The Distraction: A Defector Podcast
1) Batteries Are Woke, Mining is Based with Peter Brannen
Drew and Roth are joined by Peter Brannen, author of The Story of CO2 Is the Story of Everything: How Carbon Dioxide Made Our World to talk about CO2’s role in our lives, past and present. Should CO2’...Show More
2) Eat As Much As You Can and Get Out
Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a Drew and Roth solo episode this week, and they talk about Roth’s latest artistic discovery, Drew’s hometown, and, of course, their Thanksgiving food plans. Then, they’re joi...Show More
3) Reptile Epicurean Delights with Nathan Thornburgh
Food journalist and founder of the newly-revived website Roads & Kingdoms Nathan Thornburgh returns to the podcast after many many moons. Where’s he been this whole time? Well it turns out, lots of pl...Show More
4) You Depraved the Manner of Men with Stefan Fatsis
Stefan Fatsis joins Drew and Roth to talk about dictionaries! For his new book, Unabridged: The Thrill of (and Threat to) the Modern Dictionary (out now), Stefan embedded with Merriam Webster, and eve...Show More
5) An Emergency Private Podcast with Rohan Nadkarni
Rohan is back with Drew and Roth to talk about the Mamdani win and what it could mean for the political future. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of sandwich talk as well! Then, they talk about the Dolp...Show More
6) My Hobby is Sleeping
It’s a Drew and Roth solo joint this week! They start with the World Series and how it’s good! Really good! Then, does the NBA gambling scandal matter? And finally, Drew is NOT making any predictions ...Show More
7) Becoming A Failson with Justin Halpern
Our good buddy Justin Halpern (of Harley Quinn and Abbott Elementary fame) takes some time away from his luxury box to return to the show for a World Series preview. The ALCS & NLCS were packed with h...Show More
8) Quantum Mechanical Quarterbacks with Seth Wickersham
Seth Wickersham, senior writer at ESPN (and former high school quarterback) joins Drew and Roth to talk about his latest book, American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback. They talk about what bein...Show More
9) Smack Barm Pea Wet with Eli Yudin
Comedian and writer Eli Yudin joins Drew and Roth to talk about his new special, Humble Offering! He shares what it’s like making a living in comedy today without having oil money offered to you. Then...Show More
10) MLB Playoffs Preview! with Lauren Theisen
Defector’s own Lauren Theisen joins Drew and Roth to preview the MLB playoffs, and the first game featured Lauren’s Tigers beating the Guardians on the road?? Then, they talk about the WNBA Finals bei...Show More