Guard the Yard

Audio 99 | Daylight Media
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Sports
  • Updated Biweekly

Guard the Yard with Yeardley Smith is a sports interview show that goes beyond the game. In a world where winning is everything and everyone is watching, Yeardley sits down with professional athletes to find out how they personally measure success, and who they are when the uniform comes off. These are warm, wide-ranging conversations with professional athletes about the careers that shaped them, the lives they’ve built beyond their sport, and the experiences, passions, quirks, and questions that make them who they are. Then, before time runs out, each guest faces a rapid-fire round inspired by the clock in their game. Every player, in every sport, in every position, has a story. Guard the Yard wants to hear it. Brought to you by Audio 99, the award-winning team behind the hit true crime podcast Small Town Dicks.

Episodes

  1. Sep 2

    Alec Ingold of the Los Angeles Chargers

    Los Angeles Chargers fullback Alec Ingold joins Yeardley Smith for a candid conversation about embracing change, finding purpose in adversity, and what happens when the path forward looks nothing like the one you planned. Just before their original interview date, Alec was released by the Miami Dolphins. Days later, he had signed with the Chargers and was preparing to begin again. He shares what those uncertain days felt like, how he processed the disappointment, and why the inner work he had already done became essential when everything suddenly changed. Alec also opens up about being adopted, becoming a perfectionist at a young age, and the lifelong fear that he might be someone’s second choice. He explains how that idea eventually took on a new meaning, and why he now believes the second choice can sometimes be the perfect one. They also discuss going undrafted, redefining his dream of playing in the NFL, controlling your second thought when self-doubt creeps in, and his work helping young people build skills that extend far beyond the scoreboard through the Ingold Family Foundation. Then Alec takes on the Game Clock, answering rapid-fire questions about time travel, quicksand, his pregame meal, and more. Every player has a story. Guard the Yard is here to hear it. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/guardtheyardshow https://www.tiktok.com/@guardtheyardshow Guard the Yard with Yeardley Smith is an Audio 99 production. Host: Yeardley Smith Guest: Alec Ingold Produced by Jessica Halstead and Monika Scott  Executive produced by Ben Cornwell and Yeardley Smith. Tech Director: Logan Heftel Editors: Soren Begin, Cristina Bracamontes, Nick Smith Design and social media by Andrew Polk. Music: Basixx / Shangri-La / courtesy of Epidemic Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  2. Aug 19

    Richie Palacios of the Tampa Bay Rays

    Tampa Bay Rays utility player Richie Palacios joins Yeardley Smith for a candid conversation about defying expectations, embracing his personality, and finding joy in the game of baseball. Richie talks about growing up in a New York baseball family, training alongside his brother Josh, and being told he was too small to play at the next level. He shares how that doubt fueled him, what he learned during his journey through the minor leagues, and the moment he finally earned a place on an Opening Day roster. They also discuss the pressure to tone down his personality on the field, how winter ball in Puerto Rico helped him reconnect with the fun of the game, and the positive self-talk that keeps a slump from defining him. Plus, Richie opens up about his love of fashion, jewelry and custom sneakers, the Built Different brand and nonprofit he created with his brother, baseball superstitions, walk-up music, and the mysterious tradition known as the rain turtle. Then Richie heads into Extra Innings, answering as many rapid-fire questions as he can before time runs out. Every player has a story. Guard the Yard is here to hear it. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/guardtheyardshow https://www.tiktok.com/@guardtheyardshow Guard the Yard with Yeardley Smith is an Audio 99 production. Host: Yeardley Smith Guest: Richie Palacios Produced by Jessica Halstead and Monika Scott  Executive produced by Ben Cornwell and Yeardley Smith. Tech Director: Logan Heftel Editors: Soren Begin, Cristina Bracamontes, Nick Smith Design and social media by Andrew Polk. Music: Basixx / Shangri-La / courtesy of Epidemic Sound Special Thanks to Nick Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  3. Aug 5

    Will Hernandez of the Arizona Cardinals

    Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Will Hernandez joins Yeardley Smith for a candid conversation about the long road that took him from a difficult childhood in Las Vegas to the NFL. Will shares what it was like living with his family in his uncle’s backyard shed, leaving football to help his parents make ends meet, and the coach who helped him see a future he could not yet imagine for himself. He also talks about handling disappointment, the pressure athletes face to maintain a certain body, the reality of draft day, and why he tries not to get too high after a win or too low after a loss. They also get into the work Will is doing with young people in his community, the sacrifices his parents made for their family, his love of Marvel, and the neighbor whose tacos helped sustain him during some of his hardest years. Then Will faces the Game Clock, answering as many rapid-fire questions as he can before 40 seconds run out. Every player has a story. Guard the Yard is here to hear it. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/guardtheyardshow https://www.tiktok.com/@guardtheyardshow Guard the Yard with Yeardley Smith is an Audio 99 production. Host: Yeardley Smith Guest: Will Hernandez Produced by Jessica Halstead and Monika Scott  Executive produced by Ben Cornwell and Yeardley Smith. Tech Director: Logan Heftel Editors: Soren Begin, Cristina Bracamontes, Nick Smith Design and social media by Andrew Polk. Music: Basixx / Shangri-La / courtesy of Epidemic Sound Special Thanks to Tom Linnemann  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  4. Jul 22

    Guard The Yard is Coming August 5th!

    You know the athlete. Now meet the person. On Guard the Yard, Yeardley Smith sits down with professional athletes for candid, wide-ranging conversations that go far beyond the game. They’ll talk about the careers that shaped them, the lives they’ve built outside their sport, and the passions, pressures, quirks, and experiences that make them who they are. Before the conversation is over, each guest will also face a rapid-fire round inspired by the clock in their sport. Every player has a story. Guard the Yard is here to hear it. Available August 5th wherever you get your podcasts, with full video episodes on YouTube and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trailer

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Guard the Yard with Yeardley Smith is a sports interview show that goes beyond the game. In a world where winning is everything and everyone is watching, Yeardley sits down with professional athletes to find out how they personally measure success, and who they are when the uniform comes off. These are warm, wide-ranging conversations with professional athletes about the careers that shaped them, the lives they’ve built beyond their sport, and the experiences, passions, quirks, and questions that make them who they are. Then, before time runs out, each guest faces a rapid-fire round inspired by the clock in their game. Every player, in every sport, in every position, has a story. Guard the Yard wants to hear it. Brought to you by Audio 99, the award-winning team behind the hit true crime podcast Small Town Dicks.

Information

  • Creator
    Audio 99 | Daylight Media
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Guard the Yard