Podcast appearances and mentions of Jeff Pearlman

Notes and Links to Jeff Pearlman's Work     Jeff Pearlman is the New York Times bestselling author of ten books. His subjects include the '80s Los Angeles Lakers (Show­time), the 1986 New York Mets (The Bad Guys Won), the '90s Dallas Cowboys (Boys Will Be Boys), and NFL legends Walter Pay­ton (Sweetness) and Brett Favre (Gunslinger). HBO adapted Showtime into the dramatic series Winning Time, produced and directed by Adam McKay. A former Sports Illus­trated senior writer and ESPN.com colum­nist, Pearlman is the host of the Two Writers Slinging Yang podcast and blogs regularly at jeffpearlman.com. Buy Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur   Jeff's Website   NPR Coverage of Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur At about 3:15, Jeff talks about writing against hagiography and how he doesn't “bring bias” into his writing, whether about Tupac or sports At about 5:25, Pete compliments the structure of the book, as it examines each of the places that shaped Tupac's life At about 5:55, Rapid-fire questions! *Best Tupac collab? Best movie role? At about 8:45, A beautiful shout-out to friend Curtis Dorsey and Jeff's dad, Stan At about 10:20, Jeff shouts out some favorite lines from Tupac's songs At about 10:50, Pete and Jeff discuss Tupac's “layering songs” and wondrous laugh  At about 12:55, Jeff responds to Pete's question about Jeff's “in”/entry point for writing about someone who has been written about so much  At about 15:45, Jeff expands on writing his biography of Tupac as a type of "layering" and the importance of specificity   At about 17:00, Jeff talks about how interviewing 652 people for his Tupac book is actually something that “[he] is supposed to do” At about 19:55, Jeff reflects a bit on book promotion and book release  At about 21:25, Jeff shouts out Dusty Baker as “maybe the coolest human being who's ever walked the planet” At about 22:20, Pete asks Jeff about Set Shakur's quote that Tupac died “alone”; Jeff reflects on the “isolation” of fame  At about 24:00, Jeff talks about Suge Knight and his indifference and his intriguing story At about 25:45, Jeff talks about Tupac's connection or lack thereof to the Mob Piru gang  At about 26:45, Pete gives an incomplete and rambling answer to the best Tupac song At about 28:10, Davonn Hodge and his mother reuniting due to great work by Jeff Pearlman and Michelle Soulli is discussed, as Jeff gives the background on the reunification  At about 30:20, Jeff gives background on Afeni Shakur's hometown, Lumberton, NC, and he gives a shoutout to Howard Bryant's book on Ricky Henderson At about 31:30, Jeff recounts a story about going to Lumberton to use the microfiche, but wound up seeing Tupac's grave At about 32:10, Jeff gives background on Afeni Shakur's amazing life and highlights her accomplishments and travails  At about 33:30, Jeff and Pete discuss “Dear Mama” as aspirational and the sadness of Afeni's substance abuse and how Tupac dealt with this horrible disappointment and “trauma” At about 35:15, Jeff talks in awe of Afeni's defending herself in the “Panther 21” trial At about 36:20, Jeff discusses Tupac's name origins At about 37:45, Jeff responds to Pete's question about Tupac's dad Billy Garland and male role models At about 39:40, The two discuss horrible athletic performances in movies and Tupac's unfortunate basketball shooting motion At about 41:00, Jeff gives some background on Tupac's birth name At about 41:40, Jeff talks about the impression that New York made on Tupac, musically and personally At about 43:00, The two discuss Tupac's time in Baltimore and at the Baltimore School for the Arts, and Tupac as an actor and singer; Jeff calls Baltimore his “favorite Tupac era” At about 45:10, The two talk about Tupac's Baltimore time and struggles and how “shapeshifter” didn't quite fit him At about 47:10, Jeff traces the Shakurs' move to Marin City and connections to Geronimo Pratt and his family At about 48:15, Jeff shares a profound statement from Set Shakur about moving vs. “relocating” At about 48:50, Jeff talks about Marin City and recreating the Marin City of when Tupac lived there  At about 50:50, Jeff expands on similarities between Tupac's time in the creative worlds of performing arts high schools in Baltimore and Marin City/ and his mother's downward spiral At about 51:55, The two discuss the significance of Marin City's Festival on the Green 1992 and further reporting on the tragedy as a “turning point” At about 55:50, Jeff responds to Pete's observation about Tupac's first albums not being highly-received and focuses on the changes that led to his second album being disappointing for Tupac At about 57:20, Jeff traces an almost parallel life for Tupac as a revolutionary leader in Atlanta At about 58:45, Jeff talks about the awkward time with Tupac working to become a community leader  At about 1:00:20, Jeff responds to Pete's question about the reactions from people who were wowed by Tupac's raps in person At about 1:03:00, Jeff shares what he learned in his interviews about Tupac the actor At about 1:06:00, Jeff shares his thoughts on the alleged second sexual assault by Tupac At about 1:08:15, Pete and Jeff discuss the “fan[ning] of the hip hop media/media and Tupac's  At about 1:09:35, Pete compliments the skillful ways in which the last hours and days (the “banal”) were rendered in the way  At about 1:11:10, Pete asks Jeff about how much Death Row changed Tupac/brought out tendencies in him At about 1:12:55, Jeff shares information from the book on two or three parallel universes where Tupac almost avoided being in Las Vegas   At about 1:13:55, Jeff reflects on Tupac as a 54 year old      You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 309 with Amber Sparks, the author of the short story collections And I Do Not Forgive You and The Unfinished World. Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, Slate, and elsewhere. Her book Happy People Don't Live Here was published in October 2025.    The episode drops on November 18.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.

The Abyss Podcast - Issue 219: JEFF PEARLMAN New York Times Best Selling Author, Sportswriter, Reporter, and Journalist, Jeff Pearlman joins us on the heels of his amazing new book "Only God Can Judge Me, The MAny Lives Of Tupac Shakur" DON'T SLEEP TAP IN! IG- @the_abyss_podcast @skitgod_lukeycage @dr.hellmouth @primojab EMAIL- cftheabysspodcast@gmail.com

Episode 561 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features best-selling author Jeff Pearlman, whose latest book is "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives Of Tupac Shakur." In this podcast Pearlman, who has written books on Walter Payton, the Dallas Cowboys, Bo Jackson. The Lakers and the 1986 Mets among others, discusses why he spent three years doing a book on Tupac; how he navigated interviewing nearly 700 people for this book; how the book reunited the mother and son from Tupac's ‘Brenda's Got a Baby'"; what Tupac might be doing today; getting criticism for writing the book; why he thinks recent sports nostalgia can sell and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeff joins to talk about his latest biography & much more.

Here's a short clip from our interview with Jeff Pearlman, the best-selling author whose latest book is "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives Of Tupac Shakur." In this preview clip of the full interview on Friday, Pearlman discusses what he sees as the best avenue to sell a sports book in 2025. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Mr. Throwback Thursday Presents, where we bring you classic Hip-Hop through the voices that shaped it — and the storytellers who keep its legacy alive.This week, we're sitting down with Jeff Pearlman, a New York Times bestselling author known for his deep dives into sports legends — from Walter Payton to Bo Jackson...

A Note from JamesTupac Shakur—one of the greatest rap artists ever—was shot and killed almost two decades ago. What else is there left to say about him? What new things can be said?Well, Jeff Pearlman's new book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur, takes on that challenge. In our conversation, we talk about what Jeff uncovered in his research, why he wanted to write another Tupac book, and what made this one different.But first, a little story. Back in the '90s, I was running a company that built websites. Around 1997 or '98, Tupac's mom wanted to release a new album of his music and build a website around it. I went in to pitch the project—$90,000, which would've covered payroll for another month. I needed that deal.So I show up, ready to impress. Tupac's manager says, “Okay, here's my computer. Show me what you've got.” And I realize—I've never used a Windows machine in my life. I'd only ever used Macs. I couldn't even figure out how to turn it on.I had a computer science degree. I was a software engineer. I'd been running this company for years. But in that moment, I had to admit: “I don't know how to use this machine.” He laughed me out of the room. Literally.That was the day I learned that even the smartest pitch can fall apart if you forget to check which operating system you're using.Anyway—what else is there to talk about with Tupac Shakur? Jeff Pearlman and I figured it out.Episode DescriptionIn this episode, James sits down with bestselling author and journalist Jeff Pearlman (The Last Folk Hero, Showtime, Sweetness) to talk about his latest book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur.Pearlman explores the contradictions, brilliance, and tragedy of Tupac's life—how a performing arts kid from Baltimore became the poetic voice of West Coast hip hop, and how his complex identity was shaped by the Black Panther movement, celebrity culture, and the rise of gangsta rap.James and Jeff unpack Tupac's evolution from Digital Underground hype man to solo artist, his influence on music and film, and the deeper meaning behind songs like Brenda's Got a Baby. They also trace the events leading up to his death, separating myth from reality, and reflect on what Tupac's legacy might have become if he'd lived.What You'll LearnWhy Tupac's “gangster” persona was more performance than realityHow his upbringing under a Black Panther mother shaped his worldviewThe untold story behind Brenda's Got a Baby—and how Pearlman found the real “baby” years laterThe truth about Tupac's relationship with Biggie Smalls and the events that led to both of their deathsWhy Tupac might have gone on to become a political or cultural leader, not just a rapperHow hip hop evolved from the storytelling of the '90s to today's more fragmented soundTimestamped Chapters[00:00] Introduction – James shares his connection to Tupac's world [02:43] A Note from James – The web pitch that went wrong [05:00] Why Jeff Pearlman wrote a Tupac book [07:00] The challenge of writing outside his comfort zone [09:00] Tupac's background and the myth of the “gangsta” image [11:00] The evolution of rap from the '80s to now [16:00] What made Tupac's art different from his peers [18:30] Tupac as a natural actor—and how he almost won an Oscar [21:00] Was his “gangster” side authentic or performance? [23:30] The night Tupac was killed—what really happened [26:00] How the East Coast–West Coast rivalry became fatal [30:00] The origin of Brenda's Got a Baby and the real-life people behind it [35:00] Tupac's literal storytelling and emotional honesty [36:30] How he might have evolved as an artist—or politician [38:00] The conversation that inspired a future Newark city councilman [40:00] Hip hop's intelligence, legacy, and misunderstood brilliance [45:00] From Ice-T to Death Row: how labels, power, and politics shaped the scene [49:00] Wrapping up with gratitude—and a little hair envyAdditional ResourcesJeff Pearlman – Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac ShakurJeff Pearlman's Official WebsiteTupac Shakur – Brenda's Got a Baby (Official Video)Digital Underground – Same Song (Tupac's first verse)FBI Case File: Death of Tupac ShakurFilm: Juice (1992), starring Tupac Shakur and Omar EppsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

   You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place. Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 308 with Jeff Pearlman, the New York Times bestselling author of ten books. His subjects include the '80s Los Angeles Lakers (Show­time), the 1986 New York Mets (The Bad Guys Won), the '90s Dallas Cowboys (Boys Will Be Boys), and NFL legends Walter Pay­ton (Sweetness) and Brett Favre (Gunslinger). HBO adapted Showtime into the dramatic series Winning Time, produced and directed by Adam McKay. A former Sports Illus­trated senior writer and ESPN.com colum­nist, Pearlman is the host of the Two Writers Slinging Yang podcast. His latest is Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur.    The episode drops on November 11.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.

Author Jeff Pearlman joins the show. We discuss his books and the people he writes about. His Writing process and much more.

Thank you to New York Times Best Selling author and sportswriter Jeff Pearlman for coming on my show for an interview! Jeff Pearlman discussed his new book Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur, the deep research he did, and the backlash he has received since releasing the book. He talked about reuniting the real mother and son that inspired Brenda's Got A Baby in Las Vegas, Young Noble not doing an interview with him before he passed away, and the infamous 2Pac spitting photo. He also got into his show Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty on HBO, his Jets fandom, and more. Stay tuned! Follow Jeff Pearlman on Instagram: @jeff_pearlman Follow me on Instagram and X: @thereelmax Website: https://maxcoughlan.com/index.html. Website live show streaming link: https://maxcoughlan.com/sports-and-hip-hop-with-dj-mad-max-live-stream.html. MAD MAX Radio on Live365: https://live365.com/station/MAD-MAX-Radio-a15096. Subscribe to my YouTube channel Sports and Hip Hop with DJ Mad Max: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCE0107atIPV-mVm0M3UJyPg. Jeff Pearlman on "Sports and Hip-Hop with DJ Mad Max" visual on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp6WQ5jJVao. 

Episode 100! Jeff Pearlman joins JD for the third time to talk about his book "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur"

WHY LISTEN? Because Jeff Pearlman strips away the myth to reveal the real Tupac Shakur—a brilliant, wounded, and fiercely human artist whose story still speaks to America's struggles with family, race, trauma, and truth.Happy Halloween, everyone. To celebrate, we're turning our attention to one of white America's most mythic—and most feared—figures: the hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur. In Only God Can Judge Me, his new Tupac biography, the Los Angeles-based sportswriter Jeff Pearlman reveals both the humanity and the heartbreak behind the myth. Yes, Pearlman concedes, Tupac Shakur was far from perfect. Yet in his music, his movies, and above all his short, turbulent life, Tupac embodied the quintessential American hero—a man who, despite all the injustice and chaos around him, stood up for what was right. Here was someone whom perhaps not even God could judge.1. Tupac's story is fundamentally about trauma, not violencePearlman's biggest revelation wasn't about gang culture or rap feuds—it was about the crushing weight of intergenerational trauma. Watching his hero mother, former Black Panther Afeni Shakur, descend into crack addiction left Tupac with wounds that shaped everything. “The trauma of having your hero become this thing that's unrecognizable and zombie-like,” Pearlman explains, is what people miss when they romanticize Afeni as simply a “goddess” or reduce Tupac to a “son of a Black Panther.”2. Tupac was a theater kid before he was a gangster rapperBefore Marin City's crack epidemic and Death Row Records, Tupac Shakur was studying at the Baltimore School of the Arts—writing poetry, dancing, and dreaming of acting. He was “this free spirit who lived this beautiful, beautiful life,” Pearlman says. That artistic foundation—not the tough-guy persona—was his authentic self. Actor Jim Belushi told Pearlman that Tupac was on the verge of becoming an Academy Award–winning actor. The gangster image that Death Row demanded wasn't who he wanted to be.3. The book is sad—and that surprised everyone, including Pearlman“I didn't expect this to be a sad book,” Pearlman admits. But every proofreader who read it said the same thing: “God, this book is so sad.” Tupac died young, nearly broke, used by powerful people, and alone in many ways—desperate to be understood and accepted. “Life kind of gobbled him up,” Pearlman says. The mythology of Tupac as an invincible icon obscures the heartbreaking reality of a 25-year-old carrying impossible weight.4. Writing about Tupac as a white suburban sportswriter required radical humilityPearlman acknowledges the cultural distance he had to cross: “It's a weird situation being a white guy who grew up in middle-class rural America writing about Tupac... I never experienced that level of trauma.” His approach wasn't to claim expertise but to listen deeply and interview exhaustively. Along the way, he gained an unexpected education in Southern California gang culture—discovering that many former gang members and drug dealers “are wonderful guys” who “just had different journeys.”5. Tupac would be “absolutely furious” about Trump's America—and probably arrestedWhen asked what Tupac would think of today's political climate, Pearlman doesn't hesitate: “I think 25-year-old Tupac would be horrified, but not surprised.” More specifically, “I can't imagine Tupac Shakur of any age just sitting back” while ICE agents grab people in unmarked vehicles. “I think he'd be 100% getting arrested at ICE roundups,” Pearlman says. As for Biden or Harris? Tupac would probably see them as “corporate shills who don't stand up enough for the people.”Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

New York Times Best Selling author, Jeff Pearlman joined me today in The Sports Deli for one of the most fascinating conversations that I've ever had.I can't thank Jeff enough for his time and for being so gracious. We covered a lot of ground in this episode and truly hope you enjoy it as much as I did.Jeff Pearlman breaks down Tupac's life like a veteran sportswriter examining a dynasty. This detailed look at his life is the work of a writer who understands the ego of greatness.”—Chuck DPearlman delivers rich, engrossing, and fascinating new details about Shakur's life and legacy—not just once or twice—but throughout each lively page...This is the type of needed journalism, reporting, and biography that finally and deservedly provides the definitive historic account on Shakur.” -Jonathan Abrams, author of The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-HopScrutinized in life, mythologized in death, Tupac Shakur remains a subject of immense cultural significance and speculation nearly thirty years after his murder. Despite a multitude of books, documentaries, and even a feature film, much about Tupac's story remains shrouded and misunderstood. Like many icons who died tragically young, Tupac the man has long been obscured—his edges sanded down, his complexity numbed—by the competing agendas that surround his legacy.Thanks for the love and support and remember you're not alone. You can always dial 988 if you're having a hard day and someone will be there 24/7/365.

Today in History, Quick Hitters: who's hiring the next LSU coach & Coach O wants it to be him, Jeff Pearlman joined us to discuss his new book Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur, all the latest in the NFL with Albert Breer and week nine NFL picks with Ya Highness. 

On this episode! The Fellas interview the talented sportwriter and author of Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur.We discuss Tupac's life, the challenges writing this book being a white male and Pac's worst movies.Mobb Deep and The Alchemist released the new half posthumous Infinite album. The Infamous Mobb may have released one of their best albums in their discography.Our Detroit Lions are red hot again while our Detroit Tigers... until next season.Be sure to follow us on Instagram @2HipHopSenseis.a.casual and be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube page!We Love any and all feedback! If you REALLY loyal, be sure to tell a friend to tell a friend to listen to the Podcast.

This week, Deremy and Thomas celebrate the work and life of one of hip-hop's true icons. The guys are choosing five essential Tupac songs. They're joined by an incredible writer and author of the new book "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur," Jeff Pearlman. Join them as they break down Tupac's important songs, and Jeff shares some great stories about the process of writing the book. This is a can't miss for any fan of pop culture.Be sure to get a copy of Jeff Pearlman's "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Live of Tupac Shakur" wherever you get your books.To hear every song Deremy and Thomas have covered, all in one place, search Spotify for the playlist: Pop Culture Five: Essential SongsLet us know what you think and send us a request!Twitter (X): @popculturefiveInstagram: Pop Culture Five PodcastEmail: popculture5pod@gmail.com

'Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur' is available now. Author Jeff Pearlman joins Chris and Amy to detail his efforts to write the book and what he uncovered. His youtube channel is: Pressbox Chronicles with Jeff pearlman.

Author Jeff Pearlman joins Chris and Amy to start the 2nd hour of the show, he's got a new book on Tupac Shakur; Maria Keena joins in-studio recapping a press conference from attorney Ben Crump who is representing families from Cardinal Ritter; share some ghost stories; binge watching shows.

Chris and Amy recap the lengthy World Series game; St Louis Foodbank is concerned with SNAP benefits pause; Steve Ehlmann announces his bid for a 6th term as St Charles County Exec; CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg; Blues conversation with Andy Strickland; a new Tupac Shakur book from Jeff Pearlman.

On this episode! The Fellas interview the talented sportswriter and author of Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur.We discuss Tupac's life, the challenges writing this book being a white man and Pac's worst movies.Mobb Deep and The Alchemist released the half posthumous Infinite album. The Infamous Mobb may have released one of their best albums in their discography.Our Detroit Lions are red hot again while our Detroit Tigers... until next season.Be sure to follow us on Instagram @2HipHopSenseis.a.casual and be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube page!We Love any and all feedback! If you REALLY loyal, be sure to tell a friend to tell a friend to listen to the Podcast.

“So much misery. It is so much misery. It is so hard. It's not natural, locking yourself in your room for three years to focus on one person is not mentally healthy. Leigh Montville, great, great writer, said to me years ago, he's like, ‘It's an unnatural thing. You spend two years in a hole to come out for two weeks, you know?'” — Jeff Pearlman, author of Only God Can Judge Me.Today we have Jeff Pearlman returning to the show to talk about his 11th book, his latest book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur (Mariner Books). Jeff has made a career out of being a sports writer, so when I heard he had turned his biographical eye toward a hiphop icon from the 1990s, I was especially intrigued by how he would approach it. It's the kind of book he could pursue after having proved himself ten times before, with a few of his books becoming coveted NYT bestsellers. He interviewed close to 700 people for the book … that's how you do this. THAT is how it's done.The first time he was on, I think I annoyed him a bit with my questions on “craft.” He kind of bristled at the idea that it was a “craft,” which maybe he thought was too cute a word to put on it. To him, it's fucking work. You make all the calls. Then you make more. You go to the locations. You knock on doors. You report, report, report. It has more to do with tenacity and rigor than art … so I made sure I steered clear of things that felt too crafty this time around.Jeff is all over the place. By that I mean he's got a YouTube presence with The Press Box Chronicles, a TikTok presence with more than 300,000 followers. He has a podcast, Two Writers Slinging Yang (still waiting for my invite), a political Substack called The Truth OC, and his writing/journalism Substack The Yang Yang. He's a writer in his 50s and he's tremendously nimble. He understands, even with his platform and profile, that nobody is going to champion your book like you can. Honestly, we can all take a page out of his book and how he has embraced the ever-changing playbook for book promotion. In this conversation Jeff and I talk about: Book promotion Finding the little guys How he handled another Tupac biography publishing during his research for this book The misery of it all Conversations he had with Jonathan Eig, the PP winning author of King: A Life Jeff's favorite “version” of Tupac And hitting the “fuck-it” stage.All great stuff, as you might come to expect from speaking to Jeff Pearlman. His audio was a bit muddy. It's not as great as I would have liked but I think the message carries the day.Order The Front RunnerNewsletter: Rage Against the AlgorithmWelcome to Pitch ClubShow notes: brendanomeara.com

Matt is joined by author Jeff Pearlman, author of a new book on Tupac and then Newby joins to talk week 8 of the NFL 

We talk to best-selling author, Jeff Pearlman about his new book Only God Can Judge Me the Many Lives of Tupac Shakur. It's incredible what Jeff learned and his process for researching the book. We also do the headlines, Trump destroys the Whitehouse, and Fisch returns to share all the joy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chipchat--2780807/support.

"Was there any part of you that was like 'it's Nebraska though, can you just send me a PDF?'" Jeff Pearlman joins us to talk about his new book Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur and walks us through his incredibly thorough process in writing the book. He shares a story that is an absolute must listen and might be the early leader in the clubhouse for Best Story in next year's Suey's. We also revisit Emmitt Smith's eventful tenure on Monday Night football, Amin forms a new character, and we have this week's Boost Mobile Boldest Take hotline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Kenny The Sports Guy Podcast, Kenny sits down with acclaimed sports author Jeff Pearlman, known for bestsellers like Showtime, The Bad Guys Won!, and The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson. Together, they dive deep into the stories behind Pearlman's latest book, his unfiltered takes on modern sports culture, and what it truly takes to write the definitive biography of an athlete. From uncovering untold locker room tales to exploring how fame and controversy collide in the world of sports, this is one conversation fans and readers alike won't want to miss.

In this episode of Kenny The Sports Guy Podcast, Kenny sits down with acclaimed sports author Jeff Pearlman, known for bestsellers like Showtime, The Bad Guys Won!, and The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson. Together, they dive deep into the stories behind Pearlman's latest book, his unfiltered takes on modern sports culture, and what it truly takes to write the definitive biography of an athlete. From uncovering untold locker room tales to exploring how fame and controversy collide in the world of sports, this is one conversation fans and readers alike won't want to miss.

In this week's episode, Rashawn is joined by New York Time's bestselling author, Jeff Pearlman. Jeff joins us to speak on his new published book on the life of Tupac, “Only God Can Judge Me”. Jeff opens up about doing over 650 interviews of people who were close to Pac and was around him from the time he was alive till his final days. He goes in depth of the unbelievable story behind “Brenda's got a baby” and more. Enjoy.

Rich weighs in on the Seattle Seahawks' Monday Night Football win over the Houston Texans despite a slew of penalties and turnovers, and the guys react to 49ers TE George Kittle's comments about Brock Purdy and Mac Jones in the latest episode of the ‘No-Contest Wrestling' podcast with O'Shea Jackson Jr and TJ. Bestselling author Jeff Pearlman joins Rich in-studio to discuss his new ‘Only God Can Judge Me' Tupac Shakur biography, and shares his favorite stories about researching and writing his recent book on Bo Jackson. Rich reacts to the Toronto Blue Jays ousting the Seattle Mariners to earn place in the World Series to face the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on AirTalk, Warner Bros. Discovery considers a potential sale; an interview with author Jeff Pearlman on his new book about Tupac Shakur; Glynn Washington, host of Spooked! and Snap Judgement joins Larry for a conversation about storytelling and supernatural experiences; and The Dodgers prepare to face off against The Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series. Today on AirTalk: Potential Warner Bros. Discovery sale (0:15) New book about Tupac Shakur(12:34) Triple Play (32:33) SoCal History: Cerritos and Dairy Valley (41:16) Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

Author and journalist Jeff Pearlman returns to the show and chats with Daniel Ford about his latest book Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur. To learn more about Jeff Pearlman, visit his official website. Also listen to our first interview with the author and subscribe to his podcast "Two Writers Slinging Yang." This episode is sponsored by The Dark Road by Kathleen Rhodes and Libro.fm.

For the seventh time, New York Times bestselling author Jeff Pearlman joins the boys to talk about his new biography, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur, shares where he was when he learned Tupac had died, the lengths he went to talk to everyone whoever crossed the legendary rapper's path (including, for some reason, Tony Danza), provides his ultimate Tupac playlist and drops some hints as to what his next project might be...maybe. This week's podcast was brought to you by  Teambrown Apparel, Old Fort Baseball Co and Patrick's Custom Painting.

Today on the show: Peter King on the massive Amazon cloud outage. Natalie Brand from CBS News live in D.C. updating day 20 of the government shutdown and Russia/Ukraine. Author Jeff Pearlman joins us live. Plus, correspondent Rory O'Neill on a huge jewel heist at The Louvre! 9am-noon on 95.5 WSB.

Today on the show: Peter King on the massive Amazon cloud outage. Natalie Brand from CBS News live in D.C. updating day 20 of the government shutdown and Russia/Ukraine. Author Jeff Pearlman joins us live. Plus, correspondent Rory O'Neill on a huge jewel heist at The Louvre! 9am-noon on 95.5 WSB.

Today on the show: Peter King on the massive Amazon cloud outage. Natalie Brand from CBS News live in D.C. updating day 20 of the government shutdown and Russia/Ukraine. Author Jeff Pearlman joins us live. Plus, correspondent Rory O'Neill on a huge jewel heist at The Louvre! 9am-noon on 95.5 WSB.

The Saturday Edition of the Good Morning Football Podcast looks back at Actor/Singer Donnie Wahlberg talking his favorites in Boston sports, Boston Blue, and the NKOTB years! The Breakfast Table has a tough time ranking their Top 5 teams in the NFL right NOW! Plus, Author Jeff Pearlman discusses his upcoming book about Tupac Shakur. The Good Morning Football Podcast is part of the NFL Podcast NetworkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the BobbyCast, Bobby shares behind-the-scenes stories from his life in the music and radio industry. He shares why he has been mad at a country artist for years and whether or not he is justified. He reflects on the cliquey nature of the industry, the value of authentic relationships, and why he’s learned to cut out drama and dishonesty. Then, Bobby sits down with bestselling author Jeff Pearlman to dig into the stories behind his deep-dive on Tupac Shakur. Jeff talks about what he really learned while reporting the book—beyond the headlines and mythology—and why such a massive cultural force could still die broke. He breaks down his reporting playbook too: how you track down, organize, and verify insights from more than 650 interviews, and what surprised him most along the way. You’ll hear how money, management, and momentum collided in Tupac’s final years, the moments that reshaped Jeff’s understanding of who Pac was off-mic, and the practical nuts-and-bolts of building a biography at this scale. Pre-Order Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur HERE Follow on Instagram: @TheBobbyCast Follow on TikTok: @TheBobbyCast Watch this Episode on Youtube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the BobbyCast, Bobby shares behind-the-scenes stories from his life in the music and radio industry. He shares why he has been mad at a country artist for years and whether or not he is justified. He reflects on the cliquey nature of the industry, the value of authentic relationships, and why he’s learned to cut out drama and dishonesty. Then, Bobby sits down with bestselling author Jeff Pearlman to dig into the stories behind his deep-dive on Tupac Shakur. Jeff talks about what he really learned while reporting the book—beyond the headlines and mythology—and why such a massive cultural force could still die broke. He breaks down his reporting playbook too: how you track down, organize, and verify insights from more than 650 interviews, and what surprised him most along the way. You’ll hear how money, management, and momentum collided in Tupac’s final years, the moments that reshaped Jeff’s understanding of who Pac was off-mic, and the practical nuts-and-bolts of building a biography at this scale. Pre-Order Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur HERE Follow on Instagram: @TheBobbyCast Follow on TikTok: @TheBobbyCast Watch this Episode on Youtube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour Two of the Good Morning Football Podcast begins with hosts Jamie Erdahl, Kyle Brandt, Manti Te’o, and Mike Garafolo answering Throwdown Thursday questions - is Aaron Rodgers leading Steelers to Super Bowl or Joe Flacco leading Bengals to playoffs the more compelling story? Is the Dan Campbell or Baker Mayfield press conference more interesting? Jamie highlights the job Buccaneers offensive coordinar Josh Grizzard has done in Tampa. Author Jeff Pearlman joins the show and shares legendary stories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On why a sports writer would think himself worthy of chronicling Tupac Shakur. On the highs and lows and hardships of book reporting. On Tupac's amazing journey.

Catch up with ALLISON INTERVIEWS Host, Allison Kugel: Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theallisonkugel/ My Allison Interviews Blog: allisoninterviews.com Buy My Book: Journaling Fame: A memoir of a life unhinged and on the record  Support My Interviews @ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/allisoninterviews In the latest installment of the Allison Interviews Podcast, journalist and host Allison Kugel talks with New York Times bestselling author Jeff Pearlman, about writing Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur (on sale 10/21, Mariner Books), the most complete Tupac Shakur biography ever penned, featuring 650+ interviews. The book features in-depth interviews with Tupac's sister Set Shakur, late Outlawz member Yaki Kadafi's mother Yaasmyn Fula, Digital Underground's Money B, Tupac's aunt Gloria and her son Kenny Lesane, former Tupac managers Leila Steinberg and Atron Gregory, Juice director Ernest Dickerson, former classmates, love interests and close friends from the Baltimore School for the Arts, former roommates from the projects and former classmates in Marin City, the surprising woman who gave Tupac his first and middle name, actress Lela Rochon, Gang Related director Jim Kouf and hundreds of others. The book also features never before heard quotes from Tupac's former fiancée Kidada Jones. Traditionally a sports figure biographer, Pearlman's previous book include: Showtime (adopted for the screen with HBO's Winning Time series), The Last Folk Hero, Three-Ring Circus, Football for a Buck, Gunslinger, Sweetness, The Rocket That Fell to Earth, Boys Will Be Boys, Love Me Hate Me and The Bad Guys Won. Jeff Pearlman's Links https://jeffpearlman.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jeff_pearlman/ https://www.harpercollins.com/products/only-god-can-judge-me-jeff-pearlman?variant=43756802310178 _____________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to the audio podcast of Allison Interviews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and subscribe to the video podcast on YouTube. :-) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Pearlman on his new book on Only God Can Judge Me, why he chose Tupac Shakur as a subject, what really went down in Vegas the night Tupac was shot, what could have been if the murder never happened and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Mike on vacation this week, Charles is joined by New York Times Best-Selling Author Jeff Pearlman to discuss some of his favorite subjects, including the Mets, the Jets, Walter Payton, and his upcoming book "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur".  Then, Charles and Jeff discuss Bad Bunny headlining Super Bowl LX, the NFL's continued growth internationally, and the state of baseball as we enter the postseason.  Plus, Jason's Wormbyte features a classic rant on the chaos at the Ryder Cup.  We miss you Mike! Tune in next week for Mike's return AND another big guest!  

"I know you like the journalism." Jeff Pearlman has appeared 9 times on the New York Times Bestseller List, and he's here to share some incredible Dallas Cowboys details from his reporting, but he's not Ron Perlman, and that's left Tony WILDLY disappointed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy opens with the news that Terry McLaurin being taken off the PUP list. Is he close to a new deal, or will he play without one? (20:07) Jeff Pearlman on his infamous John Rocker profile in Sports Illustrated. (36:59) More Commanders talk, as they prepare to take on the Bengals in tonight's dress rehearsal. To hear the whole show, tune in live from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Monday-Friday. For more sports coverage, download the ESPN630 AM app, visit https://www.sportscapitoldc.com. To join the conversation, check us out on twitter @ESPN630DC and @andypollin1See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel discuss the culture of swapping jerseys after a game and how Matt missed out on most of it. Watching The Quarterback Netflix series, Matt reflects on the insight from the show and how it compares to his own experiences. NY Times Best Selling Author Jeff Pearlman begins with covering Barry Bonds and how great of a baseball player he was. Was Bonds' demeanor part of the reason his legacy has suffered so much? Jeff recounts his book on the Cowboys and what made Jimmy Johnson's team so special. What made Bo Jackson one of the best athletes of all-time and what was the one sport he couldn't play? Jeff talks about Brett Favre and why he was legendary. Jeff previews his project on Tupac (coming out in October) and how he spoke to over 650 people for research. We play 'Start, Bench, Cut' with College Quartback trios from their alma-maters. Put the QBs in order from Oklahoma, Florida, Oregon, and USC. Matt and Bobby are both ready for real football and Matt is preparing for upcoming Media Days. Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel is part of the NFL Podcast Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel discuss the culture of swapping jerseys after a game and how Matt missed out on most of it. Watching The Quarterback Netflix series, Matt reflects on the insight from the show and how it compares to his own experiences. NY Times Best Selling Author Jeff Pearlman begins with covering Barry Bonds and how great of a baseball player he was. Was Bonds' demeanor part of the reason his legacy has suffered so much? Jeff recounts his book on the Cowboys and what made Jimmy Johnson's team so special. What made Bo Jackson one of the best athletes of all-time and what was the one sport he couldn't play? Jeff talks about Brett Favre and why he was legendary. Jeff previews his project on Tupac (coming out in October) and how he spoke to over 650 people for research. We play 'Start, Bench, Cut' with College Quartback trios from their alma-maters. Put the QBs in order from Oklahoma, Florida, Oregon, and USC. Matt and Bobby are both ready for real football and Matt is preparing for upcoming Media Days. Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel is part of the NFL Podcast Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re joined by legendary sportswriter Jeff Pearlman — one of the best to ever do it. He’s been covering sports for over 30 years, writing iconic bios on athletes like Walter Payton and Showtime Lakers… but his next chapter? A deep dive into Tupac. We talk the wild days of MLB in the ‘90s, Michael Irvin stories, the raw truth of reporting from inside a clubhouse. Chad’s childhood gets shattered when he learns Barry Bonds was kind of a renob behind the scenes. If you’re into sports, storytelling, or '90s hip hop, this EP is for you. More about Jeff Pearlman Here:https://jeffpearlman.com/ We are live streaming a Fully unedited version of the pod on Twitch, if you want to chat with us while we're recording, follow here: https://www.twitch.tv/chadandjtgodeep Grab some dank merch here:https://shop.chadandjt.com/ Come see us on Tour! Get your tix - http://www.chadandjt.com TEXT OR CALL the hotline with your issue or question: 323-418-2019(Start with where you're from and name for best possible advice) Check out the reddit for some dank convo: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChadGoesDeep/ Thanks to our Sponsors:Brotege: The Best Skincare products for bros. Visit https://www.brotege.com and use code deep at checkout!Cash App: Send, Receive, Invest & Manage Your Money with Cash App - sign up using code “godeep” send $5 and get a free $10! https://cash.app/Cornbread Hemp: The first-ever USDA Organic THC gummy that’s 100% legal. Get 30% off your order today when visiting - https://www.cornbreadhemp.com/godeep PRODUCTION & EDITS BY: Jake Rohret #jeffpearlman #sportsillustrated #tupac

Steve interviews Jay Mariotti (00:18:00) who returns to the podcast with a list of sports medias topics he needs to get off his chest. Jay talks about the end of Around the Horn. Jay remembers the good and bad times he spent on the show and explains why he thinks it was never the same after he left. Jay has thoughts on the Pablo Torre and Bill Simmons feud. Jay is tired of hearing about Jordan Hudson and Bill Belichick, and he also talks about Jeff Pearlman getting in the mix and calling out gambling money. Jay has thoughts on Stephen A, sports writers on television, and the fall of the national sports columnist. Steve starts the show with first things first. The 2025 Braves still stink, Italy faces the nightmare of missing a third straight World Cup, and the Stanley Cup Final is awesome. The show ends with one last thing about self-evaluation. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

It's time for the 500th episode of the Just End The Suffering podcast! Host Mike Phillips (@MPhillips331) marks the occasion by sharing three classic interviews from the show's history: a 2020 conversation with former Bulls' beat writer Sam Smith (@SamSmithHoops) about his part in "The Last Dance" (2:24) and his time covering Michael Jordan; a 2022 interview with author Jeff Pearlman (26:43) about his book "The Last Folk Hero"; and a 2024 interview with Kyle Newman (@Kyle_Newman), who joined The Sky Guys to talk about his documentary "A Disturbance In The Force" (1:00:31), which covered the history and legacy of the Star Wars Holiday Special.Subscribe to the Just End The Suffering podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mike Phillips's channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube!