The Lore

Tom Loxas
  • 5.0 (5)
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The Lore is a Chicago sports culture podcast for everyone — from the box-score junkie to the nostalgia junkie. Host Tom Loxas sits down with Chicago sports voices to explore the stories, media, and mythology around the teams. We talk about the stuff around the game as much as the game itself — the moments, narratives, and personalities that shape Chicago sports culture. Some of those stories are history. Some are happening right now. This is where Chicago sports becomes lore. Chicago Sports. Zoomed Out. The Lore is a Chicago sports podcast covering the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago sports media, and the culture around sports in Chicago.

Episodes

  1. MAR 3

    Has Chicago Sports Radio Lost Its Edge? — With Jeff Agrest

    When something big happens in Chicago sports, who do you turn to? Tom sits down with Chicago Sun Times media columnist Jeff Agrest to talk about the state of Chicago sports radio — from Dan Bernstein’s impact to whether today’s shows have lost some of the edge and tension that once defined them. They dig into media power, trust, conflict, the rise of podcasts, and how Chicago’s sports ecosystem is changing. It’s about how sports media shapes the way the city reacts.

    44 min

  2. FEB 24

    Chicago Cubs Giveaway Calendar Is Mostly Great, Actually — With Andy Dolan

    Bobbleheads. Throwbacks. Cade Horton truck-stop couture. The Cubs’ 2026 giveaway calendar might be one of their best — but what does it actually say about the brand? Tom and Andy Dolan from the Pointless Exercise Podcast break it down, plus a quick detour into Chicago sports media power rankings.

    40 min

  3. FEB 10

    How Chicago Cubs PR Changed Bleacher Nation — With Brett Taylor

    In this episode of Lore, Brett Taylor looks back on the unlikely arc of Bleacher Nation — from a side project in the early blog era to a daily stop for Cubs fans during the rebuild, the rise, and the championship. The timing, fandom, and why community mattered more than access. Brett reflects on what Cubs fans needed during the lean years, what traditional media couldn’t always provide, and how Bleacher Nation found its voice by staying close to the reader. It’s a conversation about luck, trust, and why the things that work eventually have to adapt — without losing what made them matter in the first place.

    28 min

  4. JAN 27

    Why Beer Money Still Lives On — With Luke Stuckmeyer

    Luke Stuckmeyer of CHGO unpacks the origins and lasting impact of Beer Money, one of Chicago sports TV’s most beloved trivia segments. From its early inspiration to the moments fans still talk about years later, Luke walks through how the show found its voice — and its audience. The conversation also dives into behind-the-scenes production, why embracing the absurd made the show work, and what Beer Money taught Luke about live TV, sports fandom, and Chicago’s unique media culture.

    31 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    How Songs Become Chicago Sports Anthems — With Matt Spiegel

    Chicago sports radio voice and musician Matt Spiegel joins The Lore to talk about the moments and sounds that shaped how Chicago sports felt — from baseball broadcasts and iconic theme music to the Bulls’ dynasty and the songs that defined entire eras. Spiegel reflects on how music and sports culture fused in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, why certain songs became inseparable from Chicago teams, and what it was like being behind the scenes at The Score during some of the city’s most defining moments. It’s a conversation about memory, identity, and why the soundtrack of Chicago sports still hits just as hard as the highlights.

    27 min
  • 5 Episodes

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Lore is a Chicago sports culture podcast for everyone — from the box-score junkie to the nostalgia junkie. Host Tom Loxas sits down with Chicago sports voices to explore the stories, media, and mythology around the teams. We talk about the stuff around the game as much as the game itself — the moments, narratives, and personalities that shape Chicago sports culture. Some of those stories are history. Some are happening right now. This is where Chicago sports becomes lore. Chicago Sports. Zoomed Out. The Lore is a Chicago sports podcast covering the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago sports media, and the culture around sports in Chicago.

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Loxas
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tom Loxas
  • Show Website
    The Lore

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