Russell Westbrook.

In Jenni Carlson’s job as a sports columnist at The Oklahoman, she could probably write those two words in the lede of a column and attract readers. But there is more to Jenni’s job than just writing about Oklahoma football and the Thunder.

She and Brian talk about where she finds ideas for more off-beat columns and the balancing act between writing “off-Main Street” columns with ones about subjects her readers care about. She also discusses how writing is kind of scientific and what the ingredients of a good column are, and makes a good Oklahoma story — beyond just football, tornados and military affiliation.

They also talk about how they relate to current politics through The West Wing, what makes that series so beloved by writers and why you should NEVER invoke Leo McGarry’s name in comparison with anybody in the current administration.