The Pretend Pros

Welcome to The Pretend Pros , the sports podcast where the takes are hot and the expertise is...questionable. We're two die-hard fans breaking down weekly stories in sports, from March Madness and college rivalries to whatever interesting story catches our eyes. One of us might know what we're talking about...the other is just here for the chaos. This is The Pretend Pros -- certified fans, uncertified experts.

The Pretend Pros is a society podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 27 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Pretend Pros, a society show with 27 episodes published.

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  Episode #28

  Episode 28: Confessions of an Uno Champion with Matt Eckert

  Sep 29, 202637 minS1

  The best sports story in this episode has nothing to do with a stadium. It starts with a 30-year Uno grudge, a framed check, and a friend group that takes card games way more seriously than it should. Jenny and Beth are joined by Beth's longtime friend, Matt Eckert, for a fast, funny, all-over-the-map conversation that turns into a surprisingly revealing look at competition, family, and why some people are built to keep score forever. If you love sports banter, sibling-level friendship chaos, and the kind of inside jokes that only come from decades of history, this one is for you. You'll discover: How a casual Uno rivalry turned into a decades-long bet with a very petty ending Why Matt insists "ping pong" is still the right name, no matter how elite the table gets The hilarious sports Matt would actually consider pretending to play, from badminton to bobsled How he became a full-on sports pipeline for The Pretend Pros Why IU fandom is basically a family trait, complete with campus-size debates, football optimism, and plenty of Purdue shade Matt also shares the reality of raising kids who live and breathe sports, from dance competitions that eat entire Saturdays to the emotional shift that comes when the last season ends. Along the way, the trio swaps stories about school boards, club sports, archery, lacrosse, and the strange joy of finding an Indiana connection in almost anything. At the center of it all is a bigger truth: sports are often just the excuse. The real story is the people, the rituals, the rivalries, and the lifelong friendships built in bleachers, living rooms, and on the losing end of a very memorable Uno game. Perfect for anyone who loves college sports, family sports stories, and episodes that feel like hanging out with friends who have been roasting each other for 30 years.

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  Episode #27

  Episode 27: Stopping the Run with Kolten Gajewski

  Sep 22, 202637 minS1

  Football gets a lot easier to understand when you hear it from a team captain who actually lives in the trenches. Indiana State defensive lineman, Kolten Gajewski, breaks down the hidden mechanics of the game, from the quarterback-to-D-line transition that forced him to rebuild his body to the technique behind stopping the run. If you think football is just size and speed, this conversation changes that fast. Jenny and Beth dig into how Kolten went from a record-setting high school quarterback in a tiny Illinois town to a Division I defensive lineman, team captain, and future grad juggling football and school. You'll discover: Why playing quarterback helped Kolten read offenses from the defensive side What an RPO really is, and why it matters How defensive line rotations work and why fresh bodies are everything The difference between looking strong and playing with true pad level and leverage Why run defense is the part of the D-line most fans completely underestimate Beth and Jenny also get Kolten talking about his family football legacy, including his dad's Indiana State connection and the experience of playing alongside his brother, a linebacker. He explains what being voted one of just six team captains means inside a 105-man locker room, what coaches actually expect from leaders, and why big-money games against programs like Purdue are about more than just showing up for the paycheck. Kolten also opens up about the offseason grind, the weirdly specific obsession with uniforms and jersey numbers, the music that actually gets him fired up, and the kind of trash talk that hits hardest. If you love football, hidden details, and the kind of insights that make you watch the trenches differently, this episode is for you.

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  Episode #26

  Episode 26: US Open Tennis, World Cup Basketball, & Football is Back

  Sep 15, 202632 minS1

  The Pretend Pros are on a roll of heartbreak and hot takes, and this week Jenny and Beth cover the sports moments that had everyone talking. From the US Open’s emotional finish and the rise of American tennis talent to the U.S. women’s basketball team reclaiming gold and a brutal college football weekend, this episode is packed with the wins, losses and everything in between. Jenny brings her tennis obsession to the table, breaking down why this year’s US Open felt different, what made the American men’s run so compelling, and why Ben Shelton, Francis Tiafoe, and Coco Gauff are so much fun to watch. Beth adds her usual sharp commentary, from the significance of the tournament’s sportsmanship and player camaraderie to the bigger-picture questions around who is really emerging as the future of the sport. Then the conversation shifts to women’s basketball, where Beth walks through the U.S. team’s path through the World Cup, the tight early games, the standout performances from Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young, and the tension of facing France with gold on the line. You’ll also hear why Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are becoming must-watch teammates, how Sue Bird is thinking about the next Olympics, and what this roster says about the future of USA Basketball. The final stretch goes full college football and NFL, with Ohio State’s painful loss to Texas, the weird magic of live mascots like Colorado’s Ralphie, and the kind of first-week NFL optimism that disappears fast. Jenny and Beth also get into the 49ers-Rams showdown in Australia, Myles Garrett’s injury concerns, and what early-season chaos means for the Browns, Panthers, and everyone else still pretending this is their year for the Super Bowl. Perfect for sports fans who love smart banter, real opinions, and the kind of commentary that flips between hilarious and heartfelt in the same breath. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ZMNP86BKBETTLJV1

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  Episode #25

  Episode 25: A League of Her Own with Veronica Peitersen

  Sep 8, 202639 minS1

  Softball looks simple until you hear what elite outfielders are actually tracking in real time. Veronica Peitersen, a Ball State outfielder and former New Braunfels Unicorn softball and track standout, breaks down the hidden strategy behind the game of softball, from tracking spin, wind, and sunballs to decoding slap hitters, rise balls, and the split-second decisions that separate a highlight reel play from a disaster. Beth Painter and Jenny Hoffman guide the conversation with Veronica, whose path from Texas softball and track to Division I competition is packed with lessons on speed, versatility, and mental toughness. Veronica shares what it took to play every inning in center field without an error, how a coach-built culture turned a five-year playoff drought into a regional semifinal run, and why being a great teammate matters just as much as being a great athlete. You'll discover: Why outfield play is more like route-running than casual catching How slap hitters change the entire defensive picture The difference between softball and baseball strike zones, pitches, and timing What “competitive excellence” actually looks like inside the locker room of a winning team Why playing a second sport can make you better, not busier Veronica also opens up about leadership, the grind of balancing training and academics, and the mindset that carried her through years of two-sport competition. If you’ve ever wondered what makes softball so fast, so technical, and so much harder than it looks, this episode will completely change how you watch the game. Perfect for softball fans, young athletes, parents, and anyone who loves hearing how confidence, culture, and sisterhood turn talent into real results. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: O2XR3HOGB8ZGDOCO

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  Episode #24

  Episode 24: Born to Throw...Javelin with Brett Jones

  Aug 25, 202631 minS1

  She broke a school record, nearly made nationals by a single centimeter, and is already ranked among the world’s best under-20 javelin throwers - all while still in college. Brett Jones reveals what it actually takes to compete in one of track and field’s most misunderstood events, and why “just throw it” is nowhere near enough. Co-hosts Jenny Hoffman and Beth Painter sit down with Brett Jones, a freshman at the University of Tennessee whose resume sounds impossible: a national title at eight, years of All-American finishes, a SEC breakthrough that set Tennessee records, and a fifth-place finish at the U20 USA Nationals. But behind the highlight reel is a story about mechanics, patience, and a sport that isn't as easy as it looks. You'll discover: Why javelin is a technique-first event, not a strength contest What a throw really feels like when the release is right or wrong How wind, foul lines, and javelin flex ratings change competition day Brett also shares what made the University of Tennessee the right fit, how she handled competing against older, more experienced athletes, and why the javelin community is surprisingly small and incredibly supportive. From backyard throws with her parents to Olympic-year ambitions, her path shows how far talent can go when it’s paired with the right coaching, discipline, and belief. If you’ve ever underestimated track and field, this episode will change the way you watch it. And if you’re an athlete, coach, or anyone chasing elite performance, Brett’s mindset around consistency, confidence, and staying out of her own head is worth hearing. Perfect for fans of college sports and stories about rising talent on the edge of something much bigger.

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