CURVA MUNDIAL

The host and founder of the Super Eagles Podcast and Nigerian Football Weekly Olu Oke joins CURVA MUNDIAL to discuss his passion and love for Nigerian football, his Arsenal fandom and how Nigeria is having a moment in the spotlight as the world is embracing the West African nations music, films and football.

We travel to Ghana in this episode of CURVA MUNDIAL as journalist Clinton Eleto takes us on a tour of football in the West African country. Eleto, originally from Nigeria, talks about moving to Ghana to pursue his dreams, following and reporting on the Ghanian football league and national team and his fandom of Asante Kotoko.

In the season 7 premiere, ESPN FC Anchor Kay Murray takes on a journey through her broadcasting life from starting out at her favorite team -- Middlesboro -- and their local station to Real Madrid TV and working alongside Mourinho, Kaka, Ronaldo to BeIn and now ESPN. The Ballon d'Or host also takes listeners on her journey with IVF and gets candid about the experience trying to start a family.

On this episode of CURVA MUNDIAL we head to Berlin, Germany via Ohio as Ed Zelaski, the host of Don’t Poke the Bear – the Hertha Berlin site in English, talks all things Hertha Berlin. Zelaski talks the history of the club through modern players and situations as well as their decline in recent years which saw them get relegated last season.

Enrik Millaj of The Smoking Snake joins CURVA MUNDIAL to talk his love of Santos, Brazilian football, and what it is like watching Joga Bonita from Michigan. Millaj, an immigrant from Eastern Europe talks about how he fell in love with the Brazilian game and then taking it a step further by creating the first English language podcast -- The Smoking Snake -- bringing Brazlian football to the English speaking world.

On this episode of CURVA MUNDIAL, Peter Curto of IFTV joins us to talk his love of Inter and Azzurri. The New York City-born and based attorney talks growing up and living in Brooklyn, watching the strong Italian influence stick around and where to get a good pastry. He also speaks about being a football agent and co-founding his company Supra Soccer which represents players across the world.

Brothers David J and Kevin Haskins of the legendary bands Bauhaus and Love and Rockets join CURVA MUNDIAL to talk about their love of Manchester United. The brothers talk growing up in Northampton and how they became United supporters. They discuss the recent Love and Rockets reunion tour and how football fans and concert crowds are very similar.

On this episode of CURVA MUNDIAL, trail blazing pundit and commentator George D. Metellus joins us to talk about his love of Inter Milan and how he got involved in soccer broadcasting. The voice of BeIN and CBS Sports personality takes us on a deep dive about soccer in South Florida, carving his own path and his Haitian roots. We also talk about how Metellus is one of the few Black soccer personalities on TV that was never a professional athlete and how and why that needs to change ASAP.

Just before season 6 kicks off, season 1 guest Russ Pellerito returns to CURVA MUNDIAL in this special EXTRA TIME episode to talk all things Inter Milan -- from their heartbreaking UCL final in June to the drama behind Romelu Lukaku; plus what Inter needs this summer. We also get into Serie A predictions and how host Sal Bono isn't a fan of AC Milan's transfers this summer.

Sepe Paredes, the founder of Bolivar News, the Club Bolivar English news site joins CURVA MUNDIAL to discuss all things Bolivia and his favorite club. Paredes, who moved from his native Bolivia to Argentina, explains why he wanted to craft an English site for his favorite team - Club Bolivar. He explains the differences between the countries but also why everyone was pushing for Argentina in the World Cup final. Paredes also takes us on a tour of Bolivia and why it should be on your list of places to see.

Ed Fox, one of the founders and board members of Proud Owls, an independent group of LGBTQIA+ and allied supporters of Union Omaha, joins CURVA MUNDIAL to talk representation in football. Fox, who recently got into the beautiful game because of the NASL club Union Omaha coming to his city, talks about how he has been bitten by the bug of falling in love with the sport through this club. He also talks the activism he and Proud Owls have done to make the football stadium a safe space for fans of all kinds, especially the LGBTQIA+ community in Omaha. Fox also talks about what the sport is like in Omaha of all places and how it is an untapped soccer haven.

Josh Steeples, the owner of one of our favorite online supporters, A Store Like 94, joins CURVA MUNDIAL to talk retro football, why the game was better back then, his fandom of Crystal Palace and what the team means to him. He discusses how he created A Store Like 94 and working with other creatives in the footballing world and why anyone with an idea should try it. Josh also talks mental health and the importance of taking care of yourself. Following the loss of a friend, Josh explains why it is okay to not be okay sometimes -- if you need and need someone to talk to, in the UK call Samaritans at 116123 and in the US call Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741741.

The singer of one of the best new bands around, Joff Chapman of British buzz band Crosswires joins CURVA MUNDIAL to talk about his love and passion of West Ham. Chapman, whose band just released their brilliant second album, "Yesterday in Mourning," takes us through his family tree and the history they have with the club and how they are so much more than just a team but a familial legacy.

You have seen him on the hit FX series "Welcome to Wrexham," now mega Wrexham supporter Shaun Winter joins CURVA MUNDIAL to talk about more than his fandom of the historic club. He takes us on a tour of the city and says what game day is like is exactly what the cameras capture. Winter, a father of two, explains why he confronted his depression in front of the cameras of the series and how he wants to help anyone struggling. Winter also talks the changes made by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney that have made Wrexham now a household name across the world and how he has been recognized anywhere he goes.

Before Daniele DeRossi was let go of his duties at SPAL, the team's owner, powerhouse attorney Joe Tacopina recorded his episode of CURVA MUNDIAL and talked about what it is like owning a club. Tacopina discusses his humble but tough Brooklyn roots that led him on a path to changing how criminal court procedure is done and boasts a client list that includes JAY-Z, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, and Donald Trump. Tacopina also talks about how he is a member of Italian football's governing body, FIGC, and his time at Roma, Bolognia, Venezia and how he came to purchase SPAL.

Azzurri supporter Rosemarie Sparacio, the brainchild behind the viral cooking show, "Pina's Kitchen," joins CURVA MUNDIAL to talk about how she helped create the online cooking series with her mother. Rosemarie also dishes on her love of the Azzurri, which she says she gets from her dad. The aspiring filmmaker also spoke to us about how she is drawing attention to mental health and mental illness with her documentary "Intrusively" and how OCD isn't just a term to kick around but something she has to battle with daily.

The voice of the New York Mets and sports pundit Mike Janela joins CURVA MUNDIAL to talk about his love of the Portuguese national team and traveling around the globe to see them in the last three World Cups. Janela talks about his experiences traveling to see A Seleção with his dad as the team performs at the highest level. He gives insight into what it was like being in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and Russia in 2018. Janela also discusses how his wife might be making him a Barca fan.

In this episode of CURVA MUNDIAL, CBS Sports pundit and commentator Andres Cordero comes on to talk his career path and the unlikely childhood he had. From growing up in Cuba to then moving to Panama then settling in Miami where he learned the ropes of broadcasting at University then working for GoalTV and BeIn Sports, Cordero's journey is unlike any other. Along the way he met incredible people who he considers family like Matteo Bonetti, Kay Murray, Bobo Vieri, Mike Grella, Phil Schoen and of course, Ray Hudson. He also talks about his Barcelona fandom and how he got his dad into the beautiful game.

Dave Rowntree of Blur joins us to talk his lengthy career not just in music but in the areas of animation, legal work, technology. Rowntree, who released his solo debut, "Radio Songs," walks in front of his famous drum kit to take center stage before Blur hits the road this summer in Europe. Rowntree also talks about his love of the England national team, watching the women's side life the Euro last year and hearing Blue tunes at various football grounds across his country.

In a new segment of CURVA MUNDIAL called EXTRA TIME, we speak to previous guests who have been on the podcast and welcoming them again in between seasons. As you get ready for the next season of CURVA MUNDIAL, here is an EXTRA TIME interview with our dear friend, author and journalist Gary Thacker to discuss his new book for Pitch Publishing called “DUTCH MASTERS: When Ajax's Totaalvoetbal Conquered Europe.” In this episode we look back on the European glory years of Ajax, Johan Cryuff, and why they are a true football factory of talent.

In the season 4 season finale, Arielle Castillo joins us to talk wellness, Man City and social media and how all three of those things connect. She is the social media guru for Manchester City’s US accounts and is the owner of Half Time Yoga, she is here to explain why stretching and the ancient art of yoga is much needed to all fans of this game. Arielle also talks about what it is like working for City but in America and keeping the audiences in the 50 States excited about Manchester's blue team. We also make a plea for Liam Gallagher to do yoga in a City kit with Arielle and do this podcast -- wishful thinking! 

CURVA MUNDIAL travels to Venezuela with acclaimed author and writer Jordan Florit. The author of "Red Wine and Arepas," joins us to discuss moving from England to Venezuela and falling in love with the country, its food and football as well as laying down his roots in the country. Florit also discusses founding FUTVE English, an English speaking news site for Venezuelan football. Florit also talks his love of Southampton and what he believes a fandom truly means. 

Damien Malatino, the founder of AS Monaco Fans NYC, joins CURVA MUNDIAL to discuss all things Monaco. Malatino talks his fandom of AS Monaco, the history of the French club, and how Princess Grace plays a role in the team's kits.  Malatino also discusses growing up in Monaco and then making the move to New York City where he would eventually create the fan group AS Monaco Fans NYC. 

Author and writer Ibrahim Mustapha joins CURVA MUNDIAL as a guest to talk his love of Arsenal, his life in North London, and his critically acclaimed book "No Longer Naïve: African Football’s Growing Impact at the World Cup." Mustapha discusses why the continent of Africa has something very serious to offer in future World Cups and looks back on the history of African sides coming of age on the world's biggest stage. Mustapha also talks his Nigerian roots and traveling to Nigeria with family and seeing how the game has impacted that country. 

We head to Portugal where we will examine one of that countries most famous teams, Porto, with one of the co-hosts and founders of the excellent Porto Podcast -- Rui dos Santos. Rui examines the history of Porto and how Liga Portuguese can grow thanks to the amount of exciting talent in the league. Rui also discusses the Portuguese community in Rhode Island, trying to watch his favorite team in America as well as his fandom of AC Milan. 

Gian Chansrichawla sits down with CURVA MUNDIAL as we head to the enchanting country of Thailand where we are joined by the cofounder of Thai League Central and editor of Football Tribe. Chansrichawla talks about the attention he wants to bring to Thai football, what the sport needs in his country as well as his love of Muangthong United. 

What is a fan of Italian Serie B side Parma doing in Iceland? Well, Gudjon Gudmundsson joins CURVA MUNDIAL to discuss how his admiration for Parma Calcio came about and following them in the land of fire and ice.  Gudmundsson takes us on his journey in following the team from Iceland, traveling across Italy to see them as well as Icelandic soccer and how it captivated the world stage in recent years. Gudmundsson tells how Iceland football is more than the addicting Viking clap but the inspiring as the story of a dentist who became the national team manager and took the team to the 2018 World Cup and 2016 Euros and what was it like seeing the team on the international stage.

German football consultant and blogger, Adam Khan joins CURVA MUNDIAL to take us to the world of Bundesliga and all things German football. The American expat living in Germany dives into his love of Borussia Mönchengladbach, living in Dusseldorf, and founding the popular German Football Newsletter. 

Gary “Gaz” Whelan of Happy Mondays and Love and the Family Tree joins CURVA MUNDIAL to talk his love of Manchester United, AC Milan and Serie A. The musician discusses how his passion about Serie A and Italian soccer came about, what has it been like not only being a fan of the league and style from a different country. He also discusses the Madchester music scene and what it means to be from the city and how United, despite their issues these days, have represented the working class heroes of the town. 

In the season 4 premiere of CURVA MUNDIAL we are joined by Azzurri and Inter fan from Down Under -- Frank Risorto. Frank, a friend of the podcast, is a writer for Gentlemen Ultra and the host of their fantastic podcast "The Gentlemen Ultra Down Under." Frank tells us about waking up at unholy hours to watch European football, what soccer is like in Australia, what it was like having Del Piero play in his city and the spirit of Italians in Australia. 

Just before his big move to ESPN, Luis Miguel Echegaray spoke to us about his "Paddington Bear" life from growing up in Peru and moving to England and eventually working in America. The ESPN host speaks about his love of Aston Villa, the Peru national team and what it was like leaving the turmoil in Lima, Peru, as a kid to England and adapting to a whole new work while falling in love with football.