Best Defector Media Podcasts (2025)

1
The Greatest Garbage Time Performance Ever 1:08:43

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3d ago1:08:43

1:08:43

Defector’s own Dan McQuade joins Drew and Roth! Dan updates them on his cancer diagnosis (he’s doing well!), then football – what can Drew expect with Carson Wentz? What’s going on with the Eagles? Does Dan fear the Packers? Finally, baseball! How do the Phillies stack up? And Roth tells us about the Mets’ postseason prospects. Do you want to hear …

1
Defector Turns Five! 1:09:46

11d ago1:09:46

1:09:46

It’s just Drew and Roth, here to celebrate Defector’s five year anniversary! Where will this company be in another five years? Then: baseball! How is Roth liking the Big Dumper? Football! Can the AFC be rigged so that Buffalo and Baltimore meet in the conference title game? Finally, they discuss the Bears’ dysfunction, Ty Dunne, and Caleb Williams.…

1
Diana Moskovitz Rides a Bike 26:54

1d ago26:54

26:54

Diana Moskovitz never learned to ride a bike when she was a child. Can she make her K-drama Han River bike riding dream come true? Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CR1x7BM2vyw_t44kvnvXehKfZLjkTLbYgwQCid3vgEQ/edit?usp=sharing Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at [email protected], or you can message m…

1
NFL Good/Bad with Mina Kimes (Part 2) 59:49

18d ago59:49

59:49

Mina Kimes of ESPN joins Drew and Roth to complete this year’s NFL Good/Bad! This week, it’s the AFC, and there’s no equivocating allowed. 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 About The Jones family black hole AFC Good/Bad Mina’s very good boy, Lenny Spons…

1
NFL Good/Bad with Kalyn Kahler (Part 1) 1:05:11

25d ago1:05:11

1:05:11

Our guest is Kalyn Kahler, which can only mean one thing: NFL Good/Bad time has arrived! We’re splitting the show up this year, so Kalyn will go through the NFC with us today, and Mina Kimes will join us next week to break down the AFC. OMG FOOTBALL. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That i…

1
Yowei Shaw Hosts a Party 33:10

15d ago33:10

33:10

What happens when a wallflower tries to stand in the spotlight? Check out Yowei's podcast, Proxy. Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q866ZRKA_MsysRPo1QQlBBESRfIksmQeZNFmbS_DUOg/edit?usp=sharing Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at [email protected], or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlau…

1
Inspector Fuzz Is On The Case with Giri Nathan 1:02:12

1M ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Giri Nathan, author of the new book Changeover: A Young Rivalry and a New Era of Men's Tennis, joins Drew and Roth to tackle one of the most difficult questions of our time – how did Giri write a book and have a baby at the same time? They also talk about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s epic new rivalry. Then, they open up the funbag to answer r…

1
Porchlight Storytelling: Touched by an Angel (episode #156) 50:10

1M ago50:10

50:10

The Bay Area’s long-running Porchlight storytelling series returned to Litquake once again for this special edition, featuring tales on the theme of Touched by an Angel: Stories of Mentors, Teachers, Guardians, and Influencers. Featuring off the cuff stories by Litquake co-founder Jack Boulware and memoirists Nico Lang, Adam Nimoy, Eugene Rodriguez…

1
Erika Casupanan Sings in Public 36:37

1M ago36:37

36:37

Erika spent her life being the person she thought she "should" be. It turns out that doing her own thing doesn't rock the world the way she thinks it will. It's actually pretty cool. Check out Erika's podcast, Happy to See Me. Episode transcript here. Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at [email protected], or you can message me…

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This Fresca Has ATTITUDE! with Emma Baccellieri 1:03:53

2M ago1:03:53

1:03:53

Emma Baccellieri, staff writer at Sports Illustrated and creator of The Soda Fountain newsletter, joins Drew and Roth to talk baseball and the WNBA, but, mostly, sodee pop. What have the W refs been messing up lately, and what’s the fix? Can you pop into a baseball stadium for a quick hot dog? Then, they open up the fun bag to answer real questions…

1
Generation Women: Plot Twists (episode #155) 39:20

1M ago39:20

39:20

Generation Women returns to Litquake with a powerful night of live, multigenerational storytelling. Founded by author Georgia Clark in 2017, this series amplifies underheard voices and fosters intergenerational connection. In this special festival edition, one woman or non-binary storyteller from each decade—20s through 70s+—shares an original, tru…

1
This Book Could’ve Been a Pamphlet with Maitreyi Anantharaman 54:30

2M ago54:30

54:30

Maitreyi Anantharaman of Defector joins Drew and Roth to break down the latest in the WNBA: expansion, the Aces’ fall from grace, the Caitlin Clark problem - or not, as the case may be - and more. She’s got a book in the works called, You Can’t See Me: Inside the New Golden Age of Women’s Basketball. And then, with a brief stop off in Detroit to ch…

1
Modern Magic with Michelle Tea (episode #154) 34:05

1M ago34:05

34:05

Recorded at The Lost Church during Litquake 2024, this magical evening features DIY witch and literary icon Michelle Tea in conversation with The Witching Year author Diana Helmuth, guided by writer and artist MK Chavez—plus a special onstage gathering in the second half. Interested in learning more about Litquake? Visit us at www.litquake.org Conn…

1
Mattie Lubchansky Takes a Yoga Class 31:35

2M ago31:35

31:35

Cartoonist Mattie Lubchansky hates exercising in front of people, so in this first episode of Try Hard, she's trying out a real life yoga class full of real life strangers! By the way, you should buy Mattie's new book, Simplicity! Episode transcript here. Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at [email protected], or you can messag…

1
The Defector Swimsuit Issue with Pablo Torre 56:33

2M ago56:33

56:33

Pablo Torre, host of Pablo Torre Finds Out, shares with Drew and Roth what thing he’s found out about lately. For instance, he found out that the NFLPA is a flaming shitwreck! Then, will the NBA gambling stories remain mini-scandals in the public eye right up until the moment that someone openly rigs an NBA Finals? Finally, they open up the funbag …

1
How to Get Free Healing with Morgan Parker, Sam Sax, and Carvell Wallace (episode #153) 1:09:48

2M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

Three acclaimed writers—Morgan Parker, Carvell Wallace, and sam sax—offer bold, deeply personal takes on healing in a world that resists it. From mental health and identity to queerness and survival, their recent works reimagine what self-love can look like today. Interested in learning more about Litquake? Visit us at www.litquake.org Connect with…

1
Rawdogging The Toilet with Justin Halpern 1:06:17

2M ago1:06:17

1:06:17

Our good buddy Justin Halpern returns to the show, giving us the on-the-ground report from LA where ICE raids are still definitely happening. Justin also wants to talk about the MLB owners: they don’t even seem to like the sport they own, so what are they even doing here? And then, having gotten what he came for, he bailed slightly early - but not …

1
Atlas Obscura’s Wild Life: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Living Wonders (episode #152) 1:09:16

2M ago1:09:16

1:09:16

Recorded live at Litquake Festival 2024, this episode celebrates Wild Life, the latest from the minds behind Atlas Obscura. Editor Cara Giaimo, journalist Marissa Ortega-Welch, and Oakland Zoo’s Amy Gotliffe share stories of Earth’s most awe-inspiring creatures—and why they matter. Interested in learning more about Litquake? Visit us at www.litquak…

1
Welcome to Try Hard 1:07

2M ago1:07

1:07

If there’s no shame in trying, why is it so hard? On Try Hard, Alex Sujong Laughlin helps people try the thing they've always wanted to do—from cartwheels to karaoke. First episode publishes July 28! Thank you to Charley Locke, Lilli Grace Barden, Yuli, and Juliana de Groot for lending your voices.By Alex Sujong Laughlin

1
Schur-da-land with Mike Schur 1:05:24

2M ago1:05:24

1:05:24

Mike Schur is back! With guest co-host Rohan Nadkarni and Drew to talk about how tech brainrot has infected how TV is made, as well as trades, sandwiches, and more. 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!…

1
Mayor of the Tenderloin: Del Seymour's Journey from Living on the Streets to Fighting Homelessness in San Francisco (Episode #151) 1:05:06

3M ago1:05:06

1:05:06

Recorded during Litquake Festival 2024, journalist Alison Owings and Del Seymour—founder of Code Tenderloin and former unhoused advocate—share a powerful conversation about recovery, resilience, and community transformation. Featuring a special performance by Skywatchers! Interested in learning more about Litquake? Visit us at www.litquake.org Conn…

1
A Fish-Eating American 54:18

3M ago54:18

54:18

It’s summer, and Drew and Roth are both sunburned, so it’s time to talk about politics. Then, they answer questions from the Funbag, full of real questions from real listeners. Happy July 4th! 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 About Foot meat NYC grocer…

1
Paola Ramos on her book Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right (Episode #150) 1:10:12

2M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

On the eve of the 2024 presidential election, journalist Paola Ramos joined us to discuss her urgent new book, Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right. In conversation with KALW’s Angie Coiro, Ramos explores the complex forces—identity, race, disillusionment, and political trauma—driving a growing number of Latino voters toward conservative can…

1
The Stupid Teams Are Even Stupider with Ray Ratto 1:05:53

3M ago1:05:53

1:05:53

Defector’s own Ray Ratto joins Drew & Roth once again! First up, the NYC mayoral race, and whether New York mayors are a special breed all their own, or if all mayors all across the country are just Like That. Will Zohran Mamdani, fresh off a trouncing of Andrew Cuomo in this week’s primary, be any different? Then, speaking of huge paradigm shifts,…

1
Hartford Has It (Clinical Depression) with Megan Greenwell 1:05:16

3M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

Drew is off doing important things, so Roth is joined by co-host Kelsey McKinney and guest Megan Greenwell, author of Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream to talk about how old men with too much money destroy companies and people’s lives through private equity. Then, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions fro…

1
Living For Lunch with Alan Siegel 59:08

3M ago59:08

59:08

The Ringer staff writer Alan Siegel drops by to talk about his new book, Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television-and America-Forever. He reveals perhaps too much information about Operation Dizzy Fox, Los Angeles’ lost utopian monorail future, and exactly how gross the Simpsons Writers’ Room (like, the physic…

1
The Most Polite 30 Seconds in Podcasting History with Will Leitch 1:08:28

4M ago1:08:28

1:08:28

New York Magazine contributing editor, Washington Post columnist, and Deadspin founder Will Leitch joins Drew and Roth to talk about the creative writing process, the NBA finals, the Stanley Cup finals, and the Cardinals dropping the ball with their fans once again. His new novel, Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride, is out now! Do you want to hear your quest…

1
An Apology to Brad Lohaus 1:07:07

4M ago1:07:07

1:07:07

It’s just Drew and Roth this week, and guess what? They’re gonna talk NBA playoffs, because Drew actually knows what he’s talking about this year! For real! He has thoughts on these teams! Then, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from real listeners like you! Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call …

1
Crazy Mid-Air Adjustments with Jason Steinhauer 1:01:21

4M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

Jason Steinhauer, public historian and author of History, Disrupted: How Social Media and the World Wide Web Have Changed the Past, lays out for Drew & Roth whether the current system is actually Fascism or merely sparkling Authoritarianism, and if historical precedent can even predict our modern times at all. And then after that, somehow, they als…

1
A Very Grim Place To Have A Beauty Pageant with Brandy Jensen 1:07:18

4M ago1:07:18

1:07:18

Defector’s Culture Editor Brandy Jensen doesn’t follow any sports, so she joins Drew and Roth to talk about other topics! Should Drew continue watching Reacher if episode one didn’t hook him? Can Brandy save the state of modern design in America? Would any of them accept a $400 million 747 from Qatar, no questions asked? Then, they open up the Funb…

1
1995 Man of the Year President Bill Climpton with Ben Collins 1:10:26

5M ago1:10:26

1:10:26

CEO of The Onion Ben Collins joins Roth to talk about running The Onion. How does a private citizen actually buy a long-standing-and-at-the-time-languishing satirical newspaper? Do you just sit there and clap your hands as they make jokes? How do you stand back up beloved bits and programs in the media landscape of 2025? And Ben shares two importan…

1
Bernie Sanders Liz Phair Lyrics with Patrick Redford 1:05:28

5M ago1:05:28

1:05:28

Defector’s own and basketball podcaster Patrick Redford joins Drew and Roth to talk about the NBA playoffs! What teams are zagging with Hyperball? How capital-G Good are the Cavs and the Thunder? Should Steve Ballmer just come out as a ball-knower? And in the back half of the show, Patrick has to respond to breaking Sacramento Kings news and they d…

1
What Goes On in the Mind of a Football Man with Mike Tanier 1:04:27

5M ago1:04:27

1:04:27

National football reporter and writer of the Too Deep Zone substack Mike Tanier joins Drew and Roth to get excited about the NFL Draft. How do teams come up with a coherent draft board… or do they? Is everyone watching the same Shedeur Sanders tape? And how many Twitch streams do they need to grind tape on? And as always, they dive into the Funbag,…

1
The Incredibly Late Spring Break Podcast 50:52

5M ago50:52

50:52

Here’s what Drew wrote for the agenda for this episode: - I bitch about spring break - Roth and I shoot the shit That’s what will happen. And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions from real 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! Sponsors …

1
Why Am I Talking to the New Jags GM Right Now? with Tim Marchman 1:05:58

5M ago1:05:58

1:05:58

Director of politics, security, and science at Wired Tim Marchman joins Drew and Roth to explain what the hell is going on with DOGE. What exactly are they doing? How has Wired been able to investigate what’s been going? And what can Americans do to fight back? In the back half of the show, Marchman gets a chance to talk about the White Sox and the…

1
I’m Not Going to Mention Where He Went to College with Maitreyi Anantharaman 1:04:29

6M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

Defector’s own Maitreyi Anantharaman joins Drew and Roth to talk hoops and baseball! Who should we be rooting for in the women’s final four tournament? What’s going on with Paige Bueckers and does it have anything to do with Nico Harrison? Do we like the MBB Duke team now? And is the torpedo bat cheating or do we want the Yankees not to succeed? An…

1
Luxury Ice Fishing Apparatus with Bob Mould 54:31

6M ago54:31

54:31

Musician Bob Mould joins Drew and Roth to talk about his newest album, Here We Go Crazy, as well as life in general! They discuss how his recent marriage has changed his songwriting, what sort of magic goes into that whole arcane process, and what keeps bringing a world-touring musician back to America, even in 2025. Do you want to hear your questi…

1
The 2025 Idiot’s Guide to March Madness with Ken Pomeroy 59:31

6M ago59:31

59:31

College basketball metrics analyst Ken Pomeroy joins Drew and Roth for his annual preview of this year’s March Madness tournament! They answer your burning college basketball questions: How does Ken feel about being quoted by the governor of West Virginia? Does the fact that some players are wandering ronin affect the quality of play? What’s going …

1
I Can’t Trust Hot White Dips with Jasper Wang 1:00:04

6M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Defector’s own Jasper Wang joins Drew and Roth to share the true crime story that happened to him. Can you solve the mystery of the burst pipes in Montana? Speaking of, these NFL teams are busted, as revealed by their free agency performance! In the second half of the episode, they explore the possibilities of the MLB forcing Tamba Bay Rays owner S…

1
The First Half Is About the State of the World with Denny Carter 1:00:05

7M ago1:00:05

1:00:05

Editor of the Bad Faith Times Denny Carter joins Drew and Roth to talk about everything that’s happening. They know what happened the last time Denny was on. That’s what they’re talking about. But don’t worry, they’re pivoting about something much more sunny in the second half of the podcasts: the Dallas Mavericks! Is this team cursed, rigged, or j…

1
Your Kids Are Mid with Nathan Grayson 1:02:34

7M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Nathan Grayson, co-founder of Aftermath and author of the new book Stream Big: The Triumphs and Turmoils of Twitch and the Stars Behind the Screen, talks to Drew and Roth about game streaming. Is Twitch a healthy company? Do the streamers like being on it? And how does this all feel in contrast to creating their worker-owned-journalism outfit? And …

1
The Paddington 2 of the NBA with Rohan Nadkarni 1:01:25

7M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

NBC News’ Rohan Nadkarni joins Drew and Roth to tell us what’s going on in the NBA after the All Star break. Who are three most interesting teams to watch in the East and the West? And in the second half of the show, they give you the sandwich talk that you’re craving, kicked off by a homemade vegan Double Down in Drew’s own home. And as always, th…

1
Disrespecting John Madden’s Name 1:00:17

7M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Drew and Roth break down The Big Game, including why Tom Brady’s commentary is so very bad and the Eagles defense is so very good. The back half of the pod is NBA corner as the guys discuss Miriam Adelson, the Mavericks’ beefy private sheriffs, and Dončić trade conspiracies. Plus, two voicemails for the Funbag, answering real questions from real li…

1
Both the Eagles and the Chiefs Are Gonna Win with Dan McQuade 1:10:46

8M ago1:10:46

1:10:46

Defector’s very own Dan McQuade joins Drew and Roth to talk about The Big Game! As chief Philly correspondent, Dan weighs in on how the Eagles can do it. Also as chief Philly correspondent, Dan explains how the Eagles can never, ever win it all. In the back half of the pod, everyone is still trying to have a thought other than “what the hell” about…

1
Apollo 13 Was a Well Made Movie with Will Tavlin 1:10:06

8M ago1:10:06

1:10:06

Will Tavlin, writer of the piece Casual Viewing in n+1, talks to Drew and Roth about why every movie on Netflix looks like that. Why does Netflix not only survives, but thrives, when no one is watching? How does the crappy look of Netflix movies fit with their initial DVD business model? And how has Will been responding to the readers who think thi…

1
This Episode Cancels Out the Manhattan Project with Justin Halpern 1:04:10

8M ago1:04:10

1:04:10

Executive producer of Harley Quinn and Abbott Elementary Justin Halpern returns to Drew and Roth to talk about the Dodgers making baseball into capitalism-shaped-like-a-baseball! In the wake of even more free agent signings, they explain how the Dodgers are running their team like a company with McKinsey consultants and they’re blowing everyone els…

1
Dresses Like Kevin Federline with Ed Zitron 1:09:44

8M ago1:09:44

1:09:44

Better Offline’s Ed Zitron joins Drew and Roth for a doubleheader of British accents and Trump impressions. The first half is all about what pits of despair NFL coaches would walk into if they joined the Raiders, the Cowboys, or the Jags. In the second half, Ed and Roth recap the 2025 CES Conference in Las Vegas and how everyone there is smooshing …

1
He Lost the Slack and the Clubhouse with Diana Moskovitz 1:04:12

9M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

Defector’s very own Diana Moskovitz joins Drew and Roth to preview the NFL playoffs! They interrogate why the Steelers are the way that they are, the ethics of rooting for the Packers, and who they think will win it all in their heart of hearts. And the show wraps up with the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners. Do you want to hear…

1
The 2024 Williams-Sonoma Catalog Price Is Right 58:06

9M ago58:06

58:06

Christmastimeeee is hereeeeee and so is the 2024 Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog. For your last Distraction of the year, enjoy Drew lead Roth through the wonders of the ridiculous catalogue and follow along at home by guessing the prices with your loved ones. Programming Note: we’re taking next Thursday off, see you on January 9th, 202…

1
Oprah Doesn’t Own Discovery with Susie Banikarim 1:03:52

9M ago1:03:52

1:03:52

Co-host of The Kicker: The Unraveling of Ozy Media Susie Banikarim joins Drew and Roth to unravel the story of Carlos Watson and the fraud of OZY Media. Why did so many rich people invest in this media company? Was the stuff that Watson did uniquely terrible or was he the one who got punished? Why would you name your company after the poem Ozymandi…