The Backyard Banter Podcast

Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table

A fellow upstart in the industry from 2013, Kyle Crabbs spent some time chatting with me on the latest Backyard Banter Podcast episode about his time spent chasing the draft analyst dream. Kyle digs into what started him out on this path, where he sees the future of the draft business in terms of employment and what he learned from his biggest miss. Highlights from this episode include: The feeling that the game is not done with you and why football satisfies us so much.What we see on the outside and why being an NFL scout is so much different than a media job.Kyle's Mike Evans story and what he learned about being negative in an evaluation.The first time you think you're the smartest guy in the room, you're probably in trouble.Why Kyle believes building a team in the fashion he is now is his best bet to grab an ever elusive seat at the draft table.

Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion

After a long wait, NFL Fantasy LIVE Podcast host, NFL Network anchor and Los Angeles Clippers radio host James Koh joins the program to share his journey. Quite frankly, James imparts wisdom and drops knowledge that no other guest that came before him ever has. His perspective as a riser from a small-town radio voice to a figure at major media outlets is one we've not yet cover, until now. Highlights from this episode include: ?James' time spent as a low-wage radio host in Montana after departing a well-paying sales job.A cavalier attitude that gave him a higher sense of accomplishment than his resume truly indicated and why there's really no true value in people telling you that you're good.Divorcing the information you can attain in reading criticism from the emotional sting.?Being undeterred by hearing "no" and what it looks like to actually be going for it.

Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be

Episode 52 of The Backyard Banter Podcast brings us CBS Sports senior NFL writer Will Brinson for a fascinating discussion revolving around the current state of sports media. Will shares his insight on a number of topics including how to be passionate fan while operating as a professional, finding you voice as a writer and what it's like juggling a family with this job. You won't want to miss out on this phenomenal chat. Highlights from this episode include: Will's transition from a true Panthers fan to how he manages that side of his approach in his current job.Finding your voice as a writer and niche when you may not be a natural student.Becoming a multi-platform analyst, including on-camera work, when that was never the goal.The struggles of juggling a family and forgoing a normal life when taking up as a media personality.Being willing to do what others aren't exploring in order to break in.

Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality

Episode 51 of The Backyard Banter Podcast welcomes Charles McDonald of SB Nation's The Falcoholic and Bleacher Report to discuss his place in the NFL Draft writing scene. Charles lays out his path from college football player to current player evaluator for the NFL 1,000 series at B/R. Towards the end of the show, we also get into the topic of race in sports, in particular the perception of the black quarterback. Highlights from the show include: How Michael Vick is at the epicenter of Charles' love and passion for the game of football. What made Charles want to take the leap into writing and caused his desire to improve the content?The grind that goes into scouting a mass amount of players at the defensive tackle position.The keys to compartmentalizing and how to assess your time allotment.The plight and perception of the black quarterback and why sports isn't truly the escape from real life many fans wish it was.

Episode 50 special: What you've learned - For you, by you.

We've made it 50 episodes here together and I really can't believe how much the podcast has grown, developed and expanded since it began. It's all thanks to you, the listeners. You all have inspired me, each other and partnered with the guests of the show to form a community that I'm proud to be the weird little figurehead of. As my way of saying thank you, this episode is for and by you. On a special episode 50, a ton of listeners sent in their answers to my corny sign-off line, "I hope you learned something today" with a special introduction from Sal Leto of the FLAFFL Podcast. Thanks so much to everyone who is a fan of the show, it truly means the world to me. What have you learned today? Let's find out...