The Backyard Banter Podcast
By: Matt Harmon
February 10th, 2016
February 10th, 2016
Almost without fail, there is one question that anyone who works in sports, especially analysts, should expect to get on a regular basis. “How did you get your job?” Now, there are two ways in which that question can be interpreted, but for the purposes of this project, we’ll focus on the less confrontational use.
When you’re in any position in which you get paid to dispense your opinion on sports, particularly those lucky enough to do it as their sole source of income, a sector of your audience will naturally want to know how you got there. These jobs are coveted, as someone who wanted one for years before I got to where I am today, I get it. So many people are looking for a path to emulate in the hopes that one day, their dream can also become a reality.
Believe me, and I think I speak for most of my colleagues here, I wish there was enough time in the day to respond to all the tweets, messages and emails from those who inquire “how did you get your job?” Mine is a detailed story, with many intricate twists and turns, lessons, mistakes and important moments in which I could use to advise those seeking an opportunity to make a career in this field. In trying to answer emails in that vein during this season, my inability to do the asker justice became apparent quickly. It was then that the inspiration for this show was born.
Throughout this offseason I’ll conduct an interview with someone holding some sort of job in the world of sports for each episode of The Backyard Banter podcast. Most of them will probably be football analysts, since that’s where most of my connections lie. The goal is to have them tell the story of their journey to how they arrived where they are now, while reflecting on the past and looking into the future. I truly believe we learn best from those who paved the path for us to follow. Every individual has their own journey to take, and your path will be different from their’s or mine, but a guideline is never a bad thing to have. I can say without doubt I wish I had a map like the one I hope this show becomes back when I started. My hope is that by sharing the stories graciously told by these individuals, we will help paint a picture that can benefit our audience, particularly those chasing this dream.
I know I’m one of the lucky ones. Of course, I worked hard, but plenty of people put that work in too. A big part of why I have a job with NFL Media, and why I am where I am today is due to those i the community that supported me, encouraged my growth and promoted my work. There’s no way I can ever repay that, or properly express how grateful I am to those people. Yet, as one of my first advocates in this industry and now good friends Sal Stefanile told me, all we can do is pay it forward.
That’s why I’m doing this. I want other people to feel the joy I do knowing that I get to do something I love, and strived for, every day as a career. The goal of this show is to provide those out there aspiring to be writers or analysts, those looking for a place to start or needing a guide to the next step, and those without a clue of how to express their passion something to work with. If The Backyard Banter Podcast helps even just one person find a way to channel their passion for football, or any sport, into a creative outlet, then this will be worth it. However, I don’t underestimate what the community of people I know through this industry is capable of. I’m as excited as the audience (hopefully there is one) is to walk down through these people’s journeys, while occasionally divulging into my own along the way.
The show will be hosted here through YouTube broadcasts (as long as the guest is okay with a video appearance), as I imagine a visual version where you can watch the conversation unfold holds some benefit. New episodes will be linked below. However, you can also subscribe on iTunes or through Stitcher for an audio only version to listen at your own convenience. If you hold a job in the industry, and are interested in participating in the show, please DM me on Twitter, or shoot me an email.
When you’re in any position in which you get paid to dispense your opinion on sports, particularly those lucky enough to do it as their sole source of income, a sector of your audience will naturally want to know how you got there. These jobs are coveted, as someone who wanted one for years before I got to where I am today, I get it. So many people are looking for a path to emulate in the hopes that one day, their dream can also become a reality.
Believe me, and I think I speak for most of my colleagues here, I wish there was enough time in the day to respond to all the tweets, messages and emails from those who inquire “how did you get your job?” Mine is a detailed story, with many intricate twists and turns, lessons, mistakes and important moments in which I could use to advise those seeking an opportunity to make a career in this field. In trying to answer emails in that vein during this season, my inability to do the asker justice became apparent quickly. It was then that the inspiration for this show was born.
Throughout this offseason I’ll conduct an interview with someone holding some sort of job in the world of sports for each episode of The Backyard Banter podcast. Most of them will probably be football analysts, since that’s where most of my connections lie. The goal is to have them tell the story of their journey to how they arrived where they are now, while reflecting on the past and looking into the future. I truly believe we learn best from those who paved the path for us to follow. Every individual has their own journey to take, and your path will be different from their’s or mine, but a guideline is never a bad thing to have. I can say without doubt I wish I had a map like the one I hope this show becomes back when I started. My hope is that by sharing the stories graciously told by these individuals, we will help paint a picture that can benefit our audience, particularly those chasing this dream.
I know I’m one of the lucky ones. Of course, I worked hard, but plenty of people put that work in too. A big part of why I have a job with NFL Media, and why I am where I am today is due to those i the community that supported me, encouraged my growth and promoted my work. There’s no way I can ever repay that, or properly express how grateful I am to those people. Yet, as one of my first advocates in this industry and now good friends Sal Stefanile told me, all we can do is pay it forward.
That’s why I’m doing this. I want other people to feel the joy I do knowing that I get to do something I love, and strived for, every day as a career. The goal of this show is to provide those out there aspiring to be writers or analysts, those looking for a place to start or needing a guide to the next step, and those without a clue of how to express their passion something to work with. If The Backyard Banter Podcast helps even just one person find a way to channel their passion for football, or any sport, into a creative outlet, then this will be worth it. However, I don’t underestimate what the community of people I know through this industry is capable of. I’m as excited as the audience (hopefully there is one) is to walk down through these people’s journeys, while occasionally divulging into my own along the way.
The show will be hosted here through YouTube broadcasts (as long as the guest is okay with a video appearance), as I imagine a visual version where you can watch the conversation unfold holds some benefit. New episodes will be linked below. However, you can also subscribe on iTunes or through Stitcher for an audio only version to listen at your own convenience. If you hold a job in the industry, and are interested in participating in the show, please DM me on Twitter, or shoot me an email.
Season 2 - 2017
Season 1 - 2016
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