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
Oct 28, 2021 • 56min
Please Don’t Tell Anybody How I Live (with Christian Finnegan)
Comedian Christian Finnegan joins Drew and Roth to discuss the World Series, comedy during the pandemic, and what it takes to be a Knicks fan. Plus, questions from the Funbag! Finnegan’s new special, Show Your Work, is available to stream now. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 21, 2021 • 52min
You’re Going to Have to Accept Being a Sloppy Boy (with Patrick Redford)
Drew and Roth talk to Patrick Redford about fun teams to watch this NBA season, goats, optimal WFH background noise, and key takeaways from NBA opening night. Plus, Dead or Canceled and questions from the Funbag! Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 14, 2021 • 56min
It’s a Big World and a Lot of Bad Things Happen in It
This week, the guys discuss performance art, kindness, and Drew’s new book, The Night the Lights Went Out, a captivating account of the traumatic brain injury that left him close to death and his eventual recovery. Plus, the usual fun stuff like Dead or Canceled and Guy of the Week. The Night the Lights Went Out is available now wherever books are sold. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 7, 2021 • 57min
Now I Have Knowledgeable Hate (with Justin Halpern)
Justin Halpern joins Drew and Roth to discuss Red Sox fans, World Series worst-case scenarios, and why everyone should root against the Dodgers in a Hater’s Guide to the MLB Playoffs. Plus, questions from the Funbag! And the guys remember a Padre of the Week. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 30, 2021 • 50min
Drew and David are Doing Fine (with Liz Cook)
Food writer Liz Cook joins Drew and Roth to discuss Arsenal fans, restaurant reviews, Van Halen, and sports movies. Plus, questions from the Funbag! You can find more of Cook’s work at Haterade.substack.com. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 23, 2021 • 55min
The Heartbreak of Learning You Married a Prankster (with Dom Cosentino)
This week, Drew and Roth talk to Dom Cosentino about rookie quarterbacks, AI play design, and slow walkers. Plus, Guy of the Week and questions from the Funbag! You can read more of Cosentino’s work at theScore.com.Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 16, 2021 • 51min
Nicki Minaj’s Cousin is Never Going to Marry You (with Spencer Hall)
Spencer Hall joins Drew and Roth to discuss college football and Alabama’s potential rival, effective pandering, and the difference between blog famous and TV famous. Plus, Guy of the Week, Dead or Canceled, and a special-edition musical mashup! You can find more of Hall's work at Channel 6. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 10, 2021 • 1h 49min
Swag Ahoy! (with the Defector staff)
This week, Drew and Roth gather the Defector staff for a special birthday episode celebrating a year of fart blogs, Twitch streams, and (of course) sports coverage. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 2, 2021 • 53min
I Like to Tell Stories About Types of Guy (with Patrick Wyman)
Drew and Roth talk to Patrick Wyman about the Jersey Shore, USC football, and Jeopardy! drama. Plus, a historical round of Dead or Canceled and questions from the Funbag! Wyman’s book, The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World, is available everywhere books are sold. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 26, 2021 • 1h 1min
What if Eli Manning Had Sex Appeal? (with Andy Behrens)
This week, Yahoo's Andy Behrens joins Drew and Roth to discuss how far they’d go to save a pizza and (of course) the Hater’s Guide to Fantasy Football. Plus, Guy of the Week and a round of Dead or Canceled. Visit Defector.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
