Chasing Interesting
78 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsCraig Hoffman's career has taken him to every corner of the sports world from NFL stadiums and locker rooms to soccer fields in Upstate New York to The Final Four. His life has taken him even more places, from a childhood in the south to starting his career in Texas to his current home in the suburbs of Washington, DC. He's met a lot of interesting characters along the way and become interested in a wide variety of things. After a decade in sports radio, join him as he ventures into the topics that have interested him the most inside and outside of sports. From the nuances of the games we love to discussions of race and politics, this podcast makes only one promise: it will be interesting.
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Episodes
Matthew Barrett (Goal Click)
July 06, 2021 19:00 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MBMatthew Barrett joins Craig Hoffman to tell the story of Goal Click. Matthew's interests in geopolitics and sports collided to create a unique and inspiring storytelling platform. Matthew shares his story in creating it and why it's been so successful in it's eight years of existence. Visit Goal Click: https://www.goal-click.com GC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goalclick/ Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
The Responsibility of Israel
May 15, 2021 14:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBCraig Hoffman shares his thoughts on the current violence in Israel and Palestine including some relevent history and description of the actors at play, context about his views of their collective responsibilities and why he thinks Israel is not living up to it's purpose as a Jewish state. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
Josh Burch on DC Statehood
May 10, 2021 15:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBJosh Burch, founder of Neighbors for DC Statehood, joins Craig Hoffman to talk about the case for making Washington, DC as the 51st state. They discuss then history both of DC's representation, how other states were admitted to the union and how the partisanship of the argument isn't new. They also discuss what DC residents and those with representation can do to help the cause, where current representatives stand and the progress that has been made in the last decade. Support the show (h...
Tommy Vietor & Abdul El-Sayed
April 26, 2021 10:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBThis week's episode is a compilation of two recent interviews from the radio. First, Craig Hoffman chats with Crooked Media co-founder and co-host of Pod Save The World Tommy Vietor about the potential for an Olympic Boycott in 2022 in Beijing. Why is it being considered? Why would it probably not work? What could be done to accomplish the goal of ending human rights abuses in China instead? Plus, what if an athlete protested in China during the games? Next, Craig chats with epidemiologist,...
Delegate Ken Plum
March 30, 2021 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBVA State Delegate Ken Plum (D) joins Craig Hoffman for part two of his series of interviews with the people running to represent him. Plum has been in the Virginia General Assembly for 40 years and has represented the 36th District since 1982. Ken and Craig talk about Ken's reaction to being challenged in the primaries, how he has survived 40 years as a progressive in a conservative state and how that very state has changed from conservative to progressive in the last decade. Plum also des...
Mary Barthelston - Candidate for VA State House
March 24, 2021 16:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBCraig Hoffman talks to VA HD 36 Candidate Mary Barthelston about why she's running to unseat a 40 year incumbent in the Virginia State House. Mary is a 27-year-old systems engineer who wants to apply those skills to fix problems in our society. How do those skills translate and what specific policies and solutions does she have in mind? Next week: Craig talks to Ken Plum, the incumbent in the seat about being primaried and his plans to move Virginia forward. Support the show (http://Hoffm...
Mary Barthelson - Candidate for VA State House
March 24, 2021 16:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBCraig Hoffman talks to VA HD 36 Candidate Mary Barthelston about why she's running to unseat a 40 year incumbent in the Virginia State House. Mary is a 27-year-old systems engineer who wants to apply those skills to fix problems in our society. How do those skills translate and what specific policies and solutions does she have in mind? Next week: Craig talks to Ken Plum, the incumbent in the seat about being primaried and his plans to move Virginia forward. Support the show (http://Hoffm...
André Carlisle
March 04, 2021 11:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBSoccer journalist André Carlisle joins Craig Hoffman for a frank discussion on race in America on the heels of the US Women's National Team's decision to no longer kneel in protest during the national anthem. The podcast conversation follows a radio interview last week that left Craig with more to be desired. The guys talk about why the radio conversation had to be the way it was compared to the framing with more room to talk and a different audience on a podcast. They then dive into race a...
Alysha Clark + Stop the Anthem + WFT Cheer
February 16, 2021 13:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBIn this compilation episode, Craig Hoffman takes the best of his President's Day radio show for your listening pleasure! First, Hoffman talks about why it's time to end the national anthem at sporting events. The Dallas Mavericks didn't play it for the first 13 games of their season. The NBA responded by mandating its playing for all future games by all teams. Craig explains why this is a mistake and gives perspective of the pressure it puts on athletes to take a public stand they never as...
Jim Goldgeier on America's Place in the World
February 11, 2021 20:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBDr. James Goldgeier is without a doubt the most decorated guest in the history of Chasing Interesting. He is a Professor of International Relations and served as Dean of the School of International Service at American University from 2011-17. He is also a Robert Bosch Senior Visiting Fellow at the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Goldgeier has spent his career studying democracy and America's role in the world. He started studying the topic as a grad...
America Needs A Civics Lesson with Courtney Emerson
February 04, 2021 20:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBCourtney Emerson, author of After You Vote: A Woman's Guide to Making an Impact, from Town Hall to Capitol Hill, joins Craig Hoffman for a conversation on civic engagement. Emerson discusses how and why women have historically been less active in politics and some of the remedies that could correct that course. Plus, Craig and Courtney talk about the basic civics deficiency in the United States and the problems presently making it more difficult to correct them. Stay tuned for the last 15 ...
Courtney Emerson - Author of "After You Vote"
February 04, 2021 20:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBCourtney Emerson, author of After You Vote: A Woman's Guide to Making an Impact, from Town Hall to Capitol Hill, joins Craig Hoffman for a conversation on civic engagement. Emerson discusses how and why women have historically been less active in politics and some of the remedies that could correct that course. Plus, Craig and Courtney talk about the basic civics deficiency in the United States and the problems presently making it more difficult to correct them. Stay tuned for the last 15 ...
Journalist Jane Coaston on the American Right
January 11, 2021 22:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBCraig Hoffman talks to journalist and podcaster Jane Coaston on the heels of the insurrection five days ago on the US Capitol. Coaston has spent her career covering the American right from Republican politicians to conservatism to white nationalism and everywhere those things overlap and the in-between. They talk about who makes up the current Republican Party, both in the form of representatives and voters. They talk about the variance within the party, what motivates them to vote Republi...
Rep. Brian Sims
December 17, 2020 20:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBPennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims (D) joins Craig Hoffman to talk about his career and unique brand of politics. Sims, the first openly LGBTQ legislator in PA history, talks about how his childhood moving around the United States shaped his world view and how a his desire for justice started early before turning into a career in politics. He also discusses how his athletic career helped solidify his views. Craig and Brian then talk about political communication. Sims is a living embodimen...
Becoming a Superhero with Marina Paul
December 08, 2020 13:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBIn this special crossover episode with the Train With The Best Podcast, long-time friend of the pod Marina Paul joins Craig Hoffman and his TWTB co-host Chris Gorres to talk about her new book, "Becoming a Superhero." Marina discusses the two types of leaders she found - dictators and motivators - and how each can succeed in varying situations. They also discuss how the two types can work in tandem for long term success in specific situations. They also discuss some of the interviews featur...
Congressional Staffer Ryan Houlihan
November 25, 2020 17:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBHouse staffer Ryan Houlihan joins the the podcast to talk about what it's like to work in a congressional office. Ryan, a legislative assistant for his home district in Minnesota, talks about the day to day life of trying to get things done in congress, the challenges of doing so and what could be done to make making change easier. Plus, Ryan talks about the impact of the Joe Biden's win and what wins in Georgia would mean, specifically for climate action where he has dedicated most of his ...
Democratic Strategist Greg Pinelo
November 17, 2020 21:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBCraig Hoffman is back for season 3 of Chasing Interesting, taking deeper dives into the world around us. He starts the season with an impromptu conversation with Democratic Strategist Greg Pinelo. They take a discussion from Twitter about messaging offline and onto the podcast. They talk about general messaging strategy across disciplines and what works specifically in politics. They also debate the validity of long and short-term strategies in winning over voters and which voters are wor...
We're Not Done Yet!
October 30, 2020 00:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBWe're not done yet...with Covid or the election. Craig Hoffman and Joe Girard talk about the rise in COVID-19 cases in the US and how a lack of leadership is affecting the surge. Plus, the guys talk about the upcoming election and what makes them confident and what makes them nervous. Also, they talk about the cases before the Supreme Court and why the current rulings put the politicization of the court on full display. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
Debates Are Not Here For Your Entertainment
October 22, 2020 19:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBCraig Hoffman and Joe Girard talk about the prevalence of disinformation, how the ground was laid for it to be spread and the consequences of it relative to the upcoming election. Plus, COVID cases are on the rise in Europe, mail-in voting numbers are smashing records and the Vatican has become more progressive than the Supreme Court. Plus, why sports viewership is down (except the NWSL!) and a Boston news anchor gets fired for appearing in a movie. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
Saving America with Juliet Beckstrand
October 15, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBCraig Hoffman and Joe Girard run through the week's news from the Supreme Court hearings to some stoppages in vaccine trials before talking to Vote Save America's Juliet Beckstrand about what her organization is doing to ensure everybody can, knows how to and does vote between now and November 3rd. Juliet also talks about her background working in the Senate, what she wishes everyday Americans knew about how government works behind the scenes and how Crooked Media has embarked on making voti...
"Sweat. Talk. Vote." (LIVE at BASH Ballston)
October 11, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 56 MBCraig Hoffman host the second "Sweat. Talk. Vote." event with Humans Not Hashtags at BASH Boxing in Arlington, VA. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
People Over Politics
October 08, 2020 19:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBCraig Hoffman and Joe Girard react to the news of the week, which includes the leader of the free world contracting COVID-19 and his Vice President trying to defend that happening. The guys share some larger thoughts on how the biggest stories in the news are connected by a focus on politics over people. Plus, thoughts on how to vote in a way that could reverse that trend. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
Worst Debate Ever + Taxes Are Good!
October 01, 2020 23:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBCraig Hoffman and Joe Girard talk about the first Presidential Debate, a debacle brought on by President Trump's inability to hold a substantive conversation among other problems. They discuss why the debate was so harmful, in the short term and beyond the election. Plus, Craig makes an argument in favor of taxes (yes, really!) in talking about the opportunities Joe Biden and other Democrats continue to miss. The guys also talk about the NFL's handling of its first COVID outbreak, the NBA ...
We Need To Change The System
September 24, 2020 22:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBOn the heels of a grand jury deciding not to charge the police who killed Breonna Taylor, Craig Hoffman and Joe Girard digest the news, what it means and try to separate fact from fiction. They also discuss the death of Ruth Bader-Ginsburg and the future of the Supreme Court. Craig explains why the Republicans are making the power grab they are to cement minority rule and what Democrats can do to fix it. Plus, what the Miami Heat have in common with recent championship teams and tips for ...
The Cruelty Of It All + Clippers Blow 3-1 + A Blinker Means Commitment
September 18, 2020 13:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBThis week Craig Hoffman and Joe Girard react to the news in a different tone as the cruelty of the stories they discuss becomes overwhelming. Those stories include the wild fires on the west coast of the US, ICE’s illegal sterilization of women and Breonna Taylor’s $12 million settlement with Louisville PD, which leads Craig to ask “what is justice?” in cases like those? On the lighter side, the guys talk about the NBA Playoffs, tackle some NFL Quick Hits and Joe goes on a rant about driver...
BONUS: "Sweat. Talk. Vote" (LIVE at Hook Hall in DC)
September 14, 2020 18:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBListen in to the panel discussion from the first ever "Sweat. Talk. Vote." event for Humans Not Hashtags, storytelling organization co-founded by Craig Hoffman of Chasing Interesting. The panel features Craig moderating along with Marcus Goodwin, Dan Graziano and Sharece Crawford. Goodwin is currently running for DC City Council. Graziano owns and founded Mighty Meals, a healthy, cost-effective meal service. Crawford is currently the Elected At Large Committeewoman for the Democratic Natio...
Trump Tells The Truth + Bob Woodward's Big Problem + A Drinking Problem
September 10, 2020 19:00 - 50 minutes - 34.4 MBPresident Trump tells the truth about the pandemic to Bob Woodward, which presents a whole host of problems. Craig Hoffman and Joe Girard talk about the President's never ending battle between incompetence and malevolence and whether Woodward had a responsibility to tell the public sooner. Craig and Joe then discuss the west coast wildfires and the stupidity of "gender" reveal parties. Plus, hear a clip of Craig and Chris Gorres's interview with Roz Frasier from the Train With The Best on b...
Candidates to Kenosha + Turning Attacks to Strengths + Long Live King T'Challa
September 03, 2020 21:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBCraig Hoffman and Joe Girard break down the week's news, including the differences in President Trump's and Vice President Joe Biden's visits to Kenosha, WI. Craig talks about how Biden and fellow Democrats should turn Republican attacks into strengths and Joe has more on the latest Russian attempts to hack the election. In sports, the guys discuss the NBA Playoffs and the challenging job of refereeing a Game 7. Plus, what happens if an entire position group goes down to COVID in the NFL? ...
The NBA Goes on Strike + Journalism with Hub Brown
August 27, 2020 18:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MBCraig Hoffman and Joe Girard discuss the NBA players' decision to strike in protest of racial injustice in America. They react to Doc Rivers comments, discuss the core reasons why the players decided to walk out and the human factors at play in their potential return. They also discuss the significance and contextualize what this means to be taking place during the RNC, which seems to be existing in an alternate universe. The guys are then joined by Hub Brown, professor of journalism and ...
The NBA Goes on Strike + Journalism with Hub Brown.mp3
August 27, 2020 18:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MBCraig Hoffman and Joe Girard discuss the NBA players' decision to strike in protest of racial injustice in America. They react to Doc Rivers comments, discuss the core reasons why the players decided to walk out and the human factors at play in their potential return. They also discuss the significance and contextualize what this means to be taking place during the RNC, which seems to be existing in an alternate universe. The guys are then joined by Hub Brown, professor of journalism and ...
Democratic National Convention + NBA Playoffs + Naps
August 20, 2020 21:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBCraig and Joe talk about the Democratic National Convention, why it's worked and some of the biggest moments thus far. They also talk about the DNC's decision to bury AOC instead of feature her, why the Obama's hits on Trump landed so hard and the challenges of giving a speech to no live audience. They then shift to sports and discuss the NBA Playoffs, why the Sixers might need to trade Ben Simmons and Joe's got quite the take on the best player in the league. Craig then explains why baseb...
Chasing Interesting 2.0 + Kamala Harris named VP Nominee
August 13, 2020 20:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MBWelcome to Chasing Interesting 2.0. The podcast shifts formats as Craig Hoffman welcomes in his old friend Joe Girard as a co-host to discuss the week in news, politics, sports and more. Craig and Joe met when Craig interned for Joe at B93.7 in Greenville, SC in 2009. They've stayed in touch as both of their careers have evolved and they come back together to discuss life as they see it. This week they discuss Kamala Harris being named the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, threats to m...
Dan Cohen on Covering Protests and the Pandemic
August 05, 2020 11:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBDan Cohen decided to do something crazy in this spring: move. This was right as the COVID-19 pandemic was kicking into high gear and not only was he moving to a new city, he was moving to cover the news. That followed six years covering sports in Rockford, IL and that followed a stint as something also quite harrowing - being my roommate my senior year of college. We talk about it all from fun stories in our hilltop apartment to becoming part of a community and the stories learned while ...
"The Last Dance" with Kevin Brown
May 19, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBKevin Brown, friend of the pod whose day job is ESPN play-by-play broadcaster, stops by for an extensive chat about "The Last Dance." We talk about what sticks with us about the documentary, Michael Jordan himself and what we want to learn more about now that it's over. We also share happiness for Steve Kerr and amazement at Ahmad Rashad. Plus, we debate if Jerry Kraus actually made the right move in breaking up the Bulls. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
John Keim
May 13, 2020 11:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MBIn the second conversation with a storyteller, I talked to my friend John Keim of ESPN.com. John's covered the Redskins for 25 years and we talk about what makes a good story. We also dive into covering football specifically, what we love about it and the people we've enjoyed talking to the most over the years. This conversation was reflective of many we've had over the last 5 years in the media room. It's a discussion about the craft and what we both find oh so intriguing about the incredi...
Gina Salvatore
May 06, 2020 11:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBUp and coming sportscaster Gina Salvatore talks about her journey into the industry and the interruption its experienced during COVID-19. Gina played sports as a kid and has always loved them, but she went to school for and pursued a career in acting before realizing that she'd rather be covering the games than singing the national anthem for them. We talk about how storytelling takes many forms and how the same principles that we think about in sports storytelling apply to our other jobs, ...
Mary Mancini - Chair of the TN Democratic Party (From the Z89 Studios in Syracuse, NY)
March 09, 2020 10:00 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MBIn this episode we talk about perhaps the topic that consumes my mind more than any other: politics. I’m certainly not alone in that in 2020, nor at any point since 2016. This conversation about politics isn’t some “touch on the third rail” and tip toe around it conversation, though. It's not a baseline, basic chat about how everything is broken in the buildings 30 minutes from where I live. This is a conversation between an engaged and informed voter, me, and someone whose job it is to get...
Clinton Yates on Race, Baseball and Family (Recorded at MAJOR in Washington, D.C.)
March 02, 2020 10:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBIn the first official episode of Chasing Interesting, Clinton Yates sits down at MAJOR in Georgetown (Washington, D.C.) for a conversation amongst the best of friends. Clinton is a contributor to ESPN as a panelist on Around The Horn, a storyteller for E:60, a writer for The Undefeated and host of the new SportsCenter segment "Drip Drive." Before ESPN, he wrote for The Washington Post. He's a lifelong Washingtonian and truly someone I consider family. We talk about why the Nationals winnin...
A Conversation with My Father About BS
December 01, 2019 12:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBI sit down with my father, Steven O. Hoffman for a conversation about his recently published book: "The Reality of BS (Big Sales, That Is!)" We discuss the process of writing the book and some of the major tenants in it, including the power of people, why value is more important than price, the human motivations of fear and greed, his pillar of "ROC" and more. We also talk about how some of the sales lessons in the book really are life lessons, many of the same ones that he taught me as a...
1-21-18 Hoffman Show Podcast
January 22, 2018 01:14 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MBI talk with Mark Bullock about Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen, why the Rooney Rule is important and we debate whether or not I was a jerk to a 14 year old basketball player. Plus, most deserved praise for Aly Raisman.Thanks to PJ Elliot for piecing together the pod this week! Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
August 2017 Week 2 Best Of
August 15, 2017 02:34 - 1 hour - 49.9 MBThe best of "The Hoffman Show" from 8/13 and "Overtime" from 8/14 includes reaction to the Bryce Harper injury and interviews with Robert Flores (MLB Network), Mason Foster (Washington Redskins), Jeff Cavanaugh (105.3 The Fan, Dallas) and Chris Gorres (Train With The Best Podcast). Plus, Nick Ashooh and I talk about Danny Rouhier's failed vacation and whether we could gain 12 lbs in a week. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
BONUS: Training Camp Interviews
August 06, 2017 17:45 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBThis special, bonus edition of the pod is a collection of interviews with Mason Foster, Preston Smith, Junior Gallette, Dustin Hopkins and Torrian Gray from training camp in Richmond. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
8-6 Best Of Hoffman Show
August 06, 2017 17:39 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBI talk to John Wall, Mike Jones (Washington Post), Sebastian Salazar (ESPN) and Kevin Brown (Nationals) on this week's show. John Wall does not need a parenthetical. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
7-10 Best Of Hoffman Show
July 11, 2017 02:25 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBOn this week's show I talk to Bryan Curtis on the future of sports media, Adnan Virk, Robert Flores and Grant Paulsen on baseball and Chase Hughes on the Wizards. Plus, calls on Kirk Cousins's contract situation and a bit of nonsense. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
7-3 Best Of Hoffman Show (Interviews)
July 03, 2017 19:12 - 1 hour - 50 MBI talk NBA with Kevin Arnovitz (ESPN), Tim Bontempts (WaPo), Nick Wilson and (92.3 The Fan, Cleveland). Plus, Lorenzo Alexander on NFL salaries, Neil Greenberg on the Caps and Thom Loverro on Saturday's fight. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
7-2 Best Of Hoffman Show (Solo)
July 03, 2017 19:11 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBI discuss a number of topics including NBA vs NFL salaries, Colin Kaepernick and we have an edition of "Real Things Real People Said Into Real Microphones." Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
6-25 Best Of Hoffman Show
June 25, 2017 16:24 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBI make my debut on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland discussing Dan Gilbert's decision to part ways with David Griffin. Plus, Adam Kaufman, Mike Prada Jorge Sedano and Kevin Pelton join the DC shows to talk about the NBA. And "when keepin it real goes wrong" features who else, but Stephen A Smith. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
6 - 18 Best Of Hoffman Show
June 18, 2017 15:56 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBOn this week's show I discuss the NBA Draft, including the reported trade between Boston and Philly and why it doesn't make sense if this is it for Boston and scouting reports on the top 5 players. Plus, Gary Parrish on the draft and Louisville's punishment. Also, JP Finlay on football and grilled meats! Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
6-11 Best Of Hoffman Show
June 11, 2017 17:51 - 43 minutes - 30 MBIs there room for nuance in sports journalism in 2017? Plus, conversations with Lorenzo Alexander and Brian McNally. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)
6-4 Best Of Hoffman Show
June 04, 2017 17:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MBI talk with Lorenzo Alexander about how viable OTA's are in the modern NFL and whether or not it matters when star players skip them. Plus, Jerry Brewer on LeBron James' perspective and Adnan Virk on baseball fights. Support the show (http://HoffmanShow.com)