Best Dave Zirin / The Nation Podcasts (2025)

1
Ep 376 - Dave Zirin, Sportswriter on the Side of Justice 1:07:07

2d ago1:07:07

1:07:07

The sports arena is a microscope into our culture, and Dave Zirin is peering through the glass with a thoughtful and searing eye. A longtime sportswriter and commentator, Dave is the sports editor for The Nation, a weekly progressive magazine dedicated to politics and culture. He joins AirGo on this episode to chat about the role of sports as both …

1
Ep 375 - Olga Bautista, Environmental Justice Leader from the Southeast Side 1:20:52

9d ago1:20:52

1:20:52

The guys get back up with Olga Bautista, a longtime collaborator and Environmental Justice leader whose work has reshaped the landscape of Chicago. The Co-Executive Director of the Southeast Environmental Task Force, Olga has been a leading force in the campaigns to defend the Southeast Side from environmental pollution, harmful development, and da…

1
Ep 374 - Rep. Delia Ramirez, People-Powered Congresswoman from Chicago's NW Side 56:25

16d ago56:25

56:25

What the hell is actually happening in Congress in the midst of authoritarian takeover? The guys are joined by Rep. Delia Ramirez, the congresswoman for Illinois' 3rd District, who shares what it looks and feels like to walk into the Capitol under this administration, the ways that the ramp-up of Trump's deportation infrastructure harms us all, and…

1
Thibs Fired! What Are The Societal Implications? An Emergency Pod 1:02:07

17d ago1:02:07

1:02:07

In a special emergency pod, Arya Shirazi joins the show to chop it up about the New York Knicks' decision to let go of Tom Thibodeau. Zirin, Trump Threatens to Withhold New York’s Education Funding Unless Racist Mascoting Returns https://www.thenation.com/article/society/linda-mcmahon-trump-massapequa-chiefs/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ |…

1
Bobbito’s Hoop Dreams 48:16

19d ago48:16

48:16

This week, we speak to the legendary Bobbito Garcia about his new book, Bobbito's Book of B-Ball Bong Bong!: A Memoir of Sports, Style, and Soul. We also talk about his career as an author, his cultural contributions to Hip-Hop, basketball, and sneakers, and his takes on basketball films. You don’t want to miss this episode. Zirin, Trump’s World Cu…

1
Ep 373 - Antonio Gutierrez, Anti-Displacement Organizer Fighting Deportations, Returns 56:41

1M ago56:41

56:41

The guys are joined by Antonio Gutierrez, an anti-displacement community organizer and leader in the multi-decade struggle for undocumented rights and protections here in Chicago. They are a co-founder of Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD), the Albany Park Defense Network, La Guayabita Autonoma Community Garden and the Autonomous Ten…

1
Ep 372 - Listening Party: "In Process" by Liberatory Rapper Damon A. Williams 1:42:20

1M ago1:42:20

1:42:20

From time to time, a Chicago artist drops a new project that the AirGo crew is vibing with–when that happens, we get them on the line for a special listening party episode! Using a few of the project's tracks as jumping off points for the conversation, we dive deep into process, creativity, and growth. For this episode we get to celebrate the new p…

1
Ep 371 - Dixon Romeo, Housing Organizer Fighting to Keep Southside Communities Together, Returns 1:29:57

1M ago1:29:57

1:29:57

What do you do when you see something happening that you know to be wrong? When its something seemingly intractable and massive that will negatively impact you and your neighbors? If you're Dixon Romeo, you start organizing. Dixon is the Executive Director of Southside Together, a new organization building power by organizing Black, poor, and worki…

1
The Book MLK Historians Are Learning From 2:08:52

2M ago2:08:52

2:08:52

This week, we speak to Jeanne Theoharis, author of the groundbreaking new book King of the North: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life of Struggle Outside the South. It is a deep dive into the remarkable political work that Dr. King accomplished north of the Mason-Dixon line and in southern California. Theoharis has uncovered a treasure trove of informati…

1
Ep 370 - Alex Ding, Co-Director of National Anti-War Org Dissenters 1:37:59

2M ago1:37:59

1:37:59

On this episode the guys connect the global dots with Alex of Dissenters, a national organization of young people leading the fight to reclaim our resources from the war industry, reinvest in life-giving institutions, and repair collaborative relationships with the earth and people around the world. As co-director of the organization, Alex has help…

1
The End Times NBA Playoffs 1:18:31

2M ago1:18:31

1:18:31

This week is our long-awaited 2025 NBA preview with hoops savant Arya Shirazi. Even in difficult times, the NBA playoffs remind us of what’s good. Check out our preview. Zirin, Can Steve Kerr Light an Anti-Trump Fire in the Sports World? https://www.thenation.com/article/society/steve-kerr-trump/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitt…

1
Ep 369 - Stanley Howard, Chicago Police Torture Survivor Behind Abolition of IL's Death Penalty 1:12:00

2M ago1:12:00

1:12:00

Dame and Kiss have the honor and pleasure to talk with Stanley Howard, a survivor of torture at the hands of the Chicago Police Department and a brilliant force for justice in the struggles for both torture reparations and the abolition of the death penalty in IL. As a self-taught jailhouse lawyer Stanley created the Death Row 10, a group of tortur…

1
The Rhythm of DC’s Resistance & What's The Deal With UFC? 1:28:24

2M ago1:28:24

1:28:24

This week, we talk to Dr. Maurice Jackson, author of the new book Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience: How Black Washingtonians Used Music and Sports in the Fight for Equality. We also talk to Ari Drennen from Media Matters about their recent study about the politics of the people behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Rhythms of Resistance & …

1
Ep 368 - W. Kamau Bell, Legendary Comedian and United Shades of America Host 1:09:33

2M ago1:09:33

1:09:33

The guys get to chop it up with legendary comedian, author, producer, and commentator W. Kamau Bell on this episode! A renowned standup and TV creator, Kamau has been guiding USians through the nuances, dark corners, and contradictions of our relationship with racial difference and power. For seven seasons, he was the host and executive producer of…

1
What To Learn From A Yearbook 1:34:28

3M ago1:34:28

1:34:28

This week, we talk to Michael Messner, author of the fascinating new book, about what we can learn by looking at sports and yearbooks over the course of a century. It’s called “The High School: Sports, Spirit, and Citizens, 1903-2024.” Also, I’m talking to the savant, Arya Shirazi, about the days when March was truly mad. The High School https://ww…

1
Ep 367 - Maya Schenwar & Kim Wilson, Abolitionist Parents and Editors of We Grow the World Together 1:36:12

3M ago1:36:12

1:36:12

How do our models of care and freedom inform, contradict, or help us understand what it means to raise young people? How does the experience of caring for young people fundamentally shift what we mean by abolition? You might be thinking "damn, those are good-ass questions–hopefully someone has compiled a beautiful anthology of writers and organizer…

1
Rabbis for Justice in Palestine 54:39

3M ago54:39

54:39

This week, we speak to Rabbi Brant Rosen of the Tzedek Chicago Synagogue, a synagogue that claims anti-Zionism as a core tenet of their beliefs. We talk about this perilous moment when an antisemitic administration is weaponizing antisemitism to jail Israel’s critics. We also talk some sports! Brant Rosen https://rabbibrant.com/ Zirin, Jackie Robin…

1
Ep 366 - Trina Reynolds-Tyler, Pulitzer-Winning Journalist Covering Missing Women & Police Misconduct 54:18

3M ago54:18

54:18

On this episode we popped over to the crib of AirGo fam Trina Reynolds-Tyler, who was last on the show back in 2019 (https://airgoradio.com/airgo/2019/4/25/episode-185-trina-reynolds-tyler). Over these past six years she has continued to be a vibrant, impactful force for justice and liberation in the city–from her work contributing the People's Gra…

1
Journalist and Trans Athlete Karleigh Webb & Great Point Guards of Yesteryear 1:56:49

3M ago1:56:49

1:56:49

This week, we speak to Outsports journalist and Connecticut Ambush football player Karleigh Webb about her journey and insights on trans issues in sports. Also, we speak to hoops savant Arya Shirazi about the long-lost days of the court general, who was the point guard. We also remember the late great John Feinstein. Karleigh Webb https://www.outsp…

1
Ep 365 - Adom Getachew, Scholar of Decolonization and Worldmaking in 20th Century Africa 1:20:21

3M ago1:20:21

1:20:21

What happens when an international order comes to an end? What gets built in its shadow? This week's guest, Adom Getachew, digs deep with us into the attempts at worldmaking that were led by anticolonial leaders in the mid-20th century, who fought for different visions of liberation as they fought to dismantle Europe's colonial empires on the Afric…

1
Mapping A US Men’s Soccer Revolution 59:31

3M ago59:31

59:31

This week, we speak to US-born, Rio de Janeiro-based visionary Robert Wilson, whose short volume A Football Manifesto is a brilliant excavation of the systemic, structural problems in US men’s soccer and a radical fan-centric approach to radical change. It’s not just a diagnosis. It’s a wholly original cure. Robert Wilson https://bookshop.org/p/boo…

1
Ep 364 - Fighting Through the Overwhelm with Asha Ransby-Sporn 1:11:31

4M ago1:11:31

1:11:31

AirGo is back, and we're kicking off our 2025 season by welcoming our pal Asha Ransby-Sporn back to the stu. Asha recently published an essay entitled "In the Face of Overwhelm," which serves as a sobering and pointed analysis of how we as a liberatory movement can make sense of and move through the inundation of structural dismantling and violence…

1
“Sports Under Fascism & All-Time NBA Injury What-Ifs” 1:32:21

4M ago1:32:21

1:32:21

This week, we have a talk I gave two years ago about the social function of sports in an authoritarian society. It rings more true today, and I wanted to share it with you all. Also, I talked to basketball savant Arya Shirazi about the injuries that changed the course of NBA history. Zirin, Why Democrats Won’t Throw a Real Punch https://www.thenati…

1
Former NFL Player Chris Kluwe On His Arrest Protesting MAGA 30:04

4M ago30:04

30:04

This week, we speak to former NFL player Chris Kluwe. Kluwe made news this week for his protest of MAGA at a Huntingdon Beach city council meeting, garnering headlines worldwide. We discuss what led to that moment, why he did what he did, and the sports world’s reaction to this administration and what explains it. Zirin, Why Democrats Won’t Throw a…

1
The Sports Doc We’ve Been Waiting For And the NBA at the All-Star Break 1:49:49

4M ago1:49:49

1:49:49

This week we speak to executive producer Arif Khatib and director Steven C. Bernier about their new documentary, Because They Believed: Minority Athletic Trailblazers Who Broke through The Racial Divide. The film is available on all streaming platforms and it's the documentary sports and politics lovers have been waiting for. Also, we talk to hoops…

1
Heavy Luka Theories with Kiese Laymon 1:08:32

5M ago1:08:32

1:08:32

It's being called the most shocking trade in basketball or even sports history: All-NBA guard Luka Doncic was sent from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Everyone is searching for reasons why the Mavericks would throw away Doncic, a generationally great player who is only 25 years old. On Edge of Sports, we break the…

1
The Legendary Robert Lipsyte: His New Book Rhino Run, And How YA Novels Can Save The World 49:24

5M ago49:24

49:24

This week, we speak to the legendary New York Times journalist and acclaimed Young Adult writer Robert Lipsyte. We talk about his new book, Rhino’s Run, the relationship between high school athletes and masculinity, and the galvanizing potential of American football. Al this and more on this week’s pod! https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/7809…

1
Trans Athletes Fight Back and The Golden Age of NBA Centers 1:52:24

5M ago1:52:24

1:52:24

We have two guests, Harrison Browne, and Arya Shirazi, talking about trans athletes and the golden era of NBA centers. This week, we speak to Harrison Browne, the first transgender pro hockey player, about a new book he wrote with his journalist sister Rachel Browne, Let Us Play: Winning the Battle for Gender Diverse Athletes, about how their stori…

1
“Should College Football Die?” 1:04:43

5M ago1:04:43

1:04:43

Body: This week, we come from the famed Politics & Prose bookstore in Washington, DC, where I interview Derek Silva on the new book he co-authored, The End of College Football. His co-author, Nathan Kalman-Lamb, was denied entry to the U.S. from Canada, which we discussed. Thank you, Politics & Prose for permission to use the audio! Zirin, Why Did …

1
No Diamonds: The Most Important Sports Films That Aren’t Baseball 55:12

5M ago55:12

55:12

Hoosiers? Slap Shot? Boxcar Bertha? Today, film savant Arya Shirazi joins the show to talk about the baseball movies that could have been. Zirin, In 2024, the Sports Leagues Watched the World Burn https://www.thenation.com/article/society/sports-2024-year-review/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb…

1
Respair Presents: Carceral Fictions & Abolitionist Realities (Trailer) 5:30

5M ago5:30

5:30

Respair is kicking off the year by sharing a new project that we're proud to partner with and share with you! Welcome to Carceral Fictions & Abolitionist Realities, a series of narrative essays that reflect on emergent themes from conversations with Detroit-based organizers and futurists committed to abolition of police and prisons. Interweaving re…

1
Respair Presents: Carceral Fictions & Abolitionist Realities - Episode 1 56:30

5M ago56:30

56:30

Respair is kicking off the year by sharing a new project that we're proud to partner with and share with you! Welcome to Carceral Fictions & Abolitionist Realities, a series of narrative essays that reflect on emergent themes from conversations with Detroit-based organizers and futurists committed to abolition of police and prisons. This is Episode…

1
Ep 363 - Divest From Despair: EOY Check-in with the Respair Crew 1:40:39

6M ago1:40:39

1:40:39

We get topical with our last episode of the year. Dame and Kiss welcome a couple other members of the Respair squad. The crew talks about a lil’ Luigi Mangione gossip, the inspiring abolitionist projects we’ve seen on the road this year, how Trump’s election win has impacted us all, and much much more. SHOW NOTES Follow AirGo - instagram.com/airgor…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Dave Zirin / The Nation Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide