The Lead

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Listen Now: My Mom’s Murder Sep 28, 2026

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Lauren Malloy was a baby when her mother, Lori, was murdered in East Providence, Rhode Island. For thirty years, no one told her. Everyone said Lori died of natural causes. Then a stranger sent Lauren a message — and the lie collapsed. Now Lauren is investigating her own mother’s murder. She’s recorded hundreds of hours of interviews with law enforcement, family, childhood friends, and people who won’t stop contradicting each other. Every answer opens a darker question. Every person she trusts seems to be hiding something. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more she realizes the people she trusts may be the ones with the most to hide. A 10-part true crime investigation hosted by the victim’s daughter. Lauren’s mission: to finally uncover the identity of Lori’s killer.

Audible subscribers can binge all 10 episodes early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible App or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts. Listen now: HERE

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The Lead Says Farewell Jan 03, 2024

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An announcement about our show

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2023: The Year Of Women's Sports Dec 22, 2023

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A lot of sports stories caught our attention in 2023. But when we stepped back and looked at the year as a whole, there was one storyline that rose above them all -- the incredible growth of women’s sports. Today, we’re looking back at the moments that made 2023 such a historic year, and looking forward to what the future might bring.

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Cocaine, Disco, And A Football Revolution Dec 20, 2023

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When we think about innovative teams that have shaped the way offense is played in the NFL today, one of the first that comes to mind is the Bill Walsh-era San Francisco 49ers. However, there’s another trailblazing team from the same era that has arguably had just as big an impact on the sport. Today, we tell the story of the high-flying, but somewhat forgotten San Diego Chargers of the late 1970s and 80s, led by a brash quarterback (Dan Fouts) and visionary coach (Don Coryell). Plus, the stories of drug-fueled performances — and a mysterious gunshot wound — that still follow the team today.

Guest: Zak Keefer, The Athletic

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Armando Bacot's Last Dance Dec 15, 2023

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Over the last four years, Armando Bacot has been a double-double machine for one of college basketball’s most storied programs. But the reminders of what Bacot hasn’t accomplished at UNC continue to hang over him. Today, we dive into why Bacot decided to come back for one last high-stakes season at Chapel Hill. Plus, how his fame off the court as one of the faces of NIL could influence a potential championship run.

Guest: Brendan Marks, The Athletic

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‘It’s Just Magical’: The Surprising Power Of Baseball Memories Dec 13, 2023

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Baseball has always had a special place in the hearts and minds of fans -- of all ages. But what if the power of baseball memories could help aging baseball fans heal and live healthier lives? Today we explore a little known practice known as 'Baseball Reminiscence Therapy.'

Reporter: Tiffany Oshinsky

Learn more about Baseball Reminiscence Therapy

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Fatherhood Changed Mike McDaniel. Will The NFL Follow His Lead? Dec 08, 2023

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He’s the coach who makes slightly offbeat comments during press conferences, orchestrates the NFL’s most dynamic and explosive offense, and sometimes — decides to leave his high-pressure job out of the blue to see his family. Bottom line: Mike McDaniel does things differently. Today, we look at how the Dolphins head coach became someone who was willing to challenge the conventional wisdom of the NFL. And, whether his approach will backfire — or, potentially change the league.

Guest: Kent Babb, The Washington Post

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'I Lost My Soul': The Tragic Death Of An Israeli Soccer Star Dec 06, 2023

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Lior Asulin was a star player on a soccer team that was once a powerful symbol of peace and unity in Israel -- a team where Jews and Arabs played side by side. Nearly twenty years later, he was killed by Hamas in the October 7th attacks. This is the tragic story of his life and death.

Interviewees: Adi Rubinstein, Eyal Lahman, Gabriel Lima

Watch a documentary about the aftermath of Bnei Sakhnin's championship season, After The Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United, courtesy of the Kicking + Screening Soccer Film Festival.

Special thanks for this episode: Chris Browne, Daigo Oliva, Itai Anghel, Rund Abdelfatah, Greg Lalas, Geoff Walker

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Rocket Science: Josh Dobbs Blasts Off, Returns To Earth Dec 01, 2023

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs was the author of one of the most dramatic wins of the NFL season, leading his team to a victory over the Falcons — and learning plays on the fly — just five days after coming over from the Cardinals in a trade. Today, we look at why Dobbs — an actual rocket scientist — was in the rare position to rise to that occasion. And, after a disastrous performance against the Bears on Monday night, where does Dobbs’s story go from here?

Guest: Alec Lewis, The Athletic

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How Marvin Gaye Changed The NBA (Rebroadcast) Nov 29, 2023

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In 1983, musical legend Marvin Gaye stepped to the microphone at The Forum in Los Angeles, to sing the national anthem before the NBA All-Star Game. What happened next set in motion a cultural transformation within the NBA that still reverberates today. (This episode first aired on March 1, 2023)

Guests: David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic

Read David and Marcus's story about Marvin Gaye at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game

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