Episodes

  • Fake Stories, Real Rants, and the Rise of the Machines

    Fake Stories, Real Rants, and the Rise of the Machines
    Jul 4 2025
    What happens when a major newspaper accidentally publishes AI-generated nonsense? Big John Howell and Rick Telander dig into the Chicago Sun-Times’ recent “Heat Index” fiasco, where fake book blurbs created by AI made it to print—and readers noticed. From newsroom cost-cutting and the future of journalism to AI writing sports columns, war strategy, and even architecture, this episode is a deep (and often hilarious) dive into what happens when machines take the wheel.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 mins
  • Heaven Is a Playground—The Book, the Movie, and the Memories

    Heaven Is a Playground—The Book, the Movie, and the Memories
    Jun 17 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander along with John Dempsey take a deep dive into Telander's iconic book Heaven Is a Playground—from its origins in a 1973 Sports Illustrated article to its 1991 film adaptation. They explore the lives of Brooklyn streetball legends, the challenges of writing with heart and honesty, and the poetic power of basketball. Plus, a few sharp jabs, a couple of cigars, and a cameo from President Obama’s bookshelf.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Of Mice, Men, and Michael Jackson (with John Dempsey)

    Of Mice, Men, and Michael Jackson (with John Dempsey)
    Jun 9 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander are joined by veteran broadcaster John Dempsey for a vermin-infested edition of The Chicago Smokehouse. What starts as a simple houseguest anecdote morphs into a whirlwind conversation about mice, rats, movies, plagues, breeding cycles, and the shocking realization that “Ben” was a love ballad... for a rodent. It's informative, hilarious, and slightly unsettling—like Willard. Except with cigars.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 mins
  • Blocking Jurko, Smoking Cubans, and Belichick’s Mermaid Muse

    Blocking Jurko, Smoking Cubans, and Belichick’s Mermaid Muse
    May 12 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander relive John’s glory days behind the plate—most notably, tagging out former Packers nose tackle John Jurkovic at a charity softball game. The conversation shifts from cigars and sports nostalgia to Bill Belichick’s eyebrow-raising relationship with a 24-year-old “muse” and the public spectacle it has become. Along the way, the duo riff on Yoko Ono, tortured genius, self-defense kicks, and why some basements just have better acoustics.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    47 mins
  • Punch Cigars, Beatles Obsessions, and the Time John Howell Passed on Taylor Swift

    Punch Cigars, Beatles Obsessions, and the Time John Howell Passed on Taylor Swift
    Apr 28 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander light up cigars and dive into a lively conversation about The Beatles, Buck Owens, and the musicians who shaped their lives. Along the way, John shares the story of the time he told a record label to pass on a young Taylor Swift—something he now calls “the dumbest thing ever.” From musical legends to yodeling news anchors, it’s a smoke-filled trip down memory lane with plenty of laughs along the way.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 mins
  • Chicago’s Fiery Past, Present, and Future

    Chicago’s Fiery Past, Present, and Future
    Apr 21 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander dive into the history of the Great Chicago Fire, using Scott Berg’s new book to explore how the disaster shaped the city’s power structure and modern identity. They compare 19th-century fires to today’s climate-driven infernos—including John’s personal account of losing his home in Pacific Palisades. With references to Peshtigo, Paradise, and pop culture classics like Backdraft, this episode explores the destructive power—and strange allure—of fire through history, memory, and lived experience.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    26 mins
  • Goose on the Loose: Wrigley Field’s Unexpected Mascot Sparks Debate

    Goose on the Loose: Wrigley Field’s Unexpected Mascot Sparks Debate
    Apr 14 2025
    A Canada goose has taken up residence in the Wrigley Field bleachers, sparking debate between John Howell and Rick Telander over whether the bird should stay or go. The two light up cigars and swap stories about wildlife encounters—from backyard raccoons to six-foot iguanas—as they ponder the line between conservation and practicality. Along the way, they veer into gene-edited dire wolves, Civil War statues, and the proper use of the word "ask."

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    18 mins
  • Smoke-Filled Rooms and Tariff Tantrums

    Smoke-Filled Rooms and Tariff Tantrums
    Apr 7 2025
    There’s something comforting about lighting up a cigar and talking politics, sports, and the decline of the American empire from the cozy haze of The Chicago Smokehouse. This week, as we puffed on a (possibly illegal) Cuban Cohiba and discussed everything from press box etiquette to presidential posturing, one thing became abundantly clear: whether it’s taxes, tariffs, or the return of Erik the Red, the smoke is getting thicker.

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