The Far Middle

In episode 201 of the Far Middle, Nick returns under the series’ new, flexible release schedule to discuss a pressing and timely topic: U.S. trade tariffs and their implications for the American economy, the middle class, and particularly the Appalachian region.  Nick frames the discussion through the lens of CNX Resources ’ core values-ownership, responsibility, and excellence-emphasizing CNX’s l...

In milestone Far Middle episode 200, Nick reflects on the series’ nearly four-year history and announces upcoming format changes. “Like all good things in life, evolution is part of the process and journey toward continuous improvement,” says Nick. Despite upcoming changes in format, the Far Middle’s mission and message are built to last. Similarly built to last, and a fitting sports dedication fo...

As the Far Middle approaches its 200 th episode, Nick begins with the series’ first sports dedication to honor a soccer great. That legend is Diego Maradona, whom Nick describes as the most dynamic, charismatic, and clutch athlete in soccer history. Nick recounts Maradona's humble beginnings in Buenos Aires, his rise to stardom, and his iconic transfer from Barcelona to Napoli in 1984, which reson...

In Far Middle episode 198, Nick opens with a tribute to one of the NFL’s most violent games—the early November 1984 matchup between the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders. The game featured Buddy Ryan’s “ 46 Defense ” thatfocused on relentless quarterback pressure (exemplified by their 11-sack performance against Archie Manning the prior week). That pressure led to Raiders’ quarterbacks Mark Wilson...

As Far Middle episode 197 arrives with Cactus and Grapefruit League play underway, Nick opens with a fitting baseball dedication to legendary Cincinnati Red, Ted Kluszewski, aka “Big Klu.”  Nick highlights Big Klu’s four ingredients for success—ability, confidence, work ethic, and the will to win. Those ingredients transcend baseball and apply to professional success no matter one’s career path. ...

In Far Middle episode 196, Nick starts with a blend of basketball history and intrigue for the installment’s sports dedication—recounting how basketball giants Red Auerbach and Wilt Chamberlain met back in the summer of 1954. Nick explains how Chamberlain and Auerbach’s paths crossed as player and coach at a country club in Monticello, NY. He reflects on the clash between the young, headstrong Cha...

As spring training gets underway during the premiere week of Far Middle episode 195, Nick leads off with a timely and heartfelt dedication to one of baseball’s greatest leadoff hitters—the late, great Rickey Henderson. Nick recalls Henderson's distinctive style and personality, including his crouched batting stance and his tendency to refer to himself in the third person. Reflecting on Henderson's...

Far Middle episode 194 is another exploration of multiple interconnected topics, beginning with a tribute to Constantine "Cus" D'Amato, a legendary boxing trainer and mentor. D'Amato's life story is remarkable. From his humble and rough beginnings in the Bronx to becoming a transformative figure in boxing, Cus went on to train champions such as Floyd Patterson and Mike Tyson while developing the i...

In Far Middle episode 193, Nick follows up last week’s dedication to the American Football League  with a timely tribute to legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick. Belichick, known for his six Super Bowl wins as head coach of the New England Patriots (plus two more as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants in Super Bowls XXI and XXV), recently surprised many, including Nick, by accepting a pos...

Far Middle episode 192 arrives as most of the US shivers amidst a polar vortex. Nick begins by coincidentally noting that 54 years ago tomorrow marks the day when Prospect Creek Camp, Alaska, experienced the lowest temperature ever in the United States, -80 degrees.  Beginning this week’s connections, Nick shifts from bitter cold to the intense heat of the march to Super Bowl LIX as only four team...

Nick opens Far Middle episode 191 with a sports dedication highlighting a sport that’s evaded the podcast series’ nearly four years (and counting) run of tributes. Nick heads back to 1972 to celebrate that summer’s World Chess Championship match between Bobby Fischer and defending champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union—dubbed the "Match of the Century" (not to be confused with “The Mile of the...

In Episode 190 of The Far Middle, Nick once again takes “constant listeners” on a journey through a string of connections in the spirit of Dr. James Burke’s Connections television series. The discussion tips-off with a sports dedication highlighting the fascinating story about how NBA legend Bob Cousy unexpectedly became a Boston Celtic. Despite being passed over in the 1950 NBA draft by the Celti...

  As the Far Middle enters 2025, this New Year's episode examines the evolving economics of baseball, comparing the 1954 New York Giants with today's San Francisco Giants. Nick explains how baseball in the 1950s was a modest business, with the Giants needing about $2.5 million to break even. Gate admissions were the primary revenue source, and player salaries accounted for only 30% of expenses. Fa...

In this special holiday Far Middle installment, Nick begins by looking back on the Christmas Truce of 1914 during World War I.  The remarkable event saw widespread unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front with soldiers from opposing sides exchanging greetings and even playing soccer matches. The truce was a one-time occurrence, as increased animosity in subsequent years prevented similar even...

In Far Middle episode 187, Nick returns to the rink to recall the infamous December 23, 1979, brawl between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. While the game took place just two days before Christmas, “Let’s just say the Christmas sprit didn’t’ prevail,” says Nick. He recounts how the brawl on the ice spilled over to the stands to become one of the most infamous and c...

  In Far Middle episode 186, Nick begins by honoring tennis icon Arthur Ashe. Nick uses the episode’s December 11 premiere date to connect to December 12, 1968, when the Richmond native would become the first black men's player to be ranked number one by the United States Lawn Tennis Association. Nick recounts Ashe's remarkable life story, from his beginnings in segregated Richmond to his tennis a...

In Far Middle episode 185, Nick takes listeners on a journey through sports history, energy policy, and rock music songwriting. Nick begins with the installment’s sports dedication to Dan Marino, who Nick describes as the greatest pure quarterback in the history of the NFL. “He grew up in the Oakland neighborhood in the city of Pittsburgh, literally in the shadow of the Pitt campus where he would...

In Far Middle episode 184, Nick wishes all a Happy Thanksgiving before turning to the hardwood for the episode’s sports dedication to basketball legend Patrick Ewing. Born in Jamaica, Ewing moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, at 12 years old and became a dominant high school player. Nick reflects on Ewing’s stellar college career at Georgetown under Coach John Thompson. As a Hoya, Ewing played in t...

In another engaging Far Middle installment, Nick takes “constant listeners” on a journey through American football history and political philosophy. George "Papa Bear" Halas, a titan of professional football whose influence extended far beyond the gridiron, is honored with episode 183’s sports dedication. Born in 1895, Halas lived a remarkable life that spanned nearly nine decades. He was not only...

In Far Middle episode 182, Nick presents an unconventional analysis of the 2024 presidential election.  Before assessing the lessons from the 2024 election, Nick begins with a fitting sports dedication. That tribute goes to President Gerald Ford as Nick highlights not only Ford's athletic career at the University of Michigan (helping lead the Wolverines to two national championships), but also For...

Far Middle episode 181 arrives the day after the 2024 General Election. “Election Day is about as American as you can get, and we are in the middle of a great football season, which is another thing that is about as American as you can get,” begins Nick. Accordingly, Nick pays homage to “Captain America,” better known as legendary NFL quarterback Roger Staubach for the installment’s sports dedicat...

In Far Middle episode 180, Nick highlights a one-of-a-kind baseball brawl from his favorite era, the 1970s, for the installment’s sports dedication. The incident between Hall of Famer Ted Simmons, pitcher Al Hrabosky, hitter Bill Madlock, and their Cardinals and Cubs teammates in 1974 was a memorable altercation, but also one of which many fans may be unaware. Listen as Nick recounts the wild even...

Far Middle episode 179 honors the one and only Chuck Bednarik. Not only does Bednarik join a long list of football legends celebrated on the Far Middle, but he joins a distinguished class of Far Middle sports legends who also served in our military, such as Ted Williams , Joe DiMaggio , Bob Feller , and Pat Tillman . Nick looks back on “Concrete Charlie’s” Depression-era childhood in Bethlehem, Pe...

In Far Middle episode 178, Nick begins with a reflection on Christopher Columbus following the recent Columbus Day holiday, noting its significance for Italian Americans. Next, Nick recalls a trifecta of iconic and dramatic sports moments for the installment’s sports dedication. These baseball and hockey classics may not have been championship-winning games, but they’re often remembered as such. ...

In Far Middle episode 177, Nick begins by wishing Jewish friends and listeners a thoughtful upcoming Yom Kippur and best wishes for the new year. Nick then proceeds to examine a series of interconnected yet seemingly unrelated topics in classic Far Middle fashion. In one of the more unique sports dedications, Nick offers a tribute to actor Burt Young, best known for his role as Paulie in the Rocky...