What happens when a legendary sports broadcaster swaps the mic for the mountains—and a pen?

Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Steve Physioc joins Sports Will Save Us All to reflect on his incredible 35-year career behind the mic, calling games for the Royals, Angels, Reds, and Giants, plus stints covering the NFL, NBA, and NCAA on ESPN, FOX Sports, and TBS.

But Steve isn’t just a voice of the game—he’s a storyteller at heart. Since retiring from broadcasting in 2022, he’s embraced a bold new chapter: writing fiction.

Sports Fam, you can find Steve’s books in all of the places you buy books, and remember that we now have a dedicated page on SportsWillSaveUsAll.com for all of the authors and books we’ve had on the show with links to purchase to make it super easy for you.

You can learn more about Steve at StevePhysioc.com and he’s on Instagram @StevePhysioc1.

ABOUT

Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

What does it take to defy gravity—literally and figuratively? This week on Sports Will Save Us All, host Sasha Graham sits down with Michael Glen, known around the world as The Rolling Pilot, to explore that question from 2,000 feet in the air.

Michael became the world's first paraplegic licensed hot air balloon pilot after a life-altering car accident in 1996 left him paralyzed from the waist down. Told he couldn’t, he spent 10 years proving he could—and in 2006, he did just that. Since then, he’s flown around the globe, inspired others to follow in his path, and completely reimagined what accessibility looks like in the skies.

Michael’s story is one of bold action, creative problem-solving, and deep love for a sport that few truly understand. This isn’t just a story about ballooning. It’s a story about charting your own course—and bringing joy to people everywhere.

Sports fam, you can find Michael on Instagram @rollingpilot

ABOUT

Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Ad Free: Patreon

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

It's another 10-minute take!

Host Sasha Graham shares exciting updates about Sports Will Save Us All's new Patreon launch, recounts a memorable (and very wet!) school-wide, family camping trip, discusses the latest in WNBA playoffs, and explores the vibrant culture of roller derby in Arizona.

ABOUT

Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Ad Free: Patreon

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

In this episode of Sports Will Save Us All, host Sasha Graham talks with Gregg Baumgarten, a trailblazer in adaptive sports whose work has opened doors for athletes with physical disabilities across Arizona and the nation.

Gregg began his journey in the 1980s as an Adaptive PE teacher, where he saw firsthand the lack of opportunities for his students to compete in sports. Refusing to accept that reality, he founded what would become Arizona Disabled Sports, co-founded the Desert Challenge Games, and played a key role in organizing the first National Power Soccer Tournament.

Over his 34-year career in public education, Gregg has served as a coach, administrator, and national leader on the boards of Disabled Sports USA and Adaptive Sports USA — now known as Move United. His dedication has helped shape a more inclusive and competitive athletic landscape for generations of athletes.

Sports fam, you can find Arizona Disabled Sports on Instagram @AZDisabledSports and online at ArizonaDisabledSports.com. Big thanks to listener Teresita Swisher Krenytzky for recommending Gregg for the show!

ABOUT

Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Former NBA center Michael Ruffin stops by the Sports Will Save Us All studio to chat with host Sasha Graham about the weird life of a pro athlete, and what happens after the buzzer sounds—navigating early retirement, finding new purpose, and staying mentally strong in the face of big transitions. They discuss the evolving nature of sports fandom and the importance of mental resilience in and out of sports.

Ruffin shares insights from his journey as a player, parent, coach, and now as the basketball program director at Scottsdale's brand new basketball facility, Swysh Den, emphasizing the significance of fostering community through basketball and building a love for the game among youth. The conversation also touches on the revival of pickup games, the role of coaches in youth development, and the joy of competition.

Sports Fam, you can find Swysh Den online at www.SwyshDen.com, and on IG @SwyshDenBasketball.

ABOUT

Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Scottsdale, Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

This week on Sports Will Save Us All, host Sasha Graham dives into the wild, rebellious side of women’s sports—on and off the screen. Sparked by her love for the 2009 roller derby cult classic Whip It, Sasha explores what it truly means to find your identity through sport, especially as a woman navigating grit, growth, and expectations.

Joining her in the studio is the remarkable Dr. Devoney Looser—Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University, Jane Austen expert, and yes... roller derby powerhouse known as Stone Cold Jane Austen. Together, they unpack the empowering intersections of sports, literature, feminism, and community. From Devoney’s unexpected journey into roller derby, and the enduring power of Austen, this episode is a vibrant ride through the ways sports can shape who we are.

Find Devoney’s latest book Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Jane wherever books are sold. Follow her at www.devoneylooser.com, and check out the ASU Derby Devils on Instagram @derbydevilsasu.

ABOUT

Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

In this solo episode of Sports Will Save Us All, host Sasha Graham takes a moment to reflect on a whirlwind summer and the ever-evolving journey of podcasting. From celebrating recognition by the Women Who Podcast Awards to sharing personal lessons on vulnerability and growth, Sasha opens up about what’s been happening behind the mic.

She dives into surprising research about cold plunges (are they actually holding back your gains?), shares a story about a moment of pure "sporty joy," and yes—she even weighs in on the mystery surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ wife.

With thoughtful insights, a few laughs, and a whole lot of heart, this episode is a reminder of the joy that connection through sports can bring. Sasha also invites listeners to join the conversation—because your voice matters here.

ABOUT

Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

What do you get when you combine a lifelong love of sports, razor-sharp analytics, and a deep appreciation for human connection? This week’s guest, Kirk McCarley! With over 30 years at ESPN, Kirk has witnessed the evolution of sports statistics from raw data to real-time storytelling. In this energizing conversation, Kirk shares his journey from behind-the-scenes stat supplier to a key interpreter of the game, offering a fascinating look at how sports broadcasting has changed—and where it’s headed.

From the impact of rule changes and the power of networking to balancing analytical rigor with emotional intelligence, Kirk dives deep into what it really takes to thrive in the high-stakes world of sports media. Plus, he drops some seriously wise (and wonderfully unexpected) advice on creativity, productivity, and the simple power of movement.

If you've ever wondered how numbers can bring sports to life, this episode is for you.

Sports Fam, you can find Kirk online at TheSeedSowerCoach.com and his book, "Thoughts for My Kids...and Other People's Kids” is available in ebook and paperback in all the typical places, including our own personal favorite, Bookshop.org

ABOUT

Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com