Podcast Summary: Better Offline – "Radio Better Offline: Pablo Torre and David Roth"

Episode Details

• Title: Radio Better Offline: Pablo Torre and David Roth
• Release Date: June 18, 2025
• Hosted By: Ed Zitron
• Guests: Pablo Torre and David Roth
• Produced By: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction and Guest Overview (00:00 - 04:05)

The episode begins with host Ed Zitron introducing the show and his guests, Pablo Torre of "Pablo Torre Finds Out" and David Roth of Defector and co-owner of a turtle named Marvin. Ed humorously shares anecdotes about David's turtle, setting a lighthearted tone for the discussion.

Notable Quote:

• Ed Zitron [03:15]: "Today I'm joined by the incredible Pablo Torre of Pablo Torre Finds Out and David Roth of Defector, co-owner of Defector and a turtle, I believe."

Innovative Podcast Formats and Storytelling (04:05 - 15:00)

Ed praises both Pablo and David for their unique approaches to sports journalism, emphasizing that their work transcends traditional sports narratives to explore broader cultural and societal themes. He highlights Pablo's investigative work on Bill Belichick and Jordan Hudson, noting its depth and relevance beyond mere sports gossip.

Notable Quotes:

• Ed Zitron [06:26]: "I think both of you have also done something really incredible with the format... it's not just about sports."
• Pablo Torre [10:53]: "What if I could do that for journalism? And so I did exhaustive, insanely exhaustive reporting into the Bill Belichick, Jordan Hudson question..."

Challenges in Modern Media and Discoverability (15:00 - 26:07)

The guests delve into the difficulties of media discoverability in the age of personalized algorithms and fragmented audiences. Pablo discusses his experiences with private equity in sports media, particularly his transition to independence after Meadowlark’s involvement. David and Ed share insights on sustaining independent media ventures amidst financial and operational challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Pablo Torre [16:06]: "We're trying to be an actual news magazine in an era in which news magazines are either compromised in various ways or just dumb dead now."
• David Roth [24:04]: "But when someone is doing that to you for information that you need to understand the world around you... that is criminal."

Private Equity’s Impact on Sports Teams (26:07 - 43:36)

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the influence of private equity in sports, using the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees as case studies. The guests critique how profit-driven ownership models prioritize financial gains over team performance and fan satisfaction. They contrast this with more empathetic ownership exemplified by Steve Cohen’s management of the New York Mets, highlighting his efforts to foster a positive team environment despite his controversial reputation.

Notable Quotes:

• Ed Zitron [70:39]: "It's like, I don't know. This show was quite successful in part because iHeartRadio put it on the fucking..."
• David Roth [70:46]: "This is where I'd put the, the emphasis on like the difference for what Defector does not want to become Fox."

Authenticity and Engagement in Podcasting (43:36 - 58:22)

Ed, Pablo, and David explore the essence of authenticity in podcasting, criticizing mainstream podcasts for lacking genuine curiosity and depth. They advocate for meaningful conversations that go beyond surface-level discussions, emphasizing the importance of hosts and guests who are passionate and knowledgeable about their subjects.

Notable Quotes:

• David Roth [36:26]: "The challenge for me, though, is I want to be as good at talking or as knowledgeable as whoever is on. And for the most part, I'm not."
• Pablo Torre [37:40]: "When it comes to media, the future of media, it's just impossible to disentangle every conversation I ever have from the fact that we are working in some direct or stochastic way for tech companies."

The Rot Economy and Growth-at-All-Costs Mentality (58:22 - 77:11)

The conversation shifts to a critical examination of the "rot economy" prevalent in both the tech and sports industries, where growth and profit often take precedence over quality and sustainability. They discuss how this mentality leads to superficial content, poor team performance, and ethical compromises. The guests call for a shift towards values-driven practices that prioritize long-term integrity over short-term gains.

Notable Quotes:

• Ed Zitron [70:23]: "This is the rot economy is the growth at all cost thing. People don't know why they want to grow. They just want to grow."
• Pablo Torre [75:06]: "The whole idea of like the part of sports that is seemingly elemental is here, our goal is to win."

Sustainability and Future of Independent Media (77:11 - 90:04)

Pablo and David discuss strategies for sustaining independent media outlets in a crowded and monetization-challenged landscape. They emphasize the importance of passion-driven content, diversified revenue streams (such as subscriptions and podcasts), and maintaining editorial independence to produce meaningful journalism.

Notable Quotes:

• Pablo Torre [79:32]: "The future of media and everything is that we're all only fans now. Which is to say, there's a bunch of stuff that's wildly popular that's just not my kink."
• David Roth [83:49]: "Defector.com is the website. It is a subscription site, but you can read a few articles for free and decide if you like it."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts (90:04 - End)

In their concluding remarks, Ed, Pablo, and David reiterate the importance of authentic, well-researched content that engages listeners on a deeper level. They encourage listeners to support independent media and reflect on the broader implications of profit-driven models in shaping media and sports industries.

Notable Quotes:

• Ed Zitron [93:35]: "This is a production of Cool Zone Media. For more from Cool Zone Media, visit our website coolzonemedia.com."
• Pablo Torre [94:55]: "You all working off the same text. Everybody fundamentally understands what they're talking about. There's just a lot of different ways to talk about it. It should be a healthier ecosystem than it is for that reason."

Key Takeaways

• Authenticity Matters: Genuine passion and knowledge enhance the quality of journalism and podcasting.
• Private Equity Concerns: Profit-driven ownership can compromise the integrity and performance of sports teams.
• Media Discoverability: Personalized algorithms and fragmented audiences pose significant challenges for independent media growth.
• Rot Economy: The relentless pursuit of growth and profit can degrade content quality and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Support Independent Media: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and support platforms that prioritize meaningful, unbiased journalism.

Final Notes

This episode of Better Offline offers a profound critique of current trends in both media and sports industries, advocating for more authentic, sustainable, and ethically driven practices. Through insightful discussions with experts like Pablo Torre and David Roth, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the systemic issues affecting journalism and sports, as well as potential pathways for positive change.

For more information:

• Pablo Torre: www.pabshow.com
• David Roth: Defector.com
• Better Offline: betteroffline.com

This summary captures the essence of the conversation between Ed Zitron, Pablo Torre, and David Roth, highlighting their perspectives on media authenticity, private equity in sports, and the challenges of independent journalism in the modern digital landscape.