Real Sports Podcast

Real Sports Podcast

Go even deeper into the award-winning coverage of Real Sports with exclusive conversations with correspondents, sports figures and experts on the Real Sports Podcast. This bi-weekly series is hosted by Real Sports producer Max Gershberg. The podcast offers an insider look at stories from the latest episode of the show. It also takes a look back at pieces from across the archive, revisiting the show’s biggest interviews and stories. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, including HBO Max. And watch new episodes of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, every month on HBO Max.

Episodes

“Chechen Warlord Hosts MMA Fight-Club” with Karim Zidan

July 8, 2022 • 40 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by journalist Karim Zidan. Zidan has reported on Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov since 2017. It’s been reported that  Kadyrov uses an MMA fight-club as an apparatus of power and military might and Zidan joins to speak to the unusual events taking place. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho...
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“The History of the AR-15“ with Zusha Elinson

June 7, 2022 • 35 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Zusha Elinson, reporter from the Wall Street Journal who is currently writing a book on the history of the AR-15. Zusha has reported extensively on guns in America, including how the AR-15 has become its favorite sporting gun. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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“Depression Among Elite College Athletes“ with Daniel Eisenberg

May 13, 2022 • 18 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Daniel Eisenberg, a professor of health policy at UCLA who specializes in mental health. They discuss the recent mental health crisis among collegiate athletes, potential solutions, and the importance of highlighting these issues. Eisenberg also happens to be a former athlete, having played soccer at Stanford. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...
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“Jake Paul: Problem Child“ with Chris Mannix

April 21, 2022 • 33 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by boxing writer for Sports Illustrated and broadcaster for DAZN, Chris Mannix to comment on David Scott’s piece on Jake Paul. They comment on the polarizing aspects of Paul, from his past to what his future may look like in the sport of boxing. Mannix shares his excitement around the influence Paul is having on the arguably fading sport and how he’s changing the game. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gum...
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“Fighting the Gray“ with Jay Glazer

April 7, 2022 • 27 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by NFL reporter Jay Glazer to revisit a portion of Bryant Gumbel’s 2011 piece on the well-connected “scoop artist.” Jay opens up about his personal mental health struggles, opening his own unique MMA gym and launching a project designed to bond football players with military veterans. Jay also weighs in on the latest from the NFL.  Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/li...
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“Home Schooled“ with Jalen Rose

March 23, 2022 • 35 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by former collegiate and NBA basketball star, turned broadcaster and educator, Jalen Rose to talk about tackling one of his home city of Detroit’s biggest problems, a suffering school system and the effect it has on low-income African American students. Jalen reflects on his own experiences that led him to create the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy and pivoting from NBA star to educator. Watch Real Sport...
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“The Sports World Freezes Out Putin“ with Michael Payne

March 9, 2022 • 30 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by the former Marketing Director of the International Olympic Committee, Michael Payne to reflect on Bernard Goldberg’s 2016 IOC special report. They examine the response the sports world has taken against Vladimir Putin, the significance of recent announcements and why it took so long for organizations like the IOC to break ranks. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/lis...
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“Bitcoin Beach“ with Kate Rooney

February 23, 2022 • 36 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Kate Rooney of CNBC to examine the surfing hotspot El Zonte, a rustic beach town on the shore of El Salvador that is attempting to rebuild their economy around Bitcoin and reimagine how it’s used in their daily lives. Kate Rooney weighs in on El Salvador serving as a test cast for the financial world, and what Bitcoin’s future might look like.  Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See om...
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Exclusive: The Untold Story of The Washington Football Investigation

February 2, 2022 • 29 mins
With the NFL still concealing the results of its investigation into the Washington franchise and its alleged culture of sexual harassment, the Real Sports Podcast uses interviews with former team employees – many of whom have never spoken publicly before – to shed light on what may be hidden in the league’s confidential report. Host Max Gershberg is joined by Real Sports producer Katie Melone. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel ...
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“Show Me The Money” with Keith Whyte

January 26, 2022 • 34 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Keith Whyte, the Executive Director for the National Council on Problem Gambling to examine the post-legalized sports betting world. Everyone wins except for one group -- the gamblers who become addicted. They discuss the fallout from sports betting in the UK and what should be done in the USA. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Lear...
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“Olympians in Debt” with Johnathan Cheever

January 13, 2022 • 31 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Jonathan Cheever, former Team USA snowboarder and 2018 Olympian to discuss the lack of revenue from the United States Olympic Committee flowing back to athletes. John Frankel’s 2018 report kicks off a conversation about what American athletes must do to fund their dreams, the cost of training and what should be done about it. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/listen...
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“A Year in Review” with Bomani Jones

December 20, 2021 • 29 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Bomani Jones, host of HBO’s “Game Theory with Bomani Jones”. They look back at the major stories over the past year, from star athletes serving as vaccine advocates, legal gambling in sports, and activism. Bomani hands out superlatives, including who he thinks was the best team to watch this past year. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...
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“Playing for Peanuts” with Harry Marino

December 10, 2021 • 29 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by former ballplayer turned lawyer and Executive Director of the organization Advocates for Minor Leaguers, Harry Marino to look back on Jon Frankel’s 2018 report about the pay disparity minor league baseball players are facing in comparison to their Big League counterparts. They discuss the core issues facing minor league players and what to do next.   [The interview starts at 13:50.] Watch Real Sport...
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“The University of Michigan Sexual Abuse Trouble” with Dr. Amos Guiora

November 24, 2021 • 35 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Professor of law at the University of Utah and author of “Armie of Enablers’ Survivor Stories of Complicity and Betrayal in Sexual Assault”, Dr. Amos Guiora. Dr. Guiora discusses sexual assault alligations from former Michigan Wolvarines who were alleged victims of longtime athletic doctor, Robert Anderson. They comment on the missteps of The University of Michigan, and the motivation of an enabler. ...
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“The NHL’s Problem with Pain” with Daniel Carcillo

November 4, 2021 • 32 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by former NHL Hockey Player, Daniel Carcillo to talk about his beliefs around the distribution of prescription pain medication and NHL culture. He also reflects on his friendship with the late Steve Montador who suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). We look back at the 2018 report about the NHL’s seeming refusal to acknowledge a connection between dangers of a violent game and potential ...
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“The Fallout From Jon Gruden’s Emails” with Andrea Kremer

October 21, 2021 • 28 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Real Sports Correspondent, Andrea Kremer in an attempt to make sense of Jon Gruden’s leaked emails, and what this means for Mark Davis and the Raiders. They discuss the original investigation and how this could impact the NFL and team owners moving forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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“Making New Strides” with Mary Cain

October 6, 2021 • 34 mins
Host Max Gershberg catches up with running prodigy Mary Cain from January 2021. Mary reacts to her former coach Alberto Salazar’s suspension being upheld. Mary talks about her inspirations to create her nonprofit, Atalanta NYC and what her goals are personally and professionally.  [The interview starts at 20:20.] Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about ...
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“Love & Loss: Living in the Shadow of 9/11” with Jon Frankel

September 23, 2021 • 34 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Real Sports Correspondent Jon Frankel.  Jon Frankel opens up about ESPN Reporter Adam Schefter reaching out to him when entering a relationship with a 9/11 widow. Jon looks back at the grave day and reflects on the similarities and differences between him and Schefter with respect to marrying 9/11 widows and becoming fathers to their sons. [The interview starts at 15:35.] Watch Real Sports with Brya...
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“The Case of Race Norms and Dementia” with Dr. Charles Golden

September 9, 2021 • 37 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by Dr. Charles Golden, a Neuropsychologist with experience examining retired NFL players, and diagnosing them with dementia. Dr. Golden talks about diagnoses and related settlement payments being rejected, and how race norms played into those decisions. He later discusses his own examination and findings of former NFL running back, Najeh Davenport. [The interview starts at 20:50.] Watch Real Sports wit...
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“Card Craze” with Mike Gioseffi & Harrison Barnes

August 26, 2021 • 32 mins
Host Max Gershberg is joined by host of the Ringer Podcast, Sports Cards Nonsense Mike Gioseffi to talk about the recently unexpected boom in the sports collecting and trading market and what this means for the future of both traditional and digital collectables. Later, Max is joined by Sacramento Kings Forward and avid NBA Top Shot enthusiast Harrison Barnes to learn more about the NBA Top Shot, how it was embraced and question th...
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