Mississippi State fans are a different breed. You know how it is. It’s not just about the game on Saturday; it’s about the recruiting trail in February, the midweek baseball grind at Dudy Noble, and the constant, buzzing anxiety of the SEC West—or whatever we’re calling the divisionless gauntlet these days. If you’ve spent any time looking for a way to process the highs and lows of being a Bulldog, you’ve likely stumbled across the Thunder and Lightning podcast. It’s basically the digital town square for the Maroon and White faithful.
But why does this specific show stick when so many other college sports podcasts flicker out after a season?
It’s the chemistry. Honestly, that’s the short answer. Brian Hadad and Robbie Faulk don’t sound like they’re reading from a teleprompter or trying to impress a national audience that doesn't care about Starkville. They sound like two guys who have spent way too much time in the press box and even more time arguing about whether the 2014 season was the peak of human existence.
What actually makes the Thunder and Lightning podcast work?
Most sports talk is fluff. You get the "coach-speak" recycled through a microphone, or you get some national "expert" who thinks Mississippi State is located in Oxford. The Thunder and Lightning podcast avoids that trap by being unapologetically local. Brian Hadad brings that veteran radio energy—fast-paced, sharp-tongued, and usually ready to steer the ship. Then you’ve got Robbie Faulk, who is basically a walking encyclopedia of Mississippi State recruiting.
If you want to know which three-star offensive lineman from the Delta just picked up an offer, Robbie has the details before the kid even tweets about it.
They’ve been at this a long time. The show has lived through different iterations, moving across platforms and networks, but the core remains the same: a deep, sometimes painful, obsession with Mississippi State athletics. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. That’s probably the best part. When the Bulldogs lay an egg on a Saturday afternoon, Hadad and Faulk aren't going to tell you it was a "learning experience." They’re going to be just as frustrated as you are.
It’s catharsis. Pure and simple.
The move to SuperTalk Mississippi and the digital shift
You might remember when the show was more of a niche digital thing, but its integration with SuperTalk Mississippi changed the scale. Now, it’s a pillar of their sports coverage. This matters because it gives the guys access. We aren't just talking about two fans in a basement. These are credentialed media members who are at the practices, in the post-game scrums, and talking to the boosters.
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When you listen to the Thunder and Lightning podcast, you’re getting information that has been vetted. In an era of "fake news" and message board rumors that spiral out of control in five minutes, having a reliable North Star is kind of a big deal.
Why the daily grind matters
- They don't just show up for football season.
- Baseball coverage is arguably as intense as the pigskin talk.
- Off-season episodes actually have substance because of the recruiting focus.
- They interact with the "Boneyard" and other fan communities.
The consistency is wild. I’ve seen podcasts go dark for three weeks because the host went on vacation. These guys seem to produce content even when there’s literally nothing happening in Starkville, finding ways to rank the best gas station snacks or debating the greatest left-handed pitchers in school history.
Digging into the recruiting rabbit hole
Let’s be real: Mississippi State survives on its ability to develop talent that the "Big Four" schools overlooked. Because of that, State fans are obsessed with recruiting. We want to know who is the next Chris Jones or Fletcher Cox before they become household names.
The Thunder and Lightning podcast leans heavily into this. Robbie Faulk’s work with 247Sports and other outlets means the podcast is often the first place you hear the "why" behind a commitment. It’s not just "we got a linebacker." It’s "we got a linebacker because the new defensive coordinator has a relationship with his high school coach going back ten years." That’s the nuance that separates a good podcast from a great one.
Dealing with the "State Fan" psyche
There is a specific kind of trauma associated with being a Mississippi State fan. They call it "MSU-ing it." You know the feeling. The game is in the bag, everything is going great, and then—clunk. A missed chip-shot field goal or a bizarre fumble changes everything.
Hadad and Faulk understand this psychological landscape. They don’t mock the fans for being cynical; they join them. But they also provide the counter-narrative when the fan base gets too negative. It’s a delicate balance. If a coach needs to be on the hot seat, they’ll say it. If the fans are overreacting to a single loss in February baseball, they’ll say that too.
Beyond the X's and O's
What’s funny is that some of the best moments on the Thunder and Lightning podcast have nothing to do with sports. It’s the banter. It’s the tangents about Mississippi culture, the food in Starkville, and the general absurdity of life in the SEC.
You feel like you’re part of a club. A very specific, cowbell-clanging, maroon-wearing club.
The production value has also stepped up over the years. It used to be a bit more "raw," let's say. Now, the audio is crisp, the segments are defined, and the distribution is everywhere—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, you name it. They’ve embraced the multi-platform reality of 2026. You can watch them record or just listen on your commute.
Common Misconceptions
People sometimes think if they don't live in Mississippi, the show isn't for them. Wrong. The "Starkville Diaspora" is huge. There are State fans in Houston, Atlanta, and DC who use this podcast as their primary connection to home.
Another mistake? Thinking it’s only for "hardcore" fans. While they do get into the weeds, the show is accessible enough that a casual alum can jump in and understand what's happening with the program without needing a degree in advanced scouting.
How to get the most out of your listen
Don't just listen to the most recent episode and stop. If you’re a new listener, go back and find the "Emergency Episodes." Usually, those are recorded right after a major coaching change or a massive upset. That’s where you see the raw emotion and the real-time analysis that makes this show a staple.
Also, pay attention to the Rumble. It’s a recurring segment where they take listener questions. It’s usually chaotic. It’s usually funny. And it’s where the community really shines.
The Verdict on the Thunder and Lightning Podcast
Look, there are a million sports podcasts out there. You could spend your whole life listening to guys in New York talk about the SEC and never hear a single insightful thing about Mississippi State.
The Thunder and Lightning podcast is the antidote to that. It’s localized, it’s expert-driven, and it doesn't take itself so seriously that it forgets sports are supposed to be fun (even when they're stressful). Whether you're driving down Highway 82 or sitting in an office in another state, it brings a little bit of Starkville to you.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Bulldog Fan:
- Subscribe on Multiple Platforms: Don't just rely on one. Follow them on YouTube for the visual breakdowns and Apple/Spotify for the road trips.
- Engage with the "Rumble": Send in your questions via social media. The show thrives on fan interaction, and getting your specific "hot take" addressed by Hadad and Faulk is part of the experience.
- Check the Recruiting Archives: When a new commit signs, use the search function to find the episode where they first discussed that player. It gives you a great "then vs. now" perspective on talent evaluation.
- Support the Sponsors: Local podcasts survive on local business support. If you're in the Starkville area, checking out their partners is the best way to ensure the show stays free and frequent.
- Join the Online Communities: Follow the show’s official accounts to stay updated on "Emergency Pods" that drop outside the regular schedule—usually when big news breaks in the SEC.