Wake Up the Echoes

Latest Episodes:

Episode 81 - Marcus Freeman, Micah Gilbert & Cam Williams Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Wake Up the Echoes, presented by Sofi host Tony Simeone sits down with Head Coach Marcus Freeman to break down the dominant performance against Michigan State—including a closer look at wide receiver Micah Gilbert’s career breakout game (8 catches for 170 yards), marking the best individual receiving performance by a Fighting Irish receiver since 2017. Next, Micah Gilbert joins the couch to talk about his off-the-field adventures studying abroad, including the unique local dishes he was brave enough to try—and the specific foods he couldn't bring himself to touch. Then, player host Cam Williams takes over for a fun segment with Micah to talk about major personal style changes, including the story and decision behind cutting off his dreadlocks. Finally, Coach Freeman returns to close out the show with an in-depth preview and game plan as Notre Dame prepares to hit the road to face off against rival Purdue at Ross–Ade Stadium. 00:00 - Intro 02:27 - Coach Freeman 25:31 - Micah Gilbert & Coach Freeman 45:47 - Micah Gilbert & Cam Williams 1:00:23 - Purdue Preview 1:02:13 - Outro

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Episode 80 - Marcus Freeman, Jaylen Sneed & Cam Williams Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

We're back for another episode of the Official Podcast of the Fighting Irish. Coach Marcus Freeman breaks down the tape from the victory over Rice, highlighting key defensive stops & offensive execution. Linebacker Jaylen Sneed sits down to share stories from his upbringing in the South Carolina Low country, discussing how his background and community shaped his path to Fighting Irish football. Player host Cam Williams takes over for a fun segment with Jaylen Sneed, diving into Jaylen’s passion for cars, his favorite builds, and what he loves to drive off the field. Coach Freeman returns to close out the episode with an in-depth preview of the upcoming match-up against rival Michigan State. 00:00 - Intro 01:55 - Coach Freeman 22:14 - Jaylen Sneed & Coach Freeman 39:51 - Jaylen Sneed & Cam Williams 55:09 - Michigan State Preview 55:49 - Outro

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Episode 79: Season 4 Premiere - Marcus Freeman, Jaden Greathouse, Cam Williams Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Wake Up the Echoes is back for Season 4! In this action-packed premiere, host Tony Simeone kicks off the new season with an exclusive look inside Notre Dame Football. First, Head Coach Marcus Freeman pulls up to the couch to go beyond the stat sheet, breaking down key plays, scheme adjustments, and what’s driving the Irish this season.

To wrap things up, we hear about personal favorite wide receivers with our new player-host Cam Williams and we get a preview of the upcoming Rice game from Coach Freeman!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Season 4!
02:06 – Coach Freeman
25:34– Coach Freeman & Jaden Greathouse
42:17 – Jaden Greathouse & Cam Williams
1:00:38 – Rice Preview with Coach Freeman
1:03:04 - Outro

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Episode 78: Tee Time: A Season 3 Send-off With Notre Dame Golf (feat. Pete Bevacqua, Alexsandra Lapple, Breanna Jenco, Jacob Modleski, John Handrigan, Gia Kvaratskhelia) Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

We’re shifting gears to the greens for the debut of the highly anticipated Golf Leprechaun—the logo update your weekend bag has been begging for. AD Pete Bevacqua and our golf programs dive into the "Notre Dame Advantage," where student-athletes balance world-class degrees with elite opportunities that range from the hallowed fairways of Augusta to the "one-two punch" of the nation’s best resources. Plus, Tony attempts to convince the actual pros that his 10-finger grip is a legitimate technical innovation (it’s not), while the teams prepare to carry this championship momentum into the spring postseason. We’re closing out the season with a literal trophy haul as Coach Gia Kvaratskhelia and the fencing squad drop by to explain how two more National Championships are just another day at the office for the most dominant brand in college sports. Whether we’re taking a victory lap for the blades or fueling up the jet for the next tournament, this finale is a sharp reminder that at Notre Dame, excellence is the only standard.

00:00 - Intro

02:20 - Pete Bevacqua

15:57 - Subject Matter Expert - Women’s Golf - Alexsandra Lapple, Breanna Jenco

33:32 - Men’s Golf - Jacob Modleski, John Handrigan

59:16 - Tell Me A Story - Gia Kvaratskhelia

1:08:39 - Outro

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Episode 77: CJ Carr, Jordan Faison & Isaiah Dunn Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

It’s the football finale on Wake Up the Echoes, and we’re going out with a high-energy blend of upperclassmen energy and literal sorcery. Our co-host Isaiah Dunn officially hands in his mic after two seasons on the couch, but not before putting on one final show with guests CJ Carr and Jordan Faison. While the group dives into the legacy of the "old heads" who came before them, CJ reveals his true calling as a South Bend wizard by pulling off a magic trick that leaves the studio questioning the laws of physics (and the security of the Heisman trophy?). We wrap up Isaiah's final episode as co-host with the ultimate postseason mantra: "Don’t let the pursuit of your goals diminish the joy of today." It’s been a legendary run for our first co-host—thanks for everything, Isaiah!

00:00:00 Intro

02:19:00 Subject Matter Expert: CJ Carr, Jordan Faison & Isaiah Dunn

26:07:00 Tell Me a Story: CJ Carr, Jordan Faison & Isaiah Dunn

34:05:00 Ask the Host: Tony Simeone & Isaiah Dunn

40:36:00 Outro

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Episode 76: A Notre Dame Fencing Feature (feat. Eszter Muhari, Ahmed Hesham, Gia Kvaratskhelia & Cedric Loiseau) Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Wake Up the Echoes, we’re trading the jump shots for parries as Notre Dame Fencing prepares to defend its status as a literal dynasty. Head Coach Gia Kvaratskhelia stops by to talk National Championship prep alongside Cedric Loiseau—a man who carries the nickname "Liezu" (Bird) with such poise that Tony has officially dubbed him the "French Larry Bird." We’re diving into the technical mastery of the Epee, the relentless dominance of a women’s program that treats ACC titles like a light weekend errand, and the mental gymnastics required to balance world-class athletics with South Bend academics. Whether you're here for the elite swordplay or just to see if Cedric can live up to his legendary basketball namesake, this episode is a sharp reminder of why the Irish are the gold standard on the strip.

00:00:00 Intro 02:17:00 Gia Kvaratskhelia & Cedric Loiseau 20:44:21 Eszter Muhari & Ahmed Hesham 32:50:20 Eszter Muhari & Ahmed Hesham 44:47:06 Ask Tony/Outro

created by Fighting Irish Media

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Episode 75: Carson Towt, Matt MacLellan & Micah Shrewsberry Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

It’s the final men's basketball episode of the season, and we’re packing the couch with enough cinematic drama and postseason momentum to carry the Irish straight through the winter. Coach Micah Shrewsberry joins us from "the boot" to give a massive shoutout to his wife, Molly, for being the ultimate MVP during his rehab, all while keeping his eyes locked on the program's upward trajectory. Then, things get properly theatrical as Carson Towt and Matt MacClellan drop in to relive a Vegas F1 weekend that Carson is convinced was a deleted scene from Mission: Impossible. It's an episode that, with enough conviction, could land some of our players on Peacock's hit show Traitors.

Presented by Fighting Irish Media

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Episode 74: Iyana Moore, KK Bransford & Niele Ivey Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

It’s the final women's basketball episode on this season of Wake Up the Echoes, and we’re going out with high-octane energy and a heavy dose of millennial existential dread. Host Tony Simeone finds himself in a generational gap as he attempts to explain the concept of "burning a CD" to 22-year-olds Iyana Moore and KK Bransford. While Coach Niele Ivey breaks down the championship-level culture being built by this core roster, Iyana Moore takes us into the kitchen to discuss her visceral horror at the concept of caviar (shoutout to Hannah Hidalgo's 21st birthday celebrations after yet another dominant performance) and her deep bond with her father, who taught her to cook at age six. It's been a season of evolution for the women's team, and we're celebrating that growth, grit, and the exciting postseason that awaits.

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Episode 73: Pete Bevacqua, Madison Rassas, Grace Maroney & Christine Halfpenny Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Host Isaiah Dunn brings together the best of Notre Dame legacy and locker room energy in this episode of Wake Up The Echoes.

Athletics Director Pete Bevacqua offers a heartfelt look at his father’s influence and the enduring power of the Irish network, while Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Christine Halfpenny breaks down the strategy behind the team's dominant 4-0 start.

To top it off, players Madison Rassas and Grace Maroney join the fun to reveal the secret weapon behind their game-day confidence—Madison’s signature bedazzled hair clips. It’s a perfect blend of tradition, winning streaks, and sideline sparkle.

00:00 Intro

00:40 Catching Up With Pete Bevacqua

23:03 Subject Matter Expert with Madison and Grace

33:48 Tell Me A Story with Madison and Grace

38:26 Convo with HC Christine Halfpenny

50:47 Ask the Host + Outro

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Episode 72: Micaela Kastor, Mickey Winchell, Kris Ganeff, Jack Radel, Drew Berkland, Shawn Stiffler Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Buckle up for a marathon doubleheader as Isaiah Dunn officially sits in the host chair to navigate the diamond-side of Notre Dame Athletics. This episode is a must-listen for those currently playing in the "Life Majors" (Coach Stiffler’s term for the "Big Leagues" of weddings, promotions, and parenthood). Coach Ganeff stops by to officially recruit Isaiah to the softball hype squad while Micaela Kastor and Mickey Winchell reveal how they turned a five-person Bible study into a campus-wide movement. From lighthearted stories with Jack Radel and Drew Berkland to a deep dive into the legendary Notre Dame alumni network, this episode proves that while the games are on the dirt, the real legacy is built in the dugout.

00:00:00 Intro

00:55:18 Tell Me a Story with Micaela and Mickey

07:09:00 Subject Matter Expert with Micaela and Mickey

17:34:06 Catching up with Kris Ganeff

28:56:04 Top Ranked Players with Jack and Drew

32:47:10 Tell me a Story with Jack and Drew

41:7:14 Catching up with Shawn Stiffler

50:11:18 Ask the Host + Outro

created by Fighting Irish Media

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