The Media Sport Podcast Series

Episode 44 – Robert McLeman: RinkWatch, Climate Change and the Power of Citizen Science

Robert McLeman from Wilfred Laurier University in Canada speaks to the series about RinkWatch, a fascinating citizen science research initiative that traces the impacts of climate change on outdoor ice rinks and ponds in North America. We discuss the community and tech that makes RinkWatch possible, the media and public responses to its findings, and future scenarios for ice skating in a warming climate.

Episode 43 – Markus Stauff: Sport Television, Technology and History

This episode features Markus Stauff from the University of Amsterdam. He outlines the complex relationship between television, technology, mediation and sport across time. We discuss datafication, forensic fandom and sports photography, before concluding with some reflections on the politics of open access publishing. 

Episode 42 – Jim Cherrington and Jack Black: Sport and Nature in Catastrophic Times

Jim Cherrington and Jack Black from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK join the Series to discuss their new edited collection, Sport and Physical Activity in Catastrophic Environments. We discuss the role of sport around the world in rebuilding after catastrophe, the relationship between nature and technology, and mountain biking. The weird and eerie also feature. 

(Note: This podcast uses sound from freesound: "Bike ride" by crooner (https://freesound.org/s/42539/) licensed under CC0 1.0.)

Episode 41 – Jessica Murfree: Extreme Weather, Climate Injustice and Intersectional Environmentalism

Episode 41 features a conversation with Jessica Murfree from Texas A&M University in the United States. Jessica shares her insights about climate injustice, extreme weather and the benefits of adopting an intersectional perspective on the environment. We also discuss the attitudes of fans towards climate change and importance of research impact.

Episode 40 – Dan Henhawk: Indigenous Physical Cultures, Sustainability and Reconceptualising Sport and Leisure

We're joined for Episode 40 by Dan Henhawk from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. Speaking as a proud Kanien’keha:ka and Haudenosaunee man, Dan shares his insights about the value of Critical Indigenous Studies and the need to rethink notions of sustainability grounded in colonialist norms and values. We also discuss race, racism and the fascinating history of lacrosse.  

Episode 39 – Madeleine Orr: Sport, Climate Change and COP26

Sport and climate change leader Madeleine Orr speaks about slippery slopes at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the role of sport at the COP26 conference in Glasgow, and the origins of the Sport Ecology Group. Read about Maddy’s research and activities on her website, follow her on Twitter @maddyjorr, and hear her on the Climate Champions Podcast.  

Episode 38 – Jules Boykoff: The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, COVID-19 and Greenwashing the Games

A Tokyo 2020 (2021) Olympics and Paralympics special episode. I'm joined by scholar-activist and leading Olympics expert, Jules Boykoff, to review recent events in Tokyo. We discuss the staging of the Games in the middle of a public health emergency that saw celebration capitalism and disaster capitalism collide. Jules also offers his insights on greenwashing, anti-Olympic activism, and the announcement of Brisbane as the latest host of the Games in 2032. 

Further information about Jules' work is available via www.julesboykoff.org and his Twitter profile @JulesBoykoff.  

Episode 37 – Holly Thorpe: Changing Toxic Elite Sport Cultures and the Passing of Olympic Cyclist Olivia Podmore

This episode covers the serious issue of suicide in elite sport. We're joined by Holly Thorpe to discuss her recent article in The Conversation, 'The price of gold — what high-performance sport in NZ must learn from the Olivia Podmore tragedy'. Holly highlights the costs of elite sport culture, mental health, and the urgent need for institutional change to better protect the well-being of athletes.

She makes the case that sociological critique can only get us so far when faced by a tragedy such as this one. Next steps include ongoing dialogue with other disciplines, members of the elite sport community, and the wider public. 

We offer our sincere condolences to the Podmore family, her friends, team-mates, coaches and others who knew Olivia, as well anyone at all who has been impacted by news of her death.

If this discussion raises issues for you, or if you’re concerned about anyone you know, please contact Lifeline in Australia or Aotearoa/New Zealand, or their equivalents around the world depending on where you are listening.

 

Episode 36 – Melanie Sartore-Baldwin: Human-Animal Relations, Sustainability and Sport

Recorded in lockdown via Zoom, Episode 36 examines human-animal relations, sport and physical activity. Melanie Sartore-Baldwin explains why our social relationships with animals matter and the intricacies of speciesism and animal-standpoint theory. We also discuss the relationship between sports mascots and endangered species, horses and dogs in sport, and food. Get vaccinated everyone!

Episode 35 – Rebecca Olive and Belinda Wheaton: Blue Spaces, Sport and the Sea

We’re back! This episode features Rebecca Olive and Belinda Wheaton discussing their new special issue(s) of the Journal of Sport and Social Issues – ‘Understanding Blue Spaces: Sports, Bodies, Wellbeing, and the Sea’.

In a wide-ranging discussion, they share their insights about surfing, pollution, waka ama paddling, and the value of transnational research perspectives. Listeners should check out the special issue(s) and the ‘Moving Oceans’ project website.