Welcome back, sports fans. In the latest episode of The Press Box podcast, Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker dive into a bunch of topics that blur the lines between media, sports, and politics.
Bari Weiss’s controversial memo to her new employees? That’s in there. So is Marc Maron’s emotional farewell podcast with Barack Obama.
They also spotlight some wild moments in college football, like Indiana coach Curt Cignetti’s larger-than-life personality and Kurt Warner’s stunned reaction to the Broncos-Jets game.
Plus, they riff on the worst questions lobbed at the White House, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and more. There’s a lot to chew on, so let’s hit the highlights.
Bari Weiss’s Memo: A Threatening Tone?
Bari Weiss, once the New York Times opinion editor, is back in headlines after sending a memo to her new team at her media company.
Bryan and David debate whether her memo feels threatening or just plain assertive. Weiss’s exit from the Times was big news, and now her new venture keeps pulling focus.
Context and Implications
That memo has stirred up a debate about workplace culture and management in media. People are asking what it means for employee morale and the ethics of running a modern newsroom.
It’s got folks wondering how these new media startups are carving out their identities in a world that’s changing fast.
Marc Maron’s Farewell Podcast with Barack Obama
Marc Maron said goodbye to his podcast audience in a pretty moving episode, with Barack Obama as his guest. They talk about Obama’s hesitation to jump into social media and why he’s not speaking out more these days.
Obama’s Social Media Reluctance
Obama’s careful approach to social media is a real outlier compared to today’s political scene.
Bryan and David dig into why he’s so reserved online—and what that means for public conversation and politics in general. Kind of makes you think, doesn’t it?
Football Audio of the Week
This episode serves up some of the most entertaining moments in college football. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti stands out, almost like he walked out of a Dan Jenkins novel.
And then there’s Kurt Warner, who couldn’t believe what he was seeing during the Broncos-Jets game. Honestly, who could?
Indiana Coach Curt Cignetti
Curt Cignetti’s got a personality and coaching style that really set him apart. He brings a bit of unpredictability to college football, and it’s honestly a breath of fresh air.
His interactions with players and the media break up the usual monotony you see in the sport.
Kurt Warner’s Reaction to the Broncos-Jets Game
The Broncos-Jets game? Total chaos, for all the wrong reasons. Kurt Warner’s reaction summed up what a lot of fans were thinking—just plain bewilderment.
Sports are wild like that. Sometimes, even the pros are left scratching their heads.
Other Highlights
They also touch on a few other gems, including:
- The worst questions asked at the White House: A tongue-in-cheek look at some truly awkward questions reporters have thrown at officials.
- The Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week: They poke fun at the jokes on Twitter that just won’t quit.
- They’re Running: JB Pritzker edition: Some thoughts on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s maybe-sort-of political ambitions and how the media’s handling it all.
Pentagon Press Access and Media Piss Test
Things get serious for a minute when Bryan and David talk about Pentagon press access. There’s a real conversation here about transparency and how hard it is for journalists to get info from the government.
Challenges in Press Access
They highlight just how tough it’s gotten for reporters to get straight answers from the Pentagon. It’s a sign of bigger problems facing the media these days—government secrecy, tighter controls, all of it.
David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline
To wrap up the episode, David Shoemaker takes a shot at guessing the strained-pun headline of the week. It’s a light-hearted segment that always seems to bring a few laughs.
The hosts’ wit and camaraderie shine here, and honestly, it’s just a fun way to end things.
If you want to dig into these topics more, you can catch the full episode of *The Press Box* podcast over at The Ringer.
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