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Jesse Hogan described facing his father’s terminal illness and his own testicular cancer diagnosis in the same difficult period. PerthNow reported on October 9, 2024, that Hogan shared the account in a conversation with Dylan Buckley on the Dyl & Friends podcast.
His father’s illness and missed games
PerthNow’s account looks back to 2017, when Hogan’s father, Tony, was terminally ill. Hogan was suspended for the first time and missed games while hoping to spend time with his father. He later asked Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin for time away and was granted a two-day trip to Perth.
Hogan’s father died after watching him play Melbourne’s Anzac fixture. Reflecting on the time he had missed, Hogan said: “I just remember sitting out those two weeks; it was really tough. Just felt so powerless. I knew he’d come over for that period, and we’d spent so much time together.”
Hogan’s testicular cancer diagnosis
While his father was alive, Hogan had noticed a lump on one of his testicles but delayed getting it checked. He eventually spoke with club doctors. PerthNow reports that an ultrasound was followed the next morning by news that he had testicular cancer.
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#1 Best Overall
ZealSound Podcast Microphone for PC, Noise Cancellation USB Mic with Gain, Volume Adjustment & Mute Button, Monitoring & Echo, for YouTube, TikTok, Podcasting, Streaming, iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac
- Studio-Quality Sound for Clear Podcast Recording – The K66 USB podcast microphone delivers studio-quality, broadcast-level audio using a high-performance condenser capsule and cardioid pickup pattern that focuses on your voice while reducing unwanted background noise. Designed as a reliable microphone for PC, it features a wide 40Hz–18kHz frequency response and a 46kHz sampling rate to reproduce rich lows, smooth mids, and clear highs for natural, detailed vocals. With –45dB ±3dB sensitivity, it captures balanced sound without distortion during expressive speaking. Ideal for podcasting, voice-over, online classes, meetings, and professional content creation.
- Intelligent Noise Reduction Mode for Cleaner Podcast Audio – This podcast microphone features an advanced Noise Reduction Mode designed for clearer, more focused voice recording in real-world environments. Press and hold the mute button to enable noise reduction (blue indicator). In this mode, the microphone helps reduce keyboard clicks, PC fan noise, air conditioner hum, and background chatter. Default Mode maintains a warm, natural vocal tone for quiet spaces. Designed as a reliable microphone for PC, it allows creators to identify the active mode instantly and adapt as needed, ensuring clear audio for podcasting, gaming, streaming, online classes, meetings, and recording.
- True Plug-and-Play USB Microphone with Wide Device Compatibility – Engineered for effortless plug-and-play use, the K66 USB microphone requires no drivers, apps, or software installation. Simply connect and start recording on Windows PC, Mac, laptops, PS4, PS5, and tablets. Included USB-C and Lightning adapters ensure seamless compatibility with iPhone, iPad, and modern USB-C phones and devices, making it easy to switch between desktop and mobile recording. Ideal for creators working across multiple platforms, this microphone delivers consistent, high-quality audio for YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, Zoom, Discord, OBS Studio, Streamlabs, podcasting, livestreaming, and professional voice recording.
- Real-Time Zero-Latency Monitoring with Adjustable Volume Control – This podcast microphone features real-time, zero-latency monitoring through a built-in 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing you to hear exactly what’s being recorded without delay. Designed as a reliable microphone for PC, it includes a dedicated monitoring volume control that lets you adjust headphone listening levels independently for accurate and comfortable audio monitoring. Real-time feedback helps identify distortion, background noise, or uneven volume before it affects your final recording, making this podcast microphone ideal for podcasting, streaming, online teaching, voice-over work, and professional content creation.
- Precision Audio Adjustment Knobs for Full Sound Control – This podcast microphone gives creators hands-on control with dedicated knobs for microphone volume, monitoring volume, and echo adjustment. Fine-tune mic gain to maintain clear, balanced vocal output, adjust headphone monitoring levels independently for comfortable listening, and add or reduce echo to enhance depth and presence. Designed as a reliable PC microphone, these intuitive physical controls allow fast, on-the-fly adjustments without software, helping identify distortion, background noise, or level inconsistencies instantly. Ideal for podcasting, streaming, ASMR, voice-overs, singing, and professional multi-platform recording.
Surgery and the difficult recovery
According to PerthNow’s report of Hogan’s account, surgery to remove the cancer was successful. Afterward, he experienced significant swelling and returned to the operating room, where doctors drained 200 millilitres of fluid. The symptoms recurred over the following weeks before subsiding.
Hogan described the period after surgery as “mortifying.” Buckley, responding to the family circumstances, said: “Your mum’s just lost her partner to cancer, and her son’s calling up two weeks later with something similar.”
Rank #2
ZealSound Podcast Microphone for PC, USB Mic with Noise Reduction, Tap-to-Mute, Gain & Echo Controls, Zero-Latency Monitoring, RGB Lighting for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Live Streaming & Voice-Over K66 Pro
- Studio-Quality Sound for Clear, Detailed Vocals – The K66 PROS podcast microphone combines a sensitive condenser capsule with a cardioid pickup pattern to capture your voice with clarity and accuracy. Its 48 kHz sampling rate and –45 dB ±3 dB sensitivity capture natural vocal detail with rich lows, balanced mids, and crisp highs. This USB microphone for PC and iPhone delivers clear, consistent vocals for podcast production, live streaming, voice-over work, online classes, virtual meetings, and gaming commentary.
- Intelligent Noise Reduction for Clearer Speech – Touch and hold the mute button to activate Noise Reduction Mode, which helps this microphone for PC reduce distracting background sounds while keeping your voice clear and focused. The green LED confirms that Noise Reduction Mode is active, while the blue LED indicates Default Mode, which preserves a warmer, more natural vocal tone in quieter environments.
- Independent Knobs for Personalized Sound – Dedicated controls for mic gain, headphone volume, and echo let youfine-tune the USB podcast microphone directly without opening software settings. These convenient mic controls make it easy to balance vocal input, set a comfortable listening level, or add depth and atmosphere to your voice.
- Silent Tap-to-Mute with Easy-to-See Red Indicators – Tap the mute button to silence the PC mic instantly without producing a distracting clicking sound. When mute is active, both the dedicated status light and RGB ring turn red, providing clear visual confirmation at a glance and helping prevent unintended audio.
- Hear Your Voice Clearly at a Comfortable Volume – Connect compatible headphones to the built-in 3.5 mm jack on this desktop podcast microphone for zero-latency monitoring. Adjust the monitoring volume to suit your headphones and listening preference, making vocal details easier to hear while maintaining a comfortable level during longer sessions. Real-time feedback helps you check your delivery and keep your sound clear and consistent.
What the account does—and does not—establish
These details come from PerthNow’s October 9, 2024 report on the podcast conversation. They recount Hogan’s personal experience; they are not a general account of cancer symptoms or treatment, and the reported recovery details should not be taken as medical guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Dynamic Microphone, USB-C/XLR Podcast Recording PC Microphone for Podcast Recording Streaming Gaming with RGB Light, Mute Button, Desktop Stand, Headphones Jack, Vocal Mic for Singing Tiktok YouTube
- 【Clean Sound Quality】With a frequency response of 50Hz-16KHz, the podcasting XLR mic delivers a balanced audio range that preserves every sonic detail from deep rumble to crisp highs. The upgraded directional cardioid dynamic microphone is wired and accurately captures your voice without exaggerating it, while suppressing unwanted off-axis noise during video recording for clear, distortion-free sound. (Tips: Point the top of an end-addressed XLR dynamic microphone toward the sound source, the recommended recording range is 2 to 6 inches.)
- 【Upgraded XLR Output】XLR microphone reduces circuit noise interference, isolating original, accurate sound from ambient noise, with higher interference-free and fidelity. To use an XLR connection, connect your podcast microphone to your audio interface (or mixer) using a separate XLR cable (not included). Whether it’s game chat, live streaming, podcast recording, or online meetings, this streaming microphone ensures you always enjoy a smooth, clean, high-quality audio experience.
- 【USB Connected & Touch Mute】Skip the hassle of setup, plug in the cable and play directly with a dynamic USB microphone, perfect for beginner creators or everyday podcasters. The wireless microphone features a touch-sensitive mute button for instant muting - just tap to mute to quickly control the gamer microphone for privacy while streaming. （Function key only work with USB connections, NOT for XLR connection)
- 【More Function Keys】Upgrade your rhythm gaming experience with a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing you to hear your own voice in real time and get feedback on whether the real-time sound heard by your audience matches expectations. Smooth microphone gain and volume smart knobs provide some resistance to PC microphone gaming, making it easy to attenuate audio or enhance your live stream and improve your recordings, reducing the impact of post-production audio. (Only for USB connection)
- 【Intelligent Noise Control】The dynamic microphone is upgraded with an 8mm high-density foam windshield and precision pop filter, which can block up to 95% of plosive sounds and breathing sounds, keeping your voice clear and natural. It also has a one-click noise reduction function that effectively isolates background noise from computers, keyboards and fans.
Rank #4
CofeLife Podcast Equipment Bundle, BM800 Podcast Microphone Bundle with V8s Voice Changer, Condenser Microphone Recording Studio Package for Podcasting Live Streaming Singing PC Mobile TikTok YouTube
- 🔥【Professional Podcast Equipment Bundle】- The Podcast Equipment Bundle is equipped with BM-800 microphone, V8S sound card, Shock mount, Pop filter, Mic adjustable suspension scissor arm stand, Anti-wind foam Cap, Power cable. This professional studio equipment was designed for podcasting, streaming and recording music and short video. What you get is a complete set of professional podcast equipment bundle. One set can meet all your needs and you don’t need to buy other equipment again.
- 🔥【Rich sound effects & 4 Voice-changing】-- The audio interface mixer has 4 sound variations(Female、Male、Child and Monster)and can produce 10 sound effects.These sound effects add more fun to your live streaming.In addition, the podcast mixer has 4 sound modes,13 functions.It contains almost all of the commonly used functions,which is designed for recording,podcasting,live streaming,ect.
- 🔥【Metal Condenser Microphone & Excellent Sound Quality】- The condenser microphone bundle has been designed with latest professional sound chipset, condenser microphone used the Metal material,Podcast Microphone is 24bit/192kHz bit sample rate, so your recordings will be crystal clear.The cardioid pickup pattern offers pristine and accurate capture, which is more suitable for recording podcasts, vocals and voice works.
- 🔥【Plug and Play & Easy To Use】- This V8S sound card with multiple sound effects can be used on any mobile phone, computer, and Any game platform. No need extra driver software. You can connect to different devices (computer/ mobile phone/ laptop) by using different connection methods. You can even connect with two mobile phones to livestream on both streaming platforms at the same time. The podcast equipment bundle will bring more fun to you and make your recording more creative.
- 🔥【High Compatibility】- The podcast equipment bundle is not only fully compatible with most mainstream operating systems such as Windows and Mac OS, but also compatible with smartphones (Android and IOS), even connect to two mobile phones to livestream on both streaming platforms at the same time. It meets the use of all scenarios: Gaming, Live Streaming, Podcasting, Voice Over, Recording Music, Live and Sing, take video on TikTok, YouTube, etc.
Rank #3
TONOR Dynamic Podcast Microphone for Content Creators, Cardioid XLR/USB Mic
- Three Audio Enhancement Modes: Supports three distinct audio enhancement modes:Bass Roll-off mode, Vocal Clarity Mode and Mid-Range Emphasis. Easily select the appropriate EQ mode for different recording environments, making your recordings more effortless
- AI Noise Reduction: Enable AI noise reduction to filter background noise. Deliver clearer audio by eliminating low-frequency noise from your recordings
- Dual USB & XLR Outputs: Dual interfaces support future upgrades with sound cards and XLR cables for enhanced audio quality. If you decide to upgrade from a USB to a higher-quality setup using a audio interface and XLR cables, you won’t need to replace the microphone itself, aving you money while opening up more possibilities. (Note: This kit does not include XLR cables)
- Precise Control : Supports microphone and headphone volume adjustment. Equipped with 3.5mm headphone jack, give you complete control over every detail of your audio recording
- Superior Compatibility: USB mode supports direct connection to computers/PS4/PS5; XLR mode connects to sound cards for enhanced audio quality (Note: Not compatible with XBOX)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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