Keep the Flame Alive

Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

The Podcast for Olympics and Paralympics Fans

  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: The Listeners Speak!

    The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic cauldron might be out, but we're still keeping the flame alive! We talk with listeners about their favorite moments from these Winter Olympics.

    Don't forget that the Paralympics are coming up soon! Daily coverage starts Wednesday, March 4.

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    26 February 2026, 9:14 pm
  • 53 minutes 3 seconds
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 16

    Sadly, it's time to say good-bye to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. We had a few more competitions to start the day, with Alison seeing the nail biter that was the men's ice hockey gold medal final, which went to overtime. Meanwhile, Jill went to Verona for the afternoon, with some specific goals to achieve before heading to the nearly 2,000-year-old Verona Arena for the Closing Ceremonies.

    Sports on today's program:

    • Bobsled
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Curling
    • Freestyle skiing
    • Ice hockey

    We want to hear what you thought of the Olympics! Drop into our online studio (please use Chrome browser) on Wednesday, February 25. Jill will be in studio from 8pm-9pm CET (that's 2pm EST), and Alison will be on from 8pm-9pm EST. We'd love to talk with you live to see what you thought of the sports, the venues and Milano Cortina as a host city.

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    23 February 2026, 1:59 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 15

    It's the penultimate day of competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, and there's mayhem and beauty on the ice and snow. Can anyone stop Johannes Klaebo? Plus, Alison has opinions on finish line marriage proposals.

    Sports on today's program:

    • Biathlon
    • Bobsled
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Curling
    • Figure skating
    • Freestyle skiing
    • Ice hockey
    • Ski mountaineering
    • Speed skating

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    21 February 2026, 3:26 pm
  • 40 minutes 59 seconds
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 14

    We're getting close to the end of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which, for those of us based in Milano, means there are some slim pickings for events to see.

    That doesn't matter though. Jill went to IOC president Kirsty Coventry's end-of-Games press conference, and walked away with something she never thought she'd get her hands on.

    Alison went to ice hockey and saw the set up for what will be some fantastic medal matches. Meanwhile, Jill went to the last night of short track speed skating, where TKFLASTANI Corinne Stoddard rose from several disappointing finishes to land on the podium.

    Sports on today's program:

    • Biathlon
    • Bobsled
    • Curling
    • Freestyle
    • Ice hockey
    • Short track speed skating
    • Speed skating

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    20 February 2026, 8:08 pm
  • 55 minutes 49 seconds
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 13

    It's Day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, and we're introduced to ski mountaineering today. What we thought, plus Alison went to women's figure skating finals and Jill went to men's speed skating to see the 1500, followed by an extremely fast hoofing it to the women's ice hockey gold medal match between the USA and Canada.

    Luckily, good competition saved the day because Jill got broken during a trip to the post office.

    Sports on today's schedule:

    • Curling
    • Figure skating
    • Freestyle skiing
    • Ice hockey
    • Nordic combined
    • Ski mounteering
    • Speed skating

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    20 February 2026, 12:57 am
  • 54 minutes 39 seconds
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 12

    It's Day 12 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, and while we're coming down to the home stretch, there's still a lot of Olympics to enjoy, in particular a dog who decided it wanted to cross-country ski! Mikaela Shiffren dominated the Alpine slalom slope, and Johannes Klaebo added yet another gold medal to his tally.

    Alison spent the day in Valtellina, learning about the culture of that area, while Jill got some hospitality vibes at a number of the popular sponsor and country houses and the official hospitality club. Did any of them live up to the hype?

    Plus, evening ice hockey action at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, where Team Canada had a big scare.

    Sports on today's program:

    • Alpine skiing
    • Biathlon
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Curling
    • Freestyle skiing
    • Ice hockey
    • Short track speed skating
    • Snowboard

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    18 February 2026, 6:23 pm
  • 52 minutes 15 seconds
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 11

    What do you do on Day 11 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics?

    If you're Jill, you spend hours doing logistics. Then you go to speed skating and life gets a little better.

    If you're Alison, you get to figure skating early to see the women's short program in action and try not to leave your seat.

    If you're in Livigno, you're not seeing much because it snowed enough to postpone some competitions.

    If you're a Friend of Eric Heiden, you're getting this pin: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com/products/87881839-friend-of-eric-heiden-pin

    If you want to carve the halfpipe like Alison does, this is what you're in for: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1428819258915010

    Sports on today's program:

    • Biathlon
    • Bobsled
    • Curling
    • Figure skating
    • Freestyle skiing
    • Ice hockey
    • Nordic combined
    • Snowboard
    • Speed skating

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    18 February 2026, 1:23 am
  • 45 minutes 27 seconds
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 10

    Curious about those On Location Olympic hospitality packages? We experience one of the suites at the figure skating pairs final competition and have the details! Plus, Jill has a spa experience and discovers that much like our Friends of Eric Heiden Club, there's a FAB club for friends of Alison Brown.

    Sports on today's program:

    • Alpine skiing
    • Bobsled
    • Curling
    • Figure skating
    • Freestyle skiing
    • Ice hockey
    • Ski jumping
    • Short track speed skating

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    17 February 2026, 1:18 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 9

    Day 9 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics turned into a wild day on ice and snow - we've got all of the results for you! Jill gets feisty (and delirious) at speed skating for team pursuit quarterfinals and the women's 500m, while Alison tries to understand what exactly happened at the figure skating pairs short program. Plus, the Friends of Eric Heiden club gains a new member.

    Sports on today's program:

    • Alpine skiing
    • Biathlon
    • Bobsled
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Curling
    • Figure skating
    • Freestyle skiing
    • Ice hockey
    • Skeleton
    • Ski jumping
    • Snowboard
    • Speed skating

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    16 February 2026, 1:21 am
  • 48 minutes 25 seconds
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 8

    Invariably at an Olympics, we're packing so much in that at some point we break. At Milano Cortina 2026, it's Day 8, when Alison tells Jill about a very special friendship.

    In other Olympic fun, Jill went out to Bormio to catch the men's Alpine giant slalom--and Brazil's first-ever Winter Olympics gold medal.

    Alison went to speed skating for Jordan Stolz' second gold medal of the Games and the wildness of the team pursuit.

    Sports on today's program:

    • Alpine skiing
    • Biathlon
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Curling
    • Freestyle skiing
    • Ice hockey
    • Short track speed skating
    • Skeleton
    • Ski jumping
    • Speed skating

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    14 February 2026, 11:31 pm
  • 1 hour 17 minutes
    Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics: Day 7

    Day 7 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics brought many surprises, particularly at the ice skating arena, where the men's figure skating finals took place with results that surprised Jill and most of the fans.

    Meanwhile, Alison had a full day of culture at the Duomo and Casa Airbnb, one of the highly sought-after pavilions at the Games.

    Sports on today's program:

    • Biathlon
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Curling
    • Figure skating
    • Ice hockey
    • Skeleton
    • Snowboard
    • Speed skating

    Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons).

    For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

    Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

    ***

    Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.

    ***

    Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

    Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

    Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

    Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

    Hang out with us online:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

    Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

    Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

    Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

    VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

    14 February 2026, 10:09 am
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