Defector Media

The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

Sports EN ↓ 300 episodes

Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voice mails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head...

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Defector Media

Episodes

You’ve Entered WASP Mode (with Vince Mancini) 20.01.2022 57:24

Uproxx film & culture writer Vince Mancini talks to Drew and Roth about Cowboys fans, pickup truck culture, good 49ers, and the rest of the NFL Playoffs. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Mancini's Sopranos podcast, Pod Yourself A Gun , is available everywhere you get your podcasts. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1...

I Will Keep Drinking That Garbage Until I Die (with Kalyn Kahler) 13.01.2022 51:48

Kalyn Kahler joins Drew and Roth to talk about nepotism in the NFL, Italian bookmarks, and the Hater’s Guide to the NFL Playoffs. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

I’m Sure This Guy You Picked is Some Sentient Cigarette Stain (with Tyler Tynes) 06.01.2022 46:56

GQ's Tyler Tynes joins Drew and Roth to talk about Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors, the Bass Pro Shops dining experience, and whether or not jorts will make a comeback. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Gonna Need You to Stop Saying “Gingerbread Boy” 23.12.2021 39:31

It’s that time of year! Drew and Roth talk about fancy cakes, champagne sabers, obnoxious coffee people, and hand-forged knives in the 2021 Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

I Try to Counteract the Bleakness Fetish of the Internet (with Jason Gay) 16.12.2021 42:58

The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay joins Drew and Roth to discuss Michigan football, cyclocross racing, Omicron, and cast iron skillets. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Nice Beer You’ve Got There (with Kelsey McKinney) 10.12.2021 1:07:03

Live from New York City, Drew and Roth talk to Kelsey McKinney about Pacino performances, hockey goalies, and Roth’s least-favorite Mets. Plus, lightning round Guy of the Week and questions from the audience! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Are You Getting Me Neutered Again? (with Lindsey Adler) 02.12.2021 51:19

The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler joins Drew and Roth to talk about the impending MLB lockout, cheugy art, and outer space. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Join Drew and Roth on December 8th as they tape the podcast live in New York City. Tickets available here . Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m...

If You're Not Wondering if You Have the Plague After Eating, Are You Even Doing It Right? 25.11.2021 33:41

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Drew and Roth talk about boiled vegetables, the Detroit Lions, and wearing vests as a lifestyle choice. Plus, questions from the Funbag! And Guy of the Week. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Do You Dare Confront the Squircle? (with Seth Wickersham) 18.11.2021 48:45

ESPN’s Seth Wickersham joins Drew and Roth to discuss Tom Brady, NFL owners, and the best parts of elementary school. Plus, questions from the (not weirdly wet) Funbag! Wickersham’s book, It's Better to Be Feared , is available now everywhere books are sold. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my...

I’ve Dedicated Myself to Altering the Curvature of the Earth (with Lauren Theisen) 11.11.2021 50:46

Drew and Roth talk to Defector’s Lauren Theisen about daylight savings time, sports reporting, Aaron Rodgers, and NHL updates. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

This is the Media’s Fault (with Dan McQuade) 04.11.2021 50:47

Dan McQuade joins Drew and Roth to talk about “immunized” quarterbacks, Vegas residencies, and baseball superstitions. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Please Don’t Tell Anybody How I Live (with Christian Finnegan) 28.10.2021 55:58

Comedian Christian Finnegan joins Drew and Roth to discuss the World Series, comedy during the pandemic, and what it takes to be a Knicks fan. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Finnegan’s new special, Show Your Work , is available to stream now. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

You’re Going to Have to Accept Being a Sloppy Boy (with Patrick Redford) 21.10.2021 51:37

Drew and Roth talk to Patrick Redford about fun teams to watch this NBA season, goats, optimal WFH background noise, and key takeaways from NBA opening night. Plus, Dead or Canceled and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It’s a Big World and a Lot of Bad Things Happen in It 14.10.2021 55:52

This week, the guys discuss performance art, kindness, and Drew’s new book, The Night the Lights Went Out , a captivating account of the traumatic brain injury that left him close to death and his eventual recovery. Plus, the usual fun stuff like Dead or Canceled and Guy of the Week. The Night the Lights Went Out is available now wherever books are sold. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at h...

Now I Have Knowledgeable Hate (with Justin Halpern) 07.10.2021 57:19

Justin Halpern joins Drew and Roth to discuss Red Sox fans, World Series worst-case scenarios, and why everyone should root against the Dodgers in a Hater’s Guide to the MLB Playoffs. Plus, questions from the Funbag! And the guys remember a Padre of the Week. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m...

Drew and David are Doing Fine (with Liz Cook) 30.09.2021 49:43

Food writer Liz Cook joins Drew and Roth to discuss Arsenal fans, restaurant reviews, Van Halen, and sports movies. Plus, questions from the Funbag! You can find more of Cook’s work at Haterade.substack.com . Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The Heartbreak of Learning You Married a Prankster (with Dom Cosentino) 23.09.2021 54:35

This week, Drew and Roth talk to Dom Cosentino about rookie quarterbacks, AI play design, and slow walkers. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! You can read more of Cosentino’s work at theScore.com. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Nicki Minaj’s Cousin is Never Going to Marry You (with Spencer Hall) 16.09.2021 51:22

Spencer Hall joins Drew and Roth to discuss college football and Alabama’s potential rival, effective pandering, and the difference between blog famous and TV famous. Plus, Guy of the Week, Dead or Canceled, and a special-edition musical mashup! You can find more of Hall's work at Channel 6 . Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...

Swag Ahoy! (with the Defector staff) 10.09.2021 1:48:54

This week, Drew and Roth gather the Defector staff for a special birthday episode celebrating a year of fart blogs, Twitch streams, and (of course) sports coverage. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

I Like to Tell Stories About Types of Guy (with Patrick Wyman) 02.09.2021 53:22

Drew and Roth talk to Patrick Wyman about the Jersey Shore, USC football, and Jeopardy! drama. Plus, a historical round of Dead or Canceled and questions from the Funbag! Wyman’s book, The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World , is available everywhere books are sold. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...

What if Eli Manning Had Sex Appeal? (with Andy Behrens) 26.08.2021 1:00:50

This week, Yahoo's Andy Behrens joins Drew and Roth to discuss how far they’d go to save a pizza and (of course) the Hater’s Guide to Fantasy Football. Plus, Guy of the Week and a round of Dead or Canceled. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It’s Your Show, You Can Do What You Want (with Ray Ratto) 19.08.2021 52:19

Defector’s Ray Ratto joins Roth to discuss returning Covid restrictions, the Baltimore Orioles, and what it’s like to hear a career-ending injury. Plus, Guy of the Week and an action-packed Funbag question. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Brought to You by America’s Blueberry Growers 05.08.2021 32:17

Drew and Roth talk eggnog ice cream, Olympic skateboarding, and the Vikings’ Covid outbreak. Plus, bathroom power rankings and sporty nicknames courtesy of the Funbag. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

I Was a Huge Failing Upward Guy (with A.J. Daulerio) 29.07.2021 59:05

A.J. Daulerio joins Drew to discuss the Brett Favre scandal, Iron Maiden, and long-term recovery. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Daulerio’s new podcast, Really Good Shares , is streaming now. Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Maybe the Apocalypse is Nigh (with Jason Gay) 22.07.2021 51:00

This week, the Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay joins Drew and Roth to discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks winning the NBA Championship, homemade American Ninja Warrior courses, and overreacting to hot takes on Twitter. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m...