EP - 65 "William" Waves, Wizards & Settling Catan

EP - 65 "William" Waves, Wizards & Settling Catan

The Slanted Attic Experience: Episode 65 "William" Waves, Wizards & Settling Catan Tyler sits down with William, a Virginia Beach local, lifelong surfer, surfboard shaper, and father of two, for a conversation that moves through creativity, family life, career, and culture with the kind of easy flow you would expect from someone who has spent a lifetime reading waves. They open with William's surfing journey and the craft of shaping surfboards before getting into sizing, design, and what goes into building a board from scratch. The conversation turns to prioritizing hobbies in a busy life, finding things you can do in short spurts, and navigating office politics or the deliberate choice to avoid them altogether. Financial independence, staying active, mobility, stretching, volleyball, and backyard sports all find their way in before Tyler shares his Tommy John surgery story and what rehab looks like when you are not a twenty year old athlete anymore. A social media detour and a well timed pee break lead into the book block. Project Hail Mary gets its moment alongside the Eragon series and its magic system, and Harry Potter sparks a full ranking debate before digital versus physical media and the growing footprint of data centers add some real weight to the conversation. Career pathways, the rising cost of childcare, coaching youth sports, name brand tools, and what you would actually want to build with them keep things moving before the Washington Commanders, the VMI Keydets and NIL money, and the hypothetical of which sport you would compete in professionally if given the chance round out the serious topics. Tabletop gaming and a full Catan conversation close things out before the outro. Guest Panel: William: A Virginia Beach native, husband, and father of two young men who has built a life around the things that genuinely matter. A lifelong surfer and surfboard shaper for over a decade, William also edits surf films and picks up a guitar whenever the opportunity presents itself. An optimist at his core, William finds joy in every chapter of life and brings that energy naturally into every conversation. Topics Covered: Intro William's surfing journey and the craft of shaping surfboards Sizing and shaping of boards Prioritizing hobbies and finding things you can do in short spurts Office politics and the choice to avoid them Financial independence Staying active and prioritizing exercise Mobility and stretching Volleyball and backyard sports Tyler's Tommy John surgery and rehabbing injuries as an adult Social media Texting and a pee break Project Hail Mary the book and the upcoming film The Eragon book series and its magic system Harry Potter Harry Potter book rankings Digital versus physical media Data centers Finding a career pathway The rising cost of childcare Coaching youth sports and our favorites and least favorites Name brand tools and building things The Washington Commanders The VMI Keydets and NIL money What sport would you want to compete in professionally? Tabletop gaming and Catan Outro New episodes of The Slanted Attic Experience drop bi-weekly at 10:30 AM EST, with the occasional surprise episode along the way. Find everything Slanted Attic at linktr.ee/slantedattic [http://linktr.ee/slantedattic].

EP - 64 "Rob" Back in the Backcountry: Bulls, Bears & Boulder Creek

The Slanted Attic Experience: Episode 64 "Rob" Back in the Backcountry: Bulls, Bears & Boulder Creek Rob is back in the attic and if you thought his first appearance was something, this one goes even deeper into the wilderness. Robert Taylor III returns with a full season recap from the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness that includes emotional moments, incredible animal encounters, and the kind of stories that remind you why a life spent outdoors is worth every sacrifice. They open with what Rob has been up to since the last conversation before diving into the grading systems used to evaluate trophy animals and how that system was applied to the bull they shot this past fall. Boulder Creek Outfitters gets an update before the conversation turns to how weather and snow change hunting tactics entirely. The elk season breakdown begins with the second week of bow hunting and Rob's Christmas present before arriving at one of the most powerful stories the attic has ever hosted. A father and son hunt during the final days of archery season becomes something far more meaningful than a harvest, and the emotional weight of that experience is handled with the depth it deserves. Rifle season stories, whitetail hunting, adapting tactics by region, and what it genuinely feels like to hunt for leisure when it is your career round things out before a full year recap and a look ahead close things out. At the time of release Rob will have just wrapped bear season. Guest Panel: Rob: Also known as Robert Taylor III, Rob is a backcountry hunting guide for Boulder Creek Outfitters, Idaho's longest continuously running outfitter and one of the most active in the lower 48. Born and raised in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, Rob traded the East Coast for the mountains of Idaho in 2022 and has not looked back since. From elk and mule deer to whitetails, bear, and turkey, Rob spends his seasons sleeping under wall tents, riding horseback out of camp, and guiding hunters through some of the most remote and breathtaking terrain in the country. Topics Covered: Intro Recap of what Rob has been up to since the last conversation The grading scale and systems used to evaluate trophy animals The bull they shot this past fall and how the rating system was applied What is new with Boulder Creek Outfitters How weather and snow affect hunting tactics and animal habitats Last year's elk season recap The second week of bow hunting story Rob's Christmas present Documentary filming The third week of season: a father and son story during the final days of archery season The emotional event and the deeper meaning behind the experience How to transport an animal that size back to camp Rifle season stories The end of rifle season and whitetail hunting Hunting familiar regions with more experience How quickly hunting patterns and tactics have to change by region What it feels like to hunt for leisure when it is your job Full year recap and what to look forward to next Close out and outro Follow Rob's journey on Instagram at @robtaylor.guide [http://robtaylor.guide] and explore everything Boulder Creek Outfitters has to offer at bouldercreekoutfitters.com [http://bouldercreekoutfitters.com]. New episodes of The Slanted Attic Experience drop bi-weekly at 10:30 AM EST, with the occasional surprise episode along the way. Find everything Slanted Attic at linktr.ee/slantedattic [http://linktr.ee/slantedattic].

EP - 63 "D-Mills & Ben 02" Dunks, Drama & Dancing in March

The Slanted Attic Experience: Episode 63 "D-Mills & Ben 02" Dunks, Drama & Dancing in March Tyler brings D-Mills and Ben back into the attic for a basketball heavy roundtable that blends live March Madness reactions, coaching carousel drama, personal court stories, and enough hoops knowledge to keep any fan locked in from start to finish. They open with the latest college sports news and coaching hires before getting into the Will Wade story, the UNC men's basketball head coaching vacancy, and other notable openings across NCAA basketball. The Tournament takes center stage with the guys two rounds deep at time of filming, breaking down roster spots, realistic odds of players making the league, and a full Hokies men's basketball breakdown. Chandler Morris and his seventh year of eligibility gets its moment, D-Mills shouts out the Lady Wahoos, and the group debates whether an NBA or NCAA championship is actually harder to win before a live look at Purdue versus Texas brings the energy back up. From there it gets personal. High school basketball memories, dunking stories, Ben's middle school coaching experience including the actual offenses and defenses his teams run, pickup basketball at War Memorial Gym at Virginia Tech, and one genuinely wild high school basketball story that has to be heard to be believed. Fun trivia breaks things up along the way before tournament winners, wild college player names, what the bracket picture looks like heading into the later rounds, final thoughts on the Hokies and where this season lands in the bigger picture, and one last live look at the games close things out in style before the outro. Guest Panel: D-Mills: A Richmond native whose life runs on live music, sports analytics, and the occasional miracle shot on the golf course. Whether breaking down tournament brackets or chasing the next great story, D-Mills brings curiosity, humor, and genuine passion to every conversation. Ben: Raised in Blacksburg and a Virginia Tech lifer who spent his formative years storming the field and collecting game worn gear now living in a box called the Stench of Discovery. A nine year special education teacher, Teacher of the Year honoree, and longtime basketball and tennis coach whose students compete in Special Olympics sports yearly, Ben bleeds Hokie orange and brings real coaching knowledge to every basketball conversation. Topics Covered: Intro College sports news and coaching hires since the last episode The Will Wade story The UNC men's basketball head coaching vacancy Other notable coaching vacancies in NCAA men's basketball NCAA Tournament talk: two rounds deep at time of filming NCAA basketball roster spots and realistic odds of making the league Back to tournament talk Hokies men's basketball breakdown Chandler Morris and his seventh year of eligibility D-Mills shouts out the Lady Wahoos basketball team Is an NBA or NCAA championship harder to win? Baseball's long season and being a true die hard fan Live look in at Purdue vs. Texas from March Madness Fun trivia Back to a quick live look at the games High school basketball experiences and dunking stories Ben's middle school basketball coaching experience and the offenses and defenses they run Pickup basketball at War Memorial Gym at Virginia Tech A wild high school basketball story NCAA Tournament winners and wild college player names Final live look at the games and commentary before heading out Outro New episodes of The Slanted Attic Experience drop bi-weekly at 10:30 AM EST, with the occasional surprise episode along the way. Find everything Slanted Attic at slantedattic.com [http://slantedattic.com].

EP - 62 "Sports Room 08" Picks, Pucks & the Price of a Ticket

The Slanted Attic Experience: Episode 62 "Sports Room 08" Picks, Pucks & the Price of a Ticket The Sports Room is back for its eighth installment and Tyler, Liam, and Graham are bringing the full sports calendar with them. From the NFL Draft to playoff hockey, the NBA, Champions League, the Kentucky Derby, and a World Cup preview, this one covers more ground than any episode before it. They open with youth sports culture before diving into the NFL Draft with Pittsburgh and Eagles focused takes across the full board. The AJ Brown trade drama, the Hendrickson and Crosby situations, Rico Dowdle's contract, NFC South contenders, and McVay's baffling decision not to watch tape on his own first round pick all get their moment before playoff hockey takes over with the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia series and the debate over which sport delivers the best postseason experience. The cost of attending live sports and whether everyday fans are being priced out of the stadium rounds out a first half that does not slow down. The NBA Playoffs open with the Boston and Philadelphia series, early Finals predictions, and betting odds before Graham brings the Champions League recap, an early World Cup look, group stage contenders, and the sticker shock of 2026 ticket pricing into the room. Virginia Tech's Spring Game drama, the LIV versus PGA battle, a Masters bet win, and the Kentucky Derby close things out before the wrap up and outro. Guest Panel: Graham: Born in North Carolina and raised on Duke basketball in the heart of Tobacco Road, Graham became a devoted Hokie after attending Virginia Tech. While he keeps a close eye on American sports, his true passion right now lives in the English Premier League where he proudly supports Brighton and Hove Albion week in and week out. Liam: Born and raised in Philadelphia, Liam is a die hard Eagles, Phillies, and WVU fan who has lived through championship highs and gut punch lows with equal passion. He fell in love with lacrosse in high school and now follows the rise of the PLL as closely as anything else on the sports calendar. Topics Covered: Intro Youth sports culture Eagles draft pick from the international players pathway program NFL Draft: Pittsburgh and Eagles focused takes and overall board AJ Brown trade drama and the Hendrickson and Crosby situations Carolina Panthers draft choices and Arizona's first round pick Rico Dowdle: is he underpaid? NFC South contenders McVay not watching tape on his own first round pick Playoff hockey Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia series Which sport has the most entertaining playoff games? The cost of attending live sports and pricing out everyday fans NBA Playoffs: Boston vs. Philadelphia series Early Finals predictions and betting odds Masters bet win Champions League recap World Cup early look Teams that could reach the top 16 World Cup 2026 ticket pricing Virginia Tech Spring Game drama LIV vs. PGA drama The Kentucky Derby Wrap up and outro New episodes of The Slanted Attic Experience drop bi-weekly at 10:30 AM EST, with the occasional surprise episode along the way. Find everything Slanted Attic at slantedattic.com [http://slantedattic.com].

EP - 61 "Courtney" Billionaires, Botox & Big Legal Energy

The Slanted Attic Experience: Episode 61 "Courtney" Billionaires, Botox & Big Legal Energy Courtney is back in the attic and this one goes to some genuinely unexpected places. A civil rights attorney, Harvard Law grad, die hard Eagles fan, and proud owner of a cat named Charlotte Binky Pee Pee Paws, Courtney brings a perspective that is impossible to replicate and a conversation that is equally hard to stop listening to. They open with the Eagles, Boston's Masshole culture, and what separates truly elite athletes before getting into the monetization of children's sports, NIL, and ad revenue in college athletics. From there it becomes a full hypothetical sprint. How fast could you spend six million dollars, is teleportation actually the best superpower, and are all billionaires ugly? Plastic surgery, anti aging trends, social credit scores, and data collection round out a first half that somehow keeps getting more interesting. The second half gets more serious without losing any of its edge. Local community, social media's impact, and Courtney's reading year in review lead into AI's growing role in law, the resource demands of data centers, and how chatbots are quietly eroding critical thinking skills. Billionaires being completely disconnected from everyday society closes out the heavy stuff before a recent snowstorm, reading outlooks, and a proper outro bring things home. Guest Panel: Courtney: A civil rights attorney focused on LGBTQ+ rights and a Harvard Law grad who was tragically forced to leave Philadelphia for Boston, where she lives with her partner Nick and their perfect demon cat Charlotte Binky Pee Pee Paws. A die hard Eagles fan through every high and gut wrenching low, Courtney spends her free time playing ultimate frisbee, reading fantasy, sci fi, and romance, and petting every cat within reach. Sharp, funny, and refreshingly honest, she makes every conversation better just by being in it. Topics Covered: Intro The Eagles Boston and the Masshole term Tom Brady and what makes truly successful athletes The monetization of children's sports Ad revenue, NIL, and college athletics How fast could you spend six million dollars? The realities of being a homeowner Is teleportation the best superpower? Are all billionaires ugly? Plastic surgery and the anti aging societal trend Social credit scores and data collection The climate of local community today The impact of social media Courtney's reading year in review Artificial intelligence in the legal field The impact of data centers on the grid and resource use AI chatbots and the loss of critical thinking skills Billionaires and tech moguls being removed from general society The recent snow Reading outlooks and final outro New episodes of The Slanted Attic Experience drop bi-weekly at 10:30 AM EST, with the occasional surprise episode along the way. Find everything Slanted Attic at slantedattic.com [http://slantedattic.com]