Ice Talk podcast (season 5) with new host Mirai Nagasu

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"Host Mirai Nagasu and Producer Tara Wellman welcome you back to a new season of (modified) international competition ahead of the scheduled Grand Prix season kickoff event -- Skate America in Las Vegas."

Virtual Competitions, Cardboard Fans, and Skate America

Listen to this episode from Ice Talk on Spotify. Host Mirai Nagasu and Producer Tara Wellman welcome you back to a new season of (modified) international competition ahead of the scheduled Grand Prix season kickoff event -- Skate America in Las Vegas.

open.spotify.com

Alternate link to listen: https://icetalk.libsyn.com/virtual-competitions-cardboard-fans-and-skate-america

 

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Oct 29, 2020:

Ice Talk: Skate America and a Choreography Lesson

Over the weekend, Mirai Nagasu took in the competition at Skate America in Las Vegas while Tara Wellman watched from home. But, which programs stood out no matter the viewing experience? And how do programs like that come to be? Mirai talks to former competitor and aspiring choreographer Alex...

icetalk.libsyn.com

Over the weekend, Mirai Nagasu took in the competition at Skate America in Las Vegas while Tara Wellman watched from home. But, which programs stood out no matter the viewing experience? And how do programs like that come to be?

Mirai talks to former competitor and aspiring choreographer Alex Johnson to find out the process of choreographing for Grand Prix competitors.

 

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Nov. 12 episode:

All That Glitters

Listen to this episode from Ice Talk on Spotify. This week, Host Mirai Nagasu and Producer Tara Wellman revisit some highlights from Cup of China, and then talk "packaging" - not boxes and tape, but sparkles and makeup! The aesthetic element of figure skating sets it apart, but how important is...

open.spotify.com

This week, Host Mirai Nagasu and Producer Tara Wellman revisit some highlights from Cup of China, and then talk "packaging" - not boxes and tape, but sparkles and makeup!

The aesthetic element of figure skating sets it apart, but how important is it to the athletes? ...or to the judges?

But, not all that glitters is golden. U.S. Champion and Olympic Team Member Rachael Flatt joins Mirai later in the show to talk about the mental and physical challenges facing athletes in a world full of comparison, criticism, and naturally, competitiveness.

 

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Nov. 29, 2020 episode:

Ice Talk: Off Ice Impact

On this episode of Ice Talk, Mirai and Tara look back at a wild weekend at Rostelecom Cup featuring an impressive win by The Empress -- and fellow triple axel queen -- herself, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. Later in the show, off-ice expert Kat Arbour joins the show to talk about how what skaters do...

icetalk.libsyn.com

On this episode of Ice Talk, Mirai and Tara [Wellman] look back at a wild weekend at Rostelecom Cup featuring an impressive win by The Empress -- and fellow triple axel queen -- herself, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva.

Later in the show, off-ice expert Kat Arbour joins the show to talk about how what skaters do off the ice impacts what they can do on it... even when ice time is at a minimum, like this year.

 

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Dec. 10th episode is titled Shop Talk - Tools of the Trade: https://icetalk.libsyn.com/shop-talk-tools-of-the-trade

Between the ice dance debut of Daisuke Takahashi and the curious boot choices of Mana Kawabe, the Grand Prix's finale at NHK Trophy created plenty to talk about.

Plus, Brian Boitano joins the show to dig deeper into the challenges and changes of skating equipment through the years. Then, a true skate expert in Jonathan English stops by to explain the art of caring for the most important equipment of all -- boots and blades.

 

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Dec. 24, 2020:

Ice Talk: International Travel and Life in Quarantine

This time of year is typically headlined by travel home for the holidays for Team USA athletes. In 2020, though, that is just one more thing that is NOT business as usual. Just ask Madison Hubbell, Zach Donohue, and Jason Brown what it's like trying to travel internationally -- even within...

icetalk.libsyn.com

This time of year is typically headlined by travel home for the holidays for Team USA athletes. In 2020, though, that is just one more thing that is NOT business as usual.
Just ask Madison Hubbell, Zach Donohue, and Jason Brown what it's like trying to travel internationally -- even within North America -- during a pandemic! Non-essential travel is simply not in the cards. But what has life been like functioning within the ever-changing health and safety restrictions in Canada? How will it impact their presence at the U.S. Championships next month?
Plus, Mirai and Tara take a look at the qualifying athletes as the results from the virtual series are finalized.

 

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January 24, 2021:

Ice Talk: The Bubble Championships

After another competition week inside the figure skating bubble in Las Vegas, four national champions were crowned and World Teams were named. Host Mirai and Producer Tara break down what happened, what didn't, and how it all stacks up in light of an unconfirmed World Championships schedule...

icetalk.libsyn.com

After another competition week inside the figure skating bubble in Las Vegas, four national champions were crowned and World Teams were named. Host Mirai and Producer Tara break down what happened, what didn't, and how it all stacks up in light of an unconfirmed World Championships schedule.
Plus, Mirai catches up with now five-time U.S. men's champion Nathan Chen to talk about the pandemic altered season, what it means to join the likes of the sport's biggest legends in the history books, and how a five-quad free skate is even possible!

Nathan's interview runs from ~19-min. mark to 38:30.

ETA a 1-minute video clip: https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/1354154168794165251