Best Hot Takes Cold Brews Podcasts (2024)

1
Another Storm, Another Electricity Failure In Texas 36:31

18h ago36:31

36:31

2.7 million Texans in the dark. Why can’t the energy state deliver reliable electricity? And will anyone be held accountable for the apparent lack of preplanning by Centerpoint Energy. What KHOU’s veteran investigative reporter Jeremy Rogalski found has only exacerbated the problems for Centerpoint. Jeremy joins the Jasons to discuss.GuestJeremy Ro…

1
Rough Drafts 36:13

2d ago36:13

36:13

This week, we zoom out a bit as Ben wonders: have the Blue Jays drafted well? Bo Bichette was a great pick (02:14) but since then, the Blue Jays have struggled (09:52) and the repercussions have been massive (21:00). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from MLB.com. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan …

1
The Texas Dems who started “the Biden conversation” 32:29

9d ago32:29

32:29

Texas Democrats are clashing over whether President Biden should remain in the race for the White House. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett says Democrats are scared of their own shadow and have embarked on a terrible strategy, Congressman Lloyd Doggett argues that Biden must drop out and state Rep. Ron Reynolds wants to remove “Vice” from Vice Preside…

1
Setting Summer Strategy 1:01:28

10d ago1:01:28

1:01:28

It’s time to set a summer strategy. Ben and Arden start by discussing the Blue Jays’ best approach to the trade deadline (4:46) before touching on some issues in the bullpen (28:10) and what’s next for Bo Bichette (40:59). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from Sportsnet & Sportsnet 590 The FAN This podcast is produced and soun…

1
The Presidential Debate (SPECIAL RELEASE) 55:36

15d ago55:36

55:36

It was the first time a sitting President has ever debated a former President. And now that the first Biden/Trump showdown is in the books, did either candidate move the needle with voters, especially those who don’t like either candidate? In this special release, our Y’all-itics panel of political experts discusses what the candidates did right, a…

1
Time For a Reset? 1:05:09

15d ago1:05:09

1:05:09

The way things are going, it’s time to look ahead to 2025. Ben and Arden start with a big-picture look at the franchise (00:34) before discussing Orelvis Martinez’ suspension (19:05) and the vibe around the Blue Jays (25:25). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from MLB.com. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christ…

1
The Texas Teen Who Could Force Big Tech to 'Take it Down' (EARLY RELEASE) 42:32

17d ago42:32

42:32

Elliston Berry was only 14 when a classmate created fake pornographic images of her that quickly spread on social media. But the courageous teen hasn’t just shared her story, she’s also inspired the TAKE IT DOWN Act, bipartisan national legislation that would protect victims of real and deepfake non-consensual intimate imagery. In this episode of Y…

1
DELAY, DELAY, DELAY. What is Texas DPS hiding? 43:56

21d ago43:56

43:56

Think you know what happened in the Uvalde massacre? The public hasn’t seen a sliver of the evidence. Now, more than two years later, a Texas attorney walks us through the legal fight to get DPS to finally reveal what a Texas court has ordered it to release. GUEST: Laura Lee Prather, Attorney | Haynes Boone…

1
Let the Kids Play 47:17

24d ago47:17

47:17

First it was Barger and Horwitz, now Orelvis Martinez is up, too. This week Ben and Arden discuss the Jays’ recent plateau (00:26), where they’d have to be to justify buying (21:06) and the state of the depleted Jays bullpen (42:04). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered b…

1
Greed and The Grid: Texas energy expert's theory about our high electricity bills 34:58

28d ago34:58

34:58

As we get ready to simmer through another summer in Texas, keep an eye on the grid. The fragility of electricity supply in Texas has been an issue since the near total collapse of the grid in the winter of 2021. University of Houston Energy Fellow Ed Hirs says the 'fixes' since haven't been enough. He sees the potential for summer days where supply…

1
Jays in the Murky Middle 1:14:00

1M ago1:14:00

1:14:00

The Blue Jays are below .500, but they’re still in the Wild Card mix (07:58). Ben and Arden discuss the Spencer Horwitz promotion (34:43), how much patience veteran hitters deserve (45:29) and the open fifth rotation spot (55:26). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by C…

1
The Worst Little Squatter House In Texas 37:59

1M ago37:59

37:59

It is not a crime in Texas for someone to claim your house as their own. State lawmakers finally plan to fix it.GuestTerri Boyette, Mesquite HomeownerState Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-HoustonBy WFAA

1
Chasing the Elite 56:06

1M ago56:06

56:06

Two months in, the Blue Jays are looking way up at MLB’s elite teams. Arden and Ben break down the team’s playoff chances (11:36), Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s move to third (26:00) and some big pitching questions (42:35). Additional audio from Sportsnet & Sportsnet 590 The FAN Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound eng…

1
‘This is Chernobyl’ on Texas soil 41:29

1M ago41:29

41:29

Johnson County ranchers say their cattle, fish and horses are dying and getting sick because of fertilizer spread on nearby farmland. That fertilizer is made from treated human waste and it comes from the city of Fort Worth in the next county over. Ranchers say runoff from the fertilizer has made their land useless, so they’re suing. And the battle…

1
Running Hot and Cold 55:51

1M ago55:51

55:51

The Blue Jays are hitting again, but they have real questions elsewhere (3:40). Ben and Arden start with a look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (11:24), before discussing Alek Manoah’s health (25:18) and the state of the bullpen (33:06). Additional audio from Sportsnet & Sportsnet 590 The FAN Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced …

1
The Texas Congresswoman Who Claps Back 29:43

2M ago29:43

29:43

SYNOPSIS:Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett isn’t afraid to bite back. She has gone viral again for defending herself against a personal attack from U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia. In the 10-days since she called Greene a ‘bleach blonde, bad built, butch body’, memes have popped up online, flowers have come in to her office and she says so…

1
Big-League Stew 1:06:23

2M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

The home run jacket. The trade deadline. Steward Berroa. Arden and Ben cover big topics on this week’s ATL, breaking down the Jays’ struggling bats (07:44) and deadline options (36:44) before giving the rotation some credit (50:35). Additional audio from MLB.com Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by …

1
Texas Historian: The 24 Traits That Make These 8 U.S. Presidents The Best 44:05

2M ago44:05

44:05

Less than six months before we elect our next president, a Texas attorney says there are leadership lessons that eight former U.S. presidents can teach us. Some of these led the country during badly divided times. What will history think about Biden and Trump 50 years from now? The Jasons get a history lesson in this episode from Talmage Boston, au…

1
The Time for Results Is Now 58:44

2M ago58:44

58:44

Big picture, the Blue Jays have some big looming questions (00:19). Arden and Ben break down the team’s upcoming schedule (09:52) before giving Yimi Garcia some credit (23:47) and wondering what’s next for Alek Manoah (35:20). Additional audio from MLB.com Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christ…

1
‘Red Dawn’ Republicans and Dads with Daughters 50:22

2M ago50:22

50:22

There are two groups of Republicans in four states that could decide the next presidential election. The Lincoln Project, a group of former Republican political strategists, has its eyes set on these voters, thinking they will be enough to defeat Donald Trump. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Lincoln Project reveals one line of messaging that wo…

1
Pressure Increasing on the Blue Jays 1:12:15

2M ago1:12:15

1:12:15

Coming off a challenging road trip, Ben and Arden get into how the next several weeks could impact Toronto’s strategy at the trade deadline (01:49), some short-term adjustments the club could make, (30:39) and Alek Manoah’s return (56:19). Additional audio from MLB.com Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound enginee…

1
Why Texans Should Demand Lawmakers Tackle The Childcare Crisis 36:41

2M ago36:41

36:41

$11.4 Billion. That’s how much it’s costing Texas every year for failing to provide adequate childcare for working families. And researchers at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT-Austin say the crisis should be one of the paramount policy issues facing lawmakers when they return to Austin next January. Bottom line: if families can even find dec…

1
Where Do the Jays Go From Here? 1:12:25

2M ago1:12:25

1:12:25

The Blue Jays can’t score and it’s costing them. On this week’s episode, Shi Davidi joins Ben to discuss the state of the offence (00:31) and pitching (35:06), the possibility of trades (53:17) and where it will all lead this summer (1:08:00). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from MLB.com. This podcast is produced and sound en…

1
Texans say yes to border policies, but a big fat no to vouchers 42:17

3M ago42:17

42:17

They’re Governor Greg Abbott’s biggest priorities: border security and school vouchers. But a new poll by the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation (THPF) makes it clear that while Abbott, and Republicans, are winning big with one, the other issue is a major political loser. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons hit a patio with THPF CEO and former…

1
Still Searching for Offence 1:01:54

3M ago1:01:54

1:01:54

It’s never quiet with the Blue Jays. On this week’s episode, Arden and Ben discuss a costly mistake by their first baseman (00:52) plus the possibility of lineup changes (14:24) and the state of the team’s pitching (24:51). Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Additional audio from MLB.com. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christia…

1
“We’re gonna go so far to the right that we’re wrong.” 22:28

3M ago22:28

22:28

He does not do a lot of interviews. State Rep. Glenn Rogers, a conservative Texas Republican, lost his re-election last month after a pricey misinformation campaign against him. Despite a very conservative voting record, Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz, and billionaire backers campaigned against him because Rogers opposes school vouchers. So, is th…

1
Power Hungry 1:09:03

3M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

A few more homers would solve a lot for this team. Arden and Ben start by discussing the Blue Jays’ recent bullpen decisions (00:20) before giving the rotation some credit (32:47) and trying to make sense of the lineup (41:06). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Chri…

1
Why Texas secession would be "highly problematic" 38:38

3M ago38:38

38:38

Talk of secession has gotten a little louder these days, amplified by the so-called “Take Texas Back” pledge. The site devoted to the pledge boasts that dozens of Republican candidates and officeholders have signed up, promising to support legislation that would push Texas to leave the United States under certain conditions. This has all been talke…

1
Into the Swing of Things 1:08:03

3M ago1:08:03

1:08:03

Two steps forward, one step back. The Blue Jays have some reinforcements coming (10:05) but there are real questions in their bullpen (18:30). Plus, Arden and Ben discuss John Schneider after he got booed at home (48:24). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: atth…

1
Is Ken Paxton unstoppable? 40:25

3M ago40:25

40:25

Ken Paxton is on a winning streak: acquitted in his Senate impeachment trial, successfully defeating some fellow Republicans on Super Tuesday, and most recently Paxton got the criminal charges against him finally dropped after nine years. So, is Ken Paxton the most powerful Republican in Texas? One of the state’s top Democrats – who tried to take t…

1
A Week on the Roller Coaster 1:04:30

3M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

Well, it’s been quite a week. From no-hitters to late comebacks, Arden and Ben break down everything on the Blue Jays starting with their pitching (11:09) before assessing their bats (36:31) and some defensive decisions (54:56). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Chr…

1
Finally, Texas has Taxation WITH Representation 47:16

4M ago47:16

47:16

It’s almost time for the dreaded property tax appraisals in Texas. For the first time, Texans will get a real say in the process. The board overseeing central appraisal districts have always been appointed. A new state law requires at least three members to be elected. Chandler Crouch, a real estate broker and expert in protesting property taxes, s…

1
SPECIAL RELEASE: ‘Prison was never a possibility.’ Why the special prosecutor settled criminal charges with Ken Paxton. 15:36

4M ago15:36

15:36

Ever since settling the criminal case against Attorney General Ken Paxton, special prosecutor Brian Wice told us he has been excoriated by people who think it was a bad move. So why did he do it? And why won’t specifics of the deal be made public? We had lots of questions after this bombshell news broke. Wice made the decision and he took our call …

1
What’s Ahead For the ’24 Jays? 1:07:00

4M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

With the 2024 season about to begin, Arden and Ben start with the latest news out of Blue Jays camp (00:39) before discussing the high stakes for the coming season (38:07) and whether the team has enough bats (53:02). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan…

1
Save the machines! Hand-counting ballots did not work 27:49

4M ago27:49

27:49

Turns out, Republicans made errors hand-counting votes. The GOP in Gillespie County (Fredericksburg) did not trust machines to count the votes on Super Tuesday. So, they did it themselves. By hand. 8,000 ballots. And they made mistakes in every precinct. Jessica Huseman, the editorial director of Votebeat, was there on election night and joined the…

1
Jays Tested With Injury Concerns 1:03:54

4M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

First Danny Jansen, and now some high-leverage relievers. Ben and Arden discuss the injured Blue Jays (00:56) before wondering about the roster’s versatility (25:24) and taking stock of Joey Votto’s progress (39:16). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan …

1
Texas isn’t an oil and gas state. It’s an energy state. 38:15

4M ago38:15

38:15

There have been several times recently when 60% - 70% of all the power consumed in Texas came from renewables. And in January, the state set a new solar production record, topping out at over 14,000 megawatts, more than enough to power San Antonio and Austin. Life is so good for renewables in Texas, a new study funded by the oil and gas industry fo…

1
Votto Deal Adds Intrigue at Blue Jays Camp 56:56

4M ago56:56

56:56

Well, Joey Votto’s a Blue Jay. Arden and Ben break down his minor-league deal (1:48) before discussing the readiness of the team’s top prospects (16:42) and the Jays’ rotation questions (30:18). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio…

1
Is Rotation Trouble Brewing for the Jays? 1:05:36

4M ago1:05:36

1:05:36

Two pitchers sidelined in one week. Arden and Ben share a few spring observations (3:54) before discussing the rotation questions bubbling up for the Blue Jays (12:25) and moving on to some more positive storylines (31:16). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Sho Alli and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: at…

1
Texas Election hangover edition 40:43

4M ago40:43

40:43

How do you beat a Republican in Texas? Move further to the right. And in many ways, that’s exactly what happened in Texas during the primary. But one of the biggest surprises of the night happened on the Democratic ballot. In this election hangover edition of Y’all-itics, the Jasons and our panel experts discuss the results of the GOP civil war, th…

1
A woman will likely lead Mexico this summer. Will she impact border politics? 45:06

4M ago45:06

45:06

Mexicans elect a new president this summer and two women are competing for the top job. How might they impact our politics, our shared border, and the hundreds of billions of dollars in trade that move across it? Laura Collins, an immigration expert at the Bush Institute and Jennifer Apperti, a former Mexican diplomat who now leads SMU’s Mission Fo…

1
The Good and Bad From Spring Training 1:03:46

5M ago1:03:46

1:03:46

Alek Manoah’s back on the mound, so Arden and Ben break down his debut (15:35)! Later the pair discuss the latest on Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman (27:34), before sharing some under-the-radar spring storylines (45:40). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian R…

1
What else is flooding over the Texas-Mexico border 29:49

5M ago29:49

29:49

The border politics dominating conversations have long overshadowed the importance of all the other stuff flooding over the border from Mexico. And the bickering, bloviation and incessant battling is negatively impacting the Texas economy and our wallets, a loss of more than a billion dollars in output and thousands of jobs. Dr. Ray Perryman is the…

1
Bench Bats, or Long Shots? 1:13:59

5M ago1:13:59

1:13:59

Two new deals change the look of the Blue Jays’ bench – maybe. Arden and Ben weigh in on Vogelbach and Escobar (15:58) before discussing the top remaining free agents (37:08) and Hyun Jin Ryu’s Jays legacy (53:20). Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan an…

1
Election 2024: Is Texas breaking its own law? 45:44

5M ago45:44

45:44

It is an election system designed to find cases of illegal voting, keep voter rolls accurate, and make elections cheaper and more efficient. But Texas, and eight other Republican-led states, abandoned the program without any plan to replace it. That is bad news for Texas voters and the bill comes due on Super Tuesday, March 5. In this episode of Y’…

1
Nikki Haley in Texas. Unedited. 14:04

5M ago14:04

14:04

She’s the only major Republican presidential candidate left standing not named Donald Trump. And former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley hit Texas recently to raise cash and build momentum leading up to Super Tuesday on March 5. But everything’s bigger in Texas, including Trump’s lead. In this early release episode of Y’all-itics, candidate Hale…

1
A New Season Begins... 1:06:58

5M ago1:06:58

1:06:58

With spring training now underway in Florida, Arden and Ben weigh in on Alek Manoah’s fresh start (01:04) set expectations for the offence (20:43) and examine some spring training misconceptions (46:27). Additional audio from MLB.com Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by …

1
The political theater of Eagle Pass, TX 41:38

5M ago41:38

41:38

Many residents of Eagle Pass, Texas, say they’ve had enough. But they’re angry with the Texas Governor, not the migrants crossing the border. They just sent him a letter, accusing his rhetoric of putting the community in danger now that armed militias are actively showing up after hearing the Governor’s words. In this episode of Y’all-itics, a loca…

1
Next Stop, Jays Spring Training 1:14:00

5M ago1:14:00

1:14:00

What an off-season it’s been. Arden and Ben start by discussing the Justin Turner signing (05:35) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s arbitration win (33:51) before taking stock of where the Jays stand in the AL East after a trying winter (50:03) Additional audio from MLB.com. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca This podcast is produced and sound enginee…

1
Is Ken Paxton a Flight Risk? GOP lawmaker goes unplugged. 56:16

5M ago56:16

56:16

Our guest this week decided to go public with what so many Republican lawmakers have said in private. State Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, does not have a primary opponent and is free to speak openly and boy does he in this episode with the Jasons. Patterson goes unplugged about Paxton, the far right disruptors in the Texas GOP, Republicans in Con…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Hot Takes Cold Brews Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide