The Howie Games

James Hird is back telling stories, laughing and loving footy and family. The former number 5 for the Bombers was kind enough to take a couple of hours out of his life to talk about his love for Essendon, what went wrong as coach, what he learnt, his future aspirations, business and family. One thing is for sure, the most decorated footballer in the history of the Essendon Football Club has needed...

Dinner with Winston Churchill, swapping jobs with Elon Musk, Perfecting a Japanese Katsu Don and watching The Goodies. Fall back in love with the real James Hird.   James is arguably the best ever player to ever don an Essendon Football Club jumper. In recent times he has been to hell and back and to see him smile and hear him laugh was really special. His story of resilience and strength is power...

Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski felt the lights dimming when he was in the most brutal choke hold in combat fighting. How the hell did he survive it? His mental and physical toughness, work ethic and mindset is as fascinating as it is inspiring. From modest beginnings in central New South Wales to a three-time Featherweight Champion and #1 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.  He is a lovi...

Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski felt the lights dimming when he was in the most brutal choke hold in combat fighting. How the hell did he survive it? His mental and physical toughness, work ethic and mindset is as fascinating as it is inspiring. From modest beginnings in central New South Wales to a three-time Featherweight Champion and #1 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.  He is a lovi...

Watching Pokemon, life as a pizza boy, to a career as concreter, the perfect steak and Championship belts in the wardrobe.  Alex Volkanovski is a loving husband, caring father, loyal team player and also happens to be the UFC Featherweight Champion of the world in the most brutal sport the globe has to offer.  To see more of Alex and his UFC crew get yaself the UFC Fight Pass www.ufcfightpass.com...

We have been very privileged on this podcast to hear some tremendous stories of courage. Karen Tighe's story sits comfortably with those tales. A wonderful ABC sports broadcaster, Karen contracted encephalitis, which causes inflammation of the brain. One of the side effects is memory loss. As a broadcaster, your recall for names, dates and places is imperative. Karen's journey back to broadcasting...

We have been very privileged on this podcast to hear some tremendous stories of courage. Karen Tighe's story sits comfortably with those tales. A wonderful ABC sports broadcaster, Karen contracted encephalitis, which causes inflammation of the brain. One of the side effects is memory loss. As a broadcaster, your recall for names, dates and places is imperative. Karen's journey back to broadcasting...

Star Wars, Pulsar's and Redback's! This is the player profile for ABC Grandstand's Karen Tighe - one of my broadcasting heros. Here full ep next week is a really special story and one you'll want to get around. ------------ Follow the Howie Games on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thehowiegamespod/ Follow the Howie Games on TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thehowiegames See omnystudio.com/li...

He was born in Texas, but landed in Melbourne and never looked back. He is one of the most remarkable stories the AFL has ever seen.  The American Pie has wowed the jam packed MCG on the biggest of occasions, and he is grateful for every second of it. Not bad for a bloke who didn’t know how to hold a football before flying to Melbourne to sign on the dotted line.  This tall intelligent human is a...

He was born in Texas, but landed in Melbourne and never looked back. He is one of the most remarkable stories the AFL has ever seen.  The American Pie has wowed the jam packed MCG on the biggest of occasions, and he is grateful for every second of it. Not bad for a bloke who didn’t know how to hold a football before flying to Melbourne to sign on the dotted line.  This tall intelligent human is a...

Mason Cox is the first American to ever play in the AFL and has a story that will absolutely blow your mind (and put a smile on your dial). Before we get there though, this is the player profile of The Big Tex. Oh and you should get your ears around Mason's podcast too - The Mason Cox Show - it's a beauty!  ------------ Follow the Howie Games on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thehowiegamesp...

Erin Phillips is one of the world’s most successful multi-sport athletes. She has won a basketball world championship with Australia, two WNBA Championships, three AFL Premierships, two AFLW League Best and Fairests, and only now - yes now - is she about to live out her childhood dream!  But this superstar’s beautiful story is a whole lot greater than sport. From the grandstand as a kid watching h...

Erin Phillips is one of the world’s most successful multi-sport athletes. She has won a basketball world championship with Australia, two WNBA Championships, three AFL Premierships, two AFLW League Best and Fairests, and only now - yes now - is she about to live out her childhood dream!  But this superstar’s beautiful story is a whole lot greater than sport.  From the grandstand as a kid watching...

The all-time best song to get the party started, Pumba, and an insatiable appetite for peanut butter! Erin Phillips is a globetrotting, cross-code phenomenon and this is her player profile... Her full chat next week is a belter. ------------ Follow the Howie Games on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thehowiegamespod/ Follow the Howie Games on TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thehowiegames See...

"I couldn't be the person I needed to be"  Alex Rance is one of the best AFL defenders of modern times.  But Alex’s life has many more chapters to it than simply footy. Alex is a very deep thinker and has a wonderful ability to challenge the norm.  From his fascinating explanation to why he gave the game away at the peak of his powers, to religion, the new school he has set up and plenty more, thi...

"I couldn't be the person I needed to be"  Alex Rance is one of the best AFL defenders of modern times.  But Alex’s life has many more chapters to it than simply footy. Alex is a very deep thinker and has a wonderful ability to challenge the norm.  From his fascinating explanation to why he gave the game away at the peak of his powers, to religion, the new school he has set up and plenty more, thi...

Would Adam Wear Pants, Disney and Hazardous Stir Fry! Check out the wonderful school Alex has set up on the link below. More about The Academy next week. https://theacademy.com.au/ ------------ Follow the Howie Games on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thehowiegamespod/ Follow the Howie Games on TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thehowiegames See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

"She felt the life go out of me"  You may know Ryan Campbell as a dashing wicketkeeper-batsman for Western Australia and Australia. I know him as a mate.  Campbo suffered a cardiac arrest in mid-April this year and he's bloody lucky to still be with us.  This isn't a typical ep where we delve into Ryan’s career. Rather, it's a chat about what Campbo went through, what he learn...

"This is a shameless name-dropping story here Howie"  Hello friends!  Jim Nantz is one of the pre-eminent sports broadcasters on the planet. Quite simply, Jim is the man.  Jim has hosted The Masters for 35 straight years, worked on the NFL since 1998, called 6 Super Bowls, plus commentated on March Madness, US Open tennis, Winter Olympics and plenty more.  Jim's job, in his eyes, is to be a storyt...

"This is a shameless name-dropping story here Howie"  Hello friends!  Jim Nantz is one of the pre-eminent sports broadcasters on the planet. Quite simply, Jim is the man.  Jim has hosted The Masters for 35 straight years, worked on the NFL since 1998, called 6 Super Bowls, plus commentated on March Madness, US Open tennis, Winter Olympics and plenty more.  Jim's job, in his eyes, is to be a storyt...

Popcorn, Bigfoot, and arriving 5 hours early! This is sports broadcasting royalty Jim Nantz's Player Profile. ------------- Follow the Howie Games on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thehowiegamespod/ Follow the Howie Games on TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thehowiegames See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I was a pee-wee compared to them"  Lisa Curry is a very, very strong person. She’s had to be. When she was competing, when living her life under the public gaze, when running businesses, and tragically, when dealing with the loss of one of her children.  From literally being thrown in the deep end, to competing against the East Germans, Commonwealth Games domination, a behind-the-scenes look at s...

"I was a pee-wee compared to them"  Lisa Curry is a very, very strong person. She’s had to be. When she was competing, when living her life under the public gaze, when running businesses, and tragically, when dealing with the loss of one of her children.  From literally being thrown in the deep end, to competing against the East Germans, Commonwealth Games domination, a behind-the-scenes look at s...

Mork and Mindy, The Bay City Rollers, and Elvis!  Lisa has released her wonderful biography, Lisa: A Memoir - 60 years of life, love & loss. It's a fascinating read.  Check it out here -  https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460714454/lisa/   ------------- Follow the Howie Games on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thehowiegamespod/ Follow the Howie Games on TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com...

"You think you have big balls now?"  Thanasi Kokkinakis is the type of athlete that I love. He plays to entertain, to have fun, and to give it his all. He nails that fine line between putting on a show, whilst still doing his utmost to win.  This is an episode that views life through the lens of a 26-year-old. From a behind-the-scenes look at life on the ATP Tour and his win with mate Nick Kyrgios...