The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast
The Independent: A Notre Dame Football PodcastThe Independent is the essential listen for fans of Fighting Irish football. Pete Sampson of the Athletic and Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone are back to take you inside the Notre Dame program. With a combined 35 years + of experience on the ND beat, this twice weekly podcast has you covered for everything blue and gold.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 154 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | FootballSports | |||
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Latest Episodes
Former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly joins The Independent for this extended exclusive interview. Matt and Pete talk to the Irish’s all-time winningest coach about his Irish exit, the affection he still has for Notre Dame, why things didn’t work ... more
It's Fan Survey Time! Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to discuss the feedback Pete received from his annual Notre Dame Fan Survey on The Athletic. You are all incredibly high on the Fighting Irish in 2026, and rightfully so. With Marcus Freema... more
It’s been a good offseason for Notre Dame, and the vibes continue to be high as the Fighting Irish are ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s future power rankings. Adam Rittenberg, the author of the rankings, joins Matt and Pete to discuss why he loves the Irish, a... more
We're less than 100 days from the start of the Notre Dame football season, and Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to catch you up on all of the Fighting Irish's offseason moves. How much does Marcus Freeman's 2026 roster cost? What did you make o... more
Key Facts
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Reviews
- Go Irish
Consistent in depth ND news. A must listen for weekly updates.
Apple Podcasts5Sssh4621679
United States5 months ago - New Host Please!
Love Pete…please get rid of Fortuna
Apple Podcasts3DPC1919United States7 months ago - The Independent
Less Fortuna please
Apple Podcasts3AddictingTunesUnited States7 months ago - Best ND football pod
Love the Independent. They get great weekly guests on the Wednesday pod and always address a large number of audience questions.
Apple Podcasts5ColoradogolferUnited States8 months ago - Straight from Coach Freeman’s mouth
Pete is highly regarded in the pod-world. When he speaks, one can count on it as well researched and the best information available.
As for Matt, he speaks so fast, I cannot understand him. When he reads the information (scores, stats), it is ridiculously impossible to understand what he says.
Apple Podcasts4JillsybeenUnited States9 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #111 |  Canada/Sports/Football |
Apple Podcasts | #55 |  Spain/Sports/Football |
Apple Podcasts | #95 |  India/Sports/Football |
Apple Podcasts | #106 |  Hong Kong/Sports/Football |
Apple Podcasts | #120 |  South Korea/Sports/Football |
Apple Podcasts | #191 |  Netherlands/Sports/Football |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast
What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show consistently covers Notre Dame football with a data-driven, insider lens, mixing game analysis, roster development, and season-long strategy. Episodes frequently tackle quarterback options, coaching decisions, and roster depth, while situational topics like conference realignment, playoffs formats, NIL, and NFL prospects surface in context of ND's trajectory. A hallmark is candid banter between two veteran insiders, frequent guest commentary, and sponsor reads woven into the conversation, giving listeners a practical mix of football insight, program context, and behind-the-scenes storytelling. A notable strength is the deep, long-running Notre Dame focus paired with broad college football context, appealing to listeners who value ... more
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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:
1. IrishIllustrated.com Insider
2. Notre Dame football with Eric Hansen & Tyler James
3. Blue & Gold Illustrated: Notre Dame Football And Recruiting
4. Irish Breakdown
5. Irish Sports Daily Power Hour
How many episodes of this podcast are there?
this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 154 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on this podcast?
Recent guests on this podcast include:
1. Brian Kelly
2. Adam Rittenberg
3. Steve Smith
4. Jeff Kilburg
5. Chris Zorich
6. Steve Roddy
7. Cornelius Southall
8. Jordan Cornette
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