The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

Leander Shaerlaeckens (author of the book The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts) joins the show for a World Cup preview! We’ll get the skinny on the unique challenge that is hosting a soccer championship in Donald Trump’s America, and how much each team’s homegrown sense of play might contribute to the American style of play - imitation, of course, being the most sincere form of flattery. And we’ll dig our snouts into the Funbag, and get some thoughts about how to name your dog. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked AboutA tray of lemons to absorb negativityThe calves we’re looking forTying our feet behind our backAndré 3000 (the dog) Sponsors - Raycon, where you can get 15% off - MeUndies, where you can get up to 50% off your first order, plus free shipping Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info. 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 are joined by David Grann, bestselling author of The Wager, Killers of the Flower Moon, and other precious tomes, and staff writer at The New Yorker! And, better yet, the Knicks made the finals for the first time since 1999! Is this the best Knicks team of David’s lifetime? And what celebrity Knicks fan annoys him the most? Could David take Timothée Chalamet in a fight? Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked AboutNBA state of the artMark Cuban’s FollyGame day disguisesCourtside PazuzuLet’s Make a Deal contestant Spike Lee Sponsors - Factor, where you can get 50% off and free daily greens per box - Mint Mobile, where new customers can get three months of premium wireless service for $15 a month Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info. 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 are joined by Ian Livengood, an NYT puzzle editor who works on Pips (Drew’s true joy) and the Midi! Ian shares behind-the-scenes info on how puzzles are constructed, edited, and sent out to solvers. Then, they all give their takes on the NBA finals as they stand. And finally, they open up the funbag to help a listener with his mosquito problem. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked AboutCrazy baby gamesResident sports guyZarfsTaking time in the fillProfessional enablingGetting to queen beeThe optimal way to kill (mosquitos) Sponsors - Reddit, where you can download the Reddit app for hot takes, fresh memes, and a group chat that never sleeps Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s time to get serious about the NBA playoffs, so Drew and Roth welcome fellow Defector and host of Nothing But Respect and Only If You Get Caught Patrick Reford to the show! They start in the West with the Spurs and Timberwolves, then head to the East where the Knicks swept the Sixers. Are the Knicks, at long last, legit? Then, can Patrick sell Drew on the Cavs/Pistons series? Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from listeners! Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked AboutCollege kid sleeping powersComparing Trader Joe’s haulsMaking the talent feel comfortable, but not TOO comfortablePutting in reps behind the deskBeing the only normies at the Phish concert of a lifetime Sponsors - ZocDoc, where you can find and instantly book a doctor you love today - Reddit, where you can download the Reddit app for hot takes, fresh memes, and a group chat that never sleeps Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re excited to share a preview of a new podcast we think you’d enjoy: No Such Thing No Such Thing is a show where three best friends and journalists settle their dumb arguments — and yours — by actually doing the research. Hosts Manny Fidel, Noah Friedman, and Devan Joseph start each episode with an argument using just their gut feelings. Then they go out into the world, investigate, talk to experts, and conduct some experiments. Finally, the guys bring their findings back to the group to see if they can change minds, enlighten each other, and move past their emotional truths. Find No Such Thing on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. New episodes out Wednesdays Listen here: No Such Thing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.