Hang Up and Listen
A weekly sports discussion from Slate. Hang Up and Listen features Slate sports editor Josh Levin, writer Stefan Fatsis (author of A Few Seconds of Panic), Slate writer and Slow Burn host Joel Anderson, and a selection of interesting guests from around the sports world.
501
The Roger Goodell Is Bad at His Job Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and the Washington Post's Dan Steinberg discuss the latest Deflategate news. They also talk about the Washington NFL team's publicity nightmares, and Yahoo's Jeff Passan joins to assess Mets pitcher Matt Harvey's arm. Hang Up a
63 min
502
The You Get a Trophy Just for Listening Bonus S...
In their Aug. 17 members-only Slate Plus bonus segment, Hang Up and Listen’s Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Mike Pesca debunked the supposed scourge of participation trophies.
12 min
503
The Grab the Stick and Run Like Hell Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the latest innovation in NCAA evildoing: football programs fining players. They also interview 81-year-old track star Irene Obera and review HBO’s Hard Knocks, starring the Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt.
58 min
504
The Drop Kick Me Jesus Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about Usain Bolt’s win over Justin Gatlin at the track and field world championships. They also discuss Baylor’s handling of football player Sam Ukwuachu’s sexual assault and the place of religion in sp
59 min
505
The She's a Married Baseball Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Jason Day and Jordan Spieth with Grantland’s Bryan Curtis. They also talk about the Jets’ locker-room fight, and Sports Illustrated’s Tim Layden explains Nick Symmonds’ brouhaha with USA Track and
61 min
506
The How Does He Even Have a Computer? Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and ESPN the Magazine’s Mina Kimes discuss record-breaking swimmer Katie Ledecky with the New York Times’ Karen Crouse. They also talk about Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly, and they interview WNBA star Elena Delle Donn
63 min
507
Hang Up: The Fiddlin’ with Equipment Edition
Josh Levin, Stephen Metcalf, and Mike Pesca discuss Roger Goodell’s decision to uphold Tom Brady’s Deflategate suspension and the New York Mets’ surprising surge. June Thomas also joins for an interview with Greg Louganis about his new HBO documenta
63 min
508
The NBA Meets American Ninja Warrior Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the Basketball Tournament, a winners-take-all hoops competition. Nancy Lieberman joins to talk about women coaching men, and they interview Brad Balukjian about his book project Wax Pack.
75 min
509
The How Tiger Lost His Stripes Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pescsa discuss whether Tiger Woods will ever be great again. Writer James Andrew Miller also joins to talk about recent departures from ESPN, and author Molly Knight explains the Los Angeles Dodgers’...
58 min
510
The How to Make Sports Funny Bonus Segment
In their July 13 Slate Plus bonus segment, Hang Up and Listen hosts Josh Levin and Mike Pesca spoke to special guest Mike Schur, the co-creator of NBC’s Parks and Recreation, about the intersection of sports and comedy.
11 min
511
The All We Are is Cyber Dust in the Wind Edition
Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and special guest Mike Schur talk about the DeAndre Jordan emoji saga and his decision to re-join the Clippers. Tennis writer Courtney Nguyen joins to discuss Serena Williams, and they evaluate the latest advances in...
62 min
512
The Carli Lloyd Is a Golden God Edition
Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and Bryan Curtis are joined by Stefan Fatsis, who watched the U.S. beat Japan to win the Women’s World Cup. They also talk about the strange economics of NBA free agency and consider the pros and cons of ESPN’s “K Zone” gra
60 min
513
The Other People's Podcasts Edition
In a special edition of Slate's Hang Up and Listen, we feature segments from three fellow sports podcasts, including Howler's DUMMY, a show about soccer, Effectively Wild from Baseball Prospectus, and 538's Hot Takedown.
60 min
514
The Zack the Ball-Catching Maniac Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by Shane Ryan to talk about Jordan Spieth’s U.S. Open win. They also discuss the knockout round of the Women’s World Cup and they interview Zack Hample, the man who caught Alex Rodriguez’s 3000th
72 min
515
Slate Plus Preview: "United Passions" Commentar...
Enjoy an excerpt of Hang Up and Listen's commentary track for a terrible piece of FIFA propaganda.
10 min
516
The Plus Plus Plus to Plus Plus Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about the NBA Finals. Grantland’s Katie Baker also joins to discuss the Stanley Cup Finals, and they interview ProPublica’s David Epstein about his investigation of running coach Alberto...
62 min
517
The Save It for Judge Judy Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mary Pilon talk about the NBA Finals, including LeBron James’ inefficient dominance. Sports Illustrated’s Tim Layden also joins to discuss American Pharoah’s Triple Crown. Finally, they preview the Women’s World Cup.
62 min
518
Hang Up Extra: Sepp Blatter To Resign
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who announced today that he will step down amid a corruption scandal at soccer's international governing body.
Show notes at slate.com/hangup
12 min
519
The Good Nat, Bad Nat Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss whether there’s any hope that FIFA will reform itself. Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski also joins to talk about the Stanley Cup Finals. Finally, they assess Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg.
65 min
520
The Screwing the Kicker Again Edition
Hang Up and Listen on Stephen Curry’s head and the NFL’s feet.
56 min
521
The 0-162 or Bust Edition
In this week’s episode of Slate’s sports podcast Hang Up and Listen, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca take listeners’ questions in a special spring call-in show. Topics include how the worst baseball players in history would do against a te
51 min
522
The Hours of Something Approaching Pleasure Edi...
Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and Seth Stevenson talk about the Wells report on the Patriots’ underinflated balls and how the NFL should punish Tom Brady. They also discuss Bill Simmons’ imminent departure from ESPN and the rise of daily fantasy sports.
63 min
523
The Snooze of the Century Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about Floyd Mayweather’s victory over Manny Pacquiao. They also discuss the Los Angeles Clippers’ Game 7 victory over the San Antonio Spurs and how the NFL handled “character issues” in the 2015 draft
63 min
524
The Cracking on Hacks and Hack-a-Shaq Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about whether intentional fouls have a place in the NBA. They also discuss Floyd Mayweather’s history of domestic violence and assess Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price’s profanity-filled tirade.
67 min
525
The Our Dump Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about whether the Warriors and Hawks will dominate the NBA playoffs. Andrew Zimbalist also joins to talk about Boston’s Olympic bid, and they discuss the New York Islanders’ last season in Nassau Coliseum
63 min