Two Writers Slinging Yang

Two Writers Slinging Yang

Jeff Pearlman's weekly in-depth, no-holds-barred conversation with a writer on writing. Available here and on iTunes

Episodes

September 2, 2025 56 mins

On how he made the transition from football to social media. On why he likes Donald Trump way, way, way more than I do. On whether it's OK to own past mistakes—and how to do so. On decency with those who disagree.

Mark as Played

On the details and doggedness of a lengthy look at the aftermath of the 1988 New Orleans Saints. On interviewing people after a tragedy. On life on the mid-2000s Kansas City Chiefs beat.

Mark as Played

On the challenges and joys of covering the WNBA in 2025. On what it's like to cover a painfully bad team after always covering great ones. On the differences between Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma

Mark as Played

On the daunting task of line editing some of the all-time great sports writers. On how to improve a piece and how to back off. On the glory days of magazines. On covering Harvard football as an alum.

Mark as Played

On what prompted her to write a book with. former football phenom Todd Marinovich. On how to capture the voice of another person. On what she's learned about the intricacies of the game from being married to an NFL veteran.

Mark as Played

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.

Mark as Played

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Mark as Played

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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

Mark as Played

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Mark as Played

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