Two Writers Slinging Yang

On what it means to cover college programs in 2026. On finding a love for the nitty gritty. On whether it matters if Missouri athletes read the newspaper. On his origin story as a 15-year-old scribe.

On embedding within a poor Alabama community and gaining the trust of the people. On what people fail to understand about poverty. On why books remain worthwhile.

On writing books with a co-author—and relishing the experience. On how Jerry Jones and Rupert Murdoch elevated the NFL. On the highs and lows of the book experience.

On the evolution of hip-hop and hip-hop writing. On whether "Bust A Move" is his best song. On the pacing and oomph of a quality musical piece. On whether he'd perform with NBA YoungBoy and JPEGMAFIA.

On why a child of writers loves writing. On her obsession with "We Are The World" and Ronald Reagan. On the magic and staying power of the zine. On whether the future is bright or awful.

On what went into reporting and writing, "Just Give Me a Chance to Fail: The Life of NFL Hall of Fame Linebacker Sam Mills." On the golden days of bad Texas Rangers baseball. On how one would cover the Philadelphia Eagles when players were accessible.

On the perils and highs of modern college sports. On life with the Iowa State sports landscape. On coming up with fresh ideas and new material. On getting to know athletes.

On writing a biography of a reluctant and reclusive legend. On where Nolan Ryan ranks on the all-time lists. On having a subject agree to speak at the last minute. On the love-hate of the biography pursuit.

On finding a different way to explain Fernando Medoza. On covering Kobe during his second championship spree. On tracking down players from LeBron's draft class. On media survival and the power of the elite name, "Jeff."

On the recent Awful Announcing article, ""Jeff Pearlman apologizes after YouTuber catches him plagiarizing video on former Yankees phenom." On what is YouTube plagiarism. On a career covering media.

On losing interest in the bullshit of it all. On red carpet work and Sally Field rudeness. On a love for basketball and an indifference toward celebrity.

On the joys of covering Phil Garner and the perils of covering Davey Lopes. On Bud Selig as a good guy and Milwaukee as a great baseball town. On working your way up through the newspaper ranks.

On feeling like you're not as good a writer as you once were. On the magic of college football at LSU. On Tommy Hearns and Andre Rison and Emmitt Smith. On three unpublished books sitting in a Walmart crate.

On Chris Johnson, ALS and what football does to the brain. On whether the NFL should exist. On what people don't understand about their own bodies and health. On leaving journalism for more noble pursuits.

On writing about your lowest life moments in an effort to help others. On why writing still matters. On the impact of words. On Grant Wahl and the 2026 World Cup.

On funny v. not funny; on how addiction impacts performing; on tragedy's role in finding a voice; on the late Jerry Rocha

On the state of journalism education in 2026. On how to teach writing and reporting. On great students, good students, bad students. On life as a newspaper columnist back in the day.

On her life at everywhere from Cosmo to Seventeen to Shape to Marie Claire. On the difference between a print byline and a digital byline. On the glory days of magazines. On Seventeen during its golden run.

On starting her own website to cover the WNBA's golden franchise. On what she's learned about life in independent media. On past existence as a hockey writer. On journalism 2026.

On overcoming addiction in a public spotlight. On why his father would have beaten Trump again. On cruelty spreading like poison oak. On finding joy in life. On TikTok.

On the WNBA and limited locker room access. On reporters refusing to back on another. On covering democracy as it crumbles. On the definitions of 2026 media ...

On the pressures of writing a toast for your sister's wedding. On whether it's OK to call her a "bitch." On working her ass off to make it in Hollywood. On the joy of "The Paper."

On surviving for decades in a brutal business. On what modern reporters lack in interviewing skills. On Eric Dickerson's shoes and Chipper Jones memories. On retirement.

On how to teach writing in 2026. On whether bad scribes can become good scribes. On the legend of Biscuits O'Bryan. On why Waco should be your next vacation destination.

On writing a biography without the help of the protagonist. On living life in a tight sport with many bruised feelings. On whether people still understand reporting. On golf.