Le Batard & Friends - South Beach Sessions

"Even though I am an Argentinian American, Argentina is my blood, and it transported me back to Argentina... I felt part of the team winning, I felt I was representing all Argentinians." Andrés Cantor has been the voice of the beautiful game to millions for decades. Andrés takes Dan through his prolific career, detailing his journey from a young fan in Argentina to working as a student journalist at USC to bringing his signature "GOOOOL" call to the mainstream and more than 25 years with Telemundo. Together, Andrés walks Dan through his viral emotional moment calling Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup win, the undeniable highlight of a storied career. Andrés also speaks about sharing a legacy with his son, Nico, and their history-making experience of calling a game side by side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Basketball is more than just a love of the game for Eric Musselman... it's a deep family legacy and a driving force in everything he does - it's life. The USC men's basketball coach shares with Dan how his father, the legendary longtime basketball coach Bill Musselman, "was the most competitive person I've ever seen in my life" and how that led to Eric having no choice but to follow in his footsteps, becoming the first father-son duo to serve as head coach in the NBA. The Trojans' head coach talks about the hardest challenges and life lessons learned in his more than 30 years of coaching experience in the NBA and NCAA. Now, Eric continues honing his basketball heritage through his kids - connecting to his sons through their work together at USC and the lessons he's learned from being a parent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"The power of storytelling is to save us.... and to destroy us." Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Viet Thanh Nguyen, is deeply shaped by his identity as a refugee. Viet describes his upbringing, one without many books, one that dealt with violence and isolation, and one that made him incredibly interested in the Vietnam War. The two bond over the shared burdens that family takes on to start a new life and Viet talks about what it was like winning the most prestigious prize in literature for his debut novel, and how he was propelled from a professor to a public figure. Viet also speaks to the importance of sharing and uplifting refugee stories amidst the digital and political dangers facing today's society. Viet’s latest book, “To Save and to Destroy”, an exploration of otherness and a call for political solidarity, is available now wherever you get your books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I got our name in places it hasn't been before, and I want to continue to do that." O'Shea Jackson Jr. is absolutely his father's son, and he's not shy about it. Instead, he's on a mission to match that passion and legacy. O’Shea talks with Dan about his father’s career and what it means to follow in those giant footsteps… including playing him in 'Straight Outta Compton'. And, of course, O’Shea shares the stories only a star-studded childhood could tell, like calling up Kobe for inspiration. He also dives into his journey through the film industry to franchises like Godzilla and Star Wars, starting with how struggling in school actually taught O’Shea that he was always a writer. Watch, listen, & subscribe to the "No-Contest Wrestling Podcast with O'Shea Jackson Jr. & TJ Jefferson", available wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Margaret Cho is a comedy legend. She’s worn her heart on her sleeve since the start of her career, and now she’s bearing it on South Beach Sessions. Together, Dan and Margaret explore her past: her unusual upbringing, her record and boundary-breaking impact on comedy, and her personal struggles with deep depression and anxiety. Margaret tells Dan about her childhood in the Bay Area, including her early start in comedy and performance, which emerged from a deep feeling of loneliness and being unseen. She ties her queer identity to her growth and development as an artist, but also to her isolation. And, as Margaret embarks on a new tour, they discuss the state of comedy today… including what it means to wholeheartedly push back against an administration that was supported by mainstream comics. Go see Margaret live on her “Choligarchy” tour, dates and tickets are available at margaretcho.com/tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"You're always sure that another shoe's gonna drop and this is all gonna go away..."  A teenage icon turned struggling actor to Emmy Award-winning sitcom star, Jon Cryer has seen every side of Hollywood and made an impact most couldn't even dream of. Jon tells Dan what it was like growing up in a showbiz family and how he experienced fame early in his career with "Pretty in Pink", being associated with the Brat Pack, and performing on Broadway as a teenager. He also explains the unique disappointment that comes with working on a failing TV show or a movie that bombs... to the then life-altering popularity of "Two and a Half Men", how he's moved on since it ended, and why he's still not ready to reconnect with Charlie Sheen. Listen to the true crime podcast, "The Man Who Calculated Death", available on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jo Koy makes moves and always brings the laughs. He has sold-out tours, sets new records with the upcoming first comedy event at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (with Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias), and even has holidays named after him... but what he really wants to do is make people laugh. From a hilarious story about betting on himself and producing his own special despite being told (repeatedly) no one wants it... to now multiple Netflix specials, breaking barriers in Filipino representation in entertainment and his pride in his cross-cultural comedy, Jo finds the ultimate joy in connecting with his audiences. Jo also gets real about his family: he tells Dan all about his military brat upbringing to working in entertainment just like his mother, and how humor got him through it all. Jo is currently on his "Jo Koy: Just Being Koy Tour", for upcoming dates, tickets, his bestselling book, and more, visit JoKoy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From being the face of Old Spice, to Black-ish, to Conan, to touring around the country... Deon Cole is everywhere. Deon tracks his career, from not even knowing he was funny... to performing on Conan and immediately earning himself a job there... to the "awkward" through-line of all his characters. He also memorializes his mother, recounting her love and support of him and why he named his special, "Charleen's Boy," after her. With Dan, Deon explores his grief, and feeling her presence during the performance. Deon's latest Netflix special, "Ok, Mister" is streaming now, and you can watch "Average Joe" on BET+. Visit deoncole.com for upcoming tour dates and tickets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An icon in the flesh, after seventy years in the spotlight, Williams Shatner continues to live long and prosper. William shares over 90 years worth of wisdom, drawn together from a life of incredible experiences— from exploring the final frontier on camera, to real-life space travel. He and Dan explore the beauty of our planet, cosmic joke of our brief existence on it, and the unifying grief all humans share. They also look back on the enduring legacy of Star Trek, the way it forever revolutionized fan culture, and how it continues to change his life and countless others for generations. For an unforgettable experience to see this icon live on stage and a screening of the classic, "Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan," go to WilliamShatnerTour.com for dates and tickets. For all the latest projects and appearances, visit WiliamShatner.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Football has always been at the center point of my life - I accomplished anything and everything in that space, and there's so many other things for me to go and explore." Ndamukong Suh was a dominant force in the NFL for 13 seasons and now, he’s ready to tackle his next chapter with the same discipline and determination that made him so unstoppable on the field. Ndamukong opens up about the last two seasons leading up to his retirement on July 12, 2025, the opportunities he turned down, and the advice from his father that he's honoring a year after his passing. He also tells Dan why he avoided the media as a player despite his star status, and what he really thinks about 99% of those infamous fines he received. Listen, watch, and subscribe to "No Free Lunch with Ndamukong Suh" from The Athletic, available now wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even as "king of Latino comedy", Eugenio Derbez always dreamed of Hollywood. Now, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Eugenio shares with Dan how he's overcome countless doubts over the decades, fought to break stereotypes of Latinos in media, and the pride he feels in seeing the joyous representation of Mexican culture in his Apple TV+ series, ACAPULCO. He also reveals the humbling experience of writing, directing, and starring in the all-time highest grossing Spanish-language film in the world ("Instructions Not Included") to leaving a life of success and stardom in Mexico in pursuit of making it (again) in Hollywood. The first two episodes of the fourth and final season of ACAPULCO are now available on Apple TV+, with new episodes every Wednesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Rodriguez has lived the majority of his life under the intense pressure of the public eye - reaching prolific highs and startling lows, leading to his guarded reputation… until now. There’s a deep history for Dan and A-Rod to explore in this unforgettable episode of South Beach Sessions originally recorded back on December 11, 2023. Alex opens up to Dan about his life-changing experience in intensive therapy, how he’s addressed his shortcomings as a father, and finally learning how to truly move forward from past mistakes. From the truth about his relationship with Derek Jeter to rumors about mythical creatures, A-Rod leaves no stone unturned.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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