The Weekly Brew: Recent Episodes
Austin Staton, Jeremy Paxton and Hunter Atkins
Hosted by Austin Staton and Jeremy Paxton, The Weekly Brew is the Voice of Houston for sports, pop culture and political commentary brewed up in an hour or less.
The ALCS is here! The Chron’s Hunter Atkins joins Austin on the phone line to breakdown this historic series between the Astros and Red Sox. How historic is it? This is the first postseason series since World War II that features to teams that won more than 103 regular season games.
The guys discuss the key matchups on the mound and why the Astros’ hitters will work to extend at-bats in order to jump into a Boston bullpen that has played “Naked and Afraid” this postseason. Then, Hunter offers his take that David Price is “teetering on the edge of a sunk cost” and why he matches up poorly against Gerrit Cole.
The show closes by analyzing the offense and x-factors in the series, and why the Astros should refuse to pitch to MVP-candidate J. D. Martinez.
The NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti makes her return to the podcast to discuss the wild NFL season. With overtime games on a weekly basis and concern over NFL rule changes, has this season lived up to the hype? Then, Taylor discusses her surprise teams, rookies that have impressed, and the top young QBs in the game.
The show opens as Austin discusses the Astros’ sweep of the Indians and a brief preview of the ALCS against the Red Sox.
The Braintrust, Hunter Atkins and Derek Fogel, join Austin Staton on The Weekly Brew for the annual MLB postseason preview. The guys discuss the extra-inning thriller between the Rockies and Cubs that opened the postseason and the initial implications that the game has on the playoffs — over managing and MLB replays.
Then, the guys discuss the local series as the defending World Series champs open the playoffs at home against the Cleveland Indians. With the teams nearly mirroring each other strength for strength, what will be the difference maker? Who will make the bullpen cut on the roster, and how will AJ Hinch utilize his arms in the five-game series?
The show closes by breaking down the starting rotation and the inconsistent play of both offenses. Who wins it all? We make our predictions.
Sponsor: Episode 141 of The Weekly Brew is sponsored by BetDSI.com. BetDSI offers betting options for everything! Bet on Football and all other major sports, politics, reality TV, Esports…virtually everything. Try Live Betting at BetDSI where you can bet on every play, every drive, and every score until the final whistle blows Use Promo code Brew101 - First time deposits get 101% bonus match on your money up to $1000!
Hunter Atkins makes his return to the podcast to discuss the Astros pursuit of a second-straight AL West Crown. Entering the final week of the season with a all-but-certain playoff date with the Indians on the horizon, Hunter and Austin discuss the x-factors heading into postseason play. Will the offense find consistency in the playoffs? Will Keuchel’s early-inning struggles continue? How will the postseason roster shape up, and will Josh James have an impact in October?
The show opens with a recap of Week 3 of the NFL season and the Texans’ 0-3 start, and the latest news on SCOTUS.
Sponsor: Episode 140 of The Weekly Brew is sponsored by BetDSI.com. BetDSI offers betting options for everything! Bet on Football and all other major sports, politics, reality TV, Esports…virtually everything. Try Live Betting at BetDSI where you can bet on every play, every drive, and every score until the final whistle blows Use Promo code Brew101 - First time deposits get 101% bonus match on your money up to $1000!
Austin and Jeremy are joined alongside fantasy football expert Jordan Wathen as the guys breakdown the NFL season to date, and the struggles out of the gate by the Houston Texans. Historically, only 12.1 percent of teams that begin the season 0-2 make the playoffs. Can the Texans buck the trend in the now-competitive AFC South?
Then, the guys discuss the hunt for October as the Astros close in on their second-straight AL West Crown. The show closes as insane news breaks of the retirement of Bills CB Vontae Davis retiring at halftime on Sunday.
Sponsor: Episode 139 of The Weekly Brew is sponsored by BetDSI.com. BetDSI offers betting options for everything! Bet on Football and all other major sports, politics, reality TV, Esports…virtually everything. Try Live Betting at BetDSI where you can bet on every play, every drive, and every score until the final whistle blows Use Promo code Brew101 - First time deposits get 101% bonus match on your money up to $1000!
After a summer vacation, Austin and Jeremy are back to breakdown the first week of college football action including the major upsets and storylines that dominated the start of the season.
Then, ahead of week one of the NFL season, the guys make their Super Bowl picks before diving into the latest controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick and NIKE — will the continuation of bridging politics and sports hurt the footwear giant?
Sponsor: Episode 138 of The Weekly Brew is sponsored by BetDSI.com. BetDSI offers betting options for everything! Bet on Football and all other major sports, politics, reality TV, Esports…virtually everything. Try Live Betting at BetDSI where you can bet on every play, every drive, and every score until the final whistle blows. Use Promo code Brew101 - First time deposits get 101% bonus match on your money up to $1000!
The Athletic’s Jake Kaplan joins the podcast to discuss the first half of the season for the Astros. Will the organization make a move at the trade deadline? Can Keuchel regain his form in the second half? How do the Astros stack up in the AL race? Kaplan discusses all of this and more in a live recording at Baileson Brewery.
The show opens as Austin and Jeremy dissect LeBron to the Lakers and the implications of Anthony Kennedy’s resignation from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Jeremy returns to the podcast to discuss his recent engagement before he dives into a conversation with Austin on the recent summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-un in Singapore. Then, the duo discusses the Astros 11-game winning streak including the offensive outburst led by DH Evan Gattis.
The show wraps by dissecting the best week in sports including thoughts on the World Cup, Landon Donovan, and the U.S. Open.
Hunter was on the road this past weekend covering the Astros four-game sweep of the Rangers. The guys discuss the offensive outburst and whether or not Dallas Keuchel’s struggles on the mound can be corrected. Also, Hunter offers insights into the new approach in the backend of the bullpen and why Astros hitters tend to struggle at Minute Maid Park.
Then, the duo ponders free agent landing spots for LeBron James before closing the show by offering marriage advice and bachelor party advise to the newly engaged co-host, Jeremy Paxton.
Ben DuBose joins Austin Staton and Hunter Atkins to recap the seven-game series between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Will the Rockets make moves during the offseason to bolster their rotation? Is LeBron James a legitimate target to land in Houston? The trio discuss this and more while previewing the NBA Finals that begin on Thursday night in the Bay Area.
Austin and Hunter sit down after the Rockets 41-point loss to Golden State on Sunday to offer their analysis on the series and whether or not Rockets fans should be concerned heading into game four on Tuesday night.
Then, the guys discuss the Astros series win against the Indians, the historic start for the pitching staff, and the ongoing question marks surrounding Houston’s offense.
The episode closes by reflecting on the tragedy at Santa Fe HS — just 29 miles away from the studio — that took the lives of 10 innocent lives. Hunter also offers his insights into covering Santa Fe’s playoff baseball game on Saturday, and thoughtful words offered by Astros’ manager AJ Hinch following the mass shooting.
The Houston Rockets are set to square off against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. SportsTalk790’s Ben DuBose joins Austin and Hunter to preview the series that NBA fans have been waiting for all season.
The trio outlines expectations for game one of the series and which team has the mental edge as both squads have undertaken mental warfare leading up to the series. Then, the guys discuss matchup expectations for Draymond Green, Steph Curry, Clint Capela, and why this series bodes well for James Harden and his legacy in Houston.
Dan Crenshaw, Lieutenant Commander (Ret), is a former Navy SEAL running for Texas CD-2, and joins The Weekly Brew to discuss his campaign and the massive runoff election on Tuesday, May 22.
Crenshaw, who served five deployments overseas, shares his life-changing story after he was hit by an IED blast in 2012 during a mission in Afghanistan. The interview then dives into his campaign platform which focuses on national security, foreign policy, flood control in Houston, the second amendment, and whether or not his experience as a veteran could be a difference maker in Congress.
For our listeners who might not be aware, the 2nd Congressional District includes parts of West Houston, includes northern stretches of Harris County and includes Humble and Atascocita. On Tuesday, May 22, we encourage our listeners to support Crenshaw for Congress.
Editor's Note: Episode 131 of The Weekly Brew is dedicated to the life of Martin Paul Shelton. Rest in Peace, Umpa.
Ben Jackson is international award-winning magician who has been featured on NBC's TODAY alongside David Copperfield, and has consulted for the Hollywood film Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, staring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Ben joins The Weekly Brew to breakdown his career, his influences, and his Magic, Music & Mayhem show at Houston’s La Colombe d'Or, one of the world's smallest luxury hotels.
The show opens as Austin and Jeremy discuss the legacy of Barbara Bush, who passed away last week at the age of 28, and the death of Swedish musician, Avicii. The guys then pivot to discuss the streaking Astros and the Rockets playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jake Kaplan is no stranger to the podcast and has covered the Houston Astros for the past season. However, in 2018, Kaplan has a new affiliate — The Athletic.
Kaplan sits down with the podcast to discuss the new journalistic platform that should excite Astros fans, breaks down the first few of the 2018 season, and why the pitching staff is locked and loaded with Verlander and Cole on the hill. Kaplan closes out the interview with a few nuggets featuring Spring Training with Hunter Atkins, and even makes a friendly NBA Playoffs wager.
Former NBA head coach and current NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy joins The Weekly Brew to preview the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Van Gundy opens the interview (2:08) by giving Austin and Hunter his pick for the NBA MVP, then reacts to the Rockets 65-win campaign (2:39). As Houston opens their playoff run on Sunday night, JVG breaks down whether or not the Wolves are equipped to push the Rockets during their first round series (3:52), and then forecasts a potential western conference finals showdown between the Warriors and Rockets (5:45).
Looking more broadly at the postseason (8:59), JVG analyzes the most compelling storylines of the playoffs, whether LeBron can will the Cavs to the Finals, and if Philly fans can #TrustTheProcess.
Van Gundy closes the interview (13:14) discussing his passion project, The Pro-Vision Academy.
Ben DuBose, who covers the Rockets for Locked On Rockets and SportsTalk 790, joins the show to discuss the NBA Playoffs and the potential first round matchups for the Houston Rockets. Is there a team that could give Houston fits in the first round? Are the Thunder equipped for the postseason? Will Steph Curry’s injury give the Rockets an edge in a potential Western Conference showdown?
The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain, The General, has covered the NFL for more than 40 years and is no stranger to The Weekly Brew. However, in this episode, McClain joins the podcast to discuss the Golden Era of Houston sports with a heavy focus on the Astros and the Rockets.
McClain expresses his excitement for the Astros’ defense of the World Series crown, the exciting talent on the roster, and the changes of baseball in a data-driven era. The General then opines on James Harden and the Rockets, and why they’re the favorites to bring home their third NBA title.
The show opens as Jeremy and Austin reflect on the Astros 4-1 start behind a stellar starting rotation and a potent offense, some freezing cold takes from Jeremy, and rule changes that are certain to change the way that we watch the NFL. The show closes as the duo discuss privacy concerns on Facebook, and President Trump’s war against Amazon and the free market.
Eric Winston is a 12-year NFL veteran and was just elected to his third term as the president of the NFL Players Association earlier this month. Winston joins The Weekly Brew to discuss the state of the NFL, player safety, the CBA and guaranteed contracts, the NFLPA’s study on the potential use of marijuana as a pain management tool for players, and his plans for the 2018 season. Winston also discusses the cloud surrounding Texans owner Bob McNair and whether his questionable remarks could impact player personnel for the Texans in 2018 and beyond.
The show opens with Austin, Hunter and Jeremy discussing opening week in Major League Baseball, Jose Altuve’s giant contract extension, the Rockets pursuit of the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, and the NCAA Final Four.
Hunter Atkins is back in Houston and joins Austin Staton to share his first-hand insights from covering the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida. What are the biggest areas of need for the defending champs, and is the club built for longterm success, or a year of complacency?
The show opens as Austin discusses Jose Altuve’s $151 million contract extension with the Astros, the Rockets push toward the postseason, and the Texans acquiring all-Pro safety, Tyrann Mathieu.
Hunter joins Austin to breakdown the Astros through week one of spring training in Florida. What can the club expect from a full season of Justin Verlander at the top of the rotation, and how will he mentor the younger pitchers on the staff? Also, Hunter discusses Gerrit Cole’s debut in an Astros uniform and why his cerebral approach on the mound might pay dividends for the organization in 2018.
We’re not going to lie — our podcast has a sick travel addiction so we’ve been on hiatus for a few weeks. Fear not, we’re back.
While Hunter Atkins is away covering the Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, Austin and Jeremy begin the show by discussing the 2018 Winter Games and the scandals that have rocked the IOC. Are the games a success? Has the media covered Russia and North Korea correctly? Then, the guys discuss the Mueller indictments and what it means going forward for the United States.
Then, Ben DuBose, who covers the Rockets for Locked On Rockets, joins the show to breakdown the first half of the NBA season and assesses Clutch City’s chances at a deep postseason run. With James Harden as the MVP front runner, have the midseason acquisitions of Gerald Green, Joe Johnson and Brandan Wright given the Rockets the roster depth that they need to push Golden State in the Western Conference?
Hunter Atkins takes over a bonus episode of The Weekly Brew podcast and is joined by two of the best baseball minds in Houston — Jake Kaplan and Derek Fogel — to discuss the Astros acquisition of RHP Gerrit Cole.
Then, the guys briefly discuss the NFL playoffs before diving into Monday’s scuffle between the Rockets and Clippers. Is this the new rivalry that the NBA needs? How will it impact the Rockets heading into the stretch run for the postseason? Also, Clippers coach Doc Rivers stops by for his analysis on what happened inside the Staples Center Monday night.
The Chron’s Jenny Dial Creech joins the The Weekly Brew to breakdown the Houston Rockets as the franchise nears the All-Star break with injury woes posing cause for concern. Creech offers her insight on the signing of lights-out shooter Gerald Green, James Harden’s hamstring, and whether or not the Rockets have the answers needed to compete with the Warriors in the Western Conference. Then, Creech discusses the recent hiring of Kendal Briles at U of H and what kind of message it sends to alumni and the fanbase.
In a special segment this week, Luke Brawner and Nathan Schartz from Yay! Go, Sports! make the case for Berry Sanders as the greatest running back in the NFL history. If you’re not already following Brawner’s podcast empire, make sure to do so now!
The Atlantic’s David Graham joins Austin and Jeremy to discuss Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury,” which profiles the Trump administration, and the schism between Donald Trump and his former chief strategist, Steve Bannon. Graham also offers his analysis on the reception from the American electorate on the latest tax legislation and foreign policy issues that could impact the U.S. in 2018.
To open the show, Hunter makes his triumphant return to breakdown the defensive woes facing the Houston Rockets as they’ve dropped seven of their last nine games, and what the team needs to do in order to contend with the Warriors in the Western Conference. Then, the guys discuss the NFL Playoffs, Monday’s showdown between Alabama and Georgia, Jon Gruden’s $100 million contract, the questionable hiring of Kendal Briles at U of H, and Art Briles resurfacing at the AFCA convention in Charlotte.
The NFL Wild Card Weekend is here and the NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti joins The Weekly Brew to break down the big games of the weekend.
How do the Titans stack up against the Chiefs? Will Todd Gurley and the dynamic Rams offense handle the Falcons with ease? Is Blake Bortles the new Joe Flacco? Can Drew Brees and the Saints knock off the Panthers for the third time this season?
Bisciotti also offers her analysis on the NFL head coaching vacancies and reflects on her Rose Bowl experience as Georgia won an overtime thriller against Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma.
The college football bowl season is here and conferences and schools are projected to collectively take home more than $600 million in revenue. Should student-athletes receive a cut?
Chris Yandle, who spent more than a decade working in collegiate athletics, and is currently enrolled in a PhD program at Mercer, joins the podcast to discuss amateurism in college athletics. Are student-athletes treated as property? Should student-athletes be allowed to capitalize on their own personal image? Is reform coming in the way the NCAA does business? Yandle offers his insight in a thought-provoking discussion.
Then, Thomas Manning, CEO of Crypto Bay Holdings, joins the show to discuss the latest financial craze — Bitcoin and Crypto Currencies. What does it all mean and should you invest?
To open the show, Austin and Jeremy discuss the Alabama election and Net Neutrality.
Lee Jenkins is a senior NBA writer at Sports Illustrated and joins Austin and Hunter to breakdown the first two months of the NBA season. Are the Rockets the team to beat? Is LeBron James heading to Los Angeles during free agency? Will Lonzo Ball make an impact in the league? Jenkins offers his expert analysis and also discusses the major NBA storylines this season.
Then, Hafeez and Chris from The Roommates Podcast join Austin and Jeremy for a wide-ranging discussion on Baker Mayfield, LaVar Ball, SI’s 2017 Sportsperson of the Year, Russia and the 2018 Winter Games, and the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the Israel. This is a discussion that you won’t want to miss.
After a two week hiatus, The Weekly Brew’s jet-setting co-hosts return to breakdown the sexual assault scandals that have shaken the nation in recent weeks. How will this impact The Hill and how the national news is covered? Austin and Jeremy discuss. Then, the guys discuss the College Football Playoff, make their predictions, and evaluate the ongoing coaching carousel.
Houston podcast icon Luke Brawner is this week’s guest and joins the show to discuss his latest venture, Yay! Go, Sports!, and what listeners can look forward to on the Milieu Media Group as we head into 2018.
With the World Series behind us, Austin, Jeremy and Hunter discuss the struggling Texans, the CFB playoff picture and the hot start by the Houston Rockets. Then, the guys have a candid conversation on the recent mass shootings in the United States and what, if anything, can be done to limit such atrocities in the future.
Then, the NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti joins the show to breakdown the NFL playoff picture, Andrew Luck’s injury woes, and the national conversation that has impacted the NFL this season.
Editor’s Note: Austin joined our friends at The Roommates Podcast this week to talk the politics of sports. Be sure to give it a listen!
Sponsor: Episode 116 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
The Houston Astros won game seven of the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers to bring the City of Houston its first World Series title. Austin, Hunter, Derek and Jeremy recap the dramatic series, what a title means for the city following Hurricane Harvey, and whether or not the Astros are tabbed as favorites heading into the 2018 season.
Also, the guys breakdown the Texans 20-14 loss against the Colts in their first outing without all-Rookie QB Deshaun Watson. Can the Texans still salvage their season? Is Colin Kaepernick a viable option behind center?
Sponsor: Episode 115 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
Tim Kurkjian is a Major League Baseball analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter, and joins The Weekly Brew to discuss the epic World Series between the Astros and Dodgers.
Kurkjian breaks down the series to date and what fans can expect in game five and beyond. Also, Kurkjian offers his thoughts on bat flips in the postseason, the heroic efforts of Cody Bellinger and George Springer, Ken Giles’ struggles and more.
The Astros clinched the AL Pennant on Saturday night with a 4-0 win over the New York Yankees, and Houston will now travel to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers in the Fall Classic. Back by popular demand, Astros legend and 15-year MLB veteran Lance Berkman joins The Weekly Brew to recap the ALCS, provide insight into the World Series, and offers his thoughts on why this “could be the opening of a dynastic-type window” for the Houston Astros.
Then, Austin and Jeremy record the outro segment from Kirby Ice House in Houston and discuss the impact of the World Series for the city of Houston, expectations for the Fall Classic, and Baylor's sudden QB controversy.
Sponsor: Episode 113 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
The Houston Astros are set to square off against the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Astros legend and 15-year MLB veteran Lance Berkman joins The Weekly Brew's Austin Staton and Hunter Atkins to break it all down. Berkman discusses AJ Hinch’s handling of the postseason roster, how the depth of the starting rotation will impact the series, and how important homefield advantage is in the postseason. Also, Lance discusses the challenges of switch hitting in the postseason, his World Series run with the Cardinals, the pitching prowess of Andy Pettitte, and Rice head coach Wayne Graham.
Then, the NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti and Scott Hanson join the podcast to discuss the NFL RedZone Channel, the Texans and QB Deshaun Watson, a tumultuous week in the NFL, and the growth of the NFL game at the international level. You won’t want to miss this.
Sponsor: Episode 112 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
The Houston Astros knocked off the Boston Red Sox, 5-4, Monday afternoon to advance to the ALCS. Hunter Atkins is the host for the episode and is joined by Austin Staton and CBS Sports’ Derek Fogel to break down all of the action in another roundtable discussion. The guys discuss the use of Justin Verlander out of the bullpen, Alex Bregman’s game-tying homerun, scouting reports and a preview of a potential ALCS showdown with the Cleveland Indians.
Then, Jeremy Paxton joins the show to discuss Mike Pence’s political stunt to steal the spotlight in week five of the NFL season, JJ Watt’s season-ending injury and much more.
Sponsor: Episode 111 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
October baseball is upon us and the Houston Astros are set to square off against the Boston Red Sox in a five-game series beginning Thursday at Minute Maid Park. The Houston Chronicle’s Jake Kaplan and NBC Sports Boston’s Evan Drellich join The Weekly Brew to offer their insight and analysis, and what fans should be looking for heading into the ALDS.
Then, Austin Staton is joined by the Chron’s Hunter Atkins, CBS Sports’ Derek Fogel, and Jeremy Paxton (sort of) for a lively roundtable discussion on the series. You won’t want to miss this.
What a week it was for sports fan in the city of Houston. The Texans have their QB after a record-breaking performance and a 57-14 beatdown against the team from Tennessee, and the Astros are primed for an ALDS showdown against the Boston Red Sox. Austin and Jeremy break it all down and dive into some analysis from week five of the college football season. Also, Jeremy offers his hot take on a way to pay college football players and reduce concussions in the NFL. Will it work? Austin is skeptical.
Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett (audio at 24:39) headlines this week’s show as he discusses his career as one of the most respected legal minds in the United States, his ties to Antonin Scalia’s vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court, and more. Willett also offers commentary on his wildly popular social media presence and Baylor’s rebuilding job under Matt Rhule.
Next, Sports Illustrated’s Tim Rohan (audio at 44:25) joins Hunter and Austin to discuss his MMQB story in which he documents his experience wearing a Colin Kaepernick jersey to a Bills-Jets game in Week 1. Rohan also opines on key storylines (hint: Kaepernick) that will drive the narrative throughout the 2017 NFL season and his locks for the college football playoff.
Then, the NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti (audio at 1:41:26) recaps week two of the NFL season in Taylor’s Top Takeaways before Hunter and Austin (audio at 1:14:06) close out the show by dissecting the Astros AL West crown, and what the club needs to do in order to find success as October nears.
The College Football season is in week two and the Baylor Bears are off to an 0-2 start. Austin and Jeremy analyze what has gone wrong for first-year head coach Matt Rhule, whether the team can rebound this season, and why fans in Waco should stop clamoring for Art Briles.
Then, Taylor Bisciotti from the NFL Network joins Austin to debut her new segment on the show called Taylor’s Top Takeaways. This week, Taylor discusses her biggest surprises from week one of the NFL season, teams that impressed, and why Texans fans should step back from the ledge following an opening week loss to Jacksonville. Taylor also offers insight into her new show called ICYMI: All 32, which can be found on the NFL Network.
Sponsor: Episode 108 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain joins The Weekly Brew to preview the 2017 Texans as they franchise prepares for their week one showdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. McClain opines on JJ Watt’s fundraising efforts for Hurricane Harvey victims, Tom Savage leading the offense, offensive line depth with Duane Brown’s holdout, and the race for the AFC South.
Hunter Atkins then channels his Stone Cold Steve Austin personality and takes over the podcast to discuss the Houston Astros acquisition of Justin Verlander. Hunter and Austin then talk about the Astros’ push for the postseason, the return of Carlos Correa, and the pitching staff heading into October.
SicEm365’s Amy Pagitt then joins the show to discuss how she and Annabel Stephan have rallied Baylor fans, and the Big 12, to provide relief efforts for those impacted by Harvey. Amy also explains why social media has helped in this recovery process.
Austin and Jeremy open the show by discussing Liberty’s upset win against Baylor, and the direction of the program moving forward under first-year head coach Matt Rhule.
Sponsor: Episode 107 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
The City of Houston is currently experiencing catastrophic flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. While Austin safely fled to Dallas on Friday night, Jeremy and Hunter are still in Houston and dial in to provide updates on a storm that has crippled the nation’s fourth largest city.
To provide some relief from the storm, Stewart Mandel, editor-in-chief of The All-American, previews the college football season as we prepare for a full slate of games during the Labor Day Weekend. Mandel has been a national college football writer for 18 years with Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports, and offers his thoughts on the elite QB’s out west, CFP contenders, the Big 12, and what fans can expect from first-year head coaches at Baylor and U of H.
Stay safe, Houston. We’re praying for you. #HoustonStrong
Austin and Jeremy open the show by discussing the war of words between The White House and the North Korea, and what it means for regional stability for the U.S. and its allies. Then, the guys talk key surprises during preseason football and celebrate that college football is just two weeks away.
Hunter and Derek then join Austin in studio to analyze the faltering Astros and whether or not they can regain their composure and winning ways heading into the postseason. Derek also offers his expert analysis on the mental and physical strain of the bullpen, and why they could be the key to success in October. Derek is a total pro — his insight is a must listen.
The show closes as Austin and Jeremy discuss the domestic terrorism in Virginia and whether or not President Trump responded in an appropriate manner.
Sponsor: Episode 105 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
Austin and Jeremy open the show by discussing Hunter’s phenomenal work in the Houston Chronicle that profiles the woman who sleeps across from Minute Maid Park. Then, the guys break down the Amway Coaches Poll, the hypocrisy of the NCAA’s YouTube ban for UCF’s Donald De La Haye, and another tumultuous week at The White House.
Then, David Smoak of ESPN Central Texas joins Austin to discuss the mood in Waco heading into fall camp, expectations for the football program, Rico Gathers’ chances to make the Cowboys’ 53-man roster, and Ezekiel Elliott’s off-the-field issues.
The guys close the show with discussion on LA 2028, Steve Bartman, Tinder and Manchester United, and the unfortunate news that Dave Bliss is now employed by a Christian high school in Las Vegas.
Sponsor: Episode 104 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
Hunter Atkins joins Austin Staton from Detroit to discuss the Astros recent road trip, Lance McCullers’ struggles since the All-Star break, trade deadline speculation and Jeff Bagwell’s induction into the MLB Hall of Fame.
Sponsor: Episode 103 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
Richard Deitsch is a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated, and the host of the SI Media Podcast. He joins The Weekly Brew to discuss Chechnya’s Ramzan Kadyrov’s use of MMA to spread his political message, the media’s coverage of Mayweather vs. McGregor, the future of sports media, and FS1’s tumultuous start.
Then, SportsRadio 610’s Sean Pendergast stops by the studio to talk the Rockets pursuit of Carmelo Anthony and Les Alexander’s decision to put the franchise up for sale. With NFL training camp just a few weeks away, Pendergast diagnosis the major storylines that fans of the Texans should evaluate while the team is at The Greenbrier. Lastly, Pendergast discusses Baylor’s Matt Rhule and what fans should expect this season along the Brazos.
Austin and Jeremy open the show by discussing the tragic passing of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, Carlos Correa’s trip to the DL and the scandal at Ole Miss with former head coach Hugh Freeze.
Sponsor: Episode 102 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
Jake Kaplan, Astros beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, joins The Weekly Brew to discuss the Astros heading into the second half of the season. Kaplan breaks down expectations for the club as October nears, the health of the rotation, potential postseason matchups and whether or not Houston will make a move ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline to solidify the starting rotation and bullpen.
Julian Mark Kheel, a senior writer for The Points Guy and a former TV producer and director for the WWE, does it all. Kheel joins the podcast to share his thoughts on how our listeners can maximize their travel, why frequent flyer programs are losing their value, and how foreign airline carriers are leaving United, American and Delta in the dust. Also, Kheel discusses TPG’s Points for Peace initiative which brings positive change to groups, communities and individuals around the world and inspires change through education and action.
Austin and Jeremy are joined in studio this week by co-host Hunter Atkins and frequent contributor Derek Fogel (not related to Jared). The guys question Jeremy’s passion for Game of Thrones, discuss the implications of the latest Russian connections to the Trump administration, and Roger Federer’s dominance at Wimbledon.
Sponsor: Episode 101 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device.
Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down, a national correspondent for The Atlantic and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, joins Austin and Jeremy to discuss the crisis on the Korean Peninsula, the role that China plays in mitigating a potential conflict with DPRK and more. Bowden also shares insights into the production of his his latest work, Hue 1968: A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam.
Next, the NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti discusses the major storylines from the NFL offseason, expectations for the Texans and Deshaun Watson, and makes a few key predictions for the 2017 football season.
Celebrating Episode 100 of the podcast, Austin and Jeremy reflect on the past 99 episodes, salute James Harden’s supermax contract extension with the Rockets, and discuss CNN’s investigation into an Internet meme war.
Sponsor: Episode 100 of The Weekly Brew podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/WeeklyBrewCast. There are more than 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, or Kindle device, and we recommend that you check out Mark Bowden’s latest work, Hue 1968.
Larry Dierker, former Houston Astros pitcher, manager and broadcaster, joins us in studio this week to talk about the early days of the Astros franchise, promoting the sport of baseball and the success of the current roster and how it stacks up against the best teams he managed. Harlem Globetrotter Corey “Thunder” Law also calls in to discuss the group’s three upcoming Houston shows July 8-9. The guys then break down the NBA Draft, former Patriots/Chiefs tackle Ryan O’Callaghan and the rest of the week’s top stories.
Justise Winslow makes his second appearance on The Weekly Brew to preview his upcoming St. John’s basketball youth skills camp and talk NBA Draft and the Houston basketball scene. Likely top-five pick De’Aaron Fox was Winslow’s teammate on a Houston Hoops AAU team that featured Justin Jackson and Kelly Oubre, and said that it was apparent even when Fox was a freshman that he was special. San Antonio Stars GM Ruth Riley, a WNBA and NCAA champion, as well as an Olympic gold medalist, joins us to break down her fight to end hunger, and its roots in her personal history. Austin and Kevin also get into the Amazon/Whole Foods acquisition, the NBA Draft and other stories of interest. Give it a listen! And when you’re through, go leave a five-star rating & review on iTunes; if you do, we’ll read it on the air next week.
Derek Fogel of CBS Sports stops by the studio and joins Austin and Hunter to discuss the latest on Dallas Keuchel and the Astros as the club inches toward the All-Star break. Then, the Brew Crew offers their opinions on the James Comey hearing with Jeremy, who is three Vodka Tonic's deep in Boston but offers cogent takes on the mess in Washington. The show closes as Austin and Hunter provide a recap of game four of the NBA Finals as the Cavs knocked off the Warriors, 137-116, to force a game five in the Bay Area.
The guys welcome back Kevin after a brief stint in the hospital and discuss the Astros historic pace to the 2017 season. The crew then breaks down the NBA Finals, what the Rockets can do to compete in 2017-18, and whether the playoffs have been entertaining. Then, the guys discuss ESPN's list of the most famous athletes on the planet before focusing on the latest terror attacks in the U.K.
Austin and Hunter are joined by former NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy as they preview the highly-anticipated NBA Finals showdown between the Cavs and Warriors. Van Gundy explains why difficult defensive matchups for the Cavs will force Kevin Love off the floor, how injured Warriors coach Steve Kerr can coach well without being on the floor and that the Cavs can win only if something "unexpected" happens: "When you have LeBron James, you always have a chance."
Also, be sure to check out Hunter's feature as Van Gundy discussed Houston education and his work with Pro-Vision, a charter school in one of the city's worst neighborhoods. Link: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Former-Rockets-coach-Jeff-Van-Gundy-finds-a-cause-11153891.php
In a special Memorial Day episode, Austin and Hunter are joined by CBS Sports' Derek Fogel and discuss the Astros heading into their weekend series with the Baltimore Orioles. The guys also discuss the highly-anticipated NBA Finals series between the Warriors and Cavs, and why the pressure is all on Golden State. Lastly, the crew breaks down Brock Osweiler's comments that his game film over the last two years speaks for itself. Hint: It does, and it's not good.
The guys breakdown the news of Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel heading to the disabled list for the first time in his career as a result of a pinched nerve in his neck. What does this mean for the Astros, and how does self-reporting injuries in baseball compare to other sports? Austin and Jeremy offer their analysis.
Then, The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay joins Kevin Cook to discuss problematic owners, the sports media landscape and whether or not James Harden is the right “cultural fit” for the Houston Rockets. Gay has written for publications including GQ, Rolling Stone, Outside, The New York Observer and Vogue. He is also the author of “Little Victories: Perfect Rules for Imperfect Living,” which can be found on Amazon.
The show closes as Austin and Jeremy discussing the detainment of Enes Kanter in Romania, the role of politics and sports, and more.
Hunter Yurachek is the Vice President of Athletics for the University of Houston, and he joins the show to break down his first major hire (Major Applewhite, head football coach), the astounding facilities expansions and upgrades he is overseeing and the overall state of the union for UH Athletics (as well as how he made Tom Herman $1.6m richer before he left for UT). Next, Michael Rathburn (“Rath,” to those of us in the know), of RotoWire, joins us to break down the Astros’ hot start and project their postseason prospects, as well as some possibly and likely trade moves on the horizons. Go follow Rath on Twitter, tweet that you heard him here on the show, and you might win his fantasy baseball almanac! Kevin and Austin also love on their respective moms and bloviate about the week’s top headlines. Go leave us a review on iTunes!
Wade Phillips, a 40-year NFL coaching veteran, son of legendary Texas coach Bum Phillips, is tied as deeply into the fabric of Houston as any other figure in sports. Phillips, who graduated from the University of Houston, coached for the Houston Oilers during the height of the Luv Ya Blue era, then served as defensive coordinator and interim head coach for the Houston Texans. His new book, Son of Bum: Lessons my Dad Taught me about Football and Life, deals with all of that history and more, and Coach Phillips joins us to delve into the themes and backstory of the book. You should buy the book. It is not just a good book, but a fantastic one that (allegedly) made Kevin weep at multiple junctures. Also, joining us in-studio this week is fellow Houston podcaster Luke Brawner, of The H, a podcast about the people and places that make Houston Houston.’ Brawner’s show has covered topics ranging from a Tomball bakery to the scourge of human trafficking that is as bad in Houston as anywhere in this country. It’s a must listen and Brawner breaks down the impetus for starting the show, upcoming information and definitively settles, once and for all, the question of #HOU vs #HTX (hint: neither - just The H). Austin and Kevin also chat about the Astros, unveil a new, big (baller) sponsor and break down the so-called Tim Tebow Bill looming in the Texas State Legislature. Give it a listen!
If you’re a Houston sports fan, it’s been a massive week of news and headlines and The Weekly Brew has you covered. The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain joins the show to break down the 2017 NFL Draft and the Texans acquisition of Clemson QB Deshaun Watson. Then, Houston Astros beat reporter Jake Kaplan joins Austin and Hunter to discuss the first-place ‘Stros after a 16-9 April to analyze the first month of the season and the outlook for the club moving forward. Of course the biggest national headline this week occurred in Bristol with ESPN cutting nearly 100 jobs. Kevin and Hunter chat with Bryan Curtis, who is an editor-at-large with The Ringer and covers the sports media world, to discuss the longterm implications at the World Wide leader.
The Houston Rockets win their first-round series against the Thunder after taking game five, 105-99, on Tuesday night. The Weekly Brew also got a big win this week, breaking the 10,000-listener mark last week. Accordingly, Hunter Atkins and Kevin Cook jump on the mic to thank the listeners and break down the Thunder series and Houston's chances against the Spurs-or-Grizzlies, and Warriors, going forward. Stay tuned for more bonus TWB content coming soon.
Howard Beck, a 20-year veteran NBA writer with the New York Times and Bleacher Report, joins The Weekly Brew this week to take a look at the NBA Playoffs. Beck tips his hand regarding his MVP ballot and offers a national perspective on the Rockets’ season so far (“Nobody saw this coming… this is one of the more unlikely turnarounds in the last five years.”). Austin, Jeremy and Kevin also break down the week’s top stories, including David Fizdale’s already-legendary ‘take that for data’ rant, Aaron Hernandez’s bizarre prison suicide and others. Give it a listen! And since you’re already here on iTunes, why not click ‘Ratings and Reviews’ and leave us a five-star review with a little blurb telling us what you like, and what you’d like to hear on the show going forward. If you do, we’ll read your review on the air, and make you famous for a week.
Jeff Van Gundy, former Rockets head coach and current NBA analyst for ESPN, joins Austin and Kevin to break down the NBA Playoffs and whether or not anyone can beat the Warriors. JVG also weighs in on the MVP race between Harden and Westbrook, and offers his thoughts on the legacy of Yao Ming. Then, Sean Pendergast of SportsRadio 610 joins Austin, Hunter and Jeremy in studio to discuss the Texans, Rockets and Astros.
Baylor AD Mack Rhoades joins The Weekly Brew podcast and provides an update on the state of affairs within the athletic department following the 2016 fallout with the football program. Rhoades then discusses the hiring of Matt Rhule and how the student-athletes are responding during spring drills. The interview concludes with Rhoades offering his thoughts on the University of Houston and his interactions with Tilman Fertitta.
Robert Flores is a studio host at MLB Network and joins Kevin Cook to discuss expectations for the 2017 Astros, the pitching staff and whether or not the Astros will be true contenders in October. Flores, a U of H alum, also breaks down his pride for his alma mater and the outlook for Major Applewhite's first season as head coach for the football program.
Houston Chronicle enterprise sports reporter Hunter Atkins joins The Weekly Brew from West Palm Beach, Florida, where he has spent a ‘grueling, awful’ week covering the Astros at Spring Training. Hunter and Austin debate the merits of the Astros’ pitching staff (Lance McCullers is “excellent, nasty, peak McCullers” per Atkins) and break down Yulieski Gurriel’s move to first base (where Jeff Bagwell is trying to “Rosetta Stone” first-base play to him, according to Atkins). Atkins sees some auspicious signs in the spring games, and he breaks it down.
Next, Taylor Bisciotti of the NFL Network joins us in the wake of the massive sea change that was the Osweiler to Cleveland trade. Basically a salary dump in exchange for draft picks, the Browns brought Moneyball to the No Fun League, and Bisciotti and the guys discuss whether those types of trades might become more common in years to come, as well as the likelihood of Tony Romo in a Texans jersey next year, and Bisciotti covered the NFL Scouting Combine and reports back on players who improved their stock and some interesting human-interest tidbits that threatened to fall through the cracks.
Also: Kevin and Austin discuss the shadowy futures of Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III - is the era of the dual-threat NFL quarterback officially over? The guys also touch on Rachel Maddow’s perplexing handling of the Trump tax returns, former UT quarterback David Ash’s return to competitive football (Kevin can so not fathom the idea of Ash playing professionally that he assumes Ash’s eligibility was reinstated by the NCAA - nope, he’s trying to play pro ball, after quitting football two years ago due to numerous concussions), Boa Esporte’s new goalkeeper, a convicted murderer who cut up his ex girlfriend’s body after he killed her and fed her to his dogs. None of that is fake news. Also, humpback whales are up to something. Kevin has a theory. Enjoy! And rate/review on iTunes!
March Madness is here and Austin Staton previews the field, offers advice for those making brackets and makes his final four picks. Flying solo this week, Austin then discusses the Rockets big win over the Cavs and the thrilling weekend for the World Baseball Classic. Paul Catalina from ESPN Central then joins the show to dissect Baylor’s chances in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament and whether or not Tony Romo will play a down for the Texans this season. Kevin then interviews Lee Jenkins, senior NBA writer for Sports Illustrated, and dives into James Harden’s MVP-caliber season and expectations for the Rockets heading into the postseason.
Baylor Bear Insider Jerry Hill joins Austin and Jeremy to discuss Matt Rhule’s first few months on campus before breaking down the on-court success of Baylor men’s and women’s basketball heading into March Madness. Contributor Hunter Atkins then joins Austin for a full-length discussion on the Rockets playoff push and an early look at the Astros during Spring Training. The show would not be complete without Austin and Jeremy discussing the NFL Combine and John Ross’ blazing 40-yard dash and notable player absences from the marquee event. Then the guys discuss SpaceX and Elon Musk’s bold plans to send private citizens around the moon, Uber’s scheme to deceive authorities worldwide, and The Ringer’s best fast food items in America.
With Kevin out of pocket this week, Austin and Jeremy speculate on his whereabouts before evaluating the big moves at the NBA trade deadline, including the Rockets’ acquisition of Lou Williams from the Lakers. The guys then discuss Jameis Winston’s comments that girls should be “Silent, Polite, And Gentle” and why Winston shouldn’t be giving life advice to elementary students. The show wraps up with insight into Rory Mcllroy’s golf outing with Trump, MLB rule changes and Tom Herman’s infatuation with pastrami.
Austin and Kevin are all alone in the studio this week, with Jeremy and Hunter out, and they dive headfirst into a smorgasbord of topics: CBS’ recent NBA all-time top-50 players list; what is going to happen with Tony Romo, and is there any chance he’s a Houston Texan by the time next season rolls around? (Austin says, ‘yeah,’ and Kevin says, ‘no chance’); the brother of North Korea’s Glorious Leader Kim Jong-Un was assassinated by a woman who believed she was competing on a prank show, per The Guardian - Austin has some thoughts on what exactly is taking place behind the scenes; One Texas State legislator introduced some ludicrous anti-emoji legislation which natch led Austin and Kevin into a discussion of some of the weirder/crazier laws on the books in Texas today; finally, the guys take a look at Mark Zuckerberg’s manifesto and the future of journalism.
Austin and Jeremy breakdown Baylor's thrashing of TCU and the Bears' prospects heading into March Madness. The guys discuss the Big 12's recent ruling which withholds league profits from Baylor, and Donald Trump's tumultuous first days in office.
Jake Kaplan, Chron’s Astros beat writer, joins us in studio for an in-depth look at the Astros in the last throes of the offseason and some analysis of the Cardinals hacking scandal that has Chris Correa headed to headed to federal prison for 46 months. Not white-collar, resort prison. Federal PMITA prison. The guys, Austin, Kevin and Jeremy, also respond to the Super Bowl, mere moments after those insufferable Patriots pulled off the largest comeback in NFL postseason history to win an unprecedented blah blah blah… F* the Patriots. Seriously. They’re THE worst. Give it a listen.
Join us for The Weekly Brew’s SECOND annual Super Bowl Preview Episode. NFL Network anchor/reporter Taylor Bisciotti calls in to discuss the upcoming championship game right here in Houston. Bisciotti, born in Atlanta and a graduate of the University of Georgia, feels a certain kind of way about the Falcons competing for professional football’s highest honor, and she says that city feels it right alongside her. Austin and Kevin also delve into a wide array of topics, from ridiculous Super Bowl prop bets (including two FIVE-STAR, BET-THE-RANCH LOCKS for the degenerate gamblers in our audience)* to the new technology FOX is employing to broadcast the Super Bowl, Michigan’s Harbaugh and his team’s impending spring trip to practice in Rome, ESPN and FS1’s deplorable, ugly faux-conflict and GE’s new $7 million plan to put its logo on the Boston Celtics’ jerseys next season. Who would be the best jersey sponsor for the Rockets? Listen and find out.
The Ringer’s Shea Serrano, New York Times Bestselling author of The Rap Year Book, joins us to talk Rockets and Texans and explore the Houston rap scene, illuminating some of the up-and-coming acts on the rise. Frequent contributor John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, calls in to discuss the tough quarterback situation facing the Texans in the offseason, and coaching movies, with Bill O’Brien serving as his own offensive coordinator and Romeo Crennel moving upstairs to assistant head coach as Mike Vrabel takes over at DC. The guys also hit the week’s headlines in the intro and discuss the alluring possibility of Adrian Peterson in a Texans’ uniform per remarks he made earlier this week. Give it a listen!
Incoming Astros’ television play-by-play broadcaster Todd Kalas and SEC Country’s Shehan Jeyarajah are guests on this episode of The Weekly Brew, the self-proclaimed ‘Voice of Houston.’ Kalas reflects on some memories of a lifetime in and around baseball, including calling a World Series game with his father, the late, legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas. Kalas also looks forward to the upcoming season for the Astros and assesses just how big this year could be for the club. Jeyarajah is the definition of a college football insider and shares his insight into the recent Clemson/Alabama championship match and Deshaun Watson’s pro football prospects. Jeyarajah also examines Kevin Sumlin, and how hot his seat is, and obliges Austin and Jeremy with some Baylor talk. Not to be missed. And the guys run down the week’s biggest headlines. Give it a listen.
Austin, Jeremy and Kevin delve into a wide range of topics, including what shot, if any, the Texans have of beating the New England Patriots, whether Brock Osweiler has redeemed himself and whether the Texans’ season can ultimately be considered a success. The Rockets are a sexy 29-9 as of this recording, Eric Gordon is a virtual lock for Sixth Man of the Year, and James Harden is one of two primary MVP candidates. How far can they go? Is Joe Buck the sexiest man in sports? The guys tackle the big questions this week, so don’t miss it.
Daryl Morey, General Manager of the Houston Rockets, calls in to discuss James Harden’s hot start to the season and how much value the organization places upon his production (spoiler: it’s an asymptotic function). What would be a successful season for the organization when all is said and done? Is Daryl Morey really helping to create a musical (spoiler: yes, he actually is, and it’s amazing)? Kevin and Austin also delve into the NBA MVP race - a two-man race between Harden and Westbrook at the moment - and the Texans and the disappointing slate of semifinal College Football Playoffs matches.
Paul Gallant, host of SportsRadio610’s Gallant at Night, joins the show to talk Houston Texans. The Texans are the AFC South champions for the second consecutive year, but what is the team’s ceiling with Tom Savage under center? Has the ascendancy of Savage re-energized a depleted, worn-down fan base in Houston? Was Rogue One any good? Reasonable minds may differ, but Gallant shares some strong takes with Austin and Kevin. The guys also talk College Football Playoffs, Rockets and the NBA Hall of Fame, which features two Houston figures - Rudy Tomjanovich and Tracy McGrady - up for election. Is it good for the Rockets? Listen in and find out.
Austin and Kevin tackle some of the week’s biggest stories including the promotion of Major Applewhite to University of Houston head coach (consensus is: cautious optimism); the release of the Joe Mixon assault video (hearkening back to earlier episodes recorded with Chron’s Jenny Dial Creech and Sport’s Illustrated’s Lindsay Schnell in which the events were discussed) and what it means for college athletics and the way our culture handles and treats violence towards women; the death of NBA gadfly Craig Sager, arguably the most popular sideline reporter in any sport; and a deep-dive look at some of the new changes to the NBA CBA and what it means for the Association going forward.
Ashley Hodge of SicEm365.com joins to discuss Matt Rhule’s hiring at Baylor University and what steps he is taking to ensure that the program is able to salvage the 2017 recruiting class while building inroads within the Texas high school football coaching circles. Hodge also explains why Scott Drew’s shift in recruiting philosophy has paid off on the hardwood. While Kevin takes his first day off in more than a year, Austin and Jeremy also breakdown the Texans win at Indianapolis, and Major Applewhite as the new head football coach at the University of Houston.
Houston Chronicle University of Houston beat writer and friend of the show, Joseph Duarte, calls in to discuss the Cougars’ head coaching search, spearheaded by athletic director Hunter Yurachek and Billion Dollar Buyer, Tilman Fertitta. By all accounts, Tom Herman was headed to Austin as soon as the Big 12 elected not to expand, so now names like Les Miles, Major Applewhite and Lincoln Riley are getting thrown around, and whoever takes over has a tall task ahead of them, keeping UH on the trajectory Herman set. Duarte discusses the effect Herman’s departure - and imminent poaching - will have on current Houston recruits and breaks down who is most likely to be announced as the head coach this week. The guys also break down the bowl season (THERE’S TOO MANY OF THEM) and discuss LeBron James’ selection as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year.
The guys discuss the fallout from Tom Herman’s move to the 40 acres in Austin and what it means for the future of the football program at U of H. Dallas Morning News and Texas Monthly columnist Matt Mosley then calls in to discuss the coaching vacancy at Baylor and why Colorado’s Mike MacIntyre is the ideal candidate for the job. Mosley then opines on Herman’s move to Texas, why it isn’t necessarily a homerun hire for the Longhorns, and what U of H should look for in a new head coach (hint: Row the Boat). Lastly, Mosley analyzes Baylor basketball’s hot start following a come-from-behind win over Louisville in the Bahamas.
Houston Chronicle’s John McClain joins us for a record fifth time to discuss the Texans ahead of Monday night’s Mexico City matchup with the Oakland Raiders, delving into the decision by the front office to bypass even speaking with Derek Carr before the draft, Brock Osweiler’s disappointing start and why DeAndre Hopkins’ production is suffering this season. Jeremy Branham is a sideline reporter for University of Houston Football and the play-by-play voice of UH Basketball, and he calls in to discuss whether this is the year UH MBB makes the NCAA Tournament again (yes) and how big the Louisville win is (huge).
Chron’s Hunter Atkins joins us in-studio again, as The Weekly Brew breaks down the recent election and fallout, including some man-on-the-street interviews from outside Trump Tower in Chicago, where Austin happened to be. Ross Villarreal, of the SportsRV show and RocketsWrap on Sports Talk 790 calls in to talk about the Rockets’ new look and the monstrous season James Harden is having, and what the realistic ceiling is for the squad, as well as what other teams bear watching early in the NBA season.
Friend of the show, Hunter Atkins, Chronicle enterprise sports writer, joins to discuss a wide range of sports topic, and he brings along some of his big-name friends, like Tim Kurkjian, Doc Rivers and Matthew McConaughey, who weigh in on the continuing Art Briles controversy, the Rockets’ performance in the early NBA season, Texas Football and more. Drew Dougherty, of Texans TV, joins to discuss Andre Johnson and Arian Foster in the wake of their respective retirements. Finally, ESPN’s Sam Khan joins us - prior to A&M’s perplexing loss to Mississippi State, though he seemed to foresee some bumps in the road for the Aggies - to talk college football and especially life in the SEC.
Two Houston greats join us on this week’s episode of The Weekly Brew, Bill Brown and Chip Rives. Brown retired after 30 years as the Astros’ television play-by-play broadcaster, after a long and illustrious career, including induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Rives is the five-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker responsible for Brian and the Boz and Phi Slama Jama. Rives calls in to reflect on filming the Phi Slama Jama doc and discuss the Guy V. Lewis era of University of Houston Basketball.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jenny Dial Creech is one of only a handful of women sports columnists in the country, and she joins the show to reflect on 11 years of covering Houston sports, the Rockets, the now-defunct Comets and much more. Terranace Ganaway, former All-Big-12 running back for Baylor and the 2011 Alamo Bowl MVP, calls in to discuss Baylor’s impending matchup with Texas and the burgeoning rivalry with the fellow Big 12 team, the Baylor coaching search, and why the conference whiffed on expansion. Finally, Troy Renck, formerly of the Denver Post and now a sportscaster with Denver7 ABC, joins us to preview the Broncos and Texans matchup and shed some light on how the Denver players and fans feel about Brock Osweiler, post-exodus.
Sports Radio 610’s Alex Del Barrio joins the show to break down the Texans’ start, analyzing how the defense projects to overcome the loss of JJ Watt, whether O’Brien calling the offensive plays long-term is a good thing for the team and what the future looks like for Houston in the AFC South. Del Barrio also spent time with the WWE, and he looks at the landscape of pro wrestling and the intersection of pro wrestling and UFC, examining figures like Brock Lesnar, Conor McGregor and CM Punk. The Houston Chronicle’s enterprise sports writer, Hunter Atkins, calls in to talk about coming to Houston from New York City, the role of human interest in sports reporting and Art Briles’ impending return to coaching and what that means in the world of sport.
Craig Ackerman has been the radio voice of the Houston Rockets for years, and with Bill Worrell taking off a number of road games this season, Ackerman will be the part-time television play by play broadcaster, as well. Ackerman has spent 22 years with the Rockets, and he joins us to share his insight into the organization, its history and its future under new head coach Mike D’Antoni. Friend of the show, Houston Chronicle reporter Dylan Baddour, joins to break down the fallout to the first presidential debate and investigate the current state of affairs in American political discourse.
The guys break down the current standings in The Weekly Brew’s college football picks contest before transitioning into a little Rockets talk and discussing Les Miles’ firing (breaking news as the podcast is recorded). Mike Renner, senior analyst at Pro Football Focus, joins the show to break down the Houston Texans following a demoralizing loss to the Patriots and discuss the ascendancy of the University of Houston Cougars, from an analytical standpoint.
Houston Chronicle Texans and NFL writer John McClain joins the show for a record fourth time, discussing the culture of the National Football League - with National Anthem protests and uniform violations - and the early impressions of the Texans this season, especially how Brock Osweiler appears to be fitting in, how Will Fuller appears prepared to break out and some discussion of exactly how good this defense is. Next, Austin - from Rio de Janeiro - interviews two Paralympians, Brad Snyder (swimmer) and Matt Stutzman, the Guiness Book of World Records holding Armless Archer.
On 9/11, The Weekly Brew remembers the attack on New York by welcoming in former George W. Bush White House staffer Kristopher Purcell, who shares his experiences being in and around the White House that Tuesday, and analyzes what the attacks mean in light of the current electoral cycle. Next, Rob Sellers, of Scout’s Cougar and Aggie Digest, joins us to talk about the University of Houston and Texas A&M football teams, with both looking strong in the early going in college football. Can Houston keep Tom Herman? Where will Texas A&M defensive lineman Myles Garrett go in the NFL Draft? Finally, Zach Bolen, the lead singer for Citizens & Saints, calls in to discuss their new album "A Mirror Dimly" which debuts Friday on iTunes.
Jeremy and Kevin relive the glory of Saturday’s 33-23 University of Houston win over Oklahoma, analyzing the implications for the College Football Playoffs. Houston Chronicle Texans’ beat writer Aaron Wilson makes his first visit to The Weekly Brew, breaking down the biggest stories in the NFL in a quick hits segment before offering some insight into the Texans defense this season. Friend of the show, Sports Radio 610’s Sean Pendergast, also offers some analysis on the Texans’ offense before explaining this week’s controversy with UH’s head coach Tom Herman, backing out of a weekly show with the Triple Threat.
The Weekly Brew hosts make some college football predictions, then welcome Rice Football head coach David Bailiff to the program to talk Owls Football (you can’t spell Bowl without ‘owl’). Next, ROOT SPORTS personality and Voice of Houston Cougar Football Kevin Eschenfelder joins us to talk a little Astros, but mostly University of Houston Football, with one of the biggest years in program history looming. Finally, old friend of the show, Houston Chronicle high school sports and Rice reporter Adam Coleman, joins us to talk about the Chronicle’s exciting new HS Live app and how it affects high school football fans in the city of Houston.
Netflix’s Last Chance U is a bona fide hit, offering an in depth look at the trials and travails of the East Mississippi Community College Lions, and Brittany Wagner, the “Scooba Tech” athletic academic counselor, emerged as a breakout star. Wagner joins us to share some insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of EMCC and preview next season’s iteration of Last Chance U, which was renewed for a second season. Next, Jeremy Branham, of Texan Live, joins us to break down the high school football scene in Houston, including some players and teams football fans in the area have to watch, before trying to convince Kevin and Austin why they should be watching the Dynamo. Austin and Kevin make a very special announcement, and the guys delve into the tail end of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the puzzling Ryan Lochte situation.
New Baylor Football head coach Jim Grobe joins the show to talk about moving forward and coaching what he says is the hardest-working team he’s ever been around. Robert Boudwin aka “Clutch the Bear,” is retiring, and he calls in to share the story behind the creation of the iconic, beloved mascot and what will happen to Clutch moving forward. Austin, Jeremy and Kevin also break down the most memorable moments of week one of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Austin and Kevin break down the USA Today/Amway Coaches Poll and discuss some of the discouraging stories coming out of Rio as the Olympics get underway. Next, Vince Harris of Harris Media joins the podcast to speak to the impact of social media in the current election cycle. Finally, Cole Walowac of Capital Kings calls in prior to the August 25 show in Houston to talk EDM.
Nicole Auerbach, who covers college football and basketball and the Olympics for USA Today, joins us to preview USA Swimming in the upcoming Rio Games. Auerbach describes what we can expect from storied superstars like Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin and why everyone will be talking about Katie Ledecky after the Games. Friend of the show, Houston Chronicle Astros beat writer Jake Kaplan, calls in to discuss Alex Bregman’s struggles at the major league level and why ‘Stros fans shouldn’t be worried about his early struggles, and what Houston fans can expect from Yulieski Gurriel. Finally, Steve Carp, a five-time Nevada Sportswriter of the Year, joins us from Las Vegas in advance of Team USA Basketball visiting Houston for an exhibition against Nigeria at the Toyota Center to preview the team and look at what fans can expect.
TCU head coach Gary Patterson joins us, amidst the swirling rumors of Big 12 expansion, to preview the Horned Frogs’ season, starting with an especially tough September, and speaks to his relationship with Baylor head football coach Jim Grobe and his thoughts on the University of Houston as a potential member of the Big 12. The BrewCast discusses the expansion news, with several major figures weighing in on behalf of the Coogs to the Big 12, and break down the Republican National Convention. Finally, David Barron, who covers sports media and the Olympics for the Houston Chronicle, calls in to discuss the Chris Correa hacking scandal verdict and preview some Houstonians competing in Rio, headlined by Spring’s Simone Biles.
Jason Lawrence, a Baylor alum attending a wedding just blocks from the attack in Nice, calls in from France to break down the aftermath and offer some insight into the city’s recovery. Austin, Jeremy and Kevin also delve into the worldwide phenomenon that is Pokemon Go, including some alarming facts about the hidden meanings behind some of the pocket monsters’ names. Aaron Bruski, founder of hoop-ball.com and cohost of the Koz and Bru Show, joins us to break down the landscape of the NBA following Durant’s move to Golden State and ponder whether LeBron finishes his career with the Cavs, now that he’s fulfilled his promise to bring home a championship. Finally, Alykhan Bijani, AKA @Rockets_Insider on Twitter, helps us take a closer look at the Rockets’ offseason moves, including securing superstar guard James Harden’s future with the club, and adding Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon and Nene.
The Crawfish Boxes is SB Nation’s dedicated Astros blog, and Ryan Dunsmore, editor in chief and Battle Red Blog contributor joins us to talk ‘Stros before Austin, Kevin and Jeremy discuss the recent spate of shootings in Minnesota, Louisiana and Texas.
In Episode 50, we welcome in Adrian Holden of the Texas Sports Radio Network to help us break down the recent ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “O.J.: Made in America” and the cultural impact of the O.J. trial 21 years later. Austin, Dolores and Kevin also take a look at NBA Free Agency, particularly Houston’s two acquisitions, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon.
Justise Winslow, a Houston basketball product now playing with the Miami Heat, joins us to talk about life in the NBA, his rookie season, giving back to the community and his path to become the new face of the Heat franchise. Bart Enis, ROOT SPORTS field and sideline reporter, calls in to talk about the surging Astros and what has made the difference for them after a brutal start to the season, and shares some thoughts about spending his entire adult life covering and broadcasting Houston sports. Jimmy Price, owner and founder of AstrosFuture, comes on to break down the Astros’ farm system and some of the most promising minor league prospects coming down the pike. Finally, Ananth Pandian, CBS Sports NBA writer, analyzes the NBA Draft and the future of the Houston Rockets from a national perspective.
The General, Houston Chronicle’s NFL writer John McClain, joins The Weekly Brew for an unprecedented third visit, and breaks down the offseason developments in OTAs and minicamp. Matt Weston, of Battle Red Blog, shares his discoveries watching film on Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney and evaluates Bill O’Brien’s performance after two seasons at the helm. Finally, Adam Wexler, KPRC sports anchor, formerly of Sports Radio 610 and SportsTalk 790, shares his experiences as a lifelong Houston sports fan and media member.
Mike Meltser and Seth Payne host Houston’s most popular terrestrial radio sports show, MaD Radio on Sports Radio 610, and they join us on the podcast to discuss what makes for good sports radio, what defines the Houston sports fan (“long suffering,” “beleaguered” per Seth) and possibly being on the verge of a Golden Age in Houston Sports. Chron Astros beat writer Angel Verdejo then gets into the Carlos Correa injury, the discouraging losses to the Rangers and the Stros’ recent MLB Draft, as well as the overall health of the farm system.
Kevin Eschenfelder, of ROOT SPORTS, joins us to discuss the Astros’ recent successes and the bright future of University of Houston Football; AJ Neuharth-Keusch, USA Today national basketball writer, breaks down the NBA Finals and Ethan Rothstein of SB Nation’s The Dream Shake offers insight into the Rockets’ hiring of Mike D’Antoni and the upcoming offseason.
Yahoo Sports national college columnist Pat Forde joins us to talk college football, breaking down the nightmare scenario at Baylor and the exciting slate of opening weekend games; Three-time guest Paul Catalina, of ESPN Central Texas, gets into the Baylor particulars and the future of the Bears’ football program; Paralympian Myles Porter gets into Judo and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, including giving a lesson to President Obama.
Jason Concepcion, otherwise known as netw3rk, joins us to break down the NBA scene, talk Game of Thrones and discuss his time at Grantland and new Bill Simmons joint, The Ringer. Kelvin Sampson, head coach of Houston Cougar Basketball, shares some details about the Coogs’ schedule next year and gets into the NBA Playoffs.
David Ubben, of Sports on Earth and the Flyover Country podcast, covers the Big 12 and joins us to discuss the heating up of Big 12 expansion talks, and the future of the league. Julia Morales, ROOT Sports Houston Astros field reporter, talk about the ‘Stros and the experience of being the only woman to travel with the team, her killer style, and memories as part of the Texas Pom Squad on the field for the 2006 Rose Bowl victory over USC.
Houston Chronicle Astros beat reporter Jake Kaplan joins us to assess what’s ailing the ‘Stros through the rough start to the season. Chron politics reporter Dylan Baddour breaks down the departure of Cruz and Kasich from the Republican primaries; Jim Bordell explains Team Rubicon’s Operation Moonshot and the effort to help Houston recover from the recent flooding.
The Texans drafted Will Fuller, Nick Martin, Braxton Miller, Tyler Ervin, K.J. Dillon and D.J. Reader and Matt Weston of Battle Red Blog and Sean Pendergast of Sports Radio 610 join us on the podcast to break down the picks and GM Rick Smith’s performance. Daniel and Dylan of Daniel Eyes & The Vibes talk Nightingale Room and their upcoming tour.
Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle Rockets beat writer, joins us to discuss what is ailing this team, the roster moves they’re likely to make in the offseason and what happens to the head coaching position; Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texans opines on conservatism; the guys remember Prince.
MK Bower calls us to break down the Rockets/Warriors matchup and speculate on offseason personnel and coaching moves; Former University of Houston and Astros great Doug Drabek joins us to talk about his Cy Young season, watching Phi Slama Jama and his son Kyle Drabek’s MLB career; The Boston Herald’s Evan Drellich joins us to talk Astros and Red Sox.
Diamond Leung, the San Jose Mercury News’ Golden State Warriors beat writer, joins us to talk Steph Curry and the NBA record; Taylor Soper of GeekWire breaks down the new Twitter NFL streaming deal; Dolores Lozano talks Villanova National Championship and Shawn Oakman, the latest Baylor sexual assault incident.
Kevin and Austin talk Final Four and drop in some audio from Charles Barkley talking college hoops. Richard Justice of MLB.com joins to preview the Astros season in advance of Opening Day and Second Lovers’ Thom Truver preview the Art Blocks Big Bash.
With Austin traveling abroad, Kevin and Jeremy discuss which Houstonians would have a claim to the Mt. Rushmore of Houston sports. Also, the guys discuss the final four presidential candidates and which key figures in sports have supported their campaigns to date.
Steve Almond, author of Candyfreak and a former sports reporter, joins us on the podcast to discuss his latest book, the provocatively titled “Against Football: One Fan’s Reluctant Manifesto.” Throughout the course of a fascinating, thoughtful and humorous in-depth interview, Almond explains why his moral qualms with the game of football ultimately outweighed its grace, beauty and entertainment for him, and he quit watching altogether, forcing Austin, Jeremy and Kevin to ponder whether to do the same.
Houston Chronicle resident NFL guru, “The General” John McClain, joins us to break down the Texans’ free agency acquisitions, in particular, new franchise-quarterback Brock Osweiler, who has everyone in Houston and Denver talking. Ashton Warren acted as a guest reporter for Campus Insiders at the Big 12 Tournament and offers her insight into the best conference in college basketball.
Big 12, AAC and SEC basketball all get The Weekly Brew treatment as we welcome in Baylor University play-by-play broadcaster John Morris, University of Houston play-by-play broadcaster Matt Thomas and Houston Chronicle Texas A&M beat writer Brent Zwerneman to discuss Baylor, Texas, Houston and Texas A&M’s postseason hoops prospects. Penny, from Oui Desserts, stops by to delight with some confectionary discussion.
On this special Leap Day edition, Texas State Representative Matt Shaheen (R) and Harris County Democratic Party Chairman Lane Lewis join the podcast just ahead of Super Tuesday to break down the political landscape; ESPN Deportes’ Dolores Lozano talks UH and Baylor; The Vanity’s Alex Dugan promotes their upcoming show at The Raven Tower in Houston.
BackstageOL.com’s Dave Morales nailed every one of his Grammy predictions, so bet the farm on his Oscar picks. The Detroit Free Press’ Vincent Ellis calls in to break down the Rockets/Pistons trade and YouTube star Ali Spagnola talks One-Gal Band and social media.
Paul Catalina, of ESPN Central Texas, joins us to discuss the fallout from the allegations of sexual assault and administrative inefficacy at Baylor and the University of Tennessee; Sergio Trevino, lead singer of Buxton, calls in to talk about their album, Half a Native; the guys discuss the passing of SCOTUS’s Antonin Scalia.
Joseph Duarte, the Houston Chronicle's University of Houston beat reporter, joins to talk #HTownTakeover and National Signing Day; Australian DJ Brooke Evers promotes her Proof Rooftop Lounge show and the guys review the Super Bowl and commercials while offering some feedback on Election 2016.
Lawrence Gilligan of WSOC-TV and Troy Renck of the Denver Post join us to talk Panthers and Broncos in this Super Bowl 50 preview episode; the guys break down some interesting prop bets and debate the merits of legalized gambling; ESPN analyst and UH Phi Slama Jama alum Reid Gettys calls in to talk college basketball.
VYPE Houston Editor-in-Chief Matt Malatesta calls in to discuss the Houston high school sports scene and recruiting prior to National Signing Day, Feb. 3. The guys break down Cleveland radio host and rabid misogynist Kevin Kiley’s incendiary remarks after the Bills hire Kathryn Smith, the NFL’s first full-time woman coach and discuss a UVA student detained in North Korea. Houston chef Jonny Rhodes calls to promote his Jensen Chronicles pop-up restaurant events and Kevin gives his NBA All-Star reserve picks.
The General, John McClain, joins us to talk NFL playoffs, the St. Louis L.A. relocation, Pro Football Hall of Fame voting, meeting Dave Campbell and Baylor football. Then Austin, Jeremy and Kevin break down David Boren’s recent comments about the Big 12 and the possibility of a title game, expansion and a league network. Finally, voice-actor (and our voice-over guy) Chris Griesemer calls in to talk about his work and share some hilarious impressions.
Houston sports writer Josh Koch performs a Texans autopsy after the 30-0 loss at home to the Chiefs; Houston local band Race to the Moon’s lead singer James Hoelscher discusses the H-Town music scene and his band’s new album, What a Time to be Alive; the guys discuss Sean Penn’s Rolling Stone-sponsored interview with El Chapo and the Netflix doc Making a Murderer.
Sports Illustrated's Lindsay Schnell, of the SI College Football podcast, joins to discuss her piece for Campus Rush about Joe Mixon’s first media availability since his suspension for attacking a woman and breaking her jaw in 2014. Schnell also shares some of her work from The Walk-On Project, in which she examines the most fascinating and impactful stories of walk-on student-athletes at FBS football programs. Schnell also shares her thoughts and perspective as a prominent woman in the historically male-dominated field of sports media, and the advantages and disadvantages thereof.
Elliot Coffey, former linebacker for the Baylor Bears, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, joins The Weekly Brew to dig into the college football bowl landscape, including big wins for Baylor, UH and TCU. He also examines the current state of the Houston Texans in light of a major injury to offensive tackle Duane Brown and the concussion history of quarterback Brian Hoyer. The guys also recap the year that was 2015 and break down the horrible season the Rockets are having.
Al Jazeera’s "The Dark Side" accuses Peyton Manning of doping, and the guys break down the legitimacy of the report; Chronicle sports writer Adam Coleman returns to The Weekly Brew to talk Texans and Rockets; Kevin plays fantasy GM, and selects his 5-man NBA Franchise-Guy Team, naming the best guy at each position for starting a franchise.
Austin, Kevin and Jeremy discuss Yao Ming’s potential road to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; they then review Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the film Concussion, starring Will Smith in this bonus holiday episode.
Brian Hazard, the mind behind Color Theory, joins The Weekly Brew to discuss his 20+ years of experience in the music industry, his love for synthpop and his curious history with the band Depeche Mode; Larry Little debuts his analytical college football model and makes his projections for the CFP and NY6 bowls; Austin and Kevin discuss A&M and possible trade destinations for malcontent Rocket Dwight Howard.
Dave Morales of BackStageOL.com joins The Weekly Brew to talk Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Concussion, Creed and more. Houston band Second Lovers’ lead singer, Nic Morales (no relation) discusses the H-Town music scene and his band’s evolving sound. Austin and Kevin get into some talk of Kyle Allen leaving A&M and Charlie Strong’s mysterious wheelings and dealings finding his new offensive coordinator.
James Leighton -- the infamous J-Leezy of the Houston Rocks It podcast -- joins Austin and Kevin to talk Houston Rockets. What’s up with this underperforming squad and who is going to be the coach of the future? The guys get into their favorite Rockets memories and teach Kevin about rap. Zack joins in to talk Athlete of the Year (Carli Lloyd, Jordan Spieth and Simone Biles) and the San Bernadino shootings. Kevin is disappointed at the lack of iTunes reviews this week and gets stern.
Howard Lorch is this week’s guest, and joins us as we pay tribute to Hall of Fame coach Guy V. Lewis, who passed away last week. Lorch discusses the legacy of Lewis and the impact that he had on racial integration of college basketball in the South. The guys then discuss the push toward the College Football Playoff and the upcoming Heisman Trophy ceremony. Lastly, the Brew Crew discusses the Planned Parenthood attacks in Colorado Springs.
UH Head Coach Kelvin Sampson is this week’s guest, and joins us to talk Cougar Basketball and discuss the Rockets’ collapse. Austin and Kevin give some love to loyal listeners and iTunes reviewers, get into their preseason picks for NCAA basketball’s best, talk LSU and Ben Simmons, then discuss the National Championship Curse and the mess at Ohio State before delving into the Syrian refugee crisis and America’s reaction.
Alfonso Olvera joins The Weekly Brew from Paris to discuss the city’s mood after the terrorist attacks; We get into the events at Bataclan Concert Hall and speculate on the fallout, including France bombing jihadist bases in Syria; Holly Holm shocks the sports (and gambling world) with a huge win over UFC’s Ronda Rousey and University of Houston football trends up, while Baylor trends down.
The Weekly Brew is almost at full strength and dives into the equal rights ordinance, HERO, that was struck down on Election Day in Houston. The crew also commends Mizzou student-athletes for taking a stand against racism in Columbia. To close the show, Houston sports guru Adam Coleman joins the podcast to discuss everything from high school football to the NBA and the future of the Astros.
Austin Staton and Kevin Cook tease an upcoming country music single by Nashville singer/songwriter Cami Ross (ANOTHER Baylor alum, if you can believe it), and ask her about her career, music and the challenges of being a woman in the entertainment industry.
TWB eulogizes Grantland, and bemoans the corporate philosophy that's led to the layoffs at ESPN.. Kevin gets very worked up about the loss of the website (which is totally normal and not weird) and probably kills any chance of an eventual job with ESPN.
The guys also give a shoutout to the listeners who subscribed and left reviews on iTunes, so hey - go subscribe and leave us a 5-star review and a blurb, and you might very well get some love on the air, too.
Austin and Kevin opine about the NFL in London and Yahoo’s live stream of the Jags and Bills game; the duo discuss their distaste of the Royal Family and the Kardashian’s before closing with an in-depth look at the upcoming NBA season.
Zack and Kevin record a special episode to get you ready for college football this weekend. They both get into the Michigan/ Michigan State game, make College Playoff predictions, Zack has an idea to revolutionize amateur athletics, and we find out Kevin "sports-hates" Baylor.
Austin Staton and Jeremy Paxton tend to their affairs as Zack and Kevin cuddle up and play get-to-know-you. We discover Kevin eavesdrops at Starbucks and once went on a first date so bad it ended with Toby Keith assaulting him in Atlanta. Also, find out how Zack (almost) single-handedly started an epidemic in England. Kevin skewers Zack for his Fox News affinity in the wake of the Wayne Simmons fraud scandal, and Zack finally explains why he isn’t on social media.
Episode 09 of The Weekly Brew starts off with JPax using Uber as the new Tinder; The MLB Playoffs and the curse of Texas Governor Greg Abbott; Draft Kings, FanDuel and the infamous Justine Sacco; the latest college football rankings.
Episode 08 of The Weekly Brew diversifies its staff with the addition of Kevin Cook – A Houston-based sports writer and self-proclaimed liberal; Andrew Cooley joins the show to discuss the MLB Playoffs; A referendum on FIFA’s Sepp Blatter; Charlie Strong and Shakespeare; and the art of #Selfies.
Episode 07 of The Weekly Brew focuses on John Boehner’s resignation, Syrian refugees, Ben Carson on Islam, the MLB Playoffs and Zack’s struggles with social media
Episode 06 of The Weekly Brew focuses on Scott Walker’s fall from grace, Carly Fiorina’s rise, Ben Carson controversial remarks, Texas Tech’s Coach Bro and week three of the college football season.
Episode 05 of The Weekly Brew focuses on the start of the college football season, ESPN's endorsement of gambling, tragedy on the high school football field, the summer that was, and JPax's contract dispute.
Episode 04 of The Weekly Brew focuses on the tragic WDBJ shooting, an interview with a former ABC News producer, Kanye West, and the College Football Playoffs.
Episode 03 of The Weekly Brew focuses on the volatility of the stock market as Wall Street takes a tumble, an interview with veterans Teri Poulton (Air Force; Pilot) and Carmen Pino (Army; Ranger) on Captain Kristen Griest and First Lieutenant Shaye Haver becoming the first women to graduate from the U.S. Army Ranger School, and an inside look with Ryan Tatum on the decline in high school football participation nationally.
Episode 02 of The Weekly Brew focuses on Hillary Clinton, U.S.-Cuba relations, China's currency devaluation, domestic violence and football, and dating advice from Jeremy Paxton. Also, Paul Catalina from ESPN Central Texas joins the brew to discuss the college football landscape.
Hosted by Austin Staton, Zack Taylor and Jeremy Paxton, The Weekly Brew is your source for political, social and sports commentary brewed up in 30 minutes or less.