The Distraction: A Defector Podcast
The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

Defector Media

Overview
Episodes

Details

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 voice mails, 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.

Recent Episodes

Bad For Your Heart, Bad For Your Soul with Matthew Coller
DEC 11, 2025
Bad For Your Heart, Bad For Your Soul with Matthew Coller
Drew and Roth are joined by Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller to talk football as the NFL season heats up. In this brand new world where K-balls are changing the entire game, how do we even tell if a player or a team is good at all?  Are the Cowboys actually any good? The Broncos? The Patriots? Is Matthew buying Caleb Williams? Then, 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 AboutMatthew’s rescued greyhoundsWhy can’t teams pass anymore?Gridiron granddadsTaco TodayChoice culinary crap Sponsors - Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order - Storyworth, where you can save $10 or more - MeUndies, where you can get get up to 50% off 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.
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60 MIN
Batteries Are Woke, Mining is Based with Peter Brannen
DEC 4, 2025
Batteries Are Woke, Mining is Based with Peter Brannen
Drew and Roth are joined by Peter Brannen, author of The Story of CO2 Is the Story of Everything: How Carbon Dioxide Made Our World to talk about CO2’s role in our lives, past and present. Should CO2’s image be rehabbed? Then, they talk about the NBA–with the OKC Thunder at 21-1, how screwed is the rest of the league? Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from listeners, like are string cheese and mozzarella sticks the same? 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 AboutDeep sea alkaline hydrothermal ventsEarth’s previous science fiction worldsThe Monster energy drink geological layerThe Celtics Abu Dhabi connectionJust passin’ through guysBest celebrity + sandwich experience Sponsors - Mint Mobile, where you can get 50% off all Unlimited plans - Raycon, where you can get 20% off 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.
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55 MIN
Eat As Much As You Can and Get Out
NOV 27, 2025
Eat As Much As You Can and Get Out
Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a Drew and Roth solo episode this week, and they talk about Roth’s latest artistic discovery, Drew’s hometown, and, of course, their Thanksgiving food plans. Then, they’re joined by a lucky listener to open up the funbag and answer questions from other lucky 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 AboutUnexpected art galleriesFirst kissesMovies that are better than girlsGood ass pieTime savings vs emotional supportIn-the-house accents Sponsors - HIMS, where you can get a free online visit 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.
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47 MIN
Reptile Epicurean Delights with Nathan Thornburgh
NOV 20, 2025
Reptile Epicurean Delights with Nathan Thornburgh
Food journalist and founder of the newly-revived website Roads & Kingdoms Nathan Thornburgh returns to the podcast after many many moons. Where’s he been this whole time? Well it turns out, lots of places! Drew & Roth get a rundown of Nathan’s favorite food places in the world, as well asp the surprising challenges involved in preparing an iguana for consumption. And of course, we’ll serve Nathan up a Funbag question, sourced farm-to-table from real Defector readers & Distraction 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 AboutAsking chefs for moneyTap a toe in BosniaGeorge from GeorgiaThe weirdest marsupialsProfessional dishwasher loading Sponsors - Blueland, where you can get 30% off your order during their Holiday Sale - Storyworth, where you can get $10 or more off for the holidays 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.
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60 MIN
You Depraved the Manner of Men with Stefan Fatsis
NOV 13, 2025
You Depraved the Manner of Men with Stefan Fatsis
Stefan Fatsis joins Drew and Roth to talk about dictionaries! For his new book, Unabridged: The Thrill of (and Threat to) the Modern Dictionary (out now), Stefan embedded with Merriam Webster, and even drafted some new entries. Then, Stefan and Drew discuss the finer points of the letter V’s usage in Scrabble, and they figure out if NFL kickers are too good now. Finally, they open up the funbag to answer a question about begging the question. 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 AboutSheepleFilling your house with sandNew lettersThou vs youGarden variety swearsThe return of K-balls Sponsors - MeUndies, where you can get get up to 50% off 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.
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66 MIN