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SPOLITICS is where we don’t just stick to sports, but examine the world and all of its complexities through the lens of sports. Each week, this podcast will enthusiastically explore the intersection between sports, race, gender, sexuality and culture. In this narrative-style podcast, expect sharp commentary, novel conversations, and compelling guests that will drive nuanced sports conversations that drive culture.
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In this special bonus episode, Jemele addresses the murder of right influencer Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed while speaking to students at Utah Valley State University. Jemele shares what makes Kirk’s legacy so complicated, and what the response has been by different communities regarding his death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's filibuster, Jemele wraps up the first season of Spolitics by discussing the many ways in which sports + politics have proven to be important. Jemele is then joined by Donte Stallworth, the former NFL player who has made a name for himself as a political pundit. Donte shares how and why he got into covering politics, and his recollection of hurricane Katrina as someone who played for New Orleans Saints when the hurricane struck 20 years ago. He also discusses what he shares with other football prospects about the impact of his conviction for DUI manslaughter, and how that influenced his playing career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The incredible Jemele Hill, host of the Spolitics podcast and also just an all around rider, pulls up and talks about ALLL THE THINGS. Putin, Trump, NBA, WNBA you name it. And of course DETROIT! Listen to Spolitics: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-spolitics-222755070/ Follow Hood Politics: https://x.com/hoodpoliticspod https://www.instagram.com/hoodpoliticspod/ Follow Prop: https://x.com/prophiphop https://www.instagram.com/prophiphop/ https://www.tiktok.com/@prophiphopSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's filibuster, Jemele fires back at right wing critics who are outraged over Cracker Barrel changing its logo. Jemele is then joined by Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson, who has faced and met many challenges since being elected two years ago. Among them, Mayor Johnson discusses what it will take to keep the Chicago Bears in Chicago, as the Bears are also considering a new stadium home outside of Chicago. The mayor also shares how he is navigating Donald Trump’s attacks on Chicago, the rising tension between Chicago residents and migrants, and what he has done to lower the number of homicides in Chicago. And finally, Jemele has a special message for the newly-engaged couple, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's filibuster, Jemele takes aim at the fake outrage over male NFL cheerleaders. Jemele is then joined by award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee, who discusses his new film, Highest to Lowest, his fifth collaboration with Denzel Washington. Spike reveals what makes his chemistry and collaboration with Washington special, and whether or not this could be their last film together. Spike also shares what he thought of the Knicks firing coach Tom Thibodeau, and whether he’d like to see LeBron James as a Knick before he retires. And finally, Jemele shares a response to Jillian Michaels, the fitness personality who sparked controversy by minimizing the impact of slavery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is the second part of Jemele’s interview with sports media personality, Amin Elhassan, who went from having a successful NBA career to becoming a key voice in sports media. Amin shares how he got into the NBA, landed with the Phoenix Suns and eventually left them under difficult circumstances. Amin discusses his experience working with former Suns owner Robert Sarver, who was eventually forced to sell the team after an investigation found he engaged in racist behavior and sexual misconduct in the workplace. Amin also details how he latched on at ESPN, and gives his thoughts on the new-look Lakers with Luka Doncic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's filibuster, Jemele issues a strong rebuke of the clowns who have been throwing dildos on the court at WNBA games. Jemele is then joined by sports media personality Amin Elhassan, who transitioned from the NBA front office into an analyst and commentator. In the first of a two-part interview, Amin discusses what it was like growing up in both Sudan and the United States, how is family reacted when he told them he wanted to forgo an engineering career to get involved in the NBA, and what he misses about being in the NBA front office.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's filibuster, Jemele gives her thoughts on basketball analyst Candace Parker receiving blowback because of her WNBA player rankings. Jemele is then joined by DeMaurice Smith, the former executive director of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). DeMaurice discusses his new book Turf Wars, which takes fans inside of the complicated dynamics between NFL owners, players and their union. DeMaurice shares his thoughts on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, owners Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft, and how the league handled various crises, including Deflategate, Colin Kaepernick’s protest, and Ray Rice’s domestic violence incident. DeMaurice also reacts to the turmoil surrounding NFLPA leadership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Jemele’s conversation with Jason Wilson, author, educator and founder of the Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy, which uses martial arts to teach at-risk boys emotional discipline, leadership and character development. Jemele gets candid with Jason about her fractured relationship with her father as he shares his own experiences about forgiving his father as an adult. Jason also offers his advice for mending relationships when there is a lack of accountability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's filibuster, Jemele shares her thoughts on two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper confronting MLB commissioner Rob Manfred when Manfred surfaced the possibility of a salary cap in baseball. Jemele is then joined by author Jason Wilson, who has gained international acclaim for his groundbreaking, Detroit-based transformational training academy, which uses martial arts to teach at-risk boys healthy emotional expression and regulation. In this candid, wide-ranging discussion, Jason explains some of the mental health issues he’s counseled athletes about, how many boys and men live in a state of emotional incarceration, and his thoughts on whether there is a male loneliness epidemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this special episode, Jemele shares more of her conversation with future NBA Hall of Famer Chris Paul at the American Black Film Festival. Audience members were granted the opportunity to ask Chris Paul about his life, career and passion for filmmaking, and Chris candidly shares some of his experiences and gives some critical advice for young hoopers who have dreams of making it to the NBA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's filibuster, Jemele shares her thoughts on Donald Trump reportedly preparing to sign an executive order that provides guidance on name, image, and likeness, and the president’s ordering the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians to change their team nicknames back to the Redskins and Indians, which they changed in 2020 and 2022 because they were considered offensive to Native Americans. Jemele is then joined by Quincy Avery, who rose to being one of the top quarterback gurus in football. Avery discusses his Hulu documentary, “The Quincy Avery Effect," how he went from being homeless to tutoring star quarterbacks Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, and C.J. Stroud, among others, and how he managed to build a relationship with some of the most prominent quarterbacks in the league. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this special episode, Jemele breaks down the notable moments from WNBA All-Star weekend, including the polarizing reaction to the players wearing t-shirts that read “Pay Us What You Owe Us” in pregame warm-ups. The shirts were in reference to the players ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with league owners and Jemele explains why the players are due a big raise, and how the owners are pulling a sleight of hand trick when it comes to the league's finances. Also, Jemele explains how Minnesota Lynx players Courtney Williams and Natasha Hiedeman emerged as the real winners of WNBA All-Star weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's filibuster, Jemele shares her thoughts on whether Laker fans should be worried that LeBron James won’t be a Laker next season. Jemele is then joined by Hall of Famer Swin Cash, the former University of Connecticut star who recently served in the New Orleans Pelicans front office. Swin discusses her motivation behind creating her She’s Got Time platform, which is dedicated to empowering and connecting women across the sports industry. Swin also shares why she believes so many NBA teams are hiring former women’s basketball players for front office positions, how close the NBA is to having its first female head coach, and how she feels about the WNBA returning to Detroit, where she played the first six years of her 16-year WNBA career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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Craig Robinson's story was getting good, and then it jumped to a different part of the conversation!