Podcast Summary: Casuals with Katie Nolan
Episode Title: Ohtani, Quarterbacks Both Good and Cheeks, and a Very Casual NBA Preview
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Katie Nolan (with Isabella, Chris, and Brady)
Main Theme / Purpose
This episode of Casuals with Katie Nolan delivers a lighthearted, banter-filled roundup of current sports stories, spanning the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s athlete inclusion, mailbag on the joys and perils of mixed-fandom dating, MLB playoff madness, quarterback “cheeks” rankings across the NFL, NBA season preview-with-vibes, plus a primer on the upcoming Sports Equinox. The tone is casual, welcoming “sports-curious” listeners as well as die-hards, with comedic asides, pop culture detours, and relatable tangents.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show & Social Media Rage-Bait
[01:31–09:01]
- Angel Reese & Suni Lee—first pro athletes to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway. Katie’s algorithm frames online debate as polar opposite “too woke”/“not woke enough.”
- Rage-bait Algorithms: Katie highlights how contrasting viral stories are framed to stoke engagement and outrage:
"We gotta be really vigilant about rage bait. It’s just a fashion show for underpants." — Katie [05:36]
- Physicality of the Show: Models reportedly wear 50 lbs. of wings—“they’re all basically athletes.”
- Learning to “walk” like a model: Tyra Banks/America’s Next Top Model quotes; walking is a skill (not obvious to the guys on the podcast).
2. Mailbag: Dating Across Rival Teams & More
[10:00–21:07]
Can You Date a Fan of Your Rival Team?
- Listener Cody asks: “Can you date someone who loves the team you hate?”—he’s from North Dakota and can’t imagine dating a Minnesota fan.
- Team mascots confusion: Brief comic confusion about team nicknames.
- Consensus:
- Isabella: Possible, but hard unless you share a non-contentious team elsewhere (“bond via baseball if you can’t in basketball”).
“What has helped me and my boyfriend… is we bond for baseball, which is nice. I’m dreading basketball season.” — Isabella [12:10]
- Chris & Katie: If the rivalry is your “big sports hate,” it’s probably not sustainable for a serious relationship.
“You need to always protect your biggest sports hate from any love whatsoever.” — Katie [15:30]
- Isabella: Possible, but hard unless you share a non-contentious team elsewhere (“bond via baseball if you can’t in basketball”).
- Lighthearted conclusion: Playfulness is fine, but “biggest sports hate” is best untouched.
Ski Orienteering
- A listener reports discovering this niche sport while traveling.
- Team riffs on the danger and weirdness of map-reading on skis:
“If I have a risk of getting lost, I wanna have a rifle over my shoulder.” — Brady [17:35]
- General confusion and amusement; love for random international sports TV.
“Raw dogging” Youth Lingo and Sports Slang
- Middle school teacher Carrie updates on new usage: now means wearing sandals without socks.
- Katie laments kids “evolving” word meanings in ways that make adults deeply uncomfortable.
“I maintain that knowing the truth of where it comes from doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable when a child is using it.” — Katie [19:51]
- Best parent tactic: just start using the phrase yourself to make it uncool.
3. MLB Playoffs: Mariners, Blue Jays & Historic Dodgers
[23:48–34:22]
Mariners vs. Blue Jays Game 7 Predictions
- Podcast timing fun: Hosts record before Game 7, make “predictions” for a result listeners already know (“we are Schrödinger’s sports podcast”).
- Isabella “decides” the Mariners won. Katie agrees, referencing a Mariners “time traveler” fan theory.
- Reminder: “Don’t repeat any of this as fact—we’re recording Monday!”
Shohei Ohtani’s Unbelievable Postseason Game
- Historic statline: Three home runs AND ten strikeouts in six shutout innings to clinch the NL pennant for the Dodgers, in a sweep.
- Katie and crew stunned: “One of the greatest individual performances in sports history.”
“This is essentially if Beyoncé released both Renaissance and Cowboy Carter in the same year.” — Brady [33:03]
- Shohei’s dual-threat, “helping himself” on both sides of the ball awes cohosts.
4. NFL Roundup: Are Your QBs “Cheeks”?
[35:45–51:38]
Inspired by Robert Griffin III’s memorable:
“Yeah, Jason, that kick was cheeks.” [36:01]
- The segment:
- Katie, Chris, Isabella, and Brady grade QBs as “Cheeks” (bad) or “Not Cheeks” (not bad) after notable Week 7 games.
- Quick hits:
- Commanders (Jaden Daniels): Cheeks, but got injured, “poor guy.”
- Rams (Matthew Stafford): Definitely Not Cheeks (five TDs in a London game).
- Jets (Justin Fields): Cheeks, harshly so.
- Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes): Not Cheeks (“we spent two weeks panicking… they’re back”).
- Dolphins (Tua Tagovailoa): Cheeks (“three meals, all delivered to the wrong house”).
- Patriots (Drake Maye): Not Cheeks (record completion %).
- Giants (Jackson Dart): Not Cheeks, but “fourth quarter defense was stupid ass shit” – Brian Burns quote [48:23].
- Eagles Tush Push: Vikings tried odd tactic—player lays on ground—failed.
“Call this the stop for tush push is tummy time.” — Katie [51:07]
- Running theme: Goofy analogies, relatable laments about fandom, and a willingness to laugh at the league’s quirks.
5. College Football: UNC, Bill Belichick & Pablo Torre’s Pablo-ganda
[52:07–58:21]
- Pablo Torre’s reporting on Bill Belichick and UNC’s behind-the-scenes dysfunction, centering on Jordan Hudson’s meddling in show production (frustration relayed hilariously by Katie).
- Katie relates to creative chaos and the peril of being “voluntold” to deal with surprise difficult content under the influence.
- Larger point: The “yes-manification” around powerful sports figures can breed dysfunction—Bill “lets anyone weigh in” with no pushback.
6. NBA Season Preview — Vibes Edition
[60:05–82:18]
Best Off-Season Stories
- 76ers “benching 2.5 lbs” viral goof: Player mocked for light weights in uniform reveal photo. UCL injury the next day.
- Rookie hazing: Car tire in locker, popcorn in car; Shaq “pranks” were just dangerous (bucket of pee).
“That’s not a prank, that’s just mean!” — Katie [65:24]
- Malone “birthday parade” prank: Actually city’s Pioneer Day parade; well-played and gentle humbling.
- LeBron’s “Decision 2” (Hennessy ad): Fan sues LeBron, believing he was retiring—not an ad.
“This feels like a classic Judge Judy case.” — Brady [70:13]
- JJ Redick talks to ChatGPT for 90 min: Katie expresses concern about “AI psychosis” and coaches going down AI rabbit holes.
Team Vibes and Brief Analysis by Chris
- 76ers: Middle of the pack; too many injuries. Knicks & Cavs forecast as strong.
- Lakers: Should be a comfortable playoff team if LeBron’s healthy.
- Celtics: Could finish anywhere 4–10; Miss media-coach scrimmage blowout (coaches 57-4), Missoula is “chaotic good.”
- Timberwolves: “Pretty good”—Anthony Edwards entering prime.
The Believe That Awards & “White Boy of the Year”
- Anthony Edwards’ award show (on YouTube): Timothy Chalamet wins “White Boy of the Year.”
“Leon Nelson is the best step towards remembering Liam Neeson’s name I’ve ever heard out loud.” — Katie [80:37]
- Other nominees: Adam Sandler, Tom Cruise, Mr. Beast, Pat McAfee.
7. Sports Equinox Primer
[85:50–91:48]
- Definition: All 4 major men’s US sports (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL) in regular season/postseason action on the same day (Monday, October 27, 2025).
- Games on the Slate: World Series Game 3 (Dodgers vs ???), MNF: Commanders vs. Chiefs, 11 NBA games, 2 NHL games.
- Conversation about best ways to “watch it all” (YouTube TV Multiview, drinking games, or just sampling).
- Katie: “It is the duality of man—this is the well-written.”
- Realistic confession: “It’s hard to care about regular season anything when other postseasons are happening. I’ll dabble.”
“Don’t stop working just as hard. You don’t need my eyeballs tonight.” — Katie [90:58]
8. What to Watch This Week (Chris’ Picks)
[91:48–95:45]
- NBA Season Opener Double Header: Rockets–Thunder (7:30 PM ET, Peacock); Warriors–Lakers (10 PM, Peacock)
- NHL: Panthers at Bruins (7:30 PM ET, ESPN)
- Side note: Bruins have been slumping since praised on-air; Chris tries to “reverse jinx.”
- Marchand anticipated return at TD Garden.
- NASCAR Playoffs: Sunday, 2 PM Eastern, NBC & Peacock. Ryan Blaney must-win situation to advance.
“Everybody send your good energy…we are rooting for a Ryan Blaney win.” — Katie [95:04]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On “rage-bait” and algorithmic division:
"We're being fed things that people know will make us go like, 'That’s not—' It can't be both at the same time. It’s just a fashion show for underpants." — Katie [05:36]
-
On mixed-fandom relationships:
"You need to always protect your biggest sports hate from any love whatsoever." — Katie [15:30]
-
On Shohei Ohtani’s postseason feat:
"It’s like if Beyoncé released Renaissance and Cowboy Carter in the same year." — Brady [33:03]
-
On NFL, “that kick was cheeks":
"Yeah, Jason, that kick was cheeks.” — RGIII soundbite, adopted throughout [36:01]
-
On NBA rookie hazing:
“I don’t like pranks in general. I am not the audience for pranks.” — Katie [64:09]
“Shaq… would dump a bucket full of his own urine on them. That’s… not a prank.” — Katie [65:24] -
On J.J. Redick’s AI use:
“I know therapy’s expensive. I also had seen he uses it as a therapist. I don’t think I’m going to be getting in on the AI stuff.” — Katie [73:54]
-
On Sports Equinox overload:
“It’s like my dad at a buffet—he feels a moral calling to have a little bit of everything.” — Katie [87:50]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Victoria’s Secret / Fashion Show + Ragebait: [01:31–09:01]
- Mailbag (mixed-fandom dating, ski orienteering, lingo): [10:00–21:07]
- MLB Playoffs, Mariners/Blue Jays, Ohtani: [23:48–34:22]
- NFL “Cheeks” QB roundup: [35:45–51:38]
- College Football saga (UNC/Belichick/Pablo Torre): [52:07–58:21]
- NBA Stories/Vibes Preview: [60:05–82:18]
- Sports Equinox Explainer & Chat: [85:50–91:48]
- What to Watch This Week: [91:48–95:45]
Tone & Style
- Fun, welcoming, and irreverent—feels like a hangout among sport-obsessed but never cliquish
- Balances analysis with self-aware humor, cultural references, and the experience of fandom in everyday life
- Frequent digressions and hypothetical scenarios, always looped back to main sports discussion
For New Listeners
This episode’s packed with sports news, pop culture, and the messy highs and lows of fandom. If you like your sports coverage as much about the people, the memes, and the vibes as about the stats, Casuals with Katie Nolan is your jam.