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PODCAST · society

The Meatball Composer

by Christopher Teichler

I write music and love Chicago sports.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 15, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Episode 100 - The 100th Episode!!

    A milestone episode! Thanks for helping the show get to 100 episodes! Mark Janzen joins me to talk about the Bears recent moves, draft possibilities, check-in with the Cubs and Cardinals, and....a big announcement for the future of this silly podcast.

  2. Episode 99 - MLB Week 1 Hot Takes, Bears Draft Talk

    After week one of the 2021 MLB season, Mark joins me to check in on my Cubs and his Cardinals. Also, we start talking about mock drafts and Bears expectations, and how the Pace/Nagy train wreck will look to buy themselves more time. This is episode 99! Thank you for those that have been listening...

  3. Episode 98 - Double Episode! Some Church Music, Some Baseball, Some Bears

    After a week hiatus, we've got a double-length episode for this week! First up is a discussion with James Gilliland, a composer and church musician, talking about his organization Diverse Church Music. We talk this, as well as some Chicago sports discussion! If you are part of a church music...

  4. Episode 97 - Bears Cut Kyle Fuller, Reaction

    What is going on?? What's the plan? More questions with the Bears as they cut one of their best players after overpaying for Andy Dalton. Mark and I weigh in.

  5. Episode 96 - Reaction to the Bears Signing Andy Dalton

    Mark and I discuss the Bears signing Andy Dalton to a one-year deal. What does this mean? What is the long term plan? Is there one? Ryan Pace out Paces himself, and we discuss.

  6. Episode 95 - Bears Tag Allen Robinson, Wilson Rumors Sticking Around, Mark Has a New Book!

    Allen Robinson will be with the Bears for the 2021 season, as he has been slapped with the franchise tag. Hopefully, this is a step towards a long deal. Mark and I talk about this, as well as the Russell Wilson/Bears rumors that still won't go away! And, Mark is the editor of a new book that is...

  7. Episode 94 - Russell Wilson Bears Talk

    Probably won't happen. But...could it? Is there really a chance the Beloved could trade for Russell Wilson? Mark Janzen and I discuss if these rumors carry any weight, and how much. And, if such a trade happened, what would it cost?

  8. Episode 93 - Back From the Bitter Cold

    After a week hiatus, we're back! Mark is thawed out and we discuss the Bears lack of moves so far, and wonder what the heck they plan to do with quarterback. But hey, it won't be Carson Wentz!!

  9. Episode 92 - Dr. Ryan Stokes on his book, "The Satan"

    In a departure from the normal show content, I talk with old testament theologian and author Dr. Ryan Stokes about his recent book, “The Satan: How God’s Executioner Became the Enemy.” Dr. Stokes teaches religion at Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN.

  10. Episode 91 - SB LV Postgame and Discussion, Bears/Wentz Rumors Remain

    Mark and I put a bow on the 2020 football season by talking about Bucs SB win. Then the HOF class, and Bears QB pontificating.

  11. Episode 90 - Preview of "Big Game LV," Bears QB Rumors

    Mark and I discuss the Chiefs/Bucs SB, Wentz to the Bears rumor, Stafford to the Rams and the Lions are still the Lions.

  12. Episode 89 - Super Bowl LV is Set; Bears get a D Coordinator, QB Pandemonium!

    Even the the Bears are out of it, there's plenty to talk about! The Packers were eliminated, every team wants a new QB, the Bears pick a Fangio disciple in Desai to run their defense. Mark and I talk football!

  13. Episode 88 - Bears Talk: Need a Defensive Coordinator, Who’s Da QB??

    Mark and I discuss the Bears taking their sweet time to find a new defensive coordinator, and wonder about the next QB, and what it would take to trade for DeShaun Watson.

  14. Episode 87 - The Bears Trainwreck Press Conference

    After a horrible end to a mediocre season, the Bears put a cherry on top of the turd sundae with a press conference that was simply maddening. Mark Janzen and I pontificate.

  15. Episode 86 - Bears Lose Wildcard to Saints

    Not only did the Chicago Bears lose to the Saints, they looked terrible. Mark and I review the game, talk about things that are concerning long term, and pontificate on off-season changes.

  16. Episode 85 - Bears/Saints Playoff Preview

    The Bears will face New Orleans in the wild card round of the NFC playoffs. They are huge underdogs. Can they win? What do they have to do? Plus, Mark and I look at the rest of the playoff matches this weekend. Da Bearsss...

  17. Episode 84 - Bears Lose to the Packers but Make the Playoffs

    So many different feelings about this, because losing to the Packers means we're still not good, but the season is still alive. Complex and complicated scenario, Mark and I discuss.

  18. Episode 83 - Will the Bears Make the Playoffs?

    The Bears either have to beat Green Bay, or have the Rams beat Arizona. Personally, the latter is the most likely scenario for the Bears to clinch a spot! But who know? Mark and I discuss.

  19. Episode 82 - The Bears Playoffs Hopes are Alive and Well!

    The Bears take care of business and beat Jacksonville 41 - 17, Mark and I discuss the tale of the Bears teams we saw. And, they're still in it! They can make the playoffs by beating Green Bay next week, or if the Cardinals lose to the Rams. Week 17 matters, and that feels good.

  20. Episode 81 - The Confusing 2020 Bears

    Mark and I talk about how the Bears might finish up the season, has Nagy earned the right to come back, what about Pace, what about Mitch...as Mark points out, there have been 3 different Bears teams this year, which is the real one??

  21. Episode 80 - The Mandalorian and the Future of Star Wars

    This episode I'm joined by Nathan Montgomery, PhD philosophy student and contributing editor at artandthekingdom.org to talk about The Mandalorian and the historic season 2 finale, as well as the future of the Star Wars franchise.

  22. Episode 79 - They're Still Alive! Bears back to .500

    A 33 - 27 win over the Vikings means the Bears still have playoff hopes. But...is that good, looking at things for the long-term? Mark Janzen and I discuss.

  23. Episode 78 - The Bears Roller Coaster Continues!

    After the collapse against Detroit and a 6-game losing streak, it seemed like the Bears would be blowing everything up and starting over. But...a convincing win over Houston, and seemingly rejuvenated defense, and a third straight good game for Trubisky...now what? Mark Janzen and I discuss these...

  24. Episode 77 - Bears Beat the Texans, Break the Losing Streak

    The Bears break their 6-game skid with a pummeling of the Texans. It's the first time the Bears have beaten Houston.

  25. Episode 76 - Bears Hitting Rock Bottom

    After a 5-1 start, the Bears are now 5-7 and spiraling. Changes are coming, we just don't know when and to what extent. Dr. Mark Janzen joins me to talk about the soul-crushing loss to the Lions and what happens next.

  26. Episode 75 - The Packers Embarrass the Bears. Again.

    Here we go again. The Bears are bad, and Green Bay puts it on display on national television. So sick of this. Mark Janzen joins me to talk about what happened, what's going to happen with this team.

  27. Episode 74 - Mitch is Back! And that means....what for the Bears?

    Can the Bears pull off the upset against Green Bay? No. Well, maybe if....no. But we’re still talking about it!

  28. Episode 73 - Nagy’s Bears are Done

    The Matt Nagy era is over, all but officially. Mark and I lament the lack of progress these 3 years, and look,for any bright spots. Also, my thank you to Theo Epstein.

  29. Episode 72 - Losing Hope In Nagy, Bears

    A 3 game losing streak. But more than that, the Bears are regressing every week, going back to 2018. Lots of questions, no answers. Lovely.

  30. Episode 71 - Bears Have COVID??

    Mark joins me to talk about the Bears news of the day: coronavirus has entered Halas Hall. We look back at the loss to the Saints, too.

  31. Episode 70 - Well, It’s Not Mitch After All

    After a pathetic outing against the Rams on Monday night, we now have enough data to say that Mitch Trubisky was not what was holding back the Bears offense.

  32. Episode 69 - The Bears Keep Winning!

    After consecutive wins over good teams, the Bears top their division but still get no respect. Should they?

  33. Episode 68 - The 4-1, disrespected Bears!

    Mark joins me to talk about the upcoming Bears and Panthers game, and some other big picture league things.

  34. Episode 67 - Bears Bucs Postgame

    The Bears beat Tom Brady for the first time! Mark and I break down what we saw.

  35. Episode 66 - The Bears are Who We Feared They Were

    After all the anticipation of a change at quarterback, the Bears have an even more pathetic performance on offense, losing their first of the year to the Colts. Mark Janzen and I break down. Break down the game, I mean....

  36. Episode 65 - 2020 MLB Playoffs, Bears /Colts Preview

    The Cubs drop the 1st game in a best of three to the Marlins, and the irrational fear with it! Then Mark Janzen jumps on to preview the Bears facing the Colts.

  37. Episode 64 - Another 4th Quarter Miracle! Bears beat Falcons

    Post game reaction with Mark on the Bears surprise win, and the Bears going forward.

  38. Episode 63 - Bears/Giants recap and Falcons Preview

    Mark and I discuss the frustrating win over the Giants, then look ahead to the Beloved facing the Falcons. The Bears are 2-0, but are they good? We don’t know!

  39. Episode 62 - Continuing Through Covid and Bears/Giants Preview

    Me having a therapeutic chat about the challenges of teaching through the pandemic. Then, Mark and I preview the Bears/Giants game this Sunday.

  40. Episode 61 - Bears Beat the Lions! Somehow!

    Immediate Bears/Lions post game analysis by the composer and archaeologist. What did we just see??

  41. Episode 60 - 2020 Football is Here!

    Mark joins me again to talk Bears season predictions, as well as Super Bowl champion predictions. It’s all meaningless and stupid, but kinda fun!

  42. Episode 59 - 2020 Bears Preview

    Dr. Mark Janzen joins me to discuss the 2020 Bears....and he provides a cold dose of reality.

  43. Episode 58 - Moved to Kansas, Cubs and Bears Catch-Up

    After a two month absence while moving from Texas to Kansas, I’m back! This episode is me reflecting on where the Cubs are and where the Bears hope to be this season.

  44. Episode 57 - Big Changes Coming in the Sports World

    A possible baseball season, racism and team name changes; the pandemic is reordering and reprioritizing some things!

  45. Episode 56 - A Little Philosophy, Theology, and Movies

    My guest today is Nathan Montgomery, a PhD student in Philosophy of Religion. We discuss Christian Apologetics, and get into a fun discussion about how certain movies address philosophical and theological ideas.

  46. Episode 55 - 2020 Bears Schedule and Predictions

    Mark Janzen PhD joins me once again to talk about expectations for the 2020 Bears (assuming there is a season!).

  47. Bears 2020 Draft

    So how did the Bears do (at least on paper) in this year’s draft? Dr. Mark Janzen weighs in. We touch a little on what in the world the Packers are thinking, too.

  48. Episode 53 - I’m Back! COVID-19 Life and NFL Draft Preview

    After a 6-month hiatus, the Meatball Composer is back! Coping with COVID-19, NFL draft, and what will the Bears do? Special guest: Dr. Mark Janzen.

  49. Episode 52 - Mourning the 2019 Cubs

    In a do or die 4 game series vs St. Louis at Wrigley, the Cubs surrender. But what’s worse than the Cubs performance? Cubs fans’ reactions. Also previewing Bears vs Redskins on Monday Night Football.

  50. Episode 51 - Missed Expectations

    The Cubs do not look like a contender, and the Bears do not look like their offense has improved. Woe is me.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

I write music and love Chicago sports.

HOSTED BY

Christopher Teichler

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Meatball Composer have?

The Meatball Composer currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Meatball Composer about?

I write music and love Chicago sports.

How often does The Meatball Composer release new episodes?

The Meatball Composer has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Meatball Composer?

You can listen to The Meatball Composer 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 The Meatball Composer?

The Meatball Composer is created and hosted by Christopher Teichler.
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