Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker are opening the mailbag and answering your Listener Mail. They talk through Joe Biden's first prime-time address, Mike Pence's new podcast, strained puns in the newsroom, and much more (3:30). Later Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune, joins to discuss how his team of journalists are covering recent events in Texas. They weigh in on Ted Cruz fleeing during the snow storm, Greg Abbott lifting the mask mandate, and discuss the controversy around banning the University of Texas's fight song, "The Eyes of Texas" (25:10). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guest: Evan Smith

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices