House of Strauss

As NFL newsbreaker Ian Rapoport told the world on Friday, preeminent sports media critic Ryan Glasspiegel is leaving the New York Post for Front Office Sports. Ryan and I discuss the why of his leaving such an established legacy brand, and segue into the business of sports media coverage. Plus we talk about the lurid Fox Sports sexual harassment allegations, California wildfires, current political cultural moment and more. Enjoy! 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

Lee Fang, a talented reporter from The Eponymous Substack, dives deep into the controversial world of H-1B visas. He unpacks how this policy has sparked tension within the GOP, particularly between figures like Elon Musk and traditional conservatives. Lee explores the socio-political implications, asking whether Musk's priorities lie with America or Mars. They also discuss the relationship between tech culture and race, highlighting how populism is reshaping views on immigration. Expect insights on corporate exploitation and the contradictions within today's tech landscape!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.houseofstrauss.comRyan thinks you can guess the two major discussion points here. Topics include…* Why is a Gregg Popovich Trump rant going viral in conservative media over a month after it happened? * Why is NBA ratings discourse so overwhelming all of a sudden?* Did Adam Silver not use soft power like David Stern used it?* Are we more pessimistic about the NBA’s cultural future than Bill Simmons is? * The NBA’s America problem* Why is the NBA a WOKE piñata in conservative media?* How do we feel about Caitlin Clark clearly lying (Ryan seems fine with it)? * Does Clark’s TIME feature influence how fans relate to her?* Why is Hannah Hildago a potential future WNBA controversy generator?

One of our favorite cultural commentators returns to discuss men, women, politics and so much else. Great pod, in my unbiased opinion. Topics include but aren’t limited to…* Why there was a “Sydney Sweeney is mid” discourse on social media* Is modern dating terrible? * Why the dating app market is bad, even for its big winners* Single men should buy dogs * Does becoming Republican shrink male dating options? * Are nearly all marriages “politically mixed” marriages?* Is the political gender divide hurting society?* Is the Wifejak good?* Is “toxic femininity” a real thing?* Is the WNBA the only institution still on Earth 2? Or are there others? * What’s with people who voted for Kamala enjoying the outcome of Trump winning?* The meaning of Luigi Mangione supportHouse 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.comNon sports media edition, because a) I’m morbidly captivated by the Healthcare CEO assassination fallout and b) Any excuse to host Sarah Haider is a good one. Beyond being intelligent and brave, Sarah has some personally informed thoughts about ayahuasca, a topic of the moment given certain rumors about the CEO killer. Conversation includes but is not limited to…* High status people celebrating the murder of CEO Brian Thompson? * It’s underrated how frequently high functioning people lose their minds* Did ayahuasca compel Sarah to quit her own podcast? * If ayahuasca kills motivation, then why did Sarah do it? * Does living under threat of assassination, as Sarah might, inform perspective?* Are we completely honest in our public transmissions? * Are we more honest in real life or as writers/podcasters? * Why don’t professors, whose system saddles young people in debt, see themselves as oppressors? * What do we think of the politically minded tech libertarian types?

In an engaging conversation, Tom Tolbert, a beloved Bay Area sports radio host and former NBA player, reflects on his journey through basketball and radio. He shares nostalgic tales of college basketball’s competitive spirit, revealing how athletes often carry the weight of their losses. The discussion ventures into the tense dynamics of the Lakers during his career, touching on Kobe Bryant's insights and camaraderie with Shaquille O'Neal. Tolbert's light-hearted approach to serious topics like risk and connection in radio keeps the conversation lively and relatable.

Andrew Sharp, an insightful NBA/Tech/China podcaster, dives into a variety of thought-provoking topics. He evaluates BlueSky’s potential amidst the social media landscape shift. The conversation highlights Netflix’s questionable approach to live events and its impact on sports media. They tackle the NBA's paradox of rising revenues against declining viewership, discussing how fan engagement could be compromised. Lastly, they explore the nostalgia of 'Inside the NBA' moving to ESPN and assess the evolving humor around Charles Barkley's remarks.

Great podcast, if we do say so ourselves…* Did Ryan lose his life savings betting Kamala Harris on Kalshi? * The French polymarket whale who bet on Trump using the “neighbor method”* Has the election inspired a vibe shift in sports media?* The Ben Strauss argument that FS1 is more woke than ESPN* The “Democrats need a Joe Rogan” trope* Is the “Dem-friendly Rogan Bill Simmons”? * Is Shannon Sharpe the Dem-friendly Rogan? * The sports journo exodus to BlueSky and why it won’t work* I don’t think the shift to the right among Zoomers has much to do with “incels” * Inflation or culture war: What settled the election? 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

Nick Wright, a sharp sports analyst known for his bold commentary, dives deep into the intersection of sports and culture. He scrutinizes the Kansas City Chiefs' success, debating whether analytics have shifted the value of winning. Nick also reflects on the impact of differing political beliefs within sports fandom. The conversation shifts to the NBA's evolving landscape, critiquing fan engagement and advocating for reforms. Additionally, he discusses the dynamics of sports media, focusing on how host relationships can make or break a show's success.

Joining the discussion is Ross Barkan, a New York politics expert and contributor to various publications. He provides insights on Trump's recent victory and its implications for the Democratic Party. They explore the challenges the Democrats face in light of shifting voter demographics and the need for strategic reassessment. The conversation also touches on the complexities of rural voter engagement, unexpected political alliances, and the evolving narrative influenced by figures like Trump and Obama, all while drawing parallels with sports fandom.