Keep the Flame Alive
Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You’ve found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz, for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes, coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don’t find anywhere else. Tune in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We’re your cure for your Olympics Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.
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Sydney 2000: Rowing and Olympic Closing Ceremonies
11/13/2025
Sydney 2000: Rowing and Olympic Closing Ceremonies
In our penultimate episode of our Sydney 2000 Games history series, Jill takes a look at the Olympic rowing competition, specifically the women's coxless pairs race, which featured Missy Schwen-Ryan and Karen Kraft from the USA racing for the gold that eluded them at Atlanta 1996, even though Schwen-Ryan was missing something. Watch that race here: Then Alison tries to decipher the fever dream that was the Olympics Closing Ceremony, which you can watch in its full glory here: ***Much like the American coxless pairs team, we're also bootstrapping our way to the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Help us get to Milano Cortina so that we can bring you 32 days of daily episodes that will tell you what it's really like at the Games. Tell us whether you're a Milano or a Cortina here: For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit: . For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Keep the Flame Alive-2025 trailer
11/11/2025
Keep the Flame Alive-2025 trailer
Introducing your favorite Olympic Aunties Jill Jaracz and Alison Brown! If you're obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics or just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work, you've found your people. Join us each week--and daily during the Games--for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes, coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. This is why you watch the Games!
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Olympic Luge with Ashley Farquharson, Chevonne Forgan and Sophia Kirkby
11/06/2025
Olympic Luge with Ashley Farquharson, Chevonne Forgan and Sophia Kirkby
We are sliding down the luge track in this episode, interviewing three women from Team USA's luge team, who are vying to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. First up, singles luger and 2022 Olympian Ashley Farquharson returns to the podcast to explain some of the technical details--and physics--of the sport. Then we talk with women's doubles lugers Sophia Kirkby and Chevonne Forgan. Women's doubles is a new Olympic event, so the pair discuss how this event works. They were also part of the athlete testing group for the new sliding track in Cortina, so they share some insight on how it rides and what we can look for when we watch it. Follow these athletes on social! On Insta, Ashley is , Chevonne is and Sophia is . Sophia is also on Tiktok: . We also have the latest news from Milano Cortina 2026, including a pause on ticket sales and Omega's hospitality house. and have unveiled their kit, and, in a first, Team USA's medical staff also has its own ! Also, if you're in the Salt Lake City area during the Games, the city is hosting a massive watch party. And the CBC has announced its for the Olympics. In LA 2028 news, the Ceremonies' creative team has been announced. What does this mean for the viewing experience? And Team Keep the Flame Alive has been busy! Hear what's new with: Our and fencers Speed skater Pole vaulter and Para sprinter - vote for them for USATF's Athlete of the Year! until November 10, 2025. Former hurdler ***KEEP OUR FLAME ALIVE:*** Support our fundraiser to bring you the most fun coverage of the Olympics and Paralympics from Milano Cortina 2026. Learn more and give here: For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Like this episode? Have thoughts on the show? Comment/write us a review, and you may be our review of the week! Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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100 Days until the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics
10/30/2025
100 Days until the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics
It's 100 days to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics! We have all the latest on these Games from the Team USA Media Summit in New York City (aka our test event) including podiums, more torchbearers, and a new Team USA plane. We also talked with Peacock reps to find out what the viewing experience will be like this time around--will the feed beef cease to exist in 2026? We want to know if you are a Milano or a Cortina! Let us know by helping us raise funds to cover the production costs of our Milano Cortina 2026 coverage, which includes at least 32 daily episodes (and probably 100+ escapades that only your favorite Olympic and Paralympic aunties can get into). We need your support to make this coverage happen. Please make a contribution here: For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Like this episode? Have thoughts on the show? Comment/write us a review, and you may be our review of the week! Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Olympian Dame Lisa Carrington on Kayaking and Kiwis
10/23/2025
Olympian Dame Lisa Carrington on Kayaking and Kiwis
Paddler Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, joins us to talk about kayaking and how the sport varies from solo races to doubles and fours. We also discuss her children's book "Lisa Carrington Chases a Champion" and her new partnership with Zespri kiwifruit. What's Dame Carrington's favorite kiwi? Kiwi vs. feijoa? Where are her silver ferns? We've got answers! Follow Dame Carrrington on and : @liscarrington and check out her ! Milano Cortina 2026 has announced its Olympic Opening Cermony theme and details around the event, which might be more complicated than Paris 2024's spectacle along the Seine. With four locations, a lot could happen, but it means more athletes will be able to take part in the Parade of Nations. Also, NBC adds to its primetime commentator lineup, Ester Ledecka makes a decision, and the International Ski & Snowboard federation makes a decision about whether Russian and Belarussian skiers can compete as neutrals. Plus, we thought that all of the construction for Milano Cortina 2026 was under control, but there's one project that is way behind schedule. We have a new novela--and the dramatic details! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Author Doug Levy on Unknown Olympic Heroes
10/16/2025
Author Doug Levy on Unknown Olympic Heroes
We are excited to talk with Doug Levy, author of the book . The book contains amazing stories you may not have known – or athletes who for some reason or another, made our collective conscious for a Games and then fell off the radar. We talk with Doug about some of those stories. Learn more about Doug and the book at his and follow him on: Insta: Facebook: LinkedIn: D Plus, news from Milano Cortina 2026, LA 2028, the International Olympic Committee and Team Keep the Flame Alive. Also, Super Fan Sarah joins us to review the new exhibit at the George W. Bush Presidential Library. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Note: Links to products may be affiliate links. We earn commissions through purchases made through them, which helps to fund the show. *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: Paralympic Football 7-a-Side and Olympic Television Advertising
10/09/2025
Sydney 2000: Paralympic Football 7-a-Side and Olympic Television Advertising
It's the latest installment of our retrospective on the 25th anniversary of the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics! Jill looks at the Paralympic Football 7-a-Side competition, while Alison explores the Olympic television advertising campaigns in the U.S. Playlist of ads referenced in this episode: Nike slasher ad McDonald’s ad Coke ad Adidas Buick Visa Also, we announce which Games you, the listeners, have selected for us to cover in 2026! For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit: . For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Olympic Figure Skater Nicole Bobek's Wild Life
10/02/2025
Olympic Figure Skater Nicole Bobek's Wild Life
Olympic figure skater Nicole Bobek has long been on our list of athletes to interview, and we're thrilled she's able to come on the show! In 1995, Nicole dazzled at the US Championships, winning gold and then taking bronze at the Figure Skating World Championships later that year. Her career on and off the ice has had a lot of highs and lows, from her beautiful performances to dealing with injuries and the sudden death of her coach Carlo Fassi at the 1997 World Championships where she was still competing. Nicole also represented the US at the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics. Nicole has a new memoir out called The Wild One, in which she talks candidly about her skating career and her life afterward, which involved an arrest for being part of an alleged drug ring, for which she served five years of probation. Since then, Nicole has found her way back, and she embraces her role as a mother....and you can still find her free skating! Find out more about Nicole and her book The Wild One at her website: Follow Nicole on ! @nicolebobek77 In news from Milano Cortina 2026, we now know who will be the first torchbearers for the torch relay. One is a very inspired choice! Also, construction on the Milano Athletes Village has been completed, and Snoop Dogg is back. In news from LA 2028, organizers plan to use electric school buses for some shuttles, and the LA Convention Center is embarking on a massive renovation plan--will it be done in time for the Games? Also, Team New Zealand's planning an epic New Zealand House in Culver City. The International Paralympic Committee had its General Assembly, and we've got the results of some key votes (that not everyone is happy about). Plus, Team Keep the Flame Alive is busy representing TKFLASTAN at multiple competitions. And Listener Erica shared about what author David Davis' book inspired. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Like this episode? Have thoughts on the show? Comment/write us a review, and you may be our review of the week! Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Photos courtesy of Nicole Bobek. *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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The Science Behind Classification in Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby
09/26/2025
The Science Behind Classification in Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby
Wheelchair rugby is a mixed-gender sport, but not many females play. One way to increase their numbers and playing time is to see if they're classified fairly. We talk to Dr. Thomas Rietveld, research associate in wheeled sports and technology at the , who worked with on a project for World Wheelchair Rugby to reassess the classification system for female players. We also talked to Dr. Rietveld about his research on wheelchair tennis, which was part of our episode featuring . Learn more about the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Also on this episode, Milan-Cortina 2026 stores have opened (but not the mega store), NBC announced its Opening Ceremonies team, and the neutral athlete program will be back in place. Team Keep the Flame Alive has had another busy week, so we take a trip to TKFLASTAN to see what's going on (and in Alison's case, have fun with pronunciation). For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Like this episode? Have thoughts on the show? Comment/write us a review, and you may be our review of the week! Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Photo courtesy of Dr. Thomas Rietveld. *** *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Athletes for Hope with Jason Belinkie and Jenny Sichel
09/18/2025
Athletes for Hope with Jason Belinkie and Jenny Sichel
You know how Olympic and Paralympic athletes go around and speak at schools and do other types of education-related events? How do they get those gigs? Well, there are organizations who help with that. is one of those connecting organizations who work with athletes on causes that are near and dear to them and connect them to schools and non-profits so they can do speaking and other types of advocacy work. Today we’re talking with Jason Belinkie, chief executive officer of Athletes for Hope and Jenny Sichel, a Rio 2016 silver medalist in para mixed fours rowing to learn how Athletes for Hope came about, how athletes participate, and the positive impacts they can have on youth. Athletes for Hope is having its annual Play for Good Gala on Saturday, December 6, 2025 in Washington D.C. Find out more . Follow Ahtletes for Hope on , , and In other Olympics and Paralympics news: Milano-Cortina 2026 has released more tickets for the Opening Ceremonies, and the Ice House is coming! LA 2028 announced ticket sales information and some new sponsors. Salt Lake City 2034 announced an innovative Games funding drive. New International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry announced some interesting working groups that could bring some changes to the IOC and the Olympics themselves. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Like this episode? Have thoughts on the show? Comment/write us a review, and you may be our review of the week! Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Photos courtesy of Athletes for Hope. *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You’ve found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz, for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes, coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don’t find anywhere else. Tune in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We’re your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: Better Than New: Triathlon, Women's Pole Vault and Modern Pentathlon
09/11/2025
Sydney 2000: Better Than New: Triathlon, Women's Pole Vault and Modern Pentathlon
All year long we're celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Sydney 2000 Games, and this month is the actual month of the Games' anniversary! The Sydney 2000 Olympics opened on September 15, 2000, and over the next 17 days, won over the world with its competitions and amazing hospitality. On this episode, we look at new sports and events on the Olympic program: Triathlon (new sport), women's pole vault (new event) and women's modern pentathlon (new event). All three had amazing debuts--what made them worth adding to the program? And did anyone's uterus fall out? For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit: . For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Like this episode? Have thoughts on the show? , and you may be our review of the week! Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Back to School with Olympic Luger Ashley Farquharson
09/04/2025
Back to School with Olympic Luger Ashley Farquharson
It's back-to-school time, so we wanted to hear what it's like for an elite athlete to go back to college. Olympic luger Ashley Farquharson explains how she's taking advantage of the Guild/Team USA partnership and getting her bachelor's degree at Purdue Global. Follow Ashley on and . She's @far.quhar.son. On go to: facebook.com/farquadstarsquad. Plus, Will Whiston, EVP at On Location, talks about the company's hospitality packages for Milano-Cortina 2026. Learn about all the offerings and book your experiences at: In other news, LA 2028 has some venue updates, Team Keep the Flame Alive is everywhere, we have an eyewitness report on that Paris 2024 France v. Argentina football match that ended in a fight, and we speculate about luge hooligans. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Like this episode? Have thoughts on the show? Comment/write us a review, and you may be our review of the week! Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! (Photo courtesy of Team USA) *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Brooke Nunemaker and Brad Roethlisberger on Officiating Women’s Para Ice Hockey
08/28/2025
Brooke Nunemaker and Brad Roethlisberger on Officiating Women’s Para Ice Hockey
History is in the making this week with the first-ever women’s para ice hockey world championships. This is a big step forward toward inclusion in the Paralympics. To talk about the women’s game, we are talking with para ice hockey officials Brooke Nunemaker and Brad Roethlisberger, who have some great insight on the game. (c) 2025 Kiss & Cry Productions LLC
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World Games: Chengdu 2025 - Week 2
08/21/2025
World Games: Chengdu 2025 - Week 2
It's the final week of the World Games - Chengdu 2025! We're joined by John Moorhead, 2017 World Games athlete and current USA Fistball secretary, to get some insight as to how the athletes in Chengdu have enjoyed their time at the World Games. Jill and Alison also recap their week 2 watching, with thoughts on: Boules Breakdancing Cheerleading Gymnastics Drone Racing Flag Football Inline Skating Motosurf Billiards Racquetball Plus, we recap an amazingly short Closing Ceremony. It's been fun, Chengdu! We'll see the World Games again in 2029 in Karlsruhe, Germany! In other news, LA 2028 will offer naming rights to its venues. This is a huge shift in visible sponsorship at the Olympics. Is it the right move? The International Paralympic Committee recognized two new sports and will be holding board elections again in September. Also, Salt Lake City 2034 offered insights on ticket prices. If you're interested in volunteering for the Games, organizers offer some advice. We have a ton of news from TKFLASTAN, including Listener Tommy Phillips new book on Moscow 1980. You can (affiliate link) (). If you haven't seen Noah Lyles get into it with TKFLASTANI Kenny Bednarek, . ( For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Leave us a review, and we might read it on the show! Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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World Games: Chengdu 2025 - Week 1
08/14/2025
World Games: Chengdu 2025 - Week 1
The 12th edition of the World Games, Chengdu 2025 is underway! We discuss what sports and events we and other listeners have been bingeing on our feeds. We start with the excellent Opening Ceremonies, which took a cue from Paris 2024. Sports we discuss include: Canoe Polo DanceSport Dragon Boat racing Finswimming (we have a lot of thoughts about freediving) Floorball Gymnastics (including thoughts on the new format) Orienteering Parkour Squash Tug of War Wakeboard Plus, our traditional Games question: What volunteer or officiating job would we want to do? And (surprise), we've got some beefs. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Photo: Chengdu 2025 *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: Eventing, Para Sailing, and Wheelchair Rugby - Oh, My!
08/07/2025
Sydney 2000: Eventing, Para Sailing, and Wheelchair Rugby - Oh, My!
It's our monthly look back at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics! This time, Jill looks at the Olympic equestrian eventing competition, including venue construction, difficult quarantine processes, and a vastly different competition format than you see in today's Olympic eventing. Check out the cross-country course and its amazing fences: Then Alison takes to the harbor to discuss the first appearance of para sailing in the Paralympics, with Australian legend Noel Robins. Plus, one other very important sport had its debut at Sydney 2000: Wheelchair rugby. Alison looks back on that first Paralympic tournament, which involved a lot of crashes and some unfortunate hair dyeing. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit: . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Book Club Claire on "Above & Beyond: Tim Mack, the Pole Vault and the Quest for Olympic Gold"
07/31/2025
Book Club Claire on "Above & Beyond: Tim Mack, the Pole Vault and the Quest for Olympic Gold"
is back for our summer reading selection: by Bill Livingston. Tim Mack won the gold medal at the Athens 2004 Olympics (perhaps a surprise winner), and this book details his very long journey to the top of the podium and the unique training methods he developed that helped him achieve his goal. What did we think of the book? Listen to the show to find out! Our next selection is by Seth Berkman. This tells the story of the combined Korean women's hockey team that competed at PyeongChang 2018. We're looking forward to reading a story that took place during the life of this podcast! Get your copy now, and look for this episode to drop in November. Also on today's episode, we have news on the one-year anniversary of the Games. Ice hockey will have blended officiating teams at LA plans to become more accessible. The World Games had its . Reminder: you can watch World Games 2025 online at the . ( The World Games start on August 7, 2025. In news from , we hear from: Fencers Racewalker Wheelchair tennis player r Goalball player Shooter For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Note: Where possible, we use affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn a commission. *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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2x Paralympian Noelle Lambert Talks Running Blades, Paralympics
07/24/2025
2x Paralympian Noelle Lambert Talks Running Blades, Paralympics
Today we are talking with 2x Paralympian Noelle Lambert who competes in the 100m and long jump. We get into the details of running blades (and how much they cost), how she improved her 100m between the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics, and how she's training for LA 2028. Noelle is also the founder of the Born to Run Foundation, which raises money to provide sports prosthetic legs for amputees. Born to Run is having its next bi-annual golf fundraiser on September 22. Go to or its to learn more. Follow Noelle on TikTok and Instagram: @noellelambert Also on this episode: London 2012 and Paris 2024 doping news Milano-Cortina 2026 releases its medals Drama for French Alps 2030 Olympic and Paralympic venues News from Team Keep the Flame Alive (TKFLASTAN) For a transcript of this episode, visit Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Keep the Flame Alive Celebrates the Big 400!
07/17/2025
Keep the Flame Alive Celebrates the Big 400!
This week, Keep the Flame Alive is celebrating a big milestone: Our 400th regular episode! This episode is an online party with many citizens of (Team Keep the Flame Alive, which are our guests and listeners of the show), and we're thrilled to be joined by: Past guests Sean Colahan, Harry Blutstein, Rich Perelman, Roy Tomizawa and Listeners Ean, David, Mark, Patrick from Chicagoland, Meredith, Sarah and Tommy Producer Ben and Book Club Claire Like all great party conversation, it runs the gamut and includes Milan-Cortina's ever-expanding budget, potential politics at LA 2028, the IOC reexamining the host city bidding process, and some great ideas for where the Winter and Summer Olympics should be. Grab a snack, a fun drink, and your best party hat and join in the fun! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: The Cover-Up and the Comebacks
07/10/2025
Sydney 2000: The Cover-Up and the Comebacks
We travel back to 2000 for another look back at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics. This month Alison explores what's considered to be the biggest Paralympic scandal of all time, Spain's cheating in the Basketball ID tournament. Then Jill looks at the Olympic Road Cycling events, which feature inspirational legends, amazing comebacks, and Lance Armstrong. If you want a thoroughly depressing look at doping in cycling during this era, here's a handy infographic: For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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The Surprising Early Legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics
07/03/2025
The Surprising Early Legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics
It's been nearly a year since we said, "Bonjour!" to the , so what's been happening in Paris since the cauldron went out? Let's take a look at the initial legacy of these Games! We look at the money, initial economic impact, audience figures, building legacies, and elements of the Games that are still impacting Paris. If you're interested in training in the sport climbing warm-up gym, check out .. If you want to swim like an Olympian, the newly-built (and very gorgeous) is now open for swimming and so much more. has opened in Bobigny to provide another workout facility that includes accessible training--and para sport research. Paris also leveraged the Games to rejuvenate some areas of the city. If you're in Paris on July 20 and want to see how that process is coming along, check out the Olympic Heritage Grand Walk, which goes from Parc de la Villette to the Bassin de la Maltournee in Saint-Denis. It's a free day-long adventure with plenty of surprises planned. Register . Cleaning up the Seine was another major project, and on July 26, the first anniversary of the Olympics, the city will host a big , including a free open-air karaoke session on the Place du Chatelet. Plus, we revisit moments that really stick out to us as the legacy of Paris 2024 starts to take shape in our memories. What moments from Paris 2024 stick out in your heads a year later? How do you think the legacy of these Games is shaping up? Will they be among the greatest Games of all time? Will they be an economic boon to the city and country? Let us ! Don't forget! Our 400th episode party is coming up on Monday, July 14 from 8 to 10pm Eastern. Hope to see you ! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Wheelchair Tennis with Charlie Cooper
06/26/2025
Wheelchair Tennis with Charlie Cooper
We're delving into the sport of wheelchair tennis with American Charlie Cooper, who's currently ranked #2 in the world for junior wheelchair singles. He talks with Alison about the sport and his plans to qualify for LA 2028. Plus, we also talk with Dr. Thomas Rietveld, a researcher at the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University in the UK. Dr. Rietveld's PhD thesis examined wheelchair tennis chairs, so he answers our burning questions about tennis chairs that we had after Paris 2024. Follow Charlie on Insta: Learn more about the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport here: Milan-Cortina 2026 has unveiled its art posters. This is a set of 10 works (five Olympic, five Paralympic) created by emerging Italian artists. Check them out here: Also, if you're interested in volunteering for the Olympics Closing Ceremony or Paralympics Opening Ceremony, find the application here: This past week was Olympic Day, and the International Olympic Committee celebrated by officially instating Kirsty Coventry as the new president of the organization. Plus, we have updates from Team Keep the Flame Alive - TKFLASTAN has been busy! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Olympic Technology with Pascal Wattiaux
06/19/2025
Olympic Technology with Pascal Wattiaux
We're talking technology at the Olympics with Pascal Wattiaux, IT Consultant and former Director of Technology at the International Olympic Committee. He got his start with Olympics technology at Albertville 1992, and most recently he consulted with Paris 2024. He's seen massive amounts of change in technology used at the Olympics--and what it takes to deliver it. He tells all about the tech challenges of an Olympics–and there’s so much that you may have not realized. Follow Pascal on ! The big news from is that the ice hockey groups and schedules are out. Who from the NHL has already been named to the men's teams? How tough is the women's Group A? If you want to see the US and Canadian women battle it out ahead of the Games, this fall. In World Games news, the have been released, and we've never seen anything like it! We also have a ton of news from Team Keep the Flame Alive -- TKFLASTAN has been busy, including ? For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Thorpedo and the Experiment: Para Swimming, Swimming and Wrestling at Sydney 2000
06/12/2025
Thorpedo and the Experiment: Para Swimming, Swimming and Wrestling at Sydney 2000
It's our monthly look back at history--all year long we're looking at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics. This month Alison tackles the massive Para Swimming competition, which includes the Paralympics' all-time medal winner Trischa Zorn. Then we stay in the pool for the Olympic swimming competition, which is just epic, given Australians' love of swimming and their enthusiasm in the stands at Sydney 2000. There are so many stories that it was difficult to choose just one, but Alison looks at the Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe (aka Thorpedo) and the amazing performance of the Australian men's 4x100m freestyle relay. Get your air guitars ready! Then we switch over to the wrestling area, where Jill has the story of Canadian freestyle wrestler Daniel Igali's Olympic moment. And it wouldn't be a look back at Sydney 2000 without the biggest upset of them all: Rulon Gardner vs. Aleksandr Karelin in Greco-Roman Wrestling. Our 400th show is coming up! Join us on Monday, July 14, from 8-10PM ET to celebrate: Watch the men's 4x100m freestyle relay: Watch Daniel Igali's gold medal match: Part 1: Part 2: Watch Rulon Gardner v Aleksandr Karelin: For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Find a list of sources used in this episode . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Dr. Michele K. Donnelly on Gender Equity at the LA28 Olympics
06/05/2025
Dr. Michele K. Donnelly on Gender Equity at the LA28 Olympics
In April, LA 2028 announced that it would be the first Olympics to have more quota spots for women than men. That’s a win for women’s sports, right? Not so fast. Our gender in sports expert Dr. Michele K. Donnelly returns to peel back the layers of LA 28’s press release and tell us how fair these gender numbers really are. Dr. Donnelly is an associate professor in Sport Management at Brock University in Ontario, Canada. Learn more about her work . In Milano-Cortina 2026 news, the Armani-designed Italian kit has been unveiled. We have some milky white thoughts about it. In LA 2028 news, Honda has signed a big sponsorship deal, the Paralympic venue plan and sport program have been announced, and we have a new event in para athletics! Also, USA Track & Field has announced the qualifying times for the 2028 US Olympic Marathon Trials. Can you make the field? The fine print is here: Speaking of Paralympics, we have a doping announcement that reconfigures a Paris 2024 podium. Also, we check in with Team Keep the Flame Alive for the latest in their lives. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Olympians' Mental Health Update with Dr. Kristin Keim
05/29/2025
Olympians' Mental Health Update with Dr. Kristin Keim
We welcome back sports psychologist Dr. Kristin Keim to talk about the kinds of mental health issues Olympians, Paralympians and other elite athletes are facing in 2025. This includes finding your voice, what it's like to be an American athlete today, social media, cyberbullying, disordered eating, and more. As always, Kristin is frank about the pressures athletes face today and about the advice she gives her clients. It's definitely therapeutic to listen to her! Learn more about Kristin at her , and follow her on . We also have a ton of news from the Olympic world, including updates from: Paris 2024 - A cyberbullying sentence, swimming in the Seine, venue legacy news. Milano-Cortina 2026 - Plan B scrapped, and an upate about Russian and Belorussian athlete participation. LA 2028 - Opening and Closing Ceremonies venues - the possibility of air taxis - public transport news - a farewell to cardboard beds? Plus, tons of members of Team Keep the Flame Alive are doing things to make TKFLASTAN proud! Also check out ( to see how he did in projecting the medals at Paris 2024. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Rep TKFLASTAN with merch: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Rekindled: Samantha Schultz on Mental Health after the Olympics
05/22/2025
Rekindled: Samantha Schultz on Mental Health after the Olympics
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month, we're rekindling our interview with Olympian Samantha Schultz, former modern pentathlete and member of the US Army World Class Athlete Program. Samantha realized her goal of becoming an Olympian--but then after Tokyo 2020, she discovered underlying mental health issues, including an eating disorder, that turned her life upside down. In early 2024, Samantha shared her journey with us and how she's working toward better mental health. Follow Samantha on and ! If you're struggling with mental health, finding the right support can help you get on a better path. In the US, anyone can call or text 988, the . Resources for eating disorders include: National Eating Disorder Association: National Alliance for Eating Disorders: The Bulimia Project National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders: and helpline: 1-888-375-7767 For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: Olympic Football and Women's Weightlifting, Para Powerlifting
05/15/2025
Sydney 2000: Olympic Football and Women's Weightlifting, Para Powerlifting
We're headed back to Sydney 2000 for another episode in our history series on these Games. It was the first time women were allowed to compete in Olympic weightlifting, and not surprisingly, there was controversy. It was also the first time for women's Paralympic powerlifting, which spawned some legends in Paralympic history. Jill's got the scoop on these events. Then Alison explores the Olympic football competitions, where underdogs prevailed on both the women's and the men's side. Which Davids took down which Goliaths? Listen on to find out! For a transcript of this episode and our list of sources, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown is released monthly on the second week of the month. In 2025, these episodes explore what's widely considered to be one of the greatest Summer Olympics in history. Look for our regular episodes every week, with daily editions during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Merch: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: X: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Dr. Yoav Dubinsky on University of Oregon's Olympic Studies Hub
05/08/2025
Dr. Yoav Dubinsky on University of Oregon's Olympic Studies Hub
If you've ever been interested in studying the Olympics and the Olympic Movement, this is the episode for you! We're talking with Dr. Yoav Dubinsky, professor of sports business at the University of Oregon. Dr. Dubinsky is also the operational director of the university's new We talk with Yoav about the Olympic Studies Hub, why it's important to study the Olympics, and--because Yoav is from Israel--the Israeli perspective on the Games. The University of Oregon Olympic Studies Hub is having an Olympic Studies Week on May 12-18, 2025. It includes events for students, faculty and the general public. Find out more information at the Follow Dr. Dubinsky on ! We also have news from Milano-Cortina 2026, including more curling quotas, hospitality house news, and ticket purchasing woes. Plus, one country is already squaring away their hospitality house plans for LA 2028. We also have lots of news from Team Keep the Flame Alive--find out who's competing, who's , and who's having babies! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Olympic Figure Skater Gracie Gold on Mental Health
05/01/2025
Olympic Figure Skater Gracie Gold on Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this month, we’re exploring aspects of mental health as it pertains to sports. We’re kicking it off with our interview with Olympic figure skater Gracie Gold. Gracie won a bronze medal in the team event at the Sochi 2014 Olympics. Gracie is an advocate for good mental health, having spent time in a treatment facility to help her cope with an eating disorder and depression. In 2024 she released a very candid memoir titled (affiliate link) that delves into Gracie's highs and lows as an elite figure skater. Trigger warning: We talk with Gracie about eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and suicidal ideation in this interview. Learn more about Gracie at her and follow her on and . Also on this episode: It's a quiet news week in the Olympic and Paralympic world, but we have news from Milan-Cortina 2026 and LA 2028, plus updates from Team Keep the Flame Alive members Olivia Chambers, Elizabeth Marks, Daniel Romanchuk, Jimmer Fredette, and Kenny Bednarek. If you heard what's going on with our TeePublic store and want to get a Keep the Flame Alive shirt or sticker while the store is still available, go . For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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