Local ‘What Chaos!’ hosts deserving of podcast score

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

Massachusetts-based hockey media personalities Ian Bean and Matt Blackburn have announced that their NHL podcast “What Chaos!” will join The Ringer for the upcoming season, becoming the network’s first NHL-focused show. This move signifies a major step for the hosts as they gain access to a prestigious platform known for sports and pop culture content, coinciding with growing U.S. interest in hockey following recent Olympic successes.

Massachusetts natives Ian Bean of Belmont and Matt Blackburn of Waltham have long been familiar figures in the hockey media landscape. Bean’s experience includes coverage of the Boston Bruins for WEEI and NBC Sports Boston, while Blackburn built a significant social media presence working with CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and Bally. The two first collaborated on the pop-culture podcast “Brunch” before launching their NHL-focused show, “What Chaos!,” in November 2023 under the AllCity network. The podcast later transitioned to the Nation network last season, with producer Shawn DePaz contributing as a key voice.

This week, it was announced that “What Chaos!” will join The Ringer for the upcoming NHL season. Founded by Massachusetts native Bill Simmons and owned by Spotify, The Ringer is widely regarded as a premier home for sports and pop-culture podcasts. “What Chaos!” will be The Ringer’s first NHL-centered podcast, marking a notable expansion of its hockey coverage.

The move represents a significant milestone for Bean and Blackburn, who have long aspired to join a network of The Ringer’s stature. Blackburn acknowledged his longstanding respect for Simmons, noting the need to navigate the emotional aspects of the transition carefully. Bean described the opportunity as surreal, saying it was a dream scenario for their show to land on such a prominent platform.

Simmons reached out to the “What Chaos!” team soon after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, where the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams secured gold medals, fueling the sport’s growing popularity in the United States. However, discussions about joining The Ringer were postponed until the summer due to existing contractual obligations with the Nation network. Bean recounted a memorable moment when Simmons called him while he was on vacation in Nova Scotia. Despite poor cell reception, Bean managed to find a signal and spoke with Simmons for 45 minutes, during which Simmons expressed enthusiasm for their hockey content.

According to Bean, Simmons was already familiar with their work and confident in their alignment with his network’s goals, eliminating the need for a traditional pitch. Blackburn pointed to the HBO Max series “Heated Rivalry” as another factor that elevated interest. Both creators had committed to following the show closely before its release, praising its compelling impact on the hockey community over several months.

The “What Chaos!” hosts emphasized the importance of authenticity in their approach, which they believe resonates strongly with audiences. Blackburn highlighted Simmons’s reputation for supporting creators without demanding unnecessary changes, fostering an environment where genuine voices thrive. For both Bean and Blackburn, the transition to The Ringer reflects a recognition of their unique style and a rewarding validation of their work in the evolving sports media landscape.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.