Ep 33: The Politics of Narrative - Featuring Hakeem Jeffries

On this week's filibuster, Jemele takes listeners back to LeBron James’ The Decision, which just had its 15th anniversary. Jemele is then joined by media personality Sarah Spain, who discusses her powerful new book, Runs in The Family, which is based on the compelling family journey of Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough. The book traces McCullough’s extraordinary path to finding his biological father, resulting in a shocking discovery about his lineage. Sarah shares what made her pursue McCullough’s story and how she gained his trust. She also discusses her career arch in sports journalism and her courageous pivot into financially investing in women’s sports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jemele is joined by finance expert John Hope Bryant, the founder and CEO of Operation Hope in Atlanta. John gives his thoughts on the Buss family selling a majority stake of the Lakers for $10 billion, and what that means for the broader landscape of sports. Jemele and John also discuss one of the most popular (and annoying) questions on social media: When in a relationship or marriage, should men and women split the bills 50/50?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's filibuster, Jemele dives into NBA player Malk Beasley being under federal investigation as part of gambling probe and how the sports leagues alliance with the gambling industry is creating an atmosphere for players to indulge in sports betting. Jemele is then joined by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who recently made national news for announcing that his annual football camp is inclusive of LGBTQ+ youth. Saunders discusses why it was important for him to let the queer community know they were welcomed, and how he withstood the criticism. Khalen also shares how his brother, Kameron, who is gay, inspired him and what he learned from watching his brother navigate life as a Black gay man. In the Final Spin, Jemele provides some much-needed to context as to why superstar Caitlin Clark finished ninth among guards in the WNBA players’ All-Star voting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele takes a deeper look at Tyrese Haliburton’s devastating injury and whether the number of ACL tears suffered by NBA players this season is an aberration or a sign of something more. Then, Jemele has a special conversation with 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul at the prestigious American Black Film Festival in Miami. Chris shares whether he plans to play next season and how he’s approaching his free agency this summer. He also discusses why he’s chosen to pivot into film, television and production work through his production company, Ohh Dipp!!! Entertainment. Chris shares his successes and challenges in that space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele questions why FIFA decided to drop its anti-racism campaign while the Club World Cup tournament is being played in America. Jemele is then joined by recent WNBA retiree Layshia Clarendon, the WNBA’s first non-binary player. Layshia gets candid about why she decided to retire, what it means for the her to be the WNBA’s first  non-binary player, and why she decided to go public when she had top surgery. Layshia, who also identifies as trans, shares what it's like living in a climate where numerous states have adopted anti-trans legislation. She also provides a rebuttal to those who don’t believe trans girls and women shouldn’t be allowed to play sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele gets to the bottom of why there’s only one Black female head coach in the WNBA, despite Black women making up 70 percent of the league. Jemele is then joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who gives his thoughts on the Elon Musk-Donald Trump feud, if it was fair for the Knicks to fire Tom Thibodeau, and how the Democrats plan to win the messaging war against Republicans. Jeffries also answers criticisms about his party’s lack of urgency and if the current Democratic leadership is enough during this perilous moment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele questions whether this year’s NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indianapolis Pacers means we’ve seen the end of NBA dynasties and superstar-heavy teams. Jemele is then joined by women’s college basketball legend Candace Parker, who discusses her new book, The Can-Do Mindset. Candace shares how she feels about her jersey being retired by both the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky, especially considering her once-rocky relationship with the Sparks. She also explains what she’d like to see the WNBA do to support its players more, and what she’d tell budding superstar Angel Reese if she were her coach. Candace also reveals why she waited until well after she was married to her wife, Anna, to come out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele examines the 5-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, reflecting on how athletes' activism helped power a worldwide movement and why their efforts weren't sustained. Jemele is then joined by actor and comedian Rickey Smiley, whose network comedy special “Fool-ish” premieres on Hulu on May 30. Smiley explains why it’s taken him over a decade to record a new comedy show. He also explains why he tempered his response to Katt Williams, whose viral interview with Shannon Sharpe included harsh criticisms of Smiley. Plus, Smiley opens up on what his healing journey has looked like since losing his son to a drug overdose and how he discovered recently he was the father of twin girls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele weighs in on the latest drama surrounding Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, including the back-and-forth commentary between former NFL players Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin III. Jemele is then joined by Tony Reali, host of ESPN’s popular show, Around the Horn. Reali discusses the show ending after over 20 years, how will he navigate his career once ATH is done, and what he thinks of the criticisms that the show is ending because it’s too “woke.” Reali also shares why he chose to be candid about his mental health struggles, and losing a child.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele answers a provocative question: Was the NBA draft lottery rigged so that the Dallas Mavericks could get the No 1 pick just months after trading superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers? Later, Jemele is joined by Amy Trask, who was the first female CEO in the NFL. Amy covers her 20-year career with the Las Vegas Raiders, including what it was like to work with iconic owner Al Davis. Amy shares how she navigated the male-dominated world of professional football, and weighs in on some current league issues — a possible 18th regular-season game, the increase in games overseas, and the NFL broadening its reach on streaming platform. Finally, in Jemele’s new segment, the Final Spin, she shares her thought on Major League Baseball posthumously lifting Pete Rose’s lifetime ban for gambling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.