Two Writers Slinging Yang

On rising through the ranks at Sports Illustrated; on interviewing a naked 400-pound coach in his hotel room; on the perfect cover letter and approach to landing a job in journalism.

On the dazzling experience of covering a mediocre baseball team; on why college sports demand athletes play (and for free); on leaving a newspaper after nearly two decades and landing on his feet.

On deep diving into the impact COVD is having on education; on finding ways to have parents and students open up and engage; on Texas' oft-strange approach to schooling.

On being inside the U.S. Capitol as the building was under attack; on what it is to be dubbed "the enemy of the people"—then have a mob of angry #MAGA loons come looking for you; on how one can simultaneously be terrified and report.

On how early Hollywood disappointment led to success; on writing Johnny Lawrence—a character who is both loved and hated; on the greatest REO Speedwagon-centered scene in TV history.

On lasting and surviving and thriving at a newspaper; on covering a very young Baker Mayfield; on what sports looks like from a pandemic viewpoint.

On making sure every page of a script includes Christmas; on the art of peppy, smart dialogue; on why Hallmark Christmas movies work.

On landing that first book deal; on tracking down Phil Knight and a Pointer Sister for interviews; on the satisfaction of sitting in an empty book shop and knowing you've arrived.

On giving up a sought-after journalism job at age 28; on working for the ruinous evil empire that is Gannett; on what it is to be a modern newspaper scribe in a crumbling newspaper world; on Derrick Henry and Mike Vrabel and life inside the NFL bubble.

On why one would think, "You know what demands a book? Kiss without makeup!"; on delving deep into the genius that was Blind Melon; on the 1980s New York Jets and life without a literary agent.