A Pane in the Glass Podcast

Time Spent With Emily Is Time Well Spent

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In this first-of-a-kind double feature episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I welcome back Emily Riley, elite athlete (curling) and Mental Performance Consultant. It was simply time to catch up with Emily, with no planned agenda for our midsummer chat but one quickly emerged about how quadrennial planning has affected curling and that morphed into a discussion about the culture of sport. When we finished our chat more than 45 min. had elapsed which prompted me to make this week's episode that aforementioned "double feature". The topic switch occurred at the 27:30 mark. Enjoy!

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Simon Says

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 22:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear the words of Simon Sinek American author & dynamic inspirational speaker. This episode is a Simon Sinek sound bite that touches on a number or areas regarding leadership (think coaching) with special emphasis on the Millennial generation. If that's you and I suspect many of my listeners are either in that generational group or work with those who are, then you've come to the right place! I have unpacked the topics that Simon addresses in "Chapters" above these show notes. I believe you will want to return to portions of the sound bite that might have particular relevance for you!

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The Sounds Of Summer '26

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 01:00:00 -0400

In this summer episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I bring eight sound bites, each with a thought provoking premise. I urge you to check out the "chapters" section above these show notes to see the topics of the sound bites and where to find them on the episode.

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Extra! Extra! Hear All About It!

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I harken to the days when breaking news necessitated a special "Extra" edition of the newspaper. This episode is the podcast equivalent. To satiate your desire for sound bites, I have one about baseball but its message is for all sports! Enjoy!

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Pebble Water 23.5

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I briefly talk about "frustrations" and "distractions" and then introduce the episodes for the remainder of the summer months. It's another narrated story by the same author who wrote "The Search For Delicious" (S5E5) Natalie Babbitt. This summer time story is "Tuck Everlasting" which poses the question: if you had the opportunity to live forever, would you? The answer may not be as obvious as you might think. In this episode I will begin the story with the Prologue with can be found at the 1415 mark in "Chapters". Enjoy!

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Pebble Water 23.0

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

In this "Pebble Water 23.0" episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear an email from a regular listener (Leslie Gerard) who has some thing to say about soccer/football now that the games of World Cup 2026 have begun. There is a followup sound bite from a Canadian who is not happy about the cultural demise of "Hockey Night In Canada". Trust will be centre stage in a sound bite by Simon Sinek. His message goes out to anyone in a leadership role in sports or any other aspect of life. The episode will conclude with sound bites by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the well known astrophysicist and Billy Crystal, actor and baseball fan. You may wish to make use of the chapter markers (above) to locate that portion of the episode that particularly interests you or return to a portion that you wish to hear again.

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The End Of An Era

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I stop the presses for an announcement by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) that "Hockey Night In Canada" will no longer be bringing Saturday night hockey to television sets in Canada for the first time in almost 100 years (if you count the early years on radio). Today's episode will take a look at those years of HNIC from four perspectives, that of the CBC's official on air announcement, a sports talk show in the U.S., a reflection of one John Shannon who for many years was involved in the production of HNIC and lastly the accounting by a sport journalist on the economics of the CBC's decision. You may wish to use the chapter markers above these show notes to go to specific locations in the episode based upon the descriptions of the four points of view.

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One-On-One With John

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 16:00:00 -0400

In today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I talk with American curler John Benton about curling of course but more importantly about an addiction challenge that came ever so close to ending John's life.

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Coaching Scholastic Athletes (part 2)

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In this second episode of "Coaching Scholastic Athletes" we hear from a Canadian soccer player who played for the Cornhuskers of Nebraska and now plays professionally in Canada for the Ottawa Rapid. Her name is Sadie Waite and she was joined in this episode by her grandfather Jim Waite who has set a scholastic coaching record in Canada. We talk about the differences between the U.S. and Canada from the perspective of an athlete and coach.

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Coaching Scholastic Athletes

Sat, 30 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this first of a two episode series, we take a look at coaching scholastic athletes in the United States which is very different from the college athletic programmes in Canada (& perhaps in your part of the world if you are not living in North America). Episode two as you might guess will switch the focus to Canada which includes a chat with a long time and very successful college coach in the person of Jim Waite and his granddaughter Sadie who established a highly successful scholastic soccer career as a Corn Husker which means she played at Nebraska but now plays professionally in Ottawa for the Northern Super League's Ottawa Rapid.

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It's Why We Play The Games (part 2)

Sat, 23 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we conclude the topic of "Why We Play The Games" (as we did in the first episode through the lens of wheel chair curling). That first episode left us at the conclusion of the 2026 Canadian Wheel Chair Championship. Now Chris Daw must reflect and make decisions about synthesizing that which was learned to move the yard sticks down the field to prepare for the future, not only for his team, but for himself. As I express in the episode, there's much to take from Chris' words into your situation and sport whatever that may be. As with most episodes a transcript is available which some of you might find useful!

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It's Why We Play The Games

Sat, 16 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this first episode of two, "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" takes a look at the very essence of sport, why we play the games! I do it through the lens of wheel chair curling, one of the disciplines in the Paralympic Games but it could be any sport. The episode begins with the words of the skip of the team that won the gold medal in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and his desire to return to play once again, at the highest level. But the episode is more than that as he realized that he needed a fourth teammate. He called upon his wife who had never played. You'll want to know what he learned about returning to the sport he loved and how a rookie curler played her first competitive games at the national championship!

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A Very Different Look At The Power Of The Mind

Sat, 09 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I conclude "The Survival Game" that we started in the previous episode, so get your score cards ready for the results. In the second part of this episode we hear about a very different approach to the power of the mind with a sound bite involving Dr. Sanjay Gupta (CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent) and a doctor who uses hypnosis to help his patients some of whom are elite athletes. Dr. Gupta's podcast is entitled "Chasing Life". I'm an avid listener! If you are not interested in "The Survival Game" and want to go directly to the power of the mind portion of the episode, use the "chapter" markers to take you there.

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The Greatest Of All Time

Fri, 01 May 2026 20:00:00 -0400

In this week's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we're going to talk about the greatest of all time in the sport of hockey (how appropriate during the Stanley Cup Playoffs) and the narrator on this subject is none other than someone who many feel might just be the GOAT, Bobby Orr. I have a short sound bite on what it means to be competitive and how one should deport one's self when your best effort doesn't not end with a victory. I conclude the episode with a survival game (no not the CBS hit series "Survivor") but a simulation scenario where you and some members of your family or circle of friends can rank a number of items that were salvaged from a plane crash according to the impact they would have on your ability to survive the harsh northern Canadian crash site in the bitter cold of January.

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A Remarkable Year In Review

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" Hans Frauenlob and I talk about what I described in the episode as a most remarkable year in the sport of curling, with Olympics, World Championships and Rock League. And, for good measure we talk a little baseball as a new technology is unveiled, ABS (automated balls & strikes), and its effect on the game.

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Pebble Water 22.0

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" there is a question posed by a listener about how curlers can remember the different speeds and paths the rocks take, a comment about the back line rule, a group of sound bites regarding the recently concluded "Masters" golf tournament and a wrap up by Joanne Courtney of "Rock League". Enjoy!

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A Promise Kept

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is about a promise made over 45 years ago. It was about the future and what it might hold for Jay & Mavis Leno. You might recognize the name Jay Leno from his many years as host of NBC's "Tonight Show" but to hear Jay, it was his wife Mavis who was the more interesting person in their relationship. As Jay says in this narrative, a promise to love for better or for worse usually assumes it will be for the better which is not always the case and it certainly isn't for Jay & Mavis. But the promise made is one Jay was going to keep!

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Rock League

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we take a cursory look at something new in the sport of curling, "Rock League". Some, if not most of the listeners to the podcast have hear about Rock League which will launch soon in Toronto. Here's what I've learned to date (plus a surprise ending to the episode I think you will enjoy)!

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Q's & A's

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I attempt to answer questions & respond to some comments that have come my way. Those questions & comments included Olympic medals for coaches, the role of officials, between ends team discussions, rock matching, hats & T-shirts (it's actually a good question), rock measuring instruments, take out weights, going undefeated and the relationship curling has with the Olympic Games. Use "Chapters" above these show notes to go directly to the questions that might interest you most! Enjoy!

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Dr. Glenn & Coach Bill Talk About Brushing

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" started with an email from me to my friend Dr. Glenn Paulley about this new brushing phenomenon called "The Bunny Hop". Glenn's reply led to an invitation to join me on the podcast so you could hear his thoughts directly and let's just say, regarding this new brushing technique, were surprising. That led to a discussion about a number of other aspects of brushing resulting in this information packed episode. In the introduction to the episode I list the topics about to be aired and there were many. This is one episode, if you are a coach or athlete, you might want to make some notes. The transcript of the episode will make a good reference to the discourse between Dr. Paulley and yours truly!

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A Very Special Episode For Winter Break 2026

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is for regular listeners and especially those who have children or grandchildren about to embark on Winter Break Holidays in their school district. I'm going to narrate a story entitled "The Search For Delicious". The author is a wonderful writer of children's stories, Natalie Babbitt. This one will challenge the listener to make a decision about what they think is the most delicious food then by story's end, that notion of delicious might change, as it has for all who have listened to this tale. In the episode, I refer to another children's story on the podcast (S1E44) entitled "He Sweeps, He Scores" by my good friend from Gander NL, Jean Blackie. A link to her story is below! Enjoy!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1922969/episodes/11430127-he-sweeps-he-scores-by-jean-blackie.mp3?download=true

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The 2026 Winter Olympic Games In The Rear View Mirror

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear the thoughts of Hans Frauenlob of Olympic Broadcast Services and a long time friend of this podcast. He commentated on 31 Olympic curling games in the disciplines of Mixed Doubles, Women's and Men's. His insights are, well, insightful!

If you would like a text version of the podcast, click on "Transcript" above these show notes!

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Pebble Water 21.0

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I deal with four topics. In order they are practical strategy, measuring rocks, the case of the reversing ice and the most difficult shot in curling. You can go to the four topics directly by clicking on Chapters (above these show notes). By clicking onTranscript you will see a copy of the text of the episode. If you know someone who is unable to hear the episode and might like to see the transcript, please forward this episode to them! Enjoy!

Correction - In the section on "Measuring" I inadvertently said "push the rock" when I should have said "push the measure"! There, now I feel better!

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The Greatest Hockey Game Ever Played

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0500

In this week's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear the voice of the late Stuart McLean, arguably Canada's greatest story teller. Stuart had a weekly programme, initially on the radio and then on podcast called "The Vinyl Cafe". I'll explain the title and the fictional characters he wove into the kind of stories that held you engrossed in the exploits of the main character Dave, the owner of the aforementioned, Vinyl Cafe. This is one of Stuart's best episodes he called, "The Greatest Hockey Game Ever Played". I think you just might agree! Enjoy!

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It Was To Be A Safe Place Until It Wasn't

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

In this first episode of season five for "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I'm sharing news and thoughts of a tragic loss of lives in a small town in the Rocky Mountains of the province of British Columbia, Canada called Tumbler Ridge. When most of those lives are young lives, it puts into sharp perspective everything else we might feel is important.

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Let The Games Begin

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we take a thumb nail walk through the Olympic Charter. You will learn some aspects of this quadrennial sport festival that might surprise you. I also discuss how the IOC protects its brand. The 2026 Scotties Tournament Of Hearts is in the rearview mirror. I share some thoughts on what I heard and saw. The sound bite this week is for parents of young athletes and it's about whether a young person should play many sports or concentrate on just one. It’s a must listen for all parents (and grandparents)! I break from tradition in the sign off portion of the episode. I hope your ears will like it!

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We're Talking Baseball & Curling

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" a long time friend from the other side of the world joins me for a back-and-forth about baseball and curling, especially the Olympic variety. That long friend is Hans Frauenlob. He's been my guest on other occasions regarding Winter Olympic Games and an episode that has helped many who have decided to step back from the sport or activity they love and the challenges that decision poses. The episode was entitled, "Not Sad Because It's Over But Happy Because It Happened" (S2E12).

If you click on "Transcript" above, you will see a text version of today's episode. Please forward the episode to someone who might like to read the text of the chat I had with Hans.

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This One Really Hurt

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0500

In today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear about a loss that will take some time to stop stinging. The speaker will be Danielle Inglis and the loss will be a provincial final. There will be two sound bites to conclude the episode, one by a coach with his thoughts on working with today's young athletes and the other by one of Canada's most noted journalists, Peter Mansbridge who answers a question I posed on his podcast, "The Bridge", about the value of Olympic medals but from a perspective most might not consider.

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Bill Digs Into The Podcast Mail Bag

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

It's time to dig into the "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" mailbag. I have extracted nine questions to answer as best I'm able. If you want see the questions, click on "Chapters" (above) to go those that are of special interest to you! For those who are hearing impaired, click on "Transcript" for a text version of the episode, remembering that AI doesn't differentiate words that sound the same so my name is "Bill Shearhart" on the transcript (perhaps after a life time spelling it for people, perhaps I should consider this phonetic spelling of "Tschirhart")!

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A New Rule About Brushing

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 18:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I highlight a new rule, hot off the press regarding, you guessed it, brushing! I'll cite the exact wording of World Curling's rule adjustment and this time it's NOT about the equipment but rather brushing technique. I have a sound bite from the skip of a team bound for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and his team's preparation for curling's biggest stage! I end the episode with a surprise for a new listener who doesn't know his grandson has something to say.

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How Well Do You Know Your Team?

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0500

In this inaugural episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" for 2026 (Happy New Year to you all) we take a look at how you feel about your team and how your teammates feel about the team. Then, by using that extremely valuable information, I'll help you formulate a strategic and tactical plan that will guide your team in making good strategic and tactical decisions. I end the episode with a sound bite from Tom Brady, perhaps the greatest quarterback in the history of the National Football League. His topic is about the development of scholastic athletes. What Tom has to say is something all parents need to hear!

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A New Year's Pebble Water Edition

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0500

In this 21st Pebble Water episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I touch on two topics. The first is my take on a video by Jamie Sinclair that she posted on Facebook. It was excellent and it was about weight control, perhaps the most important of all the skills in curling. The second is a reply to an email from listener Leslie Gerard who had a question/observation about the value of having last rock in the first end. Leslie felt it was too important in deciding the outcome of a game and wondered if there might be way to better balance offence and defence. I suggested there was and as you will hear in the episode, I'd like you to use the hyperlink below to tell me what you think of my idea (be kind please) or if you have another you might like to see instituted please share it (no one will know who you are). In this episode I refer to "You Have The Power" (S1E5). Here is the link to that episode! Enjoy this "champagne episode", the last for 2025!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1922969/episodes/10106421

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A Holiday Edition

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I have something for you and for the young children in your circle of family and friends. I suspect the brief introductory narration will elicit a lot of head nodding from parents of little rock or U15 curlers and the second portion will be up to you. In Season 1 Episode 44 my friend from Newfoundland & Labrador, Jean Blackie, allowed me to record her wonderful children's story "He Sweeps! He Scores". As you can tell from Jean's title, it combines curling and hockey, ending with an impactful message. You can access Jean's story by going to S1E44 or you can copy & paste the link below into your favourite listening device. Wherever you are, enjoy the Holiday Season!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1922969/episodes/11430127-he-sweeps-he-scores-by-jean-blackie.mp3?download=true

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Colleen

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear two voices, one belonging to Helen Radford, Curling Canada's Manager, NextGen & Podium Pathway who knew Colleen Jones as a friend, teammate and coach and the other that of Scott Saunders, Colleen's husband and partner in life. You can click on "Chapters" above the show notes to go to Helen and Scott's portions of the episode.

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The Canadian Curling Trials From A Unique Perspective

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 23:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear from the Dean of Coaches, Dean Kleiter. His young team played in the Canadian Curling Trials and although they did not finish first, they gained a wealth of experience and knowledge as the team continues on its journey to be the best it can be. Dean witnessed the event from the Coach's Bench and in this episode he'll slide over to offer you a seat beside him from that most unique perspective. Dean has shared the microphone on two previous occasions. I urge you to return to S2E2 to hear Dean in "My Chat With The Dean Of Coaching" and to S4E4 "This Young Team's Road To The Brier". And, it wouldn't be an episode of the podcast without a sound bite or two. Enjoy!

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Pebble Water 20.0

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0500

In this pebble water edition of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I touch on a number of topics including grippers, planning, draw-to-the-button starts to a game, words that matter (a least to me), watching elite curling on TV, a sound bite with an NHL coach on drills and media scrums. Use the chapter markers to return to the topics of special interest to you! Enjoy!

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Levelling The Playing Field

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear three sound bites with a central theme. The first is a Ted Talk by Kate Johnson, Olympic Rowing Gold Medalist who is now actively promoting women's sports. She has a unique perspective. The second sound bite is about why young people of adolescent age leave sports. In the third sound bite you will hear from another Olympic Gold Medal rower, Marnie McBean on the value of sport. Use the chapter markers to return to any of the three sound bites!

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Empowering The Athlete Through The Awareness Method v. Slice & Dice

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I compare two methods of achieving a coach's signature goal, helping the athlete achieve a technical skill by either slicing and dicing or making the athlete aware of exactly what they're doing and actively engaging them in the process of deciding what will work best. It's about empowering the athlete. In the episode I cite the work of Dr. Timothy Gallwey. The chapter markers will help you find my three stages of the awareness method and Dr. Gallwey's well known philosophy of Self One v. Self Two!

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Pebble Water 19.0 - Asking Questions Always Defeats Arguing

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I veer off the sports road to bring a sound bite about the power of questions. This is another one of those episodes where the chapter markers (see above) will guide you to portions of the episode you may wish to hear again. The platform you use to listen to the podcasts may provide a transcript. This might be one episode where a transcript may be very useful upon reflection. Enjoy Socrates' "Five Questions"!

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Emily's Back To Weigh In On Three Topics

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I welcome back Emily Riley (elite athlete & Certified Mental Performance Consultant). We're going to deal with three topics today, slow starts, distractions and pre-event preparation. This is Emily's sixth visit. Her previous five have been most impactful especially if you're a coach, athlete or parent of young athletes in curling. The chapter markers (above these show notes) will lead to the three topics if you wish to listen over a period of time. These are the episode numbers and dates of Emily's previous episodes.

Mar. 20, '22 (S1E12) Dec. 23, '22 (S1E55) June 2, '23 (S2E16). Jan. 19, '24 (S2E47) Oct. 26, '24 (S3E39) The last episode in the list is for parents!

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Two Coaches Discuss Weight Control

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I respond to a question sent my way from a coach who asked about curling's signature skill, weight control, how to measure it and more importantly, how to help his athletes develop a feel for it. When I suggested that we chat voice-to-voice, it led to today's episode.

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Course Corrections

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 22:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I pause to make two announcements. The first is about the distribution of my coaching manual, "A Pane In The Glass: A Coach's Companion" and the way listeners to the episodes of the podcast find a link to the most recent episode of the podcast. If you receive a posting of the most recent episode through your membership in a sports related group on Facebook, this will be the last time you will be able to do so. I describe a different and more efficient way for you to access the link! I also take the opportunity to thank a group of individuals who have been instrumental in the creation of my coaching manual and the podcast.

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Growing The Game In An Olympic Season

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400

My returning guest today on "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is Bobby Ray, Senior Manager, Club Development & Member Services for Curling Canada. This is not just any curling season, it's an Olympic curling season. History has demonstrated that those who don't curl but watch the game unfold on its biggest stage every four years, get inspired to contact curling facilities to explore the possibilities of getting involved. Those same curling facilities need to be ready to receive and expand on that potential interest and that's what you'll hear Bobby Ray talk about today. As you'll hear me say in the episode, if you live in one of the many countries that have curlers, coaches & instructors and fans, Bobby Ray and I hope you can gain something from this initiative he'll describe to benefit your curling community!

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The Drag Effect

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we take a look at perhaps the most interesting phenomenon in curling, the "drag effect". I'll explain what it is, why it occurs and how knowledge of the drag effect can win you a game and how a lack of knowledge might lose you a game. To get the most out of this episode you're going to need your powers of visualization and do try to stay awake!

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Coach's Notebook - Practice

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 23:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I take a look at practice from the standpoint of an individual athlete and from a team perspective. It's a continuation of an episode in season three (“Practice - What A Novel Idea”). To conclude this week's episode I use a soundbite from Pete Carroll, coach of the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. Pete talks about the various types of coaches. If you are a coach, where do you fit into Pete's spectrum of coaches?

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Pebble Water 18.0

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0400

In this pebble water version of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I deal with an application of "The Aggregation Of Marginal Gains" (from last week's episode) and a topic that almost goes without notice at the start of a curling season, footwear, but not one's curling shoes per se but rather that portion of those shoes that actually touches the ice surface including some sound bites on footwear and brushing by Joanne Courtney. Enjoy!

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The Aggregation Of Marginal Gains

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we go back to Season 2 Episode 49. In that episode I interviewed Chris Karger, the fifth member of Team Denmark at the 2023 European B Men's Curling Championship. Chris had been a professional football player whose career was cut short due to injury. That's when he decided to take up curling, not recreationally, but competitively, really competitively! I was sitting beside Chris behind a pane in the glass at that event when he shared with me, what I called, "The One Percent Solution" but as your will hear Chris describe it, the "Aggregation of Marginal Gains". Don't be deterred by that phrase, it's really about how your team can become greater than the sum of its parts!

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Better Than The Right Answers

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I reprise an article I wrote about the Socratic Method of teaching and instructing . As you might guess from the title of the episode, it's all about asking the right questions as opposed to providing what you as instructor/coach believe to be the right responses! I talk about the best "in game" coaching performance I have ever witnessed (it's in the context of a women's ice hockey game with the world championship on the line). I tell you about a real life experience I had last week with the members of the Forest Lawn Bowling Club but it could have been the Forest Curling Facility. I conclude with my thoughts on the value of a delivery script. Use the chapter markers to return to sections of the episode that have particular value for you!

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Because We've Always Done It That Way

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this last of the summer series of episodes in "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", we take a look at the way organizations, (i.e. groups of people with a clear objective) go about achieving that objective. To illustrate what many groups do I recount a well known research project called "The Monkeys And The Bananas". I use a soundbite to demonstrate just how easy it is to do two simple everyday tasks the same way each and every time. I share some basic research on the topic of group decision making and end the episode with a very familiar curling situation where you have the opportunity to employ a tactic that makes your team unpredictable!

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Sunspot #8 - The Game Of Life

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 02:00:00 -0400

In this Sunspot episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we're going to play a game and it's about your life, how long you wish it to be and the status of your health as you enjoy longevity. Before that you will hear from some fellow listeners with their reply to the three episode series on "The Culture Of Sport". I have an exciting announcement to share with you regarding wheel chair curling. Enjoy Sunspot #8!

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Sunspot #7 - It's Your Turn

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear the thoughts of other listeners about the last two episodes on the culture of sport and entitlement. You may agree or disagree with what you hear but hopefully, what you hear will make you think!

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Sunspot #6 - The Culture Of Sport (Continued)

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As you can see by the title of this episode of "A Pane In the Glass Podcast", it's a continuation of the last episode ("The Culture Of Sport"). If you have not listened to the previous episode, please do so, it will make this one make more sense and the one to follow (which is where I hope you will weigh in on this topic).

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Sunspot #5 - The Culture Of Sport

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I reach into my coaching manual ("A Pane In The Glass: A Coach's Companion") to a piece entitled "The Culture Of Sport". That was back in May of 2008 but the topic is just as relevant today as it was then and will be moving forward.

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Sunspot #4 - How Well Do You Play The Golf Course?

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 22:00:00 -0400

In this Sunspot episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we take a look at a somewhat unique way to approach a game of curling. I know, the title refers to how well you play a golf course but there's a very direct connection between the two sports. I conclude this summertime episode with a sound bite about "A Man's Brain Versus A Woman's Brain". It's a comedy sketch with much validity that bubbles to the surface plus my take on the difference between coaching a women's team versus a men's team.

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Sunspot #3 - You Win Some, You Lose Some And Some ...

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0400

In this third summer episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we take a look at wins and losses from various perspectives. We hear from golf's #1 player, Scottie Scheffler with what I'm sure will be a surprising taking on winning, which he does most of the time. We hear from Eli Straw on how to break out of a slump. I once again put wins & losses into place with "The Baseball Analogy" and then conclude the episode with one of life's most devastating losses, that of a child and how sports caster Ernie Johnson and his wife used that loss to make another child's life a little more fulfilling using key fobs!

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Sunspot #2 - All Things Baseball

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this second Sunspot edition of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we recognize Major League Baseball's "All Star Game" with some sound bites: Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench and his view of the Pete Rose situation regarding his consideration for the H of F, an inspiring sound bite about Jim Abbott who pitched a no-hitter with one only one arm, a rendering of the life lessons sports like baseball can offer a young athlete and then wise words from the late Yogi Berra". Play ball!

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Sunspot #1 - Talent v. Passion

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" heralds a series of episodes for the summer of 2025 I'm calling "Sunspots". This is #1 and the topic is "Talent v. Passion". There are two soundbites, each involving very successful individuals who have perspectives on both talent and passion. Enjoy!

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Foam Density: It Really Does Make A Difference

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 19:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I welcome back to my microphone, Eugene Hritzuk of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. You may recall an episode about foam density in curling brushes (S3E51) where Eugene introduced us to the whole notion of the importance of foam density in curling brushes. Since that episode, World Curling has done some testing on the matter in Morris, MB. Preliminary results are in and World Curling has published an announcement about foam density as it applies to competition to the conclusion of the current Olympic cycle. More testing will follow but for the teams either playing in the Winter Olympic Games in Italy or competing on the road to possibly joining those countries who have already declared their representative teams, World Curling has listed those brushes that are compliant with the rules regarding foam density and those which are not. Eugene will bring us up-to-speed on the testing procedure and clearly explain why the density of the foam is so critical in ensuring that the field of play is level for all involved.

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Play Ball

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 22:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we're talking baseball with someone whose voice you've heard on three previous episodes of the podcast (see below these games notes). That person is Hans Frauenlob of Auckland, NZ who for a six year time span, which included those two World Series seasons, worked in the front office for the Toronto Blue Jays. Even though it's been awhile since that time, I've asked Hans to take us "behind the scenes" and tell us what we don't see at a Major League Baseball game either in the stands or in front of a TV.

Even though we didn't plan to get into the topics of Baseball Hall of Fame eligibility, cheating and sports betting, we did and neither of us held back on our views on those topics.

For those who are baseball fans and know all about Shoeless Joe Jackson, Pete Rose and the Houston Astros cheating scandal, you may wish to hit stop on your listening device before the conclusion of the episode as I explain those issues for those who are unaware of those events in baseball. Check the chapter markers for that spot in the episode.

Hans' previous episodes were: S2E12 ("Not Sad Because It's Over But Happy Because It Happened"), S3E29 ("The Paris Olympic Games From A Media Perspective") and S3E33 ("The 2024 Paralympic Games").

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Pebble Water 17.0

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 19:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I return to my pebble can for the following topics: a response to a listener who has some ideas about lasers in curling, on this Fathers' Day Weekend a thank you to my late father, a sound bite with Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans basketball team and an idea from some listeners for a way to forward the episodes within your curling facility. I end this episode a little differently so you'll have to go to the end to find out how.

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It May Be The Off Season But Not For Your Curling Facility's Planning Department

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 18:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we are fortunate to have Bobby Ray, Senior Manager, Club Development & Member Services for Curling Canada, pay us a visit to bring us up-to-speed on the necessary planning that all curling facilities need to maintain and augment the services they provide for those who will enjoy the greatest game on ice in the upcoming season. He has a host of ideas for you. Once again, this is the type of episode you may wish to forward to those in your facility who engage in this type of planning. I conclude this episode with a sound bite from the runner-up at the recent Memorial Golf Tournament who has advice which just might save your vision!

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Pebble Water 16.0

Sat, 31 May 2025 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I deal with some topics that have peaked my interest of late. They include professional v. amateur, the winter Olympic qualifying process, the USCA Under Five event, distractions (the great killer of performance) and lastly an appeal to those of you who might be able to help me distribute the episodes more efficiently! Use the chapter makers to go to the topics of particular interest to you!

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Time Spent With Danielle Is Time Well Spent

Sun, 25 May 2025 22:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I share my microphone once again with Danielle Inglis, two time Ontario Scotties champion and Curling Canada's "Co-ordinator, Social Media & Web Content". Danielle brings us up-to-speed on a number of topics of great interest to the advancement of curling at the ground roots level. This is one of those episodes that you might like to share with others in your curling facility who might benefit from what you will hear from Danielle.

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RockFest Update

Mon, 19 May 2025 01:00:00 -0400

My guest today on "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is Dustin Mikush of Curling Canada. Dustin brings us up to speed on one very impactful programme in his portfolio as "Manager, Youth Development & Programming", U15 RockFest.

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Wall 2 Wall Ice w/Jon Wall

Sat, 10 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I welcome back Jon Wall. Since his first visit (S1E47) he worked side-by-side with Mark Shurek making the ice for the Grand Slam events you see on television. We talk about making championship ice for the very best curlers on the planet but most of the episode is devoted to the ice you play on at your curling facility. You'll learn how that surface is installed, maintained and how that new found knowledge can make you and your team better. We also discuss delivering rocks and the differences among rocks and of course, the topic de jour, brushing and its effect on ice to enhance performance. Click on the "chapter markers" to go to that part of the episode of special interest to you!

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Pebble Water 15.0

Sat, 03 May 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I sprinkle water from my pebbling can on a number of topics, none of them related to one another but all relevant to the subject at hand, that being curling in particular and sports in general with a parting view of young people at this time in history. Use the chapter markers in the above show notes to go back to specific points in the episode to hear a favourite topic once again!

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Help! We Need Help! Where Do We Find It?

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we'll take a look at the search for a coach for your competitive team. Do we seek someone who's been there, done that and has the T-Shirt (i.e. a recently retired elite athlete) or are there other criteria to be considered when seeking coaching assistance? I end this episode with the thoughts of a grade one teacher!

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From Chisholm, MN to Pyeongchang S. Korea Looking For Gold

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will be taken on a journey from a small town in the state of Minnesota to the top step of the podium in Pyeongchang, S. Korea by John Shuster. It's a journey that you might have in your sights. John will provide extremely helpful information you can use to realize your Olympic dream. I also share the press conference with the runner-up to last week's Masters golf tournament. Justin Rose didn't win the coveted green jacket but when you hear his thoughts on getting to a playoff from seven strokes back going into the last round, you'll see that by any measure, he was just as successful as Rory McIlroy!

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Two Athletes From Different Countries With The Same Goal

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

As the title suggests, this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" has global implications. Joining me are Helen Williams of Australia and Adriana Camarena of Mexico (currently residing in California). They both skip their respective national women's teams and have now climbed to the top rung of the World Curling ladder to compete in the "A Division". We talk about what it took to get there and what it will mean to secure a spot on the podium. I end the episode with my view on being a "professional" athlete.

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The Restless Ranter With A Major Rant

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0400

The title of this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" says it all. The RR's rant is one I hope many of you will want to weigh in on with your view. To do that with total anonymity, just click on the hyperlink at the end of these show notes! But, I'll begin the episode with a discussion on a topic to which most curlers pay little attention, your sliding device. The decision to make it a part of this episode once again came from a photo and discussion on Facebook.

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The Power & Risk Of Belief

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will a very unique way for an elite athlete to reflect upon a major competition that didn't end the way she and her teammates hoped it might. That athlete is Emily Riley and the event was the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Her reflection on the week is entitled, "The Power & Risk Of Belief". Then you will hear from Hall of Fame college basketball coach, Tom Rizzo and how he feels about his relationship with his players as they play in "March Madness". The episode today concludes with a sound bite called "Rainbow Glasses". It will lift your spirits!

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The Crab Grass In The Lawn Of Sport

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" my returning guest is Jenn Ferris of Curling Canada. We talk about keeping sport safe for athletes and coaches but this time it's not about physical safety by rather psychological safety. I also talk about a way to test your brushing system that only requires a sheet of ice and a rock. The episode ends with a sound bite by Rory Mcilroy, the recent winner of "The Players' Championship". He reveals how he deals with negative thoughts.

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Pebble Water 14.0

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I reach into my Pebble Water file for items that have been building up. Now is the time to give them oxygen. There are seven this time; "The Learning Curve", "Three Questions To Ask Before Starting Every End", "What Is The Real Meaning Of Sport In Your Coaching Life & Your Athletes' Lives?" (by Wendy Morgan) , "Pre-Game Practice", another email from Leslie Gerard, "The Most Misplayed Shot In Curling" and lastly my view on "The Back Line Rule".

If you wish to return to specific topics dealt with in this episode, click on Chapters above these show notes and you'll be taken to that spot in the episode!

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A Great Coach's Press Conference

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear the wise words of Coach Jon Cooper who, prior to the final game of last month's "Four Nations Face Off" hockey tournament, fielded excellent questions from journalists and provided impactful and forward reaching answers.

In the previous episode of the podcast, I asked those of you who were going to watch "The Montana's Brier" to observe the position of the sliding foot and the rock as the curlers slid from the hack. I reveal the reason I asked you to do that.

I end the episode on a bit of a rant of my own regarding two commonly heard terms at events like the Scotties, Brier etc. to which I take issue. I wonder what they are and why I get on my soap box over them!

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This Young Team's Road To The Brier

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 23:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I welcome back, "The Dean of Coaching" (aka Dean Kleiter) who chronicles the 15 year journey from a U18 team to the representative of the Province of Saskatchewan at the 2025 Montana's Brier. As you might guess, there were many stops along the way, some more challenging than others but all successfully negotiated under Dean's coaching leadership. How did they do it and could your young team do the same thing? "Yes", is Dean's answer and he'll share how he and his team did it!

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Don't Even Try To Hit It Straight

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 01:00:00 -0500

The title of this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" isn't about golf but I'm going to use the connection between golf & curling to answer a question from a listener from the Bobcaygeon Curling Club. Murray Thompson was having difficulty controlling the weight of his down weight shots (draws, guards etc.). That's when I suggested he not even try to hit his tee shot straight down the middle of the fairway. What? I'm a curler, not a golfer! Listen to this episode to learn how you can better control your down weight shots using my golf analogy.

A telephone call from another listener about a team dynamics issue inspired me to add my thoughts about this team's dilemma (one many teams face) to the episode.

I end this episode with my passionate thoughts regarding All Star Awards. Buckle your chin straps when you hear how I feel about this topic!

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A Round Table Discussion With Emily Riley, Jacob Tschirhart & Coach Bill

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", Emily Riley shares the microphone with me and my grandson Jacob. We both have questions to ask Emily and as usual, Emily provides outstanding answers! In the last portion of the episode, the culture of sport is the topic which morphs into a discussion about the value of playing any competitive sport. Emily's thoughts will get you thinking about your involvement in sports as an athlete and/or as a coach! Emily was behind the microphone in S1E12, S1E55, S2E16, S2E47 & S3E39 (parents, you'll want, no, need to hear the most recent one)!

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The Most Important Aspects Of A Curling Delivery Are Invisible

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -0500

This episode begins season #4 of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast". It was this week in 2002 when I took a leap of faith into the world of podcasting.

This episodes explains what's missing in so many curling deliveries I see as I travel the curling world. If all you take onto a sheet of curling ice is a sound delivery, you don't have very much! Most curling deliveries are reasonably sound but they break down because the owner of the delivery does not know how protect & support that delivery from the ravages of competitive breakdown. This episode will provide the tools to ensure that your curling delivery is "bullet proof".

There are two previous episodes that will enhance this one. They are "The Performance Cocktail " S1E20 and "Three Hundred Seconds " S1E28.

This episode is about one hour in length so please make use of the "Chapters" feature to return to the last section you heard before you hit "pause" on your listening device!

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Remembering Toby McDonald

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 16:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we pay tribute to Toby McDonald, curler, coach, attorney, fisherman & citizen of St. John's, NL. I called upon Jamie Korab and Jim Waite to share their memories of Toby (including some great stories)!

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Foam Density In Curling Brushes

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we take a look at the hottest of hot brushing topics, the density of the foam under the compliant fabric on a curling brush. To do that I have taken excerpts from an article on "Curling Zone" (an excellent website) followed by a chat with Eugene Hritzuk. Eugene has been my guest on previous occasions when I needed someone close the research taking place with curling brushes. Today he'll focus his attention on foam density.
My very loyal listener Leslie Gerard has sent an email to regarding a possible solution to the issue of the importance of last stone in the first end of play. It seems as though at the highest level, that pre-game draw-to-the-button activity has become the tail that wags the dog. Leslie has an idea to level the playing field in that area.

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So You Want To Be Perfect Eh?

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500

The title of today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" says it all. I reprise an article from my blog site (truenorthbill.blogspot.com) for an article based upon an interview with Dr. John Dunn with a journalist from the Edmonton Journal. That's followed by a sound bite by sport psychologist Eli Straw on "Mental Skills For Young Athletes" (including some hands-on activities coaches & parents can do with their young athletes). I then chat with a young athlete in the person of my grandson Lucas who shares his thoughts on the soundbite. I conclude this episode with a tribute to the late Jimmy Carter.
You may wish to make use of the chapter markers to return to various portions of this episode. They are found at the top of these show notes.

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A Northern Light

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 18:00:00 -0500

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is an interview with Nick Saturnino of Inuvik, Northwest Territories which is located 200 km. north of The Arctic Circle. He's a "northern light" in that far north community as he creates youth curling programmes with challenges that most youth co-ordinators may never have to face. Many of those challenges are a result of geography. You will be shocked at the cost of travel in the far north for example and in a community where there are other activities for young people, how does Nick make curling attractive to that demographic? This episode will reveal how he does it! Enjoy!

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Does Your Team Play To Win or Does It Play Not To Lose?

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 16:00:00 -0500

The title of today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" says it all. Does your team play to win or does it play not to lose?
My friend Leslie Gerard sent another email I felt worthy of sharing. It's about playing a team that you know is more skilled and experienced. I respond to Leslie offering up a way to give your team at least a chance to still win the game.
There's a sound bite from the great Michael Jordan you will find most interesting on the topic of winning and losing.
I end this episode with an offer for your team to join me for a chat on the topic of your choosing.
And, Happy 2025 to you all and thanks for listening!

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A Cold Bucket Of Water In Your Face

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I use an episode from CNN's excellent podcast series with Dr. Sanjay Gupta ("Chasing Life"). This one was about alcohol and a project with Dr. Jason Kilmer at the University of Washington but it wasn't just another lecture about the negative effects of alcohol. This one is very different and for some, as you will hear me say at closing, will be a cold bucket of water in your face. The episode will be especially significant for high school teens, college students and young adults besides the general public of all ages. Get ready for "Chasing Life"!

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The View From Inside World Curling

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0500

My Guest for this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is Graham Prouse, who for many years, until he recently termed out, was a Vice President of "World Curling". He explains how an international sport organization meets the needs of a group of member countries that now numbers in excess of seventy and its still growing. The Restless Ranter also pays a visit with his view on parents of young athletes. Enjoy!

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Your Team Needs To Answer These Questions

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear excellent questions originally posed by Coach Andrea Ronnebeck of Northern Ontario. Andrea is currently the Education Manager for the Ontario Curling Council. Her questions deal with team roles and responsibilities. That's followed by a sound bite by a sport psychologist (name unknown) who shares seven tips about why some athletes become truly elite and how you can perform better if you embrace at least some of them at your level of participation in your sport whatever that might be.

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The Performance Formula

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I revisit performance, specifically a performance formula and that's not to say that there IS a scientific way to ensure performance but rather some of the components required to promote a great performance.
Before the episode concludes I touch on some other topics you many find interesting and hopefully helpful so check out the "Chapters" above the show notes to not only to discover those topics but a quick way to go to that point in the episode to hear them again.

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Pebble Water 13.0

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I rummage around in the compressor room for my pebble can to touch on a number of topics. They include ice reading, brushing (again), episode transcripts, a team dynamics activity for your team, statistics v. competitive data, systems and bullet proofing one's curling delivery. Hopefully there's something in this episode that will resonate with you and your team!

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Synonyms (Words That Might Mean The Same But Don't)

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is not a grammar lesson. It IS about two pairs of synonyms we use regularly in curling and many times we use them incorrectly and the differences in their meanings can have relevance to your team's performance.
You will then hear the audio of a promotional video from The Chester Curling Club in Chester NS. Enjoy its creativity and the message it sends!
Lastly I respond to some emails from listeners who took me to task regarding what I said a few episodes ago about release ("If You Have A Million Dollar Delivery And A Two Cent Release ..."). They had very good reason to ask for clarification. If you didn't get a chance to listen to that episode, I suggest you do so as it's been one of the most popular since I began the podcast.

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Beam Us Up Scottie

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we are joined by Scott Arnold, Head of Development for World Curling.
Scott and I have known one another for a long time, back to his playing days at Western University and my first coaching position at the University of Waterloo. Much pebble water has been applied to curling ice for us both since those days. We talk about the game over that time period, his role with World Curling and get a glimpse into the future as well!
One of the topics about which we chat is World Curling's streaming TV service (aka "The Curling Channel"). For those of a certain age who have been accustomed to "linear television", it's a brave new world. At the conclusion of the episode you'll hear an excellent article on the subject. It just may change your mind about streaming curling games!

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Indicate - Acknowledge - Confirm

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0500

The topic for this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is execution tolerance. Don't leave home without it.
In the second portion of the podcast you'll hear a "Ted Talk" by Janne Mortensen, Mental Performance Psychologist. This will be a companion to the very recent episode with Emily Riley ("Emily Has Something To Share With Parents") as the subject of this talk is also for parents of high achieving young athletes! It's at the 1430 mark in the episode.

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If You Have A Million Dollar Delivery And A Two Cent Release ...

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 16:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I take a look at the way the curling stone is released and weight control, in my opinion the most important skill in a sea skills in the sport of curling. I conclude this episode with an email from someone who has listened to all the episodes published to date. Wow, talk about loyal! I have received many messages from Leslie but this one warranted airing on the podcast and she's not happy!
Go to "Chapters" to find release, weight control & Leslie's email!

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Emily's Back With Something To Share With Parents

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" Emily Riley returns with wise words for parents of young athletes but what a parent will learn from this episode applies to what children do in all walks of life not just sports.
For those who have been a listener of the podcast back in season #1 you heard Emily in two episodes ("Emily Has Something She Wants To Tell You" [S1E12] and "Emily Has More She Wants To Tell You" [S1E55]). Emily is an elite curler (currently playing on one of the best women's team in Canada) and a Mental Performance Consultant.
If you wish to return to a particular one of Emily's tips, click on "chapters" above the show notes to the exact location in the episode!

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Sports Injuries Involving Young Athletes

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I take a look at sports injuries involving young athletes. These athletes are not small sized adults but much too often, an injury arises because an uninformed individual including the athlete's parents or grand parents treat the young athlete as if they were.
This is one of those episodes that needs to be forwarded to anyone who has influence over a young athlete!

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Youth Curling Programmes That Work

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 19:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you'll hear from Dustin Mikush & Bobby Ray of Curling Canada as they pass along diamonds of ideas for your youth programmes. Bobby & Dustin have been guests on the podcast on previous occasions. This time they bring a manifesto of ideas to make your youth programmes tick!
This is another one of the episodes that I encourage you to pass along to anyone at your curling facility who has anything to do with youth curling!!!

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Pebble Water 12.0

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I touch on a few topics, thus the title Pebble Water and in this case, the 12th version.
First up is a quick revisit to "eye dominance" as it applies to the delivery of a curling stone. Friend and coaching colleague Gerry Richard weighs in with a thought regarding the "trail leg" (go to S3E4 to hear an entire episode w/Gerry). This past week saw the passing of MLB's greatest hitter, Pete Rose. I talk about his career and his controversial connection with gambling on his team. Bells, buzzers and whistles is a personal dissertation on how curling facilities indicate that "time is up" and a much better way to deal with it. Lastly, you will hear a Ted Talk with the great UCLA Coach John Wooden. Get your pen and paper ready to record his thoughts on teaching, coaching and many other aspects of working with athletes!

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The Most Neglected Part Of A Curling Delivery

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 19:00:00 -0400

The title of this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" tells it all so no give away here. Suffice to say that this seemingly innocent aspect of a curling delivery, if not given the right care and feeding can lead to big problems!
This episode concludes with another sound bite by the late NC State basketball coach, Jimmy V that I call "Ordinary People"!

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Straight, Simple & Silent - A Reprise

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we're going back to S2E1 for an update. Now that the curling season is beginning (for those in the northern hemisphere [so apologies to those in the southern hemisphere]), there will be a number of episodes following this one relating to the technical aspects of learning to curl or learning how to be a better curler .
This episode (Straight, Simple & Silent) takes a look at a curling delivery from a very serviceable perspective. For those of you have been listening to the podcast from the start, you will hear the voices of my grandsons, Lucas & Jacob as they introduced this episode in February of 2023 but please stick around for the update, it's very important!

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The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", Olympian Hans Frauenlob once again shares the microphone this time to recount his role in the 2024 Paralymic Games from his perspective on the media bench.

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"... But Nobody Died!"

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" takes a look at one of the most important tools in one's tool box, for both coaches and athletes, attitude! If you can never leave your skills at home (something in which I truly believe) leaving the right attitude at home can have a debilitating effect on one's performance regardless of one's skills and experience, but the right attitude can lift an athlete and team to heights before deemed unattainable! This episode contains a sound bite with Coach John Hurdman.

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It's Mailbag Time

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I reach into the mailbag to respond to some questions sent my way (coachbill@hay.net). Some deal with curling but others revolve around sports in general. I end this episode with another sound bite. Enjoy!

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Pebble Water 11.0

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I talk in more detail about how your team can be the most dangerous team in the competition. You'll hear that at the 02:10 mark. That's followed by three sound bites. The first at 10:05 is with the great tennis player, Roger Federer. In the second sound bite at 13:45 you will hear the words of PGA golfer Jorden Spieth as he talks about world #1 golfer & 20:24 Olympic Gold Medalist, Scottie Scheffler. The last sound bite at 16:50 is the speech that the late college basketball coach, Jim Valvano gave at the 2008 ESPY Awards ceremony as he accepted the prestigious Arthur Ashe Award.

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The Paris Olympic Games From A Media Perspective

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" pulls the curtain back on the Olympic Games from the perspective of the media. Our guide for this episode is Hans Frauenlob, Olympian (2006 Torino, Italy [curling]) and now a member of the international broadcast consortium that brings the sights and sounds of the Games to various platforms around the globe.
Hans has been the guest of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" for two previous episodes, one entitled "Not Sad Because It's Over But Happy Because It Happened" (S3E12) and for an episode about rules in curling entitled "Because It's The Rule" (S3E14).

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"Mind Of A Medalist"

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 18:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear a recording of an episode from another podcast, "Chasing Life", hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN.
In his episode you will hear from a former Olympic Gold Medalist (Dominique Dawes) and a cognitive scientist and President of Dartmouth College and a former elite athlete in the person of Sian Beilock.
The title of this episode gives away its content, the mental preparation required by an elite athlete to perform to a podium finish and how anyone can achieve goals by training their mind as well as their body!

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Coaching At The Olympic Games

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 01:00:00 -0400

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 Waite has to say about coaching at the Olympics!

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Let The Games Begin

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 01:00:00 -0400

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 coaching assistants. I talk about what happened and suggest a bright spot in the darkness of the incident from which your team can take a lesson. But the bulk of this episode is a rant by "The Restless Ranter" who makes his views known on the obsession with Olympic medals. He not only pulls back the curtain on the negative aspects of those medals but to his credit offers solutions.

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From The Archives

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

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!

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Eugene & Bill Talk About Foam Density In Curling Brushes

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0400

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 brushing) to put it all into plain English. Check the "chapter markers" if you wish to go straight to the discussion I have with Eugene. The episode concludes with a visit from "The Restless Ranter"!

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An Update From Helen Radford On The "Next Gen" Programme

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0400

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 anger and how to deal with it. You'll find it most enlightening!

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Bobby Ray Pays A Return Visit About Club Development

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0400

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 share this episode with anyone you know who has anything to do with the business of curling, membership augmentation and retention!

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Revisiting Rock Fest & Ice Technician Programs

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0400

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, Dustin will report on both initiatives as they unfolded in this past curling season.
This is the first of three episodes with individuals, like Dustin who have specific areas of responsibility with Curling Canada. Next week we'll hear from Bobby Ray (Manager, Club Development & Membership Services). The following week Helen Radford (Manager, Youth Development & Next Gen) will check in with us.

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Pebble Water 10.0

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0400

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 from being down 0-3 in a seven game series.
If you go to "Chapter Markers" you will find the time stamps for each portion of today's episode.

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Why Stones Curl & Why Brushing Works

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0400

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 might have read the post but if you did not, at the beginning of this episode I have recorded an audio version. If you are already aware of the Facebook post, the dialogue with Eugene begins at around the 12:30 mark.

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Seventeen Inches

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 14:00:00 -0400

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 learn why in this episode!

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Practice - What A Novel Idea!

Sun, 26 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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 episode when most of the curling world is on summer hiatus but I have listeners in the southern hemisphere where the curling season is just starting and more and more facilities have curling ice on a year round basis in the northern portion of our planet. Hopefully this episode might inspire you to consider making use of what curling ice is available where you live!
I conclude this episode with some quotes that have nothing to do with curling but I hope will bring a smile to your face and a thought to your brain!

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From The Coach's Bench (Dr. Glenn Paulley)

Sat, 18 May 2024 10:00:00 -0400

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 aspect of curling, notably "brushing", you would be correct. But, for the next 40 minutes, you're going to hear from "Coach Paulley" and might I suggest that you have a writing instrument and paper ready to jot down the pearls of coaching wisdom you will hear from Glenn and not want to forget!

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The Role Of Social Media In Curling

Thu, 09 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400

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 stones are delivered. I felt the concerns expressed had a universal tone which made the message qualify for the podcast.
Lastly, we get a visit from "The Restless Ranter" and his view on how social media in the wrong hands, can have a serious dark side! Buckle your chin straps for his segment!
You can use chapter markers for this episode to go back to one of the segments of the episode that particularly interested you. See those chapter markers at the top of the show notes!

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Because It's The Rule

Sat, 04 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400

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.

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Now What Do We Do?

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:00:00 -0400

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 team's on going quest for improved performance and it doesn't matter the the level of skill and experience. You enjoy the game more when you play better. There are many ways to accomplish this. The one I'm suggesting is simple but impactful.
I conclude this episode with two reflections by elite athletes. The first is Max Homa, professional golfer. The second is a retiring elite curler, Glenn Howard.

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What's In Your Tickle Trunk?

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

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 Trunk is not only his cache of inventive learn-to-curl gizmos but his resource for the aforementioned well-thought out programmes necessary to ensure that the time with those youngsters plants the seeds for a life time of enjoyment with curling.
This is another of those episodes I hope you will forward to anyone, like Al, who enjoys both the challenges and rewards of being at the starting blocks with the future of our sport.

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Pebble Water 9.0

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

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 the episode with a look to an upcoming episode whereby your questions & comments regarding rules will be aired. Enjoy Pebble Water 9.0!

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A Visit With An Elite Mixed Doubles Team

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

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 chapters with time stamps so you can return to the episodes to hear what Marie & Harry say on specific topics that interest you. As you'll hear me say in the sign off portion of the episode, please forward this episode to anyone who you feel might benefit from the answers to this elite mixed doubles team's answers!

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It Doesn’t Get Much Attention But It Can Make A Difference

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0400

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!

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From The Coach's Bench (Merv Fonger)

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 17:00:00 -0400

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 Markers above, Merv will deal with many topics with which coaches deal on a regular basis. Merv's style of doing so will leave you entertained as well as educated. He's a story teller and illustrates many of his coaching points that way! Enjoy!
Thank you for all the Happy Birthday wishes! It's much appreciated!

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This Man Is Always In The Zone

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 16:00:00 -0400

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 curler, coach, instructor, athlete or fan, you will have benefited from his work and insights.
This episode is awash in information and that's putting it mildly as you'll soon learn when you hit "play" on your device. The episode is 60 min. in length and it's worth every one of those minutes. I suggest you once again employ the "Chapter Markers" to identify the various topics with which Gerry deals so you can quickly return to those of particular interest. This is one of those episodes you'll want to hear more than once. He has the data and is willing to share!

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Brier 24 Notebook

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0400

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 guess if I can't do it without my coach's hat firmly in place by this point in my life, I don't think that's ever going to happen.
I made eleven notes for the episode. By clicking on "Chapters" at the top of these show notes, you'll learn the topic of each note and by clicking on the time stamp, you'll be taken to that spot. Enjoy!

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Rock Fest & Ice Technician Programs

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0500

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 curling world, perhaps you might be able to take some of the ideas from Dustin or if you already have programs akin to both or either of these, let me know and I'll pass your suggestions along to Dustin. My email address is coachbill@hay.net!
I conclude this episode with a few comments about your curling delivery and the best time to take a look at it with an eye to make positive changes. Spoiler alert, it's not in a clinic next fall just before the season begins!

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From The Coach's Bench (Gerry Richard)

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 15:00:00 -0500

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 this thoughts on a number of coaching topics. You will not only find what those topic are but where you can locate them in the episode by going to "Chapter Markers" beside "Show Notes". By clicking on the time stamp (green) you will be taken to the topic of your choosing.

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Scotties 24 Notebook

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 20:00:00 -0500

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 "steamed" in the last episode, he's really hot-under-the-collar" this time around. Don't miss it!
Finally, I'm trying something for the first time with this episode. There are "Chapter Markers" which, according to my podcast provider, will allow you to find places on the podcast which are of particular interest to you, like "The Restless Ranter".
Above these show notes, you'll see the words "Show Notes" and "Chapters". Live on the wild side and click on "Chapters". When you see the chapters, click on the time (in green) & it will take you to that place in the episode. Is that cool or what?

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Q's & A's From Coach-To-Coach

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" first time coach Gery Hermans of Belgium poses questions that many coaches in a similar situation might have. The questions touch upon topics such as:

the Socratic method of teaching & instructing
the role of a full time coach v. a coach taking a team to a specific event
delivery analysis protocol
analytics
brushing (you knew that would be on the list)
from recreation to competition
underrated topics
curling camps
the implementation of strategy & tactics into game conditions

And, we get the first, up-to-the-minute rant from "The Restless Ranter"! You don't want to miss this!

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Twenty-Five Thousand & Counting

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0500

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" heralds Episode #1 of Season #3. It was February 9, 2022 when S1E1 was published. This relatively brief episode (regular listeners ears will be grateful) will outline some new features as the podcast wades into the Season 3 pool.
And, as good fortune would have it, today marks 25 000 downloads for the podcast! Sometimes plans do come together!

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The One Percent Solution

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I recount an experience I recently had in Copenhagen, Denmark & Perth, Scotland. This is where I met Christian Karger, a former professional football (soccer) player who is now embracing curling at a very high level.
I spent two weeks with Christian who was the fifth player for the Danish National Men's team as they prepared for and played in the European "B" Curling Championship. This episode recounts something that Christian shared with me that I've dubbed, "The One Percent Solution"!
What this all about? Well, when you hit "play" you will get to know this professional athlete and learn about "The One Percent Solution"! It just may be a way for your team to move its yardsticks down the field! Success really is about sweating the small stuff!
P.S. In the game Chris played, he missed one shot (as a 3rd year curler)!

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Pebble Water 8.0

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0500

There are four parts to this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast". I talk first about crossing the line from a being a very good recreational curling team into the world of competitive curling. What does it take to make the jump? I recorded an article (author unknown) entitled "The Obituary Of Common Sense". I talk about the "learning curve", that crab grass in the lawn of skill development and give what I hope you'll find is an interesting spin on that topic. I conclude with a recording of an article penned some years ago by my friend Guy Scholz. It's entitled, "The Intangibles"! Enjoy!

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Here's Emily With More To Share

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 17:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will be rewarded, for a third time, with the thoughts of Emily Riley. This time it's Emily, member of Canada's Mixed curling team that competed for a world championship in Aberdeen, Scotland. There clearly was a roller coaster of emotions involved and that's the heart of this episode!
In the last portion of the episode, I ask Emily to bring us up-to-speed on her profession as a Mental Performance Consultant and as I say in the concluding moments of the episode, if you play on a young team wishing to move your yardsticks down the field, you'll want to hear what Emily has to offer.

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From Scotland With Love And A Not To Be Denied Spirit

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0500

In today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we visit with the newest recipient of the Graham Shaw Spirit of Curling Award. That recipient is Jackie Lockhart of Aberdeen, Scotland. Jackie has a competitor's resume that looks more like a grocery list of championships, all at a very high level but this award wasn't just for excellence on the ice. Jackie is the embodiment of the spirit of curling, which sets it apart from so many other sports.
I've asked Jackie to talk about what she has learned to date (because this woman is not finished winning) along the way. You don't want to miss what she has to say regardless of age, skill and experience!

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It Was A Great Week For Women In Sport

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 21:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we get an update from Coach Fiona Grace Simpson as she and Coach Jennifer Dodds move through the "Women In Sport High Performance Pathway" (WISH) for female coaches, not just in curling but in all sports.
I'm publishing this episode this week to coincide with the inaugural games in the Professional Women's Hockey League" (WPHL) in North America. There are six teams (sounds like an original six in another league that has proven successful doesn't it). Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, New York, Minnesota and Boston are the locations for these franchises.

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Rockin' The House with Guy Hemmings

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 01:00:00 -0500

The title of today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" says it all and if you are of a certain age, you will recognize the term "Rockin' The House" because for a period of six years, Guy Hemmings traveled from coast-to-coast-to-coast in Canada regaling audiences in curling facilities with stories and experience that left them, well, rolling in the aisles with laughter. I've tried to capture at least some of that in this interview with Guy. I was there with him for three of those six years. They were three of the best and certainly the most entertaining years of my coaching career but it's not just about Guy's unparalleled popularity at the time the consumes the episode, Guy is now coaching one of the best women's teams in the world. Who knew? Sit back and enjoy 45 minutes with the "Pied Piper of Curling"!

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Pebble Water 7.0

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 13:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I give my view on four topics. First up is gaming and its role in curling. Spoil Alert - I don't hold back on my negative view on the subject! Next up is a reply to a listener regarding on ice footwear. Then technology in sport takes centre stage before I conclude the episode acknowledging Team Ferbey's inclusion in "The Canadian Sports Hall of Fame". Tell me how you feel on these subjects or any other. My email address is coachbill@hay.net! It's Pebble Water 7.0 !

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The Association Of Curling Professionals

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you'll learn about an initiative to recognize and organize those certified instructors who play such a key role in the advancement of technical expertise among curlers. The initiative is the title of this episode and it's the brain child of Rob Krepps. Rob is well known in high performance circles as perhaps the leading researcher and promoter of technical expertise. He's on the teaching staff at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and also serves as the Head Coach of Curling Canada's National Training & Development Centre .
Rob along with Danny Lamoureux has planted the seed of formalizing the professional curling instructors in Canada into an association, The Association of Curling Professionals. In this episode, Rob will explain why this association has a place in curling instructing and how you might become a member of the ACP!

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Failing To Plan Is Planning To Fail

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 01:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I interview Brian Chick who has authored a hands on workbook which guides a curling team wishing to move its yardsticks down the field by planning for both the anticipated and unexpected.
Brian is a lifelong curler and instructor who has coached at several national & international championships. He has also taught at more than 70 curling camps around the world.
In 2019 he wrote and released "Written In Stone: A Modern History of Curling".
His most recent publication is "Curling Workbook: Team Building & Season Planning". It's available through amazon.ca and when you hear Brian explain the importance of planning, you'll want to put fingers to keyboard to order a copy!

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It's More And More About Fan Experience

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear from Nolan Thiessen, Curling Canada's Executive Director of Marketing and Fan Experience. He's talking about you, the curling fan who makes your way to the venue to watch elite curling up close & personal. Who thinks about the experience you will have? Well, Nolan does and what he says will amaze you!

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Keeping The Lights On

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass. Podcast" we get to hear the curling world's foremost expert on what it takes to keep a curling facility open and functioning on a day-to-day basis. That person with a unique set of skills and experiences is Danny Lamoureux, the interim CEO of Curling Canada but who for many years was the manager of a thriving curling facility in Canada's capital city affectionally known simply as "The Ottawa" before becoming a staff member for the national sport governing body running national championships and, well, keeping the lights on in curling facilities everywhere. Most everyone connected with curling (me included) had Danny on speed dial when an answer to a question needed an answer and needed it now!
I urge all of you listening to this episode to forward it to anyone you know who has anything whatsoever to do with the operation of a curling facility!

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A Walk Down Memory Lane For Episode #100

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 01:00:00 -0500

It's episode #100 for "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" and as the title of the episode indicates it's special. It gives me an opportunity to thank two people who have been inspirational & supportive in my coaching career. They are Gerry Peckham and Jim Waite. More importantly you will hear some stories about how curling became a full member in the family of Olympic sports, how the Team Leader Programme was born and thrives still today to name just two of the topics about which Jim and Gerry will reminisce. Get your ears ready for a treat!

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The Greatest Generation

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 01:00:00 -0500

It's Remembrance Day in Canada. "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" pauses along with thousands of my fellow citizens to remember those who paid the price for the freedoms we enjoy today. They were "The Greatest Generation"!

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A Dutch Treat

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 20:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you will hear the remarkable story of a woman from British Columbia (born in Salmon Arm but whose formative years were in Golden) who suffered a serious automobile accident, moved to the Netherlands to be with her Dutch husband and in the process, established a curling programme from scratch (many times using personal resources) and now has a team competing on the world stage. That remarkable woman is Shari Leibbrandt-Demmon. You don't want to miss a word of her incredible journey.
I also answer a listener's letter regarding a recent episode where I talked about the culture of sport. Edie Lloyd asked about an interesting perspective on the subject about which I had not dealt in the episode. I deal with it here.
The episode concludes with my take on the topic of the day, Brad Gushue's public comments regarding more than one aspect of the Pan Continental Curling Championships taking place in Kelowna, BC. My thoughts are not about what Brad said, but the risk he took in making them public in the midst of the event.

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Ninety-Six Years Young

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 16:00:00 -0400

My guest today on "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is 96 year old Jim Hong from the Cranbrook Curling Centre in British Columbia. Why interview Jim on this episode? This is episode 96 of the podcast!
As you might guess, Jim has a wealth of experience in his long curling career from its start in Alberta to now in Cranbrook where he curls three times per week and only transitioned to the delivery stick three seasons ago.
He has a delightful outlook, not just on curling, but life in general. I want thank my friend and Hall of Fame curler Pat Sanders for helping set up the connection with Jim. Enjoy!

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The Culture Of Sport

Sat, 14 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I take a look at one of the most often used terms in sport but one that is frequently misunderstood or perhaps misused. Culture is the system of beliefs, mores and expectations by the members of a group embodied in a code of conduct/ethics over and above the group's established rules & regulations. The most interesting aspect of the culture of sport is that it can and almost always does change from sport to sport. The same individual might act and react quite differently while participating in one sport as opposed to another. Why is that and can the culture of a sport be altered? Those are two aspects I'll talk about in this episode!

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My Chat With The "Dean" Of Coaching

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 19:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I share the microphone with Dean Kleiter, coach of Team Kleiter from Canada's wheat province. Dean and I deal with a number of topics, starting where the last episode left off ("Why Teams Lose") with Dean providing an up close and personal view on winning and losing.
We then moved on to Dean's favourite topic, "On Ice Coaching" where he gives an update on this new coaching modality, which led to this question "Would you give up your time outs to be able to speak with your team between every end?". Well, would you? Dean and I (especially yours truly) share how we feel on this subject.
We also discuss post game team conferences and end with still the hottest topic, brushing!
This episode is a little longer than most, but as I say in my sign off, listening to Dean makes each minute worth the time spent. Your ears will thank you for it!

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Why Teams Lose

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 22:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I start with that cold bucket of water in the face, "losing" and why many teams get really good at it. It's been said that winning becomes habitual but so does losing. I base my thoughts on one of my favourite sport psychology books, this one by Jame Loehr, "The New Toughness Training For Sports".
In part two of the episode, I provide an antidote of sorts for losing in the form of advice from real life experiences by yours truly.
I leave you with a brief look at why experience plays such a vital role in success!

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This Time They're Not Playing For Someone Else's Money

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0400

It's "Ryder Cup Weekend"! In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I'll be talking about the challenges 24 male professional golfers will face this weekend on a golf course just outside Rome, Italy, where instead of playing for someone else's money, which they do during the rest of the season, they're playing to either win or lose. In this case it's the much coveted Ryder Cup, a biennial competition pitting professionals from Europe and the USA. Well boys, I have some advice from a sport where we always face either victory or defeat on a regular basis.
I also have some technical advice for curling facilities that have "Learn To Curl" programmes. It's advice that can make the difference between immediate success or a period of time of frustration for the new curlers.
I conclude this episode with another sound bite. This time it's about racism! The commanding officer of the United States Air Force Academy, in no uncertain terms, informs the 4,000 cadets, staff and officers at USAFA, exactly where he stands on the subject!

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The Score Takes Care Of Itself

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0400

This is the first time since "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" was born that I'm going to suggest that you listen to a previous episode before listening to this one. The episode to which I refer (S1E11) is by my friend and mentor, Pat B Reid. If you did listen to it, perhaps a revisit will put today's episode into better perspective. The title of Pat's episode is "Dealing With Two Imposters"!
"The Score Takes Care Of Itself" is a book by the late Hall of Fame NFL coach Bill Walsh. It's about winning and losing. I review the book in this episode with a clear suggestion that you pick up a copy for yourself, it's that good!
On the topic of wins and losses, I repeat an analogy about baseball which deals with those two imposters about which Pat spoke in her episode.
I conclude the episode with a very recent experience in Halifax, NS which was exhilarating but with its challenges including my trip back home where I made a new friend from Colombia.

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To The "Viktor" Go The Spoils

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you'll hear the post Fed Ex Cup press conference with Viktor Hovland, the winner of the PGA's playoff event. Between Viktor's very down-to-earth and thoughtful answers to questions posed by journalists covering the championship, I weigh in with my thoughts about the relevance of those answers to other sports, notably curling.

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"The New Canadian Curling Club"

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I interview the playwright of "The New Canadian Curling Club" (Mark Crawford). His play takes place over a number of months in a very typical small town curling club/facility in Canada but it could be anywhere in the curling world. The theme is one with which this podcast has dealt on two occasions, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, not only in curling but other activities as well. Go to S1E56 & S1E57 to hear those episodes!
Four "new Canadians" (from Syria, India, China & Jamaica) sign up for a "Monday Night Learn To Curl" programme. The instructor, Stewart MacPhail (the long time ice technician), has been called in at the last minute to take over for the member of the club originally assigned to the group but who has sustained an injury requiring some months of rehab.
Stewart, as we learn in the play, is a flat out racist. He lets these new immigrants to Canada know this is no uncertain terms. But, undaunted, the four lean on one another and in the process, not only learn how to curl but change Stewart's mind about the real spirit of curling.
The play deals with a very serious and timely topic but does so with much humour about small town Canada and the sport of curling.
After enjoying the play at the Huron Country Playhouse here in Grand Bend, I contacted Mark and asked if he'd join me to talk about his play and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion!

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Two More "Drills To Die For"

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 22:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I talk about the most iconic of all training/practice activities, drills. I will take a look at drills in general then offer up two of my favourites to add to "Drills To Die For" in my coaching manual ("A Pane In The Glass: A Coach's Companion"). Both "Pick Up Sticks" and "All Hands On Deck" are described in a recent addition on my blog site (truenorthbill.blogspot.com).
I conclude today's episode with an article from my blog site entitled "The Monkeys And The Banana"!

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The Cash Bonspiel

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In the previous episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I described one of my favourite off ice activities ("Win As Much As You Can"). In this episode I go onto the ice for my favourite cold side of the glass activity. It's called "The Cash Bonspiel"! Go to my blog site (truenorthbill.blogspot.com) to see this activity in print form.
As you will hear, it's an on ice activity unlike any other. I was introduced to it by my long time friend and mentor, Pat B Reid. You can hear an excellent episode with Pat ("Dealing With Two Imposters") in Season 1 Episode 11. If you haven't heard Pat speak, you will want to go to that episode!
I conclude this episode with a reference to some email I received regarding the most important skill. I felt that weight control was the most important "technical" skill. That led to another email about warm side of the glass attributes. At the conclusion of this episode, you will hear a sound bite from a professional athlete (not a curler) as he describes the importance of "attitude"! What attitude do you take onto the ice when you're about to play? A negative attitude can make a highly skilled athlete ordinary and a positive attitude can elevate any athlete to a better performance.

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"Win As Much As You Can"

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I share an activity I have used for many years. It's called "Win As Much As You Can"! It was taught to me by a history teacher who used this activity/game to illustrate how important it is for the members of a group to work together with the object being group success. Sounds simple enough but in some cultures, that's not the norm. From a very young age, young people are taught to do whatever is necessary to achieve "personal" success!
As I state in the episode, curlers who have been with me in clinics, symposia, camps etc. in the past, and for some it's the distance past, when I ask what we did they remember most, often the reply is, "Bill, I will always remember the X/Y Game!".
I have an account of the game on my blog site (truenorthbill.blogspot. com)! I hope you enjoy "Win As Much As You Can!"

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Pebble Water 6.0

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I touch upon a few topics which I hope you find relevant and interesting. Following on the heels of the article from Macleans magazine on the addiction of gaming, I read another article aimed at young people, this time on critical thinking. The article is entitled "Teach Kids About Misinformation". I reach into the email bag, responding to two emails I received, one from Switzerland and the other from British Columbia. Curling Canada has a webinar series for youth development. I give a thumb nail description of this upcoming series. I conclude the episode with a shout out to fellow curling podcaster, Glenn Gabriel. His podcast is "Coaching Kids Curling". Glenn recently published his 100th episode which includes sage advice from 30 coaches and instructors who work with young curlers.

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A Chat With Katherine

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I have an opportunity to chat with Curling Canada's CE0 Katherine Henderson. We take a look back at the years for which she expertly guided the good ship Curling Canada through some tough seas. I pose a number of questions you will hear about in the episode's introduction so sit back and enjoy what Katherine has to say, not just about the sport in Canada, but around the globe and as she looks ahead to her new role as CEO for Hockey Canada.

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Games Are Fun, But Some Are Life Altering For All The Wrong Reasons

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 18:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", you're going to hear the audio version of an article published by Maclean's magazine (Aug. 2023) penned by Luc Rinaldi. The title is "They Lost Their Kids To Fortnite"! A group of Canadian parents say their kids are so addicted to the video game Fortnite that they've stopped eating, sleeping and showering. Now these parents want to hold its tech-giant creator accountable.
I want to include this article into my podcast as a public service and quite frankly a wake up call to parents & grandparents. If you are in one of these categories, prepare to be frightened and educated.

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A Question From Saskatchewan

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", I answer a question posed to me by a U18 coach in Saskatchewan (Gaylene Simpson). The question revolved around what I feel is the most important skill in curling (recognizing that there are no unimportant skills). After listening to my answer, what might yours be? If you'd like, send me your view on that most important skill to coachbill@hay.net!

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Calling All Female Coaching Aspirants

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear once again from Fiona Grace Simpson of Portugal by way of Scotland & Italy (S1E34). Fiona, along with Jennifer Dodds of Scotland, has been selected to participate in an exciting programme to encourage more females to aspire to coaching (curling in their case) at the highest levels.
Fiona will describe the programme and as I say in my closing, please forward this episode to any female, regardless of age and/or experience who wishes to join with Jennifer and Fiona in their pursuit of coaching excellence!

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Pebble Water 5.0

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", once again, I have gathered some thoughts on a few topics and have enlisted the aid of a sound clip for one and some contributions of others. The audio clip is the segment of an interview with one of Herb Brooks' players, Mark Johnson (1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team). The player's comments might surprise you. I also weigh in on a scene from the movie "Miracle" that ties in with the comments of the player in the audio clip. I then recount the words of author Alex Drayson regarding entitlement with modern athletes. I make my thoughts known on the difference between the science of coaching and the art of coaching. The episode concludes with a posting from a friend (Joan Marrin) on special needs young people and their hopes and aspirations about their inclusion in sports.

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Flipping The Script

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

The usual script for an episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" gets flipped. You're going to hear familiar voices but those voices will not be in their usual roles. Who belongs to those voices and why are they flipped? You'll just have to click on the play button to find out!

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Is It A Stone Or Is It A Rock?

Sat, 24 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" will answer that question that I know keeps you up at night plus a lot more about the only piece of curling equipment that "counts". The episode ends with a sound bite from the post game #5 press conference in the Stanley Cup Final. The interviewee is the losing coach, Paul Maurice, of the Florida Panthers. You will want to hear his outstanding answer when asked if he thought the season was a success or failure.

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Curling Is Just As Popular As It Always Has Been But ...

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" with Curling Canada's "Manager of Club Development" (Bobby Ray) completes the open ended title to the episode. As I will encourage in my closing, forward this episode of the podcast to any and all in your curling facility who are searching for ways to get more people involved in the greatest game on ice. Many of the answers they seek are in this episode thanks to Bobby!

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Emily Has More To Say Including An Offer For U18 Teams

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 01:00:00 -0400

The title of this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" says it all. Emily Riley, fresh from an amazing season representing her home province of Quebec at The Scotties, Mixed Doubles and Mixed, explains the feelings she dealt with (including a huge distraction at the Scotties) as an elite athlete.
In the second portion of my interview with Emily, she puts on her Mental Performance Consultant's hat with a fantastic offer for U18 teams. If you go to emilyriley.ca/totalathlete you will see what she can do for your team but first listen to what she has to say!

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Pebble Water 4.0

Sun, 28 May 2023 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I touch upon four topics, two directly related to curling and two that I hope you find interesting.
First up is a recording of the thoughts of former NHL goal tender, Greg Millen. He talks about the difference between playing on a Canadian based NHL team and one that represents a city in the southern U.S.
Next up is an email I received from a coaching friend in the U.S., Craig Brown, in response to a point I had made about the use of the compliant brush head material and my reply to Craig's initial email message.
The third topic is about sports gaming/betting. It's based on the thoughts of Carl Subban, yes that Carl Subban, father of former NHL star, PK Subban. Mr. Subban speaks directly from his position as a high school principal about this potentially addictive practice, especially as it affects the most vulnerable members of our society.
I conclude Pebble Water 4.0 referring to a discussion I heard on another podcast involving Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert. They spoke about the decision Team Bottcher has made regarding the way each team member's delivery meshes with those of his teammates, a decision all competitive teams need to consider making!

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The Architect Of A Miracle

Sat, 20 May 2023 10:00:00 -0400

"Do you believe in miracles?". Those were the iconic words of NBC's Al Michaels at the conclusion of what has become the most unlikely outcome of a major sporting event in history.
It was the semi-final hockey game at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics in 1980 when a band of American college players took to the ice against the venerable team from the Soviet Union.
The odds of a win by Team USA would have been off the charts. But, as we all know, miracles do happen but not totally by happenstance. In the case of Team USA, the coach had his finger prints all over the outcome and that coach was the late Herb Brooks!
In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" you'll hear from Coach Brooks as he met with the director of "Miracle", the lead actor who was to portray him, Kurt Russell, and others involved in the movie's production. The place was a hotel room in Los Angeles. Recently, video of that meeting has been found. You will hear Coach Brooks as he described his vision for that miracle on ice!

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A Special Message From The Mailbag

Sun, 14 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In this week's "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" episode, we hear from a listener who lives and curls in the great state of Wisconsin in the person of Karl Schmit. His message appeared in my email inbox several weeks ago. It contained a number of excellent questions, so much so that I decided to devote an entire episode based upon them. Then I decided to ask Karl if he'd join me and deliver the questions live (so to speak). He agreed, with this episode the result of Karl asking the questions and me providing the answers. It's something of a role reversal.
As you might imagine, we touched upon a number of areas of interest in the recreational/competitive environment which I feel is where most of you reside. I hope you find the ensuing discussion between Karl and yours truly interesting and hopefully, educational!
The episode ends with an offer to your team, so listen for that!

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Pebble Water 3.0

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I weigh in on a variety of topics very much as I did in versions 1.0 & 2.0.
This time I talk about an often neglected aspect of the delivery of a curling stone in a section of the episode entitled "The Paint Can And The Screwdriver". In a section entitled the "Mayonaise Jar And The Cup Of Coffee" I cite a lesson a university professor taught his class about life's priorities using the implements in the title. "From A Teacher" is something both children and adults need to hear which deals with communication with one another. I use my podcast platform to talk about a rule in curling that is largely unenforceable, why and how it needs to be changed (in my humble opinion). Lastly I use a time tested activity with my teams here at the 2023 World Senior Curling Championship to help get them focused for the playoffs (you might want to use it with your team).

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Not Sad Because It’s Over But Happy Because It Happened

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 22:00:00 -0400

Today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is something of a special edition. It's an interview with a long time friend from New Zealand (by way of Canada) who has made a decision that the 2023 World Senior Curling Championships here in Gangneung Korea will be his last competitive event.
My guest is Hans Frauenlob! If you watch international curling events on live stream, you will recognize his voice. For me, it was as a curler that our paths crossed while I was the National Development Coach at the National Training Centre in Calgary where he and his Kiwi teammates stop by for a week of training as they made there way to the WCF World Men's Championship over a four year period, accumulating enough points to qualify for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.
But that's only part of Hans' amazing story. You will enjoy what he has to say and will learn something about the spirit of curling.

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My Visit With An Ink Stained Wretch

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 23:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we pay a visit to Kamloops, BC and the home of Al Cameron, Director, Communication & Media Relations for Curling Canada.
As you'll learn, Al started his distinguished journalism career as a reporter with The Calgary Herald (thus the endearing term, ink stained wretch). Paying his dues at that newspaper as a reporter in the sports department, he quickly directed his work to curling and became one of Canada's premier story tellers of the roaring game.
Al will touch upon many little known aspects of covering curling. You'll learn how important it is to tell the stories that make curling the great game it is!

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"The Science Behind Brushing"

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is based upon a document by a curler, who has been there, done that and has many accomplishments to his name, notably a world senior curling championship. That curler from Saskatchewan is Eugene Hritzuk. His document is entitled "The Science Behind Brushing" and is widely available from a variety of sources. It's not lengthy and has excellent illustrative diagrams. I strongly urge you to get a copy! If you can't find a copy on line, send me an email (coachbill@hay.net) and I will forward a copy to you!
At the conclusion of my interview with Eugene, I provide a personal perspective with some ideas for you and your team to do your own testing of the system you might employ to be the best that you can be!

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It's A Family Affair

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is a chat with a family, two sons and their Mom & Dad. The family surname is Asselin and you saw the sons compete at the recent Tim Hortons Brier in London, ON for Team Quebec.
I have been friends with this family for a number of years as those sons worked their way through the U21 stage of their careers with Dad at the coaching helm. Mom was an accomplished athlete on the slopes as an elite skier so there's great sports genes in this family.
Young curlers listening to this episode will learn about the challenges involved with bridging that gap between U21 and adult competitive curling!

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My Conversation With A Mad Man

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 01:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" has nothing to do with curling although, as you'll learn, curling brought us together.
My guest today is Terry O'Reilly! He is a retired "mad man" in the world of marketing and advertising. Starting from humble beginnings in his home town of Sudbury, ON, Terry and a partner established a very successful advertising agency called "Pirate".
Terry will pull the curtain back on many aspects of an industry to which we are exposed an average of 7,000 times per day. He'll explain what he did as a copy writer, the importance of signage, the difference between a good and a not-so-good advertisement, how humour in an advertisement might be amusing to some but not necessarily to everyone, how some actors have made a career out of appearing in commercials, how slogans and jingles are created and some advertisements you'll recognize having Terry's finger prints all over them plus stories that will fascinate you.
You're in for a special treat today! Enjoy my conversation with a mad man!

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Packers Or Patriots?

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Today's episode in "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is not about the National Football League but it is about two of that league's most notable franchises, the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots and your curling team.
What does your team have to do with two professional NFL teams? Well, more than you might think but you' ll need to listen to this episode to found out what the connection is, and it's a very significant one in my view!
To conclude this episode I have announcements heralding two upcoming episodes about which I'm very excited and, well, you know what I'm going to say, you need to listen to find out what they will be about and why I'm so interested in bringing those episodes to your ears!

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I Hope They Didn't Bring Apple Juice

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we hear the words of sports journalist, Steve Simmons, who in 1998 penned an article which is the title of this episode. At the time of writing, Mr. Simmons was a youth ice hockey coach and in a playoff game and at a critical juncture in the contest, one of his players tugged at his jacket and made a statement that changed the way he saw youth sports to this day. It's 2023. His words still ring true, words those of us who are involved with young athletes must never forget! Enjoy, "I Hope They Didn't Bring Apple Juice"!

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It's Official

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 21:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" Level V Curling Official Brenda Rogers takes us on a journey that explains; the role curling officials play, what life was like in the Calgary Bubble during those tense six weeks in 2021, the differences between Curling Canada rules and those of the World Curling Federation, the process to become a certified curling official and lastly how professionals measure rocks! I tell a story about my dialogue with the head official at a WCF championship that will stay with me forever!

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But We Learned How To Play Together (Update)

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0500

It's that right of passage time in a curling season. Your team can see the end of the 2022-23 campaign on the horizon. With or without a formal discussion, unless you're very different from the vast majority of teams, you wonder if it's time to make a change in personnel going into the off season in preparation for the next.
This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" weighs in on that topic with some ideas you may want to explore before making what could be a very bad decision!

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The Ice & Stones Have More To Tell You

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", ice technician Cody Hall of the Victoria Curling Centre explains the nuances of making ice and playing with rocks, not for championship venues (that episode was with Jon Wall in season #1) but in a curling facility much like the one in which most of you play. As Cody and I indicate in the episode, the more you understand about the ice and the rocks you use, the better you will play and the more you will enjoy the game!

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Pebble Water 2.0

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 15:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", I build upon Pebble Water 1.0 published on Dec. 9, 2022 (S1E53). Once again I deal with a variety of topics which hopefully will inspire some outside the box thinking. Enjoy!

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Straight, Simple & Silent

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 01:00:00 -0500

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" heralds the beginning of Season Two. Joining me in this episode is my highly paid staff (Jacob & Lucas Tschirhart) who will explain why this episode is not following the usual Saturday publication. The content of this episode goes back to my roots of the podcast. Enjoy Straight, Simple & Silent!

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Summer Curling Camps (and more)

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" my friend Sean Turriff and I talk about summer curling camps. What? Summer curling camps at the beginning of February? As you'll learn from Sean, they are not only valuable for young (and older) curlers but very popular as well. Many of the camps fill quickly so even though there may be snow on the ground where you are, now is the time to find a camp and enrol in it. But, as the title suggests, there's more to this episode.
Following our banter about summer curling camps and after I had hit "stop record", as coaches do, we morphed into a coaching discussion, this time about the value a coach can add to the over all performance of his/her team. Sean surprisingly discovered in a conversation with one of his athletes that ... well, you'll have to listen to find out what Sean heard and why he wanted to talk about it. I felt the exchange between us was worthy of hitting the "record" button again.

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Playing The Shots

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 16:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I take a look at four, commonly played shots (one of which I've discussed previously) which might be the right shot to play (that's the strategy part) but are not played well (that's the tactics part) . What are they? Take a listen to this episode and you tell me if I make a case for the way those shots are usually played and how they should be played!

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Using Laser Activated Speed Traps

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0500

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is the followup episode to "It's About Time" (S1E58). In this episode I take a look at technology which will make the acquisition and measurement of what I feel is the most important of all the skills in curling, weight control. I also reveal a personal bias toward the relationship that an instructor has with his/her novice (or experienced) athlete. I talk about awareness!

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It's About Time

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I take a look at timing systems, what they are, how impactful they can be and most importantly, how to execute them to improve the performance of your team. Get your stop watch ready because it's about time we set the record straight on timing systems.

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Part 2)

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 13:00:00 -0500

In this concluding episode on the topic of "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion", we hear from four individuals, Erin Flowers, Greg Smith, Adriana Camarena & Katherine Henderson. Each has a different perspective on the topic given the path each has traveled. The episode certainly exceeds the usual 30 min. but it's broken into four parts so you can listen to them separately or from start to finish.

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0500

Happy 2023 to you all! This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is about a very important topic, not only for curling (in Canada and the rest of the curling world) but in life itself. More time has been spent producing this episode (and its followup episode next week) than any other.
Today's episode features Kim Forge, the newest member of the Board of Governors for the World Curling Federation (WCF) . As you'll learn, Kim lives in Australia but got there by way of Alberta, Canada.
Kim took on the task of researching the topic of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. That research took the better part of one year. You'll learn, what Kim learned, and by extension, what we all need to learn, when you listen to this episode.
I encourage all of you who have influence in your curling facility to forward this episode and the next which will continue the topic, to ALL those who curl in your facility. As Kim and the guests I will have in the next episode will attest, making curling more accessible and inviting to everyone is the responsibility of all of us, not just sport governing bodies, boards of directors, facility managers etc. but each of us who have enjoyed this wonderful sport for many years!

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Emily Has More She Wants To Tell You

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I welcome back Emily Riley whose first visit with me set something of a record for downloads. As those of you who heard Emily's episode know, she has enjoyed a very successful junior career in her home province of Quebec and now is on the road to similar success in women's and mixed curling. About a month ago, Emily and her mixed teammates won the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship and, well, I'll let her tell you all about that and other things that have changed in both her life as an elite curler and as a Mental Performance Consultant.

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There's A Killer On The Loose

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 11:00:00 -0500

In today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", we search for a killer. The victim is performance and the perpetrator is someone you know. Well, what's this all about? Listen to S1E54 to find out!

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Pebble Water 1.0

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 01:00:00 -0500

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I put together random thoughts that have gathered waiting to come out. Today is that day! I hope you enjoy what you hear!

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Strategy & Tactics Are Not Synonyms

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0500

As I say in my introduction, with this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I finally talk about the "S" word. That would be strategy but as the title of this episode indicates, strategy has a companion. It's tactics and as you'll learn, to have one without the other is like having peanut butter without jam.
Here's what this episode does not do. It does not at anytime, tell you what shot you should play. It does provide you with the means to make an informed decision to do just that. Confused? You won't be by the time this episode concludes and when it does, I have an offer for you and your team. I urge you to pass this episode along to your teammates and that especially applies if you're the coach of a young team!

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To America With Love

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 13:00:00 -0500

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" will be of special interest to my listeners south of the 49th parallel of latitude. The last number of months have been difficult ones for USA Curling and its member associations and of course, the curlers. As one who has had an affiliation and an ongoing affection with curling in the United States and its curlers, I have watched, listened and read with great interest the turmoil that has erupted with that national sport organization. To help me better understand what has occurred and what the future holds for USA Curling, I have turned to a friend in Rice Lake, WI in the person of Karen Dundore.

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Looking Back And Ahead

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500

It's episode #50 of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast". As the episode title indicates, I'm looking back to say "thank you" to friends whose unique knowledge, expertise & experiences made their episodes, impactful. My grandsons, Jacob & Lucas will take the reins for that portion of the episode with some very wise words for young athletes by Lucas.
I answer a question about what appears to be one of the favourite topics for "A Pane In The Glass Podcast". That would be brushing! I cite the words of Dr. Glenn Paulley in providing my response.
Looking ahead, I announce two upcoming episodes with special guests who both have invited listeners to send questions to them via my email address (coachbill@hay.net)!

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Mail Bag

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0500

Today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is a collection of comments and questions that have been sent my way and my answers and responses to them. You'll just have to listen to find out what they are! Trust me (there's a challenge for you), I believe you'll find them interesting!

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Curling Stones 101

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I pay a visit to the home of APITGP's sponsor, Canada Curling Stone Co. in Komoka, ON. With me in this episode is the managing general of CCS, Fred Veale and his daughter, Kim Tuck. Fred has forgotten more about curling stones than I'll ever know! This episode is the companion to the previous one with national ice technician, Jon Wall. Apparently those of you out there who listen to APITGP did so with enthusiasm regarding "What's The Ice Telling Us?". There were more downloads of Jon's episode in the first 24-48 hours of publication than any other, and by a long shot. This episode with Fred & Kim I confident will be just as popular.
And, there's a bonus with this episode as Kim (along with husband Wayne) are an elite mixed doubles team. I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to chat with Kim about curling's newest, and possibly fastest growing curling discipline!

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What's The Ice Telling Us?

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Today's episode in "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is about our playing surface. There are few if any other sports where the understanding of and interaction with the playing surface plays such a major role in performance. To help us learn more about curling ice, I have invited a national ice technician to join us in the person of Jon Wall. If you're an active curler or someone who watches the game played on TV, you will enhance your experience by listening to someone who creates our playing surface and not just for those TV events, but also for the understanding of the ice upon which most of us play in our local curling facility.

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How Much Is Your Brain Worth?

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we take another, more in depth look at "concussions". My guest again in this episode is our "Safe Sport Consultant", Jenn Ferris. If you're rolling your eyes thinking that a concussion is highly unlikely in curling, you may change your mind after hearing what Jenn has to say!
At the conclusion of the episode, I once again invite my listeners to send comments and/or questions (coachbill@hay.net) for a "Mail Bag" episode. If I can't answer your question, it's more than likely I know someone who can so please, send me lots of comments and questions!!!

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It's A Sacred Trust

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" sheds light on a situation in sport whereby coaches, hopefully very few in number, have taken advantage of their position of influence over their athletes. The result has been forms of abuse and harassment and some of it with very young athletes. For this episode I contacted Jenn Ferris who is extremely knowledgeable about this topic and has participated in a number of coach education programmes with the goal of stemming the tide of unthinkable abuse of the trust that we all have as coaches when we are in a position of influence not only over the skills of athletes, but their very lives.

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"He Sweeps, He Scores" - by Jean Blackie

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" clearly falls into the unusual category. The best way to describe it is by referring to it as a podcast version of an audio book. The book is a wonderful story for young people, by my friend from Newfoundland & Labrador, Jean Blackie. The title seems somewhat contradictory in that the word "sweeps" in the title doesn't quite seem to fit. One might expect the word "shoots", as in hockey. Well, that's the whole point of the story. It is about hockey but it doesn't end solely about hockey.
The protagonist in the story is a young aspiring hockey player named Shawn. He wants desperately to make the rep. hockey team for a variety of reasons. When he doesn't survive the final cut (and some of his close friends do), his world is turned upside down!
That's when a kindly next door neighbour enters the story, suggesting that Shawn give curling a try. After much sole searching he does just that and to his surprise, his hockey playing friends also discover that hockey isn't the only winter sport to play.
I initially wanted to publish this podcast audio book at Christmas as my gift to young people but I chose this time of year as many aspiring hockey players will have found themselves in the same situation as Shawn. It's in the months of late September and early October that "rep. hockey teams" are established from tryouts. If you know of a boy or girl, who like Shawn, didn't make the team, suggest they listen to "He Sweeps, He Scores".
The chapters have been recorded by author Jean Blackie and yours truly!
This episode is dedicated to my grandsons, Lucas & Jacob Tschirhart (stars of S1E1 & S1E25 of “A Pane In The Glass Podcast”) who know all too well what Shawn went through when they tried out for their rep. hockey team !

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Some "Capital" Ideas

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" comes from the Capital Winter Club in Fredericton, NB. Established in 1961, this curling facility has become one of the most impactful in the land. Its vision, programmes and dedication have, with the help of two individuals you will meet on the episode, have made it that way. Jaime Watson & Wayne Tallon join me to describe the journey to make the CWC the place to be in New Brunswick's capital city!
Your curling facility may take some of those initiatives and ideas to your facility to also make it the place to be in your community.
I also followup on an excellent question a listener posed to me regarding the last episode on "Eye Dominance" so stay tuned to the conclusion of this episode to hear Vinay Goenke's question and my response.

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Eye Dominance For Curling

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0400

This episode in the "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" series is a followup to S1E9 ("It's Our Signature Skill") and as such, I'm strongly encouraging you to listen to that episode or revisit it before listening to this one. Eye dominance is critically important from a technical perspective as it dictates how the athlete will "see" his/her target. We coach and instruct a hand/eye co-ordinated sport. To ignore eye dominance may leave those who entrust their signature skill (the delivery of the curling stone) to us, wanting! The antidote is in the understanding of how eye dominance in the delivery of a curling stone affects the performance of that skill!

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Special Late Season Lawn Bowl Edition

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is for the members of the Grand Cove Lawn Bowling Club but by extension, for all lawn bowlers (and curlers). It's about the most impactful time of the season to consider changes to one's lawn bowl delivery (or curling delivery). Spoiler Alert, it's not at the start of the season!

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Life With Juniors - Part Two

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0400

This episode is an interview with Paul & Anita Tardi and their journey with sons Jordan & Tyler as they traveled from novice curlers to now playing on elite adult teams. Paul & Anita share the ups, the downs, the triumphs, the losses but most importantly, helpful hints to any and all parents who want to be a part of their son or daughter's development.
Have note paper and a writing instrument ready! You don't want to miss a word, a wise and experienced word, from Paul & Anita.

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Life With Juniors

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 20:00:00 -0400

This episode is for parents and coaches of junior age athletes! It's the first episode of two, examining the role coaches and parents play in the development of athletes at this stage of their development. In this episode I update an article from my blog site (truenorthbill.blogspot.com) of the same title and I include an article written by an ER physician who does not mince any words for parents of young athletes ( buckle your chin strap for that part of the episode)!
The companion episode will be a conversation with parents who have been there, done that and have the T-shirt! Look for that episode next week!

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Never Let Your Passion Outweigh Your Patience

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Calling all Wheel Chair curlers! This episode is for you. Chris Daw, Paralympic Gold Medalist in the first W/C Paralympics in 2006 takes us on his incredible 21 year quest for an Olympic and Paralympic medal. Why did it take so long and when it finally happened, how did it happen? Well, that's what this 38th episode in "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is about. It's a fascinating interview whether you are a w/c curler, know someone who is a w/c curlers, have a curious interest in this curling discipline, or are an able-bodied curler. Chris' quest has lessons for us all!

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From The National Training Centre In Calgary

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 16:00:00 -0400

This episode is a chat with Paul Webster from Curling Canada's National Training Centre located in The Glencoe Club in Calgary, AB. We talk about the evolution of the National Training Centre as well as Paul's experience as Curling Canada's Olympic Team Leader (including some stories that go along with that most unique position). The episode ends with some valuable advice Paul shares with coaches whose careers are just getting started.

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Midsummer Stories To Warm Your Heart

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 20:00:00 -0400

The noted golf writer, Rick Reilly has penned a wonderful story-filled book about his passion, golf. It's filled with stories and observations on this both wonderful and frustrating game that many of us play in curling's off season. Some of play it very well, while others do so, well, just because, as the title of Reilly's book suggests, "So Help Me Golf". This episode contains three of Reilly's stories that I feel have profound meaning for all of us!

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Have Passport Will Coach

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 01:00:00 -0400

So, you think you'd like to coach curling internationally! If that's your motivation, this episode is for you and even if that's not your goal in life, you'll find the journey my friend Dan Rafael has taken as he has coached in several different countries, all with positive impact, most interesting, enlightening and I hope, entertaining. Interspersed with Dan's comments are some experiences he and I have shared! This episode is the perfect follow up to the previous with Fiona Grace Simpson. When you listen, you'll learn why!

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Fiona From Afar

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0400

This episode is a chat with a woman who's been there, done that and has the T-shirt! That woman is Fiona Grace Simpson from Portugal by way of Scotland and Italy. She has wise words to share about topics on "the warm side of the glass"!

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The Doctor Is "In"!

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 11:00:00 -0400

This episode is the third in the "Mental Health For Athletes" series. In this episode you're going to hear a number of audio files including one in which parents who have lost their scholastic athlete son or daughter to mental illness talk about that most traumatic of experiences! I hope those of you who listen to this episode will encourage parents of young athletes to tune in at some point.
The episode concludes with an interview with Dr. Adam Kingsbury who provides much information and assistance with anyone dealing with the pressures of athletic achievement including those in the athletes' circle of significant others!

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Coach Care

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0400

In this second episode on "Mental Health For Athletes", we turn our attention to the coach. My guest for this episode is Sean Turriff. Sean is the new Resource Coach for Canada's U21 Championship. In passing the torch to Sean at the event in Stratford, ON this past season, he. conducted a professional development session on this topic. It inspired me to ask Sean to join me in an episode in the aforementioned series. Coaches, this one's for you!

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Mental Health For Athletes - A Round Table

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 11:00:00 -0400

This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" begins a three part series of episodes on the issue of "Mental Health For Athletes". In this episode, two athletes, a professional speaker & author plus a representative of CURLING CANADA explore through first hand experience, what it's like to deal with "performance anxiety" and other aspects of mental health. If you're a coach, you will want to pay special attention to the role we can play.
This episode is one that you may wish to revisit a number of times as there is much to assimilate.

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Calling All Front Enders And Mixed Doubles Teams

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I catch up with Lisa Weagle and Scott Pfeifer, two world class front end curlers and now coaches with Canada's national mixed doubles teams.
In addition to the interview with Lisa & Scott, I announce the next three episodes, all dealing with "Mental Health For Athletes". I will have more to say about those episodes in the sign off portion of this episode!

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First You Learn How To Play The Game ...

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 11:00:00 -0400

This is the second episode primarily about lawn bowling but with definite implications for any team from any sport that wishes to be the best it can be but first you learn how to play the game before you learn to compete and ultimately, win!
Using a pairs team from the Grand Cove Lawn Bowling Club, you will hear the steps, and missteps Wayne & Andy took along their journey.
As you listen, you'll be able to identify many of the challenges your team faces and learn how to meet them and move your team's yardsticks down the field!

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Three Hundred Seconds

Sat, 11 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0400

This episode is for lawn bowlers AND curlers but primarily for those who share the summer sport of lawn bowling with me. There are no two sports as closely related as lawn bowling and curling. As you'll hear me say in the episode, I spend. the winter suggesting to curlers who do not have a primary summer activity, they seek out the nearest lawn bowl club and likewise, during the summer I make the same suggestion to lawn bowlers, find the nearest curling facility.
The premise of this episode is in this statement: "What you do before you step onto the mat (or into the hack if you're a curler) has a greater impact on the likelihood that the shot you're attempting will be made, than what you do after you step onto the mat"! That's a bold statement! Listen to this episode to hear me make the case for it! As Dr. Saul Miller (world renowned sport psychologist) states, "What you think about profoundly affects how you perform!". What are you thinking about?

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Gerry & Danny

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0400

In this early morning, special episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", I say "Thank You" to Gerry Peckham and Danny Lamoureux who have both announced their succession plan. Of course, I share some stories about each of these extraordinary gentlemen!

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From Coach Bill's Library

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 20:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I highlight some publications that I have found helpful in my coaching and instructing career. Many of us look for good books to read while enjoying those hazy, lazy days of summer. These I have found to be among the best!

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The Anatomy Of A Podcast

Sun, 29 May 2022 09:00:00 -0400

It's episode #25! To mark the occasion, my grandsons, Lucas & Jacob (you'll remember them from episode #1 back in February) thought listeners to "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" might like to know how an episode makes it onto podcast platforms. That's what episode #25 does. With Jacob acting as host, Lucas will ask the questions he feels you might have to learn the steps necessary to produce a podcast episode.
But, there's bonus material in this episode as well. Email messages have arrived in my inbox of late. They are excellent and you will hear what other listeners have to say about one episode topic in particular.
Oh, and after sign off, my grandsons wanted to know where they send their invoice! Wait until Canada Curling Stone gets that one!

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Coach Bill's Top Ten

Tue, 24 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I compile a Top Ten List for teams wishing to move their competitive yardsticks down the field. How might my list compare with yours? After listening, please send your list to me at coachbill@hay.net!

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The Art Of A Timeout

Tue, 17 May 2022 10:00:00 -0400

For those of you who are regular listeners (& thank you for that ) you're probably wondering why there would be an episode about timeouts in curling when an episode was just published ("On Ice Coaching") which is all about an initiative to allow for much more interaction between coach and team than just once or twice per game. This episode is about the nature of a timeout when and wherever it occurs so I hope you'll hang in with me on this topic.

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On Ice Coaching

Tue, 10 May 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Your eyes are not deceiving you. You read the title of this episode correctly. We're talking about not only putting the curling coaches on or near the ice surface, we're suggesting that the coaches move from end to end to position themselves at the playing end of the sheet AND have opportunities to interact with the team during the playing of an end. How radical is that? Well, it may sound somewhat off the charts but don't go into this episode with a closed mind on the subject. Coach Dean Kleiter of SK will explain. Dean is qualified to do so since he, along with others in the wheat province, were instrumental in conceiving the idea and providing the first opportunities to see if it was worth pursuing. Now, you can be the judge about "On Ice Coaching"!

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Back To The Future

Thu, 05 May 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest for this episode is Helen Radford of Halifax, NS. Helen is the "Manager of Youth Development and NextGen" for Curling Canada. Helen describes a variety of programmes aimed at, well, as you can tell by her title, the future curlers in Canada. After listening to Helen describe those programmes, I urge you to invite anyone within your sphere of influence to hear this episode as well (youth programme managers in your curling facility, board members, provincial and territorial board members, coaches, instructors etc. ). This episode is to create an awareness of these exciting opportunities for young curlers!

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The Performance Cocktail

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 02:00:00 -0400

You have an assignment before listening to this episode. Go to Youtube and search for "PBS Quiet Eye" and "Brainy Putting". Both videos feature Alan Alda of MASH fame. When you've done that, and in the process been entertained and educated, then hit play on your device to learn what a "performance cocktail" is and why all elite athletes never leave home without theirs! If you aspire to loftier heights of performance in your competitive environment, then this episode was created for you but don't forget to go to Youtube to watch those two videos!

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It Really Is All About Those Numbers

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Renee Sonnenberg of Curling Canada pulls back the curtain on what has become one of the hotest of hot button topics for sport in general and of course, for curling in particular, analytics! The competitive curling team that wants to climb to the top of the mountain in its competitive environment ignores analytics at its own peril. Don't you be one of them!

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Coach Mom & Skip Son First Time At U21

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Coach Faith Van Ryssel and her son Aaron, skip of Team MB2 talk about what they anticipate in this national event and then discuss what actually happened. Was the expectation the same as the result? Well, you'll have to listen to this episode to find out what they learned! If you find yourself playing at this level for the first time, perhaps what they say can help you!

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But We Learned How To Play Together

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0400

It's soap box time! I promised myself I would not use this medium to editorialize but this topic just seemed to me to warrant an expression of my thoughts on teams that decide to break up and go their separate ways. I certainly don't mean to disparage the teams, the many teams, that have made that decision! There are excellent reasons for doing so, but if your team is considering that move and have not yet "pulled the trigger", spend a few minutes with me. I'll explain why in my opinion, it may not be the best move for you!

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It's More Than Just Olympics With E.D.J.

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Curling Canada's Women's Team Leader, Elaine Dagg-Jackson, details what happens when a team becomes Team Canada at the Curling Trials through to the site of the Winter Olympics. Elaine has done that seven times! But there's more than Olympics in this episode to inspire coaches and athletes to train to be the best version of themselves!

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Pressure Is A Privilege

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0400

This episode is with Dr. John Dunn, that ruggedly handsome Scot you see sitting behind the scoreboard when Team Kevin Koe is playing. John has been with Kevin and the various iterations of his team for the last fourteen years and, as you might guess, he and Kevin have learned much from one another. If you want to find out what those lessons were, and how you can apply them to your competitive environment, you'll will enjoy "Pressure Is A Privilege"!

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Team Technical Check Up

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Technical check ups are the heart beat of a good high performance programme. Being technically sound in the signature skills of any sport opens the door to elite performance. But, have you ever thought about a technical check up from a team perspective? This episode came from an email I received from a skip whose third's delivery was, sound, but different. What was the difference and how did it affect both individual and team performance? Listen to this episode to find out. Perhaps a team technical check up is something that will help your team!

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Coach Mitch's Top Ten List

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Coach Michel St-Georges (aka "Coach Mitch") shares his thoughts with first time coaches guiding their team into a provincial/territorial/national event! As you will learn, Coach Mitch is very passionate. It's not unusual at a U21 or Scotties to see Coach Mitch playing his "air guitar" as the warmup music fills the arena. Add to that, much experience in various high performance situations and you have someone with sage advice to share with you! Although you may wish to take notes, Coach Mitch has asked me to summarize his "Top Ten List" at the end of the episode!

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Emily Has Something She Wants To Tell You

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0400

Calling all competitive junior curlers and coaches! Emily Riley, "Mental Performance Consultant" is a very successful curler but to be that successful, she found herself chasing some "performance anxiety" demons. She learned how to face them and banish them to the sidelines. In this episode she explains how she does it and how you can as well!

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Dealing With Two Imposters

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 23:00:00 -0400

There are two imposters that can make or break sustained performance. Failing to deal with them can be fatal. Learning how to meet them face to face can propel an athlete or team to achieving performance goals. Master Coach Pat B Reid will be our guide in this episode with keys and real life examples of how to handle those imposters!

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A Visit With My Mentor

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0400

This episode is a visit with Jim Waite of St. Thomas, ON. Unlike most of the episodes with a guest, this one doesn't have a central theme. Jim has so much experience in such a wide variety of areas in curling that I wanted to touch all the bases with him. As the title of the episode indicates, over many, many years, Jim has been my go to person when I needed someone to help me as a curling coach. This episode is to share what I've learned from Jim with you! You'll love Jim's stories!

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It's Our Signature Skill

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode we take a look at a curling coach's signature skill, "delivery analysis" but the focus of the episode is not on the content but rather the process. There are many coaches and instructors who are very knowledgeable about the technical aspects of delivery analysis but all that knowledge can be lost if the process is not one that establishes a partnership between the delivery clinician and the athlete.

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Coaching A Team From Good To Gold

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 15:00:00 -0500

In this episode you will be taken on a journey by a master coach, Tom Coulterman of Sault Ste. Marie, ON. The team of course is Team Jacobs. In this episode you'll learn how a very good team followed its dream which ended up on the top step of the podium at the Winter Olympic Games so buckle that chin strap. Let's get this ride started!

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Using A Delivery Stick

Sat, 26 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode a certified stick delivery instructor walks us through the technical aspects of delivering a curling stone using a delivery stick, comparing it to the way most of us delivered a rock with a traditional slide delivery. She also describes the rules of the "two person stick game".

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The Life Jacket

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 01:00:00 -0500

The signature skill in curling is draw weight. Every curler wants to feel that the weight to make a stone stop on the tee line is in his/her "back pocket". One of the most empty feelings for a curler comes with the realization that draw weight to the tee line, is inexplicably gone. How do you get it back? That's what this episode is all about. I'm going to throw you a "life jacket" to use anytime you find yourself in that very uncomfortable predicament!

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You Have The Power

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 17:00:00 -0500

This episode is in a response to a coach asking about power for take out shots. The feeling with this coach was that her athletes struggled to generate enough "power" to deliver a full weight take out shot. This episode identifies eight sources for power!

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Characteristics of Championship Curling Teams

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 13:00:00 -0500

Olympic Gold Medalist, Lindsay Sparkes shares her list of the ten characteristics that successful curling teams have in common. In addition to her list, she takes us back to the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games where the sport of curling was on display, hoping that it would become a full member of Winter Olympic Sports. The pressure to perform was "on" big time!

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The Science of Brushing

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Dr. Glenn Paulley talks about what the science seems to indicate about brushing a curling stone as it makes its way down the ice. He provides much to think about for curling teams that wish to move their competitive yardsticks down the field. Some of what has been traditionally believed to be true about the impact of brushing will be dispelled in this episode with recent studies backing up better ways to brush. For this episode the listener may wish to have a writing instrument and note paper close at hand!

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A First Timer at The Scotties

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 22:00:00 -0500

This episode is an interview with Kerry Campbell of Team Yukon at the 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay. Kerry's thoughts are expressed just before the event began and again, at the conclusion of the championship.

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Introducing Coach Bill

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:00:00 -0500

This is the inaugural episode of the "A Pane in the Glass Podcast". Coach Bill is introduced in an interview by his grandsons Lucas & Jacob.

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