Glory Daze Podcast Season 2: Johnny Manziel Returns with Star Athletes & Real Talk

In the ever-evolving world of sports media, authenticity is gold. Johnny Manziel, the enigmatic former NFL quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, has made a striking return to the digital airwaves with Season 2 of his hit podcast, Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel, presented by Almost Friday Media (AFM). Known for its raw, unfiltered takes on sports, personal growth, and the complicated legacy of athletic glory, the podcast is back—and it’s bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever.

Podcast cover art of Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel – featuring bold retro visuals and the host in a candid pose, symbolizing the blend of nostalgia and authenticity in the podcast.

Table of Contents

1. A New Era for “Glory Daze”

In June 2025, Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel made its triumphant return. The show’s second season is already creating waves across the podcasting and sports communities, not just because of its big-name guests, but due to its compelling storytelling format that taps into nostalgia, struggle, triumph, and transformation.

This isn’t just another sports podcast. It’s a confessional, a living room, and a therapy couch rolled into one—and Johnny is the host who makes it all possible.

2. What Makes This Podcast Unique?

Personal over performance: Conversations prioritize real-life struggles and reflections over stats and scores.
Guest diversity: Athletes, entertainers, and public figures provide multidimensional perspectives.
Mental health awareness: Raw talks around emotional well-being and psychological challenges break barriers.
Laid-back, yet probing tone: Johnny’s style is relaxed, but he doesn’t shy away from deep questions.

3. Johnny Manziel: The Voice Behind the Mic

Johnny Manziel has worn many labels—college football superstar, NFL quarterback, party legend, comeback kid. But through Glory Daze, he’s reclaiming his narrative not just as an athlete, but as a creator, thinker, and connector.

“It’s about those pure sports moments that made everyone, myself included, fall in love with the game,” Johnny says. “AFM understands that vision and has given me the creative freedom to have the conversations that I think fans are really resonating with.”

Far from scripted, his podcast feels like a locker-room conversation crossed with a late-night heart-to-heart. His charisma is undeniable—but it’s his vulnerability that sets him apart.

4. Season 1 Recap: A Hit Out of the Gate

Glory Daze first debuted with an electric mix of nostalgia and introspection. Some standout guests from Season 1 included:

Matt Leinart: USC legend unpacking life after fame.
LeSean McCoy: The realities of playing at the top level.
Michael Vick: Redemption and responsibility.
Greg Oden: The pain of injuries and unfulfilled promise.
Vince Young: The highs and lows of college stardom and NFL life.

Each episode balanced humor with heartache, insight with honesty.

5. Inside Season 2: Bigger Names, Deeper Conversations

The second season promises an even more dynamic lineup of personalities. Guests confirmed so far include:

Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders): Known for his on-field tenacity and off-field sobriety journey.
Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears Legend): A defensive powerhouse reflecting on legacy and leadership.
Tom Segura (Comedian): Bringing levity and life lessons from outside the sports world.
Shawne Merriman (Former NFL Star): Exploring the grind, the game, and what comes after.

These guests are more than soundbites—they’re storytellers, and Glory Daze gives them a platform to speak their truth.

6. The Power of Storytelling in Sports Culture

Why are we so drawn to tales of athletic glory, downfall, and redemption?

Because athletes represent both human limits and transcendence. On Glory Daze, these stories are stripped of media gloss. You’re not just hearing about touchdowns and trophies; you’re hearing about torn ligaments, broken spirits, and the long road back to wholeness.

7. Mental Health, Redemption & Reconnection

One of the most important aspects of this podcast is how it opens doors to conversations about:

Anxiety and depression
Addiction and sobriety
Injury and identity loss
Public scrutiny and personal shame

Almost Friday Media’s EVP of Content & Strategy, Jacob Selzer, captures it best:

“Johnny is the perfect embodiment of the Almost Friday spirit – someone who can speak to the highs of the glory days while authentically destigmatising challenging conversations around mental health.”

8. The Role of Almost Friday Media

Almost Friday Media (AFM) isn’t just a distributor; it’s a brand that speaks to the soul of youth culture—funny, real, slightly irreverent, and deeply human.

By backing Glory Daze, AFM is betting big on long-form, meaningful content in a short-form world—and it’s paying off.

Their partnership with Johnny offers:

Creative control to the host
Cross-platform reach (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more)
Top-tier production and branding

9. Where to Listen and Watch

You can catch every episode of Glory Daze on the following platforms:

YouTube: For fans who love visual storytelling and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Spotify & Apple Podcasts: Ideal for commuters, gym-goers, and late-night listeners.
Almost Friday Media’s official channels: For exclusive bonus content and highlights.

10. Why “Glory Daze” Is Becoming a Cultural Force

Glory Daze is more than a podcast—it’s a movement.

It represents:

A shift in how we view athletes—not just as performers, but as people.
A safe space for dialogue around topics long considered taboo in sports.
A new genre of content that blends entertainment with emotional intelligence.

11. What Fans Can Expect This Season

Here’s what the second season is shaping up to deliver:

✅ Deep dives into athletes’ personal histories
✅ Honest discussions about mental health and recovery
✅ Hilarious anecdotes from locker rooms and sidelines
✅ Lessons from failure, injury, and reinvention
✅ Guest appearances that mix the unexpected with the iconic

Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan, a casual listener, or someone navigating your own challenges, this podcast offers something rare—truth wrapped in storytelling.

12. Final Thoughts: Why This Podcast Deserves Your Ears

In an era of highlight reels and media-trained athletes, Glory Daze stands out as a sanctuary for the real, the raw, and the relatable.

Johnny Manziel is no longer just a name in the football annals. Through this podcast, he’s carving out a new identity: that of a facilitator of truth and teller of tales that matter.

If you haven’t tuned in yet, Season 2 is the perfect place to start.