Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Jan. 15, 2026

A good Thursday morning to you all! Been doing a lot of celebrating anniversaries these last couple of weeks, between my 20th race-calling anniversary and the podcast's 10th anniversary on Wednesday. And today, we published the 2,500th show since I started exactly 10 years ago, first for BetAmerica, and mostly for TwinSpires. It’s been a good time to reflect and give thanks to people who have helped with the entire thing, and today in this column, I wanted to write about some things I’ve learned from doing 2,500 shows. 

The first thing is how generous people in horse racing are, especially with their time. In those 2,500 shows, we’ve probably had at least 1,700 interviews and more than 600-700 different guests. Even after all that time and all those interviews, I’m still shocked by how often people give of their time to come talk to me and the audience. I’d say more than 95% of the people I’ve invited on the show have said yes. They’re not paid, and while you can say they get some publicity out of it, I think most people choose to come on because they like talking about the game.  

The second thing that jumps to mind is how much I’ve learned from guests and the audience. I think back to how I viewed the sport and, in particular, how I saw the handicapping and betting side of the game, and I feel like I have an entirely different lens because I’ve been able to talk to so many professionals about that side of things. I used to think I was somewhat informed and had a decent opinion, but I’ve since learned that wasn't the case. I do believe I’m a better learner because of it: I go into most things trying to have a “beginner’s mind,” and be flexible and open to information. 

Another thing I’ve learned is that racing is a common ground that connects a very diverse and interesting group of people. Without fail, I get more feedback and comments about the show when I talk about stuff that isn’t racing. Whether it’s something in my life, or a story, or struggles I’ve had, it’s been proven to me over and over again that racing is a vehicle for us just to make human connections. So often when people approach me at the track, they’ll mention an episode or interview I’ve done, and it’s often something totally away from racing. The two interviews I'm asked about most were the Inside the Pylons interviews from 2018, which were definitely racing-centric. And the other is when I interviewed my mom around Christmas of 2023, which was definitely not racing-centric! 

The show has not been without controversy or occasional negative feedback or blowback, either. It was inevitable as we reached more ears that we’d run into that, so I always take those things with a bit of grain of salt. I certainly upset some people early on with the videos and song parodies I did, enough to have the Jockey’s Guild send cease and desist letters to management, twice in the first year of the show, when it was at BetAmerica. I’ve received comments or anonymous emails saying I’m an awful host, an awful person, or that I said something stupid. As I said, those things will happen, but the show's positive interactions and growth over the years far outweigh the negative. I know sometimes I talk too fast, talk about my life too much, or start talking before the guest is finished, and those are things that have been offered as constructive feedback that I appreciate. 

The connection piece I mentioned above has been most true for me because I’ve gotten to meet and talk with so many people over the years, both on the show and out in the racing world. I’m not the best person when it comes to social interaction, and while I try my best to put myself out there, it’s not the easiest thing for me. But it really does move me when people stop me at the track and say they like the show. I do the show in my spare bedroom/office, to no one. It’s just me talking there while looking out the window into my backyard. Until we hit the “publish” button, it’s just my words. But as soon as they get out there in the world, it’s fascinating to see how they become real and connective. 

The show has been such an outlet for me. It’s been therapeutic and fulfilling, and it doesn’t happen without people listening and without TwinSpires supporting it. My gratitude for that can’t be conveyed with words on this page. It’s beyond that, a real privilege. Thanks for listening, and here’s hoping for 10 more years!