Podcasts

The Varsity
No one covers North Shore prep sports like we do, and we take it even further in The Varsity, where our hosts use a four-quarter format to give you the latest news, stats and scores, as well as their takes. They also chat with a special guest in have fun along the way.
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Water Polo Repeat, Classic NT-LA Soccer in Episode 129
Trevians water polo did it again, pulling off a surprising 10-6 victory over top-ranked Stevenson to bring home their second straight state title. We break down how they did it, and hear from coach David Rafferty-Flatter. Then, we turn to soccer where Loyola and New Trier turned in another classic playoff battle. Plus, postseason talk about track, tennis, volleyball, baseball and more
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LA Downs NT, Giants Ace, State Water Polo Preview in Episode 128
While both teams have bigger goals, New Trier and Loyola met for a late-season rivalry tilt, and we talk about the Ramblers feel-good victory. Highland Park baseball also got a big win thanks to a big arm.
Then, we take a look ahead to the big water polo weekend for New Trier with both boys and girls at state. -
Trevs’ Big Field Day, NT Softball Comes Alive in Episode 127
New Trier is sending a bus full of track/field stars to state after a big day at the sectional meet, which included some special performances in the field. On the diamond, Trevians softball got a big win over rival Evanston and coach Rose Wysocki tells us about it in the second quarter.
We also chat sectional water polo, playoff soccer and much more. -
Coach Naps Breaks The Record, Soccer Seeds Are Out in Episode 126
Meet the new wins king in Illinois high school baseball: New Trier’s Mike Napoleon. In his 39th season (27th at New Trier), coach Naps picked up his record-breaking 951st win last week. We talk about the record and how he made it happen and then hear from Napoleon himself in the second quarter.
It’s also a busy time of year so we make to catch you up on everything from soccer and volleyball to water polo and lacrosse. -
Major League Trevians and Soccer Catchup in Episode 125
New Trier baseball played under the big lights this week, hosting and beating Montini Catholic at the home of the Chicago White Sox. We talk about the special experience and hear from Trevs senior Charlie Hahn. Then we talk a bunch of soccer and lacrosse, as the seasons are heating up.
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Volleyball Ups and Downs in Episode 124
New Trier volleyball is working out early kinks and we discuss recent loss to potent Glenbrook North. Senior Tristan Macpherson joins in the second quarter to tell us more. Loyola on the other hand is off to a hot start. We also catch up with baseball, softball and soccer in this week’s episode.
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Homer-Happy Trevs, Volleyball Checkup in Episode 123
New Trier baseball plays long ball in a recent win — one of many so far in the early-going. We talk about what’s working for the Trevs and if they can keep it going. Then, we hear it from coach Mike Napoleon in the second quarter.
We make sure to touch on soccer and volleyball too after a warm week in spring sports. -
NT Baseball’s Sunny Spring Break, Is Trevs Soccer Back? in Episode 122
It’s a good day to talk spring sports. After a week off, we are back to discuss New Trier baseball’s 5-1 start a year after its 1-7 start. We also answer important questions way too early, like “Is Trevs’ soccer a state contender?”
Plus, we hit the field with Loyola softball and lament our lack of volleyball coverage thus far. -
Green Machine Champs Again, Ramblers Name New Coach in Episode 121
New Trier Green hockey is back on top, and we look into the 2-0 victory at the United Center over the weekend. We also hear from senior forward Landon Douthit on what the win means for the program. We also spend plenty of time breaking down the hire of Loyola football’s new leader, Beau Desherow.
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What a Finish for New Trier Basketball in Episode 120
While it wasn’t the ideal outcome, it was close enough for New Trier boys basketball, and we talk about their third-place finish — the program’s best in half a century. Coach Scott Fricke tells us how they did it up through the final game and what comes next.
And just like that, it’s springtime, and we pivot to a number of sports already underway.

North Shore News Week
Editor in Chief Joe Coughlin and Senior Editor Martin Carlino discuss the week in news on the North Shore, breaking down the why and how of the biggest headlines and giving you an inside look at our strategy in reporting on them.
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‘High’ West Nile risk, the Pickleball revolution and more in Episode 49
The latest local report on the West Nile virus show a “high” risk of infections for humans — the highest it’s been in years. We also go through a couple local festivals before discussing the exponential growth of pickleball in the area and what local officials are doing about it.
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Church bus stolen, restrictions at Glencoe concert and more in Episode 47
In this week’s top headlines, a bus that was recently purchased to transport senior citizens to church is stolen from a church parking lot and Glencoe officials announce COVID restrictions to its big concert featuring OAR. Plus, the story of Paws for Patrick and how it helps those enduring mental illness.
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New Trier announces its safety plan, and the curious case of all those Wilmette lawn signs in Ep. 46
Joe and Marty break down New Trier High School’s COVID-19 mitigation plan for the 2021-22 school year to open the show. In our down the shore segment, we talk over some potential big changes at a notable park in Kenilworth and delve into who’s behind all those “Keep Gillson Green” lawn signs in Wilmette. We close out the show with a recap of a special afternoon on the golf course — all in the name of support for The Record.
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Face masks for the fall and a small Winnetka road with a long history in Ep. 45
Local schools are beginning to confirm their plans for COVID-19 mitigation measures to start the 2021-22 school year following a mandate from Illinois’ top lawmaker. Joe and Marty discuss how the governor’s mask mandate will alter school district’s plans for the upcoming year. We detail a fun local story out of Winnetka, where a small road through New Trier’s campus has a long history — but not an accurate one. Our featured feature segment highlights The Record’s inaugural Youth in Journalism workshop that concluded last week.
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Township sees COVID surge due to Delta variant, Wilmette Village Board shows support for cannabis sales in Ep. 44
Joe and Marty break down the latest local COVID-19 data, which is trending in the wrong direction due to the Delta variant of the virus. Our weekly down the shore segment is Wilmette-heavy, as we cover a new downtown eatery slated to open this fall and the village board’s budding support for allowing cannabis sales. Our featured feature segment highlights something local officials have never seen before.
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In with a new restaurant and out with a big name in Glencoe and more park board mysteries in Ep. 43
Editorial Intern Alayne Trinko returns for another episode as the trio of hosts break down plans for a new restaurant coming to downtown Glencoe. Alayne, Marty and Joe also discuss the resignation of the longtime Writers Theatre director Michael Halberstam, another conundrum on the Wilmette Park Board and a local’s chance at Olympic glory.
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Drama at the Wilmette Theatre, changes at Winnetka Metra station, new dining additions in Episode 42
Hosts Joe and Marty are joined by editorial intern Alayne Trinko, who makes her debut on North Shore News Week. The trio discusses the recent departure of four top leaders at the Wilmette Theatre. In this week’s Down the Shore segment, the team covers upcoming changes at the Winnetka Metra station, zoning disputes in Glencoe, budget discussions in Wilmette and more.
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Remembering former Township Supervisor Dr. Alan Goldberg, Fourth of July fun in Episode 41
Joe and Marty pay tribute to the late Dr. Alan Goldberg, who served New Trier Township for decades. The hosts also recap Fourth of July festivities around the township, talk over a new summer treat in Glencoe and update listeners on the latest local news.
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Glencoe’s downtown dilemma, local environmentalist creates a buzz in Winnetka in episode 40
Managing Editor Megan Bernard’s return to the podcast was so nice we did it twice. Megan joins the podcast once again alongside Marty to talk over a “complicated” issue in downtown Glencoe. Marty and Meg make their way through other North Shore news including an 11-year-old Winnetka resident ‘bee’ing the change she wants to see and a former Village President hoping to promote unity through a new book.
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Botanic Garden plants the seeds for change, something special brewin’ in Wilmette in Episode 39
Managing Editor Megan Bernard makes her triumphant return to North Shore News Week in a jam-packed episode. Acting host Marty Carlino and Megan detail some big changes coming to the Chicago Botanic Garden and break the news on a big-name act coming to Glencoe.