The Distraction: A Defector Podcast
Stitcher
From Defector. Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.
- 1 hour 4 minutesI’m Not Going to Mention Where He Went to College with Maitreyi Anantharaman
Defector’s own Maitreyi Anantharaman joins Drew and Roth to talk hoops and baseball! Who should we be rooting for in the women’s final four tournament? What’s going on with Paige Bueckers and does it have anything to do with Nico Harrison? Do we like the MBB Duke team now? And is the torpedo bat cheating or do we want the Yankees not to succeed? And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering 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!
Sponsors
- ExpressVPN, where you can sign up at https://expressvpn.com/distraction
- Raycon, where you can get up to 20% off their best-selling Everyday Earbuds at https://buyraycon.com/distraction
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
3 April 2025, 5:00 am - 54 minutes 31 secondsLuxury Ice Fishing Apparatus with Bob Mould
Musician Bob Mould joins Drew and Roth to talk about his newest album, Here We Go Crazy, as well as life in general! They discuss how his recent marriage has changed his songwriting, what sort of magic goes into that whole arcane process, and what keeps bringing a world-touring musician back to America, even in 2025.
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!
Sponsors
- Raycon, where you can get up to 20% off their best-selling Everyday Earbuds at https://buyraycon.com/distraction
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
27 March 2025, 5:00 am - 59 minutes 31 secondsThe 2025 Idiot’s Guide to March Madness with Ken Pomeroy
College basketball metrics analyst Ken Pomeroy joins Drew and Roth for his annual preview of this year’s March Madness tournament! They answer your burning college basketball questions: How does Ken feel about being quoted by the governor of West Virginia? Does the fact that some players are wandering ronin affect the quality of play? What’s going on with Gonzaga’s high KenPom ranking and low NCAA seed? Is High Point University a real school? And the eternal question, WHO YA GOT? And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering 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
- The KenPom rankings
- West Virginia governor lashes out after NCAA tournament snub
- Tubby Smith steps down as High Point Panthers men's basketball coach, son G.G. Smith takes over
- Has Kevin Willard changed his scheduling strategy? "Sometimes," he says, "KenPom is full of sh*t."
Sponsors
- Raycon, where you can get up to 20% off their best-selling Everyday Earbuds at https://buyraycon.com/distraction
- Factor, where code FACTORPODCAST will get you 50% off your first box plus free shipping at factormeals.com/FACTORPODCAST
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
20 March 2025, 5:00 am - 1 hour 4 secondsI Can’t Trust Hot White Dips with Jasper Wang
Defector’s own Jasper Wang joins Drew and Roth to share the true crime story that happened to him. Can you solve the mystery of the burst pipes in Montana? Speaking of, these NFL teams are busted, as revealed by their free agency performance! In the second half of the episode, they explore the possibilities of the MLB forcing Tamba Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg to sell. And they listen to some voicemail Funbag questions, answering real questions from real voicemails.
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
- The Jets are Succession
- What's Mike Tomlin's Standard Now? | Defector
- MLB and other owners pressuring Rays owner Stu Sternberg to sell the team
- Rob Manfred Is The Face Of An Elite Mutiny Against Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg | Defector
Sponsors
- Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order at https://blueland.com/distraction
- HelloFresh, where you can get up to 10 FREE meals and a free high protein item for life at HelloFresh.com/hellofreshpodcast
- Raycon, where you can get up to 20% off their best-selling Everyday Earbuds at https://buyraycon.com/distraction
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
13 March 2025, 5:00 am - 1 hour 5 secondsThe First Half Is About the State of the World with Denny Carter
Editor of the Bad Faith Times Denny Carter joins Drew and Roth to talk about everything that’s happening. They know what happened the last time Denny was on. That’s what they’re talking about.
But don’t worry, they’re pivoting about something much more sunny in the second half of the podcasts: the Dallas Mavericks! Is this team cursed, rigged, or just plain bad? And are there other sports teams that have painted themselves into a corner like this? And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering 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!
Sponsors
- Hims, where you can start your free online visit today at hims.com/distraction
- Mint Mobile, which is offering a 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/distraction
- Raycon, where you can get up to 20% off their best-selling Everyday Earbuds at https://buyraycon.com/distraction
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
6 March 2025, 6:00 am - 1 hour 2 minutesYour Kids Are Mid with Nathan Grayson
Nathan Grayson, co-founder of Aftermath and author of the new book Stream Big: The Triumphs and Turmoils of Twitch and the Stars Behind the Screen, talks to Drew and Roth about game streaming. Is Twitch a healthy company? Do the streamers like being on it? And how does this all feel in contrast to creating their worker-owned-journalism outfit? And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering 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!
Sponsors
- ExpressVPN, where you can get an extra four months free at expressvpn.com/distraction
- HelloFresh, where you can get up to 10 FREE meals and a free high protein item for life at HelloFresh.com/hellofreshpodcast
- Betterhelp, where you can get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/distraction
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
27 February 2025, 6:00 am - 1 hour 1 minuteThe Paddington 2 of the NBA with Rohan Nadkarni
NBC News’ Rohan Nadkarni joins Drew and Roth to tell us what’s going on in the NBA after the All Star break. Who are three most interesting teams to watch in the East and the West? And in the second half of the show, they give you the sandwich talk that you’re craving, kicked off by a homemade vegan Double Down in Drew’s own home. And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering 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!
Sponsors
- LiveGood, where you can get 10% off your first order at livegood.com/distraction
- Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order at https://blueland.com/distraction
- Factor, where code FACTORPODCAST will get you 50% off your first box plus free shipping at factormeals.com/FACTORPODCAST
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
20 February 2025, 6:00 am - 1 hour 17 secondsDisrespecting John Madden’s Name
Drew and Roth break down The Big Game, including why Tom Brady’s commentary is so very bad and the Eagles defense is so very good. The back half of the pod is NBA corner as the guys discuss Miriam Adelson, the Mavericks’ beefy private sheriffs, and Dončić trade conspiracies. Plus, two voicemails for the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners.
Stuff We Talked About
- There Could Only Be One Hubie Brown | Defector
- Thirty Histories: Memphis Grizzlies | RealGM
- We Must Address The Tom Brady Crisis (The Crisis Being That He Stinks) | Defector
- Grant Afseth on Mavericks’ Alleged Death Threats
- Is Luka Doncic really fat? Inside the conspiracy theory rabbit hole | SFGate
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!
Sponsors
- Betterhelp, where you can get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/distraction
- LiveGood, where you can get 10% off your first order at livegood.com/distraction
- Hims, where you can start your free online visit today at hims.com/distraction
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
13 February 2025, 6:00 am - 1 hour 10 minutesBoth the Eagles and the Chiefs Are Gonna Win with Dan McQuade
Defector’s very own Dan McQuade joins Drew and Roth to talk about The Big Game! As chief Philly correspondent, Dan weighs in on how the Eagles can do it. Also as chief Philly correspondent, Dan explains how the Eagles can never, ever win it all. In the back half of the pod, everyone is still trying to have a thought other than “what the hell” about the Luka Dončić trade. And the show has time for two questions in the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners.
Stuff We Talked About
- Princess Diana Bought That Eagles Jacket Herself | Defector
- The De'Aaron Fox Trade Is A Bet On Victor Wembanyama | Defector
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!
Sponsors
- Raycon, where you can get up to 20% off sitewide at buyraycon.com/distraction
- Betterhelp, where you can get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/distraction
- Mint Mobile, where you can search for wireless plans starting at just $15 a month at mintmobile.com/distraction
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
6 February 2025, 6:00 am - 1 hour 10 minutesApollo 13 Was a Well Made Movie with Will Tavlin
Will Tavlin, writer of the piece Casual Viewing in n+1, talks to Drew and Roth about why every movie on Netflix looks like that. Why does Netflix not only survives, but thrives, when no one is watching? How does the crappy look of Netflix movies fit with their initial DVD business model? And how has Will been responding to the readers who think this article is depressing?
Stuff We Talked About
- ‘Not second screen enough’: is Netflix deliberately dumbing down TV so people can watch while scrolling?
- Reality Check: The boom — or glut — in streaming documentaries has sparked a reckoning among filmmakers and their subjects
- Ted Sarandos’s Plan to Get You to Binge Even More Netflix - The New York Times
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!
Sponsors
- Wildgrain, where you can get $30 off the first box plus free Croissants in every box using code DISTRACTION at https://wildgrain.com/DISTRACTION
- Shipskis.com, where the code DISTRACTION will get you 20% off your first shipment at shipskis.com
- Factor, where code distraction50off will get you 50% off your first box using code distraction50off at factormeals.com/distraction50off
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
30 January 2025, 6:00 am - 1 hour 4 minutesThis Episode Cancels Out the Manhattan Project with Justin Halpern
Executive producer of Harley Quinn and Abbott Elementary Justin Halpern returns to Drew and Roth to talk about the Dodgers making baseball into capitalism-shaped-like-a-baseball! In the wake of even more free agent signings, they explain how the Dodgers are running their team like a company with McKinsey consultants and they’re blowing everyone else outta the water. In the second half, our group decides which two teams they want to see in the Super Bowl, regardless of how possible that scenario can be. And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering 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!
Sponsors
- LiveGood, where you can get 10% off your first order at livegood.com/distraction
- Hims, where you can start your free online visit today at hims.com/distraction
- Betterhelp, where you can get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/distraction
Credits
- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth
- Producer: Eric Silver
- Editor: Brandon Grugle
- 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.
23 January 2025, 6:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App