Mr. Irrelevant Podcast

In this episode of Mr. Irrelevant, Josh Lewin sits down with Katie Bondy, a nationally ranked lacrosse goalie who has spent her life challenging expectations. Born with a disability, she started playing sports at just three years old, competed on a traditional collegiate lacrosse team, and never thought of herself as a “disabled athlete” — just an athlete. After undergoing two amputations, she dis...

Jen Welter made history as the first woman to coach in the NFL, but her journey to the sidelines was anything but conventional. From playing professional football to earning a doctorate in sport psychology and making history on the NFL sidelines, Jen has built a career around challenging expectations and proving that the impossible is often just an invitation to try. On this episode of Mr. Irrelev...

At 5'2", Rick Alessandri has spent his life being reminded of what others thought he couldn't be — but he never let his stature define his impact. From helping build Sports Ticker and spending more than a decade at ESPN to placing top executives in some of the biggest roles in sports, Alessandri has built a career on perseverance, determination, and proving the doubters wrong. Now, through his chi...

Luke Elsman has amassed 1.5 million followers on TikTok by sharing his approach to fitness, discipline, and everyday life. In this episode ofMr. Irrelevant, Luke gets into his journey as a creator, weightlifting with his dad as early as 14 years old, and what keeps him pushing forward when the cameras are off.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou...

Beauty and fashion influencer and Marviano Cosmetics CEO Marvella Akiojano joins Mr. Irrelevant’s Josh Lewin this week to share her journey from growing up in Nigeria to becoming one of today’s leading voices in beauty and fashion. Marvella discusses the drive and determination that have shaped her career, the importance of staying true to her individuality, and how her experiences have helped her...

This week, host Josh Lewin is joined by acclaimed television writer Ken Levine, whose career spans more than 200 episodes of beloved series including M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons, and Wings. From his early days as a local radio disc jockey to writing and producing some of television's greatest comedies, Levine reflects on a career that unfolded alongside some of Hollywood's biggest stars...

Alan T. Brown, Director of New Partner Development at the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and a 2026 ESPY nominee, joins Mr. Irrelevant for an honest conversation about resilience, purpose, and finding opportunity after life takes an unexpected turn. Brown and Josh discuss the spinal cord injury that left him quadriplegic at 20 and how that experience inspired a lifelong commitment to advoca...

Brothers and co-directors Derek and Brandon Smith sit down with Mr. Irrelevant host Josh Lewin to discuss the making of their feature documentary No Place for Football — the story of soccer in one of the most unexpected places in the world: Greenland, home to the shortest football season and one of the most remote communities on earth. From difficulty traveling to Nuuk and production setbacks to f...

Courtney Runyon, a TEDx speaker, international bestselling author, and resilience coach, joins Mr. Irrelevant for a candid conversation about resilience, identity, and rebuilding when life changes overnight. She shares her experience being diagnosed with CIDP, a rare autoimmune disorder that left her paralyzed from the neck down at 33, while simultaneously navigating a breakup, a cross-country mov...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with lawyer, entrepreneur, and football club owner Rob Couhig about his unlikely journey from American minor league baseball to English football. Couhig shares how a business-first mindset helped transform Wycombe Wanderers during one of the most successful stretches in club history and why he took on the challenge of rescuing Re...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with director Jeff Fisher about carving out a career through rejection, reinvention, and persistence. From sweeping floors in craft service to working alongside Robert De Niro on Cape Fear, Fisher reflects on the unconventional path that led him from reality TV hits like Big Brother and Keeping Up With the Kardashians to directin...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with former minor leaguer Bruce Dostal about his winding journey through professional baseball and his unforgettable brush with the big leagues. Drafted by the Dodgers out of Division III William Paterson, Dostal reflects on fighting through crowded farm systems, earning a call-up to the Orioles at Fenway Park, and never getting...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with Fox Sports and Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis about his journey from small-town Michigan to calling the World Series and succeeding Vin Scully. Davis reflects on the grind of breaking into broadcasting through unpaid internships and minor league jobs, learning to trust his own voice, and overcoming imposter syndro...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with Emmy Award-winning editor Jill Calhoun about her path from aspiring filmmaker to shaping stories behind the scenes. Calhoun shares how an early experience in sound design sparked her passion, how music and performance influence her sense of rhythm, and why collaboration matters more than credit. She opens up about navigating...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with former NFL offensive lineman and NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger about his journey from undrafted long shot to a 143-game NFL career. Baldinger shares how he earned a roster spot with the Cowboys against the odds, the mindset it took to succeed as an overlooked lineman, and how preparation became his edge both on the fie...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with Rudy Ruettiger about his journey from overlooked underdog to Notre Dame legend. Growing up as one of 14 kids while facing dyslexia and constant doubt, Rudy shares how he pushed past criticism, served in the Navy, and took an unconventional path to earn his place at Notre Dame. He breaks down his “four C’s”—courage, character...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with thriller author and former U.S. Navy intelligence officer Ama (A.M.) Adair about her unconventional path from military service to published novelist. After 21 years in the Navy, including deployments in places like Baghdad, Adair shares how real-life experiences inspired her writing and helped her navigate imposter syndrome,...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with Broadway actor and musician Brian d’Arcy James about his unexpected journey from the football field to the stage. From earning the nickname “the flea” as a junior high safety to discovering his voice and passion for performance, Brian reflects on the moments that shaped his path. He opens up about the loss of his father just...

On this episode of the Mr. Irrelevant podcast, host Josh Lewin chats with world-renowned chef, restaurateur, and the first female Iron Chef...Cat Cora! Cat opens up about her early beginnings, from being adopted as a newborn to finding confidence through the unwavering support of her family. She shares the realities of facing sexism in the culinary world, being one of the only women in her class,...

In the debut episode of Mr. Irrelevant, host Josh Lewin sits down with super-agent Leigh Steinberg. You know Steinberg as the inspiration for the film Jerry Maguire and his representation of 300+ athletes including eight top picks in the pro football draft. But like all of us, Steinberg also has experienced some "Mr. Irrelevant" moments of doubt and turbulence. Enjoy this candid conversation about...

Trailer! Mr. Irrelevant tells the stories of those who were counted out—and kept going anyway. From sports to music to business, this podcast explores what it takes to outlast doubt and earn relevance on your own terms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.