Never Far from Home

24/06/2024

On Never Far from Home today: Mike Randolph! Mike joined the podcast as the fifth guest from the Minnesota Chronicles: 2.0. We head through a timeline that includes growing up in a large family, falling in love with the game of hockey, and playing competitively into his early twenties. Mike then talked about how he came into coaching and how important it was that his support staff, mostly his wife, was on board with his passion. With her support, and so many others, he has continued to coach hockey for many decades, helping shape future generations. Enjoy a wonderful episode!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/a-coaches-impact/

A big thanks to Summit Sticks and The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

20/06/2024

On Never Far from Home today: Dave Almquist! Dave joined the podcast as the fourth guest from the Minnesota Chronicles: 2.0. We dive into his tales of growing up in the Duluth area. He speaks of a poignant memory of being left on the sledding hill, and how that led him to hockey. We talk of family, both siblings and parents, and also the family you make in the locker rooms. Dave found success on the ice over the years, ended up playing some collegiate hockey, and has moved into new roles as he has aged and become a father himself. It would not be a podcast with Dave if we didn’t talk on Team Tucker, and we delve into that story as well. Enjoy another wonderful episode!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/the-brown-shopping-bag/

A big thanks to Summit Sticks and The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

14/06/2024

Phenomenal business doing great work inside the rink community! Are you loving the Rink life?? Check them out!

Team Tucker! Thank you Never Far from Home for reaching out and helping us proudly sponsor the first annual Team Tucker Hockey Tourney hosted in St. Louis Park, MN. Tucker was a sports, loving kid that fought a courageous battle with cancer. His legacy is now ensuring that more children fighting cancer can "Play, Laugh and feel Loved!" Check out Team Tucker: Play Laugh Love. or visit their site at https://playlaughlove.org/

Plus! Never Far From Home (A podcast highlighting the community of the rink) ➡ Take a listen! https://neverfarfromhome.co/

08/06/2024

On Never Far from Home today: Alex Frecon! Alex joined the podcast as the third guest from the Minnesota Chronicles: 2.0. The stories he shares stem beyond the game we love, and the rink community we are all lucky to be a part of. He shares his experience inside the game, never finding his own love for it at an early age. Alex then speaks of a certain friend who brought him back to hockey around his junior year of high school, and how he has not stopped skating since. His travels were outside the norm of the Minnesota culture of hockey, but very personalized to his own family, a mixed bag consisting of a French father and an American mother. The roots he sowed in his own cultural experiences led him to a road that few have taken. He has skated in North Korea, Turkmenistan, Egypt, and other great places around the world. We dive into tales of the hockey, of course, but more so, the human experience he got from his travels. Enjoy a special one.

https://neverfarfromhome.co/we-are-more-alike-then-we-are-different/

A big thanks to Summit Sticks and The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

18/05/2024

On Never Far from Home today: Emily West! Emily joined the podcast as the second guest from the Minnesota Chronicles: 2.0. We took a trip all around her rink life. She was born into it, with a brother nine years older who loved the game, and she found herself chasing him around wanting to be like him. We go through her time in Colorado Springs as a youth player, finding her own love for the game. Her reflection on her career comes through in many ways, but most notable was her appreciation for her coaches and mentors who helped push her forward. We dive into some of her time at University of Minnesota, capped off by a National Championship. We then get into her life, post-competitive hockey, and how that led to another National Championship as a coach at Ohio State. Enjoy a wonderful collection of tales, and appreciation.

https://neverfarfromhome.co/you-cannot-be-what-you-cannot-see/

A big thanks to Summit Sticks and The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

10/05/2024

On Never Far from Home today: Emma Sobieck! Emma joined the podcast as the first guest from the Minnesota Chronicles: 2.0. We dive into her stories, including growing up playing at the same rink the Mighty Ducks was shot at. SAhe talks about how certain coaches helped shape her intensity for the game, and eventually how she found herself behind the bench as well. Enjoy the many tales she shares, of family, love for the game, love for food, and of course, community. We dive into that very community and how she fostered it in Germany before landing herself a job back in MN. Enjoy!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/learning-loving-and-fostering-growth/

A big thanks Summit Sticks, and to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

03/04/2024

Good morning, friends! As you may have seen, or heard, we are heading out to Minnesota in May for a wonderful weekend of hockey, and GIVING BACK! Never Far from Home will be working tightly with Team Tucker: Play Laugh Love on a special tournament, and all proceeds directly benefit the VIP program!

There are multiple ways to get involved!! We still have room for a few more teams, so if you'd like to sign one up, message me! We also are having glass sponsorships available for businesses interested in a tax deductible donation for a great cause. And of COURSE, there is SWAG! Check out the sweet threads put together by Ursa Minor Outfitters! Everything over cost of the sweatshirt goes straight to the VIP program!!

PREORDER SALE ONLY!Preorders close April 17th. All ordered hoodies will be handed out at the Hockey Tournament benefiting the Team Tucker organization on May 10th. If not picked up at the tournament, your hoodie will be shipped to you after the event. Proceeds from the hoodies will go to the Team Tu...

27/03/2024

On Never Far from Home today: The Oak Creek Kodiaks 10U team! The Kodiaks came on a very special episode. Coaches Chris Hagen (Episode 65), and Kyle Pastor (Episode 10) approached me about the idea of highlighting their team. They expressed how this squad had captured all the good the game of hockey has to offer, and wanted to share some of their experiences. It was a novelty, for Never Far from Home, but we endeavored to highlight the kids and their experiences the best we could. Enjoy the quick dives into the 10U Oak Creek Kodiak team members, and the reflection on the season by the coaching staff!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/the-kodiaks/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

22/03/2024

On Never Far from Home today: Graysen Cameron! Graysen joined the show from Canada, and we wasted no time in jumping right to his timeline within the game. He was born into it, with a brother who was 10 years his elder who loved to play, but Graysen soon found his own passion for the game. We talk family dynamics, and how much his parents and siblings mean to the young man. We touch on his developing years, and some challenges that helped shape him. And we dive into his story within the tragedy of the Humboldt Broncos, and how he managed to come out of the incident as a better version of himself. We end up chatting about his next steps he has taken, and where his life has led him. Enjoy!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/a-broncos-energy/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

16/03/2024

Good afternoon, friends. I hope you are having a WONDERFUL day... Never Far from Home is heading to Minnesota in May for a benefit tournament for Team Tucker: Play Laugh Love!! We still have availability for teams, so reach out if you would like to captain! In the meantime, if you can't make the tourney, but would love to support a great cause, order your sweatshirts today! PRe-sale ends April 17, and all proceeds go to the Team Tucker!!

A huge thanks to Ursa Minor Outfitters for the sweet threads!

Link to buy:

PREORDER SALE ONLY!Preorders close April 17th. All ordered hoodies will be handed out at the Hockey Tournament benefiting the Team Tucker organization on May 10th. If not picked up at the tournament, your hoodie will be shipped to you after the event. Proceeds from the hoodies will go to the Team Tu...

13/03/2024

Been an absolute pleasure watching this company grow, over the years! Huge congrats to the whole Beauty Unis team!!

08/03/2024

On Never Far from Home today: Lowen Epstein! Lowen came on the show to talk about his odd connection to the rink. We delve deep into his rich love of sport, and the many ways he has connected to different games. Lowen played sports as a youth, graduated to broadcaster, and has always been a fan of a wide array of sporting worlds. Enjoy some tales wrapped in victories and celebrations, as well as some tribulations that led to growth. We also do touch on his new show starting soon on a local radio channel in the Yampa Valley!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/the-low-down/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

27/02/2024

On Never Far from Home today: Sara McClanahan! Sara joined the podcast, and we talk about her time growing up in Minnesota, falling in love with the game at different times, and the reasons that led her to find such a passion for hockey. She speaks to finding her own path within the game, and how she handled it over the many different years, in different roles. We go through her whole competitive youth hockey days, through college, and into her first tastes of coaching, within hockey and soccer. Enjoy the many tales!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/stepping-out-of-the-shadow/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

20/02/2024

On Never Far from Home today: Kelli Standekar! Kelli came on to the podcast, and shared about a wonderful timeline. Her stories span her youth where she found herself involved in numerous sports and activities, to her teenage years when she finally found the rink. We dive into some competition, and round it all out talking about her coaching arc as well. Enjoy the many tales she shares!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/late-to-the-rink/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

06/02/2024

We are heading back to Minnesota!! In May, Never Far from Home and Team Tucker: Play Laugh Love will be putting on an adult tourney! More details on the specifics will come by early next week, as well as sign up!

For now, there is already a great way to contribute! Ursa Minor Outfitters has absolutely knocked it it of the park with these custom hoodies: https://www.ursaminoroutfitters.com/product/team_tucker/59?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=5

Order yours today! The pre-sale ends April 17, and every dollar over cost goes DIRECTLY to Team Tucker!!

PREORDER SALE ONLY!Preorders close April 17th. All ordered hoodies will be handed out at the Hockey Tournament benefiting the Team Tucker organization on May 10th. If not picked up at the tournament, your hoodie will be shipped to you after the event. Proceeds from the hoodies will go to the Team Tu...

13/12/2023

On Never Far from Home today: Gabe Levin! Gabe shares tales from his early days in southern California, falling in love with the game, to his time with DU. In between, there are some marvelous lessons he learned, from patience, to self-belief, to not listening to the doubters. Gabe shares some stories along the way, and talks about a parental duo that simply let him play the game he loved, with no extra pressure to succeed. Enjoy his tales!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/chasing-the-love-of-the-game/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

04/10/2023

On Never Far from Home today: Jackie Wilson! Jackie came on the podcast and shared stories from her playing days through her present situation, as an official. We explore her time within the game in different capacities, and how that has translated to life as well. She expresses her sentiments on staying within the moment, while continuing to chase goals and dreams. I hope you enjoy her many shared tales!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/stay-present/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

03/10/2023

Love everything about this iconic rink… Learn to skates starting soon at The Gardens Ice House, a pillar in a wonderful community!

11/09/2023

On Never Far from Home today: Gib Mitchell! Gib came on the podcast and shared some wonderful tales. From growing up in New York, playing youth in numerous rinks, and eventually settling on secondary school in St. Lawrence. We hear tales of travel to Europe for a semester abroad, he shares about his time as a D1 athlete (a funny tale about playing for the women’s team), and we finally come to how it was he found himself in Steamboat Springs. Enjoy the many fantastic tales!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/st-lawrence-d1/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

01/09/2023

On Never Far from Home today: Adam Albert! Adam Joined the show after a few months of hearing all about it at work. He shares some funny tales from his years playing hockey, touching on many aspects of the game that will stay with him the rest of his life. We also get into a story on a very serious injury he had, and how he managed to bounce back from it. Enjoy the tales of an up and coming fireman, and a young man with a rich hockey history.

https://neverfarfromhome.co/the-dirty-alberty/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

31/07/2023

On Never Far from Home today: Dave Leonardi! Dave came on the show and shared some incredible stories. You may know him by a different name: The Sign Man. He has been a season ticket member of the Philadelphia Flyers since 1972-73, and has become an icon of sorts, within the game. That stems even to the Great One himself, who Dave shares a great story on. His biggest fan has been his mother, who would share with everyone who would listen that “My son is The Sign Man”. Enjoy some wonderful tales!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/the-sign-man/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

24/07/2023

Had an amazing opportunity to help Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation in assisting an incredible individual in the Yampa Valley. This tournament could not have gone off without everybody who was involved. So thank you to those who showed up, and to those who donated to help make this all possible. What an amazing weekend, seeing all of the love for my friend Drew. 

22/07/2023

https://sbsc23.givesmart.com

FLASH AUCTION!!!

Check out some fantastic items!! All proceeds benefit our local recipient!!!

Who let the Dawg’s out????

Help Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation spread the word about Steamboat Showcase Silent Auction!

21/07/2023

It’s almost

Thanks for the sick threads Beauty Unis!!

19/07/2023

On Never Far from Home today: Mikey Spencer! Mikey joined the show after the two of us became acquainted through Team Tucker. We explore his timeline which includes youth hockey in Minnesota through his senior year of high school, to his quick transition into the coaching world. Mikey shares great stories about some of his favorite, and most influential, figures in the hockey world. Enjoy another great episode!

https://neverfarfromhome.libsyn.com/never-far-from-home-ep-273-a-coach-from-youth

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

13/07/2023

Have you missed us? We have missed you.

Over the last 8 weeks, life has been hectic for all of us at Never Far from Home. Thanks for the patience, but we will be coming back with content in a big way over the next couple weeks!

On July 22nd, we are lucky to be working with Dawg Nation again for a great event that is going to have a big impact on another local in the Yampa Valley! There is going to be an ABC tournament, some online auction items (which we will boast on when they go live), and of course, GIVING BACK!

Legends are made...

15/06/2023

Oh, hello there…

08/05/2023

We have a week off from shows, but I wanted to take a moment to thank YOU! This project has been nothing short of incredible. From day 1, we have seen such wonderful and genuine support. It rolls on because of this. So, a big thanks to a few notables: Mountain View Car Wash (still with a self-serving option in Steamboat), Dano's Tequila, Bissell Brothers, and of course, two companies who have now been with me for the longest time, The Gardens Ice House and Beauty Unis. It is the support of all these companies, and more, that have allowed for so many tales to be shared. And I still think things are ONLY GETTING STARTED!

Thanks to you, the listener, as well. I hope you enjoy the tales as much as I enjoy bringing them to you.

So long, for now. I will leave you with this, to enjoy before the new eppy next week:

Paul Podkulski became involved with hockey as a fan as a young child. He grew up in upstate New York, but because of family, he was a Flyers fan. We go through his fandom, and how he eventually found himself working for a company that has the NHL as a client. Paul also shares some stories about Flor...

01/05/2023

On Never Far from Home today: Mike “Doc” Emrick! Doc joins the show for round two, and does not disappoint! We delve into some more tales, and explore some of the impactful calls “Doc” has been involved with. Being playoff time, we dive into some of his favorite pieces of the game, and much of it stems from this time of year. Enjoy another fantastic stretch of time with Mr. Emrick!

https://neverfarfromhome.co/the-handshake-lines/

A big thanks to The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!

24/04/2023

On Never Far from Home today: Dana Anderson-Helstrom! Dana is the tenth guest in the “Minnesota Chronicles”, a special series from my time in Minnesota for the Boys State High School Tourney. We connected on a phone call, and Dana shared some an incredibly emotional story about her journey with childhood cancer, as her son had been diagnosed. Dana shares the powerful tales of a fantastic spirit in her son, Tucker. And she also regales me with the difficulties, and ensuing strength, of Tucker’s two younger sister’s who had to face losing their brother at far too young an age. We cover a vast array of topics regarding her family, and there is quite a bit of sadness, followed by strength, and eventually a great way to remember her boy in a non-profit: Team Tucker (https://playlaughlove.org/). Enjoy an episode that may take a couple intermissions to get through.

https://neverfarfromhome.co/team-tucker/

A big shout out to Old Town Pub, Four Star Auto, and Yampa Valley Bank, supporting the Minnesota Chronicles!

And of course, The Gardens Ice House, for continuing to support the journey!