Advertise on podcast: Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast

For the second time in as many weeks, we're getting reacquainted with a familiar name from the South Side Sox past. This time it's Di Billick, who first appeared with us (podcast, game coverage) on Aug. 28, 2021. She ran the gamut during an hourlong conversation with Brett Ballantini, including a super-secret story she's been working on outside of baseball and reasons for her departure from and return to White Sox fandom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Longtime friend of the podcast Aaron Cameron joined to chat with Chrystal O'Keefe about the Athletics ahead of the series against the White Sox. During the episode, Aaron talked about the adjustment to Sacramento, what happened over the A's offseason, and what he hopes happens this year with the team. Chrystal and Aaron also previewed the series before jumping into silly takes, including judging the song choice of Mason Miller and how Phillies fans booed Santa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The season had hardly dawned when we got word that two of our most beloved South Side Sox figures, Ashley Sanders and Di Billick, would be returning to work with us again. In this episode Brett Ballantini gets to sit down for a Meet the Players podcast that never was (Ashley's first podcast appearance was on March 6, 2020, jumping right into the White Sox news of the day — namely, why was Carlos Rodón no longer popping his top uniform button). Ashley catches us up on what she's been doing during her SSS "sabbatical" — working at San Diego Studios as a live designer for MLB The Show. We also unlock the secrets of why she came back to SSS, whether she stepped away at all from the White Sox, and whether her sunny outlook on the 2026 White Sox has dimmed in light of the "slow start" to the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Catherine Tinker is back this season for a quick chat about the Tampa Bay Rays, and being back at The Trop after Hurricane Milton destroyed much of the roof in 2024. During the conversation, Catherine shared her hopes of the Rays “getting their shit together” after a lot of veterans left in the offseason. Chrystal and Catherine ended the episode discussing food options at ballparks and the controversy surrounding fun new items, and the importance of spelling names correctly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin O’Brien is back to chat about division rivals, the Kansas City Royals. Kevin talked about what’s new in Kansas City and what to expect for the upcoming series. Chrystal also asked about the Royals who took part in the World Baseball Classic, and how Vinnie Pasquantino stole the hearts of many while on a larger stage. Lastly, Kevin talked about his visit to Rate Field last season and hot takes for 2026. The biggest: Tony Vitello might not last long with the Giants, given he’s on a similar trajectory as an old friend of the White Sox and Royals — Pedro Grifol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ladies’ Night Podcast welcomes Ashley Sanders, Live Designer for MLB The Show, for a behind-the-scenes look at how the game stays fresh all season long and what it takes to bring real-life baseball into the virtual world. Plus, we talk Chicago White Sox baseball, highlighting a few bright spots and sharing a positive outlook for the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heather joined Chrystal O'Keefe to chat about all things Orioles. If you don’t like Pete Alonso, this episode might not be for you. But they chatted about his move from the Mets and the good he does in the community. The Orioles had quite the offseason, and have looked good so far this year. Heather also shared her insight on what to expect when the White Sox see the O’s, and what she hopes to see this season in both Baltimore and around the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a stirring 5-4 sayonara White Sox win in extras, Malachi Hayes joined Brett Ballantini to discuss the highlights. They drilled down into the pivotal 10th inning and noted the extra gear the club found that we haven't seen in years. There was discussion, of course, of the two amazing arms who opened up the game, and the reasoning behind letting Grant Taylor throw only nine pitches in the contest. Finally, it was time to deliver some plaudits to Ozzie Guillén, whose jersey will be retired in August. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In anticipation of the Chicago White Sox home opener Malachi Hayes, Joe Kiang-Resis, Hannah Filippo and Melissa Sage-Bollenbach joined Brett Ballantini to preview the game and review the disappointing first week of South Side baseball. The podcast also includes a brief weather update, predictions for the series outcome and a deeper dive into the malaise and lack of focus that has so far marked the 2026 club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ruth Kapelus returned to chat with Chrystal O'Keefe about all things Blue Jays and helped preview the home opener series with the White Sox. Chrystal and Ruth also got a little romantic about baseball, especially the World Baseball Classic. Plus Ruth shared predictions about Dylan Cease, working through injury worries and woes, and figuring out threats, fears, and keys to the Blue Jays winning the series before sharing her hot takes and picking division winners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ely Sussman of Fish On First joined Chrystal O'Keefe to catch up on all things Marlins. In this episode, Ely talked about Spring Training and rooting interests in the World Baseball Classic, which featured several Marlins players. Chrystal took a temperature check on the 2026 season before moving on to the series matchup. A walkthrough of Marlins pitching and struggles is reminiscent of the 2025 and possibly 2026 White Sox, with a lot of rookies or second season players holding down the fort for an owner who won’t spend money. They also talked about the new rules and first hand experience with ABS. You can find Ely on Twitter and Bluesky, and over at Fish On First. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Dante Jones and Malachi Hayes joined Brett Ballantini in the aftermath of the worst Opening Day loss any of us can remember, a 14-2 drubbing in Milwaukee by the Brewers. However, as much as the loss was like Malachi's recent dental procedure, it is just one of 162 games, so the quartet attempts to focus on the positives both from this game and the season to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chrystal O'Keefe, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Joe Kiang-Resis and Hannah Filippo joined Brett Ballantini to discuss the excitement and dread of a new White Sox season. In addition to surprising predictions, new pocket schedule titles and friends along the way, the group drilled down into a Brewers series preview, White Sox season wins predictions, and determined that it was finally time for the White Sox to escape the AL Central basement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ten brave writers opted in to the South Side Sox staff predictions for 2026, and four of them — Brett Ballantini, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Hannah Filippo and Malachi Hayes — had enough courage to appear on this podcast and defend/explain their picks. In the case of one writer's pick of the north siders as a pennant winners, the decision was utterly indefensible and inducing of gastrointestinal distress. But that aside, we of course put particular focus on the White Sox, from season record to player MVP, and many categories in-between. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baseball is back, friends! Jordan White returns to start Season 4 of Visiting Dugout, to catch up on all things Brewers and help preview Opening Day and the first series of the 2026 season. We talked about the mostly impressive highlights for the Brewers during Spring Training, trading Freddy Peralta and other offseason moves, and how optimistic Jordan feels about the upcoming season. Post-break, Jordan talked about what to expect from the pitching matchups – like Jacob Misiorowski's triple digit fastballs and 80-90 mph curveballs. Chrystal and Jordan theorized on who the biggest threat could be to the White Sox, chatted about fears heading into the series, and keys for the Brewers to take the series. Before wrapping up, Chrystal took a quick vibe check for the 2026 season as a whole, not just through a myopic lens. Lastly, they discussed the World Baseball Classic and how rancid Team USA appeared to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices