"Milan Magic" podcast with Brennan & Boitano

[Sylvia]

First 2 episodes are up on USA Today Sports' YouTube channel (and other podcast platforms):

Episode 1 (Jan. 10, 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru6g_z31MaM

Milan Magic is here! Olympic champion Brian Boitano and USA TODAY Sports columnist Christine Brennan launch their new show by sitting down with U.S. figure skating star Ilia Malinin, known worldwide as the “Quad God.” Malinin talks pressure, preparation, and chasing Olympic gold, while Boitano and Brennan also break down the biggest storylines and athletes you need to know as the road to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics begins.

Brennan & Boitano spoke to Ilia in Philadelphia at the "American Gold LIVE – Holiday Ice Spectacular" show on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Episode 2 (Jan. 12): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TCHeTrwFXA

Welcome back to another episode of Milan Magic. USA TODAY Sports columnist Christine Brennan and Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano give their analysis on the figure skaters chosen to represent Team USA in 2026 Winter Games. They dive deep on the selection process and explain why "quad god" Ilia Malinin delivered a safe performance at the national championship in St. Louis.
Then they catch up with 1960 Olympic gold medalist Carol Heiss Jenkins. She explains how she also switched up her long program on short notice and gives her thoughts on the women who were selected to represent USA in the Olympics.

 

[viennese]

I'm finally catching up on this podcast. Boitano and Brennan talk to Nancy Kerrigan and it's a great interview. One of the first times that I've heard Kerrigan really open up about her approach as an athlete and training between 1993 Worlds and the 1994 Olympics. Her work with a sports psychologist completely changed her training and competition prep. It's fascinating.

 

[DreamSkates]

Interesting that Brian said he didn't want Ilia to do both programs in the team event. That was probably one factor that took the wind out of Ilia's sails, for the individual long program.

 

[ice coverage]

Boitano's conversation with choreographer Katherine Hill is part of the Milan Magic episode that was published on Feb 17 (before Women's SP).
The twenty minutes or so with Katherine start at approx. 13:45.
I really enjoyed hearing Katherine discuss how she creates choreography for/with skaters.
(Not only Amber Glenn's FD, although Katherine has nothing but praise for Amber.)

"... Speaking of Amber Glenn, we caught up with her choreographer Katherin [sic] Hill to get an inside look at how her program was built. She also paints a picture of Glenn the person and what makes her special."​

https://youtu.be/N48gWzyNvwU?si=8PAQ3_foyRNLXbTT&t=825​

(I would have put this post into a thread devoted to the choreographic process, but could not find one.)

Also in the same episode:

"First, we hear from Olympic legend Kristi Yamaguchi to get her take on the "Blade Angels" Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito."​