The Bench with John and Lance

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The biggest sports talk duo to ever hit Houston airwaves is still going strong after 2 decades in the market. John Granato and Lance Zierlein mix insightful sports analysis with irreverent humor and quick wit. You never know what you're going to hear, but it'll be like nothing else you ever have. Listen weekdays 7-11am live on ESPN 97.5 & 92.5 FM or anytime on demand at http://espn975.com.

ESPN Houston


    • Jun 16, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 4,673 EPISODES

    4.9 from 168 ratings Listeners of The Bench with John and Lance that love the show mention: h town, moved away, del, excuse, houston, sports talk, best show, radio, awesome, funny, great, john and lance.


    Ivy Insights

    The Bench with John and Lance podcast is an absolute delight for sports enthusiasts in Houston and beyond. With their witty banter, insightful analysis, and genuine chemistry, John Granato and Lance Zierlein have truly set the platinum standard for sports radio. This dynamic duo knows how to keep their audience engaged with a perfect blend of humor and well-informed discussions. Whether it's Blue Mountains Johnny and Rappin' Dad crushing it or Dale keeping them honest, this show offers the best entertainment on the entire dial.

    One of the best aspects of The Bench podcast is the seamless combination of humor and knowledge that John and Lance bring to the table. Their funny yet informed discussions ensure that listeners are both entertained and educated about the latest happenings in sports. They don't carry anyone's water, meaning they provide unbiased opinions without pandering to any particular team or player. This authenticity is refreshing and keeps fans coming back for more.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is the chemistry between John and Lance. Their camaraderie shines through as they bounce off each other's jokes, insights, and observations. It feels like you're listening to two friends having a casual conversation about sports, which creates a welcoming atmosphere for listeners. This dynamic duo keeps you hooked from start to finish with their engaging rapport.

    However, no podcast is without its flaws, and one potential drawback of The Bench is the presence of Del as the supposed third wheel. Some listeners find his contributions less valuable compared to John and Lance, causing a slight disruption in the otherwise smooth flow of the show. While he may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's important to remember that different perspectives can add depth to discussions. Nonetheless, some fans do find Del's involvement slightly underwhelming.

    In conclusion, The Bench with John and Lance podcast is an outstanding way to stay up-to-date on H-Town sports even if you've moved away from Houston. With their smart and funny commentary, John and Lance provide an enjoyable listening experience that keeps fans hooked. Despite the minor setback of Del's presence, this show remains the go-to for sports talk radio with its blend of humor, knowledge, and engaging chemistry.



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    Latest episodes from The Bench with John and Lance

    6/16 Hour 1- Where will Brendan Sorsby get picked in the supplemental draft?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 48:06


    Astros Monday Recap How will Sorsby leaving affect Texas Tech? Is Wemby a dirty player?

    6/16 Hour 2- What does the US need to do in game 2?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 54:24


    The world of soccer with Glenn Davis What personnel will the Texans offense run? How will Nick Caley utilize Tank Dell? How will Hunter Brown look in his return? What's wrong with the Astros?

    6/16 Hour 3- Should the Rockets make a major move or run it back?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 44:33


    Monday World Cup recap What did we miss? Will the Rockets play KD fewer minutes next season? News of the weird

    6/15 Hour 1- How far can Us get in the World Cup?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2026 51:21


    Were the Spurs the better team in the Finals? Is Jalen Brunson  a franchise player? What did you learn this weekend in one sentence?

    6/15 Hour 2- What stood out at the World Cup this weekend?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2026 49:03


    The world of soccer with Glenn Davis Stanley Cup  Did Mitch Johnson get out coached? How can Wemby improve after the Finals? Will Framber Valdez get a tribute video?

    6/15 Hour 3- How the Knicks built their team

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2026 48:06


    Do NBA teams bail on players too early? World Cup games today  What did we miss? Big 12 suing Texas Tech News of the weird

    06/12 Hour 1 - The World Cup Is Here

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2026 44:53


    World Cup Is Here USA vs. Paraguay Preview Houston Texans Tight End Depth The World Cup Fan Fest Experience in EADO Phil Mickelson off course issues

    06/12 Hour 2 - Glenn Davis Reviews Day One of the World Cup

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2026 51:51


    All Upcoming Matchups in all Groups Glenn Davis Confident in US Win Today Stanley Cup Finals Mike Brown and Coaching Talk

    06/12 Hour 3 - The Brendan Sorsby Betting Scandal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2026 54:15


    - Spurs vs. Knicks Game 5- World Cup Matchups- Talking About the USA World Cup Roster- Will Tiger & Phil Compete in a Major Again?- What Did You Learn This Week?- Brendan Sorsby Gambling Scandal- News of the Weird

    6/11 Hour 1 - Was That the Greatest NBA Finals Comeback Ever?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 39:57


    NBA Finals Comeback of the Century Astros Loss World Cup Starts Today Brendan Sorsby and Texas Tech Conflict More World Cup Talk

    6/11 Hour 2 - Glenn Davis Joins the Show To Discuss Day 1 of the World Cup

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 49:19


    - World Cup Is Finally Here.- Can Ronaldo Finally Bring It Home?- USA vs. Paraguay Preview - Who Are The Toughest Opponents In The World Cup?- CJ Stroud Offseason

    6/11 Hour 3 - Is the Spurs Collapse the Worst in Sports History?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 58:43


    - Spurs All-Time Collapse- Hunter Brown is Back- Astros Struggles Continue- Charlie Woods now a Caddie- News of the Weird

    6/10 hour 1 - Will Brendan Sorsby play next year?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 49:08


    Women's world cup Can the Astros win the series after a tough night? Exciting return for the Astros

    6/10 Hour 2 - What do the Knicks need to do to win game 4?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 58:04


    Checking in on former Astros What do the guys think about the new Michael Jackson documentary Pat Mcafee doing live commentary? Mike Brown's coaching style Do offenses catch up to the Texans defense this season?

    6/10 Hour 3 - What is the Texans best personnel for this season?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 42:25


    What does the Texans offensive line need to do to improve? Marcel Reed and Messi picture Serena Williams return What did we miss? News of the weird

    6/09 Hour 1- How does the Brendan Sorsby ruling affect college sports?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2026 50:57


    Astros Monday recap Can the Spurs come back from 2-0? Why have the Texans not re-signed Derek Barnett? Aftermath of the Sorsby ruling

    6/09 Hour 2- Will NIL ruin college sports

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2026 43:34


    Is Wemby starting to get a reputation? Who is Robin on the Spurs? Why is Jalen Brunson struggling in the Finals so far? Jose Altuve baserunning

    6/09 Hour 3- Are Knicks fans making them unlikeable?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2026 52:05


    Is there any athlete that gets more scrutiny than SGA? World Cup talk Why does Demeco Ryans not bench a QB after 3 quarters? News of the weird

    6/08 Hour 1 - Are the Knicks going to sweep the NBA finals?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 57:52


    Can the Astros win the AL west Will Yordan Alvarez win the triple crown? Can Wemby bounce back? What can we expect from Texans minicamps? What did you learn?

    6/08 Hour 2 - Is the United States favorites to win their group?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 35:30


    What happened to Jannick Sinner? Is Tatsuya Iami on the rise? How will Hunter Brown look in his return? What is going on with Caitlin Clark? News of the weird

    6/08 Hour 3 - What are the effects of college players gambling?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 55:04


    Why is Chicago not a hosting city for the World Cup? What have we learned about the Knicks in the NBA Finals? What will the effect of Jalen Brunson be? Who on the Rockets has deep run experience?  Are ex Astros struggling?

    6/05 Hour 1: Are You Letting Frank Ross Cut Your Hair?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2026 51:54


    - Astros Drop Another Series.- Darren Sproles Coaching in Houston.- How Many Texans Players Would Actually Let Frank Ross Cut Their Hair?- Alex Bregman Used to Coach Spencer Arighetti.

    6/05 Hour 2: Discussing a Hypothetical Jaylen Brown Trade

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2026 48:34


    - Jeremy Pena's Eventual Contract Extension.- Dua Lipa is Getting Married.- Older Athletes in Collegiate Football.- Astros Sign Lamont Wade Jr.- Jaylen Brown Trade

    6/05 Hour 3: What Did You Learn? + Spurs vs. Knicks Game 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2026 46:07


    - What Did You Learn?- Texas Wins NCAA Softball National Championship- Kevin Durant Hiding Behind Bushes.- World Cup- Olivia Miles- Spurs vs. Knicks Game 2

    6/4 Hour 1: Spurs vs. Knicks Game 1 Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 47:05


    - Spurs vs. Knicks Game 1 Recap.- Josh Hart Dominates The Boards in Game 1.- Jalen Brunson Postseason Dominance.- Astros Unreal Comeback against the Pirates.- Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne

    6/4 Hour 2: Should There be a Super-League in Collegiate Football?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 43:20


    John & Lance Hour 2- Does the College Footall Playoff Need to be Restructured?- Josh Hader Return- NBA Finals Ticket Prices- Houston Rockets Return to Ketchup & Mustard Colorway.

    6/4 Hour 3: Astros Rally Late Against the Pirates

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 57:36


    - What's Wrong With Brian Abreu & Christian Javier?- The Texans Have 8 Tight Ends on the Roster.- Mike Burrows- Will the Houston Rockets Run it Back With the Same Roster?- Game 1 Streaker

    6/03 Hour 1 - How has Nick Caley evolved the offense for year 2?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2026 56:42


    Will the Astros turn it around even with the injuries? Will Tank Dell be back for the Texans? What is the window for the Texans? Can Drake Maye reach the MVP level highs of last year? Did the Texans have to extend Nico Collins in order to keep him?

    6/03 Hour 2 - What do the Rockets do moving forward?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2026 40:33


    Why didn't Will Anderson practice in OTAs? Did the offense struggle in Otas? NBA Finals preview  How do the rockets compete with the spurs and thunder?

    6/03 Hour 3 - These Astros pitching stats are crazy!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2026 56:47


    Best pitching matchup in baseball?  Have the Texans improved offense during camps compared to last year? What did we miss? World cup favorites News of the weird

    6/02 Hour 1 How does the Myles Garrett blockbuster affect the NFL landscape?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 56:16


    Are the Astros similar to the Cleveland Browns? Is TJ Watt starting to slow down? What do the Texans do with 30 million in cap space AJ Brown trade finally happens How does the AJ Brown trade affect the Eagles and the Patriot Rick Adelman passes away

    6/02 Hour 2 2026-2027 Texans Expectations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 47:51


    Houston Texans Offensive Line Expectations 2026-2027 Houston Texans Offense Predictions Astros vs. Pirates Series Discussing Stadiums & Arenas Around the United States   Texans Schedule Houston Texans $30M Cap Space and Team Depth

    6/02 Hour 3 Astros vs Pirates

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 45:20


    National League pitchers talk, who gets pitcher of the month? Chicago Bears and Dallas Mavericks on the move Are the Clippers in trouble? NBA Finals preview and odds NHL Talk News of the weird

    Is this a prove it year for CJ Stroud?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2026 50:48


    - Astros weekend recap - How do the OKC Thunder improve to get back to the finals?- How did Arsenal play against PSG?- Will CJ Stroud get extended?- What did you learn this weekend?

    Which NBA team has the best big man lineage?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2026 42:38


    - Which NBA team has the best big man lineage?- Who was more impactful for the rockets?- Should Brendan Sorsby be suspended for the entire season?- How can Diana Russini revive her career?

    Is CJ Stroud's haircut for the better or worse?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2026 46:15


    - When should you be back in on the Astros?- What happened to Bryan Abreu?- What did we miss? Who is going to win the stanley cup Who looks dangerous for the upcoming world cup News of the weird

    05/29 Hour 1: The Astros Are Heating Up

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2026 49:06


    - Can the Astros Make a Push for First Place in the Division?- Spurs Force a Game 7.- Thoughts on the Houston Texans OTA's.- CJ Stroud Extension Talks.- Nico Collins Contract Restructured. - Discussing the Inevitable College Football Playoff Expansion.- Joey McGuire fires back at Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns.

    05/29 Hour 2: Texans OTA's + Is Swarm a Good Nickname?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2026 49:42


    - DeMeco Ryans With Heavy Praise for Will Anderson Jr.- Renaming the Houston Texans Defense.- Jared McCain and his Nails.- SMU QB Kevin Jennings- Gambling in College Athletics.- World Cup & Diego Luna not Making the World Cup Roster.

    05/29 Hour 3: Freaky Friday

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2026 44:31


    - Freaky Friday Call-In's- Astros 2.5 Games Back Out of First Place.- 10 Year Anniversary of the Harambe Tragedy.- News of the Weird

    5/28 Hour 1: Yordan and the Houston Astros are Heating up

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 43:05


    - Is Yordan Alvarez the MVP Frontrunner?- Josh Hader Return- Astros Heating up

    5/28 Hour 2: Will Fortune Joins the Show to Discuss the Houston Rockets

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 53:02


    - Thoughts on Reed Sheppard- Next Steps for the Houston Rockets- Best Coaches in College Football

    5/28 Hour 3: Do College Sports Need Legislation?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 56:19


    - Officiating in the NBA playoffs- Jaxson Dart Completes an Interesting Side Quest- Legislation in College Athletics

    5/27 Hour 1: Astros winning streak ends + OKC takes game 5

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2026 52:35


    - Astros tough outing Tuesday night against the rangers -  New York City going crazy- Nico Collins pay raise- Western Conference finals recap 

    5/27 Hour 2: Top Skill Groups in football + Texans 2 year window

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2026 41:10


    - Josh Jacobs allegations- Kalshi put out their skill position group rankings

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