode of Sports Will Save Us All, host Sasha Graham talks with Gregg Baumgarten, a trailblazer in adaptive sports whose work has opened doors for athletes with physical disabilities across Arizona and the nation. Gregg began his journey in the 1980s as an Adaptive PE teacher, where he saw firsthand the lack of opportunities for his students to compete in sports. Refusing to accept that reality, he founded what would become Arizona Disabled Sports, co-founded the Desert Challenge Games, and played a key role in organizing the first National Power Soccer Tournament. Over his 34-year...
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An NBA Center’s Next Play | Michael Ruffin
Sports Will Save Us All
Former NBA center Michael Ruffin stops by the Sports Will Save Us All studio to chat with host Sasha Graham about the weird life of a pro athlete, and what happens after the buzzer sounds—navigating early retirement, finding new purpose, and staying mentally strong in the face of big transitions. They discuss the evolving nature of sports fandom and the importance of mental resilience in and out of sports. Ruffin shares insights from his journey as a player, parent, coach, and now as the basketball program director at Scottsdale's brand new basketball facility, , emphasizing the...
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Derby's Stone Cold Jane Austen Rolls In For a Chat | Devoney Looser
Sports Will Save Us All
This week on Sports Will Save Us All, host Sasha Graham dives into the wild, rebellious side of women’s sports—on and off the screen. Sparked by her love for the 2009 roller derby cult classic Whip It, Sasha explores what it truly means to find your identity through sport, especially as a woman navigating grit, growth, and expectations. Joining her in the studio is the remarkable Dr. Devoney Looser—Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University, Jane Austen expert, and yes... roller derby powerhouse known as Stone Cold Jane Austen. Together, they unpack the empowering...
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Cold Plunges, Aaron Rodgers, and The Other Sasha Graham | Sasha Graham
Sports Will Save Us All
In this solo episode of Sports Will Save Us All, host Sasha Graham takes a moment to reflect on a whirlwind summer and the ever-evolving journey of podcasting. From celebrating recognition by the Women Who Podcast Awards to sharing personal lessons on vulnerability and growth, Sasha opens up about what’s been happening behind the mic. She dives into surprising research about cold plunges (are they actually holding back your gains?), shares a story about a moment of pure "sporty joy," and yes—she even weighs in on the mystery surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ wife. With thoughtful insights,...
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An ESPN Statistician Pulls Back the Curtain | Kirk McCarley
Sports Will Save Us All
What do you get when you combine a lifelong love of sports, razor-sharp analytics, and a deep appreciation for human connection? This week’s guest, Kirk McCarley! With over 30 years at ESPN, Kirk has witnessed the evolution of sports statistics from raw data to real-time storytelling. In this energizing conversation, Kirk shares his journey from behind-the-scenes stat supplier to a key interpreter of the game, offering a fascinating look at how sports broadcasting has changed—and where it’s headed. From the impact of rule changes and the power of networking to balancing analytical rigor...
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Smashing Records | Jeff Seckendorf
Sports Will Save Us All
In 2023, elite cyclist Jeff Seckendorf came on the show to share his quest to break the national velodrome hour record in the 70-74 age group. His goal was set, his training dialed, his eye was on the prize. But as so often happens in sports, and in life, deep into training he came to a staggering realization that lead to a massive pivot that you have to hear to believe. If you’re interested in learning more about Jeff’s original goal, listen to his first visit to the show in an episode that was re-released on August 10, 2025. Jeff completed his ride in support of Parkinson’s Association...
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The Massive Quest to Break the Velodrome Hour Record | Jeff Seckendorf
Sports Will Save Us All
Today's episode originally dropped in December of 2023 and we are releasing it again now for a very exciting reason. When Jeff Seckendorf and Sasha orignally spoke, he was training for an attempt at breaking the national velodrome hour record in the 70-74 age group. At the time, Jeff promised to come back after his attempt to share how it went, and he did! We will release our follow-up episode with Jeff tomorrow, but wanted to give you the chance to revisit the original episode before Jeff's triumphant return to the show tomorrow. Enjoy! Jeff Seckendorf doesn’t seem to have met a lot...
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Training Champions, Building Pros | Clance Laylor
Sports Will Save Us All
In this week’s episode of Sports Will Save Us All, host Sasha Graham sits down with legendary strength coach Clance Laylor — the man behind elite athletes like hockey phenom P.K. Subban and national weightlifting champ Maya Laylor. But this isn’t just about PRs and podiums. It’s about resilience, routine, and raising the bar — in sport and in life. Coach Clance opens up about his journey from Olympic hopeful to world-class coach after a career-ending injury changed everything. He shares hard-earned wisdom from over 30 years in the trenches: why young athletes are falling behind in...
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A Journey of 7,000 Miles. 2012: A Bicycle Odyssey | Thomas Brown
Sports Will Save Us All
A decade after Thomas Brown, author of 2012: A Bicycle Odyssey, lost his older brother, Marc, to suicide, he set out on a 7,000-mile bicycle odyssey across the United States—a six-month journey of healing, reflection, and purpose. In this deeply personal episode, host Sasha Graham talks with Thomas about what drove him to take on such an ambitious quest, how the ride reshaped his understanding of grief, and how sports—especially endurance sports—can help us process trauma and connect more deeply with ourselves and others. Sports Fam, you can find 2012: A Bicycle Odyssey wherever you buy...
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Muscles, Myths & Milestones: Women Who Changed the Game | Haley Shapley
Sports Will Save Us All
In this episode of "Sports Will Save Us All," host Sasha Graham dives into the fascinating history of women's athleticism with guest Haley Shapley, author of "Strong Like Her." From the circus stars of the early 1900s to modern-day trailblazers, discover how women have defied societal norms and reshaped the world of sports. Explore the stories of athletes who have not only excelled in their fields but also advocated for women's rights and empowerment. Join us as we celebrate the strength, resilience, and evolution of women in sports. Sports Fam you can find Haley on Instagram @HaleyShapley and...
info_outlineWhat do you get when you combine a lifelong love of sports, razor-sharp analytics, and a deep appreciation for human connection? This week’s guest, Kirk McCarley! With over 30 years at ESPN, Kirk has witnessed the evolution of sports statistics from raw data to real-time storytelling. In this energizing conversation, Kirk shares his journey from behind-the-scenes stat supplier to a key interpreter of the game, offering a fascinating look at how sports broadcasting has changed—and where it’s headed.
From the impact of rule changes and the power of networking to balancing analytical rigor with emotional intelligence, Kirk dives deep into what it really takes to thrive in the high-stakes world of sports media. Plus, he drops some seriously wise (and wonderfully unexpected) advice on creativity, productivity, and the simple power of movement.
If you've ever wondered how numbers can bring sports to life, this episode is for you.
Sports Fam, you can find Kirk online at TheSeedSowerCoach.com and his book, "Thoughts for My Kids...and Other People's Kids” is available in ebook and paperback in all the typical places, including our own personal favorite, Bookshop.org
ABOUT
Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.
To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at [email protected]
Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall
Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com