Taking the next exit…
When I first started blogging about the Ravens in 2016, I had little idea where it would eventually take me. I just knew that I loved talking about sports, and felt that I was a decent enough writer to eventually make a go of it doing it in a more serious capacity one day. I quickly learned that journalism wouldn’t be for me after trying my hand at a few classes in the subject, and decided to simply continue on blogging, as that gave me the right avenue to talk about what I loved, but in a way that allowed that passion and creativity to shine through.
As with a lot of people over the next few years, blogging ultimately led me towards podcasting, a medium that I had become fascinated by thanks to its unfiltered, easily accessible nature. For four years, Spencer Schultz and I had an amazing time covering the Ravens for Baltimore Beatdown, where our unique dynamic made us as good of friends as it did a pairing on a podcast together. That iteration of our show unfortunately came to an end recently, leaving us at a crossroads - and it was at that point that a few other friends that we had made along the way came into the picture to provide us with a way forward. An off ramp, if you will.
Banks and RDT had appeared as guests on our show over the years, and it was thanks to that #networking that the two guys Spencer and I had long admired as the sharp-witted Barstool writers who covered our favorite pro teams pretty quickly became real life buddies of ours. Ditto that for 2021 Maryland Podcaster of the year Taylor Smyth (pronunciation still unclear) who been a friend of the guys since before the three of them became the voices of The Exit 52 Podcast, a show the three of them were kind enough to welcome us onto the airwaves of in turn.
So when Vox Media pulled the plug on podcasting across all SB Nation platforms, Spencer and I were pitched on the idea of taking our talents to the proverbial South Beach that would be that very same podcast we were already so familiar with. Thanks to the connections we had made with the guys, and our ambition to expand our coverage and continue to test our limits, we jumped at the opportunity. So for those of you that have been wondering if Spenny and I would be back on an RSS feed near you soon after the windows and doors on our old pod were shuttered, wonder no more.
To join up with a talented and hilarious group of guys who we’ve been lucky enough to become friends with, BS around in group chats together, and enjoy (sometimes a few too many) beers on occasion is a blessing for sure. And we feel that with our combined skillsets from writing, podcasting, production, and social media (plus an already built in camaraderie with each other), this new venture will be a blessing to you, the listener/reader/follower.
While it’s daunting to take this next big step, it’s one that we’re very excited for, and feel ready to take advantage of. To all of those who’ve supported us along the way, we thank you. To anyone that’s new to us as we’re making this move, we welcome you - without great audiences that have engaged with us over the years, there’s no guarantee any of us would’ve developed the passion we have for making content.
I think I can speak for all five of us when I say we’re very excited for the future of this venture, and I hope you are too. Until next time… arrivederci.
- Jake