The Distraction: A Defector Podcast
1) The Provenance of the Lobster with Giri Nathan
Defector’s resident Knicks fan, Giri Nathan, joins Drew and Roth this week! After dropping Game 3, how is Giri feeling about his team? The series seems to hinge on whether or not Victor Wembanyama is...Show More
2) Don’t Tell Anyone How I Live with Leander Schaerlaeckens
Leander Shaerlaeckens (author of the book The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts) joins the show for a World Cup preview! We’ll get the skinny ...Show More
3) A Larry David Look-a-like with David Grann
Drew and Roth are joined by David Grann, bestselling author of The Wager, Killers of the Flower Moon, and other precious tomes, and staff writer at The New Yorker! And, better yet, the Knicks made the...Show More
4) You Can’t Zarf Someone in Pips with Ian Livengood
Drew and Roth are joined by Ian Livengood, an NYT puzzle editor who works on Pips (Drew’s true joy) and the Midi! Ian shares behind-the-scenes info on how puzzles are constructed, edited, and sent out...Show More
5) Look at What They Done Been Through with Patrick Redford
It’s time to get serious about the NBA playoffs, so Drew and Roth welcome fellow Defector and host of Nothing But Respect and Only If You Get Caught Patrick Reford to the show! They start in the West ...Show More
6) Introducing: No Such Thing
We’re excited to share a preview of a new podcast we think you’d enjoy: No Such Thing No Such Thing is a show where three best friends and journalists settle their dumb arguments — and yours — by ...Show More
7) Shodders For The Cup with Lauren Theisen
Defector’s chief hockey officer Lauren Theisen is back! Drew and Roth ask her how it’s possible that the Sabres hadn’t made the playoffs in 14 years. Also, Drew bought a Quinn Hughes jersey while ston...Show More
8) Eating a Super Soaker with a Knife & Fork
It’s a classic Drew and Roth solo joint, and they’re finally talking about currently ongoing sports instead of indulging Drew’s NFL fetish. Is there any reason to believe that this Knicks postseason w...Show More
9) My Car Died In Worcester with Aaron Schatz
Drew and Roth are joined, for the first time ever, by Aaron Schatz, Chief Analytics Officer at FTN Fantasy, ESPN NFL writer, and founder of Football Outsiders! Football data companies are being screwe...Show More
10) Blame It On Pazuzu with Mike Schur
Mike Schur is back, and we’re talking baseball! The MLB has rolled out its automated ball strike challenge system, but how do Mike and Roth feel about it? Will they trash CB Buckner for having six of ...Show More