House of Strauss

Neil Paine, a prominent figure in sports analytics, dives into the interplay between sports and politics, questioning whether public interest in politics is waning. He touches on the intriguing concept of backup quarterbacks and how they captivate fans, while exploring the 'shadow value' some players contribute beyond stats. Paine also examines the impact of aging on athletes like Aaron Rodgers and discusses the resurgence of baseball through stars like Judge and Ohtani, making for a thought-provoking and enjoyable conversation.

Ryan Glasspiegel, a savvy media commentator, dives into the intersection of sports and politics. He debates whether politics played a role in Sam Ponder's firing from ESPN and defends Pat McAfee against criticism. Glasspiegel explores the nuances of presidential betting odds and critiques the current political landscape, asserting it's more about vibes than substance. Other intriguing discussions include perspectives on Tim Walz and skepticism about Caleb Williams amid overwhelming hype. Get ready for sharp insights and lively conversation!

Warren Sharp, an expert in NFL data and trends, dives into the analytical shifts within football’s most scrutinized league. He discusses how NFL teams are missing opportunities reminiscent of the early Moneyball era and questions why scoring appears to be declining in a so-called pass-friendly game. The conversation explores evolving offensive strategies, the balance of analytics with coaching instincts, and how defensive innovations are reshaping the NFL landscape. Sharp also highlights critical quarterback dynamics, offering insights into upcoming strategies.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.houseofstrauss.comKat Rosenfield is an author and Free Press columnist who often boldly covers matters of cultural controversy. I was fascinated by her “What the Childless Among Us Leave Behind” essay, which anchors a lot of the pod. We also got into Nike’s new direction and a range of other subjects related to the modern gender wars. Topics include but aren’t limited to…* Is there such a thing as objectively good style? * Is the meme of “unhappy childless woman” true? * The divide in perspective between parents and the childless* Kids give you existential relief * Why are cats symbolic of female loneliness? * Hillary Clinton’s “deplorables” vs. JD Vance’s “cat ladies”* Why are Gen Z men shifting Republican? * Why are older women overrepresented at Kamala Harris rallies?* Why did Obama resonate with young millennial males? * What is the visual Social Justice Aesthetic? * Nike shift and the current sanitized culture* Men expressing what they find attractive as underground movement

Wosny Lambre, a commentator on American youth basketball, and Mike Nicoll, director of The Spoils documentary, dive deep into the evolving dynamics of the AAU basketball business. They discuss how youth basketball is increasingly intertwined with social media branding. The duo questions whether the U.S. will maintain its basketball dominance in light of global competition and critiques the current player development system. They also touch on the impact of commercialization and the importance of structured support at grassroots levels for future talent.

Nate Silver, a prominent writer and data expert, dives into a range of intriguing topics. He explores the art of risking everything in his new book and examines the political ramifications of vice presidential choices, including identity factors. Silver shares insights from his time with Sam Bankman-Fried, debates AI doomerism, and discusses why effective altruists often choose to remain childless. He also analyzes Trump's complex media perception and suggests untapped statistical potential in football, challenging conventional narratives.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.houseofstrauss.comOK, I’m back from vacation, leaping out of cold Lake Tahoe and into this particular hot water. The women’s Olympic boxing controversy is an absolute mess from a media perspective. When Angela Carini of Italy quickly tapped out against Imane Khelif of Algeria, it kicked off a cultural firestorm. Initially, some of those outraged by what they witnessed in the match were operating off of incomplete information. But in the follow up, many conventional media outlets were misleading in their corrections. Given all this confusion, I’ve enlisted evolutionary biologist Colin Wright to make sense of what’s likely happened, why it’s happened, and where the public conversation went wrong. We also discuss what determines “male” vs. “female,” and the impact of testosterone on the human body. Fascinating stuff, in my humble opinion. Topics include but aren’t limited to…* Imane Khelif as subject of controversy * What is a DSD (Differences of Sexual Development) condition? * Where the “right” went wrong in the immediate aftermath of this controversy* Where the “left” is wrong in their correction of the right, especially in media* What’s with the impulse to morally shame people who seek an ethical guideline here?* How the IOC really dropped the ball* Does XY = male?* Does it matter at all that the International Boxing Association has Russian ties?* Odd ways that testosterone impacts the human body, right down to the fingers

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.houseofstrauss.comNate Jones, current NBA agent and insole entrepreneur, has a lot of smart thoughts on our favorite topics. Today we discuss the big news in NBA media: Warner Bros (Turner Sports) is insisting it has the right to match a TV rights deal and the NBA says it doesn’t. Is this about to get ugly? Why must fans be deprived of Inside the NBA? Topics include but aren’t limited to...* The dispute between beloved fan favorite TNT and an NBA that wants to move beyond its old standby * Are broadcasters overpaying for the NBA? Or is this the path to riches?* David Stern is a McDonald's guy. Adam Silver is a Taco Bell guy* Why Nate thinks the NBA needs stars playing more years of college ball* Men’s college basketball is well known; Women’s college basketball is known well* Why NCAA basketball doesn’t help the NBA like NCAA football helps the NFL* Nate tells us whether he believes Jaylen Brown’s contention that he was left off Team USA due to Nike* Nate and I discuss what is sure to be a highly contentious election discourse, anchored in the political gender gap* Nate wishes the Democrats elected their candidate through a primary* I can never predict which issues will matter to people* Trump’s impact on the people around Nate and myself, in our Blue World lives

I saw NBA Youtube tycoon Jason Timpf out at Vegas Summer League and we got to talking about this exact topic: Do you need to truly love basketball to be a winner at its highest levels? That conversation led to this podcast, which includes Jason’s keen observations on Team USA. Enjoy..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

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.houseofstrauss.comGlass man alert! Our favorite sports media expert has broken news, and so we discuss his stories, plus a range of other topics. To copy Ryan’s notes, here’s our loaded topic docket: * Skip Bayless leaving FS1* Success after ESPN* Shannon Sharpe’s ascension and impact as a megastar* NBA TV deal scuttlebutt with some informed speculation on big news* New York Knicks owner James Dolan's warnings about modern NBA* Trump assassination conspiracy theories * The right weaponizing cancel culture (as the left once did) to cost ordinary people their jobs * Shams Charania free agency bonanza