Just Not Sports

If there's a big Boston sports story, MICHAEL HOLLEY probably wrote a book about it. But he's never chronicled a basketball team ... until now. We break down his new book on the turn-of-the-century Celtics' Big Three. That means talking Paul's inflated sense of self, KG's acting chops versus Ray Allen's, why basketball makes for such great books, and the time Michael could smell 'Melo's cologne during an infamous "almost" brawl. Oh, and we get into Stevie Wonder's '70s vs. '80s music, because of course we do. Plus, Brad shares his own Kevin Garnett story about the time KG snuck the F-word into a commercial.

Sports Illustrated copy chief JULIE KLIEGMAN's Twitter bio says "Talk to me about the SpongeBob musical." So here ... we ... are. We go deep on the legacy of the beloved cartoon, the show's manic comedic style, the meme-ification of the characters, why most reporters are Squidwards at heart, and why she loves the human-starring SpongeBob stage show. Then, Gareth and Brad do some old school distractions that include a Princess Di podcast and a reassessment of some truly hated '80s horror.

Comedian DAVID GBORIE had a full-fledged "athletic career," dammit, and you will respect it! We cajoled the co-host of "All Fantasy Everything" and the official Voice of Comedy Central to talk about his days on the high school gridiron, shady Wyoming-based two-a-days, creepy coaches, and that one INT he got that one time. Plus, we talk Denver sports, old-school Sonics, and why "Blue Chips" is a great freaking movie. Then, Gareth takes us back to "Cancer Corner" and we debate why things like that Ted Lasso TV show work against the odds.

ETAN THOMAS is many things. Poet. Writer. Activist. Athlete. We talk about his road from a decade-long NBA career to his new pursuits, which include creative writing, reporting, activism and more. And we guess what he would have brought into the NBA bubble to entertain himself. Then, since it's Halloween time Brad is joined by "Summer Blockbuster" podcast host Steve Warner to break down their all-time favorite horror movie sequels. Which is just straight up not the list you expect, just saying.

It's election season, so we're calling up Congress! This week, we talk to U.S. Congressman SEAN CASTEN (who reps Brad's district in Illinois) to break down his relationship with sports. Growing up a Mets fan in the '80s (and almost missing their fabled Game 6 comeback), coaching his daughters in youth soccer, whether elected officials have time to actually follow sports, athletes speaking out on political topics, and squaring off against U.S. Soccer "ringers" in Congressional soccer matches. Then, Gareth and Brad take a cue from Twitter and discuss things they once found profound but now just ... don't.

You can learn more about Sean Casten here: https://casten.house.gov/

Learn more about voting in Illinois here: https://www.elections.il.gov/

We've spent five years on this show talking to people who play, cover and obsess over sports. But what's life like for folks who just don't care about these games? Reply All's ALEX GOLDMAN (one of our favorite podcast creators) joins to talk about life as a NON-sports fan. He breaks down the only team he ever really cheered for (the '84 Tigers), why he still rocks Tigers gear despite not following the team, mixing up famous sports "Barrys," ignoring Big Ten games in a Big Ten town, and the unfair stigma people often endure for not following sports. Then, Gareth and Brad debate their favorite teams who weren't "their teams." Get ready for lots of nostalgic '90s NBA memories!

Journalist and podcaster JESSICA LUTHER has made a career out of covering some of the most controversial aspects of sports. So when she sits down with a good book, she wants a happy ending, dammit! We break down her passion for romance novels, and their role in sustaining her mental health. Plus, we talk her new book "Loving Sports When They Don't Love You Back" about the complexities and compromises of modern sports fandom. Then, Gareth & Brad continue their Summer of Stephen King by re-reading "The Dead Zone" at, like, the worst time in history to re-read "The Dead Zone."

Go check out the "Burn It All Down" podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burn-it-all-down/id1235386795

Sportswriter, broadcaster and host MAGGIE HENDRICKS loves her some crafts. She's been sewing, baking and crafting (if that's a word) her way through the pandemic, so we break it all down! The art of making your own clothes (and how to brag about it). Teaching herself how to sew (and using her powers to make Captain Marvel fan art). Plus, making sweet corn ice cream, all-time kitchen disasters and more. Then (40:00) Gareth & Brad continue their "Summer of Stephen King" by re-reading the family-friendly feel-good story, "Pet Sematary." Good times!

Denison vs. Kenyon. It's the greatest college sports story you've NEVER heard. A historic 17-year national title streak on the line. Two archrivals separated by a few miles. And a group of dedicated athletes determined to unseat an all-time NCAA dynasty. This is the story of the 2000-01 Denison women's swim team as they tried to pry the Division III national title from the vaunted Kenyon College Ladies. It's the untold story of a great rivalry, and the passion and culture of D3 athletes and swimmers everywhere. (It's also the story of celebratory cough drops, shower pep talks and the smelliest socks in sports history.) And if you know nothing about swimming, we got legends ROWDY GAINES, NATALIE COUGHLIN HALL, MEL STEWART and ANDREW WILSON to explain the nuances of the sport. As we approach the 20th anniversary of this moment, it's time to revisit the Big Red vs. the Lords & Ladies!

For those about to rock ... we salute you! By day, you can find MAURY BROWN reporting on baseball and the business of sports at outlets like Forbes. But by night, he's likely tearing up a stage somewhere. We break down his lifelong passion for playing hard rock and heavy metal. From touring the country (and sleeping in vans) with a hair metal outfit in the 80s, to his current (and wildly popular) AC/DC tribute band Shoot to Thrill, to surviving a GG Allin show -- Maury's been on one wild ride! Then, Gareth and Brad continue our Summer of Stephen King by reading "Different Seasons" ... which is truly upsetting.