

The Distraction: A Defector Podcast
Defector Media
Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voice mails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Jun 1, 2023 • 1h 6min
America Named a Team For Chicken Nuggets (with Rohan Nadkarni)
Sports Illustrated’s Rohan Nadkarni returns to the show to preview the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets. Drew, Roth, and Rohan talk the power of Caleb Martin, hate on the Celtics to a respectful degree, decide if the Nuggets are being stiffed by national media, and make time to complain about the Mountain Time Zone. All that and Remembering a Guy, diving into the Funbag, and a very special Sandwich Expert Corner, are coming up on this episode. Stuff We Talked About
Rohan's article on ECF Game 6
Rohan's article on Bam from Nov 2022
Rohan called his shot on Caleb Martin
Jaylen Brown’s supermax projections
Rohan writing about how the Celtics shouldn’t break up
Rohan’s piece about Jokic MVP article from last year
Rohan writing about Aaron Gordon
Defector in CJR!
Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Sponsors- Wildgrain, where you can get $30 off the first box plus free Croissants in every box using code DISTRACTION at Wildgrain.com/DISTRACTION- Shaker and Spoon - Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/distraction Credits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector! About The ShowFrom Defector Media: Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 25, 2023 • 57min
Are They Going Bud Lite On Us?
We’re going back to basics with an episode of just Drew and Roth. Sure, there are no prominent union activists or NYT best-selling authors, but despite that -- in fact, because of it -- this is an extremely Distraction-y Distraction episode. We talk about Jimmy Butler’s singularity as a basketball guy, the LA Dodgers reversing their decision to get peer-pressured by Marco Rubio, and David Zazlov’s graduation speech that felt like a Red Sox game. And as always, Guy of the Week and Funbag questions! Stuff We Talked About
Defector Story On Jokic
Defector story on Dodgers Pride Night
David Zazlov BU video
Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Sponsors- Sunsoil, where code DISTRACTION will get you 50% off your first purchase at sunsoil.com/distraction- Betterhelp: Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/distraction Credits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector! About The ShowFrom Defector Media: Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 snips
May 18, 2023 • 56min
The Gulf of Pain with David Grann
Journalist, best-selling author, and staff writer for the New Yorker David Grann joins Drew and Roth to talk about his newest book, The Wager. David explains how he pulled together a trip to go see a shipwreck, editing the book down to a tight 300 pages, and the experience of working with Martin Scorsese. (David was incredibly gracious about the experience and we were like “So, uh, was it cool?) And, of course, we talk about the Knicks, alongside Remembering a Guy and a voicemail Funbag questionDo you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Sponsors- Athletic Greens, which is giving you a free 1-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/DISTRACTION Credits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector! About The ShowFrom Defector Media: Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 11, 2023 • 60min
You Can Eat ‘Em If You’d Like! with Adam Conover
Comedian, writer, and member of the WGA Negotiating Committee Adam Conover joins Drew and Roth to talk about the current WGA strike. Adam lays out what the writers are fighting for, the biggest differences between the 2007 strike and this one, how this is going to affect TV going forward, and much, much more. Stuff We Talked About
The "Canada on Strike" South Park episode
Bill Simmons' article on the Writer's Strike Drew quoted
How La Croix blew up
Alex O'Keefe's experience writing for The Bear with a negative bank account
Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Sponsors- Sunsoil, where code DISTRACTION will get you 50% off your first purchase at sunsoil.com/distraction Credits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector! About The ShowFrom Defector Media: Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 4, 2023 • 55min
What Levels of Sacramento! with Patrick Redford
Defector’s own Patrick Redford joins Drew and Roth to light up our beams with powerful basketball energy! Patrick shares his experience watching Warriors-Kings in person, and we deal with the absolute deflation that is watching second round of the playoffs as compared to the first. And as always, Guy of the Week and voicemail Funbag questions!Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Sponsors- Wildgrain, where you can get $30 off the first box plus free Croissants in every box using code DISTRACTION at Wildgrain.com/DISTRACTION- Athletic Greens, which is giving you a free 1-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/DISTRACTION Credits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector! About The ShowFrom Defector Media: Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 2, 2023 • 23min
You're Not Making Jet Engines, You're Making Art
Last night, the Writers Guild of America authorized a strike which began at 12:01AM Pacific Time on Tuesday, May 2. The best explanation we’ve heard of why this is necessary was from our March 9th episode with TV producer and member of the WGA bargaining committee Michael Schur. We’ve broken out the clip from this episode on its own here.This conversation starts with a short discussion about Republicans’ misuse of "woke," but, at 04:22, segues directly into media company executives' ignorance and refusal to reevaluate how they compensate creatives.Support the WGA however you can, and look out for picket lines to join or make sure not to cross them.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 27, 2023 • 51min
How Fast Can You Push This Button? with Rivers McCown
NBC Sports and Football Outsiders’ Rivers McCown joins Drew and Roth to preview the NFL Draft! What are the Texans going to do, is it worth drafting a supposed future superstar RB in the first round, and is the S2 Cognition test just 2Wonder2 Lic? And as always, Guy of the Week and the Funbag!Give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About
https://www.golongtd.com/p/part-3-qb-bryce-young-has-the-s2
https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1650572735809216515
https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/nfl-gm-has-brutally-honest-admission-on-this-years-draft-class
Sponsors- Betterhelp: Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/distraction Credits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector! About The ShowFrom Defector Media: Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 20, 2023 • 52min
Allergy Talk! with Lauren Theisen
Defector’s own Lauren Theisen joins Drew and Roth because [Drew sings the NHL 94 organ music] the NHL playoffs are here again! We get the essential information: most fun team, most annoying team, most hateable coach, and much more. And as always, Guy of the Week and the Funbag!Give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Sponsors- Athletic Greens, which is giving you a free 1-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/DISTRACTION Credits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector! About The ShowFrom Defector Media: Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 13, 2023 • 54min
My Legacy is a Few Tweets with Kelsey McKinney
Defector’s own Kelsey McKinney joins Drew and Roth to catch up all the news that they missed when they were on spriiiiing breaaaaak, like who we should root for in the NBA Playoffs and how Mavs decided to not make the NBA playoffs. But it wouldn’t be a Kelsey episode without a Normal Gossip update and taking the temperature of Philadelphia’s sports scene. And as always, Guy of the Week and the Funbag!Give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About- https://twitter.com/david_j_roth/status/212767135901024256 Sponsors- Shaker and Spoon - Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/distraction Credits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector! About The ShowFrom Defector Media: Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 6, 2023 • 45min
Distraction Spring Break!!
This episode is just like Spring Breakers, except both Drew and Roth have white dreadlocks. It’s a full spread of your favorites: spring break memories, commenters’ worst drinks ever assembled, and both voicemail and written Funbag questions!Give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Stuff We Talked About
https://defector.com/season-of-the-oaf-with-ken-pomeroy?commentID=43f8e58f-3ac5-470b-a770-8d97c1216415
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/eli_manning_leaves_everyone_confused_with_sloppy_joes_photo/s1_127_33544961
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/01/magazine/the-best-sandwich-ever.html
Sponsors- Wildgrain, where you can get $30 off the first box plus free Croissants in every box using code DISTRACTION at Wildgrain.com/DISTRACTION Credits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector! About The ShowFrom Defector Media: Former Deadspin writers Drew Magary and David Roth should really stick to sports. Sure, their new indie sports podcast will break down the week in sports: the Mets grounding into quadruple plays, NBA players getting testy on the court and horny on Instagram, Bill Belichick cutting 80% of his roster just to keep himself interested, horrifying takes from sports talk radio that need to be broken down, etc. But these two men and their guests will have their fair share of off-the-field issues they’ll also have to address: stupid Funbag questions, bad tweets from bad people, pointless food arguments, and even less. Every week is a VERY long week these days. We could all use a little Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.