PODCAST · society
SilentPunt Podcast
by Henny Hiemenz
Conversations with authors, athletes, and people who didn't take the straight path. www.silentpunt.com
Episodes
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Nothing to Lose, Everything to Prove
SilentPunt Podcast 225 / October 15, 2026 “Sometimes the most powerful force in the universe is someone with nothing to lose.” That line from Mike Sielski’s new book, Going the Distance: Stallone, Philly, and the Story of Rocky, stuck with me. This week, the Philadelphia Inquirer columnist joins…
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A Small Town in a Billionaire’s League
SilentPunt Podcast 224 / October 2, 2026 Being a Green Bay Packers owner won’t pay your mortgage. It won’t even get you season tickets. But it does give you a stake in one of the strangest arrangements in professional sports: a community-owned football team surviving in a league of billionaires....
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Spam Sandwiches and the Women Behind Lombardi’s Packers
SilentPunt Podcast 223 / September 10, 2026 The story of Vince Lombardi’s Packers usually arrives in the voice of John Facenda: frozen breath, muddy jerseys, and giants doing battle on the tundra. But after the cameras left, a group of young women was doing much of the work that made those…
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We Were Taught to Suck It Up. That Wasn’t Always Helpful.
SilentPunt Podcast 222 / August 27, 2026 Joe Palumbo has been a national champion, an All-American, a lawyer, an NFL intern, a sports agent, a wealth manager for professional athletes, and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Somehow, that’s only the setup. We talk about NIL money, why some athletes...
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Nobody Gets Fired For Bad Predictions
SilentPunt Podcast 221 / August 20, 2026 Fred Segal has spent a decade preserving the predictions sports media would rather forget. As the creator of Freezing Cold Takes and author of the new book Freezing Cold Takes: College Football, he has built an archive of certainty gone bad—from coaches...
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He Partied With Springsteen, Played for Madden, and Spent 50 Years Arguing About One Play
SilentPunt Podcast 220 / August 13, 2026 Phil Villapiano has stories. About growing up on the Jersey Shore and watching Bruce Springsteen perform before most people knew his name. About being drafted by the Oakland Raiders without knowing exactly where Oakland was. About surviving the brutal...
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JJ Birden Was 157 Pounds - and Lasted Nine NFL Seasons
SilentPunt Podcast 219 / July 30, 2026 At 157 pounds, JJ Birden was never supposed to last nine seasons in the NFL. In this conversation, the former Kansas City Chiefs receiver explains how he turned speed, preparation, and a stubborn desire to prove everybody wrong into a career that included...
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The Dream Came True. It Still Didn’t Feel Like Enough.
SILENTPUNT PODCAST 218 / July 16, 2026 For the many new readers here: the basic rhythm at SilentPunt is that one week I write an essay, and the next I talk to someone interesting. The subjects bounce between middle age, marriage, parenting, sports, and whatever fresh indignity adulthood has...
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From Ballfields to Battlefields
SilentPunt Podcast 217 / July 2, 2026 This week on the SilentPunt Podcast, I’m joined by Christopher Warner, author of Playing for Keeps: Legendary Athletes in Combat During World War II. Since this is a July 4th edition of the show, we talk about athletes who did more than simply serve during…
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Tim Brown on Nolan Ryan, Texas, and the Making of a Myth
SilentPunt Podcast 216 / June 18, 2026 This week on the SilentPunt Podcast, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author Tim Brown, whose new book, Nolan: The Singular Life of an American Original, is about a lot more than fastballs, strikeouts, and longevity. It’s about myth, toughness,...
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Yay Books. Go Sports. Sheila Moeschen Joins the Pod
SilentPunt Podcast #215 / June 4, 2026 Author, photographer, humorist, and fellow Substacker Sheila Moeschen joins me to talk about her new book, Book Lovers’ New England: A Guide to Literary Landmarks, which takes readers through the homes, museums, towns, and landscapes connected to some of New...
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The Things We Miss While We're Busy Living
SilentPunt Podcast #214 / May 21, 2026 🎙️ Former Coast Guard Academy head football coach Bill George joins the podcast to discuss his book Home Fields, a story that begins with football and service academies but evolves into something much deeper. We talk about mortality, World War II family...
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What Happens After the Plan Works
SilentPunt Podcast #213 / May 7, 2026 🎙️ Retirement is supposed to be the goal. Work hard, build something, and one day you’re free…but it rarely feels the way people expect. This week on the SilentPunt Podcast, I’m joined by author Andrea Hoffman (What Are the Chances) to talk about what…
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Writing, Parenting, & Naked Germans / with author Lee Bacon
SilentPunt Podcast #212 / April 23, 2026 Lee Bacon has published 10 books, landed a movie development deal, and built a writing career most people would have quit on long before it worked.Before that? Rejections. A lot of them. Forwarded this? Subscribe to SilentPunt below. All posts are free. We...
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From Hunting bin Laden To Published Author
SilentPunt Podcast #211 / April 8, 2026 Discover how Lizzy Wright transitioned from a career in intelligence to becoming an author of memoirs and fiction, weaving her personal experiences with her professional expertise. In this episode, Lizzy shares insights on morality in espionage, the...
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How Luke Epplin Became a Bestselling Author (Without a Plan)
SilentPunt Podcast #210 / March 25, 2026 How do you become a writer with no connections, no plan, and no clear path? 📚In this episode, bestselling author Luke Epplin (Moses and the Doctor, Our Team) shares how he went from a small town in Illinois to New York City, and eventually to Random House...
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Quantum Physics for People Who Barely Passed High School Science
SilentPunt Podcast #209 / March 4, 2026 This week, I talk with Professor Spalding about the strange world of quantum mechanics. We dive into the famous double-slit experiment, probability, photons, black holes, and why reality behaves far differently than common sense suggests. Plus, how quantum...
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Can Boxing Be Fixed? 80s Movies, Coaching, and Raising Boys vs. Girls
SilentPunt Podcast #208 / February 25, 2026 * My co-host this week is my old buddy Mark Prel. Mark is a teacher, coach, husband, and father…as well as a big-time Buffalo Sabres fan. If you are into hockey, give him a follow on X at ‘sabresfunstats.’ * Can boxing be saved? * Favorite 80s movies. *...
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GenX Got Screwed, Books, the Ponies, & More!
SilentPunt Podcast, #207 / February 18, 2026 * How GenX got screwed. * Books. * Why is there still horse racing? * You gotta problem?? Soooo many great comments from last week’s episode with Sheila Moeschen, thanks to all of our listeners! Special shout-out to Daniel Puzzo for commenting on…
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The 1990 Super Bowl, but With One Problem....
This week on the SilentPunt Podcast, we rewatch Super Bowl XXIV (49ers vs Broncos) and do live commentary over it in the style of Mystery Science Theater 3000. I know way too much about football. My co-host Sheila Moeschen knows almost nothing. Humor and nostalgia ensue. Sheila is a fantastically...
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How a Minnesota Twins Pitcher Beat the Odds to Reach the MLB
SilentPunt Podcast, #205 / February 4, 2026 Minnesota Twins pitcher Justin Topa joins SilentPunt for a relaxed conversation about the long road it took him to reach the major leagues. We talk about bouncing around pro baseball, keeping at it in the face of adversity, and what life in the big...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #204
Folks! Wherever you happen to be listening to this, please do something so the old ‘algo knows you like us: rate, review, subscribe. ❤️ In addition to Substack, you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Heck, we’ve even got a TikTok these days (🤪). January 28, 2026: * Free Solo…
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SilentPunt Podcast, #203
January 21, 2025 * This week’s episode is an interview with Brian Fowler. Brian, a social media star and huge Las Vegas Raiders fan, tells us about his quest to break two Guinness World Records this year. * Follow him on YouTube here, or Instagram here. This is a public episode. If you would like...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #202
** Please remember to Rate / Review / Subscribe wherever you listen or watch. Last week’s episode was our most downloaded yet, thank you!!! January 14, 2026 * Neck tattoos. * ICE in Minnesota. * 90s NBA. * How smart are you? Comment of the week! This is a public episode. If you would like to...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #201
Season #1 concluded with 8,000 downloads…not bad for a couple of meatheads! Throw us a like or a ❤️, and if you’re listening on Apple or Spotify, please hit the follow button. If you are one of our dozens of YouTube watchers, please hit Subscribe there as well 😉. ¡Muchas Gracias! January 7, 2026…
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SilentPunt Podcast, #50
December 24, 2025 This week’s co-host is hilarious writer Lindsey Smith. Check out her Not Normal publication anytime you need a good laugh! Please Rate / Review / Subscribe wherever you listen or watch. * Weekly Sticker & Gasser. * Creepy old men, NIL, UNC, and general college discussion. *...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #49
December 17, 2025 * Jason Collins, first openly gay man to play in a major sporting league, and his health struggles. * People in pajamas. * Bourbon tasting. * Scott Galloway discussion. * Comment of the week. 🎤 📣🎤 📣 If you are a loyal listener, please consider forwarding this to someone else...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #48
This week’s topics: * Florida Man game. * Have you ever been sued? * Opting out of bowl games. * Marjorie Taylor Greene. * Comment of the week! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com
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SilentPunt Podcast, #47
Fox Sports rules analyst Steve Strimling joins us this week for the December SilentPunt interview. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com
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SilentPunt Podcast, #46
This Week: (please heart / rate / review / subscribe…wherever you listen or watch) * Thanksgiving Stickers & Gassers. * Dick Cheney funeral & legacy. * ACT test and buying answers. * Validation, internal or external? * Scott Galloway giving relationship advice. * Comment of the week!!! 🎙️…
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SilentPunt Podcast, #45
This week’s topics: * Mentalists * Gambling beards * Accents in America * CFB Playoffs * Commenter of the week! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com
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SilentPunt Podcast, #44
* Weekly sticker & gasser. * YouTube TV / Disney-ESPN dispute. * How much $ college QBs are making. * Male mani-pedis. * Vegan food (🤮 😂) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com
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SilentPunt Podcast, #43
November 5, 2025 This week I interview Aaron Blackshear from the Houston Rockets. Aaron switched careers midstream, going from being an actuary to working in NBA data analytics departments. Here is a timeline of the interview if you’d like to jump around: * Intro / Get to know Aaron. * Changing...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #42
October 29, 2025 * Which kid do you talk about first? * Dreams & evolution. * Referees. * Next Penn State head coach predictions. 🏈 💰🏈 💰 🏈 💰 $100 Bet Update: * Last week: Won our parlay for $56. * Season totals: $6 overall, 5-4 in parlays, 16-6 picking games. * This week: Parlay Mississippi...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #41
October 22, 2025 * Vibrators (😳) * Who’s worse: Lobbyists or Football Boosters? * Dreams * Tik Tok *$100 Bet Update: * Last week: 1-2 parlays, 4-2 in games * Overall: 4-4 parlays, 14-6 games * Total earnings: -$50 * This week: Alabama (-475) over South Carolina, Tennessee (-360) over Kentucky....
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SilentPunt Podcast, #40
October 15, 2025 * Shi**y jobs. * Portland / Ice videos. * Work-life balance. * Football Fans / Penn State situation. **$100 pick updates: * We went 2-0 last week in our parlays (4-0 games) * Our earnings for the season are at -$5, and we have a 4-3 record in parlays and a 10-4 overall record in...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #39
October 8, 2025: My old bud Brian Henesey joins us this week for the inaugural SilentPunt Interview. Brian was instrumental in my young life, and has subsequently had a kick-ass career. (Audio gets a little wonky for about 10 seconds in the middle, feel free to fast forward) Over the course of…
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SilentPunt Podcast, #38
* Programming note: We are super excited to announce that next week will be our first installment of the SilentPunt Interviews! Our guest is a former NFL player turned entrepreneur. Should be fun! October 1, 2025 * Conspiracies * MLB playoffs & ‘crafty’ pitchers * What we’re reading * Tush Push…
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SilentPunt Podcast, #37
September 24, 2025 * Physical activity and longevity. * How would you like to be buried. * How to create a new habit. * $100 pick. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com
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SilentPunt Podcast #36
September 17, 2025 * Response to Charlie Kirk’s murder * Nepal & the mainstream media * Ozempic and muscle mass * $100 pick 🏈 💵 🏈 💵 (ERRORS: Carson Wentz is Minnesota’s backup QB, not Washington’s) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get…
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SilentPunt Podcast, #35
September 10, 2025 * Social Security (please help us!) * When is it ok for a woman to bother a man? * Howard Stern * Make some 💵 💵 💵 betting college football. If you haven’t subscribed yet please do so ASAP. Help us, Obi-Wan! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with…
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SilentPunt Podcast, #34
September 3, 2025 Did you know the NFL now owns a stake in ESPN? Well, as of last month, they do. But don’t fret, because guess who doesn’t own a stake in ESPN? That’s right, yours truly. Listen to this week’s episode for an honest and in-depth preview of NFL Quarterbacks this season. This is a...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #33
August 27, 2025 * How many black friends do you have? * Best put-downs. * WTF are the Democrats doing? * National Guard vs Army Reserve: What’s the difference? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com
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SilentPunt Podcast, #32
August 20, 2025 * Gerrymandering * Can we believe anything on the internet? * Teenagers. Ugh. * Greatest athletes you’ve never heard of. I realize I called Travis a dork at the beginning of the broadcast without providing an explanation. Here’s why: Subscribe here for weekly shenanigans This is a...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #31
Intro: Helmet Sticker / Gassers Topic #1: Do you miss playing football? Topic #2: NFL rule change. Topic #3: Who does your kid’s laundry? Topic #4: Canadian Wildfires. * Note from last week: Moorea - We love Romanian deadlifts! However, for someone that has never lifted before, we think this is a...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #30
This Week: * Worst jobs we’ve ever had * Credit Unions? (Yo Matt Cyr, help us out in the comments!) * Home Run robberies * Israel-Gaza Help spread the word, click the link below to share this podcast with a friend…. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other…
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SilentPunt Podcast, #29
This week we are joined by guest host Matt Cyr, writer of A Sport in Storytelling. (Subscribe to him if you haven’t already!) This week’s topics: * Foods we miss. Henny from Philly and Matt from the south. * RIP Hulk Hogan, and, is pro wrestling a sport? * How we feel about College Football now…
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SilentPunt Podcast, #28
Week of July 21: * New! Helmet sticker & gassers * How to cheat at sporting tests * Best advice you’ve ever received * Soccer (🤮🙈) * Parenting fail: screentime Did a thoughtful friend forward this email to you? Subscribe for free below to become one of us. (we’re cool, I promise!!) This is a...
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SilentPunt Podcast, #27
This week: Entertainment: Best Music Era Ever Health: Sickness and jobs News: Liberia speaks English??? Parenting: College choices Bonus: Data Analytics This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com
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SilentPunt Podcast, #26
Topics: * Debt * Attention spans * Elon Musk’s new political party * Meditation To have this glorious podcast delivered to you weekly, throw your email in here. You can also check us out on Apple or Spotify. Name that t-shirt…. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does SilentPunt Podcast have?
SilentPunt Podcast currently has 72 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is SilentPunt Podcast about?
Conversations with authors, athletes, and people who didn't take the straight path. www.silentpunt.com
How often does SilentPunt Podcast release new episodes?
SilentPunt Podcast has 72 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to SilentPunt Podcast?
You can listen to SilentPunt Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts SilentPunt Podcast?
SilentPunt Podcast is created and hosted by Henny Hiemenz.
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