Advertise on podcast: The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

Drew and Roth are joined, for the first time ever, by Aaron Schatz, Chief Analytics Officer at FTN Fantasy, ESPN NFL writer, and founder of Football Outsiders! Football data companies are being screwed over by venture capital and aligning with gambling interests. How does Aaron feel about this shift? Then, this year’s NFL draft class is awful. How will teams deal? How does Aaron feel about AJ Brown coming to his Patriots? Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from Distraction listeners. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Drew “Two Cavities” Magary & David “Sleep Injury” RothFantasy (not the Swords & Sandals stuff)Proud WorcesteritesFaintly remembering some guysPraxis on the O-LineMaking noises at Jim Nantz Sponsors - Storyworth, where you can save up to $20 Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Schur is back, and we’re talking baseball! The MLB has rolled out its automated ball strike challenge system, but how do Mike and Roth feel about it? Will they trash CB Buckner for having six of his six strike calls overturned? Then, Roth must face the reality of his Mets being in last place. Next, Drew requires more wild food takes from Mike, like his hate for hot fruit or his belief that onion is the only good pizza topping. And finally, they open up the funbag to finally solve what movie you should be watching in the bathroom. Check out Mike’s new book, Big Fan, May 19th! Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Cards that don’t appreciate (but don’t depreciate)A little piece of salamiHugging your BFF on the fieldApple pie and espresso in the dugoutThe Ulysses S. Grant of the MLBFalling down the Exorcist stepsOnions are the only good pizza toppingA bathroom trip in THX Sponsors - Raycon, where you can get 15% off the Everyday Earbuds Classic - MeUndies, where you can get up to 50% off your first order, plus free shipping Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ed Zitron is back on the show, because it’s been too long since he last came on to yell at us about AI. And there’s a lot to yell about! To kick it off, we get the latest on the Big AI Companies, and the seriously unethical house of cards they’ve built for all of us. Other than the ones Anthropic is providing to the Dept. of Defense, who are the actual targets for these products? Why are all of these companies dumping their vast fortunes into a product that devalues the human experience not just for their users but also everyone else, when they could be pouring that money into the kind of cool gadgets we used to have? How can all of us idiots even claim that this is Artificial Intelligence, when we don’t even know what intelligence is? Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Clammy Sam AltmanVibe-code speedballsTeaching for the testThe JD Vance of OpenAITokenmaxxing Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew is off frolicking on another continent, so it’s time to talk about baseball! Kelsey is back with Roth to swap their first ballpark stories of the 2026 season. Of course, there’s lots of new things to grab your attention at a baseball game this year - especially if you happen to know a guy at the Elias Sports Bureau who you can ask obscure questions in the middle of the night. Then, they talk about their shared passion of eating out at restaurants: did Roth embarrass himself at a friends and family dinner, despite Kelsey’s advice? Finally, they open up the Funbag and share the quotes that are stuck in their heads forever. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Nitrate toxicityA 33 mph EephusBunting and slappingSaint Liam HicksEgging CB Bucknor’s houseDiscrete and finishable tasksA classic Sweet Davey Maneuver™Gnarly bamboo Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emma Baccellieri (Sports Illustrated) is back, and with a new book! Drew and Roth ask her about her writing process, and how she worked with co-author Jordan Robinson. Then, they talk Emma’s women’s Sweet Sixteen bracket and WNBA players’ collective bargaining. Finally, it’s Emma’s Soda Minute, and Drew and Roth open up the funbag to answer questions from Distraction listeners.  Go get Emma’s new book, Court Queens: Celebrate the Players, Teams, and History of Women's Basketball, out now!  Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Opening day is opening nightWhen Netflix had DVDsWNBA CBA marathon negotiationsEmma’s new favorite sodas!Dr. Pepper’s medical credentialsMr. Pibb’s neck tattooHistorical one-sided relationshipsThe good mustachesBloop out, get hard (cheese) Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy March Madness! As always, Drew and Roth are joined by Ken Pomeroy of KenPom.com to talk about the men’s bracket. Is Ken’s insight still the gold standard, or are AI rankings coming for his job? Do the top seeds all look ready to bloom on schedule, or is one of them obviously the cream of the crop? And who’s in everyone’s final four? Then, they open up the funbag… for corrections?  Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Irish accents (of varying quality)Emergency BoozersA one-man anti-Arizona armyGolf course dealmakingThe death of the WAC & Cinderella Sponsors - Raycon, where you can get 20% off Essential Open Earbuds Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rohan, of NBC News and sandwich fame, is back! He fills Drew and Roth in on his Italian Olympic experience, including, most importantly, his favorite meals. Rohan, like the rest of us, was bowled over by ice dancing, and by how Italians eat Italian food every day. Then, they talk Miami’s new QB, the US losing to Italy in the World Baseball Classic, and Bam’s 83 point game. Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from real listeners, and only one of the questions is trash. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Being profiled as AmericanCool, smoking ItaliansPocket CoffeeLife-changing spicy salamiA bee-keeping suit for ice cream eating Conductors – real or fake?Secret trashbags Sponsors - Raycon, where you can get 20% off Essential Open Earbuds - MeUndies, where you can get 20% off your first order, plus free shipping Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spencer Hall of Channel 6 joins Drew and Roth to talk college football! But first they have to figure out whether college sports as a whole are poised to go extinct, or if that rhetoric is actually just schools fighting for money. Then, they open up the funbag to answer questions from listeners, like if they could do it all over, where would young them go to school in 2028? Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Weightlifting and warhammerCigarette voiceSharing an email address with your wifeWarren G. HardingSlams on mathsWoke Mooch Sponsors - Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roth “got stranded by the blizzard,” so Tom Ley, Editor-In-Chief at Defector, is here! Drew and Tom debate whether this was the best winter Olympics in their lifetime, then Tom decides whether each of Adam Silver’s proposed NBA rule changes makes sense or not. Finally, they share what’s upcoming for Defector, and open up the funbag to answer real questions from real listeners. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Old German castlesFBI dweebScreen time bad?Your signature biathlon Sponsors - Factor, where you can get 50% off and free breakfast for a year - Mint Mobile, where new customers can get a 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month - Brooklyn Bedding, where you can get 30% off sitewide Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth are joined by comedian, podcaster, and curling professional and expert John Cullen! His new book, Curling Rocks!: Chronicles of the Roaring Game, is out now. They talk all things curling, from Broomgate to Boopgate. Plus: are curling shoes as fun to wear as they look (yes), can John get Drew into nu-metal (no), and Roth shares a giant sandwich from his childhood. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Unfortunate coffee purchasesRunning out of rocksBoopgateThe Spirit of CurlingBreaking a rib while sneezing Sponsors - Raycon, where you can get 20% off - MeUndies, where you can get get up to 20% off your first order, plus free shipping Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth are joined by Kathryn Xu (Defector) to talk dogs! Kathryn covered the Westminster Dog Show, and it was a lovely, fluffy, yappy experience. Did her favorite, Aslan the Pomeranian, come out on top? Then, they talk Figure Skating and Olympic infidelity. Finally, they open the funbag to answer a strong question from a (probably) less-than-sober listener.  Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Dogs!Daniel the GoldenAslan the PomeranianDoggie eugenicsSemen marketplaceFigure skating in How To Train Your DragonOne jacked arm Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We remember Dan McQuade. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Lone Wolf McQuadeAmerican mallsBaywatchSneakersKnight RiderBeing jumbotron-worthy Sponsors - Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rohan is back! And promising future Italian sandwich talk, because he’s going to Milan to cover the Olympics. Drew and Roth talk with him about his Italian food plans, the situation in Minneapolis, the Dolphins, and the saddest new coaching hire of this cycle. Then, they open up the funbag to answer – are sports broadcasters entitled to any dignity when it comes to brand tie-ins? Subscribe to NBC News’ The Sports Desk newsletter here! Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About Outeating non-GMO flourIt’s-uh-me, Rohan!MinneapolisBelichick not being in the Hall of FameA nuclear Dolphins takeBob’s Big Boy in a suitRevenge bedtime antics Sponsors - MeUndies, where you can get up to 50% off Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth are joined by Patrick Wyman, author of the upcoming book Lost Worlds: How Humans Tried, Failed, Succeeded, and Built Our World and creator and host of the new podcast Past Lives! They ask Patrick how our present compares to the past, and why everyone in the White House has terrible form. Then, they pick favorites for the AFC and NFC title games and open up the funbag to answer real questions from real listeners! Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About MAGA dadsWe’re gooners, too!Stalin a snack..?Deviations from the normPorn character actors Sponsors - Raycon, where you can get 20% off sitewide Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth are joined by Arif Hasan, CEO and Chief Writer of Wide Left, to preview the divisional playoff games! But first, because Arif lives in Minnesota, he shares his experiences on the ground from recent weeks. And of course, they’ll crack open the Funbag to answer real questions from real listeners. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About ICE slipping on ICEDisbelieving in Bo NixChristian (Charlie) KirkThe fraudulent BearsRun the ball!!Weird old guys and spoiled dumdums Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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 to defector.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.