Halftimes & Harmonies Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:36:01 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2148604 en-us © 2026 Halftimes & Harmonies yes 177d708b-690c-5501-be46-a8093699c9f1 Hope J Ward episodic false Join Hope as she talks about musical genres and sports from all over the world! Episodes will also include spotlight instruments and athletes for each topic.
Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ybyFBbsMhMxaTonB2UwuD?si=860741fe9d04455b 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Hope J Ward https://storage.buzzsprout.com/phwn3qmeuv4322mc30qatzxxzd8a?.jpg Halftimes & Harmonies Musicals & Flag Football Musicals & Flag Football As a huge fan and semi-closeted theater kid, I loved getting to explore the history of movie musicals and how they've evolved over time! This episode also goes into the ever growing and popular sport of flag football.

This is unfortunately the last ever episode of Halftimes & Harmonies on KTCU. I have enjoyed getting to spend just about every week exploring many different cultures through music and sports.

]]> As a huge fan and semi-closeted theater kid, I loved getting to explore the history of movie musicals and how they've evolved over time! This episode also goes into the ever growing and popular sport of flag football.

This is unfortunately the last ever episode of Halftimes & Harmonies on KTCU. I have enjoyed getting to spend just about every week exploring many different cultures through music and sports.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-17073267 Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 2860 3 17 full false Reggae & The Masters Reggae & The Masters Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-17039764 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 2852 3 16 full false Music of the Celts & MLB Opening Day Music of the Celts & MLB Opening Day In this episode, we travel to Ireland to listen and learn about the music of the Celts. This episode also aired on 2025 MLB Opening Day so we take a look at the history of one of professional sports' most memorable traditions!

]]> In this episode, we travel to Ireland to listen and learn about the music of the Celts. This episode also aired on 2025 MLB Opening Day so we take a look at the history of one of professional sports' most memorable traditions!

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-17039759 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:00:00 -0400 2287 3 15 full false Reggaeton & March Madness Reggaeton & March Madness Join Hope as she talks about one of the brainchildren of the Carribean and the historical importance of that genre! She also dives into the biggest and craziest tournament in the United States every year.

]]> Join Hope as she talks about one of the brainchildren of the Carribean and the historical importance of that genre! She also dives into the biggest and craziest tournament in the United States every year.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16865189 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 2817 3 14 full false Oscars Night Oscars Night With this episode airing right before the Oscars, Hope decided to cater both topics towards film. Including the history of some of the most iconic film scores and the best sports films according to Imdb.

]]> With this episode airing right before the Oscars, Hope decided to cater both topics towards film. Including the history of some of the most iconic film scores and the best sports films according to Imdb.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16788927 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 2781 3 13 full false Disco Polo & Professional Volleyball Disco Polo & Professional Volleyball Feels like Eurovision up in here with the topic of Disco Polo! Hope was definitely struggling a bit with pronunciations but she made it all work. Hope also gives background on the professional volleyball leagues around the US.

]]> Feels like Eurovision up in here with the topic of Disco Polo! Hope was definitely struggling a bit with pronunciations but she made it all work. Hope also gives background on the professional volleyball leagues around the US.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16788906 Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 2669 3 12 full false K-Pop & NBA All-Star Weekend K-Pop & NBA All-Star Weekend This episode travels to South Korea and talks about the history of the consistently growing genre of K-Pop. Hope also talks about one of the more popular weekends not only in the sports world but pop culture as well: NBA All-Star Weekend.

]]> This episode travels to South Korea and talks about the history of the consistently growing genre of K-Pop. Hope also talks about one of the more popular weekends not only in the sports world but pop culture as well: NBA All-Star Weekend.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16698395 Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 2823 3 11 full false Soca & Super Bowl Soca & Super Bowl Inspired by her trip to Trinidad & Tobago during summer 2024, Hope talks about the popular genre born there: Soca! This episode was aired a few days before the Super Bowl, so this episode explores the history of the storied game and how it, and its halftime show, became so popular.

]]> Inspired by her trip to Trinidad & Tobago during summer 2024, Hope talks about the popular genre born there: Soca! This episode was aired a few days before the Super Bowl, so this episode explores the history of the storied game and how it, and its halftime show, became so popular.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16698375 Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 2785 3 10 full false Blues & Women's Elite Rugby Blues & Women's Elite Rugby Join Hope as she takes a trip to the Mississippi Delta and cover the soulful and rich history of the blues. Also in this episode: the new women's rugby league beginning play in spring of 2025.

]]> Join Hope as she takes a trip to the Mississippi Delta and cover the soulful and rich history of the blues. Also in this episode: the new women's rugby league beginning play in spring of 2025.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16698359 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 2265 3 9 full false Flamenco & Australian Open Flamenco & Australian Open This episode dives into one of Spain's great modern pastimes: Flamenco! The second half covers the tennis tournament that kicks off the major tennis opens every calendar year. 

]]> This episode dives into one of Spain's great modern pastimes: Flamenco! The second half covers the tennis tournament that kicks off the major tennis opens every calendar year. 

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16698338 Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1922 3 8 full false Funk & Unrivaled Funk & Unrivaled After a brief hiatus due to winter break, Hope is back to talk about a major genre in the US during the 60s-80s: funk! Also in this episode, Hope provides context for the new professional women's basketball league: Unrivaled.

]]> After a brief hiatus due to winter break, Hope is back to talk about a major genre in the US during the 60s-80s: funk! Also in this episode, Hope provides context for the new professional women's basketball league: Unrivaled.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16569992 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0500 3030 3 7 full false Afrobeats & Thanksgiving Football Afrobeats & Thanksgiving Football The new emerging genre of afrobeat is taking over the world and Hope dives into the history and some of the popular artists in the genre. With this episode airing the week before Thanksgiving, there is also a history lesson on how the annual Thanksgiving football games came to be.

]]> The new emerging genre of afrobeat is taking over the world and Hope dives into the history and some of the popular artists in the genre. With this episode airing the week before Thanksgiving, there is also a history lesson on how the annual Thanksgiving football games came to be.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16569982 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 3120 3 6 full false Samba & Alpine Skiing Samba & Alpine Skiing Down to Brazil we go and talk about the exciting genre of Samba! With the unretirement of Lindsey Vonn, Hope also explains the history and rules of Alpine Skiing.

]]> Down to Brazil we go and talk about the exciting genre of Samba! With the unretirement of Lindsey Vonn, Hope also explains the history and rules of Alpine Skiing.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16569977 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 2987 3 5 full false Folklorico & Spooky Facts Folklorico & Spooky Facts This episode was recorded on Halloween and both topics were all about October 31st and November 1st related events. For the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, Hope talks about the genre of folklorico and for Halloween, she dives into some spooky superstitions and other wacky sports facts.

]]> This episode was recorded on Halloween and both topics were all about October 31st and November 1st related events. For the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, Hope talks about the genre of folklorico and for Halloween, she dives into some spooky superstitions and other wacky sports facts.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16569970 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 2866 3 4 full false Merengue & Rugby Merengue & Rugby Join Hope as she takes a trip to the Dominican Republic to talk about the up-tempo genre of merengue! She also dives into the game of rugby with its the rules and regulations and also the emerging superstar of Ilona Maher.

]]> Join Hope as she takes a trip to the Dominican Republic to talk about the up-tempo genre of merengue! She also dives into the game of rugby with its the rules and regulations and also the emerging superstar of Ilona Maher.

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-16569960 Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 2982 3 3 full false Baroque Pop & Equestrian Baroque Pop & Equestrian This week, we dive into the fusion genre of Baroque Pop! This combines the pasttimes of the Baroque Era in Western Europe with 1960s rock in England. This week we also got to hear from two of the four captains of the TCU Equestrian team and their journeys as athletes!

]]> This week, we dive into the fusion genre of Baroque Pop! This combines the pasttimes of the Baroque Era in Western Europe with 1960s rock in England. This week we also got to hear from two of the four captains of the TCU Equestrian team and their journeys as athletes!

]]> Hope J Ward Buzzsprout-15950112 Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:00:00 -0400 2031 3 2 full false Bollywood & Cricket Bollywood & Cricket This week we take a trip to India and deep dive into the music featured in Hindi films and their most popular sport of cricket.

]]> This week we take a trip to India and deep dive into the music featured in Hindi films and their most popular sport of cricket.

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-15884177 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400 3026 3 1 full false Interview with Seven Castain - Episode 17 Interview with Seven Castain - Episode 17 Welcome back to another special edition of Halftimes & Harmonies! This week I interviewed Seven Castain, a forward for the TCU Women's Soccer Team! We talked about her start to the sport, playing BYU in her home state of Utah, and also a fun lightning round at the end. I had some technical difficulties with my microphone but I hope you are still able to capture the essence of the interview! (This was also recorded prior to their trip to Lubbock this past weekend)

]]> Welcome back to another special edition of Halftimes & Harmonies! This week I interviewed Seven Castain, a forward for the TCU Women's Soccer Team! We talked about her start to the sport, playing BYU in her home state of Utah, and also a fun lightning round at the end. I had some technical difficulties with my microphone but I hope you are still able to capture the essence of the interview! (This was also recorded prior to their trip to Lubbock this past weekend)

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-13761147 Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:00:00 -0400 628 2 6 full false Breakdown of the Sunday Night Football Anthem - Episode 16 Breakdown of the Sunday Night Football Anthem - Episode 16 Carrie Underwood has been the face of NBC's Sunday Night Football anthem for 11 straight seasons and today I am taking a deep dive into the evolution of the song with the special help of my guitar!

]]> Carrie Underwood has been the face of NBC's Sunday Night Football anthem for 11 straight seasons and today I am taking a deep dive into the evolution of the song with the special help of my guitar!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-13675496 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 15:00:00 -0400 375 2 5 full false Wacky Sports Week - Episode 15 Wacky Sports Week - Episode 15 What a week in the world of sports! I break down all of the highlights (and lowlights) of the crazy week in collegiate and professional sports.

]]> What a week in the world of sports! I break down all of the highlights (and lowlights) of the crazy week in collegiate and professional sports.

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-13588333 Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:00:00 -0400 700 2 4 full false Interview with Coach Brooke Wyckoff Interview with Coach Brooke Wyckoff Welcome back! This is my first of many interviews here on Halftimes & Harmonies! I had the pleasure of speaking with Florida State head women's basketball coach Brooke Wyckoff about her expectations for the upcoming season and her faith on and off the court.

]]> Welcome back! This is my first of many interviews here on Halftimes & Harmonies! I had the pleasure of speaking with Florida State head women's basketball coach Brooke Wyckoff about her expectations for the upcoming season and her faith on and off the court.

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-13542825 Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:00:00 -0400 434 2 3 full false USWNT Recap - Episode 14 USWNT Recap - Episode 14 Welcome back! This week I talk about all that happend at the World Cup for the United States Women's National Soccer Team adn what the future holds for them as well. Join me as I cover things such as their performance, injuries, and Vlatko Andonovski's resignation.

]]> Welcome back! This week I talk about all that happend at the World Cup for the United States Women's National Soccer Team adn what the future holds for them as well. Join me as I cover things such as their performance, injuries, and Vlatko Andonovski's resignation.

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-13500225 Thu, 31 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400 587 2 2 full false Women's World Cup Recap - Episode 13 Women's World Cup Recap - Episode 13 Welcome to Season 2 of Halftimes & Harmonies! This season will include some special guests so be sure to tune in for those! To kick off the season, I am recapping the crazy insane World Cup that just took place.

]]> Welcome to Season 2 of Halftimes & Harmonies! This season will include some special guests so be sure to tune in for those! To kick off the season, I am recapping the crazy insane World Cup that just took place.

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-13458921 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400 636 2 1 full false The Music of The Little Mermaid (2023) - Episode 12 The Music of The Little Mermaid (2023) - Episode 12 The season finale of Halftimes and Harmonies is here! This week I dive into the wonderful collaboration between Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken for the new Little Mermaid film. Thank you for joining me this season for H&H! I will be back later this summer with more fun topics and special guests, so stay tuned!

]]> The season finale of Halftimes and Harmonies is here! This week I dive into the wonderful collaboration between Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken for the new Little Mermaid film. Thank you for joining me this season for H&H! I will be back later this summer with more fun topics and special guests, so stay tuned!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-13005474 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 18:00:00 -0400 238 1 13 full false NCAA Softball Tournament - Episode 11 NCAA Softball Tournament - Episode 11 As promised, here is my breakdown of the NCAA softball tournament and preview of the Women's College World Series that begins today! I also briefly touched on the conference tournaments. I will try and start having guests on the show starting later this summer so stay tuned!

]]> As promised, here is my breakdown of the NCAA softball tournament and preview of the Women's College World Series that begins today! I also briefly touched on the conference tournaments. I will try and start having guests on the show starting later this summer so stay tuned!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12960720 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:00:00 -0400 1127 1 12 full false WNBA Kickoff - Episode 10 WNBA Kickoff - Episode 10 The WNBA season kicks off tomorrow and I wanted to give my two cents on the upcoming season and also the recent developments within the league itself with players getting waived and cut just mere months after being drafted.

]]> The WNBA season kicks off tomorrow and I wanted to give my two cents on the upcoming season and also the recent developments within the league itself with players getting waived and cut just mere months after being drafted.

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12876435 Thu, 18 May 2023 16:00:00 -0400 602 1 11 full false College Softball Regular Season Recap - Episode 9 College Softball Regular Season Recap - Episode 9 The NCAA softball regular season is over and we have tons to discuss, so that's why this week's episode is a bit longer! Join me as I dive into the intriguing regular season we've had and also taking a gander at the upcoming conference tournaments. I will do another episode closer to the Women's College World Series, but for now, here is my recap so far!

]]> The NCAA softball regular season is over and we have tons to discuss, so that's why this week's episode is a bit longer! Join me as I dive into the intriguing regular season we've had and also taking a gander at the upcoming conference tournaments. I will do another episode closer to the Women's College World Series, but for now, here is my recap so far!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12802136 Thu, 11 May 2023 15:00:00 -0400 1199 1 10 full false 411: Baroque Era - Episode 8 411: Baroque Era - Episode 8 I am starting a series called 411 where I give the 411 on a topic relating to music or sports. This week's the Baroque Era that included composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. Let me know other topics you would like to get the 411 on!

]]> I am starting a series called 411 where I give the 411 on a topic relating to music or sports. This week's the Baroque Era that included composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. Let me know other topics you would like to get the 411 on!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12736348 Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0400 398 1 9 full false The Transfer Portal - Episode 7 The Transfer Portal - Episode 7 The transfer portal has shaken up collegiate athletics for better and for worse, so this week I dive into my perspective on the transfer portal!

]]> The transfer portal has shaken up collegiate athletics for better and for worse, so this week I dive into my perspective on the transfer portal!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12690956 Thu, 20 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0400 415 1 8 full false NBA Playoffs Preview - Episode 6 NBA Playoffs Preview - Episode 6 It's NBA Playoffs time! With the 8th seed yet to be decided in both conferences, I take a look at the upcoming postseason that will be upredictable yet fun!

]]> It's NBA Playoffs time! With the 8th seed yet to be decided in both conferences, I take a look at the upcoming postseason that will be upredictable yet fun!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12643970 Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0400 268 1 7 full false What is a Viola? - Episode 5 What is a Viola? - Episode 5 I always get asked about the primary instument I play, so today I decided to clear up any and all of the confusion people have!

]]> I always get asked about the primary instument I play, so today I decided to clear up any and all of the confusion people have!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12597623 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0400 348 1 6 full false Women's March Madness Recap - Episode 4 Women's March Madness Recap - Episode 4 As promised, here is Part 2 of my March Madness Halftimes and Harmonies Special! These are my thoughts on the NCAA women's tournament thus far. It has been slightly more wild than in past years and I am excited for the Final Four!

]]> As promised, here is Part 2 of my March Madness Halftimes and Harmonies Special! These are my thoughts on the NCAA women's tournament thus far. It has been slightly more wild than in past years and I am excited for the Final Four!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12545551 Thu, 30 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0400 667 1 5 full false Men's March Madness Recap - Episode 4 Men's March Madness Recap - Episode 4 Welcome back! I am doing a two-parter this week, so buckle up! Today, I cover what we have experienced from the men's side of March Madness in terms of things we expected, surprises, and a preview of the Final Four down in Houston. Stay tuned because I will be covering the women's side on Thursday! 

]]> Welcome back! I am doing a two-parter this week, so buckle up! Today, I cover what we have experienced from the men's side of March Madness in terms of things we expected, surprises, and a preview of the Final Four down in Houston. Stay tuned because I will be covering the women's side on Thursday! 

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12533380 Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0400 547 1 4 full false Why Art is Subjective - Episode 3 Why Art is Subjective - Episode 3 With awards season in full swing, I decided to take a deeper dive into the question of why are we awarding art in the first place? 

]]> With awards season in full swing, I decided to take a deeper dive into the question of why are we awarding art in the first place? 

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12447532 Thu, 23 Mar 2023 16:00:00 -0400 419 1 3 full false The History of Black Composers - Episode 2 The History of Black Composers - Episode 2 Welcome back to Halftimes and Harmonies! I wanted to acknowledge a few of the many great Black composers that write music for classical musicians like me and look like me!

]]> Welcome back to Halftimes and Harmonies! I wanted to acknowledge a few of the many great Black composers that write music for classical musicians like me and look like me!

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12411074 Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:00:00 -0400 669 1 2 full false Welcome to Halftimes & Harmonies! - Episode 1 Welcome to Halftimes & Harmonies! - Episode 1 Hi! My name is Hope and I want to welcome you to the premiere episode of Halftimes and Harmonies! Each Thursday, I will talk about a topic relating to either music, sports, or both. This is my first ever podcast episode and this episode is focused on my stream of conscious when it comes to the sports world right now.

]]> Hi! My name is Hope and I want to welcome you to the premiere episode of Halftimes and Harmonies! Each Thursday, I will talk about a topic relating to either music, sports, or both. This is my first ever podcast episode and this episode is focused on my stream of conscious when it comes to the sports world right now.

]]> Hope Buzzsprout-12410326 Thu, 09 Mar 2023 18:00:00 -0500 1315 1 1 full false