The Press Box

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The January Issue: ‘In Cold Blood’ and the Invention of True Crime Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Welcome to the January Issue. This month, Bryan and David come together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Truman Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood’ being published by Random House. This episode is broken into four chapters, just like the non-fiction novel. Bryan and David start Chapter 1 by discussing Truman Capote himself, and how he was the podcast guest before there were podcast guests (03:20). They have a conversation about who is comparable to Capote in the modern age (09:09), why non-fiction with the style of fiction hits the reader the way it does (17:22), and why Capote wanted to combine these styles (21:04). In Chapter 2, the guys dive into the relationship between Capote and the killers of the Clutter family (26:41), Capote’s journalistic good luck (31:54), and his interviewing techniques (37:21). In Chapter 3, Bryan and David talk about what they made of ‘In Cold Blood’ after re-reading it (1:01:51), Truman Capote’s fabulism (1:05:48), and whether ‘In Cold Blood’ would have been as successful if Capote had said it was almost all true (1:12:14). In Chapter 4, Bryan and David take a look at the impact ‘In Cold Blood’ has had on the media (1:14:43). They discuss ‘In Cold Blood’ being the invention of true crime (1:16:06), and what the heirs of the book are (1:22:32). The January Issue ends with Bryan and David recommending other books you might like if you enjoyed reading ‘In Cold Blood’ (1:30:27). All that and more, here on The Press Box.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guests: Chip McGrath and Gerald Clarke

Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Bruce Baldwin

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Gov. Wes Moore on ICE and Minneapolis, Democrats in 2026, the Next Black President, Jay-Z Power Rankings, and the End of the John Harbaugh Era. Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel are joined today for a bonus episode by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. The governor discusses his feelings on ICE and the shooting of Alex Pretti (02:31), whether Kristi Noem should resign as head of Homeland Security (05:43), and how Democrats can convince voters of their plan on immigration (08:49). The interview continues with a conversation about Jay-Z songs and lyrics (13:30), today’s political climate (21:19), and whether Gov. Moore is running for president in 2028 (23:49). The show ends with some talk about Gov. Moore’s college football career (30:09), and if it was time for John Harbaugh to go (34:05). All that and more, here on The Press Box.

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The Democratic Depth Chart with Van Lathan Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Today on The Press Box, we have a special episode! Bryan and Joel are joined in studio by The Ringer’s own Van Lathan to create a 2028 Democratic Nominee depth chart. The guys go through a list of potential candidates for the 2028 Democratic nomination for President, discussing the outlook and viability of each person. The list spans all the way from frontrunners like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gavin Newsom, to long shots like John Stewart. The show wraps up with Van ranking them in order of who he thinks will win the nomination as of today.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (2:26)
Gavin Newsom (7:20)
Pete Buttigieg (16:12)
Josh Shapiro (17:42)
Kamala Harris (20:48)
Tim Walz (25:46)
Stephen A. Smith (26:27)
Mark Cuban (28:03)
JB Pritzker (32:08)
Rahm Emmanuel (33:53)
Bernie Sanders (35:54)
Joe Biden (37:00)
Wes Moore (37:35)
Corey Booker (39:21)
Michele Obama (40:40)
Ruben Gallego (44:43)
Mark Kelly (45:45)
Bob Iger (47:47)
Gretchen Whitmer (48:41)
James Talarico (49:26)
Andy Beshear (53:29)
Liz Cheney (1:03:33)
John Fetterman (1:03:56
Tech Mogul/Pop Culture Persona TBD (1:04:02)
Jon Stewart (1:04:24)
Hunter Biden (1:09:36)
Putting the Candidates in Order (1:10:40)
Jasmine Crockett (1:11:53)
Ro Khanna (1:12:51)

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Guest: Van Lathan

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

Additional Production Support: Conor Nevins, Ben Cruz, Chris Thomas

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Another Killing in Minneapolis and the Dismantling of The Washington Post Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan, David, and Joel come together on today’s episode for a three-man weave. The guys start by discussing the shooting of Alex Pretti (01:58), the way the Trump administration has tried to spin the story (10:04), and the way the Minnesota Star Tribune has covered these events (29:50). After that, Bryan, Joel, and David give their thoughts on the rumored shuttering of the Washington Post sports desk (33:33), alongside other rumored layoffs that could affect half of the company's newsroom. The show ends with a new edition of Our Disillusioned Listeners, where Bryan, David, and Joel answer questions from you, the listeners (51:58).

Plus, David and Joel Guess the Strained-Pun Headline!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis, David Shoemaker, Joel Anderson

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

Social: Isaiah Blakely

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Senator Mark Kelly on Trump and Greenland, ICE Raids, Combat Missions in Iraq, and His 2028 Plans Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! On today’s episode, Bryan interviews Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona). Their conversation starts with his thoughts on Trump’s attempts to acquire Greenland (01:21), what he thinks is driving Trump’s foreign policy in his second term (03:18), and the purpose of the video he and other Congress members released about ignoring illegal military orders (07:19). Next, Bryan and Senator Kelly discuss how it feels to be 15 years removed from the horrific shooting of his wife, former House Representative Gabby Giffords (D-Arizona) (15:31), before diving into his thoughts on Trump’s actions in and against Venezuela (17:33). After that, they talk about his experiences as a fighter pilot in Iraq (27:16), whether Democrats were prepared for Trump 2.0 (33:23), and immigration (40:18). Lastly, Bryan asks Senator Kelly if he is running for President in 2028 (48:22), before ending with some classic Ringer pop culture questions (52:02). All that and more, here on The Press Box.

Host: Bryan Curtis

Guest: Senator Mark Kelly

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz, Conor Nevins, and Chris Thomas

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Trump’s Greenland Crisis, a Sideline Reporter Runs for Senate, and Some Final Thoughts on the National Championship Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel come together in person to discuss Trump's Greenland crisis (02:10). The guys listen to President Trump’s comments on Greenland (04:09), Iceland (05:30), and NATO (07:47), examining why Trump is doing what he's doing and whether it is simpler than people thought (12:49). Next, Bryan and Joel discuss Bari Weiss’s attempts at damage control following the airing of the spiked '60 Minutes' CECOT piece and the New Yorker profile on her (19:06). After that, the guys dive into some football audio (29:43), including sounds from the national football championship postgame festivities (36:55). Finally, the show wraps up with a discussion about former sideline reporter Michele Tafoya’s newly announced U.S. Senate campaign (43:31). All that and more, here on The Press Box.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz, Conor Nevins, and Sarah Reddy

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The Latest from CBS News and the Craziest Postgame in the Playoffs. Plus: the New Yorker’s Susan Glasser on Year 1 of Trump 2. Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss everything coming out of CBS News, including The New Yorker’s profile on Bari Weiss, Trump’s remarks to Tony Dokoupil, and the spiked '60 Minutes' segment finally making it to air (00:27). Next, the guys listen to some football audio from the College Football Playoff national championship (08:48) before checking in to see how Tony Romo did in the announcer booth this weekend (22:26). After that, The Ringer’s own Lindsay Jones joins the show to discuss her experience covering the postgame happenings after the Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills (24:40). Lastly, The New Yorker’s Susan Glasser joins the show to discuss year one of Trump 2.0 (48:25), whether popularity matters to Trump (57:42), and whether Trump has changed the way news is reported (1:13:20).

Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Guests: Susan Glasser and Lindsay Jones

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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The FBI Seizes a Reporter’s Laptop, and National Championship Storylines. Plus: CNN’s Abby Phillip! Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel discuss the FBI raid of a Washington Post reporter that resulted in her laptop and phone being seized (01:08), and how journalists need to protect their information under Trump 2.0. Then, Joel gets a chance to give his take on the Lynn Jones–Jacksonville Jaguars press conference saga, including what journalists need to do coming out of this situation (14:07). Next, Bryan and Joel dive into some football notes, including a conundrum surrounding Carson Beck (26:01), Michael Irvin’s new podcast with Netflix (29:59), and Tony Romo’s partial explanation for his poor performance this weekend (32:42). Lastly, the show ends with Joel interviewing CNN’s Abby Phillip about her book on Rev. Jesse Jackson (38:04), her transition from reporter to anchor (57:15), and the future of cable news (1:09:58). All that and more, here on the Press Box.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Guest: Abby Phillip

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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The NFL Press Conference Heard ’Round the World, the Tony Romo Problem, and the New California Vulture Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and David discuss the controversy coming out of Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen’s press conference following their elimination from the playoffs (10:28). They acknowledge both sides of this conversation, examine the reactions from beat writers, and break down what role humanity plays in a postgame press conference (20:32). Next, the guys dive into audio from this past weekend’s NFL wild-card playoff games, including what Tony Romo did wrong (35:06) and what Tom Brady did right (45:29). The show wraps up with a look at the new publication raiding the L.A. Times (57:31), and a quick look at Trump’s interactions with the media lately (1:02:40).

Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline!

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

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Dokoupil, Part Deux, and the Death of a Newspaper. Plus, ESPN’s Joe Buck. Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Hello, media consumers! Bryan and Joel start the show with Part 2 of their analysis of Tony Dokoupil’s first week as the CBS Evening News host (01:02). They dive into the technical difficulties, the quality of the writing, and one thing Bryan and Joel think he did well this week. Next, the guys discuss the death of a Pittsburgh newspaper, and what this means for local news (25:49). After that, Bryan and Joel have a conversation about how to be a successful sports columnist in today’s media age (33:09). The show ends with an interview with ESPN’s Joe Buck, where he talks about his black eye (46:00), his father Jack Buck (49:36), announcing with Troy Aikman (1:00:04), and so much more, here on the Press Box.

Hosts: Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson

Guest: Joe Buck

Producer: Bruce Baldwin

Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz

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