The Press Box

Bryan is joined by Kevin Van Valkenburg to discuss his career as an editorial director for ‘No Laying Up.’ Valkenburg dives into his transition from ESPN and his revitalized passion for the sport of golf (5:46), touches on next career moves writing columns and storytelling (18:46), and talks through the advantages of working for a smaller company. Later, they weigh in on how the sport of golf has...

Bryan and David react to the 57th Super Bowl, which ended with the Kansas City Chiefs taking home the championship win against the Philadelphia Eagles. They begin with thoughts on the controversial fourth-quarter holding call, discuss Greg Olsen and Kevin Burkhardt's analysis, and touch on all the celebrity commercials and Rihanna’s halftime performance before wrapping things up with some pregame...

Bryan is joined on Radio Row by Chris “Mad Dog” Russo of Sirius XM to talk about his career as a radio host, from the biggest media transitions throughout the year to his favorite thing about radio, and about his recent reunion with Mike Francesa on ‘First Take’ (1:45). Later, Bryan is joined by Sports Hub radio host Mike Felger to dive into his career covering Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, findin...

Bryan is live from Radio Row and joined by The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay to discuss the news of Tom Brady’s retirement, take two. They talk through his future at Fox and his no. 1 comp, Greg Olsen, and then break down other comparisons in media, such as Frank Gifford and Tony Romo (1:08). Later, they bid farewell to Gawker 2.0, touch on news that the National Enquirer has been sold, and pond...

Bryan is joined by Wright Thompson on the 10-year anniversary of his ESPN profile "Michael Jordan Has Not Left the Building." They begin by reflecting on the pitching process—discussing how the story came to be and how Thompson got a hold of Michael—then touch on his expectations for the piece, his experience talking with both Michael and Michael's friend George Koehler, and what he came prepared...

Bryan and David react to the news that BuzzFeed will be utilizing artificial intelligence throughout the company and discuss how this could impact the media landscape (5:47). Then, they talk through weekend media takeaways from the NFC and AFC championship games, from the lack of replay shots to Tony Romo’s overly enthusiastic performance in the booth (19:20), before weighing in on Rhiannon Lucy C...

Bryan is joined by Nora Princiotti, a few weeks before from the Super Bowl, to unpack NFL playoff media topics, ranging from Colts owner Jim Irsay potentially hiring Jeff Saturday, to Tom Brady thanking beat writers after his last game of the season (1:55). Then, ‘Wall Street Journal’ columnist Jason Gay joins to remember the legendary sports announcer Billy Packer and how his career transformed c...

Bryan and David begin the week talking about the Dallas Cowboys' playoff loss against the San Francisco 49ers and discuss the role they play as a content machine (0:34). Then, they break down and rate the multitude of fibs told by U.S. Representative George Santos (7:17), before weighing in on Shannon Sharpe’s altercation with Memphis Grizzlies players at the L.A. Lakers game last week (26:40), an...

Bryan is joined by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Mike Sielski to talk about covering the Eagles and what it’s like to write in Philadelphia. They start by discussing the unique nature of Philadelphia sports fans. Then they talk about Mike’s career and how he approaches writing columns and writing on tight deadlines. Later, they discuss his book, ‘The Rise’, about the origin story of Kobe Bryant. Hos...

Bryan is joined by author and Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay to discuss Prince Harry’s new memoir, ‘Spare.’ They weigh in on the American interest in the royals and highlight a few disclosures that stood out in the memoir (1:44). Later, they recap the wild-card playoff round and touch on what could have been Brady’s last game as a player and his potential future at Fox (27:40) before divi...

Bryan is joined by ESPN’s Joe Buck to discuss his perspective on Damar Hamlin’s injury in the Bills-Bengals game. They touch on the booth’s immediate reaction to Hamlin’s injury, the responsibility of an announcer in moments of uncertainty, and how the players and coaches handled the situation. Later, they revisit Buck’s first year on ‘Monday Night Football,’ discuss preparation for the upcoming p...

Bryan is joined by football Hall of Famer and NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin on the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Dallas Cowboys. They revisit that season’s NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, reminisce about Dallas’s Super Bowl victory over the Buffalo Bills, and discuss details behind the Cowboys’ performance—including Irvin’s most replayed catch of all time—and offer a last...

Bryan and David are back in the new year with positive updates regarding Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin after his sudden cardiac arrest on the field last Monday (10:27). Then, they break down Kevin McCarthy’s dramatic pursuit of and victory as Speaker of the House (34:06), before wrapping things up with a discussion about the revamped TCU Horned Frogs that will play in the college football nati...

Bryan is joined by ESPN’s Chris Fowler to discuss his career as a sports broadcaster covering both college and professional sports since 1986. They begin by remembering the unfortunate death of college basketball player Hank Gathers back in 1990, then discuss what it was like to cover a tragedy. Later, they dive into the differences between covering NFL versus college games, the impact of the tran...

Bryan is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay to discuss the Damar Hamlin incident during the Buffalo Bills–Cincinnati Bengals NFL game that has left him in critical condition. They touch on the aftermath from the perspective of the players and coaches, weigh in on the social-media response and support for Hamlin, and discuss ESPN’s coverage of the event. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Jas...

Bryan is joined by journalist Stephen Rodrick on the 10th anniversary of his New York Times story "Here Is What Happens When You Cast Lindsay Lohan in Your Movie." They dive into Rodrick’s career writing celebrity profiles and working with creatives, discuss the rare full access he had on the set of the film 'The Canyons,' touch on the writing process alongside director and screenwriter Paul Schra...

Bryan and David reconvene for the last time this year to discuss their takes on the major media events of 2022. They weigh in on the Times buying The Athletic, the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, and much more! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan is joined by The Ringer's Sean Fennessey to discuss his approach to covering movies in the year 2022. They dive into media critics' top 10 year-end lists, discuss how lists reflect the current culture, weigh in on the journalistic shift towards list-making, and wrap things up with thoughts on Sight and Sound. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Sean Fennessey Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn...

Bryan and David start off the pod by discussing a documentary revolving around the relationship of writer Robert Caro and editor Robert Gottlieb called ‘Turn Every Page’ (00:58). Then, they address all the drama with Elon Musk and Twitter and examine how the press should cover this story (13:25). Later, they give their match report from the World Cup final (36:13) and discuss how The New York Time...

Bryan is joined by The Ringer’s Katie Baker to break down the Sam Bankman-Fried FTX scandal with the help of her dictionary, found here. They begin by diving into Fried's background, discuss what it was like covering a scandal involving celebrities such as Tom Brady and Naomi Osaka, touch on winners and losers, and weigh in on the fallout that included a Bankman-Fried media tour. Host: Bryan Curti...

Bryan is joined by Stadio co-host Musa Okwonga to remember the life and career of sportswriter Grant Wahl (5:36). Later, David joins to dive into the announcement from Senator Krysten Sinema (I-Arizona) that she is leaving the Democratic Party (26:49), then they talk through the impact of the New York Times staff's one-day strike (36:53). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Sho...

Bryan is joined by Kevin Clark to break down college football news and updates ahead of upcoming playoff and bowl games. They begin by discussing the state of the Alabama football program, weigh in on the impact of the transfer portal on the players, programs, and college football fan base, and touch on playoff scheduling. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Kevin Clark Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes L...

Bryan and David weigh in on the media’s perspective of the runoff election in Georgia between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock (4:58). Then, they discuss Matt Taibbi’s Twitter thread and the argument behind free speech on the platform (27:18). Later, they touch on the Sight and Sound list of the Greatest Movies of All Time and dive into the appeal of the “list” (42:39). Plus, the Overworked Twi...

Bryan is joined by The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay to discuss the World Cup in Qatar and what it’s like to cover it. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Jason Gay Associate Producer: Carlos Chiriboga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan and David kick things off discussing Anthony Bourdain’s biography, ‘Down and Out in Paradise’ (0:33), before weighing in on Joe Biden’s bid for re-election in 2024 against former president Donald Trump (13:44). Then, they address the Washington Post story about Dallas Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones and discuss his impact, or lack thereof, in diversifying hiring practices throughout the lea...