The Masters is here! March Madness wraps up. BURRITO DEBATE!

The Masters is here! March Madness wraps up. BURRITO DEBATE!

Author: The Word Podcast April 10, 2026 Duration: 1:25:51
We are live for "Christmas in April," checking in on the Masters, which is already testing our predictions. We fact-checked our draft picks. James is already committed to two trips to Fish Camp after losing the NFL pick 'em league and the March Madness bracket challenge to Rich Abernethy, and it could be quadruple or nothing with the Masters AND World Cup picks to come!

Our main event was the surprising hire of Michael Malone as the new head coach at the University of North Carolina. We agreed the move offers a strong recruiting and branding edge, but Rich Abernethy emphasized that today's recruits are drawn more by "the commas and the zeros" than the "legends and heroes" of the "Carolina Way".

Shifting gears, we dove into a heated debate on fast-casual burritos: Rich Abernethy is a "big Kdoba guy," asserting it's superior to Chipotle, while James declared Moe's Southwest Grill "the GOAT"—a claim Rich strongly refutes. We had to exclude Taco Bell from the discussion, classifying it as a "different weight class".

Finally, we looked at "America's team," the Charlotte Hornets, currently sitting in the 9-seed for the NBA playoffs. Rich Abernethy is concerned the successful season could end as a "big tease" if they lose the play-in games. 

That’s a wrap! The Word Sports News and Stuff program is available on all major podcast platforms, and you can follow us on twitter.com/@thewordpodcast and Instagram/@thewordpodcast. We'll catch you next week with a full NBA playoff preview once the matchups are finalized!

Tune in to The Word Podcast: Sports, News, & Stuff for the kind of conversation you'd have with your funniest, most opinionated friends. Hosts Rich Abernethy and James Mundia, friends since their college days, have turned their lifelong banter into a consistently entertaining podcast. Each episode finds them diving into the headlines and sports stories everyone is talking about, but with a relaxed, humorous perspective that never takes itself too seriously. They break down the week's events with a blend of genuine insight and comedic relief, making even the most complex news feel accessible. The chemistry between Rich and James is the engine of the show, creating a welcoming atmosphere where listeners feel like they're part of the discussion. Beyond their own takes, they frequently bring in guests from across the sports and entertainment landscape, adding new voices and expert angles to the mix. This isn't just a recap of scores and events; it's a lively exploration of the stories behind the stories, the cultural moments that spark debate, and the sheer fun of the games we love. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just enjoy smart, funny commentary on current events, this podcast offers a refreshing and thoroughly engaging listen every time. You'll hear authentic camaraderie, unexpected laughs, and thoughtful analysis, all wrapped up in a package that feels like hanging out with your most knowledgeable pals.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 53

The Word Podcast: Sports, News, & Stuff
Podcast Episodes
Rory Doubles Up! NBA Play-in games went crazy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:58
We're fresh off a phenomenal Masters that put our picks to the test! We checked in on our previous Masters predictions and found we were successful in predicting our "disappointments," which led to an "incredible reverse…
Kash'in out at the Olympics, NBA Playoff Push, HORNETS!, Luka & JJ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:19
We're back to cover the fallout from FBI Director Kash Patel partying with the USA Men's Hockey Team.It's playoff push time in the NBA and Rich's own Charlotte Hornets are making a statement!The recent benchside dustup b…
Superbowl Recap! Pick'em League Results! Costco is our Apocalypse HQ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:25
Super Bowl Recap: We break down a Super Bowl that one of us called "boring and completely forgettable," discussing the Patriots' "hapless" offense and Sam Darnold's career arc that saw him win a Super Bowl after his infa…
Ryder Cup Madness! 3 Bold Statements Check-in. UNC football is dunzo. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:13
We're back after a brief hiatus to tackle the madness that was the recent Ryder Cup, the early returns in the NFL season, and the improbable collapse of UNC football in the first season under Bill Belichick.With the NFL…