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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

What happens when a Brooklyn woman who identifies as queer, liberal, vegan, and an atheist donates her kidney to a conservative Christian man from Virginia?

Kerry Kennedy and Joey Shervey tell the story of what it looks like when compassion outvotes everything else. Their transplant crossed party lines and personal beliefs to create an unexpected friendship.

Then, Lindsay Vigue describes how a small flyer on the wall of a diner led her to become a living kidney donor, and then to becoming the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut.

Resources:
Donate Life Connecticut
National Kidney Foundation
National Kidney Registry
OrganDonor.gov
Former Middletown mayor Dan Drew's TED Talk about why he donated his kidney 

Suggested episode:
The Story Of The First African American Face Transplant 

GUESTS: 
Joey Shervey: Kidney transplant recipient from Moneta, Virginia
Kerry Kennedy: Living kidney donor from Brooklyn, New York
Lindsay Vigue: Living kidney donor and the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut 

What happens when a Brooklyn woman who identifies as queer, liberal, vegan, and an atheist donates her kidney to a conservative Christian man from Virginia?
Kerry Kennedy and Joey Shervey tell the story of what it looks like when compassion outvotes everything else. Their transplant crossed party lines and personal beliefs to create an unexpected friendship.
Then, Lindsay Vigue describes how a small flyer on the wall of a diner led her to become a living kidney donor, and then to becoming the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut.
Resources:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.donatelifect.org/">Donate Life Connecticut</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kidney.org/transplantation">National Kidney Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kidneyregistry.com/">National Kidney Registry</a></li>
<li><a href="http://organdonor.gov/">OrganDonor.gov</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_drew_the_truth_about_organ_donation">Former Middletown mayor Dan Drew's TED Talk about why he donated his kidney&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
Suggested episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/health/2021-07-09/the-story-of-the-first-african-american-face-transplant">The Story Of The First African American Face Transplant</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Joey Shervey:&nbsp;Kidney transplant recipient from Moneta, Virginia</li>
<li>Kerry Kennedy:&nbsp;Living kidney donor from Brooklyn, New York</li>
<li>Lindsay Vigue:&nbsp;Living kidney donor and the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The kidney was just the beginning: Unexpected gifts after transplants

How do you play the violin without a right hand? How do you drum after losing a leg? How do you rap and create beats when you can only move your head and shoulders? 

Adrian Anantawan was born without his right hand and most of his right forearm, and learned violin using a custom bow adaptation attached to his arm. Billy Brimblecom Jr., a drummer who lost his left leg to cancer, shares how he returned to music and now helps other amputees get prosthetic limbs. And Pheez, a rapper and producer who became paralyzed after a diving accident, explains how he records using breath control, memory, and accessible technology. 

 

Suggested episodes:
New ways to see, new ways to move: The tech that’s changing disability
Stunt performers David Holmes and Jonathan Goodwin on life after paralysis
Multiple sclerosis tried to bench her. Karen Smith won gold instead
Joe Stone, wheelchair rugby, and the full-contact art of resilience

 

GUESTS: 
Billy Brimblecom Jr.: Drummer, nonprofit leader, and amputee who turned the support he received after cancer into help for others through Steps of Faith Foundation
Corey Lee, AKA “Pheez“: Rapper, producer, and Navy veteran who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident. He's a disability advocate and the host of The Super Adaptables podcast
Adrian Anantawan: Violinist born without his right hand and most of his right forearm. Using a custom bow adaptation, he has built a career as a performer, teacher, and advocate for musicians with disabilities

How do you play the violin without a right hand? How do you drum after losing a leg? How do you rap and create beats when you can only move your head and shoulders?&nbsp;
Adrian Anantawan was born without his right hand and most of his right forearm, and learned violin using a custom bow adaptation attached to his arm. Billy Brimblecom Jr., a drummer who lost his left leg to cancer, shares how he returned to music and now helps other amputees get prosthetic limbs. And Pheez, a rapper and producer who became paralyzed after a diving accident, explains how he records using breath control, memory, and accessible technology.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<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></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</a></li>
<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</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-06-26/joe-stone-wheelchair-rugby-and-the-full-contact-art-of-resilience">Joe Stone, wheelchair rugby, and the full-contact art of resilience</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.billybrimblecom.com/">Billy Brimblecom Jr.</a>: Drummer, nonprofit leader, and amputee who turned the support he received after cancer into help for others through <a href="https://www.stepsoffaithfoundation.org/">Steps of Faith Foundation</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://linktr.ee/PHEEZ83?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&amp;ltsid=405ae276-9815-4fae-b283-ea47ceda34a7">Corey Lee, AKA &ldquo;Pheez&ldquo;</a>: Rapper, producer, and Navy veteran who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident. He's a disability advocate and the host of The Super Adaptables podcast</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.adriananantawan.com/">Adrian Anantawan</a>: Violinist born without his right hand and most of his right forearm. Using a custom bow adaptation, he has built a career as a performer, teacher, and advocate for musicians with disabilities</li>
</ul>

A drummer, a rapper, and a violinist on disability and the art of adapting

When you go to a comedy club, you know what you’re there for. But what happens when comedy shows up somewhere else? 

Meredith Dietz describes doing stand-up in a New York City office where employees were told not to laugh, and on a Staten Island Ferry where no one could escape the ride. 

Years after his own incarceration, Ali Siddiq returns to jail to speak with people inside. 

And Pauline Schantzer, aka Polly Wolly, brings suggestive parody songs, dance moves, and deeply silly comedy into nursing homes. 

 

Suggested episodes:
Why the world needs comedians with disabilities
The meteoric rise of comedian Zarna Garg
Actors Mary Elizabeth Kelly and Dean Edwards on the art of impressions 
Why the warm-up comic is the most underrated job in show biz 
D’yan Forest is a 91-year-old Guinness World Record holder for oldest female comedian 

 

GUESTS: 
Pauline Schantzer, aka Polly Wolly: Comedian and performer who brings musical comedy into nursing homes and senior-care spaces
Meredith Dietz: Writer and stand-up comedian who has performed in comedy clubs, offices, and on the Staten Island Ferry
Ali Siddiq: Comedian, writer, and actor whose work often draws from his own experience of incarceration. He filmed It’s Bigger Than These Bars inside Bell County Jail in 2017, and his 2026 special From Inside is a serious conversation recorded inside a detention center 

When you go to a comedy club, you know what you&rsquo;re there for. But what happens when comedy shows up somewhere else?&nbsp;
Meredith Dietz describes doing stand-up in a New York City office where employees were told not to laugh, and on a Staten Island Ferry where no one could escape the ride.&nbsp;
Years after his own incarceration, Ali Siddiq returns to jail to speak with people inside.&nbsp;
And Pauline Schantzer, aka Polly Wolly, brings suggestive parody songs, dance moves, and deeply silly comedy into nursing homes.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-02-02/why-the-world-needs-comedians-with-disabilities">Why the world needs comedians with disabilities</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-08-18/the-meteoric-rise-of-comedian-zarna-garg">The meteoric rise of comedian Zarna Garg</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-03-29/actors-mary-elizabeth-kelly-and-dean-edwards-on-the-art-of-impressions">Actors Mary Elizabeth Kelly and Dean Edwards on the art of impressions&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-04-25/why-the-warm-up-comic-is-the-most-underrated-job-in-show-biz">Why the warm-up comic is the most underrated job in show biz&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-11-21/badass-elders-women-in-comedy-law-and-extreme-body-art">D&rsquo;yan Forest is a 91-year-old Guinness World Record holder for oldest female comedian&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Pauline Schantzer, aka <a href="https://pollywollycomedian.com/">Polly Wolly</a>: Comedian and performer who brings musical comedy into nursing homes and senior-care spaces<a href="https://www.meredithdietz.com/"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.meredithdietz.com/">Meredith Dietz</a>: Writer and stand-up comedian who has performed in comedy clubs, offices, and on the Staten Island Ferry</li>
<li><a href="https://alisiddiq.com/">Ali Siddiq</a>: Comedian, writer, and actor whose work often draws from his own experience of incarceration. He filmed It&rsquo;s Bigger Than These Bars inside Bell County Jail in 2017, and his 2026 special From Inside is a serious conversation recorded inside a detention center&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

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

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