Dear Adam Silver

Dear Adam Silver
  • 5.0 (46)
  • Sports
  • Updated Monthly

This show is an artist's take on sports — I believe both art and sports have the power to translate and help us reconsider the largest social issues we face. On each episode, we will be discovering and discussing the many connections between the two alongside artists, athletes, journalists, commentators, critics and fans.

  1. Jun 7

    Episode 99: Sister Meg (Smithson) Believes in the Knicks and Has Some Thoughts

    Sister of the Co- Host, Meg Smithson, is on to discuss her own journey with basketball and her on the ground takes on Knicks fever! Works Cited: Link to article about Mitchell Robinson's political beliefs. Please share, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts.

    56 min

  2. May 29

    Episode 98: James Hamilton Returns for Olympics Rant/Ode + Posters Basketball Show Reflection/Season II Preview!

    We are excited to welcome back Emmy Award-winning writer, comedian and producer ⁠James Hamilton ⁠to the show! James is the host of the Posters Basketball Show (season II coming soon...) and has worked with NBC Sports, VICE News, PBS, The Moth Radio Hour. He is on the show to discuss his experience covering the Winter Olympics and the nitty gritty behind producing a show like Posters. You can find James on both Instagram ⁠@thejamham⁠ and X ⁠@thejamham⁠ too. And ⁠Youtube ⁠and ⁠Tiktok⁠! Please share, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts.

    1h 18m

  3. Apr 28

    Episode 97: Maria Molteni on Cosmic Courts, Corporate Cowardice, and Divine Losers

    Dear Adam Silver favorite Maria Molteni is back on the show! Previously a guest on episodes 32 (and introduction to their art practice) and 85 (featuring a conversation about the collaborative Senda/Sedna zine), Maria joins to discuss their ever evolving multifaceted art practice, often made in dedication to and appreciation of basketball, a game they played growing up in Tennessee . This conversation focuses on the ongoing arc of their "Altars to the Sky" (intricate, symbolic and place based basketball court paintings which laid the foundations for a national public art movement), their near swish with the WNBA, and how their dreams were crushed by corporate cowardice.” Maria is magical. An artist's artist and a player's player. And it is always a pleasure to have their thoughtful and earnest voice on the show. You can follow Maria on Instagram @strega_maria and @mariamolteni_studio And check out all their work on their website here and support their work by purchasing a jersey or a ball! Click here to check out the work of New Craft Artists in Action (Maria is team captain) and you can follow the collective on Instagram here.  You can follow their Substack Joan's Ark here Learn about and support the work of Arab Resource and Organizing Center here, which organizes to fight for racial and economic justice and the dignity and liberation of our Arab, and Muslim communities. You can also support the Muslim Justice League by clicking here.

    1h 36m

  4. Mar 31

    Episode 96: Blake Gillespie on Basketball Hoops in Concentration Camps

    Blake Gillespie, H-O-R-S-E nemesis and the thinker/writer behind Spirit of Hoops is on the show to discuss his recent essay Will Basketball In Concentration Camps Wake You To Action? This episode focuses on a call to action to push back against the ongoing incarceration of undocumented people across the country, based on their country of origin, the language they are speaking, and the age-old American tradition of discrimination based on skin color. As basketball courts pop up at the camps, Blake has used his history with and love for the game to consider how these spaces are being weaponized to help execute the current administration's immigration policy. In this essay, Blake weaves history into current events in a beautiful, captivating way that creates dots for the viewers to connect and opens up possibilities for response.  Blake is an artist, writer, a dedicated basketball player and most importantly, a human who cares about the world and often understands it through basketball and his experience of the game. You can follow Blake's newsletter ⁠here and follow his instagram Spirit of Hoops here.  Works cited:Pacific Rims  by Rafe BartholomewBig Game, Small World: A Basketball Adventure by Alexander Wolf Ways of Seeing by John BergerLarry Nance Jr. anti ICE t-shirtJapanese American Former Basketball Star Inspired On And Off The CourtNSPM 7Trump urges Australia to give Iran's Asian Cup players asylum

    1h 4m

  5. Feb 22

    Episode 95: Rafi Kohan says accountability is key to healthy trash talk + more

    Author and editor Rafi Kohan returns to the show to discuss some recent happenings in regards to a keynote speech he gave this past fall at a conference for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Rafi was first featured on the show in Episode 88 where we discussed his book Trash Talk: The Only Book About Destroying Your Rivals That Isn't Total Garbage. He is a prolific writer and editor who has written for the New York Observer, Atlanta Magazine, Slate, The Ringer and Men’s Journal among other publications. You can follow Rafi's Substack, where he explored the reaction to his keynote here . And where he also regularly gets into many other topics related to trash talk. Aways an interesting read! Tunisha Singleton and Kyle Green were co-hosts for this episode Works cited: James by Percival Everett

    1h 24m

  6. Jan 24

    Episode 94: Ivan Salcido and the Myth of Hoops

    Artist and educator Ivan Salcido is back on the show to discuss his artwork about basketball, how his family history informs his work and his all time favorite logo design. Ivan was first featured in Episode 59 of Dear Adam Silver. His work is also currently featured in the Get in the Game exhibition that is traveling around the United States. I highly recommend checking out this show if it is coming to a museum near you. Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, rate, review and share!

    53 min

  7. 11/27/2025

    Episode 93: Maryam Amirvaghefi, My Personal Art Crush Who Embraces Losing

    Maryam Amirvagehfi is back on the show (first featured in episode 28) to discuss her art practice in the context of a book that Abigail and Kyle are writing about basketball and art (more on this soon!!!!). Maryam's work is is quirky, pointed, playful and heavy with the language of sports. It is always a pleasure to discuss her process and approach. Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, rate, review and share!

    51 min

  8. 10/16/2025

    Episode 92: James Hamilton and the Why of It All

    Kyle Green cohosts as we welcome Emmy Award-winning writer, comedian and producer James Hamilton to the show. We talk about aging as a basketball fan and player, favorite jerseys, dusty GOAT lists and what keeps us coming back for more. James has worked with NBC Sports, VICE News, PBS, The Moth Radio Hour and his new podcast, Posters, will be dropping soon, so be sure to keep an ear out! You can find James on both Instagram @thejamham and X @thejamham too. And Youtube and Tiktok! Share, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts.

    1h 27m
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5
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

This show is an artist's take on sports — I believe both art and sports have the power to translate and help us reconsider the largest social issues we face. On each episode, we will be discovering and discussing the many connections between the two alongside artists, athletes, journalists, commentators, critics and fans.

Information

  • Creator
    Dear Adam Silver
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dear Adam Silver

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