Published by Chirping Zebras
Mark Riley and Geno Binda are former pro hockey referees. Join them and their guests as they talk hockey and give an insight into the world of hockey refereeing. Available everywhere you can find podcasts. Also, watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxr8qKpznozm9paQxZL2GA
Listen on Apple Podcasts1 hr 1 min
If you are in the mood for some real talk about hockey tournaments, refereeing, trips to Vegas and the World Cup Final, this is the episode for you. Mark and Geno chop it up about all that and more. And Geno discovered sound effects on Riverside. Geno really likes sound effects. 🔥 BIG LOVE TO OUR SPONSOR Couldn’t do this without the beauties who keep the wheels turning. Support our sponsor thats support the show — that’s just good locker-room etiquette. 🦓 Referees Crease Recruiting, developing, and advancing the next generation of hockey officials. If you wear stripes — you belong here. 🎙️ Huge thanks to AOA Studios For rolling with us and capturing the boys chirpin’ it up. CHIRPING ZEBRAS MERCH Look good. Chirp better. 👉 https://chirpingzebras.com/shop/ 🌐 EVERYTHING CHIRPING ZEBRAS Episodes, clips, merch, socials — all in one barn. 👉 https://chirpingzebras.com/ 📺 Full episode out now wherever you get your podcasts. Hit subscribe, drop a comment, and let it rip
52 min
This episode has a ton to unpack. The boys come out of the gate talking refereeing clinics, the NHL draft, and the moves the Boston Bruins made this past week. And just when you thought that was a lot, the boys bring on comedian PJ Thibodeau, a CZP favorite, to talk about the Celtics trade of Jaylen Brown and the World Cup. Not only is PJ a top headlining comic, he is also a basketball and soccer expert. In true Chirping Zebras fashion the episode goes off the rails when Geno shares what his favorite pickup line was back in the day. This was so funny Riles snorted. Yeah that funny. Don't leave this one early or you'll miss a whole lot of hilarity. Shout out to Iliac Golf for sending us a custom CZP head cover. Check them out.
50 min
The Tartan Army from Scotland has been partying their way through Boston and Miami. Riles met some of the crew at his show last Saturday night. After some singing with the lads they agreed to join us Zebras on the pod. If you are a fan of soccer and the World Cup, love the Scottish accent, and like to laugh, this is the episode for you. In a beach bar north of Miami, Allan MacDonald and the boys talked about the Tartan Army's trip to Boston, the World Cup, futball's GOAT, their favorite stadiums and much more. Oh yeah, there was singing. Can't spend time with lads from Scotland without some singing. No Scotland, No Party.
55 min
The Zebras rolled back into Granite Links Golf Club for the Tee Off For Heroes celebrity golf tournament to benefit the Warrior For Life Fund. This episode is absolutely loaded with big names with big stories. On this episode 1980 Olympic Gold Medalist Mike Eruzione stopped in and talked hockey and golf. Greg Hill from The Greg Hill Show on WEEI had some laughs with the boys and highlighted The Greg Hill Foundation, that was involved with the big golf ball drop at the end of the day. Also joining the Zebras was Hockey Hall of Famer Joey Mullin, who won 3 Stanley Cups. Boston Bruins radio color commentator Bob Beers gave his thoughts on the current Bruins and next season. Granite Links golf pro Nick Tedeschi talked about the 3 nine hole courses they have at the club and what its like to host TOFH for a great day of gold. Boston comedy legend Steve Sweeney jumped in to provide some comic relief and we finished up with Boston Bruins Foundation president Bob "Swoop" Sweeney. Go to warriorforlifefund.org for more information on this incredible organization that helps current and retired Navy Seals and their families along with Gold Star families. Big stick taps to Kevin Mason of Marina Bay Management for setting the boys up at Granite Links, and to retired seal Captain Ryan Croley who help establish the Warrior For Life Fund. Also a shout out to Boston Bruins Alumni president Frank Simonetti for his continued support of CZP. If you have never played Granite Links you should. It is an awesome course run by awesome people.
1 hr 41 min
Naoko Funayama, a sportscaster who has covered multiple sporting events including four Olympic Games, joined the boys for talk about hockey, refereeing and her travels around the globe covering sporting events. Naoko has worked for NBC Sports, NESN, the New England Revolution and is currently working as a reporter for the Snow League, a professional snowboarding and free skiing league. She had a lot of questions for Geno and Mark about refereeing and what it takes to be a hockey referee. Naoko also talked about her career path and the four Olympics she covered. She covered the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, delayed to 2021 due to covid. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. Naoko is a true professional journalist who grilled the boys for information about hockey and officiating. It was more Naoko's podcast than the Zebras. Sit back enjoy a sportscaster that has been around the world.
1 hr 23 min
Strap in because the boys are joined by three time Stanley Cup winner Jordan Nolan, who happens to also be on the hit show Shoresy. We talk about his career in the NHL, being on the show and everything in between.
1 hr 13 min
Ryan McDonell, aka Michaels from Shoresy, joins the boys for a full-blown hockey culture heater. This week on Chirping Zebras, Ryan McDonell hops in with Mark Riley, Geno Binda, and Josh Dolan to talk all things hockey — from life around the rink, officiating stories, acting gigs, Boston hockey chaos, and the kind of behind-the-scenes moments you only get when you’ve lived inside the game. Ryan has worn a bunch of different buckets over the years — referee, actor, hockey guy, storyteller — and the boys get into how all those worlds collide. We’re talking locker room laughs, fan culture, old-school hockey memories, the evolution of sports media, and why this game still has a way of bringing absolute beauties together. If you love hockey, chirps, Boston sports culture, refs catching strays, and stories from guys who’ve been around the game, this one’s for you. Pull up a stall, tape the twig, and enjoy the ride.
1 hr 39 min
Sam Hiller hops on the pod to talk Olympic-level officiating, women’s hockey, the PWHL, Milan, firefighting, and what it’s really like being the one everyone yells at. Absolute wagon of an episode.
1 hr 9 min
Boys are absolutely BUZZIN’ this episode—grab a cold one and settle in. We’re talkin’ full-blown playoff chaos, and yeah… the intensity is already through the roof. The hits are heavier, the chirps are nastier, and every shift feels like someone’s about to lose a tooth or a series. We dive headfirst into the Bruins—what’s working, what’s got fans pacing like lunatics, and whether this squad’s got that legit “we’re not messin’ around” playoff gear. Are they built for a run or are we gonna need a couple more “big boy” performances? Then we get into that Ducks OT goal… absolute filth. The kind of greasy, dirty, blink-and-you-miss-it finish that makes you spill your drink and yell at nobody in your living room. That’s playoff-style hockey right there, even if it’s coming from a team that said “yeah, we’re still here, pal.” AND—because it wouldn’t be hockey without it—we’re callin’ out the officials. Not just the show, but the NCAA stripes too. Let’s just say… consistency is not their strong suit. Boys break down some calls (and non-calls) that’ll have you questioning if the refs are watching the same game as the rest of us. On a real one, we also shine a light on the first-ever Kevin Stevens Recovery Cup—an unreal event with a bigger purpose. Hockey community showing up in a major way, supporting recovery, second chances, and proving this game’s got heart way beyond the rink. Absolute respect. It’s laughs, it’s takes, it’s a little bit of “what are we doin’ here?” and a whole lotta playoff energy. Strap in. It’s only getting louder from here.
1 hr 53 min
The Zebras rolled into Granite Links Golf Club for an absolute heater with Ryan Croley — and boys, this one’s got some meat on the bone. We’re talkin’ life as a United States Navy SEALs, dealing with PTSD, handling pressure when the lights are hot, and finding purpose after the battle. Real stuff. No fluff. Then we get into the unreal work being done by the Warrior for Life Fund alongside the Boston Bruins and the NHL community — helping heroes keep moving forward. Toughness, brotherhood, and second chances. You wanna hear what leadership actually sounds like? Buckle up. Big stick taps to Kevin Mason for setting the boys up at Granite Links, and to Captain Croley for coming through with an all-time conversation. Grab a cold one, settle in, and let the Zebras cook.
1 hr 35 min
On the road again. The Zebras go to The Range in Hingham to sit down with two power houses. Lucas Carr and Matt Brown. The boys talk about their experiences running the Boston marathon along with other marathons including New York City. Matt tells the story of how he was paralyzed and Lucas talks about the day of the marathon bombings and what it was like for him that day right after he crossed the finish line. This one has emotion, grit, laughs and great stories. Special thanks to the Range in Hingham along with Kevin Mason of Marina Bay Management for setting us up with a great space to tape this beauty.
58 min
Chirping Zebras Podcast – LIVE from Skate 3 (Tyngsboro, MA) The boys hit the road and took the show straight to the rink—Skate 3 in Tyngsboro, MA—right before a Boston Bruins Alumni barnburner, and yeah… it got exactly as rowdy as you’d expect. We’re posted up with a stacked lineup of absolute beauties from the game, including none other than Irish Micky Ward, plus a bunch of characters, legends, and rink lifers who showed up ready to wheel, deal, and tell stories you definitely shouldn’t hear in a locker room (but we’re telling them anyway). This one’s got everything— 🏒 Hockey stories that go off the rails 🍻 Locker room energy and classic chirps 🎟️ Raffles, auctions, and community vibes 💛 All for a killer cause: Exceptional Citizens Week It’s chaos, it’s laughs, it’s the kind of episode where you feel like you’re standing at the glass with us, watching it all unfold. So grab a cold one, settle in, and try to keep up… because this one’s buzzing start to finish. Let’s set the tone, boys.
1 hr 26 min
🍀 CHIRPING ZEBRAS LIVE @ LAUGH BOSTON | ST. PATRICK’S DAY WEEKEND BLOWOUT🍀 March 15th, 2026 What a day, what a weekend, what a ride. We kicked things off the only way you can in Boston on St. Paddy’s Weekend—boots on the ground in Southie, ripping through the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the Chirping Zebras float with the boys… and somehow made it out alive. Then we took it straight to the stage. 🎤 LIVE from Laugh Boston The barn was buzzing. The crowd brought it. The boys showed up. We had an absolute wagon of a lineup: 🦓 Chirping Zebras Crew — Mark Riley, Josh Dolan, Geno Binda Jr. 🍁 Jonathan Diaby (“Dolo”) — certified beauty 🎬 Terry Ryan (“Ted Hitchcock”) — first rounder, legend, all-time storyteller And yeah… it got loose. We had beauties in the building too: -Retired Navy SEAL Jon Echols -Travis Jackson -Jedi from Maine Cabin Masters -Todd Angilly (Boston Bruins anthem king) kicking things off with the U.S. & Canadian national anthems — chills right outta the gate. -The Hangaz Axe and Smok This wasn’t just a live show… this felt like the start of something. Hockey’s built on tradition… and this might be the start of a BEAUTY. From parade beers to stage lights, from Southie madness to Laugh Boston chaos—this was one for the books. And we’re just getting warmed up. Special thanks to: John Tobin, Ryan Cott & Alex at Laugh Boston — for hosting the circus Dolo & Terry Ryan — absolute beauties for coming down and lighting it up Jared Keeso & the entire Shoresy crew — for making magic and welcoming us into the mix Thanks to our sponsors! Referee’s Crease Damon Financial Granite Links Berardi Irrigation Mackay Construction Lovell Hockey Grillo’s Pickles Landmark Public House Boston Jr. Terriers Merrymen Foundation Laugh Boston Cyrus 11 Todd Angilly Sisti Marketing
1 hr 43 min
This week, the Zebras hit the ice at Lovell Arena, huge thanks to Tim Lovell—friend of the show! We were thrilled to welcome folks from Massachusetts Adaptive Hockey Initiative, and yes—you might spot some USA Hockey tarps and gold on the set!
1 hr 47 min
This week the Chirping Zebras boys sit down with NHL tough guy and Stanley Cup champion Darren McCarty — and let’s just say… the man might be leaving with the Chirp Champ title. From the opening minutes, McCarty wastes no time tearing into the boys with stories, one-liners, and classic locker-room energy that had everyone on their heels. It’s not often the Zebras get matched — let alone out-chirped — but this one might go down as an all-timer. The conversation rolls through Grind Line battles, the Avalanche rivalry, and the emotional weight of winning the Stanley Cup, mixed with honest talk about fighting culture, referee life, and the respect that still drives the game. McCarty shares memories from playing alongside legends, lessons learned along the way, and what hockey looks like from his perspective today. There are laughs, a few savage chirps, and some real moments too — touching on addiction, growth, and life beyond the spotlight — all while the boys keep the conversation loose, unpredictable, and exactly what you’d expect when hockey stories start flying. Hockey history, bench banter, and a rare episode where the hosts might’ve finally met their chirping match.
1 hr 24 min
The Zebras are back at center ice and this one’s… unbelievable. The boys welcome Andrew “Goody” Antsanen from Shoresy — and yeah… it gets unbelieve… real fast. From audition stories and life on set to ski trips, road stories, and the kind of ref chirps that make you wanna yell “settle down” from the bench, this episode feels like a locker room that forgot the cameras were rolling. Goody talks about stepping into the role, building chemistry with the cast, and what happens when fans recognize you mid-beer, mid-tattoo, or halfway through a parade plan gone sideways. The crew dives into hockey culture, small-town adventures, hunting tales, and the weird traditions that only make sense if you’ve lived rink life long enough. Between moose calls, travel chaos, and debates over the best hockey movies ever made, it turns into a full bench-banter session — equal parts Shoresy energy and Chirping Zebras mayhem. If you like your hockey talk fast, funny, and a little unhinged… grab a seat and settle down.
1 hr 32 min
We brought in a hockey legend, Brian Burke, for Episode 100. Brian has had a distinguished career spanning more than three decades. He has held senior management roles with several NHL organizations, including the Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Calgary Flames. Brian guided the Anaheim Ducks to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2007 and has been a prominent voice in hockey operations, player development, and league affairs. On August 29, 2023, Burke was named as the Executive Director of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association, the player union for the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). We talked about all of his experiences including the You Can Play project that Burke and his son Patrick launched in honor of Brendan, which is targeted at ending homophobia in sports. Legendary stories and insight from a bona fide legend in the hockey world. This episode entertains, educates and excites so give it a watch or listen. You will not be disappointed.
1 hr 19 min
Episode 99 and we brought in a beauty. JJ Frankie JJ himself — Max Bouffard — hops on with the Zebras and we go full locker room right out of the gate. We get into how Max actually landed on Shoresy and Letterkenny, what that audition process was really like, and how a hockey kid ends up stealing scenes on one of the most authentic hockey shows ever made. From there it’s movies, TV, behind-the-scenes chaos, what’s scripted vs what’s pure locker-room improv, and why Shoresy works when so many hockey shows don’t. And here’s the kicker — the entire time we’re chopping it up, Max is dealing with absolutely brutal back pain, still grinding, still laughing, still firing stories like a guy blocking shots on one leg. We talk injuries, pain tolerance, the hockey mindset of “yeah it hurts, so what,” and how that mentality weirdly prepares you for acting, long shoots, and the grind of the industry. We bounce from hockey culture to film sets, camaraderie, chirps, real-life experiences that make the dialogue hit harder, and why authenticity matters — whether it’s on the ice or on camera. Hockey guys. Movie sets. Bad backs. Zero excuses. Give your balls a tug. 🎙️🏒
1 hr 18 min
Episode 98 is a heater — we’re joined by Al Iafrate, one of the baddest blue-liners to ever lean into a slap shot. We talk old-school NHL vs today’s game, fighting, toughness, and why guys like Al could play big minutes and answer the bell. Al breaks down the hardest shot arms race, how power plays were run when defensemen actually shot to hurt feelings, and why the game was built on finishing checks, protecting teammates, and earning respect between the whistles. Plenty of stories about rivalries, refs, legendary barns, Olympic pride, and the locker-room culture that made teams tight. Plus they talk about Mark Riley and Josh Dolan getting their asses handed to them in Montana at Kevan Miller’s place, watching Al casually hike past them on a Rocky Mountain in flip flops like it’s a Tuesday morning skate. No water, no whining, just straight veteran grit.
1 hr 30 min
The boys are joined by 1/3 of The Jims, Jon Mirasty — former enforcer, absolute beauty, and a guy who’s lived the parts of hockey most people only chirp about from the couch. We get into the real stuff: locker-room brotherhood, growing up in the game, playing overseas in the KHL, and what it’s actually like being that guy when things boil over. Mirasty talks fighting, respect, culture shock, language barriers, and why the enforcer role doesn’t end when the skates come off. We also dive into his time on Shoresy, what that experience was really like, and how close that show hits to real hockey culture — not the Hollywood version. That leads into a great story about the Boston Bruins Alumni vs. Shoresy cast game at TD Garden — with Mark Riley reffing the game and Josh Dolan up in the booth doing play-by-play. Absolute circus. Electric building. One for the memory bank. From there it opens up: • the mental side of being the tough guy • transitioning from hockey to MMA • protecting the game and the room • leadership, accountability, and earning your keep • empowering kids in his community to stand on their own two feet There’s plenty of laughs too — chirps about sports media, fake toughness, and the difference between how hockey looks on TV versus how it’s actually lived. No PR spin. No nonsense. Just honest talk with someone who’s been in the fire. Lace ‘em up and get in the barn.