500 Cats

Welcome back to 500 Cats, episode 23! This week, we dive into the recent IRONMAN Frankfurt, celebrating Kristian Blummenfelt's incredible run and discussing the controversial penalties that stirred up social media. We also share our frustrations with the rampant negativity and "keyboard warriors" in online comments, contrasting it with the overwhelmingly positive community surrounding the Western States 100 broadcast...

Welcome back to 500 Cats, Episode 22! After a much-needed (and very busy) hiatus, the team is here to dish on the trials and tribulations of event production, starting with their number one pet peeve: auto-responders. Find out why these "out-of-office" emails are a "plague in the event business" when you're literally on-site with the sender.

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This week, the Cats navigate triathlon mayhem as usual – rookie wetsuit disasters, risky drone maneuvers, and questionable audio setups. But when an actual forest fire breaks out mid-broadcast (no, seriously), they carry on unfazed. There may have been a brief dive into politics too, but don’t worry, that didn’t make the final edit. Just another day at 500 Cats – where fires can’t stop us, but common sense probably should.

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After a "significant hiatus" and a whirlwind of 31 events since January 30th, the 500 Cats crew is back for Episode 20! Dave, Marcus, and Dylan dive into the madness of their incredibly busy schedule, recounting tales from the front lines of event production.

Relive the drama of Rock and Roll Las Vegas, the rollercoaster ride that was Sea Otter, the team's triumphant comeback at Levi's Gran Fondo, GPS devices at ...

Join us as we dive deep into the world of airline status, uncovering the truth behind the points game and sharing our own frustrating experiences. We'll also explore the latest advancements in video transmission technology, including DJI's new transmitter/receiver and our plans to capture epic footage with motorcycle-mounted cameras. Plus, we'll discuss the pros and cons of different action cameras, from GoPros to In...

In this episode of 500 Cats, the team is buzzing with excitement as they recount early 2025 event highlights and dive into cutting-edge tech projects. From the smooth success of Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona to navigating the challenges of waterproofing GPS trackers, the crew balances innovation with real-world problem-solving. They also geek out over drones, discussing their role in live broadcasts and the intricacies of turning consumer ...

On this episode of 500 Cats, the team kicks off the new year by exploring the wild world of AI and how it’s shaping event production. From microphone mishaps to philosophical musings on “feeding the bears,” the crew keeps it real with stories from behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest endurance events.

In this episode, they introduce a surprise AI guest (or two) who’s been quietly listening to past episodes — and has some...

As 2024 draws to a close, the 500 Cats crew gathers for their final podcast of the year – and it's packed with laughs, reflections, and a whole lot of "right meow!"

Join Dave, Melinda, Marcus, and Dylan as they celebrate a year of triumphs and tribulations, from conquering 85 events and countless broadcasts to navigating the complexities of international travel and customs declarations.

The team dissects their recent s...

On this episode of 500 Cats, the team embarks on their first adventure in the Land of the Long White Cloud—New Zealand! Managing all things IT and internet from Taupō during the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, Ryan and Dylan share their hilariously chaotic journey navigating left-hand driving, trenching cables in parks, and learning Kiwi slang. With just “one battery bar” left on their recorder, the duo captures the essence of Tau...

This week on 500 Cats, the team dives headfirst into a post-Thanksgiving recap, complete with carrot soufflé controversies and the aftermath of a chilly Turkey Trot. Dave and Ryan brave the cold to capture the festive spirit on camera, while Mel takes on the 5K with a 360° camera in tow.

But the real action unfolds in Western Australia, where the crew tackles a complex IRONMAN 70.3 broadcast. From battling unexpected dog fights in t...

It's a jam-packed episode of 500 Cats! This week the team recaps three very different events: a high-tech safety conference at Folsom Field, a sold-out choir concert with a global live stream audience, and IRONMAN Arizona, where an emotional encounter with an athlete led to a heartwarming story.

Join Dave, Dylan, and the rest of the crew as they discuss the challenges and triumphs of each event, including:

• Safety Conference ...

In this episode of 500 Cats, Marcus, Ryan, and Edde are joined by Tim and Cloe Bolen, two incredible athletes featured in IRONMAN Arizona 2024. Their story is one of resilience, generosity, and deep connection, inspiring us all to strive for more—whether it’s giving back to those in need, fostering meaningful relationships, or simply being a better version of ourselves. We’re honored to share this conversation with two truly extrao...

On this episode of 500 Cats, we talk about the 20 year anniversary of IRONMAN Arizona while on site in Arizona. We talk with Judy Stowers and and Tom Ziebart, two of the people who have been to every year of the race, along with our own host Edde Burgess. Hear awesome stories from the past and some inspirational words with true friends.

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This week on the podcast, we talk through travel, music, and the election. As event professionals, we have a lot of advice for how to travel better, so if you've ever wanted our insider scoop, here it is. We also talk through the way we pick music for events and some of the funny stories we have collected over the years. Lastly, we touch on the election, but don't worry, we're not getting political! Check it out!

Than...

Our team sits down and talks through some of the frustrations, difficulties and successes following IRONMAN Florida the day after the race. There were a lot of learnings and some tears as well as new friends. One of those friends, Denise Escher, sat down with us to talk us through the day.

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Today on the podcast we talk about industry terms, or at least the made up terms we often use when talking about our equipment. We also sat down with Jim Ristow to talk about his Journey at IRONMAN and his plans to take part in the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona in 2026.

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The crew made it to IRONMAN Florida for another event! On this episode of 500 Cats we catch up with the Race Director, Ben Rausa, as well as the jumbotron driver of legend, Larry Powell. We also have a new cat song to unveil!

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There are no words that do justice to express our feelings of the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship, and what it means to us and to our friends. This is definitiely one you're going to want to listen to.

We want to extend a special thank you to: Marcus Thomas, Melinda Downey, Cate Camacho, Isabel Bowman, Morgan Crescent, Katie Copner, Diana Bertsch, Mark Mosback, Matthieu van Veen, Julia Polloreno, Matt Lieto, Greg Welc...

In Episode 5 of 500 Cats, it's the day before the big race at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, and the crew is buzzing with excitement! This episode features Katie Copner, who oversees VIP operations at IRONMAN, sharing behind-the-scenes insights on how she’s gearing up for race day. We’re also joined by Ryan High, back with updates on how things are going at merch as the final touches come together for the big event. W...