Growing up in a non-hockey family in Pennsylvania, Ava McNaughton found her way to the game and eventually all the way to Olympic gold. We talk with the Wisconsin Badgers goaltender about her unlikely hockey journey, winning two NCAA championships, representing Team USA, and where she stores her gold medal.

Featured nonprofit:

The Heat and Housing for Heroes campaign of the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund helps Veterans and their families who are facing an energy-related emergency or are being forced needlessly into homelessness.

heat4heroes.org

Kitty Dunn spent 33 years on the air at 105.5 Triple M radio in Madison, WI, including five and a half years sharing the airwaves with our own John Urban. We catch up with Kitty to talk about her long run in radio, what it was like working with John, her recent retirement, and her thoughts on the current state of radio.

Featured nonprofit:

Greater Madison Resource Community is dedicated to connecting individuals and families with the vital resources they need — and just as importantly, providing hope and compassionate support during life’s most challenging moments.

gmrcmadison.org

On this episode of The One Off Podcast, we sit down with renowned music historian and "Rock and Roll Detective" Jim Berkenstadt. From working with The Beatles on various projects to uncovering some of rock's greatest mysteries, Jim shares incredible stories from his books, The Beatle Who Vanished and Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed.

It's a fascinating conversation filled with Beatles history, rock and roll lore, and the strange, wonderful true stories that make music history so unforgettable.

Learn more about the Rock And Rock Detective's Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed, The Beatle Who Vanished, and his other fantastic books at: rockandrolldetective.com

Featured nonprofit:

Operation Fresh Start empowers emerging adults on a path to self-sufficiency through education, mentoring, and employment training. operationfreshstart.org

In this Spin Off episode, John and Erik look back on the month-long Helmet Up! fundraiser and announce the final total raised to help put helmets on heads. They also preview The Mascot Theory's upcoming music video for "Still Here," sharing the story behind the song and some behind-the-scenes details about the video before its release.

Heartfelt thanks to the fine folks at Culver's for being the presenting sponsor for Helmet Up! And check out Wheels For Winners: wheelsforwinners.org

The Mascot Theory's new "Still Here" music video drops on June 10, 2026 at themascottheory.com

After a serious bike crash left One Off cohost John Urban unconscious on the path, a passing cyclist named Nick stopped to help and may have saved his life. In this episode, John meets Nick for the first time and revisits the day that changed everything.

Nick Vitale's Polishing Turds podcast - youtube.com/@polishing_turds

Helmet Up! Presenting Sponsor: Culver's

In this first Spin Off episode, Erik answers John's Episode 03 challenge to create a full song out of the podcast's intro music. Listen to “AM Static” unveiled in its entirety for the first time. They also tease episode 05 of the One Off, dropping May 5th 2026. It's Helmet Up, a month-long fundraiser to purchase bike helmets for families that might not be able to afford them.

Check out Erik's band, The Mascot Theory, to hear more of his songs: themascottheory.com

A lifetime of doing what you love, blank pages filling up with words, and the overwhelming joy when, finally, the call comes from a large publishing house: “Hi, John. We’d like to publish your novel.” On this episode, author John McDermott reflects on the inner drive that kept him writing for decades, withstanding rejection when it would have been easier to quit, and publishing his first novel at the youthful age of 60.

The Last Spirits of Manhattan novel is available wherever you buy books, and might we recommend: bookshop.org/p/books/the-last-spirits-of-manhattan-a-novel-john-a-mcdermott/df58a5ab18283aa3

Featured nonprofit: writersleague.org

A Wisconsin kid with a guitar, a restless spirit, and a sound rooted in blues and grit — Chris Vos turned a leap of faith into a Grammy-nominated band. In this episode, he opens up about trusting instinct over industry formulas, the grind behind the glow of success, and why the Midwest imprint never really leaves you — no matter how far the tour bus rolls.

Give It Back To You deluxe expanded reissue album out now: therecordcompany.net

Featured nonprofit: holtonsheroes.org

We sit down with world-renowned neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson to talk about why meditation doesn’t have to be complicated to make a real difference — and why flourishing isn’t some far-off idea, but something we’re all capable of, right where we are.

Born To Flourish book: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Born-to-Flourish/Richard-J-Davidson/9781668066232

Featured nonprofits: humin.org / tergar.org

You know what the world absolutely does not need now? Another podcast. It's The One Off Podcast with John Urban and Erik Kjelland. Presented by Big Dreamers United.

(This thing only happens once, unless it accidentally happens again)