The Steam Room

After 20 years together on Inside The NBA, Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley still have a lot to talk about. The Steam Room podcast is the new platform for EJ, Chuck, and weekly guests to explore conversations beyond the world of basketball. Grab your bracelet and step into The Steam Room every Thursday… and please, remember to keep your towel on.

Sports
Basketball
26
Gospel of Basketball + Leigh Ellis
69 min
27
Wrapper’s Delight
42 min
28
Overalls Connoisseur + David Alan Grier
Comedy legend and Tony Award winner David Alan Grier drops by The Steam Room to wax poetic about Wolverines football, protest against pickleball, and make a compelling case for the adult onesie. Ernie and Charles debate the College Football Playoff, discuss their favorite TV shows, and the Chuckster divulges a disturbing confession about his daily Diet Coke intake.
58 min
29
Extra Hot, Please + Candace Parker
Candace Parker (too many accolades to list) joins the Steam Room to talk about her future in the WNBA, the joys and challenges of being a sports parent, and seasonal caffeine habits. Charles and Ernie discuss College Football Playoff scenarios, the virtues of being bald, and the debut of a new segment that will warm your heart like extra hot coffee.
67 min
30
Definitely Not Turkey Day + Henrik Lundqvist
(King) Henrik Lundqvist skates into The Steam Room to reflect on his recent induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, his ‘next chapter’ as a fragrance designer, and, well, being so darn handsome. Ernie and Charles share what they’re thankful for, try to make plans to see a Garth Brooks concert, and discuss dating app red flags.
56 min
31
To Ten Thousand More + The Legendary Tim Kiely
The 100th episode (!) of the Steam Room Podcast features special shoutouts from former guests Mark Cuban, Jimmy Kimmel, JJ Watt, and Rex Chapman. This star-studded show is highlighted by a surprise appearance from the long-time, legendary Producer of Inside the NBA, Tim Kiely. Confetti cannons are trickier than you might think.
56 min
32
Bloggers & Tweeters + Draymond Green and Dusty ...
In this Season 5 premiere, Charles & Ernie welcome two sports icons into the Steam Room. Draymond Green stops by to chat about Chris Paul coming off the bench for GSW, what really happened with last year’s team, and defend this year’s team again the Chuckster’s skepticism. Dusty Baker joins to talk retirement life, his role in inventing the High Five, and awe the guys with stories about Hank Aaron and Satchel Paige.
74 min
33
Rhodes Scientist + Travis Kelce
Ernie & Chuck take the show on the road for a very special Season 4 Finale in Miami. 2x Super Bowl Champion Travis Kelce drops by to confess he always wanted his name to be Charles, SNL makes him more nervous than football and he has been practicing non-stop for Capital One’s The Match featuring himself & Patrick Mahomes vs. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson - June 29 on TNT. TK puts the guys to the test with Season 4 Trivia, and forecasts his impending retirement as the legendary longtime Executive Producer of Inside the NBA. Chuck’s Answering Machine is full of reflections from old friends and the guys’ plans for summer.
73 min
34
Top Shelf + Paul Bissonnette
'Biz Nasty' skates onto the show to talk playoff hockey and what it's REALLY like in the steam room with Chuck. In honor of Charles' newest grandchild, Inside the NBA producer Tim Kiely brings the laughs with some LEGENDARY 'grandpa jokes.' EJ and The Chuckster discuss everything from the NFL draft to which movies make them cry, before taking some fun calls from the answering machine.
67 min
35
Not Cake + George Foreman & Khris Davis
What a treat! We’ve got TWO George Foremans in the Steam Room to discuss the release of the upcoming film Big George Foreman — first, the heavyweight champ himself joins EJ and Chuck to to talk about staying fit at 74, naming all his kids ‘George’, and more. Next, actor Khris Davis talks playing the boxing legend, making weight for the role and what it really feels like when you forget a line. Speaking of treats…Chuck eats his words when it comes to his donut preferences.
63 min
36
Disappearing Soap + Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck joins to talk about his new movie Air, including insight into MJ’s relationship with Nike, and the experience of directing his longtime friend and collaborator, Matt Damon. Ernie gives Charles a chance to convince Ben that Krispy Kreme is better than Dunkin Donuts, but some loyalties are non-negotiable. Chuck unpacks a lot of feelings about the men and women’s Final Four, the ‘load management’ details from the NBA’s new CBA, and LIV golfers at the Masters. Come for a story about hotel soap that is just as unforgettable as it is uncomfortable, stay to learn which body parts of autograph-seekers the Chuckster has scribbled on.
62 min
37
Stars Aligned + Jay Wright
Charles opens up and shares his thoughts about Ja Morant. Jay Wright keeps the March Madness mayhem going with his top picks and sleeper teams. The 2x National Champion former HC of Villanova talks retirement, if he’ll ever return to coaching and Chuck doesn’t miss a chance to give out a ‘pretty man’ compliment. TK is all about astrology and compatibility and Chuck’s Answering Machine features calls about rubber duckies, freeloaders and famous Inside the NBA segments.
58 min
38
You Can’t Test Him! He’s Andy Katz!
60 min
39
Ode to Loyal Steamers: Answering Machine Extrav...
On this special edition of The Steam Room, Charles and Ernie take the most calls EVER from Chuck’s Answering Machine. With belated birthday messages, SNL advice for Travis Kelce, a crazy MJ story, and straw debates - it really does have it all. TK also gets Chuck’s honest thoughts on Salt Lake City and Aaron Rodgers' ‘Darkness Retreat.’
56 min
40
Wild Bird Seed + Bomani Jones
Bomani Jones joins to talk about his viral exchange with Jake Paul, the double standard faced by Black Quarterbacks and Black Head Coaches, and the implosion of the Brooklyn Nets. Charles weighs in on what’s going on with Ja Morant, and reveals how much he’s preparing to gamble on the Super Bowl (spoiler: a lot). Much to Ernie’s delight and Chuck’s chagrin, the bird calls keep on coming, America.
67 min
41
Don’t Blink + Von Miller
Super Bowl MVP Von Miller joins to talk about his ACL rehab, Damar Hamlin, Tom Brady's (for real his time) retirement, golfing with Charles, and the Big Game next Sunday. Birders flock to Chuck's Answering Machine to shame him for doubling-down on ornithophobia. Look it up.
60 min
42
Remarkable Souls + Sally Field
The Steam Room honors the life of Ernie’s late mother Lois Johnson, sending thoughts to our beloved co-host and his family. Legendary producer Tim Kiley steps in to pull NFL Playoff predictions out of Charles and answer a few questions from Chuck’s Answering Machine.“Special guest” is an understatement as Academy Award-Winner Sally Field joins Chuck & TK to discuss her new movie 80 for Brady, the ups and (mostly) downs of her beloved Lakers, and that time Charles approached her in a restaurant to confess he had a crush on her.
40 min
43
Top Dawg + Kirby Smart & Candace Parker
Brimming with excitement after Georgia’s second consecutive National Championship, Ernie (class of ’78) welcomes Head Coach Kirby Smart into the Steam Room to reflect on the Dawg’s dynastic run, marvel at the improbable rise of Stetson Bennett, and rub it all in Chuck’s face. Come for the Natty celebration, stay for Coach’s surprising revelation about the infamous leaked audio of his pregame speech. The run of greatness continues with Candace Parker, who drops by to take stock of the NBA season at its midway point, defend her lackluster performance on Celebrity Jeopardy, and debunk Chuck’s theory about bird feeders.
65 min
44
Guacamole Guy + José Andrés
Start the new year off right by listening to the Steam Room and speaking to your vegetables. Renowned chef and founder of World Central Kitchen José Andrés joins Ernie and Charles to discuss the over 200-million meals served during his organization’s emergency response efforts, as well as Chuck’s lack of appreciation for kale, steaks and guacamole. EJ and Charles send their thoughts to Damar Hamlin & Jeremy Renner. TK stops by to serve up some fun and the Georgia Bulldogs get the last laugh on Chuck’s Answering Machine.
68 min
45
First of All, Tartar Sauce + Seasonal Special G...
Have yourself a merry, little Steam Room with Chuck on the Karaoke machine and friend-of-the-show Harry Miree on the drums. Ernie & Charles welcome in Licensed Clinical Social Worker Liz Beecroft to discuss the importance of mental health around the holidays, and how to best support others in what can be a challenging time. The grandkids pop in to wish “Poppy and Big Pop” a Merry Christmas and Chuck takes his answering machine for a spin.
55 min
46
Pod Pals + Kelsey Plum
WNBA Champ Kelsey Plum joins to discuss Brittney Griner, explain the nuance of Collective Bargaining, and tell an epic Tom Brady story, before taking a cheap shot at Charles on the way out. TK goes full Gen-Z with a long list of icks about the Chuckster.
50 min
47
Lemon Tastykake Citrus Bowl + Aaron Murray
The Chuckster throws Ernie a bone and lets him celebrate the Dawgs No. 1 bid in the CFB Playoff with former Georgia QB Aaron Murray. Football fever doesn’t stop there, TK and Ernie quiz Sir Charles on “Real or Fake” Bowl Game names. A call from Chuck's Answering Machine gets Ernie & Charles to try out their best Shaq impressions.
58 min
48
Spoiler Alert + Bill Hader
Saturday Night Live Legend & 3x Emmy Award-Winner Bill Hader joins the subject of his impersonations (Ernie Johnson) and 4x SNL Host Charles Barkley to reminisce on some big laughs and fun memories of the Chuckster making cast members break. Ernie wishes he’d asked less questions about Chuck’s tattoo idea, and Charles thinks Auburn will shock the world in Saturday’s Iron Bowl (or does he?). Legendary Producer Tim Kiley joins for an SNL-themed quiz and voicemails keep piling up on Chuck’s Answering Machine.
55 min
49
LFH + Cadillac Williams
It’s a War Damn Party in the Steam Room. Auburn’s interim head coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams joins to drop words of wisdom and ignite a friendly rivalry. TK puts The Chuckster’s man crushes up against the 2022 Sexiest Man Alive and Chuck’s Answering Machine has the guys drawing up tattoo ideas.
58 min
50
Dignity of Difference + Dexter Fowler & Rabbi E...
Rabbi Erez Sherman comes on to discuss the controversy surrounding Kyrie Irving promoting a film with antisemitic messaging. World Series Champ Dexter Fowler joins to pour cold water on the Chuckster's high hopes for 'his' Phillies. Chuck's Answering Machine features an international call from an old friend, a story about a scary interaction at a celebrity golf tournament, and an answer to the age-old question, "are Charles' teeth real?"
53 min