The Best of SBS: Michael Wilbon

Whether you love him or hate him, you've never heard Stephen A. Smith like this before. In this now infamous conversation with Dan Le Batard from March 20, 2023, Stephen shares with Dan how despite all the success, growing up in poverty will never leave him and the controversy that still haunts him today. Dan pushes Stephen to address his relationship with the black community, how he handles the haters and imitators flooding the landscape, if he's getting bored with "First Take", and where things stand with him, Skip Bayless and Max Kellerman. Stephen also tells Dan how his words of advice and a near-death bout with Covid, changed his life forever. Watch Stephen A. daily on ESPN’s "First Take" and his bestseller, "Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes", is available wherever you get your books and audiobooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I go, ‘No, Mr. Muhammad, I'm the greatest of all times.’” Nancy Lieberman is a legend. She’s conquered basically every court, in women’s and men’s basketball, from playing to coaching in the WNBA, NBA, and BIG3. Now, when women’s basketball has reached new heights, Nancy looks back on how far the game has come… and how brightly the stars of the current day – Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and more – shine when the spotlight is finally put on them. Nancy also speaks about her unthinkable path from an impoverished upbringing, finding her confidence and community at Rucker Park as a teenager, to befriending her idol… Muhammad Ali, who served as a guiding light over the course of her life and career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Things are pretty strange right now... let's get into it.  In this special episode of South Beach Sessions, Dan wants to know how his friends have been handling the neverending vacuum that is their phones and social media. Meeting for the first time, ESPN's Mina Kimes and writer/creator Bill Lawrence (Scrubs, Ted Lasso, Cougartown, Bad Monkey) share their experiences carving a path for themselves in their respective careers, dealing with self-doubt, and how they've navigated the criticisms over the years. Mina also gets Dan to reveal one of his biggest insecurities... and why it has gotten worse more recently. It's a good time to make some new friendships...  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tony Reali has been the definition of a television staple for more than two decades... and now, that's changed. After years of friendship and support, Tony and Dan come together to break down the biggest roadblocks and successes of their careers and their personal lives. Tony looks back on his very early success, the legacy of Around the Horn and processing the loss of "the best job ever", and how he maintained his positivity through it all. Tony, who has championed mental health awareness through open conversation, also bears his heart over his personal journey through anxiety, fertility issues, and the unthinkable grief of losing a child. Powerful and uplifting, this episode will stay with you… Be a part of “Team Reali”, go to TonyReali.com and subscribe on YouTube, @TonyReali. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the announcement that he'll be missing his first NBA Finals in nearly four decades, we look back at Michael Wilbon's personal, thoughtful, and intimate conversation with Dan Le Batard from June 8, 2023. Michael Wilbon brings a whole new meaning to "PTI" on South Beach Sessions. Raw, uncut, and as real as it gets - Dan says all the things he's always wanted to and in return, Wilbon shares moments from his life that he's never told anyone. You'll just have to listen... you won't regret it. Watch Michael Wilbon & Tony Kornheiser on "Pardon the Interruption" weekdays on ESPN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2025 NBA Finals tip-off tonight with the Indiana Pacers versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, so we look back at when Mike Breen, the voice of the NBA Finals, hit South Beach Sessions with a BANG. Originally recorded on June 6, 2023, and now, broadcasting his 20th NBA Finals, he will be more than comfortable calling the games, but sitting down with Dan to talk openly about HIMSELF? That's history in itself too. Mike shares with Dan how he still feels like the shy kid who is simply a fan of the game, and the love he has for his broadcast brothers, Jeff Van Gundy & Mark Jackson, even when they won't say it back. Mike also talks about how from the devastating ashes of his family's home, deep gratitude rose. Watch the 2025 NBA Finals as the Indiana Pacers battle the Oklahoma City Thunder LIVE on ABC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As "Inside the NBA" on TNT comes to an end, we look back at Ernie Johnson's incredible South Beach Sessions with Dan Le Batard, originally recorded on May 22, 2023. A legend, a national treasure, and the glue that has made "Inside the NBA" on TNT the best show on television for nearly three decades, Ernie Johnson is the best of the best because he's done it all with love. Dan explores the secrets behind the magic of what Ernie does, the humbling wisdom learned from his son, Michael, and the unspoken sensitivities surrounding Shaq, Charles, and Kenny. Ernie also reveals being haunted for years by a rare moment when his ego unleashed the worst in him. Watch the last shows of "Inside the NBA" on TNT's Eastern Conference Finals coverage and listen & subscribe to "The Steam Room with EJ and Chuck" wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry Charles is eccentricity manifested in human form. The creative genius’ journey through television (Seinfeld, Mad About You, Curb Your Enthusiasm), film (Borat, Bruno, Religulous), and new media has been winding and star-studded. Larry has worked with greats from every industry, from the likes of Bob Dylan, to Nic Cage, Sacha Baron Cohen, and (quite famously) Larry David. Larry and Dan chat about his upbringing, his struggles with love and identity, and how he began to find peace in his forties. They also revisit his wildest journeys, from seeing the darkness of humanity making Borat and Bruno… to finding light while visiting comedians in Somalia. Larry’s book, “Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter” is available on June 17th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The soundtrack to your childhood… and probably everyone else’s, too…  it’s “Weird Al” Yankovic. Al joins Dan for a chat about his legendary 40 year career (he’s one of the best-charting musicians of all time), from how he became “Weird” to his 5 Grammy Award wins to embarking on his latest tour around the country. Al, a consummate performer, also opens up about performing immediately after the loss of his parents, what it was like growing up incredibly sheltered, and how he maintains his sterling reputation and sparkling attitude through it all. Weird Al’s “Bigger & Weirder” Tour is on sale now - visiting 65 cities across North America from June through September. For tour dates and tickets, visit weirdal.com/tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“These grandmas are straight up in Mafias.” Atsuko Okatsuka is magnetic, hilarious, and was kidnapped as a child… by her grandma… who is also her best friend.  Atsuko and Dan compare their upbringings, looking beyond the bounds of the “typical” immigrant experience… and Atsuko shows off her incredible ability to make deep trauma extremely funny. She shares her experience learning to care for her schizophrenic mother and coming to terms with her past. They also talk about the necessity of loving support in success, revisit Atsuko’s pre-comedy resumé, and explore the freedom of imagining a better future for yourself. Watch Atsuko’s new Hulu comedy special, “Father” streaming June 13th and go to atsukocomedy.com for upcoming shows and tickets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices