Le Batard & Friends - South Beach Sessions artwork

Le Batard & Friends - South Beach Sessions

186 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 14.9K ratings

There's way more behind the biggest and most beloved personalities from sports, music, comedy and more... all it takes is longtime host and reporter Dan Le Batard revealing more about himself than ever before too. South Beach Sessions is the critically acclaimed flagship podcast in the LeBatard and Friends Podcast Network. These one-on-one conversations aren't the same old, boring sitdowns - there's no success story without some struggle, no laughs without a few tears, and no questions left unanswered by Dan who gets past what you've already heard and into more with Dan Le Batard. 

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Episodes

The Best of SBS: Highly Questionable

March 15, 2024 17:00 - 53 minutes

"Highly Questionable" was the introduction to so many of your favorite personalities but the behind-the-scenes dynamics and mechanics of how it all came to be was never revealed like this before. In this "Best of South Beach Sessions: Highly Questionable," you'll hear from Mina Kimes on the pressure of what it was like to join Dan and Papi before really "getting the show" and what led Pablo Torre to wanting to team up with Dan yet again after HQ. Katie Nolan opens up about all of the challeng...

Jay Bilas

March 01, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour

Jay Bilas knows excellence. From his time on the court to his time in the courtroom and broadcast booth, Jay has one hell of a work ethic and fought for what’s right without ever seeking recognition in return. If he did, his wife and kids would be the first to call him out on it… Jay and Dan recognize a fellow workaholic when they see one and explore their parents’ influence on their drive. Jay reflects on the challenge of living in the moment and the “gut punch” of learning to say no to op...

Stephen Jackson

February 16, 2024 11:00 - 2 hours

Stephen Jackson has never backed down from anything. Never held back from speaking his mind. And yet... this is the most open and raw he’s ever been. When the South Beach Sessions and All The Smoke worlds collide, you know it’s about to get real. Brought together by love and trust, Dan and Stephen leave no stone unturned. Stak reveals how growing up in Port Arthur - steeped in violence and loss - made him the man he'll always be, telling his journey to finding an outlet in basketball and cre...

Sam Morril

February 02, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour

Don’t worry, the consummate comedian Sam Morril doesn’t understand Dan Le Batard’s fascination with comedians either... Sam shares his thoughts with Dan on the “slow climb” of making it in comedy and how everyone’s been forced to adapt to the new status quo, no matter how funny they are. They look at the role of "freedom of speech" in the scene today and debate if all comedy comes from a place of pain. Dan and Sam also open up about their rigid self-critique and, naturally, they talk about w...

Bassem Youssef

January 19, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour

Bassem Youssef approaches his comedy with the precision of a heart surgeon - a profession he knows all too well, having left it behind in pursuit of comedy. In either case, he lives in constant fear of messing up... at this point, laughter better be the best damn medicine. While selling out shows across the world in both English and Arabic, Bassem joins Dan in Miami for an honest exploration of his transformative odyssey. Bassem’s journey, from despising his life as a surgeon to creating the...

Alex Rodriguez

January 05, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour

Alex Rodriguez has lived the majority of his life under the intense pressure of the public eye - reaching prolific highs and startling lows, leading to his guarded reputation… until now. There’s a deep history for Dan and A-Rod to explore in this unforgettable episode of South Beach Sessions. Alex opens up to Dan about his life-changing experience in intensive therapy, how he’s addressed his shortcomings as a father, and finally learning how to truly move forward from past mistakes. From the...

Rachel Nichols

December 22, 2023 17:30 - 1 hour

Rachel Nichols has earned her flowers.  Rachel and Dan have known each other for nearly 30 years but have never had the space for an unapologetic deep dive like this. Together they explore the price of their ambition and refusal to back down from the industry BS and the vicious double standards Rachel has had to face in pursuit of a career… and motherhood. This conversation isn't just about breaking down barriers in journalism; it's a raw exploration of life beyond the headlines, to find bal...

Nicky Jam

December 01, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour

"I don't know if God brung me here to get a lot off my chest..." Nicky Jam, a beloved Latin icon recognized around the world as a Reggaeton pioneer, shares with Dan the harsh truth about the isolating nature of fame, his battle through addiction, and the chaotic struggle for authentic connections in the spotlight. In what Nicky describes as “the best interview I’ve ever done”, Dan guides him through the demons he had to confront in his family dynamics and artistry in the quest for inner pea...

Marcellus Wiley

November 17, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour

This is a rare glimpse into the soul of a man who's not afraid to tackle any situation - a front-row seat to the unfiltered wisdom of Marcellus Wiley. Dan and Marcellus toss aside the small talk and dive straight into the sacrifices necessary for chasing dreams, battling doubts, complacency, and the pivotal moments that drive them forward. Marcellus also lays bare his regrets on his fatherhood, unpacking the heavy baggage of shame around his insecurities, and reflects on how he and Max Kelle...

Joy Taylor

November 03, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

Joy Taylor is a beacon of strength. In this emotionally charged and moving heart-to-heart, Joy shares the moments that tested her spirit and the lessons that propelled her to rise above adversity and find purpose in the face of challenges. Together, with candor and vulnerability, they uncover the profound connections that bind them as Joy reveals to Dan the pivotal role that Dan's brother, David "Lebo" Le Batard, played in shaping her path. Through tears and laughter, this is a powerful test...

Gabriel Iglesias

October 20, 2023 16:00 - 59 minutes

Success required a lot of sacrifices for Gabriel Iglesias and that's no joke. Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias may be one of the most beloved comedians in the world, but it's in Los Angeles, performing in front of sold-out crowds at Dodger Stadium where he feels most at home and equally on top of the world. Dan meets Gabriel in Los Angeles for a special conversation that goes well beyond what he's ever shared on stage or anywhere before. From discovering his love for comedy, learning to move past u...

Katie Nolan

October 06, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

Some things are better left unsaid... yeah, no. It's been years since Katie Nolan and Dan worked together at ESPN and a lot has changed since then... in more ways than either of them ever shared with one another until now. Katie and Dan pull out all the stops in addressing the challenges they've faced since they last saw each other, the immense joy and growth they've found on the other side of pain, and clear the air on how things really went down during uncertain times. This is what friend...

Kevin Hart

September 22, 2023 10:00 - 59 minutes

You think you know Kevin Hart, but you don't know him like this... It takes a lot to go from a household name to a name that sells out stadiums around the world, especially when the journey began as "a complete accident". Kevin reveals to Dan how he overcame crushing setbacks to reach unimaginable success, why the fear of failing never gets in his way, and how his unending ambition has led to ultimate learning lessons... especially when it comes to a footrace in the street with NFL running b...

Beto O'Rourke

August 04, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

This isn't about politics. Days after the passing of Dan's brother, David "Lebo" Le Batard, Beto O'Rourke opens up about the recent loss of his younger sister, Erin, and seeking solace in their shared struggle to navigate through their grief. How do we say goodbye to those we love so deeply, that have shaped who we are and continue on through the pain to honor? The two also reflect on the startling fight for survival all around us, from migrants rights on the border to the relentless streng...

Roy Wood Jr.

July 28, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

Late night shows may come and go, but for Roy Wood Jr. the hustle-and-grind never stops. Roy visits Dan in Miami for a South Beach Sessions unlike any other, reflecting on how far he's come from his scary, early days as a comedian and why he wanted to be the next Stuart Scott at ESPN. Amidst strikes and layoffs in a shaky entertainment landscape, Roy also shares what The Daily Show was like under Trevor Noah, and what the future of late night will look like if he takes over next... Go to R...

Tommy Vietor

June 23, 2023 10:00 - 57 minutes

Tommy Vietor may have left the White House, but imposter syndrome followed him to Hollywood... Dan welcomes the co-founder of Crooked Media for a conversation more powerful than politics. Tommy shares his realization that leaving politics was the best decision for his personal growth; how opening up about tragedy can bring strength and solace to others. Dan and Tommy also compare what they've learned from starting media companies with their friends... and everything they still haven't figure...

Michael Wilbon

June 16, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

Personal. Thoughtful. Intimate. MIchael Wilbon brings a whole new meaning to "PTI" on South Beach Sessions.  Raw, uncut, and as real as it gets - Dan says all the things he's always wanted to and in return, Wilbon shares moments from his life that he's never told anyone. Would love to tell you more but you'll just have to listen... you won't regret it.  Watch Michael Wilbon & Tony Kornheiser on "Pardon the Interruption" weekdays on ESPN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

Mike Breen

June 09, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour

Mike Breen hits South Beach Sessions with a BANG. The voice of the NBA Finals for the past 18 seasons will be more than comfortable calling his 100th Finals game, but sitting down with Dan to talk openly about HIMSELF? That's history in itself too. Mike shares with Dan how he still feels like the shy kid who is simply a fan of the game, and the love he has for his broadcast brothers, Jeff Van Gundy & Mark Jackson, even when they won't say it back. Mike also talks about how from the devastati...

Ernie Johnson

June 02, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

We don't deserve Ernie Johnson... A legend, a national treasure, and the glue that has made "Inside the NBA" on TNT the best show on television for nearly three decades, Ernie Johnson is the best of the best because he's done it all with love. Dan explores the secrets behind the magic of what Ernie does, the humbling wisdom learned from his son, Michael, and the unspoken sensitivities surrounding Shaq, Charles, and Kenny. Ernie also reveals being haunted for years by a rare moment when his e...

Mina Kimes

May 26, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

Protect Mina Kimes at all costs.  Dan and Mina don't hold back about the crazy, anxiety-filled playground that was "Highly Questionable", the ways they've learned to turn criticism into confidence over the years, and fighting off embarrassment, disappointment, and the downright stupid frustrations that still eat at them today. No one would dare sh*t on Mina or Dan after this... alright, maybe Dan. Watch Mina co-host "NFL Live" weekdays on ESPN and listen and subscribe to "The Mina Kimes Sho...

David Samson

May 19, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

You truly shouldn't be allowed to listen to this... Get ready to have all of your preconceived notions and feelings towards David Samson tested. David has his relationship with Dan pushed to the limits as they chew over their complicated and controversial friendship, how they've helped each other to grow emotionally through pain, and why Dan has unknowingly hurt him these past few weeks as their personal and professional lives become more blurred. To steal the title of this year's Oscar winn...

Israel Gutierrez

May 12, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

Israel "Izzy" Gutierrez is an open book so he came ready to read Dan... Even after twenty years of friendship, there is a lot these two have never told each other until now. From how Izzy connected deeply with Dan before they ever met to the fear, frustration, and pride of being an openly gay man in sports media, and why Izzy feels so far away from Dan lately, when he's still a "local Miami kid" right around the corner. They also speak to the mutual love between Papi and Izzy (and might shock...

Pablo Torre

April 28, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

Pablo Torre may be all smiles today, but he never imagined any of this. Enter Dan Le Batard. Pablo reflects on how a panic attack upended a life he thought he was destined to live, the pressures he put on himself as the child of accomplished Filipino immigrant parents, and why Dan's advice changed everything for him. They also admit their biggest moments of insecurity, where they feel the most confident, and Pablo also reveals to Dan why jealousy had a part in him joining Meadowlark Media. G...

Amin Elhassan

April 21, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

Amin Elhassan never has a problem dishing out NBA hot takes or speaking his mind on any number of cultural topics, but getting him to communicate about his own emotions? That's another story... Amin opens up to Dan with a heavy heart about the ongoing conflicts in Sudan, grappling with feelings of shame, and tells Dan why all this time, he relates more to Papi than him. Amin and Dan also reflect on personal struggles they're working on, and how each have found ways to try to honor the sacrifi...

Greg Cote

April 11, 2023 14:00 - 53 minutes

Only Dan and Greg Cote's hilarious, heartfelt and storied friendship could lead to a conversation for the ages... this episode will forever lovingly be known as "Sob Beach Sessions". Greg and Dan share how they managed to avoid forging a fierce rivalry, reveal why Chris Cote's dismissal (*cough* firing) from ESPN was the truest test of loyalty, and listeners will be stunned to find out the never-before-heard decision regarding Stugotz. Even if you know their relationship, you could've never i...

John Heilemann

April 07, 2023 10:00 - 50 minutes

John Heilemann, host and creator of Showtime’s "THE CIRCUS" joins South Beach Sessions to bring da motherf-ckin' ruckus. So bring it on! Dan and John discuss what is likely to come from the felony charges brought against Trump, why Trump's mugshot will only help his 2024 reelection campaign, and how the majority of Americans don't want to see another presidential election between Biden and Trump. John also reveals his feelings to his viral exchange with comedian Russell Brand on "Real Time wi...

Domonique Foxworth

March 31, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour

Leave it to Domonique Foxworth to be the one to lead Dan into the most vulnerable conversation he's ever had on air. Domonique joins Dan in a cathartic discussion about finding love late in life, breaking down masculinity, the struggles to find joy, unwrapping their identities from work, and what kind of legacy Dan hopes to leave behind. Thanks to Domonique, this is the Dan you've always wanted to know... New episodes of The Domonique Foxworth Show are available every Tuesday and Thursday, l...

Stephen A. Smith

March 24, 2023 10:01 - 1 hour

South Beach Sessions is back and whether you love him or hate him, you've never heard Stephen A. Smith like this before. Stephen shares with Dan how despite all the success, growing up in poverty will never leave him and the controversy that still haunts him today. Dan pushes Stephen to address his relationship with the black community, how he handles the haters and imitators flooding the landscape, if he's getting bored with First Take, and where things stand with him, Skip Bayless and Max K...

John Amaechi

November 15, 2022 13:30 - 44 minutes

John Amaechi joins Dan for a conversation on his early life and journey into basketball. The two discuss work ethic, supportive friends and mentors, competitive nature, and more as John details what made him motivated to become a NBA player and the distance he has from that career choice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Askren

November 07, 2022 11:00 - 55 minutes

Dan speaks with former mixed martial artist, wrestler, and olympian Ben Askren about his journey through the fight game and the life it's created for him. Askren touches on his youth in wrestling, the mentality it takes to be a world-renowned fighter, why consistency is key, and the importance of not tying ego to outcome before detailing his new book, "Funky: My Defiant Path Through the Wild World of Combat Sports." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Shields

November 01, 2022 07:05 - 55 minutes

Before the concussions started, Sam Shields was one of the fastest cover cornerbacks in football. He spent nearly a decade in the NFL. He wishes he hadn’t. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Zirin

October 18, 2022 07:05 - 47 minutes

Dan talks to The Nation's Dave Zirin about his new documentary Behind the Shield: The Power & Politics of the NFL. They discuss the NFL's firm grip on American culture, how they grew into that position in the first place, the things that most gross him out about the league, and Daniel Snyder's failed ownership of the Washington franchise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buzz Bissinger

October 11, 2022 10:00 - 50 minutes

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Buzz Bissinger joins Dan for an in-depth conversation on his greatest work, the pressure of living up to Friday Night Lights, the state of journalism, his personal triumphs and pitfalls, addiction, and more. Plus, Buzz goes through some of the greatest lessons he learned while writing his various pieces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edgerrin James

October 03, 2022 21:33 - 48 minutes

On a special episode of South Beach Sessions, Edgerrin James joins Dan to discuss his improbable journey from Immokalee, Florida to reaching a Hall of Fame level in football, business, and parenting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heather McGhee

September 12, 2022 07:05 - 43 minutes

Dan sits down with Heather McGhee, host of the podcast The Sum of Us and author of a book of the same title. McGhee travelled the country to find out in just how many ways racism shaped American life and the American economy. We dig into what she found. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony and Lauren Dungy

August 29, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutes

"There’s winning Super Bowls, there’s making money…that’s great, but is that what you’re really here for?" Tony and Lauren Dungy join Dan for a conversation on how family, faith, and football helped guide their growth as both parents and people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Sirota

August 22, 2022 09:00 - 48 minutes

Dan speaks with journalist, podcaster, and screenwriter David Sirota about the corruption found across the American political system and why it has led to the decay of our most crucial institutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#BecauseClimateChange

August 02, 2022 19:30 - 47 minutes

Dan is joined by NASA climate scientist, author, and activist Peter Kalmus for a special "South Beach Sessions" focused on climate change. Dan and Peter dive into the Supreme Court's recent "anti-science" decision, the rate at which Earth is deteriorating, real life solutions for climate change, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ethan Strauss

July 25, 2022 07:05 - 40 minutes

Dan talks with Ethan Strauss, who left The Athletic to start his own Substack after he stopped caring about traditional sports writing. They talk about the risk of making that decision, trying to reveal the innards of the transactional sports media, and how Mark Cuban is bit of a fraud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Kander

July 18, 2022 18:00 - 45 minutes

Jason Kander – Army veteran and former Missouri Secretary of State – sits down with Dan to discuss his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Jason describes what "earning PTSD" and "necessary brainwashing" means, the ways in which he ran from himself, why "trauma is trauma," what gives him hope about America, and much more. Plus, he details his new book "Invisible Storm" and the cause behind it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Delaney

July 11, 2022 09:00 - 52 minutes

“Food tastes better when you share it.” Comedian, Actor, and Writer Rob Delaney joins the show for an in-depth conversation on his remarkable journey that led him to comedy, sobriety, kindness, and compassion. Rob discusses details on projects past and present, how being nice can lead to success, why he chose to write his upcoming book after his son Henry’s passing, and shares many more life lessons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Van Lathan

June 27, 2022 07:05 - 51 minutes

Dan sits down with The Ringer's Van Lathan to chronicle his journey from growing up in Baton Rouge, to entering Hollywood and TMZ, winning an Oscar for the short film Two Distant Strangers, and his struggles with weight gain in his new book Fat, Crazy, and Tired. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm Gladwell

June 20, 2022 09:00 - 47 minutes

Malcolm Gladwell joins Dan for a trip through his greatest curiosities around sports and social change in America including his new podcast "Legacy of Speed" about the 1968 Olympic protest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Myron Rolle

June 13, 2022 09:00 - 54 minutes

You’ve never heard the wonders of the brain described this way: Myron Rolle, who went from football at Florida State to Rhodes Scholar at Oxford and now neurosurgery at Harvard, on how to steady your hands enough to hold something as sacred as human life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jay Leno

May 31, 2022 10:55 - 1 hour

Jay Leno joins Dan for an in-depth look at his storied career, the happiest times of his professional life, the current state of comedy, his reboot of 'You Bet Your Life' game show, and much more. @youbetyourlife This week Le Batard & Friends is raising money for ALS research in conjunction with several charities. As part of our efforts, we'll be at the Marlins-Giants game Thursday for Lou Gehrig Day and you can join us. To donate or to buy tickets for the game, go to worldofsuey.com/loulapa...

Frank Bruni

May 23, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes

New York Times writer and bestselling author Frank Bruni joins Dan for a conversation on his new book, The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found, and how waking up one morning with blurred vision sent him down a path to see life more clearly than ever before. Dan and Frank discuss cynicism, life’s illuminating moments, how to consume media in a “post-truth era,” and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Lawrence

May 16, 2022 09:00 - 59 minutes

Bill Lawrence, the creator of Scrubs and Ted Lasso, joins Dan for a discussion on the impact of mentors, making people laugh with sweetness vs. snark, the evolution of the TV writer's room, and much more as the duo dives into Lawrence's career path. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Simon

May 02, 2022 09:00 - 47 minutes

David Simon, creator of one of the best TV shows ever made, on how to use art to fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Skipper and David Samson

April 25, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes

John Skipper and David Samson join Dan to discuss some of the biggest stories across Sports Business & Media including Apple TV and the NFL Sunday Ticket, the Washington Commanders investigation, MLB's resistance to change, the NBA and China, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Lewis

April 18, 2022 09:00 - 56 minutes

Michael Lewis, author of “Moneyball,” “The Big Short,” and countless other bestsellers, joins Dan to discuss his joyful writing process, the long-lasting impact of “Moneyball,” his ability to procure secrets from subjects, his newest book “The Premonition: A Pandemic Story,” and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guests

Carl Hiaasen
1 Episode
Chris Jericho
1 Episode
Danica Patrick
1 Episode
Dave Barry
1 Episode
Ethan Strauss
1 Episode
Jeff Pearlman
1 Episode
John Tesh
1 Episode
John Urschel
1 Episode
Malcolm Gladwell
1 Episode
Michael Lewis
1 Episode