Épisodes

  • Don’t Go Downstairs: Sports, Scandals, and the Return of the Mob Mindset

    Don’t Go Downstairs: Sports, Scandals, and the Return of the Mob Mindset
    Nov 12 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander dive into the NBA’s latest gambling scandal and what it says about the new marriage between sports and betting. From Chauncey Billups’ alleged mob ties to Rick’s real-life brush with Chicago’s Outfit, the conversation connects modern vice with old-school corruption

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    43 min
  • The Shocking (But Not Surprising) Ryder Cup Fans

    The Shocking (But Not Surprising) Ryder Cup Fans
    Oct 12 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander tackle the chaos at this year’s Ryder Cup and what it says about America’s growing lack of civility. From beer-throwing fans to belligerent politics, they connect the dots between golf’s decline in decorum and the country’s broader cultural coarsening. It’s part sports talk, part social commentary, and all classic Smokehouse.

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    37 min
  • Remembering Ryne Sandberg

    Remembering Ryne Sandberg
    Oct 2 2025
    Big John Howell and Rick Telander remember Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg, from the magic of the 1984 “Sandberg Game” to his quiet dignity on and off the field. They share personal stories, reflections from teammates and broadcasters, and even a final voicemail that reveals Sandberg’s grace in the face of illness. A tribute to Ryno as both a Hall of Famer and a genuinely good man.

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    40 min
  • The "How to Do a Podcast Podcast"

    The "How to Do a Podcast Podcast"
    Sep 21 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander turn the mic on their producer, Keith Conrad, for a conversation about the nuts and bolts of podcasting. From publishing schedules and YouTube discoverability to viral gimmicks and old radio war stories, nothing is off the table. It’s equal parts practical advice and good-natured banter about what it takes to stand out in a crowded media landscape.

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    28 min
  • The Mascot Distraction: Smoke, Fire, and Trump’s Culture War Playbook

    The Mascot Distraction: Smoke, Fire, and Trump’s Culture War Playbook
    Jul 30 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander dive into the controversy over Trump’s push to revive racist team names like the Redskins and Indians. They explore how the former president weaponizes nostalgia and grievance to distract and divide, all while Telander shares personal stories—from interviewing Trump in 1986 to a touching tribute to his late dog. It’s a candid, wide-ranging conversation about sports, politics, culture, and the cost of not evolving.

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    45 min
  • Sammy, Steroids, and Saying Goodbye

    Sammy, Steroids, and Saying Goodbye
    Jul 24 2025
    Big John Howell and Rick Telander dive into baseball’s most controversial era, reflecting on Sammy Sosa’s return to Wrigley Field and the lasting impact of steroids on the game. They revisit the infamous Lee Elia rant, Hall of Fame ethics, and the blurred line between performance and integrity. The episode ends on a heartfelt note as Rick shares a moving tribute to his late dog, Bear Bear.

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    48 min
  • Pete Rose, Perfectionism, and the Price of Redemption

    Pete Rose, Perfectionism, and the Price of Redemption
    Jul 11 2025
    Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader, was banned for gambling—but now, posthumously, Major League Baseball has finally lifted the ban. In this episode, Big John Howell and Rick Telander revisit Rose’s complicated legacy, from his obsessive drive to win to his long-delayed confession. Along the way, they dive into the ethics of gambling, steroids, and what it really takes to be a legend.

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    37 min
  • Fake Stories, Real Rants, and the Rise of the Machines

    Fake Stories, Real Rants, and the Rise of the Machines
    Jul 4 2025
    What happens when a major newspaper accidentally publishes AI-generated nonsense? Big John Howell and Rick Telander dig into the Chicago Sun-Times’ recent “Heat Index” fiasco, where fake book blurbs created by AI made it to print—and readers noticed. From newsroom cost-cutting and the future of journalism to AI writing sports columns, war strategy, and even architecture, this episode is a deep (and often hilarious) dive into what happens when machines take the wheel.

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    37 min