Consider the great podcasters in today’s digital world. Mark Maron. Adam Carolla. Those ladies who do the Stuff You Missed In History Class podcast.

Get ready to add Nick Mendola to that list.

Beginning Feb. 1, popular local radio host Nick Mendola and his smooth-talking friends will bring Audio Buffalo, their new podcasting venture, to Buffalo.com.

Mendola—well-known in Western New York for his work as a sportscaster and pop culture commentator on 550 WGR-AM and 1230 WECK-AM—is a self-described “...broadcaster and aspiring author who is trying to use his limited influence to make Buffalo work for its people despite a great deal of stale status quo forcing friends and family out of town.”

He is also the driving force behind the new Audio Buffalo network.  Audio Buffalo will offer nearly a dozen original podcasts weekly on topics such as sports, music, beer and pop culture. Mendola will personally deliver three podcasts per week.

“There is a wealth of intelligence and talent in Western New York and Buffalo.com’s willingness to help me bring it to the forefront is inspiring,” said Mendola, whose network will include recognizable hosts as well as some talented newcomers. “There are so many voices here just looking for a chance and Buffalo.com is able to provide a great springboard.”

On his podcast, Mendola promises anything but the ordinary sports talk.

“Being unaffiliated with any specific radio station will allow me to talk to so many different people in a free-flowing format that will admittedly be heavy on sports.”

The co-owner of amateur soccer franchise FC Buffalo, Mendola’s radio and television resume includes stints as play-by-play and color analyst for Time Warner Cable Sportsnet, Niagara University, Canisius College and R.I.T. ice hockey, Buffalo Flash professional soccer and University at Buffalo football, basketball and soccer. He is also a popular blogger and freelance writer.

The partnership with Audio Buffalo is an exciting development for Buffalo.com, the affiliated site of The Buffalo News and part of the top local media website in Western New York. Mendola and his Audio Buffalo associates will record their podcasts in a dedicated studio space inside The Buffalo News Building in downtown Buffalo.

“It’s a real thrill to have an opportunity to work with Nick,” Buffalo.com Digital Communication Manager Ben Kirst said. “The best part of any job is when you get to partner with people whose work you both enjoy and respect. It’s great to have Nick and Audio Buffalo involved with Buffalo.com.”

Show times and descriptions will be announced shortly. To stay in the loop, please visit Buffalo.com daily or follow Buffalo.com on Facebook or Twitter.

For more info and opinions from Nick Mendola, check out his website or follow him on Facebook or Twitter.