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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

Some people sign up for a 5K. Some people sign up for a race with a secret start time, no marked course, and books hidden in the woods. Or seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. 

We have questions.

Meet Jared Campbell, the only person ever to finish the Barkley Marathons four times - a secretive, nearly mythic race through the Tennessee woods with an unmarked course, brutal climbs, and pages torn from hidden books as proof you were there.

And Dr. Lisa Kenton is an ER doctor who pushed through ice, heat, and near-total exhaustion in the Great World Race, fueled by a cause close to her heart.

 

Suggested episodes:
Extreme ironing, cheese rolling, and shin kicking: The world of weird sports 
From wingsuit BASE jumping to record-breaking South Pole expeditions with Ellen Brennan Frat and Liv Arnesen 
A marathon swimmer and ultrarunner: surviving cancer, breaking records 
Banjo Man, 'Woo Woo' Wickers and UConn Huskies superfans share their love of the game 
Roller skating as community, competition, and transformation
Multiple sclerosis tried to bench her. Karen Smith won gold instead 

 

GUESTS: 
Jared Campbell: the only four-time finisher of the Barkley Marathons - one of the world’s most punishing, quirky, and mysterious races
Dr. Lisa Kenton: emergency room doctor at The Hospital of Central Connecticut who completed the Great World Race - seven marathons on seven continents in seven days - in November 2025. She dedicated the journey to raising awareness and funds for Malan syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects her niece and nephew.

Some people sign up for a 5K. Some people sign up for a race with a secret start time, no marked course, and books hidden in the woods. Or seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.&nbsp;
We have questions.
Meet Jared Campbell, the only person ever to finish the Barkley Marathons four times - a secretive, nearly mythic race through the Tennessee woods with an unmarked course, brutal climbs, and pages torn from hidden books as proof you were there.
And Dr. Lisa Kenton is an ER doctor who pushed through ice, heat, and near-total exhaustion in the Great World Race, fueled by a cause close to her heart.
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-09-27/extreme-ironing-cheese-rolling-and-shin-kicking-the-world-of-weird-sports">Extreme ironing, cheese rolling, and shin kicking: The world of weird sports&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-02-14/from-wingsuit-base-jumping-to-record-breaking-south-pole-expeditions-with-ellen-brennan-frat-and-liv-arnesen">From wingsuit BASE jumping to record-breaking South Pole expeditions with Ellen Brennan Frat and Liv Arnesen</a>&nbsp;</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&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><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&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-06-20/roller-skating-as-community-competition-and-transformation">Roller skating as community, competition, and transformation</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&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Jared Campbell: the only four-time finisher of the Barkley Marathons - one of the world&rsquo;s most punishing, quirky, and mysterious races</li>
<li aria-level="1">Dr. Lisa Kenton: emergency room doctor at The Hospital of Central Connecticut who completed the Great World Race - seven marathons on seven continents in seven days - in November 2025. She dedicated the journey to raising awareness and funds for Malan syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects her niece and nephew.</li>
</ul>

The Great World Race and the Barkley Marathons: What extreme races reveal about us 

What can a handwritten record reveal after someone is gone? In this episode, we follow two very different paper trails. 

Marci Pelzer shares the 109-page list her father kept of more than 3,500 books he read over six decades. After going viral, his private habit became a public window into his life. 

Dan Fogel lost his wife of 45 years to cancer, and then found diaries including writing that made him question how well he really knew her. 

Together, these stories are about grief, memory, mystery, and the strange power of paper to preserve not just facts, but personality, silence, love, and what still can’t be explained. 

Suggested episodes:
What's in that note? Stories about messages in bottles
The weight of family secrets: Finding freedom in the truth 

 

GUESTS: 
Marci Pelzer: The daughter of Dan Pelzer, who left behind a 109-page handwritten list of every book he read from 1962 to 2023. After his death at 92, she helped bring the list to a wider audience
Dan Fogel: Wrote a Huffington Post essay about finding his late wife Sue’s journals after her death and realizing how much of her inner life had remained unknown to him during their 45-year marriage

What can a handwritten record reveal after someone is gone? In this episode, we follow two very different paper trails.&nbsp;
Marci Pelzer shares the 109-page list her father kept of more than 3,500 books he read over six decades. After going viral, his private habit became a public window into his life.&nbsp;
Dan Fogel lost his wife of 45 years to cancer, and then found diaries including writing that made him question how well he really knew her.&nbsp;
Together, these stories are about grief, memory, mystery, and the strange power of paper to preserve not just facts, but personality, silence, love, and what still can&rsquo;t be explained.&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-04-14/whats-in-that-note-stories-about-messages-in-bottles">What's in that note? Stories about messages in bottles</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-12-20/the-weight-of-family-secrets-finding-freedom-in-the-truth">The weight of family secrets: Finding freedom in the truth</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Marci Pelzer: The daughter of Dan Pelzer, who left behind a <a href="https://www.columbuslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/What-Dan-Read-Booklist.pdf">109-page handwritten list</a> of every book he read from 1962 to 2023. After his death at 92, she helped bring the list to a <a href="https://www.what-dan-read.com/">wider audience</a></li>
<li>Dan Fogel: Wrote a <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wife-45-years-died-journals-2_n_67816b5fe4b0f559989ed6ab">Huffington Post essay</a> about finding his late wife Sue&rsquo;s journals after her death and realizing how much of her inner life had remained unknown to him during their 45-year marriage</li>
</ul>

Paper trails: A viral book list and a wife’s secret thoughts revealed

Taxidermied dogs. A CIA agent's hat. A perfume that made strangers on elevators lose their composure.

This is what happens when you pull names from a vase at a brewery and say: show us something you love, and tell us why.

Our fourth live Show and Tell at Little Red Barn Brewers in Winsted, Connecticut delivered exactly what this format always delivers: stories that are intimate, hilarious, and impossible to predict. Even for us.

 

Suggested episodes:


Audacious Live! Show & Tell in Stamford 


Audacious Live! Show & Tell birthday bash in Hartford 


Audacious Live! Show & Tell in Willimantic: From rare computers to hand grenades 

 

GUESTS: 


Jon Barbagallo: Director of Sales at Little Red Barn Brewers, who brought a styrofoam curling rock that was used as a movie prop


Jill Bowen: New Haven resident, who brought Doggie, her stuffed animal


Lauren Pierson-Gallagher: New Milford resident, who brought a bottle of Shalimar perfume, her late mother’s signature scent


Gerri Griswold: Director of Administration & Development at the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, who brought a taxidermied dog in a display case


Nils Johnson: Co-founder & President of Little Red Barn Brewers, who brought an 1861 one-dollar note issued by The Winsted Bank


Theresa Taylor: Canton resident, who brought her late father’s British bowler hat 


Nora Pasco: New Britain resident, who brought her Persephone rosary beads 


Caroline Christensen: Winsted resident, who brought a conch shell


Alex Harper: Winsted resident, who brought her service dog’s harness


Terry Wolfisch Cole: Simsbury resident, who brought a tin of 100-year-old Ramses condoms from her late uncle’s collection of antique pharmaceutical containers

 

Taxidermied dogs. A CIA agent's hat. A perfume that made strangers on elevators lose their composure.
This is what happens when you pull names from a vase at a brewery and say: show us something you love, and tell us why.
Our fourth live Show and Tell at Little Red Barn Brewers in Winsted, Connecticut delivered exactly what this format always delivers: stories that are intimate, hilarious, and impossible to predict. Even for us.
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-11-29/audacious-live-show-tell-in-stamford">Audacious Live! Show &amp; Tell in Stamford</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-06-13/audacious-live-show-tell-birthday-bash-in-hartford">Audacious Live! Show &amp; Tell birthday bash in Hartford</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-09-26/audacious-live-show-tell-in-willimantic-from-rare-computers-to-hand-grenades">Audacious Live! Show &amp; Tell in Willimantic: From rare computers to hand grenades</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
Jon Barbagallo: Director of Sales at Little Red Barn Brewers, who brought a styrofoam curling rock that was used as a movie prop
</li>
<li>
Jill Bowen: New Haven resident, who brought Doggie, her stuffed animal
</li>
<li>
Lauren Pierson-Gallagher: New Milford resident, who brought a bottle of Shalimar perfume, her late mother&rsquo;s signature scent
</li>
<li>
Gerri Griswold: Director of Administration &amp; Development at the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, who brought a taxidermied dog in a display case
</li>
<li>
Nils Johnson: Co-founder &amp; President of Little Red Barn Brewers, who brought an 1861 one-dollar note issued by The Winsted Bank
</li>
<li>
Theresa Taylor: Canton resident, who brought her late father&rsquo;s British bowler hat&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Nora Pasco: New Britain resident, who brought her Persephone rosary beads&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Caroline Christensen: Winsted resident, who brought a conch shell
</li>
<li>
Alex Harper: Winsted resident, who brought her service dog&rsquo;s harness
</li>
<li>
Terry Wolfisch Cole: Simsbury resident, who brought a tin of 100-year-old Ramses condoms from her late uncle&rsquo;s collection of antique pharmaceutical containers
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

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

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