Of course I thought about tailgating after former UW and NFL quarterback Damon Huard agreed to be a guest measurer on I Cook, You Measure. (Side note: I've always wanted to tailgate, but my work as a sideline reporter has gotten in the way for the last 20 years.)

I knew we would be talking about football and I knew I needed a few options for pairing wine because Damon was kind enough to share a few bottles of his highly rated Passing Time wine. A passion that was fueled by dinners with former teammate and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Mario. In fact, it was Marino who introduced Damon to Washington wine despite the fact Damon grew up in Washington. Damon shares that story as part of the Bonus Bites episode that you can find right here.

The full episode includes three different appetizers you could make for game day, or any time you're in the mood for elevated snacks: roasted grape crostini, warm antipasti dip and garlic steak bites. Watch the full episode of I Cook, You Measure...

As an NFL sideline reporter preseason football isn’t just about the action on the field. It’s a chance for me to get to know the players in a more relaxed setting rather than the high-pressure regular season environment.

My interviews during preseason games are a mix of football questions and inquiries about interests outside of the game. A question like “Outside of football, what else are you competitive in?” reveals a lot about the people I’m working with and talking to every day.

Getting to know the people you work with is just as important and that’s where this list of sports topics comes in. Stick to sports or use them to branch out to other topics. It’s the benefit of talking sporty!

I expect baseball fans to cheer during a baseball game. I didn’t expect an entire stadium full of baseball fans to cheer for the men’s 100m Olympic race, but they all did when it was played on the video board before Sunday’s game. 

It was a really cool moment and a reminder that sports brings people together even if you don’t expect it to.

Just a reminder that when you talk sports you’re doing more than filling time or making small talk. You’re creating community.

I geek out over questions. Some would say I overthink questions. My counterpoint is that it's my job.

As a sports broadcaster I ask questions for a living. I know the value of asking great questions. I know that the answers you get are a reflection of the questions asked and I know that when you ask strategic, intentional and thoughtful questions you'll get insightful answers. Answers that tell a story, that bring out an emotion, that help you make a connection and play a role in building relationships.

All of those things are important in my job and it's why I happily geek out over the questions I ask. 

Asking questions that spark insightful conversations isn't just important on TV. I need the same interactions as a business owner and as a friend. Unfortunately conversational norms often get in the way of insightful conversations, or at the very least make them more difficult. 

Here are three guidelines to asking questions that spark insightful conversations:

1. There's a...

I kept going back to the same place looking for inspiration. I was trying to break through writer’s block and find fresh perspectives. It wasn’t until I tried something different, like reading different types of articles and talking to different people that inspiration struck.

When I changed the conversation (both the topic and the people) I changed my perspective. It felt interesting and energizing.

If interesting and energizing are two things on your list this week try these sports topics. I bet the topic of Breakdancing in the Olympics can spark a few fun conversations and maybe you’ll be inspired in ways you never considered.

Small talk this time of year feels like it's the same questions on repeat: How’s your summer? Do you have any fun vacations planned?

There’s nothing wrong with those questions or the conversations that follow, but if you’re looking to switch it up sports gives you great options this week with the start of NFL Training Camps and the Olympic games in Paris.

If you want a changeup, these sports topics can spark fresh conversations.

Small talk is a conversation tool. It’s one of the ways you can build rapport and strengthen relationships. It’s also a skillset that requires practice. Simply starting a conversation is one thing. Getting the most out of a quick conversation is another. The difference is being strategic and intentional while trusting your own communication skills.

Having a place to start the conversation certainly helps, which is what these sports conversation starters are for:

Trying new things can come in many different forms. From trying a new cuisine to picking up a new hobby or maybe just broaching a topic outside your norm in small talk.

If you default to the same topics every week (Think: How are you? Or How was your weekend?) this could be your chance to try something you and use one of the sports conversation topics below to spark conversation this week.

Go ahead and give it a try!

This is the one week every year I encourage people to talk about hot dogs, and secretly it’s one of my favorite weeks of sports conversation starters all year. The topics making headlines are incredibly wide ranging, which makes it easier to connect with folks who might not consider themselves sports fans.

The reality is everyone is a fan of something. You don’t have to follow the Big 4 (football, basketball, baseball, hockey) to be a sports fan. Tennis, cycling and hot dog eating contests all count as sports so use these headlines to engage across the board, and at your July 4^th celebrations, this week.

You don't have to stick to sports when talking sports. 

Sports is a great jumping off point for a number of different conversation topics including travel and food. Half of every sports season is spent on the road. Each city hosting games has their own speciality and local cuisine. As a foodie and cooking show host, I'm always up for a conversation about food so when I found out Chef Boyardee was invented in Cleveland I turned it into a conversation starter with some of the Mariners players. 

We were all in town for baseball, but food opened the door to additional stories and relationship building opportunities. 

It's just one of the ways you can think outside the box scores and use sports to spark bigger conversations outside of the stats, scores and outcomes.