The Chris Rawle Show
578 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 79 ratingsA thoughtful exploration of the world through the prism of sports.
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Episodes
The Opportunity For Rebirth
September 16, 2022 07:00 - 43 minutes - 35.3 MBRoger Federer retires and Nebraska begins searching for a head football coach.
Monday Morning Kicker
September 13, 2022 08:00 - 48 minutes - 39 MBAn examination of the margins leads us down the wormholes of Baylor-BYU, Alabama-Texas, and Steelers-Bengals.
Hope & Competition
September 09, 2022 07:00 - 38 minutes - 31 MBThe NFL offers two things that every sport should aspire to: hope for every fanbase and night-in, night-out competition. How do college football and the NBA stack up in these two areas?
The Odds Against Us Are Endless & Still We Have Made It
September 06, 2022 07:00 - 38 minutes - 30.9 MBWeek One of the college football season is complete and it’s time to examine the margins for Anthony Richardson, NC State-East Carolina, North Carolina-Appalachian State, Iowa-SDSU, and Florida State-LSU.
He Loved The Earth So Much He Wanted To Stay Forever
September 02, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 29.7 MBAn ode to the true opening week of college football, a sport that offers what no other can.
The Difference Between Believing & Wanting To Believe
August 30, 2022 07:00 - 43 minutes - 34.7 MBCollege football is finally here and Nebraska’s season is already over. How does this keep happening and when will it ever end? Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude - https://open.spotify.com/track/2XEFWSnkgjXe4eZ9gDqAgq?si=83173bde61154ede
The Only Moment That We Live Here Fully As Human Beings
August 26, 2022 07:00 - 45 minutes - 36.5 MBCollege football is finally here and the NFL is quick to follow. What do we actually know about the greatest sport on earth? https://open.spotify.com/track/3pRaLNL3b8x5uBOcsgvdqM?si=37b85d4e63404125
Forget The Person You Were & Instead Record Who You Have Become
August 23, 2022 07:00 - 45 minutes - 36.6 MBChange is an inevitable part of life—projecting the depth and direction of that change is hard and at times, impossible. As Justin Herbert moves into his third season as starting quarterback of the Chargers, how different is our perception of him (compared to his senior season at Oregon) and what do we expect from him moving forward?
This Is A Story About Bob Dylan
August 19, 2022 07:00 - 27 minutes - 22.1 MBThis is a reading of “Unclipped Strings,” an essay written by Chris Rawle about a passionate, lifelong exploration of the music of Bob Dylan. The full text can be found here: https://www.chrisrawle.com/unclipped-strings/
Being Unafraid To Be Who You Want To Be
August 16, 2022 07:00 - 41 minutes - 33.1 MBI have a deep, abiding respect for people who are unafraid to be what they want to be. Bob Dylan is a shining example and with football season nearly upon us, many teams are trying to mirror his approach. How do you find and solidify your identity?
Who Will Rise & Who Will Fall In The 2022 College Football Season?
August 12, 2022 07:00 - 40 minutes - 32.2 MBCollege football is a sport that revolves around cycles of power. Nebraska, Florida State, Miami, USC, and Texas were great until they weren’t. The sport has recently been dominated by Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson, and Oklahoma. Who has potential to fall and who can rise to replace them?
It Takes A Village To Win A Football Game
August 09, 2022 07:00 - 37 minutes - 30.2 MB“Quarterbacks fail in the NFL, sure. But more often they are failed.” How many things need to align in order for a quarterback to find success? Referenced in todays show: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/orgFuorCksb
He Couldn’t Tell Me What He Was Dreaming & I Couldn’t Tell Him What Was Real
August 05, 2022 07:00 - 38 minutes - 31.2 MBPreseason camps have begun and NFL teams are trying to discern what is real and what is not. Through that lens, we examine Ja’Marr Chase, Romeo Doubs, Mitch Trubisky, Tua Tagovailoa, and Aaron Rodgers.
The Wild You Have Forgotten Inside You That Senses All Things
August 02, 2022 07:00 - 37 minutes - 30.5 MBThe known, the unknown, and why we love what we love.
Competency At Quarterback Has Never Mattered Less
July 29, 2022 08:00 - 34 minutes - 27.5 MBThe search for superstar quarterbacks is fast, furious, and never-ending. What is the perceived value of those QBs who are competent, but not stars?
Wide Receiver Value
July 26, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 24.6 MBThe passing game has never been important in football. With that understanding, how much value are NFL teams placing on the wide receiver position?
Seek Out What Resonates & Root Accordingly
July 22, 2022 09:00 - 35 minutes - 28.8 MBThe Utah Jazz are committed to a full-scale teardown. Is the path forward for Utah energizing or demoralizing?
The Ultimate Test Of Versatility
July 19, 2022 07:00 - 37 minutes - 29.7 MBWinning a championship is all about versatility. Nowhere is this more true than at The Old Course at St. Andrews, site of the 150th Open, where Cam Smith became a major champion.
The Descent Into The Mind
July 15, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 28.9 MBA discussion of the various ways to unlock the mind, featuring the words of author George Saunders, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis, and golfers Jon Rahm and Tiger Woods.
Us Alive, Right Here, Feeling Lucky
July 12, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 25.6 MBAging athletes, Tiger Woods, and the 150th British Open at St. Andrews.
The Gap Between What You Have & What You Want
July 08, 2022 07:00 - 40 minutes - 32.5 MBIs it true that happiness is found by bridging the gap between what you have and what you want?
The Separation Of Before & After
July 05, 2022 07:00 - 32 minutes - 26.5 MBThe two biggest sports items of the week: Rudy Gobert traded from the Utah Jazz to the Minnesota Timberwolves, USC/UCLA agreeing to join the Big 10 in 2024. What is the story (past, present, and future) of both of these moves?
This Is What It Takes To Win A Championship
July 01, 2022 07:00 - 50 minutes - 40.7 MBIn order to win a championship, you must be good and you must be lucky. Referenced in today's show: Nathan McKinnon & Establishing A Winning Culture - https://anchor.fm/thechrisrawleshow/episodes/Nathan-MacKinnon--Establishing-A-Winning-Culture-e15nkjr The Ascent Of Cale Makar - https://anchor.fm/thechrisrawleshow/episodes/The-Ascent-Of-Cale-Makar-e1ifckh
When Sports Are Good, There’s Nothing Better
June 28, 2022 07:00 - 43 minutes - 34.7 MBA tale of fandom, belief, and acceptance.
There Are No Winners Here
June 24, 2022 08:00 - 42 minutes - 34.4 MBThe ongoing saga of the PGA Tour vs LIV, money vs competition, and a question everyone should be asking of themselves: what do I value in life?
How Do You Make People Care?
June 21, 2022 07:00 - 35 minutes - 28.4 MBA discussion of culture, the PGA Tour vs LIV, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Golden State Warriors.
The Emotional Undercurrent Of Sports
June 17, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 29.1 MBHow many things in life make you feel this deeply?
What Can Be Unlocked By A Change In Situation
June 14, 2022 07:00 - 39 minutes - 31.4 MBFor every talented player that is unearthed by a change in situation (Kurt Warner, Matthew Stafford, Andrew Wiggins, Valeri Nichushkin, Arturri Lehkonen), how many players slip through the cracks?
Positional Value & What Is Valued Within A Position
June 10, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes - 36.1 MBAcross all sports, positional value is always changing. Traditional centers have been abolished in basketball, as have running backs in football. What is valued within a position is also changing. Steph Curry has transformed what we value in a point guard, Draymond Green has changed our minds on tweeners, and the Colorado Avalanche defense corps is built first and foremost upon puck-moving ability. What are the changes to come?
Good Enough For The Breaks Of The Game To Matter
June 07, 2022 07:00 - 38 minutes - 30.8 MBMerely being good enough to take advantage of the breaks of the game is usually interpreted as a backhanded compliment. However, outside of 2-3 teams per sport in any given season, this is the pathway to a championship. Who is (and has been) good enough for the breaks to matter?
Patience Is A Virtue…Mostly
June 03, 2022 07:00 - 32 minutes - 26.4 MBHow much patience is required to build a championship contender?
Who Is Going To Step Up?
May 31, 2022 07:00 - 35 minutes - 28.8 MBThe most simple yet complex questions of the playoffs: who is going to step up? Sometimes it’s a role player like Gabe Davis or Robert Horry. Sometimes it’s a good player like Jimmy Butler ascending even higher. Right at the top are players like Lebron James, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar—stars who somehow become even more in the postseason.
The Ghosts Of Playoffs Past
May 27, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutes - 34.4 MBThe playoffs are a time to prove things are different from the past. As the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue, the remaining teams pull upon the levers necessary for success: star performances, depth scoring, goaltending, and luck. Is the past applicable to the present?
The Union Of Body & Mind
May 24, 2022 07:00 - 41 minutes - 33.5 MBProfessional sports are about finding the perfect equilibrium between body and mind. Certain athletes (Bryson DeChambeau, Tiger Woods, Sam Girard, Jordan Binnington) are currently fighting the physical component, while others (Rory Mcilroy, Mito Pereira) are battling the mental. What does it look like when body and mind come together?
Gradually, Then Suddenly
May 20, 2022 14:18 - 51 minutes - 41 MBTo win a championship, a team must be willing and able to play in a variety of ways. What can be learned from the championship arcs of the Golden State Warriors and Tampa Bay Lightning?
The Margins Of Game 7
May 17, 2022 07:00 - 33 minutes - 26.9 MBSeven different Game 7s (Bruins-Hurricanes, Lightning-Maple Leafs, Kings-Oilers, Penguins-Rangers, Stars-Flames, Bucks-Celtics, Mavs-Suns) were played over last weekend. What separated the winners from losers?
The Ascent Of Cale Makar
May 13, 2022 07:00 - 46 minutes - 37.1 MBOne of the most satisfactory aspects of fandom is following the arc of an athlete whose ceiling appears undefined. Over the last three seasons and change, Cale Makar has transformed into the best defenseman in hockey. What is his ceiling?
Injuries & Referees
May 10, 2022 07:00 - 35 minutes - 28.9 MBThe playoffs are where legacies are defined. The playoffs are also where the margins are tiniest. In a strange way, the championship aspirations of many teams boil down to injuries and referees.
What Is A Playoff Player?
May 06, 2022 07:00 - 38 minutes - 31 MBThere is nothing the sports world despises more than a star player with zero team championships to their name. What is the definition of a playoff player and who qualifies?
You Never Know How Long A Championship Window Is Open
May 03, 2022 18:38 - 33 minutes - 26.8 MBWhen things are going well, the future always seems to extend to infinity. But just as quickly as a championship window opens, it can shut. Ask the 2002 Kings. Or the 2012 Thunder. Or the 2021 Jazz. How much pressure is on teams like the Phoenix Suns and Colorado Avalanche to win the championship this year?
When Does Promise Turn To Stagnation?
April 29, 2022 07:00 - 39 minutes - 32 MBEvery year, one of the most interesting parts of the playoffs to monitor is this: who has room to grow, how do we give that to them, and when do we truly understand what a player is? We have those answers for players like Lebron James and Russell Westbrook. But what about the growth curve of younger players like Ja Morant, Karl Anthony-Towns, Trae Young, and Donovan Mitchell?
The Role Of Talent & Cohesion In The 2022 NBA Playoffs
April 26, 2022 07:00 - 32 minutes - 26.2 MBFor most, the world of professional basketball revolves around a simple team-building strategy: the accumulation of talent trumps everything. As we are seeing in the first round of the NBA playoffs, however, this is not always the case.
How Much Can One Player Impact A Specific Side Of The Ball?
April 22, 2022 07:00 - 41 minutes - 33.2 MBIn a team sport, situation matters. As teams downshift in the playoffs to small-ball lineups—maximizing their mobility and versatility—individual defenders are stressed in different ways. What is fair to ask of any one player?
You Cannot Measure Everything With Numbers
April 19, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 25.5 MBThe playoffs are a pressure cooker. Some players are built to withstand adversity—others are not. Some possess an innate feel for what is required in each individual moment—others do not. The opening games of the playoffs provided plenty of examples, including Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, and the team defense of the Boston Celtics.
The Regular Season & The Playoffs Are Not The Same Thing
April 15, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 29.5 MBWhat works in the regular season and what works in the playoffs are not always the same thing. How much versatility is required to win four playoff rounds?
The Riveting Nature Of Augusta National vs The Bland Experience Of The PGA Tour
April 12, 2022 07:00 - 34 minutes - 27.7 MBThe Masters and Augusta National are universally praised for creating the best possible golfing experience for players and fans alike. Why does the PGA Tour struggle to mimic their recipe?
Rory, Tiger, & What We Want From Athletes
April 08, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 29.3 MBThe Masters is in full swing and Tiger has returned to the world of golf. What are the differences in what we want in our own lives vs what we desire from athletes?
Star Treatment In The NBA & NHL
April 05, 2022 07:00 - 37 minutes - 30.3 MBA long, winding discussion about the NBA and NHL, and how neither can find the balance between protecting their star players without lying down for them.
Should Team Success Be Factored Into Individual Awards?
April 01, 2022 07:00 - 35 minutes - 28.4 MBThe race for NBA MVP is boiling down to Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. How much should team success be factored into an individual award?
A Story About College Football
March 29, 2022 07:00 - 27 minutes - 21.9 MBThis is a reading of “Falling Out The Other Side,” an essay written by Chris Rawle about becoming a college football fan early in life and sustaining that love into adulthood.The full text can be found here: https://www.chrisrawle.com/falling-out-the-other-side/