Ryen opens with some NBA observations before the playoffs begin, including a potential Celtics-Nets matchup, Luka’s injury concern, and which teams might blow it up if things go bad (0:37). Then, he chats with his old friend Scott Van Pelt about Tiger and the Masters, his love for Kevin Durant, an NBA playoff team draft, and why SVP needs a hobby (22:52). Finally, he closes it out with some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:03:35). Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Scott Van Pelt Producers: ...
Apr 12, 2022•2 hr 34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on Magic Johnson’s critical comment about the Lakers and the big question of what is next for the team (0:32). Then Ryen talks with Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns about the Suns’ regular-season success, defending Luka Doncic, Chris Paul’s leadership, last year’s postseason run, and more (12:00). Then Ryen is joined by the cocreators of the AppleTV+ show ‘WeCrashed’ to discuss the show’s inception, working with Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway, the challenges of making...
Apr 07, 2022•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on the beauty of the NCAA tournament and the national champion Kansas Jayhawks (0:29) before talking with Jackie MacMullan about her new narrative podcast, ‘Icons Club,’ the friendship and rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, the 2022 Celtics’ turnaround, LeBron James’s future after a crushing Lakers season, and more (12:13). Then Ryen talks with author and journalist Michael Lewis about some of his books, including ‘The Premonition,’ ‘The Fifth Risk,’ ...
Apr 05, 2022•2 hr 51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo is joined by NBA champion Andrew Bogut to discuss joining the Warriors in 2012, the 2015 title run, stories from the Clippers-Warriors rivalry, playoff predictions, and more (0:37). Then Ryen talks with Kyle Buchanan of The New York Times about his book, ‘Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road’ (39:18). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:26:08). Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Andrew Bogut and Kyle Buchanan Producers: Kyle Cri...
Mar 31, 2022•2 hr 53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ryen opens with whether it’s really true that the East is better than the West in the NBA this season (0:29). Next, he chats with ESPN’s Domonique Foxworth about Will Smith vs. Chris Rock, how the Deshaun Watson situation will play out with the Browns, and stories from playing with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed (11:52). Then, Peter Rosenberg, the host of 'Cheap Heat' on the Ringer Wrestling Show feed, talks a little 'WrestleMania 38,' Ryen’s history as a wrestling fan, plus his thoughts on the Kanye doc...
Mar 29, 2022•2 hr 45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on the spat between Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Jimmy Butler, and examines Butler’s NBA career and exits from his former teams (0:41). Then Ryen talks with The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor about his latest NBA mock draft and his 14 lottery projections (14:05). Next, Ryen is joined by mountain climber Alex Honnold to discuss the making of the documentary ‘Free Solo,’ in which he completed the first free-solo climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (49:50). Fin...
Mar 24, 2022•2 hr 49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ryen opens with his thoughts on whether the quarterback gap between the AFC and NFC is as big as we think (0:31) before brining on The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia to talk about some of the specific movement we saw at the position this offseason (8:08). Next, he chats with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas about being broke as a rookie, becoming an All-Star with the Wizards, and his battle with commissioner David Stern after his 2009 gun incident (27:46). Finally, Ryen closes it out with some listener-...
Mar 22, 2022•2 hr 53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares what five NBA teams are thinking about the top of the 2022 NBA draft class (0:33). Then Ryen talks with ESPN's Todd McShay about his latest 2022 NFL mock draft. They discuss all the uncertainty free-agent signings and trades have brought to the top QB prospects, top WRs, NFL combine superstar DT Jordan Davis, McShay's top 10 draft prospects, second-round sleepers, and more (8:34). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (50:44). Host: Ryen Russillo Gue...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo remembers the Miami Marlins heist (0:33). Then Ryen is joined by Doug Gottlieb of Fox Sports to fill out an entire bracket for the NCAA men's basketball tournament (9:35). Then Ryen talks with Metta Sandiford-Artest about playing for St. John's in the late '90s, his NBA mentors, executing a team style of play, stories from playing with Kobe Bryant, guarding Allen Iverson, Paul Pierce, and more (39:35). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:20:19). Host: R...
Mar 15, 2022•2 hr 41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ryen opens with his thoughts on the Russell Wilson trade and why the Seahawks were ultimately OK with letting him go (0:32). Next he chats with 76ers guard Danny Green about how the team dealt with the Ben Simmons saga, what it’s been like playing with James Harden, and how he thinks Philly stacks up in the East (8:59). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (41:05). Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Danny Green Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about yo...
Mar 10, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on the news of wide receiver Calvin Ridley receiving a one-year suspension for betting on NFL games during the 2021 season (0:27). Then Ryen talks with Danny Kanell of SiriusXM and CBS Sports about his top QB prospects for the 2022 NFL draft (11:43). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (57:50). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Danny Kanell Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...
Mar 08, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ryen opens with some NBA observations, including an impressive Bucks win over the Heat, why he doesn’t want to hear about James Harden’s hamstring injury again, and why we can’t talk about G League stats (0:35). Next he chats with The Athletic’s Evan Drellich for a deeper understand the MLB lockout and where both sides go from here (13:03). Then, he talks about the new HBO show 'Winning Time' with cocreator Jim Hecht, including growing up a Laker fan, how the project came to be, and casting Magi...
Mar 03, 2022•2 hr 35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ryen opens with some thoughts on Ja Morant and the Grizzlies continuing to be the best watch in the NBA right now and why it’s OK to just enjoy them without getting ahead of ourselves (0:28). Then, he chats with NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki about his new book, 'The Great Nowitzki,' his unlikely path to changing the way the game is played, a few big what-ifs in his career, and how his image changed after he won a title (10:05). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (45:4...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ryen begins by talking with The Athletic’s Mike Sando on the offseason QB carousel, the benefits of going all-in on quarterbacks, and fifth-year options (0:50). Then he is joined by The Ringer’s Danny Kelly to discuss his draft guide and analyze the top quarterbacks of this year’s draft (27:50). Ryen continues by speaking with QB Takeover’s Quincy Avery and QB Summit’s Jordan Palmer about quarterback mechanics, devolvement of draft prospects, and Deshaun Watson's return to the NFL (53:42). He th...
Feb 25, 2022•2 hr 52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo and Ceruti begin by pitting younger NBA players against each other and debating which player they would rather have on their team for the next five years (7:00). Then, Ryen talks with actor Emile Hirsch about his new movie, ‘Pursuit,’ and what it was like to work with Quentin Tarantino on ‘Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood’ (32:00). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (59:00). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Emile Hirsch Producers: Steve Ceruti and Mike Wargon...
Feb 23, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo begins by discussing the Celtics' strong close to the first half of the season and what to expect from LeBron and the Lakers moving forward (0:30). Then Ryen talks with former coach and ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy about how the Suns can weather Chris Paul’s injury, player empowerment in today’s league, and the way officiating has changed over the years (16:00). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (51:00). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Jeff Van Gundy Producers...
Feb 21, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares some story lines for the NBA offseason that you should be monitoring now (0:44). Then Ryen talks with The Ringer’s Logan Murdock about his new Ringer piece, "Curry, Calm, and Collected," Curry’s efforts to keep the Warriors’ franchise afloat while they got back on track, hoping for an electric playoff series between the Warriors and Suns, and more (15:48). Then Ryen is joined by The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann to discuss his new piece, "The Rookie Scale: Early Concerns Over Cade Cunnin...
Feb 18, 2022•2 hr 49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his theory of how players with historically high usage rates correlate to their team's performance in the NBA playoffs (0:28). Then Ryen talks with actor-producer Mark Wahlberg about his new film, 'Uncharted,' his start in the music industry, some of his past works, including 'Fear' and 'Boogie Nights,' the casting process for 'Entourage,' and more (9:39). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (30:45). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Mark Wahlberg Producer...
Feb 16, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on the most memorable parts of Super Bowl LVI, and why Aaron Donald is his headline (0:32). Then Ryen is joined by Super Bowl champion Trent Dilfer to discuss the Rams' Super Bowl win over the Bengals, the key points of the game, why Trent believes the Bengals' title window has closed, rumors of Sean McVay stepping away from coaching, Matthew Stafford's legacy now that he is a Super Bowl champion, and more (9:54). Then Ryen recaps some of his Super Bowl weekend festi...
Feb 14, 2022•2 hr 36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on the trade that brought James Harden to the 76ers and Ben Simmons to the Nets (0:26),before talking with Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix about the Mavericks trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Wizards, the Celtics trading for Derrick White, the Trail Blazers trading CJ McCollum, and more (10:47). Then Ryen is joined by two-time Super Bowl champion Damien Woody to discuss the Bengals-Rams matchup in Super Bowl 56 and stories from Damien’s two Super Bowl appearances ...
Feb 11, 2022•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on the trades between the Kings and Pacers and Pelicans and Trail Blazers, the Ben Simmons–James Harden rumors, and the significance of Deandre Ayton not currently being under a new contract (0:30). Then Ryen is joined by his old cohost, ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. They discuss stories from the road, the radio booth, poor credit score PTSD, and more (13:41), before Ryen and Scott answer some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (54:10). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Scot...
Feb 09, 2022•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on how both the Sixers and Nets could talk themselves into a Ben Simmons–James Harden trade, as well as the Cavaliers adding Caris LeVert (0:28). Then Ryen is joined by The Ringer’s Kevin Clark to make Super Bowl picks, tell stories from Radio Row, discuss QBs to watch in the offseason, and more (13:13). Finally, Ryen talks about his trip to Las Vegas to attend both the NFL Pro Bowl and NHL All-Star Game, before answering some listener-submitted Life Advice questions...
Feb 07, 2022•2 hr 30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on the stars of all 30 NBA teams (0:32). Then Ryen talks with Nuggets guard Austin Rivers about playing with reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, the impact of the NBA schedule on player health, growing as a player and teammate, his time on the Clippers, and more (19:07). Then Ryen talks with The Ringer's Van Lathan about CFB signing day, NIL's impact on college recruiting, LSU fans' support for Joe Burrow in the Super Bowl, Brian Flores's discrimination lawsuit, and more ...
Feb 04, 2022•2 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on the first-place Phoenix Suns as well as the class-action lawsuit filed by former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and how the Rooney Rule has backfired (0:23). Then Ryen talks with six-time Pro Bowler Joe Thomas of the NFL Network about playing football in the trenches of the offensive line, playing for Kyle Shanahan, the Bengals' challenges vs. the Rams’ defensive front in the upcoming Super Bowl, the mental and emotional hurdles that come with being a part of a ...
Feb 02, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on NFL conference championship weekend as well as a false-alarm Tom Brady retirement (0:26). Then he is joined by three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth of Fox Sports to discuss what went wrong in the Chiefs’ loss to the Bengals, Joe Burrow’s will to win, stories from Mark’s Super Bowl runs, how the Rams and Bengals match up, and more (14:26). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (46:30). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Mark Schlereth...
Jan 31, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on MLB players bearing the blame for the steroids era by being left out of the Baseball Hall of Fame (0:47), before briefly hitting on whether or not Ben Simmons's trade value has diminished from August 2021 and the 76ers quest for a favorable trade (10:01). Next, Ryen talks with the Athletic’s Ted Nguyen about his film breakdown of the upcoming conference championship round of the NFL playoffs (20:07). Then Ryen talks with filmmaker Doug Shultz about his Apple TV+ d...
Jan 28, 2022•2 hr 56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo is joined by Atlanta Hawks guard Kevin Huerter to discuss his NBA beginnings, the Hawks' 2021 playoff run, hopes for this season, defending Trae Young, his alter ego K'Von, and more (0:32). Then Ryen talks with analyst Jim Petersen about the impact of Timberwolves coach Chris Finch on the team, the budding Anthony Edwards, development of Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell's improvement, stories from Jim's basketball career and time with the WNBA, and more (29:59). Finally Ryen answers...
Jan 26, 2022•2 hr 40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on an incredible NFL postseason weekend (0:28) before he is joined by three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman of Fox Sports to discuss the Chiefs’ overtime win vs. the Bills, just how much the QB position has evolved since the 1990s and 2000s, the Packers’ loss to the 49ers, whether or not Aaron Rodgers’s future includes Green Bay, Troy’s thoughts about jumping to a new team near the end of his career, and more (13:24). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted...
Jan 24, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his confidence rankings for every NFL divisional-round team (0:34) before he is joined by ESPN’s Tim Hasselbeck to make Round 2 picks (12:49). Then Ryen talks with Bruce Feldman of The Athletic and Fox Sports about the Raiders looking to hire Jim Harbaugh and NIL’s impact on college football (44:15). Next Ryen talks with ESPN’s Jorge Sedano about the Miami Heat’s return as a playoff contender, the Nets' playoff hopes if Kyrie Irving is not allowed to play in home games, the Bulls...
Jan 21, 2022•2 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russillo shares his thoughts on the rumors that Lakers head coach Frank Vogel is close to being fired (0:34) before talking with journalist S.H. Fernando Jr. about his book, 'From the Streets of Shaolin: The Wu-Tang Saga.' They discuss the inception of Hip-hop in the Bronx, NY, the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan and their explosion onto the music scene, stories from covering the group, their impact on hip-hop, and more (10:44). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1...
Jan 19, 2022•2 hr•Transcript available on Metacast 
