The Distraction: A Defector Podcast

Defector Media
  • 4.4 (2.5K)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

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 voice mails, 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.

  1. 1d ago

    The Last Refuge of Scoundrels with Kelsey McKinney & Alex Sujong Laughlin

    Kelsey is here! Drew is not! Alex Sujong Laughlin is also here to discuss the new season of Try Hard, the first episode of which just came out last week. Alex has written some really good and really scathing stuff about the scourge of The Video Podcast—how is she trying to make this one different and better? Also, Kelsey is about to disappear for a month to write a book. How does she tackle the mental and emotional challenge of locking in for that kind of thing? Finally, Roth is taught about Love Island, and they open up the funbag to answer real questions from Defector readers and Distraction 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 Speedrunning a sewing class, any%FiberA sex barracks & other lustfulnessShaking the ant farmMen learning basic skillsA wombat with the zoomies Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The 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.

    1h 5m

  2. Jun 18

    Sports! (The Human Spirit) with Ray Ratto

    Ray Ratto joins Drew and Roth to talk about two cups, Stanley and World. But first, on a scale of Not Very to Maybe A Little, how happy is Ray for New Yorkers right now? Then, because Drew does not watch nor care about either the Vegas Golden Knights or the Carolina Hurricanes, he asks Ray – was it a good Stanley Cup? Also, the US men’s team looked genuinely good in their first group match. Should we be getting our hopes up for this team? Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from Defector 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 A cat in a blender singing backup for Taylor SwiftIndifference to your joyF**king yourself as good policyBad energy stink linesPenile moves Sponsors - Zocdoc, where you can find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The 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.

    59 min

  3. Jun 11

    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 dialed in. Why has his play in this series been so inconsistent? And why has the reffing been so lousy? Then, Giri talks about his experience at the French Open, and reveals his favorite sandwich he had while there. Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from 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 200-year-old fossilsLittle Long Island Billy Joel aficionadosGoing to town on some sorbettoRichard Dawkins coded Sponsors - Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order - Storyworth, where you can save up to $20 - Download the Reddit app for hot takes, fresh memes, and a group chat that never sleeps Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The 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.

    57 min

  4. Jun 4

    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 on the unique challenge that is hosting a soccer championship in Donald Trump’s America, and how much each team’s homegrown sense of play might contribute to the American style of play - imitation, of course, being the most sincere form of flattery. And we’ll dig our snouts into the Funbag, and get some thoughts about how to name your dog. 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 A tray of lemons to absorb negativityThe calves we’re looking forTying our feet behind our backAndré 3000 (the dog) Sponsors - Raycon, where you can get 15% off - MeUndies, where you can get up to 50% off your first order, plus free shipping Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The 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.

    59 min

  5. May 28

    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 finals for the first time since 1999! Is this the best Knicks team of David’s lifetime? And what celebrity Knicks fan annoys him the most? Could David take Timothée Chalamet in a fight? 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 NBA state of the artMark Cuban’s FollyGame day disguisesCourtside PazuzuLet’s Make a Deal contestant Spike Lee Sponsors - Factor, where you can get 50% off and free daily greens per box - Mint Mobile, where new customers can get three months of premium wireless service for $15 a month Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The 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.

    56 min

  6. May 21

    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 to solvers. Then, they all give their takes on the NBA finals as they stand. And finally, they open up the funbag to help a listener with his mosquito problem. 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 Crazy baby gamesResident sports guyZarfsTaking time in the fillProfessional enablingGetting to queen beeThe optimal way to kill (mosquitos) Sponsors - Reddit, where you can download the Reddit app for hot takes, fresh memes, and a group chat that never sleeps Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The 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.

    54 min

  7. May 14

    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 with the Spurs and Timberwolves, then head to the East where the Knicks swept the Sixers. Are the Knicks, at long last, legit? Then, can Patrick sell Drew on the Cavs/Pistons series? Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from 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 College kid sleeping powersComparing Trader Joe’s haulsMaking the talent feel comfortable, but not TOO comfortablePutting in reps behind the deskBeing the only normies at the Phish concert of a lifetime Sponsors - ZocDoc, where you can find and instantly book a doctor you love today - Reddit, where you can download the Reddit app for hot takes, fresh memes, and a group chat that never sleeps Credits - Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth - Producer: Brandon Grugle - Editor: Mischa Stanton - Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts - Subscribe to Defector! About The Show The 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.

    59 min
  8. Introducing: No Such Thing

    May 11 ·  Bonus

    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 actually doing the research. Hosts Manny Fidel, Noah Friedman, and Devan Joseph start each episode with an argument using just their gut feelings. Then they go out into the world, investigate, talk to experts, and conduct some experiments. Finally, the guys bring their findings back to the group to see if they can change minds, enlighten each other, and move past their emotional truths. Find No Such Thing on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. New episodes out Wednesdays Listen here: No Such Thing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    14 min
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About

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 voice mails, 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.

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