Just Not Sports

So, THAT freaking happened. First, the guys get in the same room for the first time ever to hash out our podcast identity crisis after going viral with the #MoreThanMean campaign. (Don't worry, we still talk Shaq rap.) Then, pioneering USA Today sports columnist and commentator CHRISTINE BRENNAN closes our two-week debate about online harassment for women in sports media. Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/justnotsports Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

Many women who cover sports are harassed online. For some it's sporadic, and for others it's a daily issue. We talk to columnist/broadcaster JULIE DICARO and NFL writer ANDREA HANGST about how they handle online abuse, the perils of self-censorship, and a social campaign project #MoreThanMean which we made to educate guys that some tweets are more than mean - they're harassment. And they need to stop.

NICK LOWERY may be the only NFL player to quit a job on Capitol Hill to get into the NFL. But he never lost his passion for public service. The record-setting kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs breaks down his lifetime of work in public policy, from AmeriCorps to anti-violence campaigns. Then (28:30) we honor Jackie Robinson by going deep on the biopic where he starred on the silver screen … as himself. Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

British IndyCar driver PIPPA MANN has embraced American football. Or “Hand Egg,” as she calls it. She breaks down her love of all things Colts, her thoughts on Deflate Gate and her husband’s Clemson fandom. Then (46:20) we go deep with “Boys Among Men” author JONATHAN ABRAMS about the pop cultural impact of the NBA’s prep-to-pro generation. Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

NAT BORCHERS of the MLS champion Portland Timbers (9:00 mark) joins our show to break down his love of real estate – and his passion for spreadsheets. Then (35:00) we go deep on the Saturday morning cartoon “ProStars,” where MJ, Gretzky and Bo fought crime and kinda sorta helped kids. And we even talk to the voice of The Great One from the show (59:00) about Wayne's vanishing accent and voicing Michelangelo on TMNT! Cowabunga, dudes! Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

Slate’s executive editor and Hang Up and Listen co-host JOSH LEVIN breaks down his passion for ping-pong! (Wait, is it Ping Pong? Ping-Pong? We’re gonna have to ask him how to punctuate it.) Then (34:00 mark) we go deep on “Game of Thrones” with longtime MLB pitcher BURKE BADENHOP. Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

It’s a double-feature! We break out our inner “coffeenerdness” with MMQB’s legendary football writer PETER KING. Then Ravens great and freshly minted Buffalo Bills assistant ED REED breaks down “Empire,” “Walking Dead” and “Game of Thrones.” Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

Philadelphia Eagles safety MALCOLM JENKINS liked bow ties so much – he started a company. As the founder of Rock Avenue Bow Ties, Malcolm is an expert in men’s fashion. We break down tying a tie right, dressing NFL stars, and finding "beauty in imperfection." PLUS (48:00 mark): We go deep on “Blue Chips,” the movie that ended the debate about paying college athletes forever! Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

DAN BERNSTEIN (Chicago sports talk host and columnist) lists the complex masterpiece “Infinite Jest” as his favorite book. But few know Bernstein carried on a correspondence with the novel's celebrated author, the late David Foster Wallace. Dan opens up about the book, the letters and the "ordinary guy" behind the growing DFW myth. Plus: We go deep about our favorite not-sports books. Gear up for World War 1 history talk, folks! Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

Duke legend JAY WILLIAMS knows how to dress! We pick his brain about looking good in suits, high tops and even Tar Heel Blue. And he opens up about his revealing new book “Life is Not an Accident” that explores how athletes find purpose away from sports. PLUS (37:45 mark): We go deep on the ultimate “not sports” venture in sports media – the SI Swimsuit Edition. Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

It’s a JNS double feature! Dallas Mavs forward JEREMY EVANS talks drawing & painting fresh off his domination of the NBA Talent Challenge. (No trophy, TNT, really??) And CBS NFL insider JASON LA CANFORA discusses his lifelong love of punk rock. PLUS (54:20): We break down some game film on players who’ve done “Saturday Night Live.” Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

We’re talking softball, from Maine to San Diego! OK, we’re not – that’s just one of many “Simpsons” quotes dropped for this week’s episode. America’s premier baseball writer JONAH KERI talks about his love affair with America’s premier (non-prehistoric) cartoon family. PLUS (43:00 mark): We break down the amazing heroes of the NBA Talent Challenge … and Brad defends Mike Muscala’s rap. Seriously. Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

RAY AUSTIN used to be on your TV as a defender with the University of Tennessee and the Chicago Bears. He’s still on your screen – but in a different uniform. Austin opens up about life as a TV cop on NBC’s “Chicago PD” and “Chicago Fire.” And he gets real about being on the Bravo reality show “100 Days of Summer.” Plus (49:45 mark): We break down the best and worst National Anthem performances, from Gaga to Whitney to Carl Lewis. Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

How do you become one of the most accomplished golfers on the pro tour for more than a decade? By packing your bags. LPGA star NATALIE GULBIS spends life on the road, bouncing between tournaments, time zones and countries. She opens up to us about her nomadic lifestyle, from catching malaria oversees to avoiding Popeyes in the airport. Plus (36:30 mark): The Just Not Sports team is exhausted working Super Bowl 50, yet we take time to reflect on the 1985 Chicago Bears and their groundbreaking (if not always ear-pleasing) single, “Super Bowl Shuffle.” Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

Ahman Green was a superhero for the Green Bay Packers during his long NFL career. But the franchise leader in rushing yards is a superfan of another superhero ... Batman. We sat down with Ahman to discuss his love of The Dark Knight, batsuit nipples, his role in “Batman V. Superman,” and the art of dressing up for Comic-Con. Plus (42:00 mark): With the world bracing for the O.J. Simpson mini-series, we discuss whether it’s possible to still enjoy his comedic role in “The Naked Gun.” Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

Will Leitch is a lot of things. Sportswriter, film buff, Cardinals fan and cultural critic. But did you know he’s also passionate about politics? When he’s not writing for one of a billion publications (from Sports on Earth to the New Republic) the Deadspin founder follows the national political scene closely. On the eve of the Iowa Caucus – which he’ll cover for Bloomberg Politics, naturally – we break down the primaries and political animals that are making this presidential race so polarizing … and fascinating. Oh, and we go a full four minutes with him without mentioning Trump! Eat that, CNN.

Road trip! This week we’re in the gorgeous Walla Walla Valley in Washington state, to check out longtime NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s Doubleback Winery. We talk to Drew about becoming a “gentleman farmer,” his aptly named winemaker, and which wines he’d gift to Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and other NFL icons. PLUS (24:00 mark): We rate the raps of NBA stars Damian Lillard and Iman Shumpert. And we beg them to get into the studio to make “B-Ball’s Best Kept Secrets: Vol. 2.” C’mon, guys, let’s do this already. Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

Wendi Nix is an ESPN reporter who travels tirelessly week after week. So how does she unwind? More travel, natch. The NFL vagabond opens up about missing boats, finding Greece, and taking "responsible tourism" classes. (Because THAT sounds relaxing, sheesh.) Plus: With "Creed" generating Hollywood headlines, we step into the ring to compare the performances of athletes who've gone toe to toe with Rocky. Who will go the distance? Ding ding ding! Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

Celebrate a new year by going old school! We dial up comedian and former MTV host Bill Bellamy to reminisce about the former glory of the Rock N' Jock B-Ball Jam! From Gary Payton's 50-point shots to Marky Mark's 50-inch shorts, these mid-1990s games blended raw basketball talent with the insanity of a rock concert. We relive the best moments, learn who had game and who didn't, and also explore whether it's true Bill coined the term "booty call." Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com

Hark! The Herald Tight Ends Sing! Ben Utecht was a sure-handed receiver for Peyton Manning during the Indianapolis Colts’ 2006 Super Bowl triumph. But he’s also an accomplished singer who released a collection of Christmas music inspired by everyone from Bing Crosby to Walt Disney. Plus (29:50 mark): We celebrate the season by breaking down some game film on the 1996 Hulk Hogan classic, “Santa with Muscles.” And we ponder which sports figures could play our most fabled Christmas characters. Subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1NDjrZs Listen on SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/21VZ8fE Follow on Twitter: @JustNotSports www.JustNotSports.com