Jessica Mendoza joins Justin Kutcher to relive a lifetime of standout sports moments — from her gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics to her rise as a national broadcaster for ESPN and the Dodgers. We get the backstory behind her unforgettable collision at home plate that landed her on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and the childhood lessons from her football-coaching dad that shaped her fearless playing style. Jessica reflects on her time at Stanford, navigating elite academics while becoming one of the best hitters softball has ever seen.

She also takes us inside the Olympic Village alongside legends like Michael Phelps and Kobe Bryant, opens up about being a woman in the male-dominated world of baseball, and shares what it’s like watching Shohei Ohtani elevate the game from the Dodgers booth.

This is a raw, funny, and deeply inspiring conversation about performance, preparation, and pride.

Subscribe to catch every behind-the-scenes sports moment.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

• (00:00:00) — Jessica joins the show + Olympic intro

• (00:05:12) — From baseball with the boys to softball stardom

• (00:12:43) — The Stanford decision and academic pressure

• (00:20:48) — That Olympic collision and Sports Illustrated cover

• (00:27:06) — Olympic Village, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Phelps

• (00:34:19) — From Dodger fan to Dodgers broadcaster

• (00:36:50) — Mendoza’s favorite Women’s College World Series memory

• (00:39:10) — Final reflections + fun moments with Justin

• 
  

  💡 KEY TOPICS

  📌 Olympic softball + 2004 gold medal legacy

  📌 Mendoza’s iconic home plate collision vs. Greece

  📌 Navigating Stanford as an elite student-athlete

  📌 Broadcasting MLB & Women’s College World Series

  📌 Inside the Olympic Village with Kobe & Phelps

  📌 Coaching influences from her football dad

  📌 Representation and resilience in male-dominated spaces

  
  

  ⚾️ About Jessica Mendoza

  Jessica Mendoza is a trailblazing athlete and broadcaster. A four-time All-American at Stanford, she won gold with Team USA softball in the 2004 Olympics. She has since become a prominent voice in baseball, covering the MLB for ESPN and calling games for the LA Dodgers. Her insights, experience, and passion for the game make her one of the most respected analysts in sports media today.

  
  

  🎙️ About The JustIn Time Podcast

  The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As a veteran broadcaster, Justin Kutcher shares unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who offer behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

  
  

  🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

  
  

  #JessicaMendoza #TeamUSA #TheJustInTimePodcast #OlympicSoftball #BehindTheScenesSports #DodgersBaseball #SportsIllustratedMoments

Few voices in sports are as instantly recognizable—or as deeply woven into the fabric of American athletics—as Joe Buck. Hall of Fame broadcaster, longtime voice of Major League Baseball and the NFL on Fox, and now the lead announcer for Monday Night Football, Joe joins us for an unfiltered, heartfelt conversation. We revisit his front-row seat to history, from calling Mark McGwire’s record-breaking home run to sharing the booth with his father, Jack Buck, and reflecting on the emotional return of baseball after 9/11. Joe opens up about the pressure of big moments, the importance of authenticity, and what it means to carry on a family legacy in sports. We also dive into the lighter side of broadcasting, mentorship, and the behind-the-scenes stories that only someone who’s “been there” can tell. If you love sports, storytelling, and the human side of greatness, this episode is for you.

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:01:00) – Justin introduces Joe Buck and their personal connection

(00:03:36) – Joe’s childhood in the booth and growing up around baseball

(00:06:13) – First memories at the ballpark and lessons from Jack Buck

(00:10:04) – Early career, maturity, and breaking into national broadcasts

(00:14:41) – Family in the booth: raising daughters and the lighter side of broadcasting

(00:16:44) – Staying calm before big games: rituals, humor, and crew camaraderie

(00:20:41) – Super Bowl prep, nerves, and focusing on the big moments

(00:21:16) – Barry Bonds at Yankee Stadium: calling the game vs. relying on notes

(00:24:48) – Broadcasting philosophy: instincts vs. analytics and the “old school” approach

(00:27:25) – Bruce Bochy, Joe Maddon, and the evolution of managing in baseball

(00:37:22) – Myths about drinking in the booth and classic Mike Shannon stories

(00:40:26) – Calling games with his dad: mentorship, guidance, and sharing big moments

(00:43:26) – Calling Mark McGwire’s record-breaking home run: behind the scenes

(00:45:35) – The pressure of making the right call on historic moments

(00:47:30) – Scripted vs. spontaneous home run calls and paying homage to history

(00:52:30) – 9/11, Jack Buck’s poem, and the emotional return of baseball

(00:56:26) – Signing autographs, fan interactions, and lessons from his father

(01:00:25) – Making mistakes on air, forgiveness, and moving forward

(01:06:42) – Partnership with Troy Aikman and building chemistry in the booth

(01:09:51) – Rapid fire: favorite World Series, most nervous moments, and best athletes seen

(01:16:41) – Greatest athletes and final reflections on career and mentorship

💡Key Topics:

📌 Joe Buck’s journey from the broadcast booth as a kid to national icon

📌 The pressure and privilege of calling sports history (McGwire, 9/11, World Series)

📌 Family legacy: lessons from Jack Buck and sharing the booth

📌 The evolution of sports broadcasting: stats, instincts, and authenticity

📌 Mentorship, mistakes, and the human side of sports media

📌 Behind-the-scenes stories with legendary athletes and broadcasters

🎤 About Joe Buck:

Joe Buck is a Hall of Fame sportscaster, the voice of Monday Night Football, and former lead play-by-play announcer for MLB and NFL on Fox. Known for his iconic calls and deep family legacy, Joe has covered some of the most historic moments in sports. His unique perspective and storytelling have made him a beloved figure for generations of fans.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

#JoeBuck #JustInTimePodcast #JustinKutcher #SportsPodcast #MLB #NFL #SportsBroadcasting #BaseballHistory #MondayNightFootball

This week on The JustIn Time Podcast, we sit down with Paul Biancardi—ESPN’s National Recruiting Director, 2004 Horizon League Coach of the Year, and former assistant to basketball giants like Tom Thibodeau, Rick Majerus, and Mike Jarvis. We journey through Paul’s decades-long career, from his gritty days as a walk-on at Salem State under Thibodeau, to his pivotal roles in Boston College’s legendary upsets and Ohio State’s Final Four run. Paul shares never-heard stories about coaching against legends like Dean Smith, Bobby Knight, and John Thompson, and breaks down the physical, no-mercy culture of the 90s Big East. He opens up about his transition to ESPN, how he evaluates high school talent, and the evolution of the game. If you love behind-the-scenes basketball tales, coaching wisdom, and the human side of sports, you won’t want to miss this episode. Subscribe and join us for a courtside seat to basketball history!

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:00:12) - Justin introduces Paul Biancardi and their broadcasting history

(00:05:23) - Paul’s playing days at Salem State under Tom Thibodeau

(00:12:47) - Coaching journey: From Boston University with Mike Jarvis to Boston College

(00:18:35) - The 1994 Boston College upset over North Carolina—game plan and execution

(00:25:18) - Big East battles: Facing Mourning, Mutombo, Iverson, and the era’s intensity

(00:34:42) - Prepping for legends: Dean Smith, Bobby Knight, and coaching strategies

(00:45:10) - Lessons from Rick Majerus and the art of teaching basketball

(00:58:05) - ESPN recruiting: Evaluating high school stars and changes in the game

(01:10:22) - Rapid fire: Best players, biggest hits and misses, and favorite Celtics memories

(01:20:33) - Reflections on coaching, media, and the relationships built over a lifetime in basketball.

💡Key Topics:

📌 Coaching legends: Tom Thibodeau, Rick Majerus, Mike Jarvis, and their impact

📌 Big East basketball in the 90s—physicality, rivalries, and iconic players

📌 Game planning for upsets: Boston College’s run and beating North Carolina

📌 High school recruiting: Evaluating talent, biggest hits and misses, and today’s challenges

📌 Behind-the-scenes stories: Locker room tales, coaching philosophies, and memorable games

📌 Evolution of the game: Shot clock debate, player IQ, and the rise of international talent

🏀 About Paul Biancardi:

Paul Biancardi is ESPN’s National Recruiting Director for boys high school basketball and a lead analyst for ESPN’s showcase events. A former Horizon League Coach of the Year at Wright State, Biancardi served as a top assistant at Boston College, Ohio State (Final Four 1999), and St. Louis under Rick Majerus. He’s renowned for his eye for talent, deep coaching pedigree, and storytelling ability.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

#PaulBiancardi #ESPN #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #Recruiting #BostonCollege #OhioState #RickMajerus #TomThibodeau #BasketballStories #JustInTimePodcast #JustinKutcher #SportsPodcast #SportsInterview #BasketballLegends