Bub’s Pub Podcast

Dan Drews
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Sports

Welcome to Bub’s Pub, the podcast where the conversation flows as freely as the beer (BYOB!). Join host Dan ”Bub” Drews and his rotating cast of characters, including regular Brennen Roberts, as they dive headfirst into the kind of chats you’d overhear at your favorite neighborhood watering hole. If you’re a Chicagoan navigating the wild world of sports (Go Bears? Go Cubs?), the latest flicks, shows, books, the joys (and occasional terrors) of fatherhood, and maybe even some grown-up business talk (without getting too serious), then pull up a virtual stool. We’re serving up opinions, laughs, and maybe even a little unsolicited advice, all with a distinctly Chicago suburban flavor. So grab your beverage of choice and join the Bub’s Pub crew! It’s like hanging out with your buddies, without having to leave the house.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep.83 - Bears stomp Seahawks; College football matchups; High School football playoffs; $6.3 Billion crypto theft!; Malcom Gladwell's new book; The Kindness Mob

    Bub’s Pub has a packed menu, and Dan and Brennen are bringing more than football to the table. The episode outline kicks off with Chicago’s 34–17 win over Seattle and Jeffery Simmons’ arrival, then looks ahead to Tampa Bay—a team coming off a win without completing a single pass. Apparently, the passing game was an optional upgrade. A Halloween draft also promises a spirited review of disappointing giveaways: the treats nobody wants taking up valuable candy-bag real estate. College football supplies its own drama, with Illinois escaping Maryland on a last-second field goal, Indiana and Minnesota trading 60-yard kicks, and a slate of heavyweight matchups ahead. Meanwhile, Illinois high school playoff scores of 80–31 and 88–84 practically demand a double-check that this is still football. The latter game even needed a different field after darkness intervened—the sunset, at least, stuck to its schedule. The rundown also includes a World Series wrap-up and a discussion of what other teams might learn from the Brewers. A reported $6.3 billion Binance cryptocurrency heist?  Why it isn’t a bigger story? Dan and Brennen’s planned discussion puts that staggering figure alongside historic bank heists, considers Binance’s size, and touches on the reported withdrawal halt, promise to cover losses, and freezing of some stolen assets. Malcolm Gladwell’s new book, The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic. Topics include how medical care affects violence statistics, comparisons of U.S. and European public-safety spending, interpretations of the Second Amendment, and the distinction between planned, goal-oriented violence and reactive violence. The Kindness Mob offers an upbeat finish: countering online bullying with positive, encouraging comments. From Bears optimism to big-picture questions, this episode outline has plenty on tap—and closes with a welcome reminder that the internet could use a little more kindness.

  2. 6d ago

    Ep.82 - World Series on the line; Bears win; College QB's; Bulls rough start; Military super dogs and Dr. Evil lasers

    Dan welcomes Brennen Roberts back to Bub’s Pub for a wide-ranging tour through sports, family updates, and the wonderfully weird corners of the news. The pair catch up on Parents Weekend at Mizzou, a furnace replacement that arrived just in time, and the arrival of new sponsor Seniors Helping Seniors before diving into a World Series finish that put the champagne back on ice. From there, it’s full-speed ahead through the Bears’ win over New England, Caleb Williams versus Drake Maye, trade-deadline possibilities, and a Monday-night matchup with Seattle. College football gets its turn after Illinois knocks off Oregon, while the Bulls’ rocky start prompts equal parts concern, curiosity, and hope for Caleb Wilson. The conversation also checks in on Illinois basketball, the changing college-sports landscape, and a WNBA scheduling mess. Then the episode leaves ordinary sports talk behind for military super-dogs, real-life laser weapons, and a three-year-old soccer phenom who was apparently too dominant for the league. In short: Chicago sports, college chaos, futuristic dogs, lasers, and one tiny striker causing grown-up problems—just another perfectly normal afternoon at Bub’s Pub.

  3. Oct 21

    Ep.81 - John O'Donnell gives a breakdown on the Patriots, Boston and Election news; Bears beat Falcons; College football upsets; High School Football Playoffs

    Pull up a chair at Bub’s Pub! Guest John O’Donnell joins Dan Drews and Brennen Roberts for an episode with a distinctly Boston flavor—and plenty of Chicago football on the menu. The lineup pairs a look back at the Bears–Falcons game with a Bears–Patriots preview, tapping John’s Boston sports perspective for a little cross-town conversation. There’s also the ultimate armchair-GM question: Caleb Williams or Drake Maye? No actual front-office experience required. Beyond the NFL, the notes tee up college football surprises, and Illinois high school playoff talk. John’s guest spot gets another showcase in the “Best of Boston” draft: three people, three rounds, and nine picks celebrating the city’s things, people, places, and teams. With only nine slots available, somebody’s favorite is bound to be left on the draft board. The agenda also includes John’s perspective on Illinois government and the approaching November elections, alongside local-government questions and other news follow-ups. Add a catch-up on Brennen’s college-visit weekend and a shout-out to Jim Melton’s half-marathon fundraising for Compassion International, and you’ve got a full table of topics. Come for guest John O’Donnell, stay for the football talk, Boston draft, and a little of everything else at Bub’s Pub.

  4. Oct 14

    Ep.80 - Mike Ditka tributes; Bears debacle; College football upsets; Crazy marathon training; Alberta breaking away from Canada?; Earhart mystery being solved?; Kacey Musgraves' crystal balls

    Dan and Brennen gather at Bub’s Pub to process a weekend that gave Chicago sports fans plenty to grumble about—and everyone else plenty to discuss. They salute Mike Ditka, unpack the Bears’ rough outing against Green Bay, survey college football’s overtime drama and Mizzou’s momentum, and check in on baseball, hockey, and a marathoner who apparently treats the treadmill and Planet Fitness like a second home. The conversation then takes a scenic detour through Alberta politics, the enduring Amelia Earhart mystery, and other wonderfully unexpected headlines...like Kacey Musgraves' "crystal balls". It’s a lively mix of sports analysis, friendly debate, curious stories, and the kind of laughs that make even a tough weekend feel a little easier.

  5. Oct 8

    Ep.79 - Josh Bartzen's Packers/Bears breakdown; Cubs autopsy; White Sox rollin'; CPS crisis; Greenland treaty; AI Super Summit

    Bub’s Pub returns with Brennen Roberts for a wide-ranging sports lap that starts with the Bears steamrolling the Jets and quickly turns toward the main event: Packer Week. The crew revisits last week’s Red Rooster stop and an all-time Illini basketball draft, marvels at Chicago’s ball-control clinic, surveys a lively college-football slate, checks in on Chicago baseball, and still finds room for a quarterback-bust quiz and the usual collection of wonderfully unexpected detours. In short: plenty of stats, plenty of opinions, and absolutely no shortage of material for friendly arguments. Josh Bartzen’s Packers Breakdown Josh Bartzen delivers the episode’s clearest reality check: Green Bay may be 2–2, but the record is wearing a much nicer outfit than the team’s play. Even after a 17–14 win over Tampa Bay, the Packers look less like a smooth-running machine and more like one that keeps flashing a warning light. Beyond the Box Score Greenland: The Greenland pact gets the “quiet story, enormous implications” treatment. The discussion focuses on an expanded U.S. defense footprint, broader access, and oversight of certain foreign-backed investments—a reminder that major geopolitical moves do not always arrive with major headlines. AI summit: The Washington gathering brings together an all-star roster of technology leaders and a big policy question: how much should AI companies regulate themselves? With talk of a White House accord and a coordinating task force, it sounds a little like a superhero team-up—only with more computing power and considerably more paperwork.

  6. Oct 2

    Ep.78 - Bryan Orr and John (Andy) Wright discuss the renovation of the Red Rooster Inn and Brewing Company and Distillery

    On this episode of Bub’s Pub, Bryan Orr joins the fun as Dan welcomes Andy Wright—a big thinker who traded Silicon Valley for Hillsboro, IL and a seriously ambitious local adventure. Andy shares the story behind his renovation of the historic Red Rooster Inn, from taking on a well-worn building with plenty of residents and even more history to restoring it for a new chapter. Then the conversation heads downstairs—and into the brewhouse—as Andy talks about opening Red Rooster Brewing and Distillery, the equipment that can help produce both beer and whiskey, locally sourced ingredients, the science and art of brewing, and the patience required when the whiskey needs years before it is ready. Along the way, the crew keeps things lively with sports, local color, and the kind of friendly banter that pairs nicely with a fresh pour. It is a cheerful mix of old buildings, old friends, new brews, and proof that one bold renovation can give a landmark—and a community gathering place—something worth raising a glass to.

  7. Sep 25

    Ep.77 - Jim Melton at the Pub to discuss Compassion; Chicago baseball is hot; Chicago football is cold; Bulls are simmering; DRAFT of best high school nicknames; World Record cookout?

    Jim Melton joins the Pub for an episode that starts in the sports world and travels well beyond it. We celebrate a rare double dose of Chicago baseball excitement as both the Cubs and White Sox punch playoff tickets, check the temperature on the Bears after a soggy loss and Caleb Williams’ hamstring setback, and bounce through NFL surprises, college football showdowns, Bulls chatter, and a draft of delightfully unusual high-school team nicknames. Then the conversation turns to Jim’s mission trips, what it means to turn good intentions into genuinely helpful action, and the work of Compassion International—including child sponsorship, local church partnerships, and supporting communities with dignity. It’s a thoughtful, encouraging conversation with plenty of laughs, a little perspective, and proof that making a difference doesn’t require a superhero cape—just a willing heart, a good pair of travel shoes, and maybe a strong fantasy-football waiver claim.

  8. Sep 17

    Ep.76 - Matt Scalzo is our guest!; Bears set records; Vikings analysis; College football highlights; debate on public and private high school champs; the poop almost hit the fans at HYROX

    This week on Bub’s Pub, Dan and Brennen welcome a very special guest: Matt Scalzo, the famous host of Hold My Beer Sports and freshly celebrated member of the 100-episode club. Matt brings the energy, the sports takes, and just enough chaos to help steer the Pub through a packed slate of football, baseball, bold opinions, and one extremely unfortunate endurance-racing incident. The crew kicks things off with Matt’s origin story and a shoutout to his big Hold My Beer Sports milestone before diving into college football heartbreakers, comebacks, and rivalry drama. From Duke stunning Illinois to Texas stealing one from Ohio State, there is plenty of room for celebration, second-guessing, and wondering how many times a fan can say, “I thought this game was over!” before it becomes a lifestyle. Then it is on to the Bears, who opened the season by casually dropping 59 points like they were trying to break the scoreboard and the internet at the same time. Caleb Williams gets the early MVP-candidate treatment, D’Andre Swift gets paid, Tory Taylor gets his banana ball moment, and the rookies get their flowers. Matt also helps break down the Vikings after their comeback win over Green Bay, including quarterback questions, Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy defense, coaching, and what Minnesota fans should realistically expect next. The episode keeps rolling with Cubs and Sox talk, a Texas high school football score that looks like someone leaned on the keyboard, and a spirited debate over whether private and Catholic schools should have their own playoff system. The gang also takes a quick detour into AI doomsday headlines before closing with a funny story of the week from the world of HYROX—proof that sports can inspire, horrify, and make everyone in the room very grateful they are sitting down.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to Bub’s Pub, the podcast where the conversation flows as freely as the beer (BYOB!). Join host Dan ”Bub” Drews and his rotating cast of characters, including regular Brennen Roberts, as they dive headfirst into the kind of chats you’d overhear at your favorite neighborhood watering hole. If you’re a Chicagoan navigating the wild world of sports (Go Bears? Go Cubs?), the latest flicks, shows, books, the joys (and occasional terrors) of fatherhood, and maybe even some grown-up business talk (without getting too serious), then pull up a virtual stool. We’re serving up opinions, laughs, and maybe even a little unsolicited advice, all with a distinctly Chicago suburban flavor. So grab your beverage of choice and join the Bub’s Pub crew! It’s like hanging out with your buddies, without having to leave the house.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Drews
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Bub’s Pub Podcast

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