Badger Connect Podcast

Mike Heller, Badger Connect

The Badger Connect Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the people who shape Wisconsin Athletics.

Hosted by Mike Heller, this premium podcast and video series goes beyond the headlines with coaches, athletes, media members, and insiders from across the Wisconsin Badgers landscape. Each episode features a relaxed, long-form conversation designed to give fans access, insight, and stories you won’t find anywhere else.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Video episodes and full access are available at BadgerConnect.com.

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23 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes23

Newest first

Thursday · 51 min
Episode 22: Badger Football's Matt Jung & Chris Brooks Jr.
On Episode 22 of the Badger Connect Podcast, Mike Heller sits down with Wisconsin football teammates Matt Jung and Chris Brooks Jr. for a conversation that’s equal parts football and personality. From how their friendship developed to life inside the Badgers program, the two share stories, jokes, and a few moments fans probably haven’t heard before.
July 23 · 42 min
Episode 21: Badger Hockey’s Finn Brink & Grady Deering
Wisconsin men’s hockey teammates Finn Brink and Grady Deering join Mike Heller on Episode 21 of the Badger Connect Podcast!
July 16 · 40 min
Episode 20: Wisconsin Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst
Episode 20 of the Badger Connect Podcast features Wisconsin Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst.
July 9 · 34 min
Episode 19: Wisconsin Running Back Abu Sami III
Wisconsin’s newest running back, Abu Sama III, joins Mike Heller on Episode 19 of the Badger Connect Podcast.
July 2 · 37 min
Episode 18: Hayden Jones and Jackson Ball - Wisconsin Men’s Basketball
Episode 18 of the Badger Connect Podcast with Mike Heller features Wisconsin men’s basketball players Hayden Jones and Jackson Ball.
June 25 · 39 min
Episode 17: Ron Vincent - Wisconsin Hall of Fame Hockey Legend
Episode 17 of the Badger Connect Podcast with Mike Heller features Wisconsin hockey legend Ron Vincent.
June 18 · 48 min
Episode 16: Chris Solinsky - Wisconsin’s Director of Track & Field and Cross Country
Wisconsin Track & Field and Cross Country has a new leader, and it’s a familiar name for Badger fans. On Episode 16 of the Badger Connect Podcast, Mike Heller sits down with Chris Solinsky, the newly appointed Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Wisconsin.
June 11 · 47 min
Episode 15: Chris Clark - Wisconsin’s Director of Rowing
Episode 15: Chris Clark | Director of Rowing For nearly three decades, Chris Clark helped shape one of the most successful programs in Wisconsin Athletics history. Now serving as Wisconsin's Director of Rowing, Clark joins Mike Heller to discuss his remarkable journey, the evolution of Badger rowing, and what makes Wisconsin such a special place to build a championship culture
June 4 · 48 min
Episode 14: Wisconsin Basketball’s Zach Kinziger and Will Garlock
Episode 14 of the Badger Connect Podcast features Wisconsin Men’s Basketball players Zach Kinziger and Will Garlock.
May 28 · 47 min
Episode 13: Wisconsin QB Colton Joseph and David Joseph
Episode 13 of the Badger Connect Podcast features Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph and his father, David Joseph.
May 21 · 44 min
Episode 12: Pat Lambert - Wisconsin Football Director of Recruiting
On Episode 12 of the Badger Connect Podcast, Mike Heller sits down with Wisconsin Football Director of Recruiting Pat Lambert.
May 14 · 55 min
Episode 11: Brian Butch joins Badger Connect!
Former Wisconsin Basketball standout Brian Butch joins the Badger Connect Podcast to announce his new role as the Badger Connect Communities Relations Coordinator.
May 7 · 48 min
Episode 10: Hall of Fame Announcer Paul Braun
Mike Heller sits down with legendary Wisconsin broadcaster Paul Braun in Episode 10 of the Badger Connect Podcast. Paul shares stories from his Hall of Fame career, memories from decades covering Wisconsin athletics, and the moments that made him one of the most recognizable voices in Badger sports history.
April 30 · 47 min
Episode 9: Joe Thomas (Pro Football & Badger Hall of Famer)
Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas joins the show. Mike Heller sits down with Joe on location at Six Springs Farm, the home of his “Hall of Fame Beef,” for a wide-ranging conversation that goes beyond football. Joe reflects on his journey from Wisconsin to the NFL, what it took to sustain a Hall of Fame career, and the mindset behind his success.
April 23 · 44 min
Episode 8: Badger Basketball Assistant Coach Brad Davison
Former Wisconsin Basketball standout and current assistant coach Brad Davison joins the show.
April 16 · 54 min
Episode 7: The Voice of The Badgers Matt Lepay
The voice of the Badgers joins the show. Matt Lepay sits down with Mike Heller to reflect on his Hall of Fame broadcasting career and the moments that have defined Wisconsin athletics over the years. From stories behind the mic to his perspective on what makes a great play-by-play call, Matt gives a behind-the-scenes look at the craft of calling games at the highest level. The conversation also touches on his relationship with broadcasting legend Bob Uecker, how the role of a play-by-play anno
April 9 · 41 min
Episode 6: Charlie & Matt Fuerbringer on Volleyball, Badgers & Family
Charlie and Matt Fuerbringer join Mike Heller on Episode 6 of The Badger Connect Podcast. From growing up in a volleyball family to competing and coaching at the highest levels, the Fuerbringers share their journey through the sport and what’s shaped their success. Charlie talks about her experience at Wisconsin and what it means to be a Badger, while Matt reflects on his coaching career, Team USA experience, and the evolution of the game. The conversation dives into family dynamics, competiti
April 2 · 29 min
Episode 5: Wisconsin Hockey Coach Mike Hastings
Wisconsin Men’s Hockey Head Coach Mike Hastings joins Mike Heller as the Badgers prepare for the Frozen Four. Hastings shares insight into the team’s journey, what’s made this group special, and the mindset heading into college hockey’s biggest stage.
March 26 · 44 min
Episode 4: Wisconsin Football Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes
Wisconsin Football Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes joins Mike Heller on Episode 4 of The Badger Connect Podcast. Grimes shares his coaching journey, philosophy, and what excites him about building the Badgers’ offense in Madison.
March 19 · 42 min
Episode 3: Wisconsin Volleyball Coach Kelly Sheffield and Cathy Sheffield
In Episode 3 of The Badger Connect Podcast, host Mike Heller sits down with Wisconsin Volleyball Head Coach Kelly Sheffield and his wife Cathy.

Badger Connect Podcast

Episode 22: Badger Football's Matt Jung & Chris Brooks Jr.

Episode 21: Badger Hockey’s Finn Brink & Grady Deering

Episode 20: Wisconsin Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst

Episode 19: Wisconsin Running Back Abu Sami III

Episode 18: Hayden Jones and Jackson Ball - Wisconsin Men’s Basketball

Episode 17: Ron Vincent - Wisconsin Hall of Fame Hockey Legend

Episode 16: Chris Solinsky - Wisconsin’s Director of Track & Field and Cross Country

Episode 15: Chris Clark - Wisconsin’s Director of Rowing

Episode 14: Wisconsin Basketball’s Zach Kinziger and Will Garlock

Episode 13: Wisconsin QB Colton Joseph and David Joseph

Episode 12: Pat Lambert - Wisconsin Football Director of Recruiting

Episode 11: Brian Butch joins Badger Connect!

Episode 10: Hall of Fame Announcer Paul Braun

Episode 9: Joe Thomas (Pro Football & Badger Hall of Famer)

Episode 8: Badger Basketball Assistant Coach Brad Davison

Episode 7: The Voice of The Badgers Matt Lepay

Episode 6: Charlie & Matt Fuerbringer on Volleyball, Badgers & Family

Episode 5: Wisconsin Hockey Coach Mike Hastings

Episode 4: Wisconsin Football Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes

Episode 3: Wisconsin Volleyball Coach Kelly Sheffield and Cathy Sheffield