Episodios

  • The Mascot Distraction: Smoke, Fire, and Trump’s Culture War Playbook

    The Mascot Distraction: Smoke, Fire, and Trump’s Culture War Playbook
    Jul 30 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander dive into the controversy over Trump’s push to revive racist team names like the Redskins and Indians. They explore how the former president weaponizes nostalgia and grievance to distract and divide, all while Telander shares personal stories—from interviewing Trump in 1986 to a touching tribute to his late dog. It’s a candid, wide-ranging conversation about sports, politics, culture, and the cost of not evolving.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    45 m
  • Sammy, Steroids, and Saying Goodbye

    Sammy, Steroids, and Saying Goodbye
    Jul 24 2025
    Big John Howell and Rick Telander dive into baseball’s most controversial era, reflecting on Sammy Sosa’s return to Wrigley Field and the lasting impact of steroids on the game. They revisit the infamous Lee Elia rant, Hall of Fame ethics, and the blurred line between performance and integrity. The episode ends on a heartfelt note as Rick shares a moving tribute to his late dog, Bear Bear.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    48 m
  • Pete Rose, Perfectionism, and the Price of Redemption

    Pete Rose, Perfectionism, and the Price of Redemption
    Jul 11 2025
    Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader, was banned for gambling—but now, posthumously, Major League Baseball has finally lifted the ban. In this episode, Big John Howell and Rick Telander revisit Rose’s complicated legacy, from his obsessive drive to win to his long-delayed confession. Along the way, they dive into the ethics of gambling, steroids, and what it really takes to be a legend.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 m
  • Fake Stories, Real Rants, and the Rise of the Machines

    Fake Stories, Real Rants, and the Rise of the Machines
    Jul 4 2025
    What happens when a major newspaper accidentally publishes AI-generated nonsense? Big John Howell and Rick Telander dig into the Chicago Sun-Times’ recent “Heat Index” fiasco, where fake book blurbs created by AI made it to print—and readers noticed. From newsroom cost-cutting and the future of journalism to AI writing sports columns, war strategy, and even architecture, this episode is a deep (and often hilarious) dive into what happens when machines take the wheel.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 m
  • Heaven Is a Playground—The Book, the Movie, and the Memories

    Heaven Is a Playground—The Book, the Movie, and the Memories
    Jun 17 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander along with John Dempsey take a deep dive into Telander's iconic book Heaven Is a Playground—from its origins in a 1973 Sports Illustrated article to its 1991 film adaptation. They explore the lives of Brooklyn streetball legends, the challenges of writing with heart and honesty, and the poetic power of basketball. Plus, a few sharp jabs, a couple of cigars, and a cameo from President Obama’s bookshelf.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 h y 30 m
  • Of Mice, Men, and Michael Jackson (with John Dempsey)

    Of Mice, Men, and Michael Jackson (with John Dempsey)
    Jun 9 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander are joined by veteran broadcaster John Dempsey for a vermin-infested edition of The Chicago Smokehouse. What starts as a simple houseguest anecdote morphs into a whirlwind conversation about mice, rats, movies, plagues, breeding cycles, and the shocking realization that “Ben” was a love ballad... for a rodent. It's informative, hilarious, and slightly unsettling—like Willard. Except with cigars.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 m
  • Blocking Jurko, Smoking Cubans, and Belichick’s Mermaid Muse

    Blocking Jurko, Smoking Cubans, and Belichick’s Mermaid Muse
    May 12 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander relive John’s glory days behind the plate—most notably, tagging out former Packers nose tackle John Jurkovic at a charity softball game. The conversation shifts from cigars and sports nostalgia to Bill Belichick’s eyebrow-raising relationship with a 24-year-old “muse” and the public spectacle it has become. Along the way, the duo riff on Yoko Ono, tortured genius, self-defense kicks, and why some basements just have better acoustics.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    47 m
  • Punch Cigars, Beatles Obsessions, and the Time John Howell Passed on Taylor Swift

    Punch Cigars, Beatles Obsessions, and the Time John Howell Passed on Taylor Swift
    Apr 28 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander light up cigars and dive into a lively conversation about The Beatles, Buck Owens, and the musicians who shaped their lives. Along the way, John shares the story of the time he told a record label to pass on a young Taylor Swift—something he now calls “the dumbest thing ever.” From musical legends to yodeling news anchors, it’s a smoke-filled trip down memory lane with plenty of laughs along the way.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 m