A Pane in the Glass Podcast

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear from Jim Waite who has coached at four Olympic Games and although they were Winter Games, as Jim puts it, Olympic Games are Olympic Games, be they winter or summer. Jim has been a guest on "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" on two previous occasions. He was my very first guest when the podcast was launched! Enjoy what Coach Wa...

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" begins a series focused on the "Summer Olympic Games of 2024" hosted by Paris, France. For Canadians who follow the inevitable myriad story lines, those games began with what can only be described as a national embarrassment. It involves the Canadian Women's Football (soccer) Team and more specifically, its head coach and some...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I dig into my coaching manual ("A Pane In The Glass: A Coach's Companion") for two articles. The first is entitled "Right Off" and the second "It's About Time"! I end this episode with another musical happy thought I think you will find uplifting! It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" the subject is "foam density" underneath the yellow stuff. World Curling came out with a directive on the matter late last month. If you didn't see it somewhere, I begin with an audio version of that directive before I call upon my friend Eugene Hritzuk (who has joined me on the podcast a few times when the topic has been br...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" my long time friend from Halifax, NS, Helen Radford, joins me to give us an update on Curling Canada's "Next Gen" programme. You will also hear the voice of one of television's most out spoken chefs, Gordon Ramsay, who has a very important and sobering message for us all. I conclude this episode with a sound bite about...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", Bobby Ray (Manager-Club Development & Membership Services) of Curling Canada returns to the podcast microphone to bring us up to date on the health of the sport as we come out of the pandemic era and into a new and exciting time for curling. He reveals what he has learned from visiting curling facilities across the country.  Please sh...

My guest today on "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is Dustin Mikush (Manager, Youth Program Development for Curling Canada). Earlier in this season of the podcast, Dustin shared the microphone with me to announce two new programs in his portfolio. One was Rock Fest, for U15 curlers and the other was Ice Technician programs for those wishing to participate in ice installation and maintenance...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I have gathered some thoughts on five topics, some from my own archives and others from more recent activities in the world of sport.  They include "The Culture Of Sport", "Coach Certification", "The Skill Of Calming Down", a sound bite with the #1 golfer in the world and finally my take on how a team recovers...

In today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I once again share my microphone with Eugene Hritzuk of Saskatchewan. You know his name if you've listened to other episodes of the podcast in connection with what has become the topic de jour, brushing. On Facebook recently Eugene posted an excellent narration of the same name as the title of today's episode. Some of you...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you'll hear a narrative entitled "Seventeen Inches". It's not new, in fact it refers to a coaches conference in 1996. At that conference, one of the guest speakers was 78 year old Coach John Scolinos who took to the lectern with a baseball home plate hanging from a cord around his neck. Why did he do that? You'll  ...

Sarcasm aside, in this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I reach back to an article I penned on my blog site (truenorthbill.blogspot.com) about practice. It was not meant to be an exhaustive examination of the topic, in fact it was aimed at practising when your teammates are not with you. But, I make some general comments about practice as well. It may seem strange to publish an e...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we return to the "From The Coach's Bench" series, this time with Dr. Glenn Paulley. This series of episodes provides coaches with long and very successful careers  an opportunity to share what they have learned along the way.  If you seem to feel that you are familiar with the name Glenn Paulley in connection with another as...

My guest in this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is Danielle Inglis, Curling Canada's Co-ordinator of Social Media and Web Content. But, Danielle also talks about her first time experience in "The Scotties Tournament of Hearts" as the skip of Team Ontario.  Also in this episode, I read an email sent to me about the curling stones and the ice upon which those stone...

In today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear from Hans Frauenlob, of World Curling's "Rule & Competitions Committee". For the past few weeks many of you have sent to me questions and comments about the rules of curling. Now you get to hear Hans' very thoughtful response to them.  It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I talk about an activity that every team should do as the current curling season fades into the sunset. It's great to think about all those summer activities available now that the snow has abated but the time between the last rock delivered in one season and the first to be sent down the ice in the next can be very valuable to your t...

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" goes out to all those who work with young curlers, just starting out with curling. My guest is Al Kersey who has devoted his entire coaching/instructing career to  developing  and delivering impactful programmes for U15's, not an easy task as those of you who have weighed in with these rambunctious and enthusiastic young curlers. Tickle...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I roll up my sleeves to deal with a few topics. First up, words, and their relevance to curling. Based upon a Facebook back-and-forth about measuring rocks, I weigh in on that topic with my two cents worth. Then I share a sound bite featuring Hall of Fame basketball player, Bill Walton. It's short but impactful in my view. I conclude...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", one of the podcast's roving reporters (Gery Hermans) interviews Marie Kaldvee & Harry Lill from Estonia. This mixed doubles team is extremely highly ranked by World Curling. Gery, through his questions, will take you on a journey to learn everything about competing in this newest of Olympic curling disciplines.  This episode has...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we deal with a topic that gets very little attention, but as you'll hear from Dr. Helen Williams, Phil Daniel & Kim Tuck, it's a very important position on the team, one that makes a difference. What is it that doesn't get much attention? It's the fifth player! It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is the second in the "From The Coach's Bench" series. My guest is Merv Fonger of Moose Jaw, SK. His mark in the wheat province of Canada was established first as an athlete and then as one of most the sought after coaches. His transition from curler to coach alone is interesting but as you'll see by clicking on the Chapter...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I'm going to pull the curtain on the mover and shaker of one of curling's most visited and intriguing internet sites "Curling Zone" . The aforementioned mover and shaker is none other than Gerry Guerts. You may not recognize his name but if you follow just about any aspect of curling be it from the perspective of a curl...

This is a special episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" with a look back at a fantastic ten days of curling in The Queen City (aka Regina, SK). With pen and paper close at hand I made note of what I saw from the perspective  of a TV fan/coach. I'd like to be able to watch a game of curling, or any sporting event for that matter, strictly from a fan's point of view but I gues...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear from Dustin Mikush, Manager - Youth & Program Development for Curling Canada. As the title of this episode suggests, he has two programs to tell us about, one for U15 curlers and one for aspiring ice technicians. Both are very exciting programs looking to the future of curling in Canada.  To listeners in other parts of the curl...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear from Coach Gerry Richard of Kelowna, BC. This episode begins a series under the title "From The Coach's Bench". It provides an opportunity to hear from some of the best curling coaches who will share what they have learned over the years of a very successful coaching career.  As you will hear, Gerry is going to share...

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I take a look at the recently concluded "2024 Scotties Tournament Of Hearts" with my coaching hat firmly placed on my head. As the event unfolded at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, AB I made notes which I share with you in this episode.  "The Restless Ranter" pays us another visit. If you thought he was a little "s...