201. Ethan Strauss On the Things Sports Fans Think But Do Not Say

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit smokeempodcast.substack.comEthan Strauss is a straight shooter in a (slightly) crooked profession. As a writer who follows sports and culture, the Substacker and podcaster has a land grab on pointing out things that others have become reluctant to acknowledge. He talks with Nancy and Sarah about the contradictions of the WNBA, the popularity of Caitlin Clark and the reluctance of sneaker brands to give her a shoe (at least first), how men have changed the audience for women’s sports, and NBA teams as a mini-Game of Thrones, replete with palace intrigue. We also discuss Bill Belichick and his very young girlfriend Jordon Hudson, third-runner-up to Miss Maine.REMINDER: Don’t forget our whisper-soft launch over on YouTube! Please subscribe to the SMOKE EM channel, which costs you nothing and brings us joy. Also discussed:* “Nancy knows she’s a narcissist”* When selfies kill (mostly men) …* Do all sports announcers sound like Marv Albert?* Why authors hated when Stanley Kubrick made movies of their books* Sports betting meets the WNBA* “Girls can do anything” era meets “Girls can’t win” era* Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s widow, may NOT the best person to negotiate the future of her late husband’s brand, but please don’t aggregate this.* Sorry, Dirk, we don’t buy shoes for centers* Luka, the hot girlfriend Dallas lost* Why people can’t leave Bill Belichick’s age gap relationship alone* “Did he get a real blowjob, and lose his mind?”* The most romantic philosophy book Belichick ever signed* Viagra, the body hack with consequences* That time Sarah matched with a silver fox who was 72 …* The Boomers won’t leave!* Did Kerry really love Logan on Succession?* The problem of an aging father who is also single* Which former NFL superstar hangs around Dallas’s Katy Trail without his shirt on, chatting up the ladies?* The surprisingly tender story of Anna Nicole Smith’s old rich husband* The best role Tom Cruise ever played, and it’s not MagnoliaPlus, why Nike should have made an ad about girl dads, that time Nancy discovered Steve Nash, Ethan doesn’t know how Australians learn to read, and much more!NOTE: Ethan’s new show, RANDOM OFFENSE, premieres this Friday at 4pmET/1pmPT. Fancy Pommelmann will be there, and you come too!LOVE WINS, when you become a paid subscriber.