Blitz and Bloom

Most CFL fans are waking up to a season turned upside down — injuries, surprising upsets, and teams scrambling for their identity. But what if the biggest lessons aren’t about players or scores, but about coaching and leadership? In this episode, we dive into the week’s wildest moments and dissect what they reveal about the future of CFL football — from Bo Levi Mitchell’s heartbreaking injury to t...

In this episode of  Blitz and Bloom , Tanya sits down with Epharh “FF” Oyama: former Golden Bear, Edmonton Huskie, CDMFA Program Manager, community builder, and very official Sticker King. They talk about growing up through Edmonton football, the difference between junior and university programs, why community matters at every level of the game, and how football can create confidence, belonging, f...

This episode dives into the chaos and intrigue of Week 4 in the CFL, breaking down the teams, players, and coaching decisions shaping the season’s playoff picture. From the Edmonton Elks’ surprising rise to the Lions’ defensive struggles and the heavyweight matchup between Winnipeg and Hamilton, we unpack the biggest storylines, hidden strengths, and turning points that could define what comes nex...

The CFL season is heating up with record-breaking offense and unexpected rivalries—but who will come out on top? In this episode, we reveal the startling stats that are rewriting league history, including the highest-ever pass depths and a collective quarterback rating soaring from 97.4 to 109.4. If you think you’ve seen it all, think again—this week’s action features a showdown between emerging p...

Most women’s journeys into football start with a whistle or a game — Emily Todd's story reminds us that the real foundations are built behind the scenes. From volunteering and coaching to shaping pathways for girls and women across Ontario, Emily has dedicated herself to creating opportunities where none existed—and in doing so, has transformed the game from the inside out. In this episode, Emily...

In this episode, Tanya breaks down the biggest matchups, predictions, and storylines heading into Week 3 — from quarterback performances and team identity questions to injury impacts, roster challenges, and which teams have a chance to make an early statement.

Get ready for Week 2 of the CFL season, where the drama is as thick as a linebacker’s neck! We’re talking Bombers, Lions, and all the gridiron gossip you can handle. Whether you're cheering from the couch or the stands, join us for a playful peek at the matchups, the mischief, and the must-see moments. Grab your snacks and settle in—it's game time!

Alicia Gladue 's journey is about courage, cultural pride, and leadership. From her first steps onto the football field to coaching in the CFL Women in Football Program , Alicia exemplifies resilience. Discover how she turned fear into strength and uses her platform to advocate for her community. Learn how her cultural roots influence her leadership, from smudging circles to challenging stereo...

Most CFL fans are feeling the chaos already as Week 1 kicks off with a slow start and disrupted schedules — but that chaos could actually mean big opportunities for savvy fans and bettors. Imagine a season where veteran quarterbacks learn new systems, coaching decisions backfire, and underdog teams seize their moment — this episode reveals why the early-season turbulence sets the stage for the mos...

Season 1 of  Blitz and Bloom  ends where Tanya Henderson’s football story began: women’s football. In this finale, Tanya reflects on coming out of retirement to play for Team Alberta at the Canadian Women’s Nationals, returning to the field with a coach’s brain, an athlete’s body, and a deeper understanding of the game than ever before. She talks about the growth of women’s football, the generatio...

Andrew Pearson’s journey from undrafted rookie to CFL leader offers a rare glimpse into the unseen world of offensive linemen. This episode explores his path to success, resilience, and community impact, revealing the true essence of leadership and teamwork. Discover how Andrew’s perseverance and trust-building have shaped his career and life. From his on-field grit to off-field initiatives in ant...

In episode 10 of  Blitz and Bloom , I sit down with Emmanuel “Manny” Rugamba for a conversation that is about so much more than football. We talk about the story underneath the résumé — being born in a refugee camp in Zambia, his family’s move to the United States, the strength and sacrifice of his mother, and how her mindset shaped the way he approached life, pressure, setbacks, and opportunity....

Jonah Tavai comes from a family where football was never just a game. It was part of the household, part of the standard, and part of the way he learned to compete, grow, and keep going. In this episode, we talk about the family environment that shaped him, the role his mom played in building that foundation, and how competition, support, and belief all lived under the same roof. We get into his N...

Episode 8 of  Blitz & Bloom  features Nathan Rourke — praised, pressured, put on a pedestal, and asked to carry more than most. But this isn’t about the throws. It’s about identity. What happens when the love for the game gets lost. What it takes to find it again. We talk the NFL journey and what it gave — and what it took. We talk expectations, perception, and being “the guy” in this country....

John Bowman built a career on consistency in a league that rarely offers it. Fourteen seasons. All with Montreal. Over 130 sacks. Two Grey Cups. A Canadian Football Hall of Fame career. But this conversation goes beyond production. From a small school at Wingate to becoming one of the most dominant defensive players in CFL history, Bowman shares what it actually takes to last — not just physically...

Episode 6 of  Blitz & Bloom  features Vernon Adams Jr. — traded, benched, replaced, doubted, and still standing. But this isn’t about touchdowns. It’s about composure. What it takes to keep showing up when the job isn’t secure. What confidence looks like when it’s lost — and rebuilt. What leadership sounds like when it’s honest. We talk Montreal, BC, and Calgary. We talk being “the rental.” We...

Episode 5 of  Blitz & Bloom  features TJ Lee III — 12 seasons with the CFL's BC Lions, two torn Achilles, released and re-signed, and still steady. But this isn’t about stats. It’s about identity. What gets erased when someone is reduced to “football player.” What leadership looks like when it’s rooted in vulnerability. What it means to separate performance from peace. We talk injuries and...

After the breakthrough. After the building. After the firsts. Episode 4 of Blitz and Bloom is about what happens when momentum collides with reality. Tanya steps into the CFL as the league’s first full-time female coach — navigating respect, isolation, and the invisible rules of professional football. She walks through learning the league from the inside, finding her edge at the Combine, and choos...

Before the system. Before the shutdown. Before everything changed again. Episode 3 of Blitz and Bloom is about creation. This is the chapter where football stops being personal and starts becoming purposeful. Tanya picks up where momentum was building — stepping into leadership, formalizing her work with the CDMFA, and helping launch Alberta’s first girls’ tackle football pathway. What started wit...

Before the confidence felt solid. Before coaching became the calling. Before building anything bigger than herself. Episode Two of  Blitz and Bloom  begins at the end of 2015 — when football stopped being something new and started demanding more. In this episode, Tanya Henderson moves from local competition with the Edmonton Storm into provincial and national football, wearing the same jersey as f...

Before the CFL. Before Team Canada. Before any of the titles. Episode 1 of  Blitz and Bloom  starts on a farm in Forestburg, Alberta — a town of 800 people, limited programs, and no obvious path forward. In this episode, Tanya Henderson shares the early years that shaped her: growing up rural, learning work ethic before having language for it, falling in love with basketball, and running headfirst...

Episode 0 opens with the question Tanya Henderson has been asked — and asked herself — more than any other:  “What business do you have talking about football?” Tanya shares how football became her career, the lessons learned across every level of the game, and what  Blitz and Bloom  is really about: growing the CFL, expanding opportunity for women in football, and exploring the deeper conversatio...