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lifestack co-founders Steven Bianchi and Claire Alvis join Tom Roberts to talk about the people and ideas behind Milton Keynes Lightning’s title partnership.
Steven looks back on growing up with hockey in Guelph, his connection to Milton Keynes and a wedding day that included photos on a Zamboni. Claire shares her first experience of watching Lightning and explains why lifestack helps business owners build companies that give them their time back.

They discuss the pressures of being the person every decision runs through, the “owner’s tax”, and why the partnership is about contributing to the club’s players, volunteers, supporters and wider community.

There is also more on the lifestack Business Club and The Owner’s Night Off, giving local business owners a chance to switch off and enjoy a night at the rink.
Plus, Harrison and Pimmy review Lightning’s 7–3 win over Sheffield Steeldogs and 3–2 shootout defeat in Romford, round up the NIHL National League and preview the home-and-away double-header against Hull Seahawks.

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Carter Hamill joins Chris and Harrison after another perfect four-point weekend keeps Milton Keynes Lightning unbeaten at the top of the NIHL National League.

We look back at the emphatic 8–2 victory at Leeds Knights and the hard-fought 5–4 win over Solway Ice Hockey Club before sitting down with Lightning’s #24.

Carter discusses his flying start, summer training with Belfast, the lessons from his time at Solway and returning to Milton Keynes under Pete Russell. He also reflects on junior coaching, Belfast’s hockey community, his long-term ambitions and the travel and changing routines behind a two-way deal.

Plus, Carter reveals who started Lightning’s post-game dance competition, while Chris and Harrison round up the league and preview Country Night against Sheffield Steeldogs and the trip to Romford Raiders.

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James Griffin joins Chris and Harrison following another four-point weekend that keeps Milton Keynes Lightning unbeaten and top of the NIHL National League.

We look back at the 4–2 win against Romford Raiders and the 5–3 victory away at Bristol Pitbulls before sitting down with one of Lightning’s longest-serving players.

Griff discusses the squad’s chemistry under Pete Russell, the importance of everyone buying into the team’s system, and why there are no easy nights in an increasingly competitive league.

Now in his 12th season with Lightning, he reflects on how his game has evolved, why Milton Keynes feels like family, and balancing hockey with work and fatherhood. He also shares an insight into his role behind the scenes, helping shape the club’s branding and digital marketing, and explains why he’s taking his playing future one year at a time.

Plus, we round up the weekend’s results across the NIHL National League and preview Lightning’s upcoming trip to Leeds Knights and Sunday’s home clash with Solway.

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Jordan Headley joins Chris and Harrison following Milton Keynes Lightning’s perfect four-point opening league weekend.

We look back at the 2–1 overtime win against Leeds Knights and the emphatic 6–1 victory away at Telford Tigers before sitting down with Lightning’s #1.

Jordan discusses the changes under Pete Russell, his relationship and competition with Jared Whale, balancing hockey with work and family life, and why the development of British netminders remains such an important issue.

He also reflects on growing up watching hockey in Milton Keynes, his decade with the Lightning and his desire to spend the rest of his career with the club — before making a special announcement about his upcoming testimonial.

Plus, we round up the opening weekend across the NIHL National League and preview Lightning’s upcoming games against Romford Raiders and Bristol Pitbulls.

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Pre-season is complete and now the real thing begins.

Harrison Mills and Mike Walls return to look back on a perfect weekend against the Peterborough Phantoms, as MK Lightning completed pre-season with two victories over their closest rivals — an overtime thriller in Milton Keynes followed by a nine-goal performance at Bretton.

We break down both games, including Peterborough’s clinical finishing, Lightning’s response when falling behind, an impressive penalty kill, Kel Beattie’s overtime winner and another huge third-period performance on Sunday. We also pick out some of the players who have impressed us most across pre-season.

Then attention turns to the 2026/27 NIHL National season.

Lightning face a huge opening weekend, welcoming reigning playoff champions Leeds Knights to Planet Ice Milton Keynes on Saturday before travelling to one of the league’s toughest away rinks to face the Telford Tigers on Sunday. We look at how both teams have changed over the summer, their pre-season form and the players to watch as the first league points go on the line.

Pre-season is over. It’s time for the real thing.

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The 2026/27 season is underway, and there’s plenty to talk about after the MK Lightning’s opening pre-season weekend against the Rostock Piranhas.

Harrison Mills and Mike Walls look back at both games against the German visitors, from Saturday’s physical 4–3 battle to Sunday’s emphatic 7–0 Lightning victory. They discuss the players who caught the eye, the early chemistry developing across the lines and what we learned from two very different performances.

Then, Lightning’s new number six Danny Weight joins the podcast after a whirlwind first 48 hours in Milton Keynes. Danny talks about flying in from New York and scoring on his debut just hours later, growing up around professional hockey, playing alongside the likes of Jack Hughes, Matt Boldy and Trevor Zegras, his first impressions of British hockey and his ambitions for the season.

Finally, attention turns to an old rivalry as Lightning prepare for a pre-season double-header against the Peterborough Phantoms. Harrison and Mike break down the changes to the Phantoms roster, their new arrivals and departures, and what to expect from another chapter of the Ashes Derby.

There might not be league points on the line yet, but there’s never a friendly between Milton Keynes and Peterborough.

In this episode:
• Rostock Piranhas weekend review
• Early standouts from the new-look Lightning roster
• Danny Weight interview
• His journey from US hockey to Milton Keynes
• Playing alongside future NHL stars
• First impressions of MK and the Lightning fans
• Peterborough Phantoms roster breakdown
• Ashes Derby weekend preview

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Hockey is back - and so is Lightning Talks for the 2026/27 season.

Mike and Harrison take an in-depth look through the Milton Keynes Lightning roster ahead of the opening pre-season weekend, discussing the returning players, new arrivals and what the new-look squad could bring this season.

Assistant coach Lewis Christie joins the podcast to discuss his eventful 2025/26 season, his move back into the assistant coach role, working alongside Pete Russell and the competition for places across a deep Lightning roster. Christie also gives his thoughts on the opening weekend and what he expects from the new group.

Finally, we preview Lightning’s first games of the season as German Oberliga Nord side Rostock Piranhas visit Planet Ice Milton Keynes for a two-game pre-season series, including some of the Piranhas players to watch and the challenge they’ll pose for Pete Russell’s side.

Lightning Talks is brought to you by Lightning TV.

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Sean Norris and Liam Stewart join the Lightning Talks podcast for a candid conversation ahead of the new season. The fan favourites discuss their off-season preparations, Stewy's return to Milton Keynes for one last dance, and the excitement of being reunited on the same roster.

The pair reflect on last season, share their thoughts on Pete Russell's fast-paced new-look squad, and explain the roles they hope to play both on and off the ice. They also open up about their careers, the coaches and mentors who shaped them, the importance of hard work, and the advice they'd give to the next generation of players.

Plus, hear their thoughts on the new signings, the strength of this year's team, life away from the rink, and why the MK Lightning fans remain some of the best in British ice hockey.

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