Full Show: Stephen A responds to LeBron James' comments about him on the Pat McAfee Show.

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: Stephen A Responds to LeBron James' Comments on the Pat McAfee Show Release Date: March 26, 2025

In this compelling episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith addresses the recent controversy surrounding NBA superstar LeBron James' remarks about him made during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. The episode delves deep into the tensions between the two prominent figures, exploring the nuances of media interactions, personal confrontations, and the broader implications for sports journalism.

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1. Setting the Stage: The Spark of Controversy

Timestamp: 01:15 – 02:38

Stephen A. Smith opens the episode by acknowledging his growing influence in the sports media landscape, boasting over 23 million downloads and 1.15 million subscribers. He emphasizes his commitment to providing unfiltered opinions and introducing his New York Times bestselling book, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes. However, the focus swiftly shifts to the central issue: LeBron James' recent comments about Stephen A. on the Pat McAfee Show.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith [01:15]: "Let's just get right into it. We all know where I need to start today, and it's with some sports talk, media news, and my good friend, Mr. LeBron James."

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2. The Confrontation: Unpacking LeBron's Remarks

Timestamp: 02:38 – 09:57

Stephen A. reviews the contentious exchange where LeBron James confronted him during a live game against the New York Knicks. LeBron's unexpected approach left Stephen A. off-guard, leading to a heated exchange captured on national television. Stephen A. criticizes LeBron for taking personal jabs instead of maintaining professional discourse.

Notable Quotes:

LeBron James [04:25]: "That feels like a moment that had been brewing for a long time."
Stephen A. Smith [06:05]: "LeBron James is full of it. And in this particular instance, as it pertains to his son, he is a liar."

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3. The Son Factor: Addressing Personal Allegations

Timestamp: 09:57 – 21:19

A significant portion of the debate centers around Bronny James, LeBron's son. Stephen A. refutes LeBron's claims that his critiques were aimed at Bronny, asserting that his comments were solely directed at LeBron. LeBron, on the other hand, defends his stance, emphasizing that his remarks were intended to highlight Bronny's current readiness for the NBA spotlight.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith [09:57]: "I have been winning in television for quite some time. I don't need an incident like this to talk about LeBron."
LeBron James [10:17]: "This is not about Bronnie. This is about LeBron."

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4. Media Dynamics: The Role of Pat McAfee and ESPN

Timestamp: 21:19 – 28:03

Stephen A. commends Pat McAfee for facilitating the interview with LeBron, asserting that McAfee did his job by securing an interview with one of basketball's most influential players. He expresses frustration over media figures who, according to him, fail to hold LeBron accountable for his statements.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith [21:08]: "Pat McAfee did nothing wrong. Pat McAfee did his job."
LeBron James [21:19]: "I have not been talking about Bronny James. I have not, as LeBron James accused me of doing to my face, been shitting on his son."

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5. The Personal Vendetta: Character Attacks and Professionalism

Timestamp: 28:03 – 34:42

The conversation intensifies as both parties delve into personal attacks. Stephen A. accuses LeBron of being passive-aggressive and two-faced, while LeBron counters by highlighting Stephen A.'s perceived dishonesty and manipulation in media interactions. The exchange underscores the challenges of maintaining professionalism amidst personal disagreements in the high-stakes world of sports media.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith [28:03]: "He also looked at everybody else and he say, this, Stephen, a man, please."
LeBron James [29:30]: "I have worked with Brian Windhorse for years. Never once did he say that LeBron was a best friend."

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6. The Broader Impact: Ratings, Influence, and Legacy

Timestamp: 34:42 – 51:30

Stephen A. discusses the broader implications of the feud, emphasizing his role in sports journalism and the necessity to critique influential figures like LeBron James. He touches upon LeBron's impact on NBA ratings and the perception of media figures within the sports community. The segment also explores the idea of legacy, with both Stephen A. and LeBron reflecting on their respective places in basketball history.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith [34:08]: "The news is the news, the sport is the sport, and the story was the story."
LeBron James [50:37]: "But before that, that heart transplant that he needed, it is my belief Michael Jordan would have been in the hospital blocking the door every single time."

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7. Final Thoughts: Moving Forward Amidst Tensions

Timestamp: 51:30 – 57:35

As the episode nears its conclusion, Stephen A. reaffirms his commitment to unbiased sports journalism. He expresses a desire to continue discussing LeBron's career objectively, regardless of personal feelings. The segment wraps up with Stephen A. outlining his approach to covering LeBron without personal bias, ensuring that his audience receives honest and comprehensive analysis.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith [57:35]: "I don't have to like him to do that, and he doesn't have to like me in order for me to do it."

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Conclusion: A Candid Exchange in Sports Media

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers an unfiltered look into the fractious relationship between a sports journalist and one of the NBA's most prominent players. Through candid discussions and pointed critiques, Stephen A. navigates the complexities of media relations, personal integrity, and professional responsibility. The episode serves as a testament to the often turbulent dynamics that underpin sports journalism and the personal convictions that drive influential media figures.

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Notable Quotes Overview:

• Stephen A. Smith [01:15]: "We all know where I need to start today, and it's with some sports talk, media news, and my good friend, Mr. LeBron James."

• LeBron James [04:25]: "That feels like a moment that had been brewing for a long time."

• Stephen A. Smith [09:57]: "LeBron James is full of it. And in this particular instance, as it pertains to his son, he is a liar."

• LeBron James [21:19]: "I have not been talking about Bronny James. I have not, as LeBron James accused me of doing to my face, been shitting on his son."

• Stephen A. Smith [34:08]: "The news is the news, the sport is the sport, and the story was the story."

• Stephen A. Smith [57:35]: "I don't have to like him to do that, and he doesn't have to like me in order for me to do it."

This episode underscores the intricate dance between sports personalities and media figures, highlighting the importance of maintaining integrity and professionalism in the face of personal animosity.

Transcript

[Bob Pittman]

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[Selena Gomez]

Being a rock star is very fun, but helping people is way more fun.

[Bob Pittman]

And Damian Maldonado, CEO of of American Financing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I figured out the formula. I just have to work hard. Then that's magic.

[Bob Pittman]

Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math, and the ever important creative spark, the magic. Listen to math and magic on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Are your ears bored?

[LeBron James]

Yeah.

[Selena Gomez]

Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn and say que?

[LeBron James]

Yeah. Then tune in to locatora radio season 10 today.

[Selena Gomez]

Okay, now that's what I call a podcast. I'm the. I'm Diosa. I'm Mala, the host of Locatora Radio, a radiophonic novella, which is just a.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Very extra way of saying a podcast.

[LeBron James]

Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, everybody? Stephen A. Smith here. Recently we made news because the great Bill O'Reilly announced a tour that's coming nearest you in the very, very near future. Get your tickets now for this. It's called Three Americans Live March 30th at Live Nation's Flagstar at the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island. Don't miss the very first show as myself, Chris Cuomo and yes, that man Bill O'Reilly take our different ideas, our different backgrounds, our different beliefs across the country to demonstrate that respectful, meaningful and even fun conversation. Those are the things that make America as great as it should be. The show will be spirited, unscripted, and all three of us will let it fly. As we discuss the topics everyone is thinking about these days. There will also be questions from the audience. We're not running. Tickets are officially on sale now with Pre sale code [e-mail] VIP packages are available with the opportunity to meet and take photos with myself and both those fellas. That's three Americans live March 30th at the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island. Additional dates and cities to be announced. Don't miss it. Trust me, you'll get a kick out of it.

[LeBron James]

Did y'all see him? Y'all saw LeBron James, right?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Clearly, he wanted to be seen showing up on the Pat McAfee show today talking a little bit of smack, by the way, about yours truly.

[LeBron James]

Okay?

[Stephen A. Smith]

He had his say.

[LeBron James]

My turn.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Stephen A. Smith show in the house. Let's roll. What's up, everybody? Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephen A. Smith show, coming at you over the Digital Airways of YouTube and, of course, iHeartRadio. As always, I'd like to take a moment to thank my subscribers and followers over the last 23 or so millions of downloads courtesy of iHeartRadio. Not to mention 1.5, 1.15 million subscribers we've accumulated over that same period of time as well. Can't thank y'all for the love and support enough. I truly appreciate it. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your love and support. Please don't think that I ever forget that. I always know that. To continue to like and follow the show, just click the bell to get notified for all of our newest content. And you, too, shall be the latest member of the Stephen A. Smith show family. And as always, I like to encourage people to get a copy of my New York Times bestselling book, Straight Shooter, a Memoir of Second chances and First Takes, now in paperback. Just go to straight shooter book.com to get yourself a copy. Once again, that straight shooter book.com to get yourself a copy. Let's just get right into it. We all know where I need to start today, and it's with some sports talk, media news, and my good friend, Mr. LeBron James. LeBron appeared on the Pat McAfee show today and made a few headlines with his thoughts on a number of topics, including yours truly. For those of you who didn't see.

[LeBron James]

It, I'll play it for you right here.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This is LeBron James on Pat McAfee talking about me, which leads obviously to you and Stephen A. Hey, Legit.

[LeBron James]

That feels like a moment that had been brewing for a long time.

[Damian Maldonado]

He's like on a Taylor Swift.

[Jewel]

Yeah.

[Damian Maldonado]

Tour run right now.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Oh, yeah, yeah, we're watching it. We're awesome. Oh, yeah. You're seeing it as well.

[LeBron James]

No, it is.

[Damian Maldonado]

No, he literally, it started off with, I didn't want to address it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Yeah, sure.

[Damian Maldonado]

I didn't. I didn't want to address it. I wasn't going to address it. But since the video came out, I feel the need to address It, Are you kidding me? If there's one person that couldn't wait to the video to drop so you can address it, it's your ass. Like, seriously, I, I, it's and like another. He completely, like, missed the whole point. The whole point. Never in my never would I ever not allow people to talk about the sport, criticize players about what they do on the court. That is your job to criticize or to, you know, be in a position where, okay, if a guy's not performing, you know, that is all, that is all part of the game. That's all part of the game. But when you take it and you get personal with it, it's my job to not only protect my damn household, but protect the players, you know, And I think, and I think a lot of the media, including him, and I know he's gonna be happy as hell. He's gonna be smiling from ear to ear when he hears me talking about him. Oh, my God, he's gonna get home and grab some ice cream out of.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The fucking freezer and sit in his.

[Damian Maldonado]

Chair and his tighty whities on the couch.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I hope at get do get a.

[Damian Maldonado]

Chance, like, relax, bro. Like, relax.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Tidy Whitey's comment was funny because I, I, I don't wear tidy Whitey's. Let you figure out why that is. But moving on from that particular subject, I don't happen to consider anything that LeBron has said a laughing matter. So y'all wanted me to be serious. I'll be serious. And I know there's some people out there that's going to be like, oh, I'm milking the story for all it's worth. Well, I've been winning in television for quite some time. I don't need an incident like this to talk about LeBron, and I don't need an incident like this to get ratings. LeBron gives us plenty of ammunition to talk about him, both good and bad. So let's get that out the way first. Let's also get out the way that major, major props to Pat McAfee for getting that interview. There's a lot of people that's been texting me, and he's a teammate. He's on espn. Why would he do that? Please, y'all be quiet. Pat McAfee did nothing wrong. Pat McAfee did his job. Pat McAfee has a show that airs on ESPN. You have a LeBron an opportunity to get LeBron James. You take him. I don't give a damn who you are. This is one of the Greatest players in the history of basketball. You get him. If you have an opportunity to get him, you get him. And I didn't think that Pat McAfee disrespected me or did me wrong in any way. He did his job, and I got no problems with it. My issue is with LeBron James. And I just want to say, for the record, LeBron James is full of it. And in this particular instance, as it pertains to his son, he is a liar. And he went on national television today and he lied again. You see, when he approached. When he approached me while I was sitting courtside at that game against the New York Knicks, when he rolled up on me, I didn't know he was gonna roll up on me. I had no idea. But when he said what he had to say, I was in no position to give any kind of retort without making a scene. It was during the third quarter. It was fresh out of a timeout. It was him walking to the Baske Court. It was on national television. The cameras were rolling. And had I done something, what do y'all want me to do? You want me to act? You want this to be a. A reincarnation of Chris Rock and. And Will Smith and. Let me stay for the record that while we bring up that. Let me assure you, it wouldn't have gone down like that. I would have gotten my ass kicked, because had that man put his hands on me, I would have immediately swung on him. Immediately. That I'm not going to tolerate. But I knew he wasn't going to do something like that. There was no fear in my mind about it. It was shock because, as I have repeatedly stated, I was not talking about his son. I was talking about him. And whether it's the video that you saw him a couple of days later after that incident, when he was talking to Richard Jefferson, my colleague at espn, before an ABC game in Boston, when it got blown out that night by the Celtics, or in the aftermath of it, including Pat McAfee show, when he talked about me getting personal and taking it beyond basketball, I'm getting to a point where I'm getting very annoyed at people who cover the game of basketball, who cover professional sports, pundits out there, including him, his inner circle, his family members, and everybody else included. When are y'all going to ask him or hold him accountable for the truth?

[LeBron James]

I have not been talking about Bronny James. I have not, as LeBron James accused me of doing to my face, been shitting on his son. I clapped back at D Wade and Melo, two brothers I love dearly when they were talking about this, even though 99% of the stuff they said was right, it was not clapping back at his son. It was your second round pick, 55th overall. There's been plenty of second round picks that have to work their way up through the ranks before getting to the pro level. Me pointing that out about his son and talking about how his son has been pushed to the forefront, thereby put in a line of fire for folks in the media to come at him is not denigrating his son, is simply highlighting what we all knew, which is that he's not ready yet. But based on what we've seen from Bronny recently, there are indications that he will be. And as LeBron James pointed out on the Pat McAfee show today, it's probably sooner than later, because his growth and his maturation from just a year ago has happened by leaps and bounds. Nothing but respect and appreciation, wishing Bronnie nothing but the best. This is not about Bronnie. This is about LeBron. This is about LeBron. And when you sit up there and you talk about. I love talking about. I don't need something like this to happen to talk about LeBron.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He plays for the Lakers. He is LeBron James.

[LeBron James]

I don't need an incident like this.

[Stephen A. Smith]

To talk about LeBron James.

[LeBron James]

And do I use him for ratings? You're damn right. Like I use anything in the news for ratings. Because I'm a reporter and a personality and a pundit and a commentator. That's my career. Of course I talk about him. Of course I talk about anything relevant in the news. One minute is LeBron, another minute it's the Cowboys. Y'all act like that's all I talk about for two hours a day, 10 hours a week, live, all I talk about is LeBron and the Cowboys. Are you sure? Because I can pick a whole bunch of things I've gotten in trouble for for opening my mouth about. But that's neither here nor there. Because let's not get distracted from the real point at hand. The real point at hand is this. LeBron James continues to lie. He hoodwinked y'all into thinking that he was upset about criticism about his son. If your son is a professional basketball player, and I was talking about your son as a basketball player, since you just went on Pat McAfee show and said you would never knock anybody for talking about the game, then what is it that I said? What I said was, as a father, stop. I wasn't Talking about you as a father, as somebody that's home minding your business. And I just call you out because.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Your son is in this position.

[LeBron James]

That's not the father I've been talking about. That's why I've been addressing Draymond Green, who's been an avid supporter of LeBron on this matter. All I'm asking is for comprehension of the actual point. How do you mention Bronnie James without bringing up how he got drafted by the Lakers? How he got drafted, period? How do you bring that up without bringing up LeBron James saying he was better than some NBA players before he.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Got to the NBA?

[LeBron James]

How do you bring that up without bringing up that LeBron James said, quote, if you want me draft my son. At this point, it ain't about the money. I'll play for free. That was LeBron. How is it. I mean, I understand cynics. I understand this pension to just hate the player and not the game. I understand how it's tempting to just come at me because you might dislike me or might disagree with me. If you're Joe Public or Susie Public out there, I get it. But don't the truth matter? Because there's one person in this ordeal.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That'S telling the truth, and it's me.

[LeBron James]

I have. I don't lie to y'all.

[Stephen A. Smith]

His ass lies a lot.

[LeBron James]

And there's a lot of shady stuff that he does. And one of the things is his passive aggressiveness and the two facedness and smile in your face and dig you behind the back. I happen to know that about him, which is why I don't like him and he don't like me. But it doesn't stop me from being fair and calling it like I see it. We ain't exchanging Christmas gifts. We ain't having Thanksgiving dinner together. What you bring your son up into there for? Where'd you bring your family up in there before you're gonna go on Pat McAfee Show? Talk about you gonna protect your house. What are you talking about? Your son ain't at the house. He'[e-mail] Arena. We ain't covering him in Brentwood. We covering him in downtown LA at the crypto.com arena where you put him. Now, I happen to believe that he's going to be ready.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I think Bronnie's going to be an NBA player. I believe in the kid personally, but.

[LeBron James]

LeBron did this now to get to he and I. Could y'all please go back to the video of him getting in my Face. If you watch, ladies and gentlemen, and you see it for yourself, notice how LeBron is in my face, and right when he finishes, he looks past me, right at the camera that was filming it. Watch him. I didn't even pick that up. First go round, you got Markief Morris to my right, his left. You got Scott Brooks, assistant coach, behind him. He finishes talking and looks right up to the camera. Everybody and their mother knew I was going to be there, because when you sit courtside, the Lakers have an idea of who's going to show up. He knew I was coming.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And picked the third quarter in the middle of the game.

[LeBron James]

To say what he has.

[Stephen A. Smith]

To say to make sure the camera's rolling, and to then look at the camera after immediately saying what he said to me, with me having no chance to respond. We could have went to the back after the game.

[LeBron James]

LeBron James could have came right over.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The press row and said, yo, don't leave. I want to see you after the game. We gotta have a conversation.

[LeBron James]

And before any of these players or any professional athlete or anybody associated with them says another syllable, think about this.

[Stephen A. Smith]

99% of y'all would have done that. Y'all said, stephen, they don't leave. I ain't see you, bro, after the game. LeBron didn't want that, because LeBron would have had to deal with my response. And my response would have been, you did this. This ain't me. Don't put this on me.

[LeBron James]

Why the hell are you putting your son in this position, knowing we got to cover him? If we don't cover him, we ain't doing our job. Why would you do that? That's what I would have said to.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Him, but he didn't want a response. He didn't want that. Because LeBron wanted to give smoke, he didn't want to take any. What am I talking about? I have even more nuggets of info to give y'all on that point. Brother don't like smoke. He just likes to give it. Typical bully mentality. It ain't working with me. What am I talking about exactly? I'll tell you right after this break from our sponsors.

[LeBron James]

All right, folks, I need you to stop what you're doing and listen up. You know I love this time of year, right? College basketball is in full effect, and with all this action jumping off, the.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Stephen A. Smith show wants to make.

[LeBron James]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

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[LeBron James]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

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[LeBron James]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

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[LeBron James]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

Run your game today.

[LeBron James]

I'll give you my picks for two college basketball matchups taking place on Thursday, March 27th when the Duke Blue Devils take on the Arizona Wildcats and the Florida Gators take on the Maryland Ter Terpin. So let's get to it. First up, will Duke's Cooper Flag score more or less than 0.5 points?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Please Scott, let's move on to the next one.

[LeBron James]

Of course it's more, it's Cooper Flag. Next up, will Arizona's Caleb Love score more or less than 17 and a half points? This brother something else and he's accustomed to going up against Duke. He knows how hyped that is because he used to be at North Carolina. Look at what he's doing for Arizona now. 17 and a half points. I know Duke's going to on him because he's clearly the star for the Wildcats, but nevertheless, the brother can ball. I believe in love.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I got love for love.

[LeBron James]

I'm gonna go with more on this one too.

[Stephen A. Smith]

More than the 17 1/2 points.

[LeBron James]

Next up, will Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. Score more or less than 20 points?

[Stephen A. Smith]

For some reason, as as special as this brother is, I'm suspecting it's going to be less in this game. I just see him, you know, doing a lot more than just scoring. Probably have about 18 to 19 points up the assist, up the rebounds, that kind of thing. I'm gonna go with less for him on this particular one.

[LeBron James]

And finally, will Derrick Queen of Maryland, the baby face freshman more score more or less than 16 and a half points? I'm gonna go with more because the brother's got size, he's got skills and.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He can get buckets at any given moment.

[LeBron James]

And when he's had a bad game.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He scored around 16 to 17 points.

[LeBron James]

So why would I think it's going to be less? I'm gonna go with more on this one as well. So let's recap to make sure that we touch on all of these guys.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Once and for all.

[LeBron James]

You got Cooper Flag, you got Walter Clayton Jr. You got Caleb Love, and you got Derrick Queen. More on all of them except Clayton Jr.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I know that's risky, but I like to take risk on prospects. Taking risk usually leads to more money, and that's how I roll.

[Jamie Petras]

September 1979. Virginia's top prison band, Edge of Daybreak, is about to record their debut album, Behind Bars, in just five hours.

[Jewel]

Okay, we're rolling.

[Stephen A. Smith]

One, two, three, four.

[Jamie Petras]

I'm Jamie Petras, music and culture writer. For the past five years, I've been talking to the band's three surviving members. They're out of prison now and in their 70s, their past behind them. But they also have some unique unfinished business.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The end of Daybreak, Eyes of Love was supposed to have been followed up by another album.

[Jamie Petras]

It's a story about the liberating power of music, the American justice system, and ultimately, second chances. Listen to Soul incarcerated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Jewel]

Hey, you're listening to On Purpose with Jay Shetty, and today my guests are none other than Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco. I can't wait for you to hear this episode about their love story, about their relationship like you've never heard it before. I want to go back to the first time you ever met.

[Selena Gomez]

I'm Selena, but we're watching Dancing With Kids.

[Benny Blanco]

When you're a pop star like she is, and you're a huge entity and people set up all these walls before, and then the first second, you, like, disarmed everybody.

[Stephen A. Smith]

By the way, congratulations on your engagement.

[Selena Gomez]

What I felt for Benny, it was. Everything about him was honest. He'll tell me anything that he's feeling, and it made me feel like I could do the same.

[Benny Blanco]

If we would have met each other when we were younger, it would have never worked.

[Jewel]

Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

LeBron is one of those dudes who believes he's up here, and folks, particularly in the media, are down here. There are exceptions, you know, in moments that he needs others, but that's who he is. Cool. LeBron has a show called the Shop. Once upon a time, Rich Paul's the Maverick Carters came up to Me. Gotta have you on Gotta have you on, I said, simple and plain. No problem. Only in one condition. Two conditions. I'm sorry. LeBron must be there, because there are times where the shop was aired and LeBron wasn't in attendance. I said, I show up. LeBron has to be there, number one. And number two, no editing. Don't edit shit out, Cliff note stuff, clip things. Cut it out. Nah, let the public see.

[LeBron James]

I know if I told him to come on first take, he ain't gonna.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Want to do that because he views that as benefiting me.

[LeBron James]

I know that if I wanted him to come on this podcast, he viewed.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That as benefiting me. Ladies and gentlemen, I offered to come on his spot. Name the time and place, and I'll show up by my damn self. I was never taken up on that offer because, you see, it's real easy to talk that talk like you got all the facts when I'm not there to respond. It's another thing entirely if I'm there to refute all the bullshit coming out your mouth. But this is what he does. It's what he's always done. And then he looks at everybody else and he say, this, Stephen, a man, please. Whatever, whatever. Why do I take this so seriously? Because you got cats out there trying to give the impression that I come after people's families. I need y'all to pause for one second, and I just need y'all to think I'm just talking to the professional athletes out there. I'm not gonna even mention any names who have rallied to the support of.

[LeBron James]

LeBron, like, he's this big victim.

[Stephen A. Smith]

There are owners, there are general managers, there are coaches, there are other players in other sports, what have you. Nepotism exists in every form of business we can muster in our minds. It's okay. It's okay. But when have you seen someone demand that the public stands down while somebody has lifted up their offspring before it was earned? When has that happened? I'm not talking about Bronnie now and what we're seeing. I'm not even talking about Bronnie from a month ago or whatever. I'm just talking about in general.

[LeBron James]

What. The whole specter before he bounced the.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Ball, what we saw, what we witnessed LeBron doing and manipulating. Tell me when we've seen somebody do that for someone who was universally recognized as not necessarily ready yet. Not that he wouldn't be, but not necessarily ready yet.

[LeBron James]

That's what he asked of us.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So I, again, was talking about dad, as in, yo, he's in public eye. Don't expose him like this to us.

[LeBron James]

Because we got a job to do. Don't do that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's all. I wasn't the one that brought up the legitimacy of his McDonald's All American appearance on the roster. Kendrick Perkins did that. Numerous people pointed to other folks in.

[LeBron James]

High school basketball at the time and.

[Stephen A. Smith]

They were questioning their worthiness. I didn't do that when he had the heart ailment.

[LeBron James]

I'm, oh, my God, I hope he's okay. When he decided to pass up staying at USC and and turn pro. Cool. When opening night took place and the Griffeys were intenders, I was in crypto.com arena standing, clapping.

[Stephen A. Smith]

All of that got ignored. Why did it get ignored, ladies and gentlemen?

[LeBron James]

Because LeBron.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It wasn't about the problem that LeBron had about his son. It was LeBron having a problem and finally finding an excuse to do what he always wanted to do, which was confront me in an unfortunate and public platform. I'm not gonna go as far as I wanna go in saying how weak that stuff is in terms of how he confronted me. I would have waited. I got nothing to say to him now. You know, we'll probably never speak in life again. But if he wanted, you know, I wish he had the shop. I wish he invited me on. Not my platform, his platform. You can't defend the stuff that he's done.

[LeBron James]

You have no idea.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But he knows I know we want to go there.

[LeBron James]

Let's go there.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Slytherin and just through stuff. And always with the two faced.

[LeBron James]

Nas.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Ooh, Y'all don't know the half.

[LeBron James]

Y'all don't know. So when he went on Pat McAfee's.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Show earlier today, it was no surprise. The show that comes on after first.

[LeBron James]

Take.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The show that stars me.

[LeBron James]

I know that you got a new.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Podcast coming out with Steve Nash. No surprise there. J.J. redick. Steve Nash. No surprise.

[LeBron James]

Got the podcast coming out.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Definitely want to promote that basketball podcast.

[LeBron James]

And we should watch it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We should learn.

[LeBron James]

Because LeBron knows about more basketball than most people forgot.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Guy. Just like he said to Pat McAfee, his mind, he thinks the game. Most of these people rely on their athleticism and their talents and their skill.

[LeBron James]

He relies on his brain. He's absolutely right. And he knows basketball backwards and forwards.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That has nothing to do with how you've treated people. That has nothing to do the things that you've said. That has nothing to do with you confronting me about doing my job. And everybody wants to look at and Say, as a father. As a father. As a father. Because I said, as a father, I stand by that.

[LeBron James]

Not because he's Bronnie's father. I stand by it because he was the one putting everything on public display. We didn't have to know that he didn't care about. You know, I. I'm sorry.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He.

[LeBron James]

We did not have to know that he was willing to go someplace else practically for free. We did not have to know that it was not about the money. We did not have to hear him say, you want me draft Bronnie? We did not have to hear him say, my son is better than half the players or some of the players in the NBA right now before he ever played an NBA game. You did that. That was LeBron James who did that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He wasn't asked that.

[LeBron James]

He wasn't asked his level of culpability.

[Stephen A. Smith]

In all of this. He goes on there and he talks, Matt, cool. I got it. I got it.

[LeBron James]

So it is what it is.

[Stephen A. Smith]

There's really not much else to say other than this. Ladies and gentlemen, it's very important that you understand what I'm about to say. To me, anyway, I'm not a liar. You might not like what I say. Every truth ain't meant to be told, but I don't go on the airwaves and lie. I did not know we were being videoed at courtside. He was walking out of a timeout.

[LeBron James]

I did not know initially that after he finished getting in my face, he looked right up at the camera. Go back and look at the angle. I didn't know that. I didn't know that. When I went on the air the next morning, we had a morning meeting, at which time I said to the staff, at first take, I don't feel.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Like talking about this.

[LeBron James]

And then minutes later, they said, it's the number one trending topic in sports.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You have to talk about it. The bosses. You have to talk about it. What do you mean, you ain't talking about it?

[LeBron James]

This is what you do. This is sports. This is a sports story. And it directly involves you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What you mean, you ain't talking about it?

[LeBron James]

So he might think I'm salivating.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And I was happy to discuss it. I'm not happy to discuss a dude getting in my face telling me, stop shitting on his son. I'm not happy about that.

[LeBron James]

I think Savannah is the first lady of the NBA. I think she's an absolutely wonderful human being that has always been nothing but kind to me. You think I like the thought of pissing her off. Gloria James, an absolutely wonderful person that I have seen over the years and has never been anything but the most.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Pleasant person in the world to me. I don't like the thought of upsetting her or anybody that cares about him. I certainly don't want to hurt Bronnie.

[LeBron James]

I'm rooting for the kid.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But the news is the news, the sport is the sport, and the story was the story.

[LeBron James]

So LeBron could be say anything he.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Wants, and I wanted to talk about him or whatever. And I'm going to continue to talk to you about. About you, bro. When you retire, let's see how much I talk to you about you then. You won't matter much, I promise you. I won't be talking about you much when you stop playing. But as long as you're playing, I'm going to talk about you because that's my job and I'm going to be very objective about it. You deserve praise. I'm going to give it to you.

[LeBron James]

You deserve criticism.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm going to give that, too. But at least I'm going to tell the truth instead of lying like LeBron James has been lying, using his son as an excuse to say what he said to me. He has a problem with me. He knows good and damn well I wasn't shitting on his son. He has a problem, and instead of talking to me about it, he came at me when I wasn't in a position to respond. And then when he wanted to respond and elaborate, he went to Pat McAfee. Major props to Pat McAfee again for getting it. Anybody would have gotten it. Damn it, you did it. I have no problem with Pat McAfee whatsoever. What he did with this interview, I'm not insulted or offended or betrayed by a teammate or anything like that. That's nonsense. He did the right thing. LeBron is the culprit here, but far be it for me to say that about King James. Kings don't get blames. I guess that's why he's not my king. I got more to say about some things he said about other people during this interview with Pat McAfee in a minute, right after I pay these bills.

[LeBron James]

All right, everybody, listen up. With all the big time sports action that's happening each and every day, the.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Stephen A. Smith show wants to make.

[LeBron James]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

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[LeBron James]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

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[LeBron James]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

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[LeBron James]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

First $5 lineup prize picks, run your game.

[Jamie Petras]

September 1979. Virginia's top prison band, Edge of Daybreak, is about to record their debut album Behind Bars in just five hours.

[Jewel]

Okay, we're rolling.

[Stephen A. Smith]

One, two, three, four.

[Jamie Petras]

I'm Jamie Petras, music and culture writer. For the past five years, I've been talking to the band's three surviving members. They're out of prison now and in their 70s, their past behind them. But they also have some unfinished business.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The Air to Day race Eyes of Love was supposed to have been followed up by another album.

[Jamie Petras]

It's a story about the liberating power of music, the American justice system, and ultimately, second chances. Listen to Soul incarcerated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jewel]

Hey, you're listening to On Purpose with Jay Shetty, and today my guests are none other than Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco. I can't wait for you to hear this episode about their love story, about their relationship like you've never heard it before. I want to go back to the first time you ever met.

[LeBron James]

Thank you so much for this.

[Stephen A. Smith]

One of the great. Thank you.

[Selena Gomez]

I'm Selena. We're watching Desi.

[Benny Blanco]

When you're a pop star like she is, and you're a huge entity and people set up all these walls before, and then the first second, you, like, disarmed everybody.

[Stephen A. Smith]

By the way, congratulations on your engagement.

[Selena Gomez]

What I felt for Benny, it was everything about him was honest. He'll tell me anything that he's feeling, and it made me feel like I could do the same.

[Benny Blanco]

If we would have met each other when we were younger, it would have never worked.

[Jewel]

Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You know, this is what happens. This is what happens when it comes to LeBron James.

[LeBron James]

And by the way, this is the.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Thing that is just so funny. You know, weeks ago when I got annoyed at something he said, he was talking about people on the game every day. Wasn't it LeBron James that shitted on the NBA in the playing tournament? Wasn't it LeBron James that showed up and notified the NBA at the last minute that he wasn't going to be participating in NBA All Star Weekend? I don't know whether it was because he didn't like its new format or not. Wasn't it LeBron James who reportedly sitting in the locker room with players and Dr. J and Larry Bird, talked to the players about playing hard and giving the fans what they want to see and how important All Star Weekend was. And, and the NBA thought that the players really, really had bought in until LeBron James gave them, gave the players a side eye. And then all of a sudden they went out and allowed almost 400 points to be scored in the last All Star Game. Before this just passed, before this one just passed in 2025. Wasn't that LeBron?

[LeBron James]

I told y'all when he took his.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Talents to south beach, ain't nobody gonna say I had a complaint about that. My complaint was about Kevin Durant going to Golden State after being up 3 1, losing the series to them and then joining them a month later. But we've been past that. We've been over that. And I wish Kevin Durant nothing but the best clownish comments about me and all but LeBron James. I certainly never had a problem with LeBron James going to Miami. Nothing's more special than South Beach. And that brother had me in South beach four consecutive Junes. I was grateful to LeBron James. I wasn't mad.

[LeBron James]

But when he decided to take his.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Talents to south beach and did so without showing the decorum respect of at least giving Dan Gilbert a heads up that that was what he was going to do. Because he decided to, you know, run an event essentially with Jim Gray sitting down. And he called them. He talked about generating over two and a half million dollars for a worthy cause. Failure. Fair enough. But it being televised on ESPN and ultimately making his announcement that he was taking his talents to South Beach. Did y'all remember what happened in the aftermath of that? Remember a collective bargaining negotiation that followed where players were stripped of 7% of basketball related income? I mean, Commissioner Stern and those guys were coming forward anyway. But nevertheless, their angst to do so definitely was heightened after that. Remember when Chris Paul got moved and got traded to the Los Angeles Lakers? But Dan Gilbert, who had nothing to do with the deal whatsoever, wrote an open letter to the league going absolutely ballistic as to how The Lakers could get the very, very best player in that trade, which was Chris Paul, and basically come out with not even having to pay, but so much for it. They were actually making money while trading for Chris Paul and acquiring Chris Paul in the process. And David Stern, the de facto owner for the New Orleans Pelicans at the time, because obviously they didn't have new ownership, so the league de facto owned it for the moment in time. Nix the deal.

[LeBron James]

Well, why was Dan Gilbert so insistent.

[Stephen A. Smith]

On not minding his business and speaking out against this so, so, so vociferously? Because he was still off at how he was treated by LeBron James.

[LeBron James]

See, LeBron gets his money, but this.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Collateral damage that he leaves in his wake all over the place. And other players don't usually see that until it's too late. But we don't talk about that because he's box office and he's phenomenal, and he's on the Mount Rushmore of basketball. And where he goes, ratings follow. And because of that, we gloss over those facts. But those ain't the only facts we gloss over. When LeBron talked about the media weeks ago, what does he do now? He comes on Pat McAfee's show again today and listen to what he had to say. Listen closely, check it out.

[Damian Maldonado]

See a lot of shit, too. Like, I seen Brian Warhurst on one of these shows not too long ago.

[LeBron James]

Like, Wendy, you guys played together in high school.

[Damian Maldonado]

This guy was like, you know, says he's like my best friend. These guys are just weird.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I have worked with Brian Windhorse for years. Never once did he say that LeBron was a best friend. A matter of fact, years earlier, it was LeBron who sat in front of the microphones and said, probably nobody knows me better than Bryan Windhorse, who's been covering me since I was in junior high school. But that's how he talked about him. Brian Wintour is an exceptional commentator who does a phenomenal job for espn. My show, Get Up NBA Today Sports Centers, goes and covers the game.

[LeBron James]

He is one of the elite people covering the NBA in this world. And nobody, I Repeat nobody, defends LeBron James more than that man.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And look at what LeBron James did. Y'all have watched Wendy Report for years.

[LeBron James]

Tell me one time. Tell me one thing that Brian went.

[Stephen A. Smith]

To us has done to negatively impact LeBron James. 1.

[LeBron James]

Take your time.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'll wait. Nobody is more fair. Nobody digs deeper, maneuvers through the crevices to find the positive about LeBron James, no matter who what the story is. But that's how LeBron talked about him. He doesn't stop there, though.

[LeBron James]

He also went into today's players compared to yesteryear. I thought that was a subject he didn't want to touch. I thought that we should just have an appreciation for the game and not really, really compare.

[Stephen A. Smith]

LeBron James was one of the people that told us that until he had the platform to vent and look at.

[Damian Maldonado]

What he said every single day, that he's better. He's not better. He wouldn't. You're trying to tell me Giannis wouldn't be able to play an NBA game in the 70s?

[Stephen A. Smith]

He wouldn't be able to deal with.

[LeBron James]

Neither would you. Neither would you.

[Damian Maldonado]

Giannis Antetokounmpo would have 250 points in a game, in a seven. 250 perhaps.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But wasn't that disrespectful to the pioneers who paved the way for this game? Ladies and gentlemen, Would Julius Irvin have been who he was if it were not for Connie Hawkins? Would Michael Jordan had had a model to emulate and elevate beyond if it were not for Julius Irving?

[LeBron James]

What about Vince Carter when it comes to Michael Jordan? What about Kobe Bryant when it comes to Michael Jordan? What about Shaq when it came to Wilt or Kareem or Olajuwon? What about the birds of the world? When you think about Jerry west, when you think about somebody like that, the Kobe's of the world, the MJ's of the world, there was no Elgin Baylor, Oscar Robinson before them. You see, the point is you use previous greatness to measure what the level of greatness is currently, as times have evolved, and you show an appreciation for it, you don't get upset because people are out there comparing one to the other. You're talking about championships, you're talking about leadership, you're talking about durability, which obviously LeBron is tops at. Not only capabilities, which he's on the mount. That's why he's on the mount. Rushmore. I could simply sit up there and say, you know what? Giannis would have got. His Giannis would have been great, but he also would have got knocked on his ass a lot.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And he would have went to the free throw line.

[LeBron James]

And the free throw line was his Achilles heel. With the exception of that Game 6 closeout against Phoenix in the Finals, free throws have always been his Achilles heel. But he's phenomenal. We're able to look and we're able to say, as we look at the great Allen Iverson and we look at some of the great, great small gods in NBA history. We also have to take time to pause and remind them about this dude named Isaiah Thomas who was phenomenal with a heart and guts and the leader of physical bad boy pistons. We look at the game, we talk about Steph Curry, the greatest shooter God has ever created. Oh, by the way, he plays a point guard and oh my Lord, the greatest point guard. And then a guy like Eddie Johnson for NBA Today or NBA Radio on Sirius XM reminds us, oh, wait a minute. My definition of a point guard is a quintessential floor facilitator. A floor general who facilitates for others, facilitates opportunities for others. That's why Steph Curry can't get that. That's gotta be magic. John. It's a crime to bring up history, to look at the game and to compare it and have an opinion about it. When the conversation unquestionably and undeniably involves greatness. If you're not great, you're not a part of that conversation. Nobody views that as a crime. But that man that showed up on.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Pat McAfee show today, because he must be the goat. It can't be anything else. You lost six NBA finals. There is a definals against Dallas that you specifically choked in four consecutive fourth.

[LeBron James]

Quarters of an NBA final series against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks with Jason Terry or J.J. barrea, who resembled mini Me standing next to you, guarding you, and you average 2.2 points in the fourth quarter, as great as you are, had nothing to do with your skill, had nothing to do with their, their zone defense, had nothing to do with your capabilities, had everything to do with your heart. The rest of us didn't have the skill. You had everything.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But also a 10 man syndrome at that time. Once you learn to win, nothing can stop you.

[LeBron James]

If we only went about LeBron, if we only looked at LeBron James career since he won his first championship, ladies.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And gentlemen, we could have the goat conversation.

[LeBron James]

Because since he started winning, my God.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It is what it is.

[LeBron James]

But before that, that heart transplant that he needed, it is my belief Michael Jordan would have been in the hospital blocking the door every single time, figuratively speaking, to prevent him from having that heart transplant. He had shut him down, took his heart right out of his chest and wouldn't have allowed him to have another heart. That's the difference.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's how I feel. Others may think differently. Clearly that man does. And y'all go just sit here and act like that had nothing to do with him getting in My face? None at all. Remember how I told y'all the story about I'd look at Rich Paul and.

[LeBron James]

Them and I say, damn it, I got him on the Mount Rushmore. I got him number two all time. And y'all act like it's an insult. And Rich Paul looked at me and.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Said, it is an insult. Where you get that from? Not to say that Rich Paul doesn't think for himself, because I know he does, but that man feels that way. No, he doesn't like me. I don't like him either. My feelings about him are what they are and is based on personal interactions and what I've seen in terms of how I believe he's treated others. It's my opinion it's none of anybody's business. Beyond that, his feelings are about me talking about basketball. And y'all gonna let him get away? We're trying to classify me as somebody who would talk about him as a dad, as if I exposed something that was happening in the privacy of their home in Brentwood somewhere, as opposed to me talking about what's going on in a Lakers uniform at the crypto.com arena or elsewhere. Y'all go let him get away with that. Y'all go right ahead. I don't have to broach this subject anymore, but I will broach LeBron James any damn time I I please. As long as he's playing this game, he's a relevant sports news topic. And I'm going to do my job professionally and ethically. I don't have to like him to do that, and he doesn't have to like me in order for me to do it. I don't get paid to talk to him. I get paid to talk about him. I would tell him he's welcome to talk to me anytime, but we all know that ain't gonna. As I told y'all before early in the show, just to make sure that it wasn't something that I would benefit from in terms of ratings or anything like that, I offered to come on the Shop when they confronted me. This was a couple years ago. It's never happened. Because a little bit different when you got to say some of the stuff right in front of the person, and the person has facts to refute what you're saying. Maybe that's why he didn't want to meet me in the back after the game to have a conversation at the Lakers game. Maybe that's why he didn't come up to me and say, wait for me. I need to talk to you. Maybe Maybe that's why he didn't want to have to deal with a real conversation about all the things that he's done to create this whole brouhaha. I get it. I'm not going away, ladies and gentlemen. I don't have to talk to LeBron James. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm doing fine. There are beat writers and other reporters that have to talk to him. I don't and to be quite honest with you, at this point, don't much want to. I wish him well. I'm looking forward to covering him as his career slowly crawls to its end. And I'll be one of the first thanking him for the greatness he's put on display as a basketball player. I, like everybody else, will miss him when he's gone. As a man, in terms of how I firmly believe he elected to handle this situation with the cameraman behind him and all this other stuff, I think it's shady as hell. That's how I feel. That's where I stand. And there's little to nothing that he can do to change my mind at this point. God bless him and his family. Wish him nothing but the best. Look forward to talking to y'all about other NBA topics as well. And I don't give a damn what y'all said. It was no way in hell I was gonna let that man talk. The BS that he spewed today and I have a response to it. That was not gonna happen. I'm out, y'all. This is Stephen A. Smith show signing off. See you in a couple of days. Peace and love.

[Selena Gomez]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

People who know bikes like I do. I'm happy as a clam.

[Geico Spokesperson]

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[Selena Gomez]

I just meant that I feel really good about my coverage.

[Geico Spokesperson]

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[Bob Pittman]

Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast Math and Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some folks across a wide range of industries to hear how they reach the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use. I'll be joined by innovative leaders like Chairman and CEO of Elf Beauty Tarang Amin, legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist Jewel.

[Selena Gomez]

Being a rock star is very fun, but helping people is way more fun.

[Bob Pittman]

And Damian Maldonado, CEO of American Financing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I figured out the formula I to work hard. Then that's magic.

[Bob Pittman]

Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math and the ever important creative spark, the magic. Listen to math and magic on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.