The Distraction: A Defector Podcast
Defector MediaDefector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listen... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 288 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | SportsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Drew and Roth are joined, for the first time ever, by Aaron Schatz, Chief Analytics Officer at FTN Fantasy, ESPN NFL writer, and founder of Football Outsiders! Football data companies are being screwed over by venture capital and aligning with gambli... more
Mike Schur is back, and we’re talking baseball! The MLB has rolled out its automated ball strike challenge system, but how do Mike and Roth feel about it? Will they trash CB Buckner for having six of his six strike calls overturned? Then, Roth must f... more
Ed Zitron is back on the show, because it’s been too long since he last came on to yell at us about AI. And there’s a lot to yell about! To kick it off, we get the latest on the Big AI Companies, and the seriously unethical house of cards they’ve bui... more
Drew is off frolicking on another continent, so it’s time to talk about baseball! Kelsey is back with Roth to swap their first ballpark stories of the 2026 season. Of course, there’s lots of new things to grab your attention at a baseball game this y... more
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Reviews
- Early Women’s Basketball
My grandma always says that she hated the early rules and wanted to play like the boys played.
Apple Podcasts5mickloser
United Statesa month ago - I miss sports lunacy
I haven’t listened to this in a while, then I saw Spencer Hall was going to be on. Cool! Then These self righteous clowns spent the whole time talking over him, not cool! Zzzzz
Apple Podcasts2stinky leftyUnited States2 months ago - Love the show!
Roth is the absolute best! Someone needs to stage an intervention for Drew to get him to stop spreading his horrendous Vikings inspired nonsense that has infiltrated an otherwise stellar podcast. Love that Mina Kimes and Roth called him out for this in the latest episode.
Aside from that, keep up the amazing work!
Apple Podcasts5:The Dude Abides:United States8 months ago - no one better
Love the show, smart, funny, great guests, I should probably start paying for this.
Apple Podcasts5Nick the ....United Statesa year ago - Hmm
I could frankly do without the theme song and Drew’s traditional show-opening catchphrase. Aside from those niggling complaints, it’s a delight.
Apple Podcasts5CM21218United Statesa year ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #247 | United States/Sports |
Apple Podcasts | #195 |  Poland/Sports |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Distraction: A Defector Podcast
What is The Distraction: A Defector Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A fast-talking, conversation-driven show that blends sharp sports analysis with culture, humor, and near-podcast-wide banter. Episodes frequently feature guests from sports media, journalism, and related entertainment worlds, who help unpack topics from college athletics economics to NFL intricacies, travel journalism, and behind-the-scenes media industry dynamics, all interwoven with personal stories, pop culture riffs, and signature reader-fueled bits. The unique rhythm comes from two hosts with strong chemistry, playful sponsor reads, and a willingness to switch from serious analysis to lighthearted riffs about sandwiches, travel, and current events, making it a distinctive mix of expert insight and irreverent humor.
Where can I find podcast stats for The Distraction: A Defector Podcast?
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How many listeners does The Distraction: A Defector Podcast get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Distraction: A Defector Podcast?
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How many subscribers and views does The Distraction: A Defector Podcast have?
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Which podcasts are similar to The Distraction: A Defector Podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Distraction: A Defector Podcast:
1. Nothing But Respect
2. Shutdown Fullcast
3. Pablo Torre Finds Out
4. The PosCast with Joe Posnanski & Michael Schur
5. Guys: With Bryan Quinby
How many episodes of The Distraction: A Defector Podcast are there?
The Distraction: A Defector Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 288 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact The Distraction: A Defector Podcast?
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What guests have appeared on The Distraction: A Defector Podcast?
Recent guests on The Distraction: A Defector Podcast include:
1. Michael Schur
2. Kelsey McKinney
3. Emma Baccellieri
4. Spencer Hall
5. Tom Ley
6. John Cullen
7. Kathryn Xu
8. Patrick Wyman
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.