Just Not Sports

For many fans, KEVIN HARLAN is the voice of the NBA. Not because he's on the broadcasts, but because he's in the game. (Wait, wrong tagline?) Harlan speaks out on being the longtime voice of the mega-popular NBA 2K franchise. He breaks down sneaking in names, taping banter with his color commentators, what's in store for the new version, and just when he'll finally get around to playing the damn thing. Plus, the gang breaks down the NFL's "Pimp My Ride," sports tats, early lunches and more.

CHANTEL JENNINGS just took a gig at The Athletic's new college football site The All-American. Ya know, not long AFTER she'd signed up to run the Portland Marathon. No turning back now! We talk to this first-time distance runner about the great story behind her race, talking during long runs, passing out on an empty stomach, Toto's "Africa" and whether she's pro on-course high-fives. Plus, Joe returns this week to break down ESPN The Ocho, Elway's "Fake News" nonsense and more.

You know NBA coach, analyst and author DAVID THORPE from his years breaking down basketball for ESPN, TrueHoop and the Lowe Post. But on the side, he's also an investor in Swansea City of the English Premier League. We talk about the team playing like the Warriors (no, really!), the blood-thirsty British soccer press, turning No Doubt songs into Swansea chants, and competing with the big dogs of global soccer this PL season. Oh, and Skrillex. Yes also talk Skrillex.

Sports Illustrated's BEN GOLLIVER is a true outdoorsman ... which we respect since we are true indoorsmen. We break down the NBA writer and podcaster's passion for hiking, his encounter with a "Mr. Lone Wolf" (!!) on the trails, why Utah's parks are sneaky awesome, and which NBA player he'd take on a trek in the woods. Also, we geek out on the Shaq diss track toward LaVar Ball. Is it a Top 10 Shaq rap song ever? Brad will decide. *(Spoiler ... yes.)

It's Shark Week ... so we got "The Shark" himself. MARK TITUS has always been a successful guy. He was a standout basketball player in high school, a celebrity "benchwarmer blogger" at Ohio State, and a popular personality at Grantland and The Ringer. And the whole time, Mark secretly battled depression and anxiety that damn near derailed his life. He opens up (22:00) about his experiences, the stigma around mental health in sports, and the weird looks he gets making jokes about his depression. It's a revealing conversation you won't want to miss.

Legendary sportswriter NORMAN CHAD is considered "The Voice of Poker" by fans of his work broadcasting the World Series of Poker. And with this year's Main Event wrapping up, Chad is basically living in a Vegas casino. But forget all that, we're going all in on ... bowling. At 40:30, we give the lifelong bowling fan a chance to talk defend Duckpin, short strides and pro bowling on TV. Oh, and Adam & Brad break down athlete rap, "uncircumcised" shoes and more.

Hot rod legend JOHN FORCE makes a living driving 300 miles per hour ... but it's his time on reality TV that damn near gave him a heart attack. We reflect (22:00) on his one-time side hustle as a reality TV dad on A&E's "Driving Force," the impact his daughters have had on racing, and more. Then, Gareth & Brad debate which summer blockbuster had the WORST basketball scene: "Escape from LA," "Alien 4" or "Catwoman." (Spoiler, it's freaking "Catwoman.")

"Bachelor" fans know REALITY STEVE as the professional spoiler of America's favorite dating show. But sports talk fans may also know him as STEVIE CARBONE, a legendary caller and former employee of "The Jim Rome Radio Show" (aka, The Jungle). We go deep (starting 19:20) on Steve's two-decade saga in sports talk, including beating Jim Harbaugh in a "Smack Off," being fired by Rome and other LA sports stations, and the best/worst all-time "Clones" (from Cablinasian to Jeff in Richmond). Then (around 1:05) we break down the sports world's obsession with "The Bachelor," whether an athlete can ever be The Bachelor again, and what's in store for "Bachelor in Paradise." Good night noooooooooooow! JUST NOT SPORTS is a Peabody-winning podcast about the culture of sports. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter/Instagram at @JustNotSports

New England Patriots' icon TROY BROWN played under some of the best coaches around. But he's here to tell ya, that DOESN'T mean a group of kids can get to the fourth option on a pro-style offensive set. He opens up about over-coaching youths, adjusting to retirement and making Boston his long-term home. Plus, Gareth and Brad go deep on everything from 30 for 30 podcasts to that stupid Mike Myers Gong Show thing.

This week, the gang provides a non-sports smorgasbord. How dope will Starbury's new movie be? How dopey is Durant's new anti-media commercial? Will the shark actually know he's racing Michael Phelps? And who is the creepiest lover on Craigslist? Let's go deep!

From playing Zelda as a kid to binge-watching "Stranger Things" as a superstar for the U.S. Women's National Team and FC Kansas City, BECKY SAUERBRUNN loves all things sci-fi and fantasy. At 38:15, we break down her faves, from a love/hate relationship with "Ender's Game" to excitement for the "Ready Player One" movie to who she's rooting for on "Game of Thrones." Plus we go deep on when White Iverson met Real Iverson ... and it was awkward.

Guten tag! Longtime New England Patriots stalwart SEBASTIAN VOLLMER went from being a swimmer in Germany to an All-Pro tackle in America. We trace (starting 26:00) his origins back overseas and talk about the cultural differences between Europe and here. Then (46:30) we go deep on Marshawn Lynch's inexplicable music video with Train. Yes, Train.

ESPN's J.A. Adande is taking his talents to North Beach. If by "north" you mean "just north of Chicago" and by "beach" you mean the shores of Lake Michigan. The NBA expert talks (20:00) about his decision to return to Northwestern to helm the school's sports journalism program -- and he defends this new generation of punk kids! And then (54:00) we talk to pro lacrosse player Paul Rabil about his new podcast on the start-up culture of sports.

Esquire writer LUKE O'NEIL breaks down the lightning rod that is the Boston sports scene, and then talks about his passion for emo music. Then, Gareth and Brad go deep on the most famous NBA conspiracy theories, from the "iced envelope" to the "MJ gambling ban" to the post-Decision Draft. Do YOU believe? (Cue X-Files theme music.)

Snowboarding icon and Olympic gold medalist KELLY CLARK is great on the slopes, but even better over a table saw. She opens up (15:00 mark) about her passion for making custom furniture, her modern style, and her love of "Fixer Upper" and HGTV. Then, the gang goes deep on "Above the Rim," Tupac's greatest performance ... besides faking his own death.

Olympic gold medalist swimmer LILLY KING is an outspoken champion in the pool ... and a huge Harry Potter fan out of the water. At 20:30, we break down the books vs. movies, the art of re-reading a novel, and how top athletes relate to the most famous figure in the wizarding world. Then, on the heels of "Girls" making up a "White Men Can't Jump" musical, we do our best to cast that faux Broadway show.

BREK SHEA of MLS's Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the USMNT joins the pod to talk about his love of painting, his colorful and vibrant style, and how much it sucks to have to toss a bunch of art supplies at the border. Then, Brad and Adam go deep on some of the best athlete cameos in music videos, from shirtless Magic to "Jay Z-racing" Danica to a "drama-loving" Jerry Stackhouse.

KAVITHA DAVIDSON may be the only ESPN employee to ever study music with freaking Juilliard! (Unless Gruden is holding out on us.) We discuss her love of jazz, underrated classical composers, cultural appropriation, Sousa marches - and how much better at trumpet she is than Brad. Also, Adam and Brad debate Michael Jackson's "good bad" songs. "Rump Shaker," and Brad's dreadful iTunes "most played."

MONICA ABBOTT has a million dollar arm ... but she's not done fighting. The fast-pitch softball icon, who recently inked a deal that made her the highest paid U.S. women's team sports athlete, talks to us (25:00) about the issues women face in the push for equal pay in and out of sports. Then (51:00) we go deep on a made-for-TV movie about Michael Jordan ... which makes "Space Jam" look like "Citizen Kane."

How did New York City FC defender ETHAN WHITE spend his offseason? Surveying the field from another angle. The rising MLS star talks (starting 36:30) about his passion for photography and his offseason internship at Players Tribune shooting sports. But first, Brad and Adam break down the wonderful insanity of Kobe Bryant's "Musecage" special on ESPN. Which straight up scared us.