Jay-Z in GQ, Podcasting vs. a Writer’s Brain, and a Sports Media Beef Check-In

Today on a special episode of The Press Box, Joel is joined by friend of the show Bomani Jones. Joel and Bomani start by discussing the social media addiction trial in California that found Meta and Google liable (03:23). They dive into a larger conversation about social media use in 2026, and whether you can still build a following on social media like you used to (10:45). Next, the guys discuss the reaction to their takes on Jay-Z and look at the state of hip-hop media as a whole (24:08). After that, Joel asks Bomani about his use of AI (43:56) and his thoughts on the general conversation surrounding AI in 2026. The show ends with a discussion about Will Wade being hired at LSU (53:46), before a quick conversation about the Jaden Ivey situation (59:32). All that and more, here on The Press Box. Host: Joel Anderson Guest: Bomani Jones Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Bruce Baldwin, and Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No Bryan Curtis this week, so Joel Anderson is joined by his fellow co-host from Ringer Tailgate, Tate Frazier! Joel and Tate preview this weekend’s Final Four matchups on the men’s and women’s side. Then, they get into the issues with how college basketball is covered (13:24) before the lighting round (35:18), where Tate gives his all-time North Carolina starting five, the best team to never win a national championship, and more. Host: Joel AndersonGuest: Tate FrazierProducers: Bruce Baldwin and Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time for the March issue! Bryan and Joel are here to examine Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico in his race to turn Texas blue. They take a look at who Talarico is, why he’s gained national recognition from other Democrats (18:49), and how Texas turned into a completely red state (36:47). Then they take a look at how the Texas Senate race has gone so far and they give reasons for optimism and pessimism for Talarico’s case for Senate (41:58).Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducers: Bruce Baldwin, Isaiah Blakely, and Donald LoBianco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Press Box, Bryan is joined by Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut! They start with Senator Murph’s breakdown of the events that led the Senate to approve a bill to fund DHS except for ICE. Then they discuss a bunch of other current events including the war in Iran (16:29), whether he’s running for president in 2028 (28:18), prediction markets (29:37), and much more. Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Chris MurphyProducers: Abou Kamara, Isaiah Blakely, Jacob Cornett, and Kevin Cureghian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel start by discussing Jay-Z's exclusive interview with GQ and the art of celebrity interviews. Then they discuss the trending topic of whether podcasting is rotting writers' brains (21:25). Then, in the Notebook Dump, they talk about the Stephen A. Smith–Jason Whitlock and Dan Orlovsky–Pat McAfee sports media beefs (34:12), Savannah Guthrie's interview with 'Today,' Tracy Kidder, and the Sports Emmys(54:03). Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel AndersonProducers: Bruce Baldwin, Isaiah Blakely, and Jaime Yukich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and David talk about the shortening news cycle under Trump, especially during wartime. Then they talk about journalists trying to get back into the Pentagon (20:19). In the Notebook Dump, they talk about Bill Raftery, Bob Woodward’s new book, sports radio fights (27:08), and more. Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerProducers: Bruce Baldwin, Isaiah Blakely, and Jamie Yukich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel start the show by discussing the New York Times piece about Cesar Chavez containing accounts from women who say he abused them as young girls for years (00:54). Next, the guys discuss the price of oil being the main character of world news this week (06:08) and whether the pushback on rising oil prices will be the thing that will rein in President Trump. After that, Bryan and Joel discuss the ongoing U.S.-Cuba situation (18:15), including what Trump has said about Cuba recently and what reasons he could have for wanting to take action against it (22:35). Following that, the guys review the new documentary ‘Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere’ (28:56) before ending the show with some talk about the World Baseball Classic (42:18) and whether we need more sporting events like it (52:20). All that and more, here on The Press Box. Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Bruce Baldwin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the Press Box, Bryan and David start by discussing a social media and journalism trend of screenshotting or sharing a part of an article with no attribution or sign pointing to where the article is from. Then, they discuss Trump’s cellphone (20:57), the coverage of the War in Iran (30:05), and the Washington’s new newspaper battle (35:46). They wrap up with Tales from Capitol Hill with the New York Times’ Carl Hulse (45:28). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Carl HulseProducers: Bruce Baldwin, Isaiah Blakely, and Jamie Yukich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the Press Box, Bryan and David start by discussing a social media and journalism trend of screenshotting or sharing a part of an article with no attribution or sign pointing to where the article is from. Then, they discuss Trump’s cellphone (20:57), the coverage of the War in Iran (30:05), and the Washington’s new newspaper battle (35:46). They wrap up with Tales from Capitol Hill with the New York Times’ Carl Hulse (45:28). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Carl HulseProducers: Bruce Baldwin, Isaiah Blakely, and Jamie Yukich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Press Box, Bryan and Joel start the show by discussing the Pentagon barring press photographers from briefings on Iran due to “unflattering” pictures of Pete Hegseth being taken. Next, the guys give their takes on the NFL’s potential plans to add a Thanksgiving eve game to the regular-season schedule (14:06) before asking whether this is a prelude to an 18-game NFL regular season (16:51). After that, Bryan and Joel look at the ESPN–NFL Network deal, what it means for NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport (21:55), and where else insiders can work in sports media today (26:51). Following that, the guys talk about Tony Dungy’s departure from NBC (29:43) before pivoting to the wild night of sports that happened this past Tuesday (35:51), which included Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game and a failed NFL trade (48:58). Today’s show wraps up with a look back at 'Spotlight' on the 10-year anniversary of its Best Picture Oscar win (52:58). All that and more, here on The Press Box. Plus, the return of J-School! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Bruce Baldwin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices