Best Chris Ley Podcasts (2025)

1
Joseph Bien-Kahn: Senior editor, Esses Magazine 52:54

2d ago52:54

52:54

On throwing himself into the world of motor sports without having a PhD in motor sports. On whether media can be saved—and how. On chatting up Laurence Fishburne when Laurence Fishburne has been chatted up to death. On whether this biz is worth it.

1
Julia Poe: Chicago Tribune Bulls and Sky beat writer 48:57

9d ago48:57

48:57

On covering an NBA team vs. a WNBA team. On the phenomenon of Angel Reese and the joy of DeMar DeRozan. On whether she knew what she was talking about back in college. On whether writing can be taught, or is strictly natural.

1
Chris Hine: Minneapolis Star Tribune Wolves beat writer and Ant Edwards biographer 55:41

16d ago55:41

55:41

On how one writes a biography on a young superstar entering his prime. On the wild boredom of Las Vegas summer league. On Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns. On working as an openly gay journalist in 2025 professional sports.

1
Shehan Jeyarajah: CBS Sports College Football Wrtiter 56:11

23d ago56:11

56:11

On his spectacular 5,000-word deep dive into Texas Tech football and the power (and limitations) of NIL dough. On creating content in a confusing time for content creators. On whether the writing dream still lives. On a Sri Lankan dude covering college sports in the deep south.

1
Sergio Olmos: Investigative reporter, CalMatters 1:00:43

1M ago1:00:43

1:00:43

On covering the Los Angeles ICE raids. On the legality and morality behind masked agents arresting brown men. On going from a 1.7 GPA to dropping out of community college to a career in journalism. On the (sustained) hope of America.

1
Bob Ryan: Legendary former Boston Globe basketball writer and columnist 1:05:31

1M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

On how a 23-year-old kid out of New Jersey landed on the Celtics beat for the Globe. On battles with Tom Heinsohn, tragedy with Len Bias. On his time covering the Red Sox and Don Zimmer. On today's journalism landscape.

1
Jeremy Lanuti: Lead singer, Mimicking Mars 51:43

1M ago51:43

51:43

On what it is to be a young singer/songwriter trying to make it in 2025. On writing about an ex-girlfriend without pissing her off. On whether a rocker's talent is truly no illusion.

1
Chris Donnelly: Author, "Get Your Tokens Ready: The Late 1990s Road to the Subway Series" 49:22

2M ago49:22

49:22

On what draws him to chronicling the highs and lows of 1990s New York baseball. On why the 2000s Mets are more interesting than the 2000s Yankees. On the blissful joy of Dave Mlicki. On how he survives these awful times in America.

1
Jonathan Eig: Author of the Pulitzer-winning, "King: A Life" 39:18

2M ago39:18

39:18

On how one wins a Pulitzer Prize. On the moment he learned of the victory. On the impact the Pulitzer has on a career.

1
Bob Ley: Legendary ESPN SportsCenter, Outside the Lines host 1:06:29

2M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

On what he misses (and doesn't miss) from life in sports television. On Chris Berman and Stuart Scott and Rich Eisen. On how media has changed and what he thinks of 2025 journalism. On the highs of the World Cup and lows of a terrifying flight.

1
Langston Collin Wilkins: University of Wisconsin folklore professor and author, "Welcome 2 Houston: Hip Hop Heritage in Hustle Town" 44:36

2M ago44:36

44:36

On the rise of Houston as a hip-hop powerhouse. On the impact of a rapper writing about his home turf. On whether students in 2025 feel the music they listen to. On teaching ... folklore.

1
Dean Van Nguyen: Author: "Words for my Comrades: A Political History of Tupac Shakur." 1:00:33

3M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

On being based in Dublin and digging into American hip-hop. On how Tupac's world view was impacted by the Black Panthers. On the value of "Juice" and "Poetic Justice." On the greatness of Tupac's music.

1
B.J. Schecter: Former Sports Illustrated editor and executive director of Seton Hall's Center for Sports Media 1:03:31

3M ago1:03:31

1:03:31

On the glory days of Sports Illustrated. On the rise and legacy of Grant Wahl. On when he began to see the magazine business change for the worse. On running a college media program and giving students hope.

1
Justin Kanew: Founder of The Tennessee Holler 52:00

3M ago52:00

52:00

On fighting back even after the heartbreak of 2024. On why local politicians fear him. On the highs and lows of being confrontational. On running a long-shot campaign for congress.

1
Sarah Todd: Utah Jazz beat writer for the (Salt Lake City) Deseret News 1:01:11

3M ago1:01:11

1:01:11

On enduring a full season of unfathomably bad basketball played by an organization aspiring to lose. On the nightmarish hell of covering Ben Simmons, the sadness of watching a young Markelle Fultz and the joy of speaking with Lauri Markkanen. On never cowering from confrontation.

1
Gabbie Watts: Stand-up comedian 55:32

4M ago55:32

55:32

On how to know what works on stage vs. what might bomb. On writing a full stand-up routine and having it flow. On the process of creating material and feeling confident in the content. On bombing.

1
Marcus Lattimore: Poet (and former football superstar) 58:54

4M ago58:54

58:54

On discovering his voice via the beauty of poetry. On how the end of a football career brought him to a splendid turning point. On how the words enter his mind, then land on paper. On looking back at the sports machine.

1
John Gonzalez: NBA host and analyst, CBS Sports and former Philly Inquirer, SI and Ringer writer 49:42

4M ago49:42

49:42

On hanging out far, far away with Rick Pitino; on coming up as a print guy and watching the paper and ink fade away; on life at a union-antagonistic The Ringer and a not-what-was-promised Sports Illustrated; on being part of a two-sports-journalist marriage.

1
Mollie Edsell: New York City-based singer/songwriter 52:42

4M ago52:42

52:42

On trying to make it in the music biz in 2025. On driving 2 1/2 hours to play a gig in front of 10 people. On how a song goes from idea to reality. On the difference between good songwriting and epic songwriting.

1
Dick "Hoops" Weiss: Former Philly Daily News and New York Daily News college basketball writer 1:02:04

5M ago1:02:04

1:02:04

On the glorious days and nights of old-school Philadelphia basketball. On whether money has killed the joy of covering the game. On Villanova and Georgetown and Temple and St. John's and ... Delaware.

1
Cassidy Randall: Award-winning adventure writer and author of, "Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women's Ascent of Denali" 56:09

5M ago56:09

56:09

On the audacious attempt by a group of female adventurers to climb Denali. On why the topic moved an author. On why ones covers those who climb, dive, scale, crawl, attack the elements.

1
A.J. Jacobs: Experiential author of "The Year of Living Biblically" and "Drop Dead Healthy" 1:00:11

5M ago1:00:11

1:00:11

On throwing yourself into a subject and refusing to let go. On whether living biblically resulted in biblical living. On the high of a TV show made from your book and the low of it sucking. On surviving the magazine apocalypse.

1
Chris Kluwe: Former Minnesota Vikings punter, writer and activist 48:14

5M ago48:14

48:14

On last week's arrest at a Huntington Beach City Council meeting. On standing up for democracy and being unafraid of the word "Nazi." On taking a stand for LGBTQ rights while playing in the NFL. On how we survive this hellscape.

1
Kevin Damask: Writer-Editor, Department of Veterans Affairs 54:33

5M ago54:33

54:33

On receiving the dreaded Elon Musk notice that his job might no longer be his job. On the importance of helping veterans tell their stories. On interviewing men and women who went through hell—and giving them to space to speak freely. On the highs and lows of the written word.

1
Aaron Portzline: The Athletic's Columbus Blue Jackets beat writer 56:37

6M ago56:37

56:37

On covering the tragic death of Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau; on receiving a kidney from a team employee; on witnessing decades upon decades of mediocre hockey; on the good ol' days of Jeff Juden and minor league baseball.

1
Lindsey Adler, former baseball writer for the Wall Street Journal and The Athletic 57:33

6M ago57:33

57:33

On why she left the Wall Street Journal and why journalism is testing her patience. On the need and use of beat writers in 2025. On life at Deadspin. On surviving.

1
Hamilton Nolan: Terrific political and labor writer; author of "The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and the Struggle for the Soul of Labor" 51:24

6M ago51:24

51:24

On what it was like covering Donald Trump's recent inauguration. On why fools continue to believe Trump cares about them. On whether American democracy can survive. On his early journalism days at Gawker.

1
Gene Wojciechowski: Former ESPN, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune writer 1:05:37

6M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

On the jerkiness of Reggie Jackson and the trash talk of Michael Jordan. On rising from Tennessee Vols walk-on wide receiver to ESPN superstar. On joining ESPN The Magazine. On teaching journalism in 2025.

1
Joanna Cohen, "Days of Our Lives" script writer and former SI staffer 49:04

7M ago49:04

49:04

On the leap from sports journalism to soap operas. On the importance of soaps in American pop culture. On bringing characters back from the dead.

1
Jonathan Feigen: Recently retired Houston Chronicle Rockets beat writer 58:40

7M ago58:40

58:40

On why one spends 27 years on an NBA beat—and why one retires from the gig. On the joys of Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming and Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady. On the worst uniforms in NBA history. On a small Delaware gym and Ralph Sampson.

1
Ted Spiker: University of Florida Journalism Department chair 53:03

7M ago53:03

53:03

On what we, America's journalism professors, should be teaching in 2024. On how to respond to the anti-media onslaught. On the power of surprise classroom guests. On watching a classmate pee in a urinal and receiving an A for the experience.

1
Agnes Lee: The viral children's book author 42:09

7M ago42:09

42:09

On what it is to do a Barnes & Noble signing and have no one attend. On what it feels like to follow that up with a viral video shot by a store employee. On the highs and lows of self publishing.

1
Andy Lee: Former WBO Middleweight Champion and author of, "Fighter." 48:12

8M ago48:12

48:12

On why he decided to write a book that delves into his life and career; on how a boxer knows when it's time to retire; on the strange phenomenon of people knowing about his highs and lows; on whether being an author is worth the trouble.

1
Sam Hollander: All-time great American songwriter 1:11:26

8M ago1:11:26

1:11:26

On working with Def Leppard and Gym Class Heroes and Ringo Starr and Carole King; on the birth—and death—of Bad Ronald; on how one fights to sustain a career in music.

1
David Aldridge: All-time great basketball journalist 53:11

8M ago53:11

53:11

On writing and deciding upon "The Basketball 100." On covering John Thompson's Hoyas and the crappy Washington Redskins. On his love of roundball and why journalism celebrity is nonsense.

1
Megan Stoltz: On-the-rise dark romantasy author 44:38

8M ago44:38

44:38

On using TikTok to try and establish oneself in the writing universe. On the joy of creating Gods and breaking out metaphors. On writing through anxiety, the North Dakota winters and four children. On the efforts to try and find a literary agent.

1
Bill Higgins, former Cape Cod Times sports editor 45:40

8M ago45:40

45:40

On arriving at a newspaper in 1973 and remaining until (gasp) 2016. On the bliss of covering Marvelous Marvin Hagler. On visiting his father's grave after the Red Sox won the World Series. On arriving in the typewriter age of journalism and now being on social media.

1
Chris Stone: Co-Founder, Off-Ball and former Sports Illustrated editor in chief 54:40

9M ago54:40

54:40

On starting up a new sports media platform in 2024; on the reinvention of a veteran journalist; on the glory days of Sports Illustrated; on the misguided anger of a legendary Pittsburgh Penguin.

1
Kalyn Kahler: Senior NFL writer, ESPN 1:10:40

9M ago1:10:40

1:10:40

On the crazy religious cult that gobbled up NFL players. On Jerry Jones' weird tours of the Cowboys facility. On starting out as Peter King's assistant and working her way up. On the joy of dance.

1
Sam Pausman: Writer/Photographer, The Wrangell (Alaska) Sentinel 47:22

9M ago47:22

47:22

On relocating 4,284 miles to take his first journalism job. On working for a weekly paper in a town of 2,000 people. On making connections with folks he doesn't know in a community he doesn't know. On the joys of salmon and shrimp.

1
Louis Moore: Author, "The Great Black Hope: Doug Williams, Vince Evans, and the Making of the Black Quarterback" 49:20

9M ago49:20

49:20

On the importance of Doug Williams and Vince Evans in the rise of the Black quarterback. On why sports history unfairly overlooks Vince Evans. On the scores of unknown Black QBs lost to history. On why Colin Kaepernick should be a Miami Dolphin.

1
Spencer Paysinger: Writer and producer, “All American" and former NFL linebacker 41:46

10M ago41:46

41:46

On what it's like to have your life story inspire a hit TV show. On how one sheds his reputation as (solely) an athlete. On the highs and lows of Hollywood. On whether it's all worth it.

1
Mirin Fader: Author, "Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon" 56:50

10M ago56:50

56:50

On the highs and lows and mental anguish of writing a biography. On trying to convince Hakeem to sit down for a chat. On Ralph Sampson and Pete Chilcutt and basketball glory. On how one selects a subject.

1
Michael Namikas: Author, "The Tupac Encyclopedia: Vol. 1 1:01:23

10M ago1:01:23

1:01:23

On self-publishing a 794-page opus. On how a love of Tupac Shakur drove him to a monumentally ambitious task. On how to sell an Amazon-printed book. On the legacy of a legendary artist.

1
Keri Blakinger: Los Angeles Times reporter and TikTik wizard 39:45

11M ago39:45

39:45

On how TikTok works for journalists. On how to use the platform to expand readership. On the dos and don'ts of it all. On whether wearing makeup matters.

1
Kyle Bandujo: Author, "Movies with Balls: The Greatest Sports Films of All Time." 50:00

11M ago50:00

50:00

On what makes a great sports movie v. an all-time great sports movie; On whether "Field of Dreams" is excellent or trash. On "Teen Wolf" and "Bull Durham" and Gary Coleman as the San Diego Padres manager.

1
Ian O'Connor: Author, "Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers" 1:01:00

11M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

On what to do when a subject agrees to talk to you after your biography is complete. On why we're fascinated by Aaron Rodgers. On whether people want to read about those they dislike. On having your flight experience a bomb threat.

1
Baxter Holmes: ESPN.com senior writer 55:35

11M ago55:35

55:35

On the deep, deep, deep dive into a subject. On being a small-town Oklahoma kid and making it big. On winning a James Beard Award. On surviving in a strange business.

1
Gabrielle Starr: Boston Herald Red Sox beat writer 57:24

12M ago57:24

57:24

On transitioning from self-starting blogged to Red Sox beat writer. On the wild and wayward path to this career. On the sadness of David Ortiz's departure. On earning respect in a rough field.

1
Rick Jervis: USA Today reporter and author of "The Devil Behind The Badge" 47:55

12M ago47:55

47:55

On thinking a book would take one year to complete—then having to go much, much longer. On having sex workers open up to you and your questions. On plopping down in a sink-stained motel. On the dreams/nightmares that come with crime reporting.

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Chris Ley Podcasts

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