The Dr. Z & J-Dub Pod

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart continue their streak of interviews with ESPN legends by welcoming the voice of Monday Night Football, Steve Levy. Steve, who is known for his work on SportsCenter, Monday Night Football, and the National Hockey League, tells the story of soaking in the iconic MNF intro music prior to calling his first game, details his path to ESPN, and sets the stage for the NHL returning to ESPN next season.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart are joined by guests Jim Rooney and N. Jeremi Duru. Jim is the grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers' founder Art Rooney and Jeremi is a professor of sports law, civil procedure, and employment discrimination at American University's Washington College of Law, and is among the nation's foremost sports law authorities. Dr. Z & J.W. open by discussing last night's Super Bowl, Tampa Bay's swarming defense, and the greatness of Tom Brady before bringing in their guests to discuss the historic Steelers organization, the origins of the Rooney Rule, and the future of diversity hiring practices in professional sports.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart return from their holiday hiatus with a bang as they welcome sports media megastar, Dan Patrick. Dan, who hosts his daily radio show out of his Milford, CT studio, shares his thoughts on the Super Bowl matchup, tells us how he ended up with Carson Palmer's Heisman Trophy, and gives advice to students pursuing a career in sports media.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart are joined by guest Nick Sakiewicz, University of New Haven Men's Soccer alumni and current commissioner of the National Lacrosse League. Nick recalls the hardships his ancestors faced at the onset of World War II, his career as a Charger as well as professionally overseas, and how he left a lucrative career in finance to pursue a career in the sports industry.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome Notre Dame High School hockey coach and former University of New Haven men's hockey goalie (1978-82) Larry Vieira. Vieira, a 2000 Connecticut Gatorade High School Coach of Year, talks about his unique connection to UNH, what he loves about West Haven and what it's like to work across the street from his alma mater.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome Starter Company founder and former CEO David Beckerman into the virtual studio. Beckerman, a University of New Haven graduate, tells of the fortunate circumstances that helped build the Starter brand, and imparts wisdom on young entrepreneurs seeking to start a business. Beckerman's business ventures are not to be outdone by his impressive high school basketball coaching resume, capped off by sending one promising player to the NBA and a multi-million dollar contract.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and JW Stewart are joined by UNH Interim Provost, Mario Gaboury. They talk about the UNH reopening process in the face of a pandemic, the changes that have come about at UNH in the quarter-century that Mario has been at the University, and why Mario's great-great-great grandfather is a hero in Manitoba, Canada.

Co-hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome UNH Hall of Famer Dave Wallace, who's spent 51 years in baseball, most notably as a pitching coach. Owner of 3 World Series rings from his time with the Dodgers and Red Sox, Dave told some amazing stories about breaking "The Curse of the Bambino" in 2004 with Boston...what he learned from Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax...and how he'll celebrate the life and legacy of his good friend and Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, who passed away this week at the age of 75.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome Jim Marchiony as their guest for today's episode. Marchiony recently capped his four decade long career in college athletics by serving as a key communications player for the College Football Playoff. Stewart and Marchiony share some stories about shared media acquaintances, and we naturally discuss Dr. Z's favorite topic...food.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart are joined by former Charger centerfielder, Matt Chamberlain, who recently signed a professional contract in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Chamberlain discusses his time at UNH, what it was like to learn he was becoming a professional athlete, and what his plans are after his playing days are over.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart celebrate West Haven, the home of the University of New Haven. Dr. Z joins us from Prospect Beach for our first ever remote show!

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome Ron Quagliani, UNH's Associate Vice President of Public Safety & Administrative Services, to continue their celebration of West Haven. Ron Q and Broccoli Rob Thompson, both 'Westies' through and through, discuss the evolution of West Haven and it's outlook for the future.

Co-hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart are joined by Dr. Summer McGee, the Dean of the School of Health Sciences at University of New Haven and a national expert in health policy and healthcare management. As UNH's COVID-19 task force coordinator, Summer discusses the safe reopening of our campus...how sports teams can effectively train during these times...and how she developed into a "Pinball Wizard." #ChargerNation

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome University of New Haven athletics department staff members to discuss the announcement of fall and winter sports being postponed until December 31, 2020. Jon Mays discusses his leadership philosophy and the student-athlete leadership development program that will be implemented, Rob Thompson speaks on career development and how our student-athletes will explore a multitude of career paths, and Robin Salters discusses the newly formed Chargers Alliance aimed at providing opportunities for meaningful discussion and change within our walls.

Co-hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart go back and forth discussing the highlights of the New England shoreline, their itch to just watch some baseball again, and their favorite movies of all time. Producer Broccoli Rob Thompson joins from his virtual studio to provide some words of wisdom.

Co-hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome Paul Severino, the play by play announcer for the Miami Marlins. They discuss how Paul went from ESPN to the MLB Network and ended up with the Miami Marlins when Derek Jeter and new ownership took over in 2018. Paul recounts his first embarrassing encounter with Derek Jeter among other stories from his time at baseball's highest level.

Co-hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome UNH women's basketball alum, Ayana Duncanson. Ayana currently works with the NFL Player's Association and discusses how the league has approached their return to action from the COVID-19 pandemic, her role in helping players use their platforms to speak on social justice, and the upcoming episode of NFLPA Family Feud.

Co-hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome UNH head football coach Chris Pincince. The trio discuss his favorite moments from his three stints at UNH, how he once got yelled at by a security guard at Raymond James Stadium, and how his 11 year old daughter beat him in a race last weekend.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart are joined by Charger Hall of Famer and current mega-church pastor, Miles McPherson. They discuss the ongoing topic of race in our society and how you can learn a lot from studying the dynamics of a football locker room. Check out Miles' book here: Click Here.

Co-Hosts Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome University of New Haven Assistant Provost for Diversity & Inclusion/Director of the Center for Advanced Policing, Lorenzo Boyd to discuss the current state of affairs in our country. Dr. Boyd speaks about his early career in law enforcement and his continued efforts to train law enforcement officers to serve with compassion for people and their communities.

Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome ESPN Legend Chris Berman. From his home in Hawaii, Chris talks about his days at the Sports TV giant including his first days in Bristol back in 1979.

Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome University of New Haven two-sport standout (basketball and baseball) Kenny Coleman. Kenny has the distinction of playing seven seasons of professional baseball, including one season as a teammate to Michael Jordan on the Birmingham Barons. Kenny shares behind the scenes stories of playing with MJ and talks about what it was like to appear in the documentary, The Last Dance.

Sheahon Zenger and J.W. Stewart welcome Florida Atlantic University Defensive Coordinator, Jim Leavitt, to talk about building the programs at Kansas State and South Florida, how he once convinced his offensive coordinator to 'stall' so that his kicker had time to pick up a kicking tee from the local sporting goods store, and how he stays recruiting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sheahon Zenger and JW Stewart are joined by Gil Fried, Chair of the University of New Haven Sport Management program. Sheahon, J.W. and Gil will discuss stadium safety and risk management as sports leagues across the world gear up for a return to action.

Sheahon Zenger and JW Stewart are joined by University of New Haven Head Men's Basketball Coach Ted Hotaling.

Sheahon Zenger and JW Stewart are joined by University of New Haven President Steve Kaplan to talk about his leadership in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how the University is uniquely positioned to succeed in tumultuous times. Then Dr. Glenn McGee, a leading bioethicist and Deputy Provost at UNH, joins the pod to discuss where New Haven goes from here, why he and others choose to work at UNH, and where his interest in pinball originated.

Sheahon Zenger and JW Stewart are joined by University of New Haven Director of Sport Performance, David Faugno, to discuss how to stay physically sharp during quarantine, top sports movies, and a resurgence of West Haven, Connecticut.

Sheahon Zenger and JW Stewart are joined by certified high performance and life coach Tim Schlosser to talk mental health and tips for athletes dealing with the effects of COVID-19.