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Mascots: They’re furry, funny, and just a little funky. But what's actually going on in there?

Tom Burgoyne shares what it’s been like to embody the Phillie Phanatic for over three decades.

Mikaela Higgins reveals how her company became a giant in the world of mascot-makers, designing icons from Ronald McDonald to the Energizer Bunny.

And hear how one “yes“ changed the life of Conor Geary, whose turn as a mascot led to a dream sports gig he never saw coming.

This episode originally aired on August 29, 2025. 

Suggested episode:
Banjo Man, 'Woo Woo' Wickers and UConn Huskies superfans share their love of the game

GUESTS: 
Tom Burgoyne: “Best friend” of the Phillie Phanatic, who has been bringing the Phanatic to life for 37 years. He’s also the author of Pheel The Love! How the Most Powerful Force in the Universe Builds Great Companies - Phillie Phanatic Style!
Mikaela Higgins: Manager of Mascot Sales at Olympus Mascots in Milwaukee, WI
Conor Geary: Known as “GameDay Conor“, he's been the high-energy host at every major venue in Connecticut, starting out with the Hartford Yard Goats in 2018. This season, he became the stadium host for the New England Patriots

Mascots: They&rsquo;re furry, funny, and just a little funky. But what's actually going on in there?
Tom Burgoyne shares what it&rsquo;s been like to embody the Phillie Phanatic for over three decades.
Mikaela Higgins reveals how her company became a giant in the world of mascot-makers, designing icons from Ronald McDonald to the Energizer Bunny.
And hear how one &ldquo;yes&ldquo; changed the life of Conor Geary, whose turn as a mascot led to a dream sports gig he never saw coming.
This episode originally aired on August 29, 2025.&nbsp;
Suggested episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-07-26/banjo-man-woo-woo-wickers-and-uconn-huskies-superfans-share-their-love-of-the-game">Banjo Man, 'Woo Woo' Wickers and UConn Huskies superfans share their love of the game</a></li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://tomburgoyne.com/">Tom Burgoyne</a>: &ldquo;Best friend&rdquo; of the Phillie Phanatic, who has been bringing the Phanatic to life for 37 years. He&rsquo;s also the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://a.co/d/3CYsM4c">Pheel The Love! How the Most Powerful Force in the Universe Builds Great Companies - Phillie Phanatic Style!</a></li>
<li>Mikaela Higgins: Manager of Mascot Sales at&nbsp;<a href="https://olympusmascots.com/">Olympus Mascots</a>&nbsp;in Milwaukee, WI</li>
<li><a href="https://www.gamedayconor.com/">Conor Geary</a>: Known as &ldquo;GameDay Conor&ldquo;, he's been the high-energy host at every major venue in Connecticut, starting out with the Hartford Yard Goats in 2018. This season, he became the stadium host for the New England Patriots</li>
</ul>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

For more: ctpublic.org/audacious

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
For more: <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. 

Audacious with Chion Wolf

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.

Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we’re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

Listen at ctpublic.org/audacious

Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.
Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we&rsquo;re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
Listen at <a href="http://ctpublic.org/audacious">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>
Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

Inside the Mascot: The Phillie Phanatic, a Yard Goat, and a mascot maker

Joe Stone grew up playing volleyball, skateboarding, and breakdancing. Then, in 2012, a car crash left him paralyzed. 

Doctors told him he would likely never move anything below his chest again. But five weeks after leaving the hospital, Joe found wheelchair rugby. This violent, fast, full-contact sport helped him rebuild strength, process anger, and feel alive in a changed body. 

In this conversation recorded at a live tournament in New Haven, Joe talks about the crash, falling in love after paralysis, being a father, faith, adaptive sports, and what people misunderstand when they assume athletes with disabilities are fragile.

Suggested episodes:
Multiple sclerosis tried to bench her. Karen Smith won gold instead 
Stunt performers David Holmes and Jonathan Goodwin on life after paralysis 
A marathon swimmer and ultrarunner: surviving cancer, breaking records 
New ways to see, new ways to move: The tech that’s changing disability 

 

GUEST: 
Joe Stone: Wheelchair rugby player and adaptive athlete who became paralyzed after a 2012 car crash fractured his C6 and C7 vertebrae. He plays with the Gaylord Warriors

Joe Stone grew up playing volleyball, skateboarding, and breakdancing. Then, in 2012, a car crash left him paralyzed.&nbsp;
Doctors told him he would likely never move anything below his chest again. But five weeks after leaving the hospital, Joe found wheelchair rugby. This violent, fast, full-contact sport helped him rebuild strength, process anger, and feel alive in a changed body.&nbsp;
In this conversation recorded at a live tournament in New Haven, Joe talks about the crash, falling in love after paralysis, being a father, faith, adaptive sports, and what people misunderstand when they assume athletes with disabilities are fragile.
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-03-06/multiple-sclerosis-tried-to-bench-her-karen-smith-won-gold-instead">Multiple sclerosis tried to bench her. Karen Smith won gold instead&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-05-02/stunt-performers-david-holmes-and-jonathan-goodwin-on-life-after-paralysis">Stunt performers David Holmes and Jonathan Goodwin on life after paralysis&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-01-23/a-marathon-swimmer-and-ultrarunner-surviving-cancer-breaking-records">A marathon swimmer and ultrarunner: surviving cancer, breaking records</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-03-21/new-ways-to-see-new-ways-to-move-the-tech-thats-changing-disability">New ways to see, new ways to move: The tech that&rsquo;s changing disability</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUEST:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Joe Stone: Wheelchair rugby player and adaptive athlete who became paralyzed after a 2012 car crash fractured his C6 and C7 vertebrae. He plays with the <a href="https://sportsassociation.gaylord.org/wheelchair-rugby-team">Gaylord Warriors</a></li>
</ul>

Joe Stone, wheelchair rugby, and the full-contact art of resilience

Stephanie Salvilla so deeply loved - still loves - her baby boy, Gannon.

In July 2009, after a week of disrupted routines and sleepless nights, her brain went on autopilot. She dropped off her older child, drove to work, and unknowingly left 5-month-old Gannon in the car. He died.

In this deeply difficult and important conversation, Stephanie talks about grief, shame, public judgment, forgiveness, and why she now shares her story.

We also hear from Amber Rollins, executive director of Kids and Car Safety, about why these tragedies happen and the simple habits every caregiver can use to help keep children safe.

 

Resources:


Kids and Car Safety


Fatal Distraction: Forgetting a Child in the Backseat of a Car Is a Horrifying Mistake. Is It a Crime? by Gene Weingarten

 

Suggested episode:


Finding purpose in life after accidentally killing someone

 

GUESTS: 


Amber Rollins: Executive director of Kids and Car Safety, a national nonprofit focused on preventing child injuries and deaths in and around vehicles. She has worked with the organization for 21 years and helps lead its data, family support, and safety advocacy work 


Stephanie Salvilla: A mother whose 5-month-old son, Gannon, died in a hot car in 2009 after a change in the family’s daycare drop-off routine. She now shares her story to help prevent other families from living through the same tragedy 

Stephanie Salvilla so deeply loved - still loves - her baby boy, Gannon.
In July 2009, after a week of disrupted routines and sleepless nights, her brain went on autopilot. She dropped off her older child, drove to work, and unknowingly left 5-month-old Gannon in the car. He died.
In this deeply difficult and important conversation, Stephanie talks about grief, shame, public judgment, forgiveness, and why she now shares her story.
We also hear from Amber Rollins, executive director of Kids and Car Safety, about why these tragedies happen and the simple habits every caregiver can use to help keep children safe.
&nbsp;
Resources:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.kidsandcars.org/">Kids and Car Safety</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/fatal-distraction-forgetting-a-child-in-thebackseat-of-a-car-is-a-horrifying-mistake-is-it-a-crime/2014/06/16/8ae0fe3a-f580-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html">Fatal Distraction: Forgetting a Child in the Backseat of a Car Is a Horrifying Mistake. Is It a Crime? by Gene Weingarten</a>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Suggested episode:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2021-12-09/finding-purpose-in-life-after-accidentally-killing-someone">Finding purpose in life after accidentally killing someone</a>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
Amber Rollins: Executive director of <a href="https://www.kidsandcars.org/">Kids and Car Safety</a>, a national nonprofit focused on preventing child injuries and deaths in and around vehicles. She has worked with the organization for 21 years and helps lead its data, family support, and safety advocacy work&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Stephanie Salvilla: A mother whose 5-month-old son, Gannon, died in a hot car in 2009 after a change in the family&rsquo;s daycare drop-off routine. She now shares her story to help prevent other families from living through the same tragedy&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

A baby’s hot car death, a mother’s grief, and the brain science behind these tragedies

When you hear “philanthropy,” you might think of millionaires, black-tie galas, or buildings named after donors. But what if you could be a philanthropist without being wealthy?

In this episode, you’ll meet people who donate small amounts to hundreds of places, hand out cash on city streets, and send money directly to people in poverty, no strings attached. 

Explore the power of small, consistent giving, and how even modest acts of generosity can spark massive ripple effects.

This episode originally aired on May 24, 2025.

 

Suggested episodes:
GOOD NEWS! That’s how we celebrate 100 episodes of Audacious
Social media, the algorithm, and the state of our hearts
"Negativity be gone!": Artists igniting joy on social media

 

GUESTS: 
Rabbi Jeff & Mindy Glickman: creators of the “Giving Locally Everywhere” (GLeE) initiative, through which they donated to every NPR station and United Way branch in the country, as well as other organizations they value. Jeff serves as rabbi at Temple Beth Hillel in South Windsor, CT, and Mindy is a community leader and Hebrew instructor
Peter Bond: a social media creator best known for his TikTok and Instagram accounts, @bondgives, where he documents acts of kindness and helps people in need across New York City. Since 2021, he has been using his platforms to inspire others to give back and make a positive impact in their communities
Caroline Teti: a Vice President at GiveDirectly with decades of experience in almost all areas of the development sector, including the world’s largest and longest study on universal basic income. Her belief in direct cash as the most effective tool to end extreme poverty is also rooted in her upbringing in rural Kenya

When you hear &ldquo;philanthropy,&rdquo; you might think of millionaires, black-tie galas, or buildings named after donors. But what if you could be a philanthropist without being wealthy?
In this episode, you&rsquo;ll meet people who donate small amounts to hundreds of places, hand out cash on city streets, and send money directly to people in poverty, no strings attached.&nbsp;
Explore the power of small, consistent giving, and how even modest acts of generosity can spark massive ripple effects.
This episode originally aired on May 24, 2025.
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-09-15/good-news-thats-how-we-celebrate-100-episodes-of-audacious">GOOD NEWS! That&rsquo;s how we celebrate 100 episodes of Audacious</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-01-06/social-media-the-algorithm-and-the-state-of-our-hearts">Social media, the algorithm, and the state of our hearts</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-02-29/negativity-be-gone-artists-igniting-joy-on-social-media">"Negativity be gone!": Artists igniting joy on social media</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.turntothewonderful.com/">Rabbi Jeff &amp; Mindy Glickman</a>: creators of the &ldquo;Giving Locally Everywhere&rdquo; (GLeE) initiative, through which they donated to every NPR station and United Way branch in the country, as well as other organizations they value. Jeff serves as rabbi at Temple Beth Hillel in South Windsor, CT, and Mindy is a community leader and Hebrew instructor</li>
<li aria-level="1">Peter Bond: a social media creator best known for his <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bondgives">TikTok</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bondgives?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">Instagram accounts</a>, @bondgives, where he documents acts of kindness and helps people in need across New York City. Since 2021, he has been using his platforms to inspire others to give back and make a positive impact in their communities</li>
<li aria-level="1">Caroline Teti: a Vice President at <a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/">GiveDirectly</a> with decades of experience in almost all areas of the development sector, including the world&rsquo;s largest and longest study on universal basic income. Her belief in direct cash as the most effective tool to end extreme poverty is also rooted in her upbringing in rural Kenya</li>
</ul>

Inside the Mascot: The Phillie Phanatic, a Yard Goat, and a mascot maker

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