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Two Writers Slinging Yang

Two Writers Slinging Yang

By Jeff Pearlman

Jeff Pearlman's weekly in-depth, no-holds-barred conversation with a writer on writing. Available here and on iTunes
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Clementine von Radics: Poet, author, six-time National Poetry Slam competitor

Two Writers Slinging YangAug 13, 2019

00:00
45:36
Sarah D. Bunting: Lord of all bloggers and founder of Tomato Nation and Television Without Pity

Sarah D. Bunting: Lord of all bloggers and founder of Tomato Nation and Television Without Pity

On the heyday of the blogger and what became of the genre. On why James Van Der Beek earned her scorn. On how one becomes less cruel (for sport) with age. On whether blogs have a place in 2024.

Mar 25, 202452:24
Cora Hall: Knoxville News Sentinel Tennessee women's basketball beat writer

Cora Hall: Knoxville News Sentinel Tennessee women's basketball beat writer

On covering the Lady Vols as they approach yet another NCAA Tournament; on making the leap from Ferris State to the big leagues; on women athletes and the passion of self expression; on landing a sweet gig out of college.

Mar 18, 202445:20
Peter King: Retiring Football Morning in America writer

Peter King: Retiring Football Morning in America writer

On wrapping a career after decades of chronicling the NFL; on picking up Boomer Esiason from the airport as a rookie Bengals beat scribe; on breaking the news of Lawrence Taylor's drug suspension for Newsday; on what is good and bad about modern beat writing.

Mar 11, 202401:04:09
Jack McCallum: Former SI basketball writer and author of, "The Real Hoosiers: Crispus Attucks High School, Oscar Robertson, and the Hidden History of Hoops"

Jack McCallum: Former SI basketball writer and author of, "The Real Hoosiers: Crispus Attucks High School, Oscar Robertson, and the Hidden History of Hoops"

On the untold story of Indiana high school basketball and the team you need to know about; on the brilliance of a young Oscar Robertson; on whether we can still dig, "Hoosiers"; on nearly coming to blows with a Hall of Fame point guard.

Mar 04, 202453:29
Franne Golde: BMI Award-winning songwriter

Franne Golde: BMI Award-winning songwriter

On the inspiration behind the Commodores' "Nightshift" and Selena's "Dreaming of You." On that first big song for Diana Ross. On the big winners of "We Are The World." On being credited as a writer on Tupac's "Hit 'Em Up."

Feb 26, 202454:18
Louisa Thomas: Staff Writer, The New Yorker

Louisa Thomas: Staff Writer, The New Yorker

On the brilliance of her latest piece, "How Nikola Jokić Became the World’s Best Basketball Player." On how she navigates a subject who doesn't speak with her. On the beauty of tiny details. On whether bad writers can learn to be good writers.

Feb 19, 202446:28
Teren Kowatsch: Sports writer, Lewiston (Idaho) Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Teren Kowatsch: Sports writer, Lewiston (Idaho) Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News

On coming up through small daily newspapers. On whether quotes bog down stories. On dealing with prep coaches. On whether athletes read newspapers.
Feb 12, 202447:51
Ariel Helwani: The Howard Cosell of MMA

Ariel Helwani: The Howard Cosell of MMA

On knowing from a young age what he wanted to do and how he wanted to do it. On a string of irksome and weird conflicts with Dana White. On why interviewing UFC fighters is the best gig in the world. On the difference between wanting a career and craving a career.

Feb 05, 202401:02:09
Joy Sewing: Houston Chronicle columnist

Joy Sewing: Houston Chronicle columnist

On being named the first Black news columnist in the newspaper's lengthy history. On what the population misunderstands about Houston's Third Ward. On finding humanity in the recently deceased homeless man. On transitioning from fashion to news after the murder of George Floyd.

Jan 29, 202439:22
Mark Mulvoy: Legendary former Sports Illustrated managing editor

Mark Mulvoy: Legendary former Sports Illustrated managing editor

On the dispiriting demise (and end?) of his beloved magazine; on the curious case of Sidd Finch and the decision to tell Michael Jordan to bag baseball; on defending the Swimsuit Issue and a bitter divorce from Frank Deford; on Dan Jenkins and George Plimpton and William Nack and Pat Putnam and Rick Reilly and the world's greatest sports writers.

Jan 22, 202401:02:17
Michael Farber: Former Sports Illustrated, Montreal Gazette hockey writer

Michael Farber: Former Sports Illustrated, Montreal Gazette hockey writer

On why former Expos manager Dick Williams physically assaulted him; on the bliss of writing NHL game stories; on the Canadian appeal of Gary Carter; on the demise of a beloved magazine.

Jan 15, 202454:14
Sean Keeler: Denver Post sports columnist

Sean Keeler: Denver Post sports columnist

On why so many Colorado-based media outlets kneel before Coach Prime; on a long and trying fight to stay afloat as a journalist; on our weirdly combative days as Nashville prep writers; on infuriating Steve Alford and Corey Dillon.

Jan 08, 202444:50
James Edwards III: Detroit Pistons beat writer, The Athletic

James Edwards III: Detroit Pistons beat writer, The Athletic

On what it's like to cover an NBA team as it loses 27-straight games; on how to approach players when they have no interest in talking; on the empathy of Cade Cunningham; on working a locker room.

Dec 31, 202346:57
Danté Stewart: Former Clemson football player, author, "Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle"

Danté Stewart: Former Clemson football player, author, "Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle"

On what a Black man learned about America from white Christianity; on what football players need to know about the system they occupy; on how a Facebook screed became a terrific manifesto; on the book he dreamed of writing.

Dec 25, 202345:20
Stanley Pearlman: My father

Stanley Pearlman: My father

My dad, Stan Pearlman, died today of pancreatic cancer. He was 81 and a great man—as well as a beautiful writer. This is his final interview, conducted last week in South Florida.
Dec 20, 202343:26
Bob Rose: Former San Francisco Giants, Oakland A's, Cal and Stanford media relations guru

Bob Rose: Former San Francisco Giants, Oakland A's, Cal and Stanford media relations guru

On why Barry Bonds was such a monumental asshole; on a young Aaron Rodgers soaring at Cal; on the unique decency of Dusty Baker; on the wild, wacky Los Angeles Express of the USFL.

Dec 18, 202341:55
David Black: Founder and President, David Black Literary Agency

David Black: Founder and President, David Black Literary Agency

On the difference between a great book proposal and a crappy one; on representing Jimmy Breslin and Hank Aaron and Wolfgang Puck; on concerns as Jonathan Eig dove into the legacy of MLK; on how the book business has transformed.

Dec 11, 202338:01
Kacy Sager: Score Atlanta preps writer/editor, daughter of the great Craig Sager

Kacy Sager: Score Atlanta preps writer/editor, daughter of the great Craig Sager

On how one covers Georgia preps ... from Missouri; on growing up with a famous father and taking Charles Barkley to school for show and tell; on why a horse's fossilized poop lived in her family's basement; on how one moves on after losing a loved one.

Dec 04, 202346:20
Rick Telander: Chicago Sun-Times columnist, former SI senior writer

Rick Telander: Chicago Sun-Times columnist, former SI senior writer

On having Albert Belle threaten him with a bat; on the strange contradictions of Mike Ditka; on whether anyone cares about newspaper columns in 2023; on the joy of ... poetry.

Nov 27, 202354:37
Kay Iselin Gilman: First-ever New York Daily News woman sports columnist, author of "Inside the Pressure Cooker: A Season in the Life of the New York Jets"

Kay Iselin Gilman: First-ever New York Daily News woman sports columnist, author of "Inside the Pressure Cooker: A Season in the Life of the New York Jets"

On breaking barriers and becoming the Daily News' first woman sports columnist; on the different sides of Joe Namath; of how Dick Young lived up to his first name; on the 95-year-old strongman who needed a diaper.

Nov 19, 202357:07
Jeff Bradley: Former ESPN The Magazine baseball writer, current baseball glove kingpin

Jeff Bradley: Former ESPN The Magazine baseball writer, current baseball glove kingpin

On being (cruelly) let go by ESPN The Magazine and engaging upon a tough road of rediscovery; on sitting in a bar with an alcoholic relief pitcher and urging him not to drink; on the 1995 Yankees-Mariners classic; on life as a baseball glove entrepreneur.

Nov 13, 202346:26
Jean-Jacques Taylor: Longtime football writer, author, "Coach Prime: Deion Sanders and the Making of Men"

Jean-Jacques Taylor: Longtime football writer, author, "Coach Prime: Deion Sanders and the Making of Men"

On spending a season observing a college football team; on the love/hate relationship between Jackson and Coach Prime; on the affection Deion has for his players; on breaking in as an NFL scribe with the wild 1990s Dallas Cowboys.

Nov 06, 202349:15
Kate Cohen: Washington Post columnist, author of "We of Little Faith: Why I Stopped Pretending to Believe (and Maybe You Should Too)"

Kate Cohen: Washington Post columnist, author of "We of Little Faith: Why I Stopped Pretending to Believe (and Maybe You Should Too)"

On why society might be better off not chalking everything up to God; on the complications of admitting one believes in no higher power; on snagging a book deal on an unorthodox topic.

Oct 30, 202336:15
Bill Rabinowitz: Columbus Dispatch Ohio State beat writer

Bill Rabinowitz: Columbus Dispatch Ohio State beat writer

On what one should think about Division I college coaches and their pronouncements; on covering the expansion Cleveland Browns and the first-year Baltimore Ravens; on diving deep into C.J. Stroud and teaming up with Cardale Jones.

Oct 23, 202347:57
Russ Bengtson: Former Slam editor and author, "A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers"

Russ Bengtson: Former Slam editor and author, "A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers"

On why the history of basketball can (and can't) be told in 15 sneakers; on whether Michael Jordan was more accidental tourist than genius; on Dee Brown and the Reebok Pump; on why Russ has eternal love for Milt Palacio and Lucious Harris.
Oct 16, 202339:56
Ric Bucher: FS1 basketball analyst; former ESPN, Washington Post writer

Ric Bucher: FS1 basketball analyst; former ESPN, Washington Post writer

On the frustrations of modern NBA coverage; on a punch-throwing Rod Strickland; on the diva-like behaviors of Jerry Rice; on a frustrated Chris Webber and a furious Don Nelson.

Oct 09, 202358:09
Jason Reid: Andscape NFL writer, former Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat guy

Jason Reid: Andscape NFL writer, former Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat guy

On NFL locker rooms v. MLB clubhouses; on the pettiness of Bruce Allen; on nearly coming to blows with former Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley; on professionalism and accountability in modern media.

Oct 02, 202357:48
Benjamin Hochman: St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist

Benjamin Hochman: St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist

On the tiny bits of decision-making that go into every column; on finding the nuance in Adam Wainwright's 200th win; on why long dashes are different than commas, which are different than ellipses.

Sep 26, 202350:36
Julie Carrick Dalton: Novelist, author of "The Last Beekeeper" and "Waiting for the Night Song"

Julie Carrick Dalton: Novelist, author of "The Last Beekeeper" and "Waiting for the Night Song"

On why re-writing is more fun than writing; on how a novelist comes up with the end of a story; on whether fictitious characters become real; on the orange couch and soggy pizza of a long-ago college newspaper.

Sep 18, 202356:36
A bonus episode: The end of "Winning Time"

A bonus episode: The end of "Winning Time"

Emotions, feelings as the show (based on my book, "Showtime") vanishes; the highs and lows of adaptation; the white party and 150-year-old Dr. J and memories that will last.

Sep 18, 202331:46
Steve Schmidt: Longtime political consultant, Trump slayer

Steve Schmidt: Longtime political consultant, Trump slayer

On how opposing candidates should go after Donald Trump and the MAGA nutties; on the highs and lows of the John McCain 2008 presidential campaign; on how elections have changed for the worse.

Sep 12, 202301:22:37
Stephen Marche: Essayist, former Esquire columnist and author of, "On Writing and Failure"

Stephen Marche: Essayist, former Esquire columnist and author of, "On Writing and Failure"

On why one would write a book on writing and failure; on the craziness of Rob Ford, former Toronto mayor; on why essays are so important in modern storytelling.

Sep 04, 202347:41
Ava Wallace: Washington Post's Wizards/professional tennis beat writer

Ava Wallace: Washington Post's Wizards/professional tennis beat writer

On how covering a habitually mediocre NBA franchise can still be interesting; on saying farewell to Bradley Beal and missing the frankness of John Wall; on a long-ago Frank Beamer piece (that needs to vanish).

Aug 28, 202348:48
Jordyn Holman: New York Times business reporter

Jordyn Holman: New York Times business reporter

On the joys of reporting from an Alabama Waffle House; on whether corporations ever do good deeds for the sake of helping people; on how a racist incident in college impacted her life and career; on having people open up when they'd rather not open up.

Aug 21, 202348:16
Ty Rushing: Senior editor and political reporter, Iowa Starting Line

Ty Rushing: Senior editor and political reporter, Iowa Starting Line

On the Ron DeSantis campaign banning him from an event; on covering the craziness of the Iowa State Fair (aka: The Super Bowl of Iowa politics); on why candidates for office should never pose eating a corn dog; on being one of his state's lone Black journalists.

Aug 14, 202341:23
Adam McKay: Writer, producer, director, "Winning Time" guru

Adam McKay: Writer, producer, director, "Winning Time" guru

On how he can dread all things climate change and still focus on amazing TV/film; on the joys of "Winning Time," the rethinking of "Veep," the small regret in "Anchorman," the highs of entertaining people; on whether bad reviews result in sleepless nights.

Aug 07, 202353:31
Tim Brown: Former LA Times, Yahoo sports writer and author of, "The Tao of the Backup Catcher"

Tim Brown: Former LA Times, Yahoo sports writer and author of, "The Tao of the Backup Catcher"

On why backup catchers are the coolest people on earth; on having David Wells and Jeff Juden loathe you; on covering the Shaq-Kobe Lakers; on being laid off as a columnist and bouncing back as an author; on not being Raiders WR Tim Brown.

Jul 31, 202301:01:02
Bill Bellamy: Comedian, actor and author of "Top Billin'"

Bill Bellamy: Comedian, actor and author of "Top Billin'"

On the magic of two words: Booty and Call; on the impact of cleaning bank toilets at 4 am; on the charisma of Tupac and the odd rear-end decisions of Madonna.

Jul 24, 202343:22
Tova Friedman: Auschwitz survivor, author of, "The Daugh­ter of Auschwitz: My Sto­ry of Resilience, Sur­vival and Hope"

Tova Friedman: Auschwitz survivor, author of, "The Daugh­ter of Auschwitz: My Sto­ry of Resilience, Sur­vival and Hope"

On her memories of being a young girl in a concentration camp; on how to put those memories into a book; on the pain of writing on trauma; on becoming an 85-year-old TikTok phenom.

Jul 17, 202340:22
T.J. Simers: Former Los Angeles Times sports columnist

T.J. Simers: Former Los Angeles Times sports columnist

On being let go by your beloved newspaper—then suing for age/health discrimination; on approaching athletes confrontationally; on Memphis as a rat hole and Milton Bradley as a human; on the feelings of journalistic mortality.

Jul 09, 202301:01:53
Bill Plaschke: Los Angeles Times sports columnist

Bill Plaschke: Los Angeles Times sports columnist

On the joys of covering Tony Gwynn and Kobe Bryant; on a cruel Kirk Gibson, a showering Tommy Lasorda, a furious Raul Mondesi; on the ill-advised Gabby Douglas piece; on the gazillion steps taken to reach journalism glory.

Jul 03, 202356:34
Sally Jenkins: Washington Post sports columnist

Sally Jenkins: Washington Post sports columnist

On creating greatness out of a seemingly meaningless late-season Eli Manning game; on covering Len Bias' draft night ... and the tragic aftermath; on resisting the call of hot takes; on a young Kwame Brown and an all-time great profile.

Jun 26, 202345:56
Laura Carney: Author, "My Father's List: How Living My Dad's Dreams Set Me Free"

Laura Carney: Author, "My Father's List: How Living My Dad's Dreams Set Me Free"

On finding her late father's ancient bucket list on a piece of crumped paper and living it out—then turning the odyssey into a book; on the desperate efforts to meet a U.S. President; on why one shouldn't eat an apple before skydiving.

Jun 19, 202336:59
Michael Bamberger: Former Sports Illustrated golf writer and author of "The Ball in the Air: A Golfing Adventure"

Michael Bamberger: Former Sports Illustrated golf writer and author of "The Ball in the Air: A Golfing Adventure"

On the old, glorious Sports Illustrated days of $400 hotel rooms and hanging with R.E.M.'s bass player; on gaining—and losing—a friendship with M. Night Shyamalan; on whether if matters if Tiger Woods likes you.

Jun 12, 202344:18
Justine Harman: Veteran magazine scribe, podcast creator and host of "Killed"—the pod that brings dead stories back to life

Justine Harman: Veteran magazine scribe, podcast creator and host of "Killed"—the pod that brings dead stories back to life

On creating and hosting "Killed"—the podcast about amazing articles that (sigh) never become articles; on Dakota Johnson's single salad and an angitated Kardashian sister; on whether there's any sort of future for magazines; on whether we can count on podcasts in the future.

Jun 05, 202358:35
Marty Appel: Former New York Yankees PR director and author, "Pinstripes by the Tale: Half a Century In and Around Yankees Baseball"

Marty Appel: Former New York Yankees PR director and author, "Pinstripes by the Tale: Half a Century In and Around Yankees Baseball"

On writing his 25th—and last—book; on his early job answering Mickey Mantle's fan mail; on Reggie Jackson and Joe DiMaggio and Sparky Lyle and Dick Young and Satchel Paige's lost uniform.

May 30, 202345:57
Santi Elijah Holley: Author, "An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation They Created"

Santi Elijah Holley: Author, "An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation They Created"

On chronicling one of America's all-time most fascinating and influential families, the Shakurs; on what the world needs to know about Tupac's mother, Afeni; on attending an exorcism and keeping a straight face; on the Seattle-based Jewish rapper who warranted a profile.

May 23, 202352:40
Erik Sherman: Author: "Daybreak at Chavez Ravine: Fernandomania and the Remaking of the Los Angeles Dodgers"

Erik Sherman: Author: "Daybreak at Chavez Ravine: Fernandomania and the Remaking of the Los Angeles Dodgers"

On the amazing rise and career of Fernando Valenzuela; on trying to convince a shy, guarded man to speak for a book; on what it's like interviewing our heroes as they age and decline; on why people still care about a saga from 40 years ago.

May 15, 202349:54
Konrad Marshall: Senior Writer, "Good Weekend" (the Sydney Morning Herald's magazine)

Konrad Marshall: Senior Writer, "Good Weekend" (the Sydney Morning Herald's magazine)

On his funky journalist odyssey from small-town upstate New York newspaper scrub to one of Australia's elite long-form scribes; on following a band's raucous path and chronicling every move; on whether it's OK for a writer to bond with a subject.

May 08, 202358:22
Aria Gerson: Vanderbilt sports beat writer for the (Nashville) Tennessean

Aria Gerson: Vanderbilt sports beat writer for the (Nashville) Tennessean

On watching the Vandy football team take back-to-back ass kickings from Alabama and Georgia—and trying to write humanely of the massacres; on leaping into a beat and learning on the fly; on whether people care about college print; on why she dreamed of newspapers; on covering Jim Harbaugh.

May 01, 202351:38