The Talking Barefoot Podcast

A lot of people ask us questions about how to carve a career in the Indian footballing landscape. We got Jal Sonpal (@thejollyfoot) on the podcast, a sports marketing and media expert, who took us on his journey, the different roles he played in different clubs and organisations, what it took, how he kept going and what you can learn from him before going down this path. In an informative episode, we tell you exactly how you can make it in the Indian footballing industry.  Follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@talkingbarefoot) for regular updates about the podcast and engage with the best footballing stories from around the world.

On the eve of the Women's Champions League final, we sit down with Radha (a.k.a. @SheTalksBall) to talk about Emma Hayes' high flying Blues and the legacy she's creating at the club with superstars like Fran Kirby, Sam Kerr and Maren Mjelde. We discuss women's football in India and abroad, and how it can be improved in a male-dominated society, both on the pitch and off it, through women in the media and the ups and downs they face. Along with a preview of the final, the gang touch upon some inspiring stories in the women's football world. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@talkingbarefoot) for regular updates about the podcast and engage with the best footballing stories from around the world.

The Talking Barefoot crew react to the news which has sent shockwaves across the footballing world: the European Super League. We try to understand why it's happening, juggle both for and against perspectives and make sense of all the uproar around it. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@talkingbarefoot) for regular updates about the podcast and engage with the best footballing stories from around the world.

Indian fans often ask, "How will we see more Yan Dhandas in the game?" In this episode, the PFA's Player Inclusion Executive and former Brentford player Riz Rehman speaks about their unique and powerful program which aims to bring more South Asians into the footballing front-fold.  Subscribe to our podcast to tune into some of the best footballing stories from around the world. Follow our Instagram and Twitter handles @talkingbarefoot and never miss an update on future episodes. Music my Longzijun. Artwork by @rip_tidedraws on Instagram. 

Born in Delhi, Raised in Manila and trained in Madrid, boy wonder Ishan Pandita finally made his return to Indian shores last year as he donned the FC Goa jersey in the Indian Super League. The 22-year-old sat down with the crew and bared his life, including his struggles in Spain, missed opportunities and life-changing decisions to his record-breaking achievements, life at Goa and aspirations to play for India.  For more fascinating stories from the world of football, subscribe to our show and follow our Instagram and Twitter handles @talkingbarefoot for regular updates. Music by Longzijun. Artwork by @rip_tidedraws and @doodlegun on Instagram.

Manisha Tailor MBE joins the Talking Barefoot crew to share her heart-warming journey of becoming a full-time academy coach at Queens Park Rangers from a deputy headteacher at a primary school. Breaking barriers and stereotypes, Manisha is the only South Asian-Indian woman to be in such a prominent role at any of the 92 clubs in the English football structure. In this episode, she narrates her life, her inspiration, her struggles and much more.  For more fascinating stories from the world of football, subscribe to our channel and follow our Instagram and Twitter handles @talkingbarefoot for more updates. Music by Longzijun. Artwork by @rip_tidedraws on Instagram. 

The youngest Dutch coach ever to obtain the UEFA Pro License, Eelco Schattorie joins the Talking Barefoot crew as he takes us on his footballing journey across the globe, to the middle-east, India and more. In a fly-on-the-wall account of life at an Indian club, he talks about the many facets of the football in the country, its ups, downs and how it can be improved. He candidly speaks about the regrets of his career so far, ambitions, the self-designed GAME program and a heated exchange with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. Subscribe to the podcast and follow our Instagram and Twitter handles for all the latest updates. Music by Longzijun. Artwork by @rip_tidedraws.

FC Goa's midfield starlet Princeton Rebello joins us for this episode as he takes us through the ups and downs of his young career. Having underwent stints at English clubs Queens Park Rangers and Watford, the Goan returned to the subcontinent to pursue his dream of representing the state and the Indian national team. Rebello gets candid with the hosts as he speaks about his Portuguese passport dilemma, his midfield idols, early struggles and much more in what was an emotional dive into his life.  For more fascinating stories from the world of football, subscribe to our channel and follow our Instagram and Twitter handles @talkingbarefoot for more updates. Music by Longzijun. Artwork by @rip_tidedraws. 

17-year-old Ashwin Raman joins the boys for this episode as he takes us on his journey of becoming one of the youngest backroom staff members at Scottish top-flight club Dundee United. The Bangalore-bred futebolist also features on the Football Manager video game, is an Adama Traore fanboy and known widely for his daily Twitter shenanigans.  For more fascinating insights and stories from the world of football, subscribe to our channel and follow our Instagram and Twitter handles @talkingbarefoot for regular updates. Music by Longzijun. Artwork by @doodlegun. Ashwin's extremely nerdy blog on football: https://thefutebolist.wordpress.com/author/thefutebolist/

The Talking Barefoot boys talk about Diego Maradona's legacy, his iconic visits to Calcutta and India's unique love for him in this heartfelt tribute to the Argentine demi-god.  Subscribe to our channel for more in-depth analyses and discussions on European and Indian football, match previews, transfer news and off-the-beat topics. Follow our Instagram page @talkingbarefoot for regular updates. Music by Longzijun. Artwork by doodlegun.