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The Athletic Show


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  • 14. Your brain on ping pong, Ilia Malinin's dominance and saving the NBA All Star Game

    39:07||Season 1, Ep. 14
    Senior Writer for The Athletic, Rustin Dodd, and world-class coach Matt Hetherington stop by to explain why table tennis is the ultimate "brain sport." From helping pro athletes sharpen their reaction times to potentially warding off dementia, we explore why you should trade your running shoes for a paddle. With icons like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined for the 2026 NBA All Star Game, Bulls writer Joel Lorenzi weighs in on whether a "US vs. The World" format or a 1v1 tournament save a weekend that’s lost its soul? Also, the "Quad God," figure skater Ilia Malinin often has math-defying performances, but is his technical dominance making the sport "ugly"? We discuss the evolution of scoring, the legalization of the backflip, and more.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffRustin Dodd @rustindoddMatt Hetherington @mhtabletennisJoel Lorenzi @JoelXLorenziMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

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  • 13. Previewing Super Bowl LX, NBA Trade Deadline Chaos and US Skiing's Secret To Success

    40:28||Season 1, Ep. 13
    Zena and Jason welcome Dave DuFour to break down the final preparations for the Big Game, featuring a special sit-down between Robert Mays and Matt Ryan. Also, Jordy Fee-Platt joins the show to share the incredible "backyard" origin story of Olympic skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle and how his family’s "fun-first" philosophy built a gold-medal dynasty. Finally, we dive into the madness of the NBA trade deadline with The Athletic's Joe Vardon - did your team find a missing piece, or are they stuck in the league's new "two-tier" economy? Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffDave DuFour @DaveDuFourNBAJoe Vardon @joevardonJordan Fee-Platt @jfeepEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.
  • 12. Wemby's Evolution, Belichick's Snub And Do We Need Pro Leagues Anymore?

    39:37||Season 1, Ep. 12
    The Pro Football Hall of Fame just delivered the shock of the century by passing on Bill Belichick in his first year of eligibility. Is this a case of "Spygate" karma, or is the Hall out of touch? This week, we dive into the fallout of the snub heard ‘round the sports world. Bryson DeChambeau is at a crossroads that could dismantle pro golf as we know it, leading us to ask: Do we even need professional leagues anymore? From the WNBA’s labor war to the rise of "Unrivaled," we explore how player power is breaking the monopoly. Finally, we go deep on "The Unicorn." The Athletic’s Jared Weiss joins us to discuss Victor Wembanyama’s evolution from a basketball prodigy to a civic leader in San Antonio, proving that the most interesting thing about the Frenchman isn’t his wingspan—it’s his soul.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffJon Greenberg @jon_greenbergJared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.
  • 11. Brady Tkachuk On The USA-Canada Hockey Rivalry And The NHL's Return To The Olympics

    37:30||Season 1, Ep. 11
    NHL players are back on the world stage for the first time in 12 years! Pierre LeBrun sits down with Brady Tkachuk to discuss the fierce USA-Canada rivalry and the race to finish the Olympic arena in Italy before the puck drops. Fresh off the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame announcement, the crew welcomes Zack Meisel to discuss the strange fraternity of players who were nominated but fell into the "one-vote" category. Plus, the team debates who belongs in the inaugural "Hall of Very Good.”Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffPierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrunBrady Tkachuk @WingmenpodZack Meisel @ZackMeiselEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.
  • 10. Inside NFL RedZone, Petty Rivaries And The League's Coaching Carousel

    40:04||Season 1, Ep. 10
    Go behind the curtain of the most intense broadcast in media: NFL RedZone. We explore the secret shorthand, the 200-page research dossiers, and the "shaman-like" stamina of Scott Hanson. Can the NFL’s most addictive show survive without its legendary quarterback? Plus, as the NFL coaching carousel begins to spin, Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff are joined by Dave Helman to play "NFL Owner" and predict where the league's biggest names—from Mike Tomlin to John Harbaugh—will land. Also, is "polite" sports culture dead? We dive into the rising tide of pettiness in the league, from Ben Johnson’s abrupt handshakes to the never-ending Jordan vs. Isiah feud.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffScott Hanson @ScottHansonDave Helman @davehelman_Jayne Bardahl @JaynabardahlEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.
  • 9. Vibe Check: NFL Playoff Previews & the Death of SEC Dominance

    34:34||Season 1, Ep. 9
    Zena, Robert and Jason are kicking off the New Year by digging into the seismic shifts rocking the football world. Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder from The Sports Gossip Show join the show for a special "Vibes-Only" NFL Playoff Preview. We’re ranking every playoff team from "Immaculate" to "Horrific" and spilling the tea on the off-field drama you might have missed—from front-office feuds to Jordon Hudson’s latest correspondences. Plus, after Indiana’s historic 38-3 dismantling of Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Miami’s upset over Ohio State, The Athletic’s Chris Vannini joins the set to answer the question: Is the SEC’s era of untouchable dominance officially over? We also turn our attention to the disaster in the desert. After a 3-14 season, Pete Carroll is officially one-and-done with the Las Vegas Raiders. We examine the enigma of owner Mark Davis: Why can he build a dynasty with the WNBA’s Aces but can’t find his footing in the NFL and is Tom Brady the only person who can save the Silver and Black.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffChris Vannini @ChrisVanniniChalotte Wilder @TheWilderThingsMadeline Hill @mad_hillEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.
  • 8. Steve Kerr on dealing with Father Time + Saving or scrapping the NBA Cup

    35:08||Season 1, Ep. 8
    Zena Keita sits down with Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr for a remarkably candid conversation about the "inevitable" end of the Warriors' dynasty. Kerr opens up about the "beauty in the struggle" of chasing one last ring, facing his own retirement, and what life looks like after coaching Steph Curry. Then, The Athletic’s senior writer Sam Amick joins the crew fresh from Las Vegas to break down the NBA Cup results. The team plays a game of "Save It or Scrap It"—debating whether the league should keep the In-Season Tournament, how to fix the load management crisis, and if rule changes are needed to bring intensity back to the game. Plus, a look at the imminent "passing of the torch" from the league’s aging superstars to the next generation, a trade market preview, and a new edition of "Learning Feels Good."Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffSam Amick @sam_amickEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.