My Lifeblood. The Dan LeBatard Show With Stugotz has gotten me through more over these past 15 years than anything else.

The Dan LeBatard Show With Stugotz stands out as one of the most unique and engaging sports podcasts there is out there. The show, proudly Miami/South Floridian, blends sports commentary, pop culture, and humor in a way that keeps listeners entertained and digesting countless hours a week. If you're new to the show (or don't yet 'get it'), I'll give you a brief overview. Each member of the show, is also a producer, and contributes a distinct voice and flavor, creating a dynamic and unpredictable listening experience.

Dan LeBatard: As the show's central figure, Dan LeBatard brings a wealth of experience and a deep knowledge of sports journalism. His thoughtful analysis and willingness to tackle serious issues in sports and society set the tone for the podcast. LeBatard’s knack for asking probing questions and his ability to draw out interesting stories from guests make the show intellectually stimulating while still being accessible. The shipping container (the room full of producers), also like to rib him.

Stugotz (Jon Weiner): The co-host, known affectionately as Stugotz, provides the perfect counterbalance to LeBatard's serious tone. With his irreverent humor and penchant for playing the lovable buffoon, Stugotz adds a layer of comedy and unpredictability. His antics and off-the-cuff remarks often lead to some of the show's most memorable moments, making him an essential part of the show's charm.

Mike Ryan Ruiz: As the former executive producer and powerhouse that help build the show, Mike Ryan plays a crucial role behind the scenes but is also a prominent on-air personality. His sharp wit, extensive sports knowledge, and occasional rants add another layer of entertainment. Mike’s interactions with both Dan and Stugotz often lead to hilarious exchanges and insightful commentary. He has played many characters over the years, the dirty demon of debate, the far away surfer dude, far away hockey guy, and now, most notably, University of Miami power booster.

Billy Gil (Guillermo Rodriguez): Billy Gil brings a quirky and often absurd sense of humor to the show. His unique perspectives and willingness to embrace the bizarre make for some truly unpredictable segments. Not to mention his propensity for anarchy

Roy Bellamy: Roy's deadpan humor and subtle sarcasm provide a refreshing contrast to the more boisterous members of the team. His role as the straight man and sound engineer often highlights the absurdity of the others, and his dry wit ensures that he is never overshadowed. Roy's ability to deliver one-liners with perfect timing makes him an integral part of the show's dynamic.

Chris Cote (and Greg): Chris, known for his upbeat personality and enthusiasm, brings a youthful energy to the podcast. His role often involves interacting with fans and contributing to the more lighthearted and fan-centric segments of the show. Chris’s infectious positivity and willingness to laugh at himself add a feel-good element to the podcast. He also wrangles his Dad, Greg Cote. One of Dan's life-long friends and fellow columnist at the MIami Herald, has secured a normal Tuesday spot on the show. Much of his presence is simply to be the butt of the joke at this point in his career, but nonetheless, he often makes me laugh harder than anyone else. He also occassionally still does his semi-regular bit, back-in-my-day.

Jessica Smetana: As one of the newer members of the team, Jessica brings fresh perspectives and a sharp sense of humor. Her background in sports media and her ability to engage in both serious and humorous discussions make her a valuable addition. Jessica's presence ensures that the show continues to evolve and stay relevant.

Tony Calatayud: Tony, or 10-day-Tony as he insists on reminding everyone of his athletic prowess and potential (to maybe make a 10-day roster on a professional sports team, adds to the diversity of voices on the show. His insights and contributions to discussions about various sports and cultural topics help to broaden the show's appeal. Tony anchors the uniquely Cuban show and often does street bits and his Cuban phrases of the day.

Pablo Torre, David Samson, Amin Elhassan, Jeremy Tache, Lucy Rohden, Charlotte Wilder, and JuJu Gotti round out the rest of the shipping container. Each one of them is brilliant in their own right, and I would gladly type out brief descriptions for all of them, but I don't want to lose you before you get to the part about the actual show.

Alright, so why listen to this podcast? Well, after a messy breakup with ESPN due to the laying off Chris Cote, along with Dan's father who was a cohost with him in his afternoon tv show, Highly Questionable wanting to retire, they decided to board the "Pirate Ship" and build a media company on the fly (Meadowlark Media). Rallying together his close friend and former President of ESPN, John Skipper, and several other top execs, the entire crew left and partnered with Draft Kings. Deciding to do things their own way. Without the risk of corporate oversight, they began developing podcasts left and right (each one of those people above each have at least 1-2 other podcasts highlighting their unique passions and flavor outside of the main show). They also built a documentary wing (first project Good Rivals) and are recruiting free agents to bring underneath their Meadowlark umbrella in the midst of the changing landscape of sports media. So I can guarantee you that if you'd give the show 2 weeks, you'd either find one of the characters amusing and spark your interest, or you could chase one of the offshoots of the shoe and really find your cup of tea.

For me, one of the show's defining features is its seamless interweaving of sports and culture. On any given day, listeners might find themselves deep in a discussion about the latest NBA trade rumors, only to pivot to a debate about the cultural significance of a viral internet trend, global warming, race debate, or a new movie release. This blend is reflective of the show's belief that sports do not exist in a vacuum but are deeply intertwined with broader societal currents.

For example, you'll always find Dan delving into the social and political implications of sports stories, examining how they reflect larger cultural issues. Whether discussing athlete activism, media representation, or the intersection of sports and politics, LeBatard brings a nuanced perspective that enriches the conversation. Meanwhile, Stugotz's playful irreverence ensures that the show never takes itself too seriously. He might follow up a serious discussion with a hilarious, weekend observation, reference to his groupie role with the Grateful Dead, or his dependency on his heaters. This balance of lighthearted and serious content keeps the show engaging and unpredictable.

The rest of the crew, each add their own cultural insights and humor. Mike's rants can pivot from sports frustration to cultural critiques, Billy's quirky humor often draws from his observations on everyday life, Roy's deadpan wit adds a sardonic touch to cultural discussions, Chris’s enthusiasm brings fresh takes on trending topics, Jessica’s sharp humor tackles both sports and societal issues, and Tony’s diverse interests broaden the show’s scope. With all of these personalities as their foundation, they bring in bit after bit. I won't even start to try naming them all, but worthless sound montage, looks like, weekend observations, back in my day, Ron Magill's wildlife segment, and the newly incorporated penalty box (with sounders) are some my favorite. Oh, and one more thing. With all of this fun they have, it's no wonder they have built a huge web of friendships and contributors that will gladly give up their time to be a part. These include Bomani Jones, Dominique Foxworth, Mina Kimes, Katie Nolan, Mike Schur, Roy Wood Jr, Tim Kurkjian, Adam McKay, and a fleet of comedians and athletes just to name a few off the top of my head.

Alright, I'll shut up for now. Just go give it a listen. If you give it 2 weeks, I'm confident you'll start to "get the show" and fall in love with them just like I did 15 years ago.