Best The Chicago Sun Times Podcasts (2024)

1
Larry Keith: Former Sports Illustrated writer, editor 48:56

2h ago48:56

48:56

On writing a book with Digger Phelps and projecting the greatness of Clint Hurdle; on the golden era of print magazines; on Dan Jenkins and Frank Deford and Mark Kram; on watching his beloved publication morph and change; on the legendary editor who smelled of body odor.

1
Annie Costabile: Chicago Sun-Times' Chicago Sky beat writer 50:25

4d ago50:25

50:25

On the rise of the WNBA; on covering Angel Reese as she blooms into a League star; on the complications of Caitlin Clark; on where women's basketball is heading.

1
Eli Saslow: Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times writer 53:58

11d ago53:58

53:58

On the intricacies of his latest article, "A Republican Election Clerk vs. Trump Die-Hards in a World of Lies." On how to convince subjects to open up to a media outlet they don't trust. On working with a photographer.

1
What Caleb will do this summer 18:57

16d ago18:57

18:57

Patrick Finley and Mark Potash break down Caleb Williams' summer plans on the day the Bears start their break.

1
Morgan Jerkins: New York Times bestselling author and two-time National Magazine Award winner 43:18

18d ago43:18

43:18

On Kendrick, Drake and a fool's opinion of their beef; on a beautiful piece between Black-Italian cinematic ties; on Don Lemon as a voice for inspiration; on teaching those who can't write how to write.

1
Halas Intrigue: Breaking down Caleb Williams' minicamp 23:20

26d ago23:20

23:20

As Bears veterans break for the summer, Patrick Finley and Mark Potash break down Caleb Williams' performance during the team's mandatory minicamp.

1
Keith Law, baseball writer for The Athletic 58:42

25d ago58:42

58:42

On the joys of writing about prospects on their way up. On why Kerry Lightenberg and the 2004 Blue Jays drove him to drink. On how a non-journalist from Harvard became one of the best. On dealing with editors.

1
Hard Knock Life 18:05

1M ago18:05

18:05

The Bears will be on Hard Knocks! Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down what it means.

1
Sarah Leach: (Wrongly fired by Gannett) Holland Sentinel executive editor 36:32

1M ago36:32

36:32

On why Gannett did what Gannett does and wrongly fired her for bullshit corporate reasons. On the importance of local media. On a bunch of crazy right-wing zealots overtaking a town's government. On the transition to Substack and the need to report.

1
Caleb Williams' Ups and Downs at OTAs 21:05

1M ago21:05

21:05

Patrick Finley and Mark Potash talk about how the Bears hope Caleb Williams' practice struggles can portend good things in the future.

1
Hugh Ryan: Queer writer and historian, author of, "The Women's House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison" 52:04

1M ago52:04

52:04

On proudly being recognized as "The queer writer ...". On the Manhattan prison that inspired a book. On writing about people and issues who have been largely ignored and scorned. On writing and self-discovery.

1
Curry Kirkpatrick: Legendary former Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine writer 1:02:48

2M ago1:02:48

1:02:48

On the anger of Bobby Knight and the love of Christian Laettner. On why John McEnroe was a brat and why Dean Smith only gave five minutes. On the magic of Sports Illustrated in the 1960s and the splendor of Frank Deford.

1
A New Bears Era Has Begun 16:31

2M ago16:31

16:31

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down Caleb Williams' first day at work — Friday's rookie minicamp practice.

1
Sam Amico: Hoops Wire writer, owner, Grand Puba 43:13

2M ago43:13

43:13

On finding joy in the aggregating of NBA info. On the fight for survival in the modern media landscape. On long-ago hockey fights and BYU-Wyoming games and dog sled races.

1
Chris Cillizza: Longtime CNN, Washington Post/Substack political writer/guru 50:18

2M ago50:18

50:18

On whether being close to politics causes one to look less terrifyingly at politics. On whether CNN is still a worthwhile spot. On why one is better served covering sports than government. On the transition to Substack.

1
The Caleb Williams Era Begins 28:23

2M ago28:23

28:23

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down the new beginning for the Bears.

1
(Almost) Caleb Time 28:02

2M ago28:02

28:02

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down Ryan Poles' wink-and-a-nod acknowledgement that USC quarterback Caleb Williams is his guy and debate whom the Bears should take at No. 9 in Thursday's draft.

1
Tommy Tomlinson: Author, "Dogland: Passion, Glory, and Lots of Slobber at the Westminster Dog Show" 47:20

2M ago47:20

47:20

On the weird coolness of the Westminster Dog Show. On having an open mind to unique scenes and people. On why one writes a book about dogs. On writing through hell.

1
Amy Gutierrez: Emmy Award-winning reporter and author of, "Smarty Marty Takes the Field" 54:33

2M ago54:33

54:33

On the word-choice decisions one must make when writing a children's book. On the (gasp!) Dodger-loving grandma who inspired a character. On why we should cut Barry Bonds a break and why Will Clark is a lovely dude. On the hyper-criticized hug of a Major League pitcher.

1
Richard Hoffer: Former Sports Illustrated, Los Angeles Times writer 42:37

3M ago42:37

42:37

On the highs and lows of chasing around Barry Bonds for six days (and being blown off repeatedly); on what it was to cover Mike Tyson in his prime; on the death of boxing writing; on why he left the business and never looked back.

1
Justin Sayles: Editor/Writer, The Ringer and creator/host of "The Wedding Scammer" podcast 1:01:44

3M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

On the lengths he went through to track down and corner a master scam artist. On whether podcasts have a future as a journalistic medium. On what happens when you don't use material from people you interviewed.

1
Sarah D. Bunting: Lord of all bloggers and founder of Tomato Nation and Television Without Pity 52:23

3M ago52:23

52:23

On the heyday of the blogger and what became of the genre. On why James Van Der Beek earned her scorn. On how one becomes less cruel (for sport) with age. On whether blogs have a place in 2024.

1
Justin Fields Is Gone 30:26

4M ago30:26

30:26

Patrick Finley and Mark Potash break down the Bears' trade of Justin Fields to the Steelers, what it means for the team and for its fans.

1
Cora Hall: Knoxville News Sentinel Tennessee women's basketball beat writer 45:20

3M ago45:20

45:20

On covering the Lady Vols as they approach yet another NCAA Tournament; on making the leap from Ferris State to the big leagues; on women athletes and the passion of self expression; on landing a sweet gig out of college.

1
Keenan Allen Emergency Pod! 14:52

4M ago14:52

14:52

Patrick Finley and Mark Potash break down the Bears' surprise trade for WR Keenan Allen.

1
What are the Bears doing with Justin Fields? 28:20

4M ago28:20

28:20

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down where the Bears stand with quarterback Justin Fields and what they're doing in free agency.

1
Peter King: Retiring Football Morning in America writer 1:04:09

4M ago1:04:09

1:04:09

On wrapping a career after decades of chronicling the NFL; on picking up Boomer Esiason from the airport as a rookie Bengals beat scribe; on breaking the news of Lawrence Taylor's drug suspension for Newsday; on what is good and bad about modern beat writing.

1
Jack McCallum: Former SI basketball writer and author of, "The Real Hoosiers: Crispus Attucks High School, Oscar Robertson, and the Hidden History of Hoops" 53:28

4M ago53:28

53:28

On the untold story of Indiana high school basketball and the team you need to know about; on the brilliance of a young Oscar Robertson; on whether we can still dig, "Hoosiers"; on nearly coming to blows with a Hall of Fame point guard.

1
An interview with Ryan Poles 23:23

4M ago23:23

23:23

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser talk two-on-one with Bears general manager Ryan Poles about Caleb Williams and the No. 1 pick.

1
Franne Golde: BMI Award-winning songwriter 54:17

4M ago54:17

54:17

On the inspiration behind the Commodores' "Nightshift" and Selena's "Dreaming of You." On that first big song for Diana Ross. On the big winners of "We Are The World." On being credited as a writer on Tupac's "Hit 'Em Up."

1
On Justin Fields and his new coordinator 23:17

4M ago23:17

23:17

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down Justin FIelds' reaction to a potential trade and what his new coordinator had to say.

1
Louisa Thomas: Staff Writer, The New Yorker 46:28

4M ago46:28

46:28

On the brilliance of her latest piece, "How Nikola Jokić Became the World’s Best Basketball Player." On how she navigates a subject who doesn't speak with her. On the beauty of tiny details. On whether bad writers can learn to be good writers.

1
Teren Kowatsch: Sports writer, Lewiston (Idaho) Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News 47:51

5M ago47:51

47:51

On coming up through small daily newspapers. On whether quotes bog down stories. On dealing with prep coaches. On whether athletes read newspapers.

1
Ariel Helwani: The Howard Cosell of MMA 1:02:08

5M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

On knowing from a young age what he wanted to do and how he wanted to do it. On a string of irksome and weird conflicts with Dana White. On why interviewing UFC fighters is the best gig in the world. On the difference between wanting a career and craving a career.

1
Joy Sewing: Houston Chronicle columnist 39:22

5M ago39:22

39:22

On being named the first Black news columnist in the newspaper's lengthy history. On what the population misunderstands about Houston's Third Ward. On finding humanity in the recently deceased homeless man. On transitioning from fashion to news after the murder of George Floyd.

1
Mark Mulvoy: Legendary former Sports Illustrated managing editor 1:02:17

5M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

On the dispiriting demise (and end?) of his beloved magazine; on the curious case of Sidd Finch and the decision to tell Michael Jordan to bag baseball; on defending the Swimsuit Issue and a bitter divorce from Frank Deford; on Dan Jenkins and George Plimpton and William Nack and Pat Putnam and Rick Reilly and the world's greatest sports writers.…

1
Michael Farber: Former Sports Illustrated, Montreal Gazette hockey writer 54:14

5M ago54:14

54:14

On why former Expos manager Dick Williams physically assaulted him; on the bliss of writing NHL game stories; on the Canadian appeal of Gary Carter; on the demise of a beloved magazine.

1
Flus Stays! Getsy Goes! 31:32

6M ago31:32

31:32

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down the Bears' big moves.

1
Sean Keeler: Denver Post sports columnist 44:49

6M ago44:49

44:49

On why so many Colorado-based media outlets kneel before Coach Prime; on a long and trying fight to stay afloat as a journalist; on our weirdly combative days as Nashville prep writers; on infuriating Steve Alford and Corey Dillon.

1
Major Decisions Ahead 25:59

6M ago25:59

25:59

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down the Bears' loss to the Packers and what happens next to Matt Eberflus and Justin Fields.

1
It's Packers Week, And Then Some 32:19

6M ago32:19

32:19

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down the Bears in anticipation of the Packers game — and debate what happens next.

1
Bears Win By 20! 20:59

6M ago20:59

20:59

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down the Bears' 20-point win against the Falcons and wonder what it means for their future.

1
James Edwards III: Detroit Pistons beat writer, The Athletic 46:56

6M ago46:56

46:56

On what it's like to cover an NBA team as it loses 27-straight games; on how to approach players when they have no interest in talking; on the empathy of Cade Cunningham; on working a locker room.

1
So What's Next? 29:57

6M ago29:57

29:57

Patrick Finley and Mark Potash break down the upcoming Bears-Falcons game and then turn their attention to what happens at the end of the year. They close out the show by remembering their friend Jeff Dickerson.

1
Danté Stewart: Former Clemson football player, author, "Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle" 45:20

6M ago45:20

45:20

On what a Black man learned about America from white Christianity; on what football players need to know about the system they occupy; on how a Facebook screed became a terrific manifesto; on the book he dreamed of writing.

1
Bears Trump Cards 25:08

6M ago25:08

25:08

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser wonder what, if anything, they can learn from the Bears' win against the Cardinals on Sunday.

1
Debating the Big Decisions 26:09

6M ago26:09

26:09

With the Cardinals game looming, Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser debate the big-picture questions the Bears have to answer at the end of the season.

1
Stanley Pearlman: My father 43:25

6M ago43:25

43:25

My dad, Stan Pearlman, died today of pancreatic cancer. He was 81 and a great man—as well as a beautiful writer. This is his final interview, conducted last week in South Florida.

1
Bob Rose: Former San Francisco Giants, Oakland A's, Cal and Stanford media relations guru 41:54

6M ago41:54

41:54

On why Barry Bonds was such a monumental asshole; on a young Aaron Rodgers soaring at Cal; on the unique decency of Dusty Baker; on the wild, wacky Los Angeles Express of the USFL.

1
Another Blown Game 23:38

7M ago23:38

23:38

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down the Bears' 20-17 loss to the Browns in Cleveland.

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