Sometimes it Rains explores the intersection of sports and society through unique storytelling, original reporting, and thoughtful conversations told one story, one game at a time.
Professional Female Bull Riders - Part 3: The Rookie - Moria Novakoski
For our third and final episode about women’s professional bull riding, we get to meet Moria Novakoski and her mom, Jodi. In just a short year, the 15-year old has made a big impact with the PBR’s NextGen youth riding series. We talk to Moria about how NextGen is creating a new generation of riders and doing so in a much more structured - and safer way. And we also find out what it’s like to be a mom of a someone riding in the toughest show on dirt.
28 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 4.5 Behind the Ride: How Scoring Works and Setting the Record Straight on the Flank Strap
Four-time World Champion Jorden Halvorsen explains bull ride scoring and clarifies flank strap myths in this interview with the host.
21 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 4: Professional Female Bull Riders - Part 2: The All-Star - Jorden Halvorsen
In the second installment of our three episodes focusing on women’s professional bull riding, we chat with Jorden Halvorsen, four-time World Champion, TV and social media personality and founder of the Elite Lady Bull Riders. We also meet Sabrina Garcia, producer of the series Not Her First Rodeo, available on Hulu.
Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of physical injury.
26 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 3: Professional Female Bull Riders - Part 1: The Trailblazer - Jonnie Jonckowski
In the first of three episodes focusing on the storied history of women’s professional bull riding, we meet Jonnie Jonckowski, two time World Champion and 1991 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee. The former collegiate track star turned elite bull rider discusses the growth of the sport, surviving some harrowing rides and the role she played in bringing women’s bull riding back to the professional circuit.
Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of physical injury.
10 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
Bleacher Seats and Luxury Suites: An Interview with Seth Tannenbaum
Sometimes it Rains is back! On this episode we interview Seth Tannenbaum, professor of Sports Studies at Manhattanville University about his new book, “Bleacher Seats and Luxury Suites: Democracy and Division at the 20th Century Ballparks.” Give it a listen and, if you haven’t already, please like and subscribe!
22 Jun 2023
A SIR Special: The Complicated Legacy of Jim Brown
Many have called Jim Brown the greatest running back of all time. Though he played in the NFL more than 60 years ago, his numbers are incredible even by today’s standards. In addition to his accomplishments on the gridiron, he was also an accomplished actor and an important leader in the fight for Civil Rights. He was a man made for the moment in which he lived. But there was also a disturbing history of violence that, with his recent passing, has led some to question how, and to what degree, he should celebrated.
We take a look at all of that on this special episode of Sometimes it Rains.
4 Jan 2023
What’s in a Name? The Story of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Native American Mascot Controversy
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the few North American scholastic or professional sports organizations remaining with a mascot derived from Native American heritage. Season 2 of Sometimes it Rains chronicles the riches, to rags, and back to riches story of the Chiefs amidst the backdrop of an all too little know history of the Native American people in the United States that led to the intertwining of sports mascots, culture and politics.
3 Jan 2023
Season 2 Episode 1: The More You Know
When looking at the issue of Native American mascots in sports, so much comes down to a lack of knowledge concerning the history of Indigenous peoples and the relationship between Native Americans and The United States. We also look at the history of mascots in sports and how professional sports teams in Boston, Cleveland and Washington began to claim Native American iconography for their own.
3 Jan 2023
Season 2 Episode 2: Are You Ready for Some Football?
Professional football comes to the Great Plains when an entrepreneur from Dallas decides to move his team to KC. A look at the history of the Kansas City Chiefs and how the name came about. We also discuss the ways in which the United States criminalized Native American culture and traditions in an attempt to force cultural assimilation.
3 Jan 2023
Season 2 Episode 3: Let’s Talk About the Chop
A look at the history of the “Tomahawk Chop” in sports and how it is emblematic of how much we “don’t” know of Native American history. We also take a look at how the movement to end the use of Native American mascots gained momentum in the 90’s and into the 21st century.
3 Jan 2023
Season 2 Episode 4: The Kansas City Chiefs Are on the Clock
A look at what the future might hold for the movement, including the recent significant steps taken by professional franchises to address the issue and what that might mean for the Kansas City Chiefs moving forward.
17 Jan 2021
Episode 1: Patience and Progress
An incredible talent for hitting a baseball lands Willie a scholarship to South Carolina State and the opportunity to pull himself and his family out of poverty. As he works his way up the ranks from the minors to major league, Willie’s career path eventually leads him to Kansas City.
Also, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick gives a history of baseball in KC.
17 Jan 2021
Episode 1.5: Learn More About the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
A quick thanks to Bob Kendrick of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and information on how you can help support the museum.
17 Jan 2021
Episode 2: World Series and White Powder
Willie finds his groove and the national spotlight as he helps lead the Kansas City Royals to an AL Championship and their first trip to the World Series. But he also finds a growing need for his new favorite pastime - cocaine.
Also, a history of cocaine use in America and a look at how race has played a central role in U.S. drug policy.
17 Jan 2021
Episode 3: Don’t Snort the Foul Line
As Willie’s cocaine use becomes increasingly routine, the end of every game is the beginning of the party, often with a handful of teammates at his friend and supplier Mark’s house. But the party turns sober quickly when the federal government’s burgeoning war on drugs sets its sights directly on Major League Baseball.
Also, a look at how the Reagan administration transformed U.S. policy in regards to drugs and the effect those policies began to have on incarceration levels in America.
17 Jan 2021
Episode 4: Sólo Quería Jugar
Determined to find his way back to the majors, Willie heads south to play ball in Mexico. He tears it up, setting records throughout the league. But at the same time, he finds his addiction growing more serious and culminating with his introduction to a new form of smokable cocaine.... called crack.
Also, a history of Liga Mexicana de Béisbol, and a look at the crack epidemic, facts and misconceptions surrounding the drug and the ways in which the media helped shape America’s perception of crack cocaine.
17 Jan 2021
Episode 5: United States of America vs. Willie Mays Aikens
Everything in Willie’s life comes crashing down the day a woman stops and asks for directions. She says her name is Karen. Willie thinks she might be looking for a boyfriend.
She’s not. And her name isn’t Karen.
Also, criminal defense attorney Doug Passon explains sentencing entrapment as it relates to mandatory minimums.
17 Jan 2021
Episode 6: A Matter of Black and White
As Willie’s trial quickly concludes, it becomes increasingly evident that mandatory minimums will play a critical role in determining his fate. And that the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine is about to send him to prison.... for a very long time.
Also, a look at the history of mandatory minimums and issues of racial bias in the criminal justice system.
17 Jan 2021
Episode 7: A Second Chance
While serving a lengthy sentence, first in Leavenworth and later in Atlanta, Willie finds redemption and a shot at a new life. Once released, he embraces his new role as a husband and father, and even eventually finds his way back to the Kansas City Royals.
Also, an examination of where we are today with mandatory minimums and the war on drugs, particularly how they’ve impacted the Black community. And finally, some thoughts on where we might go from here.
Inside a recent episode
Professional Female Bull Riders - Part 3: The Rookie - Moria Novakoski
Published 4 May 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So the barrels that you basically go up and down on, just how like you need to move your body, how the bowl could go, how you can kind of predict what they might do. And then I also do Champion Living Fitness, which is basically like a, just a rodeo workout program. So Paul Lloyd, he gives us like just a daily workout except for on the weekends, but just a daily workout that takes like 45 minutes to an hour. And we can just, I can do that. And it's just building up that muscle that I need to, as the girl coming into this, the muscle that I need that guys might have an easier time growing or just have more of. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
