Best April Curtain Podcasts (2025)

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Ashleigh Bryant Phillips 2:11:47

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4d ago2:11:47

2:11:47

This week we visit with Ashleigh Bryant Phillips in Asheville, North Carolina. Ashleigh Bryant Phillips is from rural Woodland, North Carolina. She's a graduate of Meredith College and earned an MFA from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Her debut short story collection Sleepovers is the winner of the 2019 C. Michael Curtis Short Story …

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Episode 232: A Musician's Holiday Wish List 27:23

4d ago27:23

27:23

It's the Holidays, we hope your having a lovely time! Join us this week to rewrite a famous holiday tune. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/The_Nutcracker_(suite),_Op.71a_(Tchaikovsky,_Pyotr) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/legalcodeBy Rocky Mountain Student Media

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Ep249 – How to Be Better at Sales with Joe Graham 54:53

8d ago54:53

54:53

Sales doesn’t have to feel pushy, awkward, or manipulative—but for many entrepreneurs, it still does. At its core, sales is really about problem-solving, building relationships, and helping people make confident decisions. When done with integrity and intention, sales becomes less about pressure and more about service. This conversation explores ho…

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Nilo Tabrizy 1:51:49

18d ago1:51:49

1:51:49

This week we visit with Nilo Tabrizy in Brooklyn, New York. Nilo Tabrizy is the co-author (with Fatemeh Jamalpour) of For the Sun After Long Nights, a moving exploration of the 2022 women-led protests in Iran, as told through the interwoven stories of two Iranian journalists. She is an investigative reporter at The Washington Post working for the v…

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Episode 231: Peter Cornelius and “The Three Kings” 15:12

18d ago15:12

15:12

The holiday season is underway, and we're delving in with a non-traditional carol. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DieKoenige.ogg#Summary https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:(Aurel_von_Bismarck)_EG_70_Wie_sch%C3%B6n_leuchtet_der_Morgens…

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Ep248 – Stepping Into Her Speaker Era with Jessica Hammock 48:40

22d ago48:40

48:40

There comes a point in every woman’s journey when she feels that pull to use her voice in a more meaningful, more expansive way. It’s the moment when sharing information becomes sharing transformation — when your story becomes the very thing that opens doors for others. In this episode, I’m exploring what it truly means to step into that calling, h…

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Tessa Fontaine 1:40:03

25d ago1:40:03

1:40:03

This week we visit with Tessa Fontaine in Asheville, North Carolina. Tessa Fontaine is the author of The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death-Defying Acts and The Red Grove, her debut novel. Raised outside San Francisco, Tessa teaches in Warren Wilson’s MFA program, started Salt Lake City’s Writers in the Schools program, and has taught in jails and p…

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Episode 230: March Madness (A Brief History of School Marching Bands) 20:26

1M ago20:26

20:26

If you're lucky, you'll get to see a marching band field show during a high school or college football game this season. But what's with all the pageantry around this musical sport? Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/The_High_School_Cadets_(Sousa%2C_John_Philip) https://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:Public_Domain…

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Ep247 – Overcoming Your Fear of Visibility and Stepping into Your Calling 30:15

1M ago30:15

30:15

Visibility is a word that tends to stir up big feelings—sometimes excitement, but often fear and resistance. I know firsthand how intimidating it can feel to put yourself out there, to be seen, and to let others witness your work and your story. But I also believe visibility is the doorway to deeper impact, aligned opportunities, and powerful conne…

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Andrea L. Rogers 1:59:57

2M ago1:59:57

1:59:57

This week we visit with Andrea L. Rogers in Mountainburg, Arkansas. Andrea L. Rogers is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary fiction across a variety of genres. Her first book, Mary and the Trail of Tears is historical fiction, which is pretty much horror for Native people. It was on both the NPR & American Indians in Children’s L…

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Episode 229: Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major 21:07

2M ago21:07

21:07

You may not know you know it, but we know you know it! You've definitely heard at least one movement of this piano sonata- let us know which movement you're familiar with! Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_No.11_in_A_major%2C_K.331%2F300i_(Mozart%2C_Wolfgang_Amadeus) https://creativecommons.org/lice…

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Ep246 – Your Gut Knows the Truth: Dr. Selvi Rengasami on Healing from the Inside Out 48:50

2M ago48:50

48:50

Have you ever felt like your body was trying to tell you something—but you just weren’t sure how to listen? In this powerful conversation, we explore what it truly means to heal from the inside out. This episode dives deep into the connection between gut health, self-trust, and the stories we tell ourselves about wellness and worth. It’s a reminder…

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Ep245 – What It Really Takes to Write a Book: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly with April Adams Pertuis 45:27

2M ago45:27

45:27

We all love the idea of writing a book, don’t we? That dream of holding your words in your hands, of sharing your story with the world, of finally saying “I did it.” But the truth is — writing a book is not all coffee shop moments and creative bursts. It’s a journey filled with resistance, discipline, emotion, and deep personal reflection. And some…

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Episode 228: Hitting the Right Notes About the Timpani 14:54

2M ago14:54

14:54

We continue our tour of the percussion section this week with a look at the timpani drums! You won't want to miss learning about these beautiful and versatile instruments. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_in_D_major,_Op.61_(Beethoven,_Ludwig_van) https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0…

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Michael Amos Cody 1:58:59

2M ago1:58:59

1:58:59

This week we visit with Michael Amos Cody in Johnson City, Tennessee. Michael Amos Cody was born in the South Carolina Lowcountry and raised in the North Carolina highlands. He spent his twenties writing songs in Nashville and his thirties in school. He’s the author of the novels Streets of Nashville (Madville Publishing) and Gabriel’s Songbook (Pi…

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Ep244 – Creating Epiphanies Out of Life with Anna Girgan 1:05:58

3M ago1:05:58

1:05:58

There comes a moment when life as we know it starts to fall apart — not to destroy us, but to guide us back to who we’re meant to be. Burnout, loss, and uncertainty can become the very things that wake us up to a deeper sense of purpose and peace. This episode is about what happens when we stop running from the unraveling and start trusting the tra…

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Nic Brown 1:38:51

3M ago1:38:51

1:38:51

This week we visit with Nic Brown in Clemson, South Carolina. Nic Brown is a writer and a musician. He has published several books, including the memoir Bang Bang Crash (Counterpoint 2023), which was named a book of the year by Library Journal and Booklist, and the novels In Every Way (Counterpoint 2015), Doubles (Counterpoint 2010), and Floodmarke…

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Toni Jensen 1:43:44

3M ago1:43:44

1:43:44

This week we visit with Toni Jensen in Springdale, Arkansas. Toni Jensen’s Carry is a memoir-in-essays about gun violence, land and Indigenous women’s lives (Ballantine 2020). An NEA Creative Writing Fellowship recipient in 2020, Jensen's essays have appeared in Orion, Catapultand Ecotone. She is also the author of the short story collection From t…

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Episode 227: Anyone Can Play the Triangle (and learn about it too!) 11:31

3M ago11:31

11:31

This week we're taking a look at perhaps the most famous percussion instrument, the triangle. We know even YOU can play it, so we're here to teach you all about it so you can go out into the world and pass as a true professional. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Piano_Concerto_No.1%2C_S.124_(Liszt%2C_Franz) htt…

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Damon Young 1:29:42

3M ago1:29:42

1:29:42

This week we visit with Damon Young in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh writer DAMON YOUNG’s debut memoir, What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays (Ecco), won the Thurber Prize for American Humor. His new book, That's How They Get You: An Unruly Anthology of Black American Humor released on June 3rd, 2025. A …

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Ep243 – 10 Posts a Day Challenge - Results and Aha's 42:47

3M ago42:47

42:47

Have you ever wondered what might happen if you really pushed the limits of your visibility online? Most people struggle to post once a day—so the idea of posting ten times a day sounds a little wild. But I decided to put that theory to the test, and what unfolded was both surprising and game-changing. In this episode of The Inside Story Podcast, I…

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Kevin Brockmeier 2:27:14

3M ago2:27:14

2:27:14

This week we visit with Kevin Brockmeier in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. In addition to his latest book, The Ghost Variations: One Hundred Stories, Kevin Brockmeier is the author of the novels The Illumination, The Brief History of the Dead, and The Truth About Celia; the story collections Things That Fall from the Sky and The View from t…

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Episode 226: Gabriel Faure’s Paris Conservatory 10:00

3M ago10:00

10:00

In our final episode of the Paris Conservatory series, we're looking into a director who revolutionized the conservatory for the modern day- Gabriel Faure. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Pavane%2C_Op.50_(Faur%C3%A9%2C_Gabriel) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode…

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Jen Fawkes 1:51:03

4M ago1:51:03

1:51:03

This week we visit with Jen Fawkes in her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. Jen Fawkes is the author of Daughters of Chaos, a literary alternate history in which a female Union spy discovers a secret society of magical women that spans millennia. Pulitzer Prize finalist Kelly Link called Daughters of Chaos "ferociously, radiantly compelling," and …

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Ep242 — Transplant Teenz Founder Micah Clayborne and His Mom Brittany on Turning Pain Into Purpose 1:10:23

4M ago1:10:23

1:10:23

One of the things I’ve learned in all my years of sharing stories is that our greatest challenges often carry the seeds of our greatest impact. When life hands us trials we never asked for, we can choose to let them break us—or we can use them as fuel to shine a light for others. This episode is about resilience, hope, and how two remarkable people…

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Ep241 – LIGHTbeamers: 10 Years of Light 1:20:01

4M ago1:20:01

1:20:01

Ten years ago, I followed a little nudge on my heart to start sharing my stories. I didn’t know exactly what LIGHTbeamers was or what it would become — but I knew I wanted to help women find their voices and shine their light. What began as me posting on Facebook turned into a private group, which then grew into this global community, a platform fo…

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Episode 225: Premiere Scandals at the Prix de Rome 11:56

4M ago11:56

11:56

It was the most prestigious competition of all, yet shrouded in controversy; that's right, we're talking about the Prix de Rome. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/La_valse%2C_M.72_(Ravel%2C_Maurice) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/legalcodeBy Rocky Mountain Student Media

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Ep240 – Using Storytelling to “Create Your Blank” with Allison Field 48:32

4M ago48:32

48:32

What would your life look like if you could intentionally design it from the ground up? Many of us drift through seasons without pausing to define what we truly want—only to find ourselves feeling unfulfilled or misaligned. Creating your ideal life begins with clarity around your values, an honest look at your past experiences, and a willingness to…

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Episode 224: The History of the Paris Conservatory 11:41

5M ago11:41

11:41

You've heard us speak many times about the great establishment of the Paris Conservatory, so this week we're going to learn all about it's history. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Suite_bergamasque_(Debussy%2C_Claude) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode…

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Ep239 – Girl, Unemployed: Turning Job Loss into a Journey Back to You with Desiree Groft 43:18

5M ago43:18

43:18

Losing a job isn’t just about missing a paycheck — it can unravel your sense of identity, safety, and purpose. For many women, especially those navigating life on their own, job loss brings a cascade of emotional and practical challenges. But within that uncertainty also lies an opportunity for reinvention, reflection, and storytelling. This episod…

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Episode 223: Modern Music of the 1958 Brussels Worlds Fair 14:19

5M ago14:19

14:19

It's fair to say some wonderful musical moments have come out of the Worlds Fairs. We're honing in on the Expo 58 this week to look at a very interesting modern piece, so join us at the Fair! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Suite_bergamasque_(Debussy%2C_Claude) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode…

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Ep238 – Thriving in Your 3rd Act with Cathryn Baker 40:31

5M ago40:31

40:31

There’s a powerful shift happening for women stepping into the later seasons of life. The “Third Act” is no longer about winding down—it’s about reigniting purpose, rediscovering identity, and rewriting what it means to thrive in your 60s, 70s, and beyond. It’s a time to reflect on everything you’ve lived, learned, and led—and to ask, “What’s still…

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Amy Le Ann Richardson 1:36:36

6M ago1:36:36

1:36:36

This week we visit with Amy Le Ann Richardson in Carter County, Kentucky. Amy Le Ann Richardson earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University (‘09) and is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Make Believe Worlds We Built Together (Bottlecap Press, 2023) and Who You Grow Into (Finishing Line Press, 2024), as well as a full collection, Ou…

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Kristen Renee Miller 1:50:34

6M ago1:50:34

1:50:34

This week we visit with Kristen Renee Miller in Louisville, Kentucky. KRISTEN RENEE MILLER is the director and editor-in-chief at Sarabande Books. An award-winning poet and translator, she is a 2023 NEA Fellow and the translator of two books from the French by Ilnu Nation poet Marie-Andrée Gill. She is the recipient of honors from the Foundation fo…

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Ep237 - The Magic of Retreats with Lisa Dunford Dickman 1:17:19

6M ago1:17:19

1:17:19

There’s something truly transformative about stepping away from your day-to-day life and immersing yourself in a retreat experience. Whether it’s a journey to a new destination or a space for intentional reflection, retreats offer the opportunity to reconnect with your inner self, gain clarity, and ignite growth. They are designed not just for rest…

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Episode 222: Carlo Gesualdo, the Murderous Motet Musician 15:47

6M ago15:47

15:47

Join us to look into one of the more diabolical musicians we've brought to the show, and stick around look hear some of his truly glorious music with the piece Tristis est anima mea from the Responsories for Holy Week. Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Tristis_est_anima_mea_(Gesualdo%2C_Carlo) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode…

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Isa Arsén 1:17:03

6M ago1:17:03

1:17:03

This week we visit with Isa Arsén in San Antonio, Texas. Isa Arsén is a certified bleeding heart based in South Texas, where she lives with her spouse and a comically small dog. Her work has been featured in Stone of Madness Press, The McNeese Review, and several independent anthologies and audiovisual projects. Her novels include SHOOT THE MOON (P…

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Naomi Shihab Nye 1:35:11

6M ago1:35:11

1:35:11

This week we visit with Naomi Shihab Nye in San Antonio, Texas. Naomi Shihab Nye describes herself as a “wandering poet.” She has spent more than 40 years traveling the country and the world to lead writing workshops and inspiring students of all ages. Nye was born to a Palestinian father and an American mother and grew up in St. Louis, Jerusalem, …

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Ep236 – Using Travel to Rediscover Yourself with Author Christina Cridebring 1:06:44

6M ago1:06:44

1:06:44

What happens when life as you know it falls apart — and instead of breaking down, you decide to board a plane and find yourself again? Sometimes the best way to get clarity is to step away from the noise and give yourself space to breathe. Travel has a way of helping us see things differently — not just the world, but ourselves. It’s in those quiet…

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Episode 221: Nadia Boulanger, Teacher Extraordinaire 11:34

6M ago11:34

11:34

This week we're looking at the teacher who shaped modern American music. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Shenandoah_(Alink%2C_Bert) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcodeBy Rocky Mountain Student Media

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Elizabeth Crook 1:32:24

7M ago1:32:24

1:32:24

This week we visit with Elizabeth Crook in Austin, Texas. Elizabeth Crook is the author of six novels: The Raven’s Bride and Promised Lands, The Night Journal, Monday, Monday, The Which Way Tree, and The Madstone. In 2023 Elizabeth received the prestigious Texas Writer Award from the Texas Book Festival and in 2025 the Texas Medal of Arts in Litera…

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Ep235 - 9 Visibility Habits Every Speaker Should Start—Today 45:24

7M ago45:24

45:24

Speaking is one of the most powerful ways to grow your visibility, share your story, and create meaningful impact—but so many people don’t know where to begin, especially if they’re not being invited to speak (yet!). The truth is, speaking isn’t the destination—it’s the vehicle that helps you connect with more people and grow your business. You don…

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Ep234 - The Selah Journey: From Burnout to Breakthrough with Cami Foerster 52:57

7M ago52:57

52:57

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose yourself in the roles you play—parent, partner, professional, caregiver—until you realize you’ve been running on empty. What happens when your body and spirit finally demand you pause? That moment of reckoning can feel terrifying, but it may also be the beginning of a powerful transformation. This epis…

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Episode 220: Aaron Copland, the Dean of American Music 11:45

7M ago11:45

11:45

Copland has so cemented himself as an American music figure that he was commonly referred to as "the Dean of American Music"- find out more in this weeks episode, and be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Shenandoah_(Alink%2C_Bert) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode…

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“George Pickens Traded! Steelers Target Allen Lazard & Free Agents” 8:13

8M ago8:13

8:13

Welcome to the Blitz, Please Podcast. The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in a surprising move that shakes up their wide receiver room. In this video, we break down the details of the trade and explore what’s next for the Steelers. Are they targeting Allen Lazard, a familiar face from Aaron Rodgers’ past? Could …

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Ep233 - When you "bomb" giving a Keynote Talk 45:52

8M ago45:52

45:52

Public speaking sounds exciting, right? Standing in front of a room, sharing your story, dropping wisdom, and making an impact. But here’s the truth: even the most seasoned speakers still get butterflies (and sometimes full-blown tornadoes) before stepping on stage. Speaking isn’t just about being polished — it’s about connection, preparation, and …

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Episode 219: Ravel and Pavane pour une infante défunte, M.19 21:19

8M ago21:19

21:19

It's time to bring Ravel back into our lives, along with a fictional dead princess. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Pavane_pour_une_infante_d%C3%A9funte%2C_M.19_(Ravel%2C_Maurice) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcodeBy Rocky Mountain Student Media

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Ep232 - Building Rich Relationships with Selena Soo 50:39

8M ago50:39

50:39

What does it really take to build powerful, authentic relationships that stand the test of time—and fuel your personal and professional growth? It’s not about collecting contacts or chasing visibility. It’s about being intentional, generous, and showing up in meaningful ways for the people who matter. In today’s world of fast connections and online…

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Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft Review: Day 3 Picks & Undrafted Free Agents! 16:08

8M ago16:08

16:08

In this episode, I break down the Steelers' 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft, giving you my thoughts on each selection and how they fit into the team's future. Plus, I dive into the undrafted free agents Pittsburgh signed after the draft — and trust me, there are a few sleepers to watch! 🖤💛 Full analysis on: Steelers Day 3…

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2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft - Picks From Rounds 1 and 3 11:40

8M ago11:40

11:40

In this episode of Heists, Hustle, and Homicide (NFL Draft Edition), we shift gears to break down the Pittsburgh Steelers’ approach to the 2025 NFL Draft. With only two picks through Day 2, the Steelers have already made moves that could define the next decade of football in Pittsburgh. We start with first-round pick Derrick Harmon, the versatile d…