The Sport of Life: Chats w/ Comedians, Filmmakers, Sports Figures, Musicians, & Intellectuals

Cartoonist, illustrator, writer, and former circus clown Joe Lee chats with Trey Elling about the graphic novel he wrote and illustrated, titled FORGIVENESS: THE STORY OF EVA KOR, SURVIVOR OF THE AUSCHWITZ TWIN EXPERIMENTS. Joe shares the details of Eva's life, which proves inspirational as a result of unfathomable trauma and tragedy at the hands of the Nazis during World War II.

Zoologist and bestselling author Bill Schutt chats with Trey Elling about PUMP: A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HEART. Their discussion starts the importance of the hearts and circulatory systems of blue whales, horseshoe crabs, squids and octopuses, giraffes, crocodiles, and bats. Plus the ins and outs of the human heart, including the evolution of our understanding of this crucial muscular organ.

Cannabis journalist Josiah Hesse chats with Trey Elling about RUNNERS HIGH: HOW A MOVEMENT OF CANNABIS-FUELED ATHLETES IS CHANGING THE SCIENCE OF SPORTS. The guys discuss the physiology behind "the runner's high", the comprehensive nature of our internal cannabinoid system, the demonization of cannabis in the early 1900s after it had been used as a plant medicine for thousands of years, research over the past 70 years that is correcting the 'lazy stoner' trope, the convoluted logic behind World Anti-Doping Agency labelling cannabis as a performance-enhancing drug, and more.

Dr. Cassandra Leah Quave, who serves as the herbarium curator and associate professor of dermatology and human health at Emory University, chats with Trey Elling about THE PLANT HUNTER: A SCIENTIST'S QUEST FOR NATURE'S NEXT MEDICINES. The book chronicles Dr. Quave's efforts to unite Eastern and Western medicines through an understanding of the medicinal powers of plants, a path inspired by her own experience in dealing with unique medical difficulties since birth.

Adventurer, mountaineer, writer, filmmaker, and environmentalist Rick Ridgeway chats with Trey Elling about LIFE LIVED WILD: ADVENTURES AT THE EDGE OF THE MAP. Rick tells Trey about numerous jaw-dropping experiences he's gone through in the mountains, oceans, and everywhere in between. Occasionally these expeditions would literally become life-and-death, with Rick surviving while his friends did not. How did he cope with such traumas, and what lessons did he learn along the way? Rick discusses these things and much more.

Intel, military, and law enforcement veteran and bestselling author Myke Cole chats with Trey Elling about THE BRONZE LIE: SHATTERING THE MYTH OF SPARTAN WARRIOR SUPREMACY. In both the book and this chat, Cole explains why much of what modern society believes about this seemingly-superhuman group of people in ancient times is greatly exaggerated.

Former FDA high-ranking official and expert on food safety and nutrition Richard A. Williams chats with Trey Elling about FIXING FOOD: AN FDA INSIDER UNRAVELS THE MYTHS AND THE SOLUTIONS. Williams provides a comprehensive look at the bureaucracy behind  decisions made at the agency responsible for food and drug safety in the US. The rationale and influence behind policies aren't always pure, which led to RIchard arguing from a statistical argument why something did (or didn't) make sense for the public. 

New Yorker staff writer and bestselling author Susan Orlean chats with Trey Elling about ON ANIMALS. Questions include: Why does she feel a lifelong connection with animals? (01:10) Why is she most interested in animals that straddle the line between domesticated and wild? (03:03) How does someone get comfortable enough with a lion to keep it as a pet? (14:54) What impresses her most about mules? (19:32) Why are rabbits the only animals we keep as pets and also readily eat? (25:12)

Writer and editor Laurie Woolever chats with Trey Elling about BOURDAIN: THE DEFINITIVE ORAL BIOGRAPHY. Laurie spent nearly a decade working as Anthony Bourdain's assistant and co-author, before his suicide in 2018. BOURDAIN is a result of conversations with a multitude of important people in Tony's life as a child, aimless college student, lover, cook, addict, writer, tv personality, father, celebrity, and more.

Investigative storyteller and bestselling author Mary Roach chats with Trey Elling about FUZZ: WHEN NATURE BREAKS THE LAW.