Best Allan Cooper Podcasts (2026)

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How Patty Mills Became an Olympic Hero & Spurs Champion with Boti Nagy 28:17

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23h ago28:17

28:17

In this episode of Hoopsology, we sit down with Patty Mills: Beyond Basketball author Boti Nagy for one of the most powerful and eye-opening conversations we’ve ever had on the show. We explore Patty Mills’ remarkable journey—from his Indigenous Australian roots and the legacy of the Stolen Generation to becoming an NBA champion with the San Antoni…

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764 Two Thousand Years of Roman History (with Edward J. Watts) | My Last Book with Nathan Hensley 1:19:13

1d ago1:19:13

1:19:13

What do we talk about when we talk about ancient Romans? For many of us, it's typically a fairly narrow slice of history: the toga-clad figures of Cicero and Caesar, perhaps, as their republic shades into empire before collapsing at the hands of barbarians a few hundred years later. In this episode, Jacke talks to Edward J. Watts, whose book The Ro…

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The Hidden Cognitive Skills Behind Elite NBA Players | Dr. Scott Goldman Interview 47:09

5d ago47:09

47:09

Unlock the mental side of basketball with this deep-dive interview featuring Dr. Scott Goldman, creator of the Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ)—the cognitive assessment used across the NBA, NFL, MLB, and international sports. In this episode, Dr. Goldman breaks down: ✅ What “Basketball IQ” really means ✅ How court vision, processing speed, and …

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763 Emily's Desk Drawer 56:18

5d ago56:18

56:18

After the publication of her debut novel Wuthering Heights in December of 1847, Emily Brontë - still writing under her pen name Ellis Bell - joined Currer and Acton Bell (her sisters Charlotte and Anne) as promising and intriguing young writers. Sadly, Emily would die barely a year later. How did the public view her and her writing during this brie…

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From South LA to the NBA: How the Drew League Became the Most Important Pro-Am in Basketball with Drew League Commissioner Chaniel Smiley 21:44

8d ago21:44

21:44

The Drew League is more than just a summer pro-am — it’s the heartbeat of basketball culture. In this exclusive Hoopsology Podcast interview, Drew League Commissioner Chaniel Smiley breaks down the league’s rich history, its deep roots in South LA, and why some of the biggest NBA superstars continue to show up year after year. From LeBron James, Ko…

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762 The History of the Sonnet 55:36

8d ago55:36

55:36

“A sonnet,” said the poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, “is a moment’s monument.” But who invented the sonnet? Who brought it to prominence? How has it changed over the years? And why does this form continue to be so compelling? In this episode of the History of Literature, we take a brief look at one of literature's most enduring forms, from its inventi…

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Johnny Farnham with Muriel Cooper Christmas Special 52:49

10d ago52:49

52:49

Today’s random reel to reel tape. John Farnham interview recorded on 23 Dec 1975 and played on air on Christmas Day in 1975. 50 years ago. This tape has not been heard since that day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By The 3AW Archive

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761 The Story of the Nativity (with Stephen Mitchell) | The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (#4 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:17:45

13d ago1:17:45

1:17:45

Stephen Mitchell has translated or adapted some of the world's most beautiful and spiritually rich texts, including The Gospel According to Jesus, The Book of Job, Gilgamesh, Tao Te Ching, Bhagavad Gita, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet, and The Way of Forgiveness. In his la…

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Hoopsology ITL: NBA Christmas Day Games Preview 2025 | LeBron, Wemby, Jokic & More 55:38

13d ago55:38

55:38

*Recorded on December 23rd, 2025* Does the NBA own Christmas Day? — We’re breaking down every single matchup. In this episode of In the Lab on Hoopsology, Justin Goodrum, Matt Thomas, and Alan Muenzler preview the entire NBA Christmas Day slate, rank the games, and discuss the biggest storylines heading into the holiday showcase. We dive into LeBro…

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760 Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, and Ebeneezer Scrooge 1:13:57

15d ago1:13:57

1:13:57

In this holiday-themed episode, a sentimental Jacke takes a look at Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol (1843), and the creation of Ebeneezer Scrooge. A version of this episode first aired in December 2020. That episode has not been available in our archives for several years. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow lite…

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How Cleveland REALLY Feels About LeBron James in 2025? Why the Relationship Is Still Complicated 17:06

17d ago17:06

17:06

In this Hoopsology Podcast highlight, we’re joined by Danny Cunningham (Locked On Cavs) for an honest, nuanced conversation about LeBron James’ legacy, his standing with Cavaliers fans, and whether a potential return to Cleveland would even make sense. LeBron delivered Cleveland’s first championship since 1964, cementing arguably the greatest momen…

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BOOMSHAKALAKA! NBA Jam Legend Tim Kitzrow on Hoops, Video Games & Mutant Football League 2 45:02

19d ago45:02

45:02

The legendary voice behind NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, MLB Slugfest, and Mutant Football League 2 joins the Hoopsology Podcast. Tim Kitzrow — forever known as the man who made “BOOMSHAKALAKA!” part of basketball culture — sits down for an in-depth conversation about his iconic career, the creation of NBA Jam’s most famous catchphrases, and why arcade-style…

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759 The Godfather (with Karen Spence) | My Last Book with Elyse Graham 1:04:39

19d ago1:04:39

1:04:39

Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece The Godfather routinely tops lists of the greatest films ever made - and when it doesn't, it's often because its sequel, The Godfather II, has replaced it. In this episode, Jacke talks to author Karen Spence about her new book, The Companion Guide to the Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family. PLUS Elyse…

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From Rucker Park to the NBA: Magic Assistant Coach God Shammgod on Basketball Culture & Evolution 31:04

21d ago31:04

31:04

*Recorded September 17th* Basketball culture starts in New York City, and few people embody that legacy like God Shammgod. On this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, God Shammgod joins us for a powerful conversation about Rucker Park, NYC streetball, and how New York guards shaped the modern NBA. From witnessing legends at Harlem’s most famous cour…

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758 Jane Austen in 41 Objects (with Kathryn Sutherland) | 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (#5 Greatest Book of All Time) 57:21

22d ago57:21

57:21

How well can we know someone through the objects they encountered? In this episode, Jacke talks to Kathryn Sutherland, Senior Research fellow at St. Anne's College, Oxford, about her new book Jane Austen in 41 Objects, which examines the objects Jane Austen encountered during her life alongside newer memorabilia inspired by the life she lived. PLUS…

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Are the Cavs Still Contenders? Danny Cunningham on Injuries, Shooting Woes & Playoff Stakes 30:43

26d ago30:43

30:43

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with Danny Cunningham, host of LockedOnCavs and contributor for 92.3 The Fan, to break down everything happening with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. The Cavs sit at a crossroads: Donovan Mitchell is playing at an MVP-level, possibly the best basketball of his career. The shooting has cras…

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757 George Orwell's 1984 (#6 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:07:22

26d ago1:07:22

1:07:22

In 1949, American critic Lionel Trilling, writing in the New Yorker, was quick to recognize the achievement of George Orwell's new novel. "[P]rofound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating," he said. 1984 "confirms its author in the special, honorable place he holds in our intellectual life." And while the Cold War and the book's primary satirical tar…

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Why Michael Cooper Was the Lakers’ X-Factor: Author Jake Uitti Reveals Showtime Secrets 37:57

28d ago37:57

37:57

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we welcome back writer and author Jake Uitti to break down his new book Coop: The Making of a Showtime Lakers Legend — the definitive biography of Los Angeles Lakers icon Michael Cooper. Cooper won five championships, became one of the NBA’s most feared defenders, helped fuel the legendary Lakers–Celtics r…

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756 Newly Discovered Stories by Virginia Woolf (with Urmila Seshagiri) | My Last Book with Jake Poller 58:07

29d ago58:07

58:07

Did you think we already knew everything there was to know about Virginia Woolf? Think again! In this episode, Jacke talks to scholar and editor Urmila Seshagiri about The Life of Violet: Three Early Stories, which presents three interconnected comic stories chronicling the adventures of a giantess named Violet, which Woolf wrote in 1907, eight yea…

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ITL: Clippers Move On From Chris Paul? | Shocking Media Takes on Jokic, Duncan & Kobe | Early Season NBA Surprises 1:03:06

1M ago1:03:06

1:03:06

Welcome back to In The Lab with the Hoopsology Podcast! In this episode, Matt and Allan break down one of the wildest weeks of the NBA season so far — from the Clippers sending Chris Paul home, to shocking media takes comparing Nikola Jokic, Tim Duncan, and Kobe Bryant, to Dillon Brooks’ incredible redemption arc, and all the surprising NBA storyli…

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755 The Chinese Tragedy of King Lear (with Nan Z. Da) | My Last Book with Iris Jamahl Dunkle 42:51

1M ago42:51

42:51

At the start of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, King Lear promises to divide his kingdom based on his daughters’ professions of love, but he portions it out before hearing all of their answers. For Nan Da, a professor of English literature who emigrated from China to the United States as a child in the 1990s, this startling opening scene sparked a re…

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Canada’s Basketball Takeover: SGA, Jamal Murray & The Golden Generation with Oren Weisfeld 26:31

1M ago26:31

26:31

Canada has become one of the fastest-growing basketball countries in the world—but how did this transformation actually happen? In this fascinating interview, we sit down with Oren Weisfeld, author of The Golden Generation: How Canada Became a Basketball Powerhouse, to break down the people, moments, and cultural shifts that sparked a national bask…

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754 Christopher Marlowe (with Stephen Greenblatt) | My Last Book with Eric White 55:43

1M ago55:43

55:43

Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) was born into relative obscurity and died in mysterious circumstances at the age of 29. And yet, somehow this ambitious cobbler's son brought about a spectacular explosion of English literature, language, and culture. In this episode, Jacke talks to Stephen Greenblatt about his book Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Ti…

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UConn’s Journey Back to Elite Status — Author David Borges Breaks Down Hurley’s Blueprint 19:42

1M ago19:42

19:42

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with David Borges, author of Hurley’s Heroes: UConn’s Return to College Basketball’s Elite and longtime UConn men’s basketball beat reporter. David takes us inside the rise of Dan Hurley, the rebuilding of UConn basketball, and the program’s return to dominance — including back-to-back national…

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753 Tenth-Anniversary Special (with Mike Palindrome and Laurie Frankel) | Giving Thanks | My Last Book with Eve Dunbar 1:17:22

1M ago1:17:22

1:17:22

When Jacke started the podcast in 2015, he decided to privilege books that were at least fifty years old. (Longtime listeners will know he's made a few exceptions, but for the most part, that's been the policy.) Last month, the History of Literature Podcast celebrated its tenth anniversary - which means there are ten years' worth of books that are …

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How the NBA Will Hit $14.3 BILLION: Sportico’s Kurt Badenhausen Explains the Future of NBA Revenues 29:50

1M ago29:50

29:50

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we dive deep into the business of basketball with Sportico’s sports valuations reporter Kurt Badenhausen. If you want to understand why the NBA is projecting $14.3 billion in revenue, how the new $76 billion media rights deal works, and what the future of NBA team valuations looks like, this is a must-watc…

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752 The Brontes' Sibling Rivalry (with Catherine Rayner) | My Last Book with Keith Cooper 1:01:28

1M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Charlotte Brontë wasn't born the eldest child, but she was thrust into a leadership role at the age of ten, as the Brontë children dealt with the tragic deaths of their mother and two eldest sisters. How did this affect their family dynamic? And when the younger two sisters, Emily and Anne, had their novels accepted while Charlotte's alone was reje…

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The great sense of humour of Allan Moffat 4:27

1M ago4:27

4:27

On 03 Feb, 2004 Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady phoned Allan Moffatt to congratulate him on becoming an Australian citizen. Bruce and Phil were at an outside broadcast when they put the call through. This four minute chat shows the great sense of humour that Allan Moffatt had. Many people are paying tribute by recounting stories from his amazing c…

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ITL: Breaking Down CP3’s Legacy, The REAL Reason Behind the NBA Injury Spike, Sengun Top 10 Player? 1:09:35

1M ago1:09:35

1:09:35

Welcome back to another episode of In the Lab on the Hoopsology Podcast! In this extended NBA breakdown, Justin Goodrum, Matt Thomas, and Alan Muenzler dive DEEP into one of the biggest stories of the season—Chris Paul announcing that he will retire at the end of the year. We break down: 🎖️ Chris Paul’s legacy, his impact on multiple franchises, an…

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Allie Clifton on Luka Joining the Lakers, LeBron’s Future & Inside NBA Media (Full Interview) 36:02

2M ago36:02

36:02

In this episode of the Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with Allie Clifton — NBA sideline reporter for Amazon Prime, studio host for Spectrum SportsNet, and co-host of the hit show Road Trippin’. Allie delivers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 Los Angeles Lakers, the state of NBA media, and what fans don’t see when it comes to the lives an…

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Why the Timberwolves Are Closer to a Championship Than You Think with Zone Coverage Minnesota’s Charlie Walton 44:05

2M ago44:05

44:05

In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Walton, Timberwolves reporter for Zone Coverage Minnesota, to break down every major storyline around the most fascinating team in the NBA this season. We dive into: 🏀 Why the Timberwolves’ identity has flipped — from a defense-first team to a top-tier offensive squad. 🏀 Anthony Edwards’ evolution as a prim…

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751 Covering Iran's Women-Led Uprising (with Nilo Tabrizy) | My Last Book with Sharmila Sen 1:02:37

2M ago1:02:37

1:02:37

In September 2022, a young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Jîna Amini, died after being beaten by police officers who arrested her for not adhering to the Islamic Republic’s dress code. Her death galvanized thousands of Iranians—mostly women—who took to the streets in one of the country’s largest uprisings in decades: the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. In thi…

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The TRUTH About the Utah Jazz Rebuild-Are the Utah Jazz Building the NEXT OKC? With Utah Jazz Reporter Eric Spyropoulos 30:47

2M ago30:47

30:47

Join us for a deep dive into one of the NBA’s most intriguing franchises — the Utah Jazz — as Allan and Matt welcome Eric Spyropoulos, digital writer for the Jazz, to break down the state of the team, the rebuild, the young core, Lauri Markkanen’s resurgence, Ace Bailey’s development, and how Utah compares to other rebuild success stories like OKC,…

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750 A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (with Mark Cirino) | Joyce Carol Oates vs the Trillionaire | My Last Book with Ken Krimstein 1:28:09

2M ago1:28:09

1:28:09

It's the 750th episode of the History of Literature, and what better way to celebrate than to talk some Hemingway with repeat guest Mark Cirino? In this episode, Jacke talks to Mark about Hemingway's classic love-and-war novel A Farewell to Arms, including the recent Norton Library edition of the book, which Mark edited. PLUS Jacke takes a look at …

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Why Kevin Durant Believes in Houston? Are the Rockets Contenders Now? With Houston Chronicle’s Rockets beat writer Danielle Lerner 34:25

2M ago34:25

34:25

In this episode of Hoopsology Podcast, Matt and Allan welcome back Danielle Lerner, Houston Chronicle’s Rockets beat writer, to break down the state of Houston basketball and the Rockets’ resurgence. We cover everything from: The buzz around Kevin Durant’s arrival in Houston How Ime Udoka’s leadership has reshaped the team culture Alperen Sengun’s …

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749 Willing and Will-Making in the English Renaissance (with Douglas Clark) | #7 Greatest Book of All Time 1:06:00

2M ago1:06:00

1:06:00

When Hamlet, in his famous soliloquy, pondered the "dread of something after death, / the undiscovered country," he noted that such thoughts "puzzles the will." (Earlier editions of the play had this as a "hope of something after death" that "puzzles the brain." What's the significance for an Elizabethan writer (and audience) of the change from hop…

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Shea Serrano on Why Basketball Is About Feelings, Not Stats 33:33

2M ago33:33

33:33

In this episode of Hoopsology, we welcome New York Times bestselling author Shea Serrano, who joins us to discuss his latest book, Expensive Basketball — a unique and heartfelt exploration of why fans truly love the game. Shea breaks down the emotion behind basketball — why we remember Michael Jordan’s flu game or Kobe Bryant’s mentality more than …

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What It’s Like Working for Ice Cube’s BIG3 League (ft. Jim Bachman) 31:54

2M ago31:54

31:54

In this episode of Hoopsology, we sit down with Jim Bachman, the voice of Villanova basketball and the BIG3, to pull back the curtain on one of basketball’s most fascinating careers. From calling games for Jay Wright’s championship Wildcats to announcing for Ice Cube’s revolutionary BIG3 league, Jim shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories about…

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748 Katherine Mansfield (with Gerri Kimber) | The Poet and the Sex Worker Who Burgled Him | My Last Book with Emerson Expert Kenneth Sacks 55:47

2M ago55:47

55:47

Katherine Mansfield's writing, said Virginia Woolf, "was the only writing I was ever jealous of." In this episode, Jacke talks to author Gerri Kimber about Katherine Mansfield: A Hidden Life, which explores the life and work of one of literary modernism's most significant writers. PLUS Jacke takes a look at the unusual friendship between poet W.H. …

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John Laws speaks to a caller about Rolf Harris 6:45

2M ago6:45

6:45

With the passing of John Laws, I thought it worthwhile posting this to demonstrate what set him apart from all others. When Rolf Harris hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, John took the time to explain to this caller why Rolf Harris paintings weren't wanted. Any other talkback show host would have dismissed the caller very quickly. Warning…

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Eric Smith and Andrew Bricker Reveal the Hidden Side of 30 Years of Raptors History 40:33

2M ago40:33

40:33

In this episode of Hoopsology, hosts dive deep into the incredible 30-year journey of the Toronto Raptors with Eric Smith, longtime Raptors broadcaster, and Andrew Bricker, co-authors of We the Raptors. 🏀 About the Episode: Eric and Andrew share the untold stories behind the Raptors’ rise — from the early days of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady to t…

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747 Graphomaniac - The Story of a Horrible Russian Poet (with Ilya Vinitsky and James H. McGavran III | My Last Book with Stephanie Sandler | #8 Greatest Book of All Time 1:11:57

2M ago1:11:57

1:11:57

Dmitry Ivanovich Khvostov (1757-1835) might be the worst poet who ever lived. Pathologically prolific and delusional dedicated to a craft for which he had no talent, he continued to write and publish his poetry despite the pleadings of friends, loved ones, critics, and the public. In this episode, Jacke talks to author Ilya Vinitsky and translator …

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Chauncey Billups, the Mob & the NBA’s Integrity Crisis | with Danny Marang 49:09

2M ago49:09

49:09

In this episode of Hoopsology, hosts Justin and Alan welcome back Portland Trail Blazers insider Danny Marang (Rip City Wrap-Up, 1080 The Fan, KATU Portland) to break down the fallout from the Chauncey Billups FBI gambling investigation and what it means for the future of the league. Marang takes us inside the story — revealing how he first heard a…

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Why the NBA Has Never Been More Talented with Michael Grange 26:48

2M ago26:48

26:48

In this episode of Hoopsology, hosts Justin Goodrum and Matt Thomas sit down with Michael Grange — journalist, NBA analyst, and author of Basketball Now: The Inside Stories of the Brightest Stars of the NBA. Grange takes us inside his new book and shares his insights on the current state of the league, the rise of Canadian basketball, and why this …

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746 Wild Jane Austen (with Devoney Looser) | #9 Greatest Book of All Time 1:04:37

2M ago1:04:37

1:04:37

Author Devoney Looser may be a mild-mannered English professor to most people, but roller derby fans know her as Stone Cold Jane Austen, her smashmouth alter ego. In this episode, Devoney tells Jacke about her new book Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Jane, which suggests we also rethink the commonly held view of "spinster Jan…

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NBA’s Hot Start, The Book the Lakers Don’t Want You to Read, & WNBA Labor War-Hoopsology's ITL 1:11:21

2M ago1:11:21

1:11:21

In this episode of Hoopsology's ITL, the crew dives deep into the NBA’s biggest stories, including: 🔥 LeBron & Lakers Drama — Sports journalist Yaron Weitzman’s new book A Hollywood Ending sparks controversy in Los Angeles, exposing tension between LeBron James and the Lakers’ front office. The Hoopsology hosts discuss the fallout, potential lawsui…

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LeBron’s Power, Friction with the Los Angeles Lakers, With Yaron Weitzman 32:57

2M ago32:57

32:57

In this episode of Hoopsology Podcast, we sit down with Yaron Weitzman, acclaimed NBA writer and author of A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers. Weitzman gives us a deep dive into the truth behind LeBron James’ tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers — from his arrival in 2018 to the present-day uncertainty surrounding his futur…

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745 Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti (Halloween Fun-Size Edition) 2:14:14

2M ago2:14:14

2:14:14

In the spring of 2022, Jacke dropped everything to plummet into one of the strangest poems he had ever read, "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). The result was a two-part episode that never quite found its home. In this special Halloween episode, we've combined the best parts of both of those episodes to bring you the full story of a…

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Trae Young’s Mission to Win in Atlanta | Inside the Hawks’ 2025–26 Season with Atlanta Journal-Constitution Reporter Lauren Williams 34:24

2M ago34:24

34:24

In this episode of Hoopsology, we sit down with Lauren Williams, who covers the Atlanta Hawks for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, to discuss the team’s early 2025–26 season outlook. Lauren gives us insider insight on: 🏀 How Trae Young is evolving as a leader and setting expectations for a deep playoff run. 💪 What the Hawks’ new additions — includ…

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744 Love, Sex, and Frankenstein (with Caroline Lea) | #10 Greatest Book of All Time | My Last Book with Geoffrey Turnovsky | A Letter from a Middle School Teacher and Mom 1:26:42

2M ago1:26:42

1:26:42

The year is 1816, and 18-year-old Mary Shelley has fled London with her lover, Percy Shelley, and her sister, Claire. They're on their way to visit Lord Byron's villa in Lake Geneva, Switzerland - and to change the course of literary history. In this episode, Jacke talks to Caroline Lea about her novel Love, Sex, and Frankenstein, which tells the h…