The LZ Granderson Show

Justin Britt-Gibson, co-executive producer and writer of Lanterns, joins LZ Granderson for a conversation about bringing comic book characters to life and finding his voice in Hollywood. Justin discusses the reception to Lanterns, adapting its comic book origins, the conversations inside the writers’ room and how fear shapes the story. Plus, he shares his approach to writing the pivotal episode “L...

The LZ Granderson Show reports from the campaign trail with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee in Michigan’s 2026 United States Senate election. LZ hits the campaign trail covering El-Sayed as he discusses his vision for Michigan and addresses the major issues shaping the race, including healthcare costs and access, protecting Social Security, creating good-paying jobs, confronting the hou...

Dr. Rex LaMore joins LZ Granderson to explore domicology, the study of a building’s life cycle and what happens when structures reach the end of their useful lives. The conversation examines how abandoned buildings affect surrounding communities, which types of properties are most commonly left behind, and how cities can responsibly plan for demolition, reuse, and recovery. Dr. LaMore also discuss...

Actor, writer, and director Paul Oakley Stovall joins The LZ Granderson Show for a wide-ranging conversation about the experiences that shaped his life and creative career. Paul reflects on growing up immersed in tennis and sports, making the leap into acting, and taking the stage as George Washington in the Broadway phenomenon Hamilton. He also shares what it was like working with the Obamas in t...

Los Angeles Rams GM Les Snead joins LZ Granderson for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, roster building and sustaining a contending team in the NFL. Snead breaks down the relationships that shape an NFL organization, whether the Super Bowl should always be the ultimate goal, and how the Rams recognized and addressed the issues with their 2025 roster. He also dives into the future at qu...

Historian and author Dr. Sven Beckert joins LZ Granderson for a wide-ranging conversation about capitalism—where it came from, how the United States rose to dominate the global economy, and whether that dominance is beginning to fade. Dr. Beckert explains capitalism’s overlooked role in the American Revolution, its influence on modern politics, and the deep inequalities embedded within the system....

Actor, model, and parent Nathan Kamp joins LZ Granderson for a candid conversation about identity, faith, and the evolution of masculinity in entertainment. From his early modeling days with Bruce Weber and Abercrombie & Fitch to fatherhood and the economics of NIL as a parent of student athletes. 0:00 Welcome to the LZ Granderson Show! 2:45 LZ's LA TImes Essay on Parenting 6:08 Nathan Kamp joins...

Comedian, actress, and Sports Emmy winner Leslie Jones joins LZ Granderson for a hilarious, unfiltered, and deep conversation about comedy, sports, and culture. From Saturday Night Live memories to live-tweeting the Olympics and calling out double standards in entertainment, Leslie brings her trademark honesty and humor to every topic. They talk about: Winning a Sports Emmy and what it meant to he...

Emmy-winning actor Murray Bartlett joins LZ Granderson for an honest, thoughtful conversation about art, identity, and the power of storytelling. From his breakout roles in Looking and The White Lotus to his unforgettable performance in The Last of Us , Bartlett opens up about the choices that shaped his career — and how he’s finding balance away from the spotlight.   0:00 Welcome to The LZ Grande...

Country icon Eric Church sits down with LZ Granderson for a wide-ranging conversation about music, meaning, and the state of modern country. From the creation of his new album Evangeline vs. the Machine to his unfiltered take on AI-generated music and the Grammys, Church opens up like never before.   They dive into: The biggest problems with AI-generated music (1:12) The rollout and vision behind...

Former Los Angeles Mayor and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa joins LZ Granderson for a candid conversation about power, leadership, and the future of American democracy. From his first run for office to lessons learned in defeat, Villaraigosa reflects on what politics taught him — and why so few people challenge incumbents today. They dive into: Why Antonio Villaraigosa first ran...

Former NBA champion and All The Smoke co-host Matt Barnes joins LZ Granderson for a raw and unfiltered conversation about life after basketball, the realities of sports media, and the state of modern discourse around athletes. Matt opens up about his transition from the NBA to media , why so many sports journalists misrepresent athletes , and how he’s learned to stay authentic in an industry obses...

LZ Granderson, Jemele Hill, and Will Leitch discuss the latest in Sports, Culture and Politics as they preview the 2025 NBA season by asking one big question for every team! From ESPN and CNN to ABC.and The L.A. Times, LZ Granderson hosts bold conversations that meet the beating pulse of entertainment, sports, pop culture, and beyond. Each week, LZ sits down with a compelling guest—from athletes a...

In this episode of The LZ Granderson Show, LZ sits down with legendary tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou for a deep conversation on the game, life, and legacy. From coaching Serena Williams to mentoring Coco Gauff, Patrick opens up about his journey, the meaning of masculinity, the power of communication, and why U.S. men’s tennis has struggled to produce stars. LZ and Patrick also look ahead to th...

In this episode of The LZ Granderson Show, LZ sits down with Russ Kavalhuna, President of Western Michigan University, for an in-depth conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing higher education today.   From his personal journey as a WMU student to his role leading the university, President Kavalhuna shares insights on how colleges must adapt in an era of rising costs, evolving te...

Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger joins LZ Granderson for a candid conversation on politics, faith, masculinity, and the state of American democracy. From his outspoken opposition to Donald Trump to his role on the January 6th Committee, Kinzinger reflects on the personal and political costs of standing against his party—and why he believes history will vindicate the truth. In this episode: The da...

In this episode, LZ Granderson sits down with NYC Councilman Chi Ossé for a candid and compelling conversation about power, purpose, and politics in New York City. They trace Ossé’s journey from outspoken activist to elected official, and unpack the personal and political evolution that came with the shift. The two discuss the real estate lobby’s grip on city policy, the pressures of navigating a...

In this episode of The LZ Granderson Show, legendary producer and music executive Craig King sits down with LZ for a wide-ranging and unfiltered conversation about the state of the music industry, the rise of The BoykinZ, and what it really takes to build a lasting career today. 🎤 Topics Covered: How Craig King got involved with rising stars The BoykinZ and his approach to managing their explosiv...

LZ Granderson sits down with George Atallah — former NFLPA Assistant Executive Director and founder of SOMEBODY Advisors — for a no-holds-barred conversation on his 15+ years fighting for NFL players' rights. From his work behind the scenes to his thoughts on the Lloyd Howell scandal, owner collusion, Colin Kaepernick's settlement, and Michael Sam’s NFL journey — Atallah gives a rare, insider look...

KevOnStage joins LZ for an unforgettable, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation about faith, family, failure, and finding the funny in everyday life. He reflects on his journey from church kid to comedy king, why being "aggressively genuine" is his superpower, and how he navigated stand-up during the pandemic with his groundbreaking “Keep Your Distance” shows. Kev breaks down: Why Bernie Mac is hi...

In this thoughtful and revealing episode, LZ Granderson sits down with Schitt’s Creek star and acclaimed singer-songwriter Noah Reid. From navigating fame and fatherhood to reflecting on identity, artistic integrity, and what it means to create during turbulent times, Noah opens up about his evolution as an artist and a man. The two also share personal stories about being dads, their creative ritu...

Comedian, writer, and Daily Show favorite Roy Wood Jr. joins LZ Granderson for a powerful, no-preamble-needed conversation about comedy, cultural responsibility, fatherhood, and fighting the system. In this wide-ranging episode, Roy opens up about his evolution as a political satirist, the pressure on Black creatives to “meet the moment,” and the emotional journey of writing his upcoming book. LZ...

In this powerful episode of The LZ Granderson Show, LZ sits down with Grammy-nominated artist and fellow Cass Tech alum Big Sean for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation. They reflect on their shared Detroit roots, the cultural legacy of Cass Tech, and the powerful influence of artists like Marvin Gaye and Motown. Big Sean opens up about fatherhood, faith, mental health, and how he...

ESPN's Jorge Sedano joins LZ to unpack one of the most unpredictable NBA offseason's in recent memory. From Luka’s midseason trade to the Dallas Mavericks' bold draft moves, to whether Jokic might actually be on the block— no team is off limits. They debate the Lakers' outlook, the Clippers' collapse, and whether OKC’s rise is built to last. Plus, a candid discussion about how analytics are changi...

NAACP Image Award-winning writer Ben Watkins joins LZ Granderson for a raw, emotional, and unfiltered conversation about the hit series Cross, redefining Black masculinity, and navigating Hollywood as a Black creative in 2025. LZ opens up about discovering Cross during a low point in his life—and how the show spoke to him in ways few pieces of art ever have. Ben shares the behind-the-scenes battle...