The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

Drew and Roth are podcasting from Atlantic City, so this episode is extra impressive considering they’re glued to slot machines for the whole recording. In the first half, they’re previewing the World Series, giving a final eulogy for the 2024 Mets, and wondering how Yankees-y are these Yankees when they pick off other teams’ best players. In the second half, they wrestle with the immortal debate of our time: do we delight in the demise of Deshaun Watson or Aaron Rogers more? And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners.Stuff We Talked About Resigned Jason Bay: "Well, I'm A Met Now" - The Onion Dodgers Lifehack: Just Don't Chase, Dummy | Defector 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- Betterhelp, where you can get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/distractionCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NBC News’ Rohan Nadkarni joins Drew and Roth for Sandwich Talk, Chicago and The Bear edition! After that, they continue to wrestle with the ethics of Tua returning to the Dolphins because the AFC is all messed up and most QBs are either bad or ok and expensive. In the second half, Roth opines on the scrappy Mets…but Rohan doesn’t think they're all that scrappy. And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners.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- United by Blue, creators of sustainable apparel and outdoor gear. Use code distraction for 20% off at https://unitedbyblue.com- Tab for a Cause - Raise money for charity while browsing the web at tabforacause.org/distractionCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jason Schreier, Bloomberg journalist and author of the new book Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, joins Roth to talk about what’s been going on with the company that makes Warcraft and Overwatch. Along with Defector comrade Luis Paez-Pumar, they discuss what the story of Blizzard means for the story of gaming as a whole and the similarities between media companies and games companies, especially when comparing Blizzard and G/O Media. Don’t worry, they balance it out by naming so many guys who were on the Jets and Nets in the 2000s and diving into the Funbag.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- Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order at https://blueland.com/distractionCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re just some NFL guys, watching the players run around like miniatures in a Warhammer 40k game. In the first half, Drew revels in his incredible mood because the Vikings are the main characters of this football season and Roth is taking considered interest in how good Aaron Rogers could be as a color commentator. In the second half of the show, Drew and Roth reflect on two historic entities in baseball: Ohtani inventing the 50/50 club and the White Sox slouching towards 121 losses. And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering real voicemail questions from real listeners.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!Stuff We Talked AboutWe Must Address The Tom Brady Crisis (The Crisis Being That He Stinks) | DefectorSponsors- Wildgrain, where you can get $30 off the first box plus free Croissants in every box using code DISTRACTION at https://wildgrain.com/DISTRACTION- Betterhelp, where you can get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/distractionCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector’s own Maitreyi Anantharaman joins Drew and Roth for a September sports roundup. They discuss NFL Week 2: are the Lions bad, is Sam Darnold the MVP, and are we genuinely concerned about Tua’s brain? Onto baseball, as we’re on How Are You Doing? Watch for Maitreyi as they talk about the on-the-cusp Tigers. Finally, they preview the WNBA playoffs and dive into the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners.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!Stuff We Talked About The Panthers Have No Hope Under David Tepper | Defector Listen to new White Sox play-by-play announcer John Schriffen make his first home run call Column: Should the Chicago White Sox make a change in the TV booth in 2025 or keep the status quo? What's Everyone's Deal Again? A Quick Guide To The WNBA's Second Half | Defector Sponsors- Factor, where you can use promo code distraction50 at https://factormeals.com/distraction50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month while your subscription is active.- Betterhelp, where you can get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/distractionCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector’s own Israel Daramola joins Drew and Roth to ring in the college football and pro football seasons. And that means it’s also is-college-football-falling-apart-with-the-NIL-and-12-team-playoff season and pro-athletes-getting-harassed-by-cops season. And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners.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!Stuff We Talked About Florida State Stinks Up The Joint A Guide To CFB's Power Conference Realignment Why Rambo Only Kills ONE Character In First Blood  Sponsors- Cornbread Hemp, where code distraction will get you 25% off your order at https://cornbreadhemp.com- Shaker and Spoon - Get $20 off your first box at https://shakerandspoon.com/distractionCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former comrade and now ESPN’s own Kalyn Kahler joins Drew and Roth to preview the NFL season with the fastest ever recorded game of GOOD/BAD. As you can see by the run time, “fastest” still means you’ll get your money’s worth. But before they dive in, Kalyn previews her new podcast Spiraled, which is like Hard Knocks meets Serial meets the Duggar family. If you want to hear ex-NFL players say things like “Christianity is too soft,” then check it outDo you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Former NFL Players Who Joined a ‘Cult,’ and Why Ex-Packers Star KGB Was Tasered in Court Kahler: Matt Eberflus's glow-up is more than facial hair Malik Nabers to wear No. 1 with permission from Flaherty family New Panthers coach Dave Canales had a 'secret life' of porn addiction and binge drinking  Sponsors- Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order at https://blueland.com/distraction- Betterhelp, where you can get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/distractionCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the dawwwwg days of summer, so Drew and Roth hanging out by the podcast pool! First off, it turns out when everything isn’t terrible, they actually like talking politics. Drew and Roth discuss if Trump merch will ever become ironic and if the Democrats actually get it. Then, baseball! Which is more impressive: Ohtani joining the 40/40 Club or the White Sox losing their 100th game the 2nd fastest in the Modern Era? And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners.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 https://wildgrain.com/DISTRACTIONCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Best-Friend-of-the-Pod Rohan Nadkarni joins Drew to bounce back from the dark place they were in when he was last on the podcast. Now there’s a new Democratic nominee, JD Vance is constantly beefing it, and college football is on the horizon! That’s so much to be excited about (and do a Hater’s Guide to College Football). But first, Rohan has some opinions on Why Your Team Sucks and there’s always time for a story about weirdness on international air travel. And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners.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- Mint Mobile, which is offering a 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://mintmobile.com/distraction- Betterhelp, where you can get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/distractionCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector’s own Rachelle Hampton joins Drew and Roth to welcome her into the Defector family of content! But Rachelle explains why she’s hanging her Blue Yeti up in the rafters. After Media Talk, they turn to the Olympics, where they decide if they have to hand it to the IOC for doing a good job in Paris. In the back half of the show, Drew runs a thrilling game of Which GOP Hearthrobs Will Go Woke or Go Broke? And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners.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!Stuff We Talked About Lost In The Olympics - Defector Arizona llama drama: Escape captures nation's interest The Murdoch Family Is Battling Over the Future of the Fox Empire - The New York Times What It's Like to Be Kidnapped - GQ Sponsors- Cornbread Hemp, where code distraction will get you 25% off your order at https://cornbreadhemp.com- Shaker and Spoon - Get $20 off your first box at https://shakerandspoon.com/distractionCredits- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth- Producer: Eric Silver- Editor: Brandon Grugle- Production Services & Ads: Multitude- Subscribe to Defector!About The ShowThe Distraction is 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 voicemails, 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.