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The Pepper On Sports Podcast

Sports reporter Jackie Mesa Pepper interviews sports figures and gives her take on the hottest topics in the sports world!
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Welcome to The Pepper On Sports Podcast!

Sep 12, 2016
The Pepper On Sports Podcast Episode 15

In her memoir, “You Negotiate Like A Girl,” the NFL’s first female CEO Amy Trask details a nearly 30-years-long career spent with the Raiders working under controversial owner Al Davis. 

Amy spills the beans on everything from sexism in the NFL to standing up to former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and dropping F-bombs on her boss, Al Davis.

We preview the upcoming NFL season tackling topics from off-the-field issues, on-field protest and the long-term sustainability of a sport with inherent physical risks.

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper 

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

Aug 15, 2016
The Pepper On Sports Podcast: Episode 14

Special Film & Television Episode

 

(00:00)

Introduction

 

(02:05)

Scott Fujita is a close friend and former NFL teammate of Steve Gleason, whose battle with ALS is chronicled in the new documentary Gleason. Fujita is one of the film’s producers and takes us behind the scenes with the Gleason family. The film is currently playing in theaters and will soon be available on Amazon. 

 

(22:07)

Brett Rapkin wrote and directed the new film Spaceman based on the live of the eccentric former Red Sox and Expos pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee. Starring Josh Duhamel, Rapkin details how he made the indie film plus on-set antics from weed pancakes to Josh and Fergie boozing with the cast and crew in the parking lot. The film's theatrical release in 15 major cities begins on August 19. 

 

(36:28)

Based on their time spent as benchwarmers on the UCLA basketball team, Josiah Johnson and Quinn Hawking co-created and star in Comedy Central’s new animated series Legends of Chamberlain Heights. Finally, they made it off the bench and into the starting lineup.

 

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper 

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

May 8, 2016
The Pepper On Sports Podcast Episode 13

(00:00) Introduction

(02:01) LA Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina takes us behind the scenes of Kobe Bryant’s historic NBA career and legendary final game.

(17:11) Philanthropist Ken Fisher brought Prince Harry’s Invictus Games to the U.S., honoring injured and ill servicemen and women through athletic competition.

(30:47) Retired Navy Airman and single-leg amputee Steven Davis shares his story of military life, the accident that nearly killed him and how adaptive sports gave him a reason to live. Steven will represent Team USA in the Invictus Games (May 8-12, ESPN).

(51:00) The best team you’ve never heard of.

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

Mar 30, 2016
The Pepper On Sports Podcast: Episode 12

(00:00)

Introduction

(02:50)

 

Journalist Chuck Modiano discusses the intersection of race, sports and Donald Trump during perhaps the wildest election year in recent history. Modiano also honors Sara Ganim, the journalist who broke the Penn State sexual abuse scandal nearly five years ago.

(29:22)

It's the debut of a new segment called Pepper's Picks in Books and Film.  I'll let you know what I'm reading and watching (well, only the stuff I like) and why you should join the party.

(34:48)

12-time Paralympic gold medalist Jessica Long will "wow" you.  Her life story reads like a fictional tale meant for the silver screen.  From being born without lower legs in Siberia to swimming for Team USA alongside Michael Phelps, Long shares her unique life experiences with us. If you'd like to watch a short documentary about Long's trip to visit her birth family in Russia for the first time, click here.

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 



Oct 14, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast: Episode 11

(00:00)

Introduction

 

(03:09)

Young NFL retirees Bruce Davis and Jarrad Page discuss the following topics:

- From teammates to podcast co-hosts 

- TBT session reminiscing about the good ol’days at UCLA

- Going from the light (pro sports) to the dark side (the media!)

- Grading the 2015 UCLA football team 

- Humanity vs. Business: Steve Sarkisian and substance abuse in sports

- Personal experience with substance abuse in the NFL and getting help

- NCAA and NFL responsibility to create substance abuse and mental health protocols

- The Greg Hardy and Jerry Jones debacle

- Mental health and the NFL

- Life after football for Bruce: battling health issues and making it as an actor in Hollywood

- Life after football for Jarred: professional baseball, battling health issues and becoming a financial advisor for athletes

- Turmoil with Todd Haley in Kansas City

- "The Patriot Way" in New England

(56:14)

San Diego Padres first baseman Cody Decker talk all-things baseball including: 

- “The Call” up to the Majors

- Big league experience yields and empty stat sheet

- Differences between minor and major league life

- Minor league baseball: Out with the old, in with the “new boy’s club?”

- Major league baseball: Still the good old boys club

- Starring in and producing short films

- Being a part of “Team Israel” in the World Baseball Classic

- Life as a religious minority (aka Jewish) in professional baseball

- Bridging the diversity divide and integrating the clubhouse

- Grading instant replay and attempts to make baseball faster

- Chase Utley’s slide: kosher or not?

- Calling out a dirty teammate: fair or foul?

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

 

Sep 28, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast: Episode 10 Part 2

(00:00)

Introduction

(03:09)

Comedian and writer for HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” Josh Gondelman and I banter about the following topics:

- Deflategate, football deity Tom Brady and Boston sports fans

- Boston vs. New York fandon

-  “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” as FIFA’s greatest nemesis

- Worst first dates

- Dunk of shame

- Co-worker categories

- Dog parenting

You can pre-order Josh’s new book, “You Blew It: An Awkward Look at the Many Ways in Which You’ve Already Ruined Your Life” by clicking here

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

Sep 28, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast: Episode 10, Part 1

(00:00)

Introduction and the “best in sports” roundup

(07:24)

NFL Network and NBC Sports reporter Alex Flanagan stops by to chat about her new website I Love To Watch You Play and all things football, including:

- Notre Dame football and the peculiar rise and fall of current San Diego Charger linebacker Manti T’eo

- When your athletic dreams for your kids aren’t their dreams at all

- Finding the balance between pushing and encouraging your kids in sports

- Dangers of the single-sport specialty

- A lesson on losing from the Bills and Patriots

- Cautionary tales of life as a professional athlete

- They aren’t who we thought they were! Suzy Favor Hamilton’s double life as an Olympian and Las Vegas escort

- To do list for aspiring broadcasters

- When Jackie met Alex

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

 

Aug 17, 2015

(00:00)  

Introduction

(03:00)

Sage Rosenfels spent 12 years as an NFL quarterback.  From his role as Brett Favre's backup to his opinion of former teammate Adrian Peterson in the wake of a child abuse scandal, Rosenfels shares stories and observations from the front lines of football.  Rosenfels dishes on Roger Goodell and Tom Brady and provides a unique perspective on the culture of religion in football in the context of Arian Foster "coming out" as an atheist.  

(32:05)

ESPN's Sarah Spain and Bloomberg View's Kavitha Davidson join me for a roundtable chat spanning the sports universe. We cover our bases with teammate-on-teammate crime, violence on and off the field, the role of Ronda Rousey in sports and society, how and why a new era of baseball is being watched by an older audience and social media's dual role of good and evil in sports. 

 

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

 

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

Jul 26, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast Episode 8

(00:00)

Introduction

(02:34)

 

Sports reporter Molly Knight's debut book "The Best Team Money Can Buy" chronicles the ups, downs and overall insanity of the L.A. Dodgers' 2013 season. Molly takes us behind the scenes of her New York Times bestseller which reads more like a thriller than a nonfiction sports book.  You don't have to like baseball to love this book.

(46:43)

Last But Not Least...the disappointing function of women on sports websites and how it impacts our world beyond the web. 

 

RELATED LINKS

Molly Knight's The Best Team Money Can Buy, on Amazon

Tennis' Top Women Balancec Body Image With Ambition, New York Times

Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova: By The Numbers, Forbes

 

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

 

Jul 7, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast Episode 7

(00:00)

 Intro

(02: 00)

ESPN The Magazine contributor and coordinating producer of “The Body Issue” Stacey Pressman take us behind the scenes of how the magazine showcases the beauty and art of athletes’ bodies. 

(20:52) 

Sports writer Megan Armstrong shares the inspiration for her first novel “Night Owls” and discusses her relationship with NFL receiver Brandon Marshall and his foundation that encourages mental health awareness. 

(36:02) 

It’s the season of champions and I owe LeBron James an apology. 

(39:51)

 

Surprisingly, the sport of soccer continues to dominate headlines across the U.S.  FIFA still stinks while the USWNT smells like roses. 

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 


Read more at http://thepepperonsportspodcast.libsyn.com/#isGQfltqYR1euGkK.99

Jun 4, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast Episode 6

(00:00)

 Introduction

(03: 52)

American Pharoah’s quest for the Triple Crown is an example of the best in horse racing.  Freelance journalist Dara Miles has seen the worst of the sport and she’s on the podcast recalling her investigative reporting for the New York Times’ “Breakdown: Death and disarray at America’s racetracks.” 

(16:23) 

Tennis expert Kirby Bridges talks French Open, introduces us to breakout stars of the sport and explains a surprising new business venture for Serena Williams. 

(23:11) 

Boston native Bobby Ballgame comically rants about his beloved Tom Brady and of all people, the controversial Duggar family. 

(27:07)

Hello, Caitlyn Jenner!

(30:30) 

St. Louis Rams players spend 48 hours as homeless men to gain perspective and create awareness.

(33:42) 

 FIFA is a hot mess and John Oliver hilariously demands a clean-up on aisle five.

 

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

 

Related Links

Breakdown: Death and disarray at America's racetracks

Introducing Caitlyn Jenner

St. Louis Rams players confront homelessness 

John Oliver vs. FIFA Part 1

John Oliver vs. FIFA Part 2

 

May 13, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast Episode 5

(00:00)

Introduction 

 

(02:03)

ESPN's Dave McMenamin breaks down the Bulls/Cavs series and the rocky-yet-evolving relationship between LeBron James and head coach David Blatt. 

 

(17:08)

Deflategate: Masterpiece Mystery Style.  With a special appearance by Dorchester's own Bobby Ballgame and his take on beloved hero Tom Brady.

 

(21:11)

Last but not least... Floyd Mayweather may be a winner in the ring but outside of the ring, an unsuspecting bunch delivered the ultimate knockout blow. 

 

(23:46)

Last but not least… Swept under the rug for years, the surprising truth behind the emotional salutes to service members and veterans at sports events is revealed. 

  

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper or via email at PepperOnSportsPodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

Related Links: 

The awkward duo of LeBron James and David Blatt

Cavs coach on his near-disasterous time out blunder

Ted Wells and the Deflategate scandal 

New York Jets' National Gaurd salutes come at cost to taxpayers

Pre-paid patriotism in sports

 

Apr 29, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast Episode 4

(00:00)

Introduction 

 

(01:55)

USA Today Sports writer Martin Rogers previews Mayweather v. Pacquiao and gives us a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the fighters.

 

(15:22)

In their own words, former NFL players Bertrand Berry, Scott Fujita, Chris Kluwe, and Marcellus Wiley share their memories of the day every young football player dreams about. Draft Day.

 

(22:48)

Jameis Winston is one of the most controversial NFL Draft prospects in recent memory. We try to piece together the puzzle that is Jameis Winston. 

 

(28:22)

Last but not least… One last look at an incredible sports weekend that might be remembered for controversy instead of athletic greatness. 

 

 

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper. 

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

Apr 22, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast Episode 3

(00:00)

Introduction 

 

(02:38)

ESPN host and HBO Boxing reporter Michelle Beadle is on the show breaking down the long-awaited  “Fight of the Century” between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.  Beadle covers all aspects of the May 2 spectacle including the ticket sales fiasco, shady payday for the fight’s ref and judges, what it’s like sitting down with Pacquiao and famed trainer Freddie Roach, criticism of the way Katie Couric handled the topic of domestic violence during her interview of Mayweather, the best part of working in Vegas and more! 

 

(27:50)

Two years after the devastating bombing of the Boston Marathon, we remember not only where we were on that day in 2013, but also why the Boston Marathon is such a special, one of a kind event.  You, the listeners, call in with your Marathon Monday memories.  

 

(41:26)

Last but not least…It’s the NBA Playoffs, which can mean only one thing.  Pat Riley is trolling LeBron James and we love it!  

 

(44:19)

Last but not least… It’s the NHL Playoffs, which can mean only one thing.  Players are fighting on the ice while hockey fans are fighting in the stands and I hate it! 

 

(48:26)

Last but not least… Sports broadcaster Alex Flanagan’s masterfully crafted plea for logic, sanity and decency in regards to colleagues Britt McHenry and Shelley Smith.  

 

 

As always, thanks for listening.  Please rate and review the podcast in iTunes and feel free to send me questions or comments on Twitter @Jackie_Pepper. 

Podcast Illustration by Lauren Purves

Voice Over intro by Chaz Kelly 

Apr 9, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast Episode 2

00:00  

Introduction

00:50  

With the Aaron Hernandez trial in jury deliberations, Boston Globe reporter Ben Volin is on the show discussing the trial and how the the fate of the former NFL tight end has impacted both the New England Patriots and the rest of the NFL. I also spoke with a few of Aaron's former Patriots teammates about him and the murder trial.

14:58

The Angels vs. Josh Hamilton, fair or foul? Fox Sports West columnist Jill Painter Lopez talks about Angels slugger Josh Hamilton's self-reported drug relapse and the possible fallout resulting from the story being leaked to the media, which was in violation of the Joint Drug Agreement between MLB and the MLBPA. 

32:47

Last But Not Least... Darren Sharper, Super Bowl champ and serial rapist.

34:15

Last But Not Least... Welcome to the NFL referee ranks, Sarah Thomas!

36:37

Last But Not Least... College Basketball lets a bad guy back in to the game.

38:29

Last But Not Least... We end on an important positive story from San Diego you've probably never heard of. 

 

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

Podcast illustration by Lauren Purves  

Mar 26, 2015
The Pepper On Sports Podcast

Hey everyone!  Welcome to the debut episode of The Pepper On Sports Podcast.  Below you'll find a small table of contents to guide you through the various segments of the podcast.  If a name or title is bold & underlined, click on the text to be linked to more information on that subject. Thanks for listening!

00:00:00

Welcome!!!

00:01:36

Head Injuries and the future of the NFL.  Our guest is Bruce Davis.  Thank you to PASS and www.YouthSportsSafety.org for providing much of the information used in this segment.

00:23:47

Kobe Bryant's Muse film review with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina.

00:36:23

On the phone with Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen.

00:51:19

Last But Not Least: Second chances in the NFL

00:59:49

Last But Not Least: March Madness and the NCAA

01:05:35

Last But Not Least: Sterling vs. Stiviano

01:07:31

Until next time... 

 

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

Podcast illustration by Lauren Purves 

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