Hang Up and Listen
A weekly sports discussion from Slate.
Get more Hang Up and Listen with Slate Plus! Join for weekly bonus episodes of Hang Up and Listen and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Hang Up and Listen show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/hangupplus for access wherever you listen.
476
The Kevin Hustle Plays Kabaddi Edition
Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Mike Pesca discuss the first five games of the World Series. They also interview Shaun Assael about The Murder of Sonny Liston and talk about the Kabaddi World Cup with writer Jemayel Khawaja and Team USA’s Kevin Hustle.
79 min
477
The Joy Is Retroactively Applied Edition
Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and ESPN’s Pablo S. Torre discuss the Cubs-Indians World Series match-up and interpersonal drama in the NBA. Deadspin’s Diana Moskovitz also joins to talk about Josh Brown, Derrick Rose, and sports leagues and criminal justice.
73 min
478
The She's Big League Edition
Stars of the baseball playoffs, theories on the decline of the NFL’s television ratings, and the Fox show Pitch with former minor league baseball pitcher Ila Borders.
76 min
479
The Locker Room Talk Edition
Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Mike Pesca talk about the MLB playoffs and Donald Trump’s concept of “locker room talk.” They also interview Sports Illustrated’s S.L. Price about his book Playing Through the Whistle: Steel, Football, and an American Town.
70 min
480
The Humid Urgency of the South Edition
Stefan Fatsis and Mike Pesca talk about the Ryder Cup, MLB playoffs, and the wild weekend in college football.
63 min
481
The Short, Joyous Life of Jose Fernandez Edition
Stefan Fatsis and Mike Pesca talk about Jose Fernandez, the politics of Cubs' ownership, and Nate Jackson's new book on fantasy football.
62 min
482
The Fear of Flying Edition
Slate’s sports podcast on the whiteness of baseball and football players celebrating too early. Plus, an interview with Steph Davis about deaths in BASE-jumping.
65 min
483
The Zelmo the Hall of Famer Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss whether the NFL’s on-field product is getting worse. They also speak with Paralympic goalball player John Kusku and interview Annie Beaty about her husband Zelmo’s induction in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
67 min
484
The Be Careful Who You Meme Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by Spencer Hall to talk about college football’s opening weekend; interview NFL long snapper and Green Beret Nate Boyer about his conversations with Colin Kaepernick; and celebrate Vin Scully.
71 min
485
The O’er the Land of the Free Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and ESPN’s Mina Kimes discuss Colin Kaepernick’s protest of the national anthem. They also assess Joey Bosa’s contract dispute with the Chargers, and Baseball Prospectus’ Sam Miller joins to evaluate hot-hitting Gary Sanchez.
71 min
486
The Interview with a Gold Medalist Edition
In this re-broadcast of an interview from June 27, Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis interview boxer Claressa Shields and film producer Sue Jaye Johnson about Shields’ preparations for the Olympics and the documentary about her life, T-Rex.
30 min
487
The Let The Games Be Gone Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca evaluate NBC’s coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Sports Illustrated’s S.L. Price also joins to talk about how the Olympics played in Brazil, and Luke O’Brien discusses Conor McGregor and the state of UFC.
73 min
488
Olympics Extra: The Stars of Field Edition
Josh Levin speaks with long-time TV commentator and high-jump champion Dwight Stones about what’s wrong with NBC’s track-and-field coverage.
35 min
489
Olympics Extra: The What Did Lochte Do? Edition
Josh Levin speaks with ESPN The Magazine’s Mina Kimes about Ryan Lochte’s claim that he was robbed at gunpoint and why he might have lied about it. Plus, David Epstein of ProPublica explains how Jamaica is able to development so many great sprinters.
33 min
490
Olympics Extra: The Not-Quite Olympian Edition
Lauren Fleshman: "Racing Clean is a Sign of Privilege"
36 min
491
Olympics Extra: The Disappointed Gymnast Edition
Slate’s sports podcast talks to Megan Abbott about her new book "You Will Know Me," set in the high-stakes world of elite gymnastics.
32 min
492
The Believably Unbelievable Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by ProPublica’s David Epstein to discuss Usain Bolt, U.S. swimming, and the limits of human performance. Slate’s Jessica Winter also joins to discuss allegations of abuse against the Karolyis.
74 min
493
Olympics Extra: The Field Hockey Heroes Edition
Josh Levin interviews 2016 U.S. Olympic field hockey star Michelle Vittese and 1984 U.S. field hockey Olympian Karen Shelton.
25 min
494
Olympics Extra: The Don’t Swim Like a Terrestri...
Josh Levin speaks with swim coach Terry Laughlin about what makes Katie Ledecky so fast in the water.
24 min
495
Olympics Extra: The Final Five Edition
Josh Levin with Dvora Meyers on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team’s dominant win in the team all-around.
24 min
496
Olympics Extra: The Brazil After the Games Edition
Slate’s sports podcast talks to Franklin Foer about what will happen in Rio when the Olympics are gone.
21 min
497
The Kids Don’t Tip Edition
Slate’s sports podcast on NBC’s Olympics coverage and American jingoism. Plus, a Wrigley Field beer vendor tells all.
63 min
498
The Semenya Dilemma Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by ProPublica’s David Epstein to discuss Caster Semenya. Eugene Monroe also joins to talk about his retirement from the NFL and medical marijuana advocacy. Finally, they assess Ichiro Suzuki.
68 min
499
The Granny Shot Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the IOC’s decision not to make a decision about Russian Olympians; interview Tanisha Wright of the New York Liberty about WNBA players’ support of Black Lives Matter; and examine free throw psychology.
69 min
500
The Boiling Point Edition
Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Mike Pesca are joined by the Cleveland Browns’ Andrew Hawkins to discuss athlete activism. Jason Gay also joins to assess the Tour de France, and they discuss the paltry pay for minor league baseball players.
68 min