Best Defectors Podcast Podcasts (2025)

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

Play Pause

7d 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
Author AW Hammond - The Moscow Defector 1:04:12

1M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

Best selling author AW Hammond returns to the podcast to discuss with Hammo his brand new novel, "The Moscow Defector". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Escaping Gaza City, while reporting on its destruction 27:59

3m ago27:59

27:59

Malak A Tantesh on fleeing the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza and becoming a reporter in the most dangerous place on Earth for journalists. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
K-Quick: Korean Food in 30 Minutes or Less with Judy Joo 52:53

3h ago52:53

52:53

September 23, 2025 - Chef, restaurateur, writer, and connoisseur of Korean fried chicken, Judy Joo has gained widespread acclaim for her vibrant approach to Korean cuisine. Now, she presents her latest collection of fresh, exciting recipes in K-Quick: Korean Food in 30 Minutes or Less. K-Quick: Korean Food in 30 Minutes or Less focuses on recipes t…

1
Russia’s high-risk game in Nato skies 23:38

7h ago23:38

23:38

Over the past two weeks, Russian drones and jets have entered the airspace of several European countries. Dan Sabbagh discusses the escalation along the Nato-Russia border. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Does Labour’s new home secretary signal a harder line on immigration? 28:36

1d ago28:36

28:36

Shabana Mahmood is already making headlines in her new role. But who is she and what motivates her?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Soju Party with Irene Yoo 49:04

1d ago49:04

49:04

September 18, 2025 - Drinking is an essential part of Korean culture, one that’s guided by a complex web of unspoken rules, deep tradition, and lots and lots of food. With Soju Party, food writer, chef, and co-owner of Brooklyn’s Orion Bar Irene Yoo has written the book on drinking like a Korean. She introduces the classic Korean alcohols and how K…

1
Ceara Jane O'Sullivan Tries to Cartwheel 31:08

2d ago31:08

31:08

Ceara Jane O'Sullivan takes a gymnastics class in an attempt to finally master the ultimate cool girl trick: the cartwheel. Check out Ceara's podcast, Petty Crimes, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/petty-crimes/id1612693094 Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10zWovNgFBG7w9b41zkZ5Fs95LX6uhj6y5UHykd0URIU/edit?usp=s…

1
This Building Is a Bucket with Ben Schneider 55:13

2d ago55:13

55:13

We are joined by author, urbanist, and certified bucket Ben Schneider to talk about stadiums from an urbanist perspective. We discuss how stadiums play a role in what Mike Davis once dubbed “the infinite game” of metropolitan development projects. We also get into why Urbanist Twitter and NBA Twitter feel strangely similar, why basketball stadiums …

1
What happens when you stop weight loss jabs? 26:48

2d ago26:48

26:48

Science editor Ian Sample talks through the dilemma facing more than a million people in the UK as the cost of the jabs jumps. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Alien: Earth episode 7: Emergence 25:32

4d ago25:32

25:32

Hammo has managed to sneak in some time to recap the penultimate episode of Alien: Earth. There's never been a funnier dump by a sheep. Hammo is calling it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The Unseen Resilience of North Korean Female Defectors 1:34:48

5d ago1:34:48

1:34:48

September 18, 2025 - Join us for a discussion on the unseen resilience of North Korean female defectors. Kim Seonghui and Na Min-Hee provide powerful personal testimony, describing their life and experiences in North Korea, their escape, and their new life in South Korea. Human rights advocate and expert Kwon EunKyoung joins the discussion, which i…

1
Why Britain recognising Palestine matters 34:04

6d ago34:04

34:04

What is motivating the UK’s imminent recognition of Palestine? With Arab Barghouthi and Patrick Wintour. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The downfall of Jair Bolsonaro 31:56

6d ago31:56

31:56

Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has been handed a 27-year sentence for an attempted coup – is there any way his political career can continue? Tom Phillips reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Musician Nick Kennedy - Big Heavy Chats 1:11:07

7d ago1:11:07

1:11:07

Drummer Nick Kennedy from bands such as Big Heavy Stuff and Knievel, returns to the podcast to discuss the music industry and what's coming out later in the year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The US on the edge after Charlie Kirk’s killing 33:12

7d ago33:12

33:12

The killing of the rightwing activist and podcaster has left the US reeling. Yet President Trump and his supporters are a long way from calling for calm. Ed Pilkington reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
On the ground with Tommy Robinson’s new supporters 37:30

8d ago37:30

37:30

Who showed up for the biggest far-right rally in British history? Ben Quinn reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The Surfer - Pass the Amyl with author Garth Jones 48:31

9d ago48:31

48:31

Author Garth Jones returns with a new Pass the Amyl segment as he and Hammo dive deep into the madness of Nicholas Cage in The Surfer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Finishing Amongst the TREES with Noah Kulwin 1:31:00

9d ago1:31:00

1:31:00

We are joined by writer, researcher, journalist, and co-creator of BLOWBACK, Noah Kulwin, for a mega episode recorded in person at Harry's apartment. We talk about the Aspiration story, how it’s been received and what that says about where power lies in sports media, and a larger conversation about Pablo Torre's investigative work with PTFO. We als…

1
Rupert Murdoch picks a son in the real-life succession battle 25:05

9d ago25:05

25:05

Who is Lachlan Murdoch and how will he build on his father’s legacy? Emily Bell reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Alien: Earth episode 6 The Fly 28:17

12d ago28:17

28:17

Hammo continues his journey into Alien: Earth with episode 6. Scary sheep, spitting flies, and good old fashioned face huggers combine to creep us out yet again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The lucrative secrets of Boris Johnson 29:50

12d ago29:50

29:50

An investigation based on leaked data from Johnson’s private office has unearthed a trove of information. Has he broken the rules again? Henry Dyer reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The sacking of Peter Mandelson – Today in Focus extra 17:57

13d ago17:57

17:57

Just days before a state visit by Donald Trump, Keir Starmer has had to sack the British ambassador to the US. Kiran Stacey reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Defector Turns Five! 1:09:46

14d 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
Flags and fury: why the St George’s cross is everywhere 28:16

13d ago28:16

28:16

Esther Addley on why the union jack and St George’s flags are appearing on lamp-posts, bridges and roundabouts in England. Gary Younge explains why not everyone is happy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Dave Anthony - Marching, Parasites and Looking Pretty 1:08:48

14d ago1:08:48

1:08:48

The Dollop's Dave Anthony returns to the show to discuss Hammo's new beauty, the right time to leave a march, how to entice a parasite out of your body, and lots of other fun things that are helping the world burn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Locking, Locked, and Locked TF In to the WNBA Playoffs with Maitreyi Anantharaman 1:03:31

14d ago1:03:31

1:03:31

We are joined by Defector staff writer Maitreyi Anantharaman to preview the WNBA playoffs. We've got something for everyone – fans locking into the playoffs, fans already locked into this season, and fans locked the f**k into their specific team’s playoff domination. We also talk who won the Plum x Aces divorce, if Caitlin Clark is the victim of ra…

1
Macron’s government collapses … again 22:36

14d ago22:36

22:36

For the third time in a year a French prime minister has resigned and the president has had to swiftly choose a replacement. What’s behind the chaos? Angelique Chrisafis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Alien: Earth episode 5 In Space, No One... 25:42

16d ago25:42

25:42

Hammo continues his journey into Alien: Earth with the fifth episode maybe fast becoming his third favourite film in the franchise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
A resignation, a reshuffle and a roaring headache for Keir Starmer 23:50

15d ago23:50

23:50

Guardian columnist Rafael Behr discusses the government’s reshuffle after Angela Rayner’s resignation as deputy prime minister, and asks whether Labour can recover from here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Diana Moskovitz Rides a Bike 26:54

16d 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
Behind the scenes of the Guardian’s libel battle with Noel Clarke 33:25

16d ago33:25

33:25

The actor claimed accusations against him by more than 20 women were false and part of a conspiracy. The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, and journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne on why the news organisation risked millions to defend its reporting. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus…

1
Ed Park: An Oral History of Atlantis with Mira Jacob 59:41

19d ago59:41

59:41

September 4, 2025 - A deadpan, wildly imaginative collection of stories that slices clean through the mundanity and absurdity of modern life, An Oral History of Atlantis is the newest collection of short stories from Ed Park, the author of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize–winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist Same Bed Different Dreams. In this utterly…

1
Riding the Momentum: How VCs Navigate Hype and Sustainable Growth 1:20:32

19d ago1:20:32

1:20:32

September 3, 2025 - This edition of Startup Scene will explore one of venture capital’s most elusive forces: momentum. As the landscape rapidly shifts—from the rise and retreat of web3 and blockchain to today’s explosive AI wave—both founders and investors face a critical question: how do you tell the difference between short-lived hype and the kin…

1
Angela Rayner resigns – Today in Focus Extra 15:44

19d ago15:44

15:44

Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff talks through the tax row that brought down the now former deputy prime minister. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Would you have your legs broken to be taller? 29:01

19d ago29:01

29:01

Alongside dental work, hair transplants and nose jobs, people from around the world are travelling to Turkey to get leg-lengthening surgery. Ruth Michaelson reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

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

21d 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
Strongmen assemble: Putin, Kim and Xi in Beijing 21:13

20d ago21:13

21:13

Senior China correspondent Amy Hawkins discusses a historic week in China – including a 20-plus country summit and an unprecedented military parade – and analyses what it tells us about the country’s attempt to remake the world. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Alien: Earth episode 4 Observation with Jarrod McMaugh 1:05:34

22d ago1:05:34

1:05:34

Hammo recaps episode 4 of Alien: Earth and then is joined by his mate Jarrod McMaugh to discuss the themes and ideas of the show, then speculate on where this series might be heading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.