The Top Step

The first time Paul and Steve had Ms. Emma Boyle on the show, she barely got a chance to talk. Now, she's able to spread her wings. Paul and Steve intro the interview and give an update on where they are (0:00-7:10). Ms. Boyle joins the show (7:10-30:02). The guys wrap up and preview what's up next for the podcast (30:02-end).

Paul and Steve are back on The Top Step after a long absence! Paul discusses his summer job commentating for the Florence Freedom (1:30-3:00). Steve talks about his journey since he graduated college (3:00-9:30). And they ponder where the show will go in the next year (9:30-11:00). Finally, Paul explains how a friendship with an MLB broadcaster led him to sit in the booth during a live broadcast of a Dodgers vs. Reds game this month (11:00-end). Website: https://topsteptalk.com Twitter: @TopStepTalk  

It was an emotional roller coaster of a weekend, but the Nationals emerged victorious in game two and this NLDS is tied 1-1 as it heads to Chicago for Game 3 Monday night. Paul and Steve recap the first two games and look forward to what is essentially a best-of-three this week.

It's Fall Break at school...that means it's time for playoff baseball. Paul and Steve are here for all things playoffs, especially with the Nats. First, the story about last year's NLDS and how Steve flooded/destroyed Paul's bathroom (0:50-7:10). Paul talks all things Nationals, the D.C. playoff drought, and his hopes for this year's NLDS (7:10-14:34). Steve and Paul talk a little more about the Nats and how they match up against the Cubs (14:34-22:02). They talk about the Wild Card: how great the games have been and if they should celebrate after winning it, also some talk about the Twins (22:02-28:46). Last, a quick chat about the NL MVP race (28:46-32:15).

Paul and Steve explain why there's been a little break (0:15-1:15). Steve explains why he's a Marlins fan (1:15-4:15). The All Star Game is coming to DC and it has a fantastic logo (4:15-7:45). Paul wonders whether young people who work in politics get as excited to see politicians as we do to see professional athletes (7:45-13:20). Then it's a great chat about the NBA vs. MLB and how it's covered (13:20-25:05). A wrap up before Paul heads back to Xavier (25:05-27:20).

Steve and Paul throw it back to 2014 with Marlins TV play-by-play commentator Rich Waltz, whom they interviewed at Nationals Park right before Steve graduated high school.  They talk about traveling the country, the dog days of the Marlins (still ongoing), and how Rich Waltz helped turn Dan Uggla into a household name (0:00-32:30). The guys then bring it back to 2017 and chat about seeing Dave Jageler and Rich Waltz after the Top Step interviews (32:30-41:30).

It's another interview with a Washington Post writer - this time it's with Scott Allen, who actually interviewed Paul for an article back in 2014. The conversation with Scott includes everything from the Jayson Werth Garden Gnome article, how he finds stories to write about, a little bit of Nationals talk, and other stuff thrown in as well (1:05 – 16:55). Then Steve and Paul talk a little bit more about the behind-the-scenes of the day, and they mix in some baseball chatter as they close out the podcast (16:55-23:13). Go to our website here. Follow us on Twitter here.

  Paul and Steve trek downtown to the Washington Post's offices, where they catch up with Dan Steinberg, creator of the DC Sports Bog. Paul asks Dan why Bryce Harper has him blocked on Twitter, and the guys chat about Harper's influence on sports culture in D.C. and the nation (1:00-6:00). Then, Dan talks about finding stories to write (6:00-7:30) and dealing with the internet's trolls (7:30-9:50).  Paul asks Dan about commiserating with fans over the inevitable D.C. sports losses, and they highlight other cities with championship droughts before chatting about the Nats' chances this year (9:50-18:45). Steve asks Dan about Shake Shack and the baseball-viewing culture at Nationals Park (18:45-23:50). Finally, Paul asks Dan if he wants his own podcast (23:50-25:10). Paul and Steve wrap up with what happened on that wacky Thursday after they ended the interview with Dan (25:10-36:00). Make sure to check out Dan's story from the dry rain-delayed game at Nationals Park HERE. Steve also wrote a piece about Paul and

It's a quick one today! Paul and Steve, along with Steve's brother Joe, recap the home run derby, preview the All Star Game, and preview some good content that will be released very soon. If you haven't already, PLEASE subscribe/rate/review us on iTunes. plz and thnx. Visit our website here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Steve and Paul are joined by a pal from the other side of the pond, Lewis Dowle, at an Alexandria Aces baseball game. Lewis gives his thoughts on the American pastime (1:30-3:20), ponders what sort of greeting to give on the 4th of July (3:20-4:17), and talks about his experience at Work Camp and his book for Catholic teens (4:17-6:50). Then, they chat about President Taft and baseball traditions (6:50-8:20), and Lewis gives some baseball commentary (8:20-9:00). Later, Steve and Lewis switch accents (9:00-10:25) and Lewis further discusses cricket (10:25-12:00). Finally, they tag-team some baseball commentary (12:00-14:40) Paul and Steve come back to do some interview wrap-up (14:40-18:00) and preview the 2017 Home Run Derby (18:00-27:04). Check out Lewis' book here. Go to our website here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Audio Quality = 10/10 from here on out. Today's episode is another throwback to our 2014 interview with Dave Jageler, one of the two radio broadcasters for the Washington Nationals. We intro the podcast (0:00 - 0:52). Then it's right into our interview with Dave, where we talk about his history in broadcasting, how he got his start, his relationship with fellow radio voice Charlie Slowes, and some other topics along the way (1:13 - 23:48). Paul makes fun of himself for how ridiculous he sounded three years ago (23:48 - 25:56). Steve and Paul talk about their dynamic from back then (25:56 - 27:12). It's a funny story about Dave tipping the usher for the interview (27:12 - 28:59). A story about Jayson Werth's walk-off home run in Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS, you can see that video here, and Nook Logan's horrible mistake rounding third ten years ago, video here (28:59 - end). Go to our website here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Was Babe Ruth really that good?! Well, yeah he was. But how good? Buckle up. The guys discuss a TED talk that you can watch before you listen here. We talk about Babe Ruth, new baseball vs. old baseball, modern athletes, and the baseball GOAT (1:25-11:30). Then it's a story about one of Paul's baseball game broadcasts (11:30-14:20). Back to modern baseball and how players are less fat and more built than ever (14:20-17:30). The Nats bullpen is BAD and we tried to figure it out (17:30-end). Go to our website here. Follow us on Twitter here.

We're back, back again. A little TBT for you. Paul and Steve revisit a conversation from 2014 where they looked at the dispersion of fandom of MLB's teams throughout the country. After they introduce the show (0:00-2:20), they look at Red Sox Nation versus Yankee Country (2:20-6:45), the great state of Texas (6:45-10:35), Cubs and Cardinals fans (10:35-13:50), Braves Country (13:50-15:00), and Washington, D.C. (15:00-20:13). Then, Ms. Emma Boyle joins the show to talk about some more human geographical elements of the study (20:13-22:45). Finally, the guys bring it back to 2017 to talk about MLB Players' Weekend (22:45-32:05). Go to our website here. Follow us on Twitter here.

The boys are back! The audio quality is a little better, but it will be MUCH better starting with Episode 3. We intro the interview and do some quick-hitters (0:55-2:40). Steve catches up with a baseball family who has traveled the country (2:40-15:00). Paul and Steve talk about their favorite baseball stadiums (15:00-18:00). Later, Paul teaches Steve about Migos, Future, and astronomy, and the guys debate which Snapchat stories are worth watching (18:00-24:00). Go to our website here. Follow us on Twitter here.

In our first episode, Steve had the chance to interview Padres pitcher Craig Stammen when he was in town to play the Nats a couple weeks ago. First, the guys introduce the podcast with some talk from around the MLB. (0:33-7:28) Next it's the Stammen interview (7:28-10:30). Finally, a little wrap-up including a wild story from Steve (10:30-18:34). Go to our website here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Welcome to The Top Step! This is a short, introductory show where we tell you who we are and explain a little about what we will be doing. Enjoy!