What do a San Diego hockey announcer and a Milwaukee DJ have in common? More than anyone might expect.

In The Small-Market Soundtrack, host Callan McClurg tells the remarkable story of a friendship forged across hundreds of miles and social media posts, beginning with a three-word hashtag: #DareToBe. That simple phrase sparked a connection between two professionals on opposite coasts, both navigating the unique challenges of sports in-game entertainment. From the very first moment Callan tuned into Shawna Nicols’ late-night mix shows on a Milwaukee radio station, to their earliest interactions online, the bond that grew was one built on rhythm, resilience, and an unwavering refusal to quit.

The episode traces their journey step by step. Callan recounts how he managed to sneak Shawna’s debut single into the music library at an Indoor Soccer game he was announcing—an early signal that their worlds were destined to intersect. As the story progresses, listeners hear how the two maintained their parallel paths in sports and music: Callan announcing games across San Diego, Shawna crafting live soundscapes for fans and maintaining energy in Milwaukee, and eventually, how both adapted when COVID-19 paused the sports world. During the pandemic, Callan was calling games in Irvine, California, while Shawna worked tirelessly to recreate the energy of NBA playoff game in the Orlando COVID bubble. Their parallel struggles showcased not just talent, but tenacity, creativity under pressure, and the grit required to thrive in small markets.

The narrative also highlights the human side of the story: the late nights, the missed sleep, and the constant push to make each moment resonate with fans. Both Callan and Shawna faced setbacks that could have derailed lesser individuals, yet they turned those challenges into opportunities for growth and impact. In 2021, their dedication culminated in championship rings, as Callan and the San Diego Sockers won the Major Arena Soccer League's Ron Newman Cup for the 15th title in the franchise's illustrious history, while Shawna and the Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA championship in 50 years. and the satisfaction of knowing their work had meaning beyond the spotlight.

Through it all, the episode illustrates how the personal and professional intertwine. It’s about music behind the moments, energy behind the arenas, and a friendship that sustained two ambitious individuals as they built careers in the trenches of small-market sports. This is a story of persistence, adaptation, and shared triumph—a testament to what can happen when two people from Milwaukee and San Diego refuse to let geography or circumstance define their path.

The Small-Market Soundtrack celebrates the beat that drives ambition, the rhythm of perseverance, and the truth that even in smaller markets, great stories—and great friendships—can be made.

⚠️ Note on Partnerships: This podcast was previously sponsored by Playback TV and powered by the Novig Sports Prediction Market. Please be advised that the partnership with Novig has expired due to the company ceasing operations in California and New York, and Playback TV ceased operations on December 12, 2025.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains explicit language and detailed discussions of alcoholism, legal issues, violence, and assault. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

In 2004, Matt Bush embodied the dream every small market kid grows up clinging to: the local phenom who makes it all the way. A hometown San Diego superstar at Mission Bay High School, he became the #1 overall pick of the Padres—an unprecedented triumph for the city and a point of pride for those who watched him grow up. Host Callan McClurg wasn’t just one of those kids—he was the bat boy for Bush's high school teams, catching handfuls of sunflower seeds, inside jokes, and glimpses of a young man destined for greatness. That proximity gives this episode a perspective no documentary or article ever could.

In Lost in the Big Leagues, Callan pulls back the curtain on the unraveling of a generational talent—an unfiltered, painful descent that began almost immediately. With little structure, almost no guidance, and an environment that enabled rather than protected him, Bush tumbled headfirst into alcohol-fueled chaos. Callan recounts the early warning signs few took seriously, including the infamous nightclub fight where Bush bit a bouncer, and the shocking assault on a group of high school lacrosse players, punctuated by the now-infamous scream: “I’m Matt F--king Bush!”

These were not isolated incidents—they were markers of a downward spiral everyone saw happening, but no one stopped.

But this isn’t just a story of destruction. The second act plays out in the most unlikely of places: a Golden Corral parking lot in Texas, where Bush—on work release—threw a bullpen session that would change the trajectory of his life. The Texas Rangers took a chance, and remarkably, Bush rewarded them. He made it back to the big leagues. He stabilized. He contributed. He won a World Series ring in 2023. And in one of the most emotional moments of the series, Callan shares the private, wordless encounter Bush had with his family—a silent, powerful apology for years of chaos, heartbreak, and disappointment.

Yet for all the progress, the demons never fully disappeared. And the episode closes with the hard truth no one wanted to face; talent can carry a man far, but addiction has the power to drag him even farther back. Another relapse. Another headline. Another reminder that sometimes the most dangerous opponent isn’t on the mound—it’s within.

This is an intimate, raw, and complex portrait of a prodigy lost, found, and lost again. It’s about the cost of fame, the failures of the systems meant to protect young athletes, and the emotional wreckage left behind for the families, teammates, and communities who loved them.

⚠️ Note on Partnerships: This podcast was previously sponsored and powered by the Novig Sports Prediction Market. Please be advised that the partnership with Novig has expired due to the company ceasing operations in California and New York.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For nearly half a century, Ted Leitner was more than a broadcaster—he was the soundtrack of San Diego sports, a constant presence whose voice carried the hopes, heartbreaks, and unforgettable moments of an entire community. Padres pennant races, Aztecs upsets, legendary Chargers clashes—if it happened in San Diego, “Uncle Teddy” was there, painting the picture with unmistakable emotion, humor, and heart.

In Episode 3 of Empty the Bench: Small Market Edition, host Callan McClurg steps out of the analyst’s chair and into something more intimate: a tribute to the man who shaped his love of sports, storytelling, and the city itself. Through vivid anecdotes, archival memories, and reflections on what it meant to grow up in Pacific Beach listening to a master at work, McClurg explores how Leitner became the unseen mentor who guided his path long before they ever met.

This episode chronicles Leitner’s remarkable journey—from his early days on the air to becoming the defining voice of the Padres and Aztecs—while also confronting the realities of local broadcasting in a sports world increasingly dominated by national networks and corporate homogenization. But above all, it is a celebration of connection: how one broadcaster’s authenticity, vulnerability, and signature flair ignited the aspirations of a young San Diegan who would one day chase his own small-market dream.

The Voice That Raised Me: How Ted Leitner Inspired a San Diego Dream is a heartfelt portrait of legacy, mentorship, and the profound impact a single voice can have on generations of fans, dreamers, and future broadcasters.

⚠️ Note on Partnerships: This podcast was previously sponsored and powered by the Novig Sports Prediction Market. Please be advised that the partnership with Novig has expired due to the company ceasing operations in California and New York.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.