The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

ESPN's Pablo Torre joins Drew and Roth about the demise of the Phoenix Suns, the 76ers Sam Hinkie era, 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, Phil Mickelson and the inner workings of sports media. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector co-owner, Luis Paez-Pumar, talks to Drew and Roth about Formula 1 racing, the Drive to Survive docuseries, and the NBA Playoffs. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector co-owner, Patrick Redford, joins Drew and Roth in an in-depth conversation about the 2022 NBA Playoffs and changes in Major League Baseball. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ahead of the NFL draft, Austin Gayle from Pro Football Focus joins Drew and Roth to explain exactly how teams evaluate players and why he'll never try Skyline Chili. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GQ Magazine writer, Gabriella Paiella, talks to Drew and Roth about the peculiar lifestyle of Nicolas Cage and writing celebrity profiles. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector teammates, Albert Burneko and Kelsey McKinney, talk to Roth about the return of the Major League Baseball season, Kelsey’s podcast, “Normal Gossip”, and the Daniel Snyder scandal. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sport Illustrated’s Rohan Nadkarni joins Drew and Roth to cover everything you need to know ahead of the NBA Playoffs: title favorites, the MVP race, and why the play-in tournament is necessary. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

VICE’s Features Editor, Tim Marchman, talks to Drew and Roth about cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the long-awaited return of Major League Baseball. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector editor and Bay Area sports journalist, Ray Ratto, talks to Drew and Roth about money fraud, Joe Biden, the Warriors, Lakers and MLB player salaries. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

College basketball metrics analyst, Ken Pomeroy, joins Drew and Roth in a conversation all about the 2022 Men’s NCAA Tournament. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Co-Defector Lauren Theisen chats with Drew and Roth about mask mandates, the ongoing MLB lockout, Russell Wilson being traded to the Denver Broncos, and hockey predictions. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The New York Times Magazine writer, Jason Zengerle, talks to Drew and Roth about The Biden administration, 2024 presidential election predictions, and North Carolina college basketball. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The New York Times reporter and author, Kyle Buchanan, tells Drew and Roth why the film Mad Max: Fury Road took nearly two decades to make. Plus, Guy of the Week and the Funbag! Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road, is available everywhere books are sold. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Drew and Roth discuss the Winter Olympics doping scandal, their thoughts on Super Bowl LVI, and 90s European house music. Plus, questions from the funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just ahead of Super Bowl LVI, Yahoo! Sports’ fantasy football expert, Andy Behrens, talks to Drew and Roth about future game predictions, stories of Super Bowl’s past, the Houston Texans hiring Lovie Smith, and the state of Major League Baseball. Plus, questions from the funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector’s very own investigative journalist, Diana Moskovitz, talks to Drew and Roth about Brian Flores suing the NFL, her experience working for NFL media, and workplace discrimination. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Denver Bronco’s tight end and radio personality, Nate Jackson, talks to Drew and Roth about behind-the-scenes of the NFL, players choking under pressure, and life after football. Plus, more questions from the funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Uproxx film & culture writer Vince Mancini talks to Drew and Roth about Cowboys fans, pickup truck culture, good 49ers, and the rest of the NFL Playoffs. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Mancini's Sopranos podcast, Pod Yourself A Gun, is available everywhere you get your podcasts. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kalyn Kahler joins Drew and Roth to talk about nepotism in the NFL, Italian bookmarks, and the Hater’s Guide to the NFL Playoffs. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GQ's Tyler Tynes joins Drew and Roth to talk about Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors, the Bass Pro Shops dining experience, and whether or not jorts will make a comeback. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s that time of year! Drew and Roth talk about fancy cakes, champagne sabers, obnoxious coffee people, and hand-forged knives in the 2021 Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay joins Drew and Roth to discuss Michigan football, cyclocross racing, Omicron, and cast iron skillets. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Live from New York City, Drew and Roth talk to Kelsey McKinney about Pacino performances, hockey goalies, and Roth’s least-favorite Mets. Plus, lightning round Guy of the Week and questions from the audience! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler joins Drew and Roth to talk about the impending MLB lockout, cheugy art, and outer space. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Join Drew and Roth on December 8th as they tape the podcast live in New York City. Tickets available here. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Drew and Roth talk about boiled vegetables, the Detroit Lions, and wearing vests as a lifestyle choice. Plus, questions from the Funbag! And Guy of the Week. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ESPN’s Seth Wickersham joins Drew and Roth to discuss Tom Brady, NFL owners, and the best parts of elementary school. Plus, questions from the (not weirdly wet) Funbag! Wickersham’s book, It's Better to Be Feared, is available now everywhere books are sold. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth talk to Defector’s Lauren Theisen about daylight savings time, sports reporting, Aaron Rodgers, and NHL updates. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan McQuade joins Drew and Roth to talk about “immunized” quarterbacks, Vegas residencies, and baseball superstitions. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian Christian Finnegan joins Drew and Roth to discuss the World Series, comedy during the pandemic, and what it takes to be a Knicks fan. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Finnegan’s new special, Show Your Work, is available to stream now. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth talk to Patrick Redford about fun teams to watch this NBA season, goats, optimal WFH background noise, and key takeaways from NBA opening night. Plus, Dead or Canceled and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, the guys discuss performance art, kindness, and Drew’s new book, The Night the Lights Went Out, a captivating account of the traumatic brain injury that left him close to death and his eventual recovery. Plus, the usual fun stuff like Dead or Canceled and Guy of the Week. The Night the Lights Went Out is available now wherever books are sold. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Justin Halpern joins Drew and Roth to discuss Red Sox fans, World Series worst-case scenarios, and why everyone should root against the Dodgers in a Hater’s Guide to the MLB Playoffs. Plus, questions from the Funbag! And the guys remember a Padre of the Week. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Food writer Liz Cook joins Drew and Roth to discuss Arsenal fans, restaurant reviews, Van Halen, and sports movies. Plus, questions from the Funbag! You can find more of Cook’s work at Haterade.substack.com. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Drew and Roth talk to Dom Cosentino about rookie quarterbacks, AI play design, and slow walkers. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! You can read more of Cosentino’s work at theScore.com.Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spencer Hall joins Drew and Roth to discuss college football and Alabama’s potential rival, effective pandering, and the difference between blog famous and TV famous. Plus, Guy of the Week, Dead or Canceled, and a special-edition musical mashup! You can find more of Hall's work at Channel 6. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Drew and Roth gather the Defector staff for a special birthday episode celebrating a year of fart blogs, Twitch streams, and (of course) sports coverage. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth talk to Patrick Wyman about the Jersey Shore, USC football, and Jeopardy! drama. Plus, a historical round of Dead or Canceled and questions from the Funbag! Wyman’s book, The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World, is available everywhere books are sold. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Yahoo's Andy Behrens joins Drew and Roth to discuss how far they’d go to save a pizza and (of course) the Hater’s Guide to Fantasy Football. Plus, Guy of the Week and a round of Dead or Canceled. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector’s Ray Ratto joins Roth to discuss returning Covid restrictions, the Baltimore Orioles, and what it’s like to hear a career-ending injury. Plus, Guy of the Week and an action-packed Funbag question. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth talk eggnog ice cream, Olympic skateboarding, and the Vikings’ Covid outbreak. Plus, bathroom power rankings and sporty nicknames courtesy of the Funbag. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A.J. Daulerio joins Drew to discuss the Brett Favre scandal, Iron Maiden, and long-term recovery. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Daulerio’s new podcast, Really Good Shares, is streaming now. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, the Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay joins Drew and Roth to discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks winning the NBA Championship, homemade American Ninja Warrior courses, and overreacting to hot takes on Twitter. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth talk to Gabe Fernandez about pirated music, bad liquors, and the NBA Finals. Plus, defector accomplice Nick Walden joins to remember some guys and answer questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth talk to Albert Burneko about fireworks, the Phoenix Suns, and angry tennis serves. Plus, a Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer Kelsey McKinney joins Drew and Roth to talk about toilet literature, the Texas Longhorns, Evangelicalism, and pitcher inspections. Plus, questions from the Funbag! McKinney’s book, God Spare the Girls, is available everywhere books are sold. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Drew and Roth discuss interplanetary weather reports, earnest mustaches, and whether or not we’re in a golden age of GOATs. Plus, Dead or Canceled and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, NBA legend Chris Bosh joins Drew and Roth to discuss trash talk, pushing athletic limits, and the magic of the last day of school. Plus, a Distraction drinking game courtesy of the Funbag! Bosh’s book, Letters to a Young Athlete, is available everywhere books are sold. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TV producer Michael Schur joins Drew and Roth to talk about the future of baseball, surfing the dark web, and the challenges of making TV during a pandemic. Plus, questions from the Funbag! And a political round of Dead or Canceled. Schur’s new show, Rutherford Falls, is streaming on Peacock now. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rohan Nadkarni joins Drew and Roth to discuss swim-up bars, Naomi Osaka, out of control NBA fans, and breaking Boston Celtics news. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth talk to Peter Brannen about Boston sports, fava beans, and the downfall of man. Plus, questions from the Funbag! And the extended Guy of the Week universe. Brannen's book, The Ends of the World, is available everywhere books are sold. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.