The Chicago Smokehouse cover art

The Chicago Smokehouse

The Chicago Smokehouse

By: John Howell / Rick Telander
Listen for free

About this listen

 John Howell and Rick Telander share a cigar and conversations and insightful analysis of the stories shaping headlines today

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News Sidequest Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Riding the Rails with Rick Telander

    Riding the Rails with Rick Telander
    Nov 26 2025
    Finally the true story of why Rick Telander rode freight trains across the American West as a young man. From hobo camps and mountain tunnels to Anaïs Nin and the search for literary freedom, Telander unpacks the dangers, romance, and philosophy behind a life spent chasing experience. It’s a remarkable look at youth, risk, and an America where a person could still disappear—at least for a little while.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Don’t Go Downstairs: Sports, Scandals, and the Return of the Mob Mindset

    Don’t Go Downstairs: Sports, Scandals, and the Return of the Mob Mindset
    Nov 12 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander dive into the NBA’s latest gambling scandal and what it says about the new marriage between sports and betting. From Chauncey Billups’ alleged mob ties to Rick’s real-life brush with Chicago’s Outfit, the conversation connects modern vice with old-school corruption

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • The Shocking (But Not Surprising) Ryder Cup Fans

    The Shocking (But Not Surprising) Ryder Cup Fans
    Oct 12 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander tackle the chaos at this year’s Ryder Cup and what it says about America’s growing lack of civility. From beer-throwing fans to belligerent politics, they connect the dots between golf’s decline in decorum and the country’s broader cultural coarsening. It’s part sports talk, part social commentary, and all classic Smokehouse.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.