“Air It Out — A Saskatchewan Roughrider podcast” tells the players’ personal stories
A brand new podcast focuses on the new beginning, appropriately enough, in the introductory episode.
“Air It Out — A Saskatchewan Roughrider Podcast” launched Thursday, telling the stories of linebacker Micah Teitz, center Peter Godber and assistant coach Naaman Roosevelt.
“The idea is to have themed episodes,” says podcast host Daniela Ponticelli.
“We spoke to Micah Teitz about his return from injury, which is a new start for him. The day we met him, he was 27 years oldth birthday. The last time he played a football match was when he was 25 years old.
“We spoke to Peter Godber about changing teams and that after you’ve had a really great year with the team you’ve just been with. We also talked about how different it is here. He’s a really funny guy and I love his story.
“We also talked to Naaman Roosevelt about coming back here and his new beginning.”
Roosevelt, a star receiver with the Roughriders from 2015 to 2019, is back with the Green and White as a first-year coach in the CFL.
Godber was a BC Lions center from 2018 to 2022 before signing with Saskatchewan as a free agent on February 14.
Teitz — who, like Godber, made his CFL debut in 2018 — enjoyed a breakout season in 2021 before suffering a serious groin injury in the West Division semifinal. The injury cost him all of last season.
“The really big thing we want to do is allow fans even more access to the players,” Ponticelli says.
“There are articles on Riderville.com that allow people to read the personal stories of the players. We have great media interviews and different ways that the Club is touching on all these points and it just allows a little bit more.”
The updated edition of “Air It Out” can be accessed every second Thursday via all conventional podcast sources. Part 2 is due out on June 29, during the Roughriders’ first bye week.
“Our second episode will be all about the community,” notes Ponticelli.
“We had a great chat with (receiver) Brayden Lenius. He’s just a great guy to listen to.
“This platform allows you to have that space to open up, to air it out and give players a chance to just talk how they want to talk about something. You won’t cut it.
Episode 2 will also feature Cindy Fuchs, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation, who discusses the myriad ways the team engages with and benefits the community.
“I know there are other podcasts out there, but personally, I really wanted to do this for people. says Ponticelli, who hosts, writes, produces and edits the podcast, with technical support from Roughriders digital media producer Blake Tiedman.
“We’re always drawn to what’s going on with people. What’s also great about this is that it doesn’t matter what happens during the season. We’re going to talk about some of these things. We will not run away from this. But the focus is on the player or the focus is on the story we’re telling.”
Ponticelli is close to all Roughriders stories because of his relationship with the team’s radio rights holder for the past 40 years, CKRM.
She hosts the station’s pregame and postgame shows, in addition to serving as a sideline reporter during home games.
Now she’s wearing another hat and helping the Roughriders offer another platform.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of a podcast or create one,” says Ponticelli. “I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts and I love them.
“You can put this on anytime to hear from your favorite player or someone who is important to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“We just want to explore the club in other ways that people don’t and talk about the people who make the difference.
“There is a strong focus on the players but also on the staff – the support people who are all around us and the volunteers. We really want to tell those stories too.
“We’re really excited about it and we hope people like it.”