The Press Box

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are responding to Listener Mail. They answer your questions about Jeffrey Toobin’s return to CNN, athletes talking about vaccines, and “only in journalism” word nominees (8:55). Later, Peter Kiefer joins to discuss his profile of journalist Yashar Ali in Los Angeles Magazine (30:44). They touch on how this story came about, discuss Ali’s role within the media world, and hear what it was like talking with and interacting with Ali. Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Peter KieferAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are joined by CNN’s Brian Stelter to discuss his career in cable news, reporting on Fox, and his response to individuals such as Rob Schneider and Glenn Greenwald. Then they dive deeper into Stelter's book, ‘Hoax.’ Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Brian StelterAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are opening up the mailbag and answering your Listener Mail! They discuss the race to publish a book about President Biden (12:30), weigh in on the discussion over television ratings (25:10), and touch on where the word “embroiled” fits in the dictionary of words used only in journalism (43:21). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down the news that Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open. They talk through the tournament's response to Osaka refusing to appear at press conferences, weigh in on the evolving coverage of athletes, and discuss how this type of situation has and could impact an athlete's relationship with the media.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are answering your Listener Mail! They touch on The New York Times’ interest in acquiring The Athletic, discuss Bob Garfield getting fired for violating anti-bullying policies, and answer which Texas food dish they miss most since leaving the state (4:00). Later, Gideon Lewis-Kraus joins to talk about his piece in The New Yorker, “How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously.” (32:06) They talk through how this story came about, how the pandemic affected the writing process, and the response to the piece. Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline of the Week. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Gideon Lewis-KrausAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker break down news of the Associated Press firing staffer Emily Wilder. They discuss how this affects journalists, how "cancel culture" was involved, and how the Associated Press is justifying the firing (3:08). Then, The Ringer’s John Gonzalez joins to talk about NBA studio shows and what we can expect from sports television in 2021 (22:18). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker and John Gonzalez Guess the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: John GonzalezAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are opening up the mailbag and answering your Listener Mail! They answer questions about Chris Cuomo (3:40), the ‘Friends’ reunion (19:14), NBA play-in games (28:05), and who could be the heir to the Dale Hansen throne (31:30). Later, Jeff Guinn joins to discuss his new book, ‘War on the Border,’ and his career as a writer (42:17). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Jeff GuinnAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss the new CDC guidelines that state fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks in most situations. They touch on the impact the new guidelines have had, and weigh in on this new phase of the pandemic (4:42). Later, Sebastian Junger joins to talk about his new book, ‘Freedom,’ and his journey to uncover what the word “freedom” really means (29:13). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Sebastian JungerAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker answer your Listener Mail! They discuss Liz Cheney’s removal from her position as House GOP conference chair, the spectacle that is the NFL’s schedule release, and which book given by a first date would make you get up and leave (2:10). Later, NASCAR announcer Jeff Gordon joins to discuss his experience transitioning to the booth, working alongside Clint Bowyer, and what he has planned for the future (26:40). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Jeff GordonAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker discuss The Washington Post's op-ed piece written by the CEO of Washingtonian Media, Cathy Merrill. They discuss the pros and cons of going back into an office versus working remotely, and further break down how Merrill approached the topic (4:20). Then, last week CNN released a job's report citing far fewer jobs were added last month than expected. White House correspondent for Bloomberg, Justin Sink, joins to help break down what we saw (31:01). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Justin SinkAssociate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices