Podcast appearances and mentions of Chris Paul

CannCon and Chris Paul close the week by workshopping a new Friday segment idea before diving into a Politico story on a judge ruling Trump unlawfully removed a US Attorney, and what that says about who actually holds appointment power. The meat of the show is the release of Brian Cole's confession transcripts in the January 5th pipe bomb case, where the hosts walk through the interrogation dynamics and why the reaction online has been so wildly off base. From there it is a Georgia election board leader requesting federal intervention, a Miami judge holding that Congress cannot ban non citizens from voting, and a dual national arrested over the Fairford air base incident. They close with two genuinely bizarre crime stories, a Steve Hilton campaign ad, and a remarkable medical recovery.  

Chris Paul and Burning Bright revisit Matt Reeves's 2022 take on the Caped Crusader, and both come away more impressed than they expected to be. Expect a thoughtful dive into the film's central theme of vengeance versus justice, what it means to be harmed by a system versus harmed by people, and how that tension plays out through Bruce Wayne's arc. There's a genuinely funny personal theater horror story woven into the discussion, plenty of comic book fan perspective comparing this take to Nolan's trilogy, and a sharp pivot into real world parallels about political lying, informed consent, and what it actually means to "wake up" versus just acting like the Riddler online. Stick around for the closing thoughts on vengeance and justice, plus next week's pick, a 2017 dark comedy about the chaotic power scramble following a Soviet dictator's death.  

Jon Herold, fresh off a haircut and a Vikings win, debuts a new AI powered database project built with help from Chris Paul that tracks and scores political predictions made by dozens of accounts in the truth community since Trump's inauguration, revealing wildly high miss rates for the loudest "cheerleader" and "doomer" voices currently attacking Badlands. He walks through a new US China trade truce covering tariff cuts on 60 billion dollars in goods, Florida's AG seeking an injunction against OpenAI's development, and FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey's resignation, which Jon connects to a pattern of possible election related staffing shakeups. Other topics include a Trump Truth Social jab at Bill Maher, newly declassified Fauci diary entries on aerosolized Ebola research, the one year anniversary of Antifa's domestic terror designation, and the Senate's light pre midterm legislative agenda. Sponsor reads, some Twitter drama fallout, and a lively chat session round out a dense Monday show.  

Jake Madison, the host of the "Locked on Pelicans" podcast, joined Second Guess. Madison recapped the Pelicans' annual Media Day, highlighting new head coach Jamahl Mosley's work to build the "floor" of this roster. Madison also shared his thoughts on Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, and Chris Paul.

Hour 3 1:12 - JD5 @ 5: Dan Quinn's JD5 Update + “Fire Locksley” & Scherzer's Final Stand 12:17 - Inside Insight: Chris Russell's Locker Room Intel After the Commanders' Wild Win 23:54 - Chris Caught Up With Commanders G Chris Paul After the Game

Jon Herold and Chris Paul open with a genuinely fun tangent about the two new pandas gifted alongside Xi Jinping's visit, complete with jokes about renaming them and where to best display panda merch. The mood stays light before shifting into the actual state dinner and Xi's comments about US China competition, with both hosts noting how oddly aligned Trump and Xi seem to be on the same messaging lately. That leads into a meatier theory: the idea that an announcement of true superintelligence being achieved could function as a kind of false flag moment, something the hosts trace across multiple shows using the same terminology around the same time. There's also a viewer mailbag segment full of Bitcoin tips, inside jokes, and a Black Panther history clip pulled from a fan submission. A fun, freewheeling episode with some real substance tucked inside.

Chris Paul and Burning Bright revisit this 2008 Shia LaBeouf thriller, and both agree the movie itself is far from great even as its central concept lands eerily well from 2026. Expect a genuine appreciation for the film's prediction of an all powerful centralized AI system that manipulates the world through digitized objects, some pointed complaints about the shaky cam action filmmaking era it came from, and a real conversation about algorithmic control, epistemology, and why people arguing about elections might be missing the bigger picture entirely. There's a memorable riff on manufactured threats designed to scare people into compliance, plus some fun listener shoutouts and a debate about which underrated Gene Hackman movie deserves a rewatch. Stick around for next week's pick, a surprisingly conspiratorial Batman film that digs into information warfare more than you'd expect from a comic book movie.  

CannCon and Chris Paul close out the week with a Sixth Circuit ruling on Ohio requiring proof of citizenship at the BMV, and a genuinely good discussion about whether asking someone to prove eligibility counts as the minimum information necessary or an undue burden. From there it is a long look at California's Supreme Court siding against Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in his ballot seizure fight, a showdown between two elected officials that the hosts compare directly to Tina Peters and Jena Griswold. The back half heads overseas, with President Trump showing President Xi the wall of presidents, a Putin and Zelensky update tied to the G20 question, and a fascinating detour into the real history of the Lusitania. They also cover a Virginia software firm arrest with a Russian ownership twist.  

Jason Mayden on the Air Jordan 41, Michael Jordan & Designing for LA28 | Sole FreeFrom sketching sneakers as a kid on Chicago's South Side to helping shape the future of Jordan Brand, Jason Mayden's journey is built on creativity, perseverance and purpose.In this exclusive interview from Jordan Brand headquarters, Sole Free host Harlan Friedman sits down with Jason Mayden—Jordan Brand's VP of Visioneering and Creative Lead for LA28—to discuss the new Air Jordan 41, Michael Jordan's continued involvement and the technology designed to deliver “lightweight dominance” through the fourth quarter.Jason also shares how surviving a life-threatening illness at seven years old shaped his “Why not me?” mentality, why he imagined himself as Michael Jordan's Lucius Fox and how Chicago's music, architecture, fashion and basketball cultures inspired an extraordinary generation of creators.They also discuss:The Air Jordan 41's ZoomX cushioning, responsiveness and performance technologyDesigning Jordan products for the next generation of athletesJordan Brand's vision for the 2028 Los Angeles OlympicsWorking with Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Derek Jeter and EminemJason's journey from Jordan Brand's first design intern to executive leadershipThe importance of empowering young creatives instead of gatekeepingHis favorite sneakers, Chicago deep-dish versus a New York slice and the historical figures he wishes he could design forThis is more than a sneaker conversation—it's a powerful story about imagination, leadership, community and creating opportunities for the generation coming next.Subscribe to Sole Free for more exclusive conversations at the intersection of sneakers, sports, music, fashion and culture.#AirJordan41 #JordanBrand #JasonMayden #MichaelJordan #SneakerCultureEXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Harlan Friedman and Donna DrakePRODUCER/EDITOR: Robin C. Adams

Verno and Jacoby return to discuss some of the latest news around the league, including the contract extensions for Ausar Thompson and Keyonte George, Henri Veesaar's season-ending injury, and more. With the offseason coming to an end, media days around the corner, and preseason games coming soon, the guys dive into their full offseason loves and loathes. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (07:13) Ausar Thompson and Keyonte George sign contract extensions (13:45) Doc Rivers to join NBC's NBA broadcast (15:52) The Hawks' Henri Veesaar tears ACL, will miss the whole season (17:05) Jalen Brunson set to host 'Saturday Night Live' this weekend (22:06) Verno loves: How much stronger the teams in the East have gotten (26:02) Jacoby loves: LaMelo Ball on the Timberwolves with Anthony Edwards (28:25) Verno loathes: A weaker Western Conference (33:41) Jacoby loathes: The Knicks' championship summer is coming to an end (36:22) Verno loves: Rookie class (39:57) Jacoby loves: The Cavs trading for Peyton Watson (43:34) Verno loathes: Long-tenured players with new teams (50:04) Jacoby loathes: The Pelicans' offseason (50:39) Verno loves: New head coaches (54:29) Jacoby loves: The Rockets have true point guards now (55:59) Verno loathes: Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul retiring (57:00) Jacoby loathes: Ja Morant with the Blazers (1:01:04) Verno loves: The 76ers' offseason (1:05:21) Jacoby loves: OG Alvarado (1:07:03) Verno loathes: Blazers owner Tom Dundon being cheap (1:10:36) Jacoby loathes: Kyle Lowry's dinosaur statue Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A rare crossover: Jon Herold, Chris Paul, and Burning Bright are all together live at Gart for this one, and the energy shows. They kick off with Trump's latest true social posts about a potential third term before getting into a genuinely strange story about AI supposedly nudging the country toward conflict with China, and the very convenient timing of the outlet that broke it getting banned from the White House the same day. The hosts pick apart just how many layers of fakeness might be stacked on top of each other here, joking about "fake intelligence" reporting on itself. Being together in person adds some extra banter and inside jokes to the usual mix, plus a personal clip revisit near the end. It's a lighter, more freewheeling episode than the usual remote setup, but the news still gets covered.

Chris Paul and Burning Bright revisit this Terry Gilliam adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's gonzo classic, and it turns out this one is a genuine dividing line between the two hosts. Expect an honest reckoning with a movie that's aged into something stranger and more uncomfortable than either remembered, plus real talk about psychedelics, why fear is often what actually sends a trip sideways, and a thoughtful detour into whether humans are naturally ordered or chaotic beings. The conversation gets surprisingly reflective on drug culture, personal experience, and where the line sits between genuine insight and just disordering your own mind for the sake of it. There's also some practical Vegas trip chatter woven in given the timing. Stick around for the wrap up and next week's pick, a Shia LaBeouf surveillance state thriller that feels more relevant now than when it came out.  

Debating if there's any truth to some week 1 NFL overreactions, discussing if the Clippers are being petty with Chris Paul, questioning some WWE title changes, and more.

Today the BIG Guys discuss...Clippers, Orioles, NFL Opening Week, Ravens game 1, Pigskin Pick 'em and C'mon Yo!!

Verno and Jacoby return as they react to Steve Ballmer's statement accepting his punishment for the NBA's investigation into the Clippers. They discuss what the expectations are for the Clippers next season as well as what impact Kawhi Leonard will have with the Raptors now that the trade has been made official. Next, they discuss Mark Williams's surgery, Jalen Brunson hosting 'Saturday Night Live,' and the ongoing contract negotiations between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons. Lastly, the guys have three questions each, ranging from the impact of new head coaches to artificial intelligence. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (00:44) Steve Ballmer releases statement accepting his punishment for circumventing the salary cap (9:41) Expectations for Raptors with Kawhi Leonard (19:15) Mark Williams to miss several months after shoulder surgery (21:01) Jalen Brunson hosting the season premiere of 'SNL' (26:56) Jalen Duren and Detroit Pistons remain far apart in contract negotiations (40:07) Are the Clippers wrong for giving Chris Paul's no. 3 to Bradley Beal? (44:25) Which team are you personally high on that probably won't be good? (48:48) Which new head coach will have a major impact next season? (54:58) Reaction to Nikola Jokic's comments about being a well known NBA player (1:03:43) Which team do you know you will like more than the consensus? (1:05:48) How long do we have until A.I. murders us all? Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today in the business of podcasting:Podcast Week in New York kicked off with the Sounds Profitable Business Summit, where This American Life's Ira Glass argued that podcasting's depth and audience connection make it more effective for advertisers than most influencer content. Panelists also pushed back on Spotify skip-button anxiety, making the case that better ads and more data transparency beat fear.Genius Sports CRO Josh Linforth lays out how athlete-tracking technology is reshaping athlete-led media, using the Chris Paul partnership to show how the same data players rely on can feed fans directly and reshape sponsorships around content like athlete-led podcasts.PRX named Chief Operating Officer Jason Saldanha its next president and CEO, effective October 15, succeeding Kerri Hoffman after more than a decade leading the organization, launching Radiotopia and moving over $200 million to independent creators.To find links to these, and every article covered in today's episode, click here. You can also subscribe to The Download's newsletter to receive the full issue straight to your email inbox every day.

Today in the business of podcasting:Podcast Week in New York kicked off with the Sounds Profitable Business Summit, where This American Life's Ira Glass argued that podcasting's depth and audience connection make it more effective for advertisers than most influencer content. Panelists also pushed back on Spotify skip-button anxiety, making the case that better ads and more data transparency beat fear.Genius Sports CRO Josh Linforth lays out how athlete-tracking technology is reshaping athlete-led media, using the Chris Paul partnership to show how the same data players rely on can feed fans directly and reshape sponsorships around content like athlete-led podcasts.PRX named Chief Operating Officer Jason Saldanha its next president and CEO, effective October 15, succeeding Kerri Hoffman after more than a decade leading the organization, launching Radiotopia and moving over $200 million to independent creators.To find links to these, and every article covered in today's episode, click here. You can also subscribe to The Download's newsletter to receive the full issue straight to your email inbox every day.

Jon Herold and Chris Paul kick off with midterm convention takeaways before Herold recaps some heated online fights he got into this week over the tariff dividend proposal. From there they dig into Joe DiGenova stepping away from the RICO grand conspiracy case in Florida, a development the guys clearly think deserves more attention than it's getting. There's also a stretch on the AI race and what they see as an operation forming around it, plus the usual mailbag style rundown of superchats and viewer comments covering everything from debt policy pushback to a North Dakota State football shoutout. An Aaron Rodgers clip closes things out if time allows, giving the episode a lighter final note after a fairly dense couple of hours.

Become the 1% — not through talent, luck or shortcuts, but through the ordinary work repeated for years after everyone else has already stopped. The top one percent isn't a different species. They just kept doing the boring thing on the days it stopped feeling meaningful. That's the entire gap, and it's smaller than most people want to believe. It's about building a strong mindset, mastering self-discipline, and pushing forward when motivation fades. No shortcuts. No excuses. Just consistency, resilience, and growth.Featuring words of wisdom from David Goggins, Jocko Willink, Alex Hormozi, Joe Rogan, Chris Williamson, Jordan Peterson, Robert Green, Miles Adcox, Russ, Barry Hearn, Rick Rubin, Tom Platz, Tony Robbins, Dr Mike Israetel, Jay Williams, Bedros Keuilian, Sam Sulek, Tom Brady, V.J. Edgecombe, Big Sean, Malique David Lewis, Jay Shetty, Greg Plitt, Brian Tracy, Patrick Bet-David, Shi Heng Yi, Chris Paul, Dry Creek Wrangler, Chris Bumstead, Andy Frisella, Ed Mylett, Kevin Hart, Georges St-Pierre, Snoop Dogg, Chase Hughes, Bruce Lee, Kobe Bryant, Inky Johnson and many more.Instagram- Daily_motivationsorgFacebook- @daily_motivationsorgSupport us PayPal

Rob and Kelvin provide up-to-the-minute analysis of the San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams game in Australia, and argue whether the Los Angeles Clippers screwed up by giving away Chris Paul’s #3 jersey to Bradley Beal. Plus, we break down all the biggest baseball headlines in this week’s edition of Foul or Fair with MLBBro.com managing editor JR Gamble. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob and Kelvin tell us why Drake Maye’s nightmare performance against the Seattle Seahawks on Opening Night was indicative of a bigger problem for the New England Patriots quarterback, debate whether 2026 will be a legacy defining season for Matthew Stafford, and argue whether the Los Angeles Clippers screwed up by giving away Chris Paul’s #3 jersey to Bradley Beal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Paul and Burning Bright take on this 1998 thriller about a terror wave hitting New York and the martial law that follows, and the "predictive programming" alarm bells start ringing almost immediately. Expect a deep dive into how this movie preemptively defended Islam and demonized the military years before 9/11 gave that framing real cultural weight, plus a genuinely sharp breakdown of what one host calls the Patriot Pendulum, the idea that controlled opposition gets fed right back into the next paradigm. There's a wide ranging conversation about cultural programming, the Bush to Obama pipeline, and a funny closing bit about a recent Atlantic headline that accidentally proves their point. Stick around for chat shoutouts, sub gifts, and next week's pick, a Terry Gilliam classic with a scene this community has plenty of theories about.

CannCon and Chris Paul open the 25th anniversary of September 11th with personal reflections on where they were that morning, including a sobering account from Chris of how close he had been to the World Trade Center just days before. From there they turn to the fallout over President Trump's five thousand dollar tariff dividend and the meltdown it has caused, followed by an Indiana Supreme Court decision settling a razor thin primary decided by a handful of ballots and a question about clerk signatures nobody seems able to answer consistently. They also unpack a ProPublica piece on Postal Service ballot handling that CannCon calls pure narrative deployment, the Missouri map heading to the general with different districts than the primary, and a Fourth Circuit ruling on mandatory detention with a judge comparison the hosts find genuinely absurd. They close with two clips to send you into the weekend.

The Los Angeles Clippers are facing a new federal investigation, adding another major layer to the controversy surrounding the franchise. In this episode, I break down the latest developments, what the investigation could mean for the Clippers, and what questions remain unanswered.I also discuss Bradley Beal preparing to wear the No. 3 jersey for the Clippers, a number famously associated with Chris Paul during his time in Los Angeles. What does Beal taking No. 3 mean, and can he make an impact for the Clippers this season?

In another edition of scattered thoughts, Owen talks about Ben Simmons becoming a King and whether it's a game changer or not.He also talks about other guys they could have signed and then for fun, about Bradley Beal getting Chris Paul's number for the Clippers.Use code SKT15 on checkout to get 15% off from HYVDesigns on Etsy during checkout or use this link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/hyvdesigns/?etsrc=sdt&coupon=SKT15Intro Music by Blue Dot Sessions. https://www.sessions.blueIf you want to email us: kingtherapypod@gmail.com

Tobin and Leroy dive into the Miami Hurricanes' season opener against FAMU, discussing expectations for a squash match and the high payout for the FAMU band. They react to Bradley Beal taking Chris Paul's number for the Clippers and Mike Tomlin's sharp assessment of Kirk Cousins. The discussion also touches on Deshaun Watson's struggles and Jim Harbaugh's coaching philosophy.(00:01:20) Canes Season Opener(00:05:30) FAMU Band Payouts(00:13:15) Clippers Number Controversy(00:17:50) Heat Broadcasting News(00:24:15) Tomlin's Mixed Bag(00:31:00) Whittingham's QB Comments

Jon Herold and Chris Paul kick off with a Netflix documentary tangent about decoy planes and disguised operatives before shifting into one of the more philosophical episodes in recent memory. The centerpiece is a metaphor about a wall everyone secretly knows is black but publicly agrees is white, used to explain how Trump operates inside a collectively accepted false consensus and slowly walks people back toward what's actually true. From there the conversation goes deep into logos, divine order, and the idea that inversion, presenting things as their opposite, is the core mechanism of deception at every level, from elections to spiritual reality itself. The hosts connect it to cognitive warfare and flag the whole segment as one worth revisiting later. It's less news roundup and more philosophy hour this time around, for listeners who like their politics with a side of metaphysics.

Cam Cooksey opens episode 66 (September 5th) in a deliberately loose, laid back mood, promising a less structured, more conversational night as the final Flow before GarVegas. There's Hooks and Harmony recap, a Scales ad that sparks a childhood tangent, and plenty of chat love. The meat is a media integrity deep dive. Cam walks through the permanent removal of Maria Bartiromo from Fox News and the reporting around Peter Navarro's claim that a top anchor and executive Susan Scott were shielding China and shaping coverage. He uses it to make his central point: every corporate outlet, Fox and CNN alike, serves money first, while Badlands exists to spread truth whether the money comes or not. He closes lighter with a nearly five minute video of America good naturedly trolling Mark Carney over Canada trade drama. Come back for DPH with Chris Paul and Jon Herold. God wins.

CannCon and Chris Paul close out the week with a report claiming Fox fired Maria Bartiromo over leaked internal texts about the network's coverage of election fraud claims, then turn to a pair of contradictory court rulings that show just how uneven election law has become. Missouri's Supreme Court blocks a new congressional map after the primary already happened, while Justice Kavanaugh declines to put a citizens only voting amendment on Michigan's ballot despite organizers collecting a quarter million more signatures than required. The middle of the show digs into what CannCon sees as a coordinated push to drum up World War Three narratives, including Trump asking Europe to repay the US for Ukraine munitions. They wrap with a Columbia Journalism Review piece on New York's mayor paying friendly influencers to carry his messaging. Plenty of Friday banter throughout.

Chris Paul and Burning Bright dig into this 2012 Prohibition era drama with a genuinely stacked cast, and both come away pleasantly surprised by how well it holds up. The pick came from a random YouTube rabbit hole that somehow led straight to Tom Hardy, which feels about right for how these episodes usually go. Expect a solid breakdown of the film's bootlegger versus corrupt lawman setup and why that particular flavor of systems versus sovereigns storytelling keeps resurfacing depending on where the culture happens to be. There's a real conversation about trust in institutions, narrative fatigue, and a pointed detour into who actually benefits from convincing people that human nature is fundamentally bad. Expect some sharp opinions on that one. Stick around for listener boosts and next week's pick, a late 90s thriller about martial law that feels a little too familiar these days.

Today's show is packed! We're talking the death of an icon, Chris Paul's greatest Sun ever, the fastest marathon EVER, and so much more!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Herold and Chris Paul dig deep into the aftermath of Maduro's capture, walking through the Pentagon's newly secured stake in Venezuela's oil riches and how the deal has evolved from a broker relationship into a full investment position. They cover Chevron's long, complicated history operating in Venezuela through the Chavez and Maduro years, and play a clip from a ConocoPhillips executive meeting that lines up suspiciously well with the timeline of events. The conversation broadens into what this could mean for the region's energy future and whether the sovereign alliance framework they've discussed for years fits what's unfolding here. There's also a Tucker Carlson clip worth a listen, plus some banter about AI tools that can now auto clip and post your podcast content for you, which one host finds genuinely useful and the other finds a little unsettling.

CannCon and Chris Paul kick off Friday with what CannCon dubs Schrodinger's case, as a federal judge blocks the President's mail in ballot executive order yet again, roughly a week before the first ballots go out, in a ruling everyone expects to be appealed within days. They walk through the dizzying timeline of injunctions and reversals stretching back to April. From there they cover a USAID report finding more than a hundred UNRWA employees took part in the October 7th attacks, plus new sanctions avenues opening up against domestic extremist networks. The back half wanders into a genuinely interesting history detour on the Lusitania and what Woodrow Wilson knew, before closing with a Jessica Tarlov clip that has to be heard to be believed and a fresh Trump post it leads directly into. Plenty of banter and a good Friday send off.

Chris Paul and Burning Bright take on the 1997 Val Kilmer vehicle, and the verdict lands fast, this one is rough. Expect an entertaining teardown of a movie that was clearly built to launch a franchise and immediately fizzled, plus a genuine deep dive into Val Kilmer's eccentric career and the strange choices that pushed him away from Batman sequels and James Bond toward this instead. From there the conversation drifts into nuclear fusion, Russian oligarchy talk, and a pretty entertaining read on the film's ending as unintentional propaganda, complete with an NGO cameo that gets roasted hard. There's also some current events woven in around energy prices and manufactured scarcity. Stick around for boosts, a Vegas meetup mention, and next week's pick, a Depression era bootlegging drama with a killer cast neither host has seen.

Believe in your vision so deeply that other people can't understand it. Stay committed, ignore the doubt, and let your results prove that your confidence was never delusion—it was conviction. ————————————

Jon Herold and Chris Paul kick off with the usual banter (t-shirts, a broken ice maker) before getting into the mainstream media's sudden admission that election polls might be, in fact, fake, which segues nicely into growing chatter about a possible second Trump impeachment attempt. From there the conversation lands on the actual centerpiece of the episode: the new White House ballroom construction and what it might mean beyond just a fancy new event space. The guys dig into the history of continuity of government planning, why underground infrastructure tied to presidential safety has been a recurring theme for decades, and whether the ballroom project fits into that pattern or if they're reading too much into a construction project. There's a tie in to the impeachment talk too, exploring what a Democrat controlled Congress pursuing impeachment might actually accomplish politically versus legally.

CannCon and Chris Paul kick off Friday with a jaw dropping Michael Cohen and President Trump interview that has to be heard to be believed, complete with polling talk, a recantation, and a level of chumminess that raises real questions about the entire Manhattan case. From there they cover growing frustration with the Senate over stalled appointments heading into the midterms, plus a Mike Lindell announcement about the largest privately funded recount audit in US history following alleged reporting anomalies in Minnesota's governor primary. They also unpack Scott Bessent's sharp exchange on tariff refunds and who the US Treasury actually belongs to, before turning to federal agents seizing Eric Swalwell's devices under a statute the hosts find genuinely puzzling. Expect the usual banter, some Jill Biden commentary, and a few detours you will not see coming.

Chris Paul and Burning Bright finally tackle this 2005 political thriller about oil, intelligence, and Middle East power games, and both admit they went in with basically no expectations. Turns out the title has nothing to do with Syria despite the timing lining up with plenty of real world headlines. Expect a real dig into the film's tangled web of characters, from an oil executive's family tragedy to a CIA operative getting pulled back into the game he claims he wants out of, plus a genuinely sharp read on the movie's father son throughline and what it says about men chasing control over things too big to actually control. There's also some sharp commentary on truther culture, branding, and the difference between actually chasing truth and just monetizing the chase. Stick around for listener boosts, a couple generous subs, and next week's pick, a 90s thriller starring Val Kilmer as a master thief.

We kick things off with the Lakers being sold again, including the latest on Jeanie Buss and whether she's actually giving up her piece of the franchise. Then we discuss Russell Westbrook's retirement, his legacy, and the bigger question of whether NBA legends like Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, and Allen Iverson were pushed out of the league before they were ready. Plus, Skip Bayless has some thoughts on Westbrook's Hall of Fame case. The NBA Christmas Day schedule is officially loaded, so we pick the matchup we're most excited for. Then we jump into the NFL preseason, discussing what we're watching for from our favorite teams, Jaxson Dart's early visit to the blue tent, and the ongoing Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders conversation. In Rule Breakers, we get into Stephen A. Smith receiving the thumbs-down award from the NABJ, Jayden Daniels sending a cease-and-desist letter to LSU Nick Sirianni reportedly using ChatGPT to help connect with his players, and Claressa Shields continuing to dominate with another TKO victory. And, of course, Beav and Felix discuss how terrrible (or not) the movie 'Obsession' was. Enjoy!

Is Russell Westbrook an all-time top-five NBA point guard? The Format Podcast tackles one of basketball's most heated legacy debates. We evaluate Westbrook's 2017 MVP, historic triple-double production, athletic peak, scoring, playmaking, rebounding, longevity, playoff résumé, NBA Finals appearance, and impact on the modern game. Then we compare his case with Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, Oscar Robertson, Isiah Thomas, Chris Paul, John Stockton, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, and other legendary guards. Does unprecedented statistical production outweigh efficiency critiques and championship arguments? This episode puts Westbrook's career in proper historical context—beyond narratives, highlights, and box-score debates.If you want to support, every little bit helps!We appreciate SuperChats, or you can donate:CashApp: $TheFormatPodcastVenmo: TheFormatPodcast

Jon Herold and Chris Paul open with a media narrative they're not buying: reports of low morale aboard a deployed carrier near the Strait of Hormuz, which they frame as a coordinated pressure campaign to get Trump to back off his Iran messaging. From there they roll straight into Trump's own Hormuz clip and some Monroe Doctrine talk. The middle stretch bounces through a Fauci clip, JD Vance commentary, and a CNN mixup calling something "Indiana" that clearly wasn't. Caroline Leavitt gets her own segment, with the guys questioning why Trump even needs a press secretary when he can just tweet whatever he wants directly. There's also a genuinely odd discovery: the National Trust for Historic Preservation apparently spent a hundred and forty five million dollars abroad last year, which raises more questions than it answers. Toss in a White House Correspondents' dinner throwback and a Joshua Baez segment, and it's a packed one.

CannCon and Chris Paul go deeper into the SPLC indictment, walking through the eye popping funding numbers behind the organization's growth over the past decade and the specific ways prosecutors say donor money was funneled to informants inside extremist groups. They connect it to a broader pattern of unaccountable NGO grant money and speculate on how far the fallout could spread. From there they dig into fresh CBS reporting confirming President Trump secretly swapped planes while a real missile threat loomed, with the actual Air Force One carrying top cabinet officials who did not even know the president was not aboard. The back half covers a viral immigration clip out of Houston and a closing John Brennan clip on what he expects from the midterms. Plenty of banter and a Friday wrap up energy throughout.

Chris Paul and Burning Bright dust off this 90s political comedy about two rival ex presidents forced to team up against a corrupt sitting president, and yes, they clock exactly how hokey it is right out of the gate. There's a running bit about how often James Rebhorn keeps showing up in their movie picks lately, some genuine affection for the cast even when the material is on the nose, and a solid conversation about whether Hollywood satire like this counts as intentional propaganda or just the culture accidentally telling on itself. The back half wanders into current events, including a wild multi country dispute over which plane certain officials were actually on, and why nobody seems to agree on the basic facts of anything anymore. Stick around for the next pick, a politically charged oil industry drama from the mid 2000s neither host has seen yet.

The NBA dropped every team's schedules and the Lakers' follows several recent trends. Anthony discusses those, what he's heard since yesterday's craziness regarding the sale of the franchise and a few other topics the live audience wanted to hear about.

#273: Steve Scalzi is an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons and now the Head Coach of the Motor City Cruise. He brings extensive experience in coaching, player development, leadership, and team building at the highest levels of basketball. Throughout his career, Scalzi has worked within highly competitive collegiate and professional environments, developing a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong teams, cultivate a winning culture, and maximize individual potential. His stops include Boston College, Northeastern, OKC Thunder, Phoenix Suns, and the Detroit Pistons. He has coached players like Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, and Jalen Duran. He has coached alongside Darko Rajakovic, Scott Brooks, Billy Donovan, Mark Daigneault, Monty Williams, & BJ Bickerstaff, as well as Sam Presti. His experience provides valuable insight into leadership, organizational culture, performance, and the pursuit of excellence, principles that extend well beyond the basketball court. Today, he brings that perspective to Building Excellence to discuss the people, principles, and practices that drive sustained success.For more on Steve you can check out the Detroit Pitons and motor City Cruise Website, as well as Linkedin. Enjoy the show! 

Jon Herold and Chris Paul open by dissecting a pair of Trump social posts, one clearly joking about a 2028 run, one that reads a lot more serious, and have some fun picking apart what happens when a "just kidding" post gets followed by one that isn't. There's also a JD Vance endorsement clip that gets the full comedic breakdown treatment before things turn more substantive. The middle stretch covers a Tucker Carlson style interview where Trump talks AI, data centers, and the power infrastructure being built alongside them, with the guys drawing comparisons to Bitcoin mining setups and wondering aloud what's really being built. That folds into midterm talk and what a Democrat controlled Congress could mean going forward. Add in a Hunter Biden tangent near the end, and it's a episode that bounces between comic relief and genuinely meaty policy discussion.

Hour 4 features NFL analyst Warren Sharp, who discusses the Commanders' outlook after adding Stefon Diggs, Jayden Daniels' expectations, the running back room, and Chig Okonkwo's potential role. Plus, Commanders left guard Chris Paul joins Grant & Danny to talk about training camp, his development, and what he's focused on improving ahead of the 2026 season.

Grant & Danny get fired up for the Hall of Fame Game and debate what Stefon Diggs' arrival means for the Commanders, including whether he or Terry McLaurin will lead the team in receptions. Robert Mays and Warren Sharp share their insights on Washington's outlook, Jayden Daniels, and Diggs' fit in the offense, while Commanders guard Chris Paul checks in from training camp. Plus, the guys discuss the Nationals' spending philosophy, bring you another Beltway Blitz, and much more.

In a pre-recorded interview, Commanders left guard Chris Paul joins Grant & Danny to discuss how training camp has gone so far, what he's working to improve before the regular season, and how he's preparing to take the next step in 2026. He also shares his thoughts on the offensive line's progress and the mindset of the team heading into the new season.

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks to break down some of the most interesting trades in NBA history that never came to fruition. The guys tackle everything from Chris Paul to the Lakers, Melo to the Nets, Kobe leaving LA and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices