Show Pony Live!

Chris Childers

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The Uncensored Home of the Show Pony, Chris Childers. 20 + year veteran sports talk radio host for Sirius XM. Specializing in college sports and sports media coverage. Show Pony Sports Media is your place for unfiltered, quirky, and informed college sports perspective and information! www.showponymedia.com

1 day ago

College Sports’ New Reality: Northern Illinois A.D. Sean Frazier Explains How You Survive It

College athletics isn’t just changing—it’s being rebuilt in real time. On tonight’s episode of Show Pony Live, presented by AR’s Hot Honey, Northern Illinois Athletic Director Sean Frazier joins me for one of the most insightful conversations you’ll hear about where college sports are headed. Northern Illinois is entering its first football season in the Mountain West Conference, a move that represents far more than a change in opponents. It’s a strategic decision in an era where athletic directors must think as CEOs, balancing finances, competitive success, media exposure, student-athlete experience, and long-term sustainability. We dive into: * Why NIU made the move to the Mountain West. * How the Huskies are preparing for their first season in a brand-new league. * The realities of conference realignment. * Managing NIL and the transfer portal. * What life is like for a Group of Five athletic director in today’s rapidly changing landscape. * Whether college sports are finally settling into a new normal—or if even bigger changes are still coming. Sean has earned a reputation as one of the most respected administrators in college athletics because he’s willing to think differently. As schools across the country wrestle with unprecedented challenges, Northern Illinois has embraced a long-term strategy centered on increasing revenue, strengthening its brand, and positioning itself for the future. If you’re interested in where college athletics is headed—not just this season, but over the next decade—you’ll want to hear this conversation. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to Show Pony Media so you never miss an episode. Presented by AR’s Hot Honey. Use promo code SHOWPONY15 to save 15% on your order. Get full access to Show Pony Sports Media at www.showponymedia.com/subscribe
2 days ago

Indiana Just Got Even Stronger! Plus: Shame on Boston College!

Indiana is bringing back Stephen Daley after a judge granted an extra year of eligibility to players from the 2022 high school class. Daley is not some fringe roster player, either. He led Indiana with 17 tackles for loss last season. His return is a major development for the Hoosiers, but the ruling also opens the door to a much larger conversation about eligibility, roster management and just how chaotic college sports has become. We get into what this decision could mean across the country, because Indiana will not be the only school trying to take advantage of it. We also discuss the fallout at Boston College after the school fired longtime basketball broadcasters Kevin Collins and Josh Maurer. Broadcasters are not disposable. They are the connection between a program and its fans, and too often the people making these decisions have no appreciation for the craft, history or human beings involved. Finally, we look at college sports’ growing obsession with hiring executives from professional sports. Every school suddenly wants someone from the NFL, NBA or Major League Baseball to come in and “modernize” the operation. But is that really what college athletics needs? College sports keeps trying to become professional sports while forgetting the traditions, communities and relationships that made it special in the first place. All of that and more on today’s edition of Show Pony Live. Presented by AR’s Hot Honey. Use promo code SHOWPONY15 for 15% off at ARsHotHoney.com. Get full access to Show Pony Sports Media at www.showponymedia.com/subscribe
3 days ago

Did the SEC Lose Its Swagger? Ryan Fowler on Alabama, the Playoff & the Future of College Sports

There was plenty to unpack after SEC Media Days, so I caught up with Ryan Fowler of Tide 100.9 to get his perspective after spending the week in Atlanta. One of the most interesting takeaways? Ryan believes something felt...different. For years, SEC Media Days felt like the center of the college football universe. This year, he says some of the league’s swagger seemed to be missing. Is it simply the changing landscape of college athletics? Is the conference no longer carrying itself with the same confidence? We dive into why the vibe felt different and what it could mean moving forward. We also tackle one of the biggest stories hanging over the sport: the Protect College Sports Act. Is meaningful federal legislation actually getting closer, or are we still a long way from any real stability? We discuss the latest momentum and what it could mean for the future of college athletics. Of course, no conversation about Alabama is complete without talking football. We break down the Crimson Tide quarterback competition, who has the inside track to win the job, and what Kalen DeBoer needs from the position this fall. We also debate whether Alabama has done enough to fix the rushing attack after last season’s struggles. If the Tide can’t consistently run the football, can they realistically compete for an SEC Championship or College Football Playoff berth? Finally, we put Alabama under the microscope. Is this truly a playoff-caliber team? Are expectations being set too high—or are people sleeping on the Tide entering 2026? It’s a loaded conversation covering Alabama, the SEC, and the biggest issues shaping the future of college football. On today’s episode: * Ryan Fowler’s biggest takeaway from SEC Media Days * Has the SEC lost some of its swagger? * The latest on the Protect College Sports Act * Alabama’s quarterback battle * Can the Tide finally fix the rushing attack? * Is Alabama a legitimate College Football Playoff contender? Presented by AR’s Hot Honey. Use promo code SHOWPONY15 at checkout to save 15% on what I genuinely believe is the best hot honey on the market. Get full access to Show Pony Sports Media at www.showponymedia.com/subscribe
30 Jul

Big Ten Media Days Recap: Indiana, Michigan & the Biggest Storylines

Big Ten Media Days are officially in the books, and we’re recapping everything you need to know from all three days in Chicago. In this episode, we break down the biggest headlines from Big Ten Media Days, with a special focus on Indiana football and Michigan football following their appearances on the final day. We also discuss the most notable comments from Pat Fitzgerald, Matt Campbell, Bret Bielema, and Dan Lanning, and what their remarks could mean heading into the 2026 college football season. From quarterback storylines and conference contenders to the biggest takeaways from coaches and players, we separate the coachspeak from the news that actually matters. Even though I wasn’t on-site in Chicago, this episode brings together the key moments, reactions, and analysis from all three days of Big Ten Media Days. Whether you’re a fan of Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Indiana, Oregon, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, or any other Big Ten program, this episode will get you caught up on the conference’s biggest preseason storylines. Presented by AR’s Hot Honey. Use promo code SHOWPONY15 at checkout to save on your order. Get full access to Show Pony Sports Media at www.showponymedia.com/subscribe
27 Jul

Big Ten Media Days Begin, Michael Lombardi's UNC Drama, and Lane Kiffin Being Lane Kiffin

On today’s episode of Show Pony Live, presented by AR’s Hot Honey, we covered another packed day in college athletics, beginning with the surprising news that North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi has been placed on paid administrative leave. It’s a fascinating development for a program entering its first season under Bill Belichick and one we’ll continue to monitor closely. We also discussed Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel’s reported $7 million buyout, another reminder of just how much money is now flowing through college athletics. Athletic directors, coaches, television networks, conferences—everything continues to get bigger financially, and the stakes have never been higher. With Big Ten Media Days getting underway in Chicago this week, we previewed the biggest storylines to watch. Which teams are legitimate national title contenders? Which coaches are under the most pressure? And what questions need answering before Week 1 arrives? The Big Ten enters another season carrying enormous expectations, and we’ll be following every development. One of my favorite segments today centered around Lane Kiffin. I played several of his comments from SEC Media Days and reacted to them live. Kiffin remains one of the most unique personalities in college football. Whether you agree with him or not, he has a way of saying exactly what he thinks while keeping everyone listening. He’s entertaining, insightful, and unlike almost anyone else in the sport. We also examined the growing movement involving Stanford football players, who are reportedly attempting to organize around collective bargaining. It’s another sign that the conversation surrounding player rights, employment, and the future structure of college athletics isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The legal and financial landscape of college sports continues to evolve, and this story could have implications well beyond Palo Alto. As always, thank you for supporting Show Pony Media. If you’re enjoying the podcast, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a rating and review, and share the show with another college football fan. Every subscription helps us continue growing this community. Today’s episode is presented by AR’s Hot Honey. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out. It’s the best hot honey I’ve ever had, and it’s become a staple in my kitchen. Visit ARsHotHoney.com and use promo code SHOWPONY15 to save 15% on your order. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Show Pony Live. Get full access to Show Pony Sports Media at www.showponymedia.com/subscribe
22 Jul

Show Pony Live: SEC Media Days, Day 3. Can Bama find a run game?

Show Pony Live Presented by AR’s Hot Honey Day 4 of SEC Media Days is here! Tonight on Show Pony Live, we discuss the 3rd day in Tampa as Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M take center stage. What are the biggest storylines? Which coaches and players have the most to prove? We’ll get you ready for the final day of one of college football’s biggest events. We’ll also look back at Wednesday’s media sessions, including what Kirby Smart and Alex Golesh had to say about their programs and what their comments could mean heading into the 2026 season. Presented by AR’s Hot Honey. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out. As I said on today’s radio show, I had one of the mainstream hot honeys at a restaurant today, and it wasn’t even close. The flavor and quality of AR’s Hot Honey stand out immediately. Save 15% with promo code SHOWPONY15. Subscribe FREE at ShowPonyMedia.com and join us live! Get full access to Show Pony Sports Media at www.showponymedia.com/subscribe
21 Jul

🎙️ Show Pony Live: Two Days In: SEC Media Days Takeaways with George Somerville

Presented by AR’s Hot Honey SEC Media Days are in full swing, and while I wasn’t in Tampa this year, we still had boots on the ground. George Somerville of The College Chaps and The Touchdown joined me live from SEC Media Days to break down everything we’ve seen through the first two days. We discussed Commissioner Greg Sankey’s State of the Conference address, including his comments on the future of college sports and the SEC’s growing frustrations with the current landscape. Sankey acknowledged that discussions about the SEC potentially separating from the NCAA are real, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the sport’s future. We also went team-by-team through the biggest storylines from the opening two days, highlighting which coaches and players made the strongest impressions, what stood out from Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, and what it all could mean heading into the 2026 season. If you love college football, this is your daily SEC Media Days catch-up. Listen now on Substack, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and be sure to subscribe to Show Pony Media so you never miss an episode. Get full access to Show Pony Sports Media at www.showponymedia.com/subscribe
21 Jul

Sankey Needs to Talk Sense Into His Presidents!

SEC Media Days Begin: Sankey’s NCAA Comments and Day 1 Reactions SEC Media Days are officially underway, and while I’m not in Tampa, I followed every major development closely. On today’s episode of Show Pony Live, presented by AR’s Hot Honey, I react to Commissioner Greg Sankey’s opening remarks, including his comments about the possibility of the SEC eventually splitting away from the NCAA and what that could mean for the future of college athletics. I also break down the biggest storylines from the four programs that met with the media on Day 1: Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky. Which comments actually mattered? Who made the strongest impression? And what should fans take away as the 2026 season approaches? Show Pony Live is presented by AR’s Hot Honey. Visit ARsHotHoney.com and use promo code SHOWPONY15 for 15% off. Subscribe for free at ShowPonyMedia.com and follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Get full access to Show Pony Sports Media at www.showponymedia.com/subscribe

The Uncensored Home of the Show Pony, Chris Childers. 20 + year veteran sports talk radio host for Sirius XM. Specializing in college sports and sports media coverage. Show Pony Sports Media is your place for unfiltered, quirky, and informed college sports perspective and information! www.showponymedia.com

Creator

Chris Childers
Years Active

2026
Episodes

51
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Chris Childers
Show Website

Show Pony Live!