French Lick Origins: The Impossible Larry Bird Story | Keith O'Brien | Engel Angle

Meet Your Heroes: Stewart Copeland & the Art of Not Being Let Down | Engel Angle

Join Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Mac Engel as he shares the highs and lows of meeting childhood heroes throughout his career, culminating in an unforgettable interview with Police drummer Stewart Copeland. From awkward encounters with baseball legends Eric Davis and Dick Vitale to heartwarming moments with Ernie Banks, Mac reveals the unvarnished truth about what it's really like when you finally meet the people you've idolized. Plus, hear exclusive clips from his recent conversation with Copeland about the Police reunion tour and why sometimes it's perfectly okay to be starstruck. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/collection/1573632]

Top Gun Turns 40: Why Maverick's Celebration Scenes Are Total Bullshit | Mac Engel

Mac has an evolved relationship with the popular Tom Cruise movie, Top Gun, which celebrates its 40th birthday this month. The film came out when Mac was an aspiring movie critic for his middle school newspaper in Indianapolis. As he grew older, and "Top Gun Maverick" was released, his views of the films changed. But a few things still gnaw at him. (Plus, this gives him the chance to tell you that he once flew with the Blue Angels). Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Mac Engel shares his hilariously specific problems with the Top Gun franchise as the original movie turns 40 years old. From his teenage review that trashed the 1986 classic to his current appreciation for both Top Gun and Maverick, Mac reveals the absurd details that really bother him about these beloved films. Drawing from his own experience flying with the Blue Angels, he tackles everything from oxygen mask usage to unrealistically long celebration scenes that no movie critic has ever complained about before. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/collection/1573632]

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

Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Mac Engel makes a bold case for why NHL Stanley Cup playoffs deliver the ultimate postseason experience, even though hockey ranks fourth among major American sports. Drawing from 25 years covering everything from Super Bowls to Final Fours, Engel breaks down what makes playoff hockey special - from passionate fans in jerseys to golden goal overtime drama and iconic trophy celebrations. He also warns that college basketball's March Madness upsets, once the only postseason experience better than Stanley Cup playoffs, are disappearing as the NCAA expands tournaments to appease power conferences and preserve their survival. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/collection/1573632]

French Lick Origins: The Impossible Larry Bird Story | Keith O'Brien | Engel Angle

Bestselling author Keith O'Brien reveals the untold origin story of Larry Bird's rise from poverty in rural Indiana, including his traumatic departure from Indiana University and near-disappearance into blue-collar obscurity before Indiana State coach Bill Hodges literally drove the streets looking for him. Through interviews with Bird's childhood friends, teammates, and coaches, O'Brien uncovers the hidden details of how the "Hick from French Lick" almost never made it out of his small town, offering a completely different perspective on one of basketball's greatest legends. Discover the fascinating backstory behind Bird's legendary 1979 NCAA championship game against Magic Johnson and how a traumatized teenager shooting baskets alone at midnight became one of the NBA's most iconic players. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/collection/1573632]

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

Sports journalist Mac Engel shares two unforgettable stories in this episode of the Ingle Angle podcast: his catastrophic SAT experience as a 2.0 GPA high school student who overslept, forgot his ID, and scored an embarrassingly low 700, and his passionate defense of modern NBA basketball against constant criticism. Engel argues that today's NBA players are more skilled and athletic than ever, but explains why media coverage focuses on negativity over appreciation of the game's evolution. A hilarious and insightful look at academic disasters, sports commentary, and how nostalgia shapes our perspective on professional basketball. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/collection/1573632]