Off The Podium - An Olympics Podcast

Ale Loutitt needs no introduction on this show, with the Canadian ski jumping superstar becoming one of our favourite guests through her many appearances over the years. However, a lot has changed since our last chat a year ago. At a Milano Cortina Olympic test event in September, Loutitt tore her ACL, cruelly sidelining her for at least 12 months and bringing her dream of a second Olympic Games in Italy to an abrupt halt. Never one to go down without a fight, Ale is now more determined than ever to bounce back and continue chasing her ultimate goal — becoming Canada’s first Olympic gold medallist in ski jumping. In this inspiring and honest conversation, Ale reflects on everything that’s happened and what continues to drive her as she pursues her Olympic dream.

Our penultimate Newscast ahead of the Milano Cortina Olympics is here, as Ben is joined by Patrick to unpack another huge week of Olympic news and to deliver our second-last sport preview before the Games! We dive into the newly revealed Milano Cortina cauldron and debate whether this new trend of revealing key Olympic elements early is a good thing. There’s also major team news from Australia and Canada, alongside some big updates from Team OTP during the week. On top of that, we turn our attention to one of the most traditional events on the Winter Olympic program, cross-country skiing, previewing what shapes as another must-watch competition at the upcoming Games! Sound exciting? We know it does! Make sure you tune in for another epic episode!

In the 102-year history of the Winter Olympics, only 16 Australians have won an Olympic medal — and Matt Graham is one of them. At PyeongChang 2018, the moguls superstar pushed the legendary Mikael Kingsbury to the limit, finishing second to claim a historic silver and join his idol and former teammate Dale Begg-Smith as an Olympic medallist in men’s moguls. As he now looks ahead to Milano Cortina in what will be his fourth Olympic Games, Matt reflects on how that magical February day still sits with him, how he continues to challenge the very best in the world, just how influential Begg-Smith was on his career, and how he plans to mark the 20th anniversary of one of the greatest days in Australian Olympic history. Fun, informative and insightful, it’s a chat you won’t want to miss!

On a winter February day in Italy in 2006, Duff Gibson made history — becoming the first Canadian to win an Olympic gold medal in skeleton, and the oldest individual gold medallist in Winter Olympic history. The Calgary firefighter did it in spectacular fashion, narrowly edging out teammate Jeff Pain to claim gold and deliver one of Canada’s most unforgettable Olympic moments. In this incredible interview, Duff reflects on his remarkable rise in the sport — from how he first got involved, to how his Olympic debut in 2002 fuelled his push for that famous gold. He also opens up about the unlikely inspiration of Zach Braff and reveals his surprising connection to Cool Runnings. Packed with unforgettable stories, this is a chat you won’t want to miss.

Biathlon isn’t exactly the most talked-about sport in Australia, but for Darcie Morton it’s not just a career path — it’s a passion. From her beginnings in the Nordic disciplines to carrying on a family legacy in biathlon, Darcie’s journey through the sport is one that deserves to be heard. We dive into her rise through the ranks, what it’s like competing on the world stage in front of crowds Australian ski fans can only dream of, and just what an Olympic appearance in 2026 would mean to her. It’s another incredible chat with an athlete you won’t want to miss!

An incredible interview drops today as we speak with a true icon of freestyle skiing, Peter Judge. A Canadian trailblazer in the sport, Judge not only helped lay the foundations for freestyle skiing as we know it today, but also played a pivotal role in shaping some of its greatest athletes – including having a hand in the rise of Dale Begg-Smith. We dive into Peter’s remarkable journey through the sport, from its formative years in the 1970s and 80s through to his influence on the expansion of freestyle events at the Olympic Games in the 2010s. He reflects on his own competitive success, how he believes he would have fared had freestyle skiing been Olympic during his era, and shares fascinating insights into working with Begg-Smith. Along the way, he also recounts his involvement in a famous ski movie and even offers the unique Freestyle Skiing origins of the humble Walkman. It’s a wide-ranging and memorable conversation you won’t want to miss!

USA bobsleigh has a rich legacy of success, and an exciting new wave of athletes ready to carry it forward. Today, we bring you a blend of both past and future in one epic conversation. We’re joined by triple Olympian and Olympic silver medallist Chris Fogt, along with current Team USA athlete Azaria Hill, to dive into their careers and the mentorship shaping the next generation. From how their roles in the US Army influence both coaching and competition, to why Azaria’s Olympic dreams are practically the family business, and even how Flavor Flav is lifting team morale, this chat has it all. Two incredible athletes. One incredible sport. Get your sleds ready, this is a conversation you won’t forget!

South Africa isn’t a nation you’d expect to produce many Winter Olympians—especially athletes with no background in winter sports. But Matt Smith is no ordinary competitor. Known as the “Snowbok,” he only picked up skis three years ago and set himself an audacious goal: qualify for the Olympics in Cross-Country Skiing and fulfil his childhood dream of representing his country on the world stage. Amazingly, Matt did exactly that, achieving his dream by qualifying for Milano Cortina next month. Through perseverance, determination and a relentless never-say-die attitude, he has pushed himself to the brink of a moment few would have believed possible. In this extraordinary chat, Matt shares his lifelong drive to wear South Africa’s flag at the highest level, the obstacles he’s had to overcome, and why he hopes his Olympic journey can inspire more non-traditional nations to embrace winter sport. It’s an epic conversation you won’t want to miss!

With the Milano Cortina Olympics fast approaching, we’re back with all the latest news as the countdown continues! Ben is joined by Raphael to break down everything that’s happened over the past week, including our latest sport preview. We dive into how last weekend’s Olympic ice hockey test event played out, with a special report from the ground by correspondent Brian Pinelli, who was there to witness it firsthand. There’s also discussion on a major star announced for the Opening Ceremony, our thoughts on the official theme for the 2026 Olympics, and a big update on a huge week for Team OTP. Plus, we give a full preview of one of the Olympics’ most underrated disciplines: Nordic Combined. Strap yourselves in for another packed episode you won’t want to miss!

At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Chris Lillis made history, winning gold in the debut of the Mixed Team Aerials event in Freestyle Skiing. It was the USA’s first Aerials medal in 12 years and a defining moment in a family legacy that’s been building for over a decade. In this epic chat, Chris takes us through his journey in the high-flying world of Aerials — from his beginnings in upstate New York to training down under for his second Olympics. He reflects on his hunger for more success at Milano Cortina 2026, including the individual medal he believes was within reach in 2022. We also dive into how Team USA became the powerhouse of Mixed Team Aerials, which two former guests Chris shares close ties with, and which famous athlete he proudly calls a friend. It’s an inspiring and unmissable conversation with one of Freestyle Skiing’s biggest stars.

In 2024 and 2025, Canadian Skeleton racer Hallie Clarke made history by becoming the first-ever Skeleton athlete to win both the Junior and World Championships in the same year. Her stunning World Championship performance also saw her crowned the youngest World Champion in the sport’s history. In this episode, we chat to Hallie about her remarkable rise through the ranks of one of the fastest and most dangerous sports on ice. She shares how she found her way into Skeleton, what it’s been like competing for both the United States and her home country of Canada, and why sometimes, crossing the line in a crash can still count as a win. It’s an inspiring and fearless conversation with one of skeleton’s brightest young stars you won’t want to miss!

It’s that time of the week once again for your Olympic NEWSCAST, as we welcome back everyone’s favourite British expert, Alex, to break down all the biggest stories from the week and deliver our latest sports preview! We discuss the newly revealed designs for the Brisbane 2032 stadium and debate whether they hit the mark, while also exploring why the firm behind them brings some serious Olympic credentials. We also run through the latest updates from several Milano Cortina venues and unpack exactly what on earth ‘penis-gate’ is and why it’s become one of the most talked-about topics for a certain Olympic sport. Plus, we dive head-first into our newest sports preview, taking a closer look at curling and why it’s always a must-watch at the Winter Games! It’s another action-packed episode you won’t want to miss!

Michael Milton is Australia’s most decorated Winter Paralympian, winning half of the country’s gold medals in Winter Paralympic history across five Games from 1988 to 2006, and even competing in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in cycling. Nearly two decades after retiring, Michael announced in late 2025 that, at the age of 52, he’s making an extraordinary comeback to the sport that made him a household name. In this episode, we chat with Michael about his remarkable return, the incredible life challenges he’s overcome, his extraordinary achievements, and why the world should watch out for him in Milano Cortina. It’s an unforgettable conversation with one of the most inspiring people you’ll ever hear.

At the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Alex Bilodeau made history as the first Canadian to win Olympic gold on home soil. His breakthrough sparked an avalanche of medals that saw Canada top the gold-medal table at those iconic Games. Bilodeau wasn’t finished either, and in 2014 he became the first Olympic freestyle skier to successfully defend an Olympic title. Combined with his outstanding World Championship and World Cup success, he has cemented himself as one of the greatest moguls skiers in history. Today on Off The Podium, we dive into his extraordinary career and journey, his fierce rivalries with fellow Canadian Mikael Kingsbury and Australia’s moguls GOAT Dale Begg-Smith, how he might have fared in the NHL, and where he believes Canada stands heading into Milano Cortina. It’s an epic chat with an epic athlete you won’t want to miss!

It’s a new year and a new week, which means another NEWSCAST is hitting your speakers today! Ben is joined by Colin and Jamie for a full-house episode covering the latest Olympic news and another sports preview as we inch ever closer to the Milano Cortina Olympics. We break down the newly named USA and Canada teams for the men’s Ice Hockey tournament in Milan and debate who has the stronger lineup ahead of the long-awaited return of NHL players to the Olympics. There’s also a touch of politics as we discuss recent developments involving Russia and Israel, plus some exciting Team OTP news from the past week. To wrap it up, we dive deep into our Ice Hockey sports preview, fully unpacking the USA–Canada rivalry ahead of one of the most anticipated events of the Games! Tune in and get pumped for another episode you won’t want to miss!

When it comes to the debate over New Zealand’s greatest Olympian, one name rises above the rest: Lisa Carrington. The kayak sprint superstar has rewritten the record books with eight Olympic gold medals and one bronze, showcasing unmatched skill, power, and longevity on the world stage. In this episode, we’re thrilled to sit down with the Kiwi icon herself to dive into her incredible journey — from her breakthrough at her very first Games in London, to the life-changing highs of Paris, and now her sights firmly set on a fifth Olympic appearance in Los Angeles 2028. Lisa shares how her training is evolving, where she actually keeps all those medals, and why she and Usain Bolt are basically the same person. We also chat about the perks of having a street named after you, being made a Dame, and, of course, the very special “Colin” in her life (spoiler: he might just be cuter than ours). It’s an inspiring, funny, and unmissable conversation with one of the greatest athletes of all time.

What a year 2025 has been! From some of the most amazing guests we’ve ever had to a run of entertaining and informative episodes, it’s been a bumper year of content for Off The Podium. To celebrate an incredible 2025, we’re closing out the year with our latest BEST OF episode — a full-year rewind featuring a snippet from every new episode that came through your speakers over the past 12 months! It’s your chance to go down memory lane and relive some truly standout moments from another award-winning year for the show! So get ready to close out 2025 in style as we bring you the BEST OF Off The Podium 2025!

Our final Newscast of 2025 is here, and we welcome Connor back to the show to break down all the latest Olympic news and deliver our newest Olympic sports preview ahead of Milano Cortina. We discuss whether the lack of snow in Italy could become an issue less than two months out from the Games, and share our thoughts on the idea of rotating Winter Olympic hosts between permanent zones in the future. We also dive into new laws in Australia that could impact an Olympic sport, reveal which Hollywood star carried the torch this week (and why he’s something of a veteran when it comes to carrying it) and round things out with our latest Milano Cortina sport preview, taking a deep dive into the epic world of ski jumping! It’s an action-packed episode you won’t want to miss!

You know our show’s obsession with a certain 2006 Olympic moguls champion, but what about the other medallists from Torino? Today we chat with silver medallist Mikko Ronkainen about THAT final, his incredible career, and of course, Dale Begg-Smith. Mikko takes us through how he first got into the sport, what freestyle skiing was like in Finland in the late ’80s and early ’90s, and how his international career actually began in Australia. He reflects on his three Olympic appearances, including how he turned the heartbreak of Salt Lake City into success in Torino, and shares the story of celebrating his medal that night with Dale. It’s a fascinating, funny, and unmissable chat with one of moguls skiing’s greats.

Earlier this year, Rosie Fordham made history as the first Australian to medal at an international cross-country skiing event, claiming silver at the Under-23 Nordic Junior World Championships in Italy. At just 23, she’s firmly on the map as one of the sport’s rising stars. But how did her journey begin? Why did she choose a sport that gets so little attention in Australia? And what has driven her to reach such heights? In this epic chat with Rosie, we dive into her story, her challenges, and why the Milano Cortina Olympics could be the next big step in her remarkable rise. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!