More Than Just Golf

On this episode of Make It. Share It. we explore Kyle Porter's fascinating journey as a writer and entrepreneur. From Oklahoma State fan site creator to CBS's top golf writer, Kyle reveals what inspired him to start his own independent newsletter, Normal Sport.

Kyle opens up about a profound turning point in his life—losing his daughter in 2015—and how this tragedy deepened his faith, shaping both his personal life and professional approach to writing. He discusses finding the perfect balance between humor and depth in his content, noting that he aims for "80-90% funny and lighthearted, then 10% taking you below the line."

The conversation examines the challenges of building a business from scratch, growing an audience authentically, and staying disciplined amid endless creative possibilities. Kyle also shares his upcoming projects, including some fun Normal Sport merch and a children's golf book.

Something Unexpected: Discover why Kyle believes the most powerful stories in golf come not from the winner's circle, but from those processing the pain of near-misses and defeat.

Resources Mentioned In The Show:

Here is the Tim Keller quote on suffering that Kyle references from Keller’s book Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering:

Suffering ‘plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul.’

Here is a link to the book Joy In The Sorrow where you can find Kyle’s chapter on losing his daughter and many other poignant essays.

Listen to the full episode for:

* Kyle's insights on writing about sports without taking it too seriously

* The entrepreneurial challenges of growing a niche newsletter

* Why writing a children's book is surprisingly more difficult in some ways than writing for adults

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:51 Kyle Porter's Journey in Golf Writing

08:22 Turning Points in Life and Faith

12:36 The Birth of Normal Sport

16:37 The Creative Process of Writing

27:33 Balancing Humor and Depth in Communication

30:08 The Importance of Authenticity in Storytelling

33:25 The Value of Unconventional Paths in Careers

36:57 Strategies for Growing an Audience

43:03 Creating Meaningful Products for Families

48:52 The Art of Storytelling and Overcoming Obstacles