

House of Strauss
Ethan Strauss
A podcast about sports, politics, the future and technology. www.houseofstrauss.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 9, 2026 • 37min
HoS: Dieter Kurtenbach Goes DEEP on Doomed San Francisco 49ers
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.houseofstrauss.comWARNING: This is an NFL heavy House of Strauss podcast.DOUBLE WARNING: You should really join the free of charge HoS Sports Predict NFL Playoffs Contest. You can win $1000 in prizes based on making NFL predictions with no money risked. So, Dieter and I believe the overachieving 49ers have finally arrived at an impasse. We discuss this, my fraught parasocial relationship with Kyle Shanahan, whether Robert Saleh is a FRAUD, plus sports uniforms aesthetics. Oh, and of course I defend Brock Purdy in advance of a game where he might not produce great results. Enjoy!

Jan 8, 2026 • 57min
Special Teams, Special Contest!
The NFL Playoffs, With a Scoreboard That Actually MattersIn this pod, I discuss an exciting reveal: The official NFL Playoffs House of Strauss contest! Beyond the contest, Sports Predict co-founder Steve Kuhn and I also get into our nerdy NFL strategy obsessions and whether the league is starting to mirror the “mixed strategy” approach that took the poker world by storm. But, once again, ladies and gentlemen, we’ve an NFL Playoffs SportsPredict.com contest for all of you. It’s all upside, no downside. We are doing sports prediction, not gambling addiction. Okay, it’s a little addictive. But I digress. The point is you just have to make picks, with no capital risked. Come one, come all, see if you can predict your way to some generous prizes. From Sports Predict: The NFL postseason strips things down. Fewer games, tighter decisions, less margin for error. If you want to know how good your reads actually are, this is the moment.HoS is running a dedicated NFL postseason prediction challenge. Each playoff game comes with ten prediction markets. You can answer as many or as few as you want. There’s no penalty for skipping, and scoring is based purely on accuracy.There are two ways to compete.Predictions across all rounds count toward an overall postseason leaderboard, while each playoff round also has its own standalone competition. You can jump in late and still win a round.The prize structure follows that format: a $1,000 prize for the overall postseason champion, plus additional prizes for Wild Card weekend, the Divisional round, the Conference Championships, and the Super Bowl.It’s a straightforward way to engage the playoffs without betting mechanics, just decision-making under pressure.Link to the Event: https://play.sportspredict.com/LobbyDetails?id=f067dad7-cff5-46c4-8680-92faea924561&eventId=95c1be3f-7927-4a9f-8f0b-2bdc6259caf2Thanks to everyone who joined in on the Sports Predict contests this season and look forward to playing you over these next few weeks. It salves my negativity over the hyper injured 49ers attempt at a playoff run. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe

Dec 5, 2025 • 49min
HoS: Dieter Kurtenbach on the IGNORED 49ers and how NFL Media Works
Dieter Kurtenbach, a YouTube analyst and co-host of the Dieter and Hutch channel, dives deep into the 49ers and NFL media dynamics. He discusses why the 49ers have been overlooked recently, emphasizing how national TV windows shape narratives. The conversation reveals insights into coaching strategies, such as Kyle Shanahan’s unique game preparations, and critiques the superficial nature of national media coverage. They also unpack the importance of authenticity in sports storytelling while debating the limitations of national access versus regional expertise.

Dec 3, 2025 • 12min
Narrated: My Boy
The host shares a deeply personal story about his son, revealing the challenges and joys of parenting a child with autism. He grapples with the fine line between vulnerability and exploitation in family storytelling. The reflection on grief intertwined with gratitude offers a raw look at his emotional journey. He recounts the moment of diagnosis and the shift it brought to his life. Discussions around the fear of the future highlight both his worries and the support systems that uplift his family. Ultimately, he celebrates his son’s happiness and the strength found in community.

Nov 24, 2025 • 19min
HoS: Spike Eskin on Eagles ANGST
Spike Eskin, a sharp-tongued Philadelphia radio personality, dives into the chaotic world of Eagles fandom and the fallout from their recent collapse against the Cowboys. He tackles the Jalen Hurts debate, revealing internal tensions around his leadership and teammates' discontent. They also explore the absurdity of NFL narratives, the myth of situational quarterback skill, and the intricate dynamics of sports media. Plus, Spike recalls memorable moments from past controversies, all while reflecting on what defines true NFL success.

Nov 22, 2025 • 20min
HoS: Mike Pesca
Joining the conversation is Mike Pesca, a veteran radio broadcaster and the insightful host of The Gist. He shares his thoughts on a recent podcast featuring Riley Gaines, critiquing its tone and implications. Pesca dives into the challenges of podcasting, emphasizing a lack of fact-checking that often skews narratives. They also explore the political ramifications of Gaines's activism in sports, the role of reporting in shaping public perception, and the evolving landscape of media engagement. Get ready for a lively discussion packed with media insights!

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 11min
RO: Wos on Steph Curry's Under Armour Exit
Here’s the audio for the YouTube show with Wos on, primarily, what we glean from Steph Curry’s DIVORCE…from Under Armour. Like, subscribe, listen…House of Strauss is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe

Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 13min
HoS: Yaron Weitzman on his BOMBSHELL Lakers Book
Yaron Weitzman, an NBA reporter and author of *A Hollywood Ending*, dives into the controversial LeBron-era Lakers, shedding light on the team's chaotic dynamics. He discusses Magic Johnson's struggles as an executive compared to his public persona, and how decision-making within the front office often leads to disaster. Legal threats from the team highlight the book's provocative content, especially regarding Jeanie Buss's depiction. Weitzman also critiques LeBron's branding choices, evaluating their impact on his legacy and the franchise's future.

Nov 8, 2025 • 1h 4min
Random Offense (House of Strauss Live) with Ryan Glasspiegel
We eagerly await Anthony Mayes’ return from honeymoon for our regular pods, but I was able to do the live YouTube show with 2Way. This was a good one with Ryan Glasspiegel on MLB vs. NBA, Sydney Sweeney vs. GQ journalist, and whatever this week in culture/politics means going forward. Enjoy + like/subscribe…House of Strauss is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe

Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 3min
Random NBA Gambling Offense with Amin
Sharing the audio from the great YouTube live show with Amin (Like and Subscribe!). There will be a Substack pod gap this week, because Producer Anthony Mayes is on his honeymoon. Congrats to Mayes, we’ll be back at it soon, and the next 10 days or so should be more devoted to writing. House of Strauss is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe


