Japan, by its language, geography and history, offers a fascinatingly distinct culture. And the same applies to interests and philosophies around sport. In this episode, we dive into the host nation’s own Olympic sports to experience a more authentic Tokyo Games, and how seeing the athletic world from a different lens can make it more meaningful. Feel the precision and protocol of Karate with Sakura Kokumai and Tom Scott, and get a glimpse into the wild world of professional Keirin racing with Kaarle McCullogh. Join host Lauren Shehadi for Season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium. Episode 5 also features Mary Carillo’s telling of the “Friendship Medals” of 1936.

Tokyo welcomes Skateboarding, Surfing, Sport Climbing and 3X3 Basketball into this summer’s medal count, and with them a whole culture of urban and action sports. We explore these new-school events and how their development outside of the games could actually make them the perfect embodiments of old-school Olympic values. Let Todd Richards take you through the evolution of boardsports with input from riders like Nyjah Huston, Kolohe Andino and Heimana Reynolds, feel the gritty excitement of 3X3 with Kareem Maddox and Robbie Hummel, and elevate your climbing knowledge through Colin Duffy and Brooke Raboutou's vertical prowess. Join host Lauren Shehadi for Season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium.

Mental game: two words that are as often used as they are hard to grasp. But when the stakes are highest, when all competitors have sharpened their skills and trained tirelessly, psychology may be the deciding factor-both in and out of sports. Get a glimpse inside diver David Boudia’s intricate pre-performance routine, hear from Dr. Mike Gervais (from the Finding Mastery Podcast) how mental training separates good athletes from great ones and understand how these skills apply to adversity and success well beyond the Olympic Games. Join host Lauren Shehadi for Season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium. Episode 3 features David Boudia, Dr. Mike Gervais, Tim Layden and Mary Carillo.

Every Olympics has pushed the boundaries of sports technology, but the Tokyo games will see that constant multiplied by Japan’s penchant for tech. Feel how optimizing every single shape and surface propels cyclists to new speeds with Alex Howes, hear how equipment changes do more than improve performance for Tatyana McFadden, understand how old sports are improving with modern tools and go inside the broadcasting magic that transports viewers from their couch right into the action. Join host Lauren Shehadi for Season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium. Episode 2 features Alex Howes, Tatyana McFadden, Kelsey-Lee and Mike Barber, Karl Malone, David Mazza, Tim Layden and Ahmed Fareed

The Olympic Torch’s potential to inspire in times of chaos only deepens its power in the extraordinary leadup to Tokyo 2020. We start a brand new season of The Podium grasping the power of the flame. Relive Janet Evans’ triumphant 1996 torch relay with Muhammad Ali, hear a first-hand account of Catriona LeMay-Doan’s very public cauldron malfunction and discover how a clown saved a closing ceremony. Join host Lauren Shehadi for season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium. Episode 1 guests: Tim Layden, Janet Evans, Ahmed Fareed, Catriona Lemay-Doan and Yves Dagenais.

Over the next 12 weeks and right through to the closing ceremony, we’ll bring you deep into the stories and events that have defined the Olympics and those that will shape the Tokyo games. But we’ll also give you an intimate look into the unseen details that only the athletes themselves can tell. From sophisticated sports tech to athletics dynasties, opening ceremony jitters to gold medal storage tactics, experience the lead up to Tokyo with NBC Sports, the home of the Olympic and Paralympic games. Hosted by Lauren Shehadi, each episode features experts and athletes you’ll recognize along with those whose story you’ll be hard-pressed to forget. Prepare for season 2 of The Podium, an Olympic podcast from NBC Sports.

The Paralympic Games start March 8th. In this episode, host Lauren Shehadi looks at how advances in technology have created better prosthetics, which have made it possible for more athletes to compete in the Paralympic Games.

NBC Olympics Special Correspondent Chef David Chang is the founder of the Momofuku Restaurant Group and just opened Majordomo in Los Angeles. Lucia Cho is the CEO of Seoul's Bicena and the Michelin three-starred Gaon. They talked with host Lauren Shehadi about the diversity and traditions of Korean food, and what to eat in Pyeonchang, host city of the 2018 Winter Games.

Host Mike Tirico reflects on his first time hosting primetime Olympic coverage, the U.S. women’s hockey team's gold medal game, and the Games's impact on diplomatic relations between North and South Korea. Plus The Podium team tells the story of chance meeting between North Korean cheerleaders and two young South Koreans at the Games.

Speedskater Maame Biney and her father, Kweku, stop by the studio to talk about Biney's favorite experiences at the 2018 Games, and what she hopes will be different for 2022. Plus, a look at what led to Norway's dominance in PyeongChang, as the country has now earned the most medals in Winter Olympic history.