Hunter (8:45)

I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered Black women and girls in America. There are several ways we can all do better at protecting black women. My contribution is shining a light on our missing sisters and amplifying their disregarded stories. Stories like Tameka Anderson. As she drove toward Galvez, she was in contact with several people talking on the phone as she made her way to what should have been a routine transaction. But Tameka never bought the car and she never returned home that day. One podcast, one Mission. Save Our Girls. Join the search as we explore the chilling cases of missing and murdered Black women and girls. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Jamie Petras (9:49)

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

Nate Thompson (10:01)

Okay, we're rolling.

Stephen A. Smith (10:03)

One, two, three, four.

Jamie Petras (10:07)

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 (10:23)

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

Jamie Petras (10:29)

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.

Stephen A. Smith (10:51)

Now, for those of you who don't know you, you should know this by now. I consider myself to be one of the hardest working people out here. But nothing I do compares to the work this man did all year long and especially the work he's put in across the globe over the last 24 hours. My guest today on this very special Christmas addition to the Stephen A. Smith show is none other than Santa Claus himself, coming to us live back at his home in the North Pole for this post game interview. How you doing, Santa? How's everything going?

Nate Thompson (11:22)

I'm great, Stephen. Thank you for having me. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Stephen A. Smith (11:26)

Thank you so much. I hope you had a. I'm sure you've made wonderful Christmases for so many people across the world. Let me ask you this, Santa, I gotta start here. You've been doing this for centuries now, delivering gifts to billions of kids in a single night. What's the secret to maintaining this kind of longevity? Give me that.

Nate Thompson (11:43)

Well, it's putting together the right team. I've worked with my elves for years and they're the best. Mrs. Claus, make sure that we get everything done on time. So I can't take all the credit. It's. It's everyone here at the North Pole.

Stephen A. Smith (11:59)

Are we talking pure magic or are you talking about some kind of supernatural performance regimen or something? That's what I want to know.

Nate Thompson (12:07)

You want all the secrets?

Stephen A. Smith (12:09)

I want all the secrets.

Nate Thompson (12:09)

Well, I have to be honest. There's a lot of magic involved, and I can't reveal those kind of secrets. But I just. I want to give credit to the team here.

Stephen A. Smith (12:19)

Is there anything that stood out about the year 2024 compared to years past?

Nate Thompson (12:25)

Yeah, I'm glad you asked. We, in conjunction with NASA, last launched a new satellite. We call it North Pole 2. And it connects with the sleigh. And so we get real reports on weather. It gives us a tracking GPS to get the maximum trajectory to get to all the billions of children. And also it keeps an update on the naughty and nice list for us. And then it tells me if the children are awake or asleep so that we can skip those houses where the children are still sleeping. So that was a big new feature this year.

Stephen A. Smith (13:07)

So, Santa, are you saying that you would actually skip homes for people who have been naughty? You would actually go right past being the Wonderful, good hearted person that you are. If somebody was a little bit naughty, you wouldn't forgive them and you just go right past the house.

Nate Thompson (13:23)

Well, if they're still awake, I can't deliver the gifts if they're still awake.

Stephen A. Smith (13:28)

Mm, that's true. That's a good point. Let's be real about something here because, you know, I cover sports and every year the naughty list gets a little bit longer. Do you ever feel like you're losing the locker room, so to speak?

Nate Thompson (13:41)

Oh, that's a good question. You know, Stephen, I think there is naughty and nice in all of us. And so I like to choose to look at the nice in people. And so you're right, sometimes I do overlook the naughty in people so that I can bring them gifts. But, you know, I think the way we stay on the naughty or nice list really depends on not only who we are as a person, but takes coaches and teachers and parents all working together to keep us on the nice list.

Stephen A. Smith (14:16)

Santa, what's the deal with the cookies, man? What's the deal with the cookies, man?

Nate Thompson (14:20)

I love cookies. I tell you. I eat a lot of cookies.

Stephen A. Smith (14:23)

You eat? Eat billions of them, it seems like in one night, man. How do you have like, I mean, don't you have like the worst cholesterol numbers in history? Isn't that true, Santa?

Nate Thompson (14:32)

Oh, now you're sounding like Mrs. Claus.

Stephen A. Smith (14:36)

Is that what she says?

Nate Thompson (14:37)

She says, stay away from those cookies, Santa. Eat more broccoli and eat your greens. But it's one night out of the year, so I think I can eat some cookies.

Stephen A. Smith (14:47)

But isn't that, dare I say, isn't that being naughty? Not listening to Mrs. Claus, I mean, that falls under the naughty list.

Nate Thompson (14:56)

Well, she knows I'm going to do it. She just has to give me good advice before I go.

Stephen A. Smith (15:02)

What's your favorite treat to be left by families on Christmas Eve?

Nate Thompson (15:07)

Oh, well, I, I, I love cookies. And, and different parts of the world have different cookies. And so I have favorite cookies in different places. And so even Mrs. C.L. says, make sure you bring me some of those when you come back. Or don't forget my favorite cookies. So I just love cookies for selfish purposes.

Stephen A. Smith (15:29)

Where's the best place I can get chocolate chip cookies?

Nate Thompson (15:32)

Oh, there's a place in Indiana outside of Terre Haute. They've got the best cookies.

Stephen A. Smith (15:39)

They got the best. It's nice, warm and chewy.

Nate Thompson (15:42)

Oh, perfect. With a good ice cold glass of milk.

Stephen A. Smith (15:47)

Got me laughing like you now. That's right, that's right. That's how Much. I love my chocolate chicken. I'm gonna put you on the spot here, Santa. Out of all the reindeer, who's the mvp?

Nate Thompson (15:58)

Okay, well, that is on the spot. I've got to be honest with you. We've got a new recruit. He's been trying to get into the team of pulling the sleigh. He's been trying for the last few years. His name's Randall. I will tell you even now, I mean, he's not too good, but he really put it together when he was starting, he would hit snowbanks and trash cans and mailboxes. But he tried so hard. He's our MVP for this year. Randall the reindeer.

Stephen A. Smith (16:31)

Are any of them trying to get engaged in load management? That's a problem in the world of sports. They're looking for load management. They're looking for time off all the time. Are the reindeers looking for any time off?

Nate Thompson (16:39)

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. They're treated really well. They're treated like rock stars around here.

Stephen A. Smith (16:44)

But they're looking for time off. And what do you say when they want time off?

Nate Thompson (16:48)

Well, you know, obviously, around Christmas time. No, but when it gets a little closer in the spring, summer, they can have some time off.

Stephen A. Smith (17:00)

Now, Santa, you know, I try to be a good man. I try to be a good human being, and I certainly try to be a good uncle, but I got a knucklehead for a nephew. He gets on my last nerves, you know, and he's on every naughty list that I could possibly think of. Is my nephew Josh on your naughty list as well, or is he on the nice list?

Nate Thompson (17:20)

Well, I'll tell you, Stephen, the legal elves have told us that I can't disclose someone else's naughty or nice. Just between you and me, Josh just really just sticks on that naughty list too much.

Stephen A. Smith (17:37)

Sticks on the naughty list too much. Right. How do you rectify that? How do you get him straight? How do you get him right?

Nate Thompson (17:44)

I don't know. You've tried. I've tried. I don't know what to do.

Stephen A. Smith (17:48)

Mm. Lastly, you've been rocking. You know what? You've been rocking the same suit for centuries. Santa. Have you ever thought. Have you ever thought about switching it up a little bit? I mean, getting a new suit? Have you ever thought about that? Some Jordans to match the slate or something like that?

Nate Thompson (18:03)

When you look as good as I do, why would you change? You know, I've got an image. I've got a look. I'm recognizable all over the world, which when I want to go incognito When I don't wear this suit now, people don't know who I am. So I can be at the beach having a nice island tropical shirt and people might look at me because I'm pale white, but they don't know it's me.

Stephen A. Smith (18:29)

Has anybody ever told you you look like Andy Reid, the head coach for the Kansas City Chief?

Nate Thompson (18:34)

I've been told that before.

Stephen A. Smith (18:38)

Santa Claus himself right here with Stephen A. Up next with the tweets. Thanks, Santa Claus. Stick around.

Nate Thompson (18:43)

All right.

Stephen A. Smith (18:50)

I need all of you to stop what you're doing right now and listen up here at the Stephen A. Smith show. And in everything I do, I'm in it to win it. Everyone likes to win. That's why our show has decided to team up with Prize Picks, America's number one fantasy sports app with over 3 million members to help you turn all your sports knowledge and there's some big time cash. You see, Prize Picks is a daily fantasy app where you just choose between two and six players from any of the sports you love to watch and then pick more or less on their projected stats for the game. Think James Cook will get more than 60 yards this weekend? How about Joe Burrow? Will he pass for more than one and a half touchdowns? Create hot takes with your friends and win real money this football season when you and your crew run your game on Prize Picks. And because it's December, it's now Pixmas at Prize Picks. It's a great time to join this holiday season because Prize Picks is giving away two free picks in December and $30 million in rewards during Pixmas. That's right. Prize Picks is giving away a million dollars to whichever member. Cash is a lineup with the Highest multiplier through 1225. That would be Christmas Day, y'all. Cash the Highest multiplier. Win $1 million in cash now. That's the holiday spirit. Make your holidays bigger and brighter with Prize Picks. The best place to get real money action while watching your favorite sports. Check out the Nikola Jokic free Pick on Prize Picks app. It's live now and available until tip off of the Nugget Suns game at 10:30pm Eastern Time on Christmas night. If Nikola Jokic scores more than 0 and a half points on Christmas Day, users who select more win on top of the chance at $1 million. Prize fixes members covered with daily rewards through Christmas. All members have to do is place a lineup and they'll receive a free lineup or payout boost the following day. Download the app today and use the Code SAs to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup again, download the app and use the Code SAs to get $50 instantly after your $5 lineup. Price picks run your game.

Hunter (20:54)

I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered Black women and girls in America. There are several ways we can all do better at protecting Black women. My contribution is shining a light on our missing sisters and amplifying their disregarded stories. Stories like Tameka Anderson. As she drove toward Galvez, she was in contact with several people talking on the phone as she made her way to what should have been a routine transaction. But Tamika never bought the car and she never returned home that day. One podcast, one mission. Save our girls. Join the search as we explore the chilling cases of missing and murdered Black Black women and girls. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Jamie Petras (21:59)

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

Nate Thompson (22:10)

Okay, we're rolling. One, two, three, four.

Jamie Petras (22:17)

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 (22:32)

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

Jamie Petras (22:38)

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.

Stephen A. Smith (23:01)

Welcome back to Stephen A. Smith show with his special guest Santa Claus himself. Post Christmas celebration, talking about a few things. We got a bunch of folks out there tweeting the show, Santa. They wanted to hear from you and I, so I wanted to show you some of these tweets to see what they had to say. Let's take a look at it right now. First up, what is that? Merriam Webster's Dictionary? What is the most underrated word in the dictionary? Santa, what would that be?

Nate Thompson (23:28)

Underrated word?

Stephen A. Smith (23:30)

Yes. Wow. Yes.

Nate Thompson (23:32)

Oh, I don't know. I guess I'd say being nice.

Stephen A. Smith (23:39)

I was getting ready to say kindness. Great minds think a lot. Great minds think a lot. Kindness is the Christmas spirit, right? That's what I'm talking about here. People need to be Nice, not naughty. And kindness falls in line with nice. So we'll do that one. Next tweet. What you got for us. This says, if AI robots became a household item, what would you have them do? Santa Claus.

Nate Thompson (24:06)

Wow. I would have them bake more cookies.

Stephen A. Smith (24:12)

I don't disagree. I don't disagree. You know what I'd say? I'd have them take out the garbage. Cause after I eat, I don't feel like getting them to take out the garbage. I'd want them to take out the garbage. That's just me, Santa. I like my answer better than yours on that one. Let's go to the next tweet. Christmas ham, question mark. Or another Christmas turkey. Santa Claus, which way you going?

Nate Thompson (24:35)

I'm going to say, why not both. What's wrong with some ham and some turkey?

Stephen A. Smith (24:41)

I'm going to go. I'm not going to eat the pork. I'm going to stay away from the ham, Santa. And not only that, because I think that's going to elevate my cholesterol level as well. And turkey is more in line with some protein that you need to fuel the body. So I'm gonna go with the protein. Santa. Are you cool with that?

Nate Thompson (24:58)

That's fine. But, you know, for a guy that eats cookies, a lot of cookies. I'm not really worrying about my waistline.

Stephen A. Smith (25:06)

I hear you. I hear you loud and clear. Next tweet. Two more to go. Hey, Stephen A. If you had to pick your top five Christmas movies, what would they be? I'm not really in the Christmas movies. Santa. I need your help with that. I like this Christmas. I loved that movie. It's a couple of others that I could think of, but I'm really not into Christmas movies. What about you?

Nate Thompson (25:28)

I really like the ones that Tim Allen did. He did a really good job with the Santa Claus. Tim called me and got some tips about how to play me, and so I think Tim kind of nailed it there.

Stephen A. Smith (25:42)

I'd like bad Santa, believe it or not. I don't mean to offend you, sir, but I did like Bad Santa with Billy Bob Thorpe. I did like bad center.

Nate Thompson (25:52)

Well, he didn't do a bad job. Different kind of Santa.

Stephen A. Smith (25:55)

Yeah, different kind of Santa. I got it last tweet. What you got for us as of right now? What's your number one New Year's resolution, Santa?

Nate Thompson (26:06)

Well, this is an easy one. I make it every year. Eat less cookies.

Stephen A. Smith (26:12)

Eat less cookies. Well, I'm along the same line as you in terms of cutting down on even more candy. And getting myself in better shape, better health.

Nate Thompson (26:21)

All right. And make Josh off the naughty list.

Stephen A. Smith (26:26)

I don't think there's any hope in pulling that off. Josh has been on the naughty list for 36 years. I don't think he's interested in getting off of it. Saying, I appreciate you, man. Thank you so much, buddy. You take care. All right. See you next year. See you next year.

Nate Thompson (26:37)

All right. Happy New Year.

Stephen A. Smith (26:39)

That's it for this edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show. Hope you all enjoyed it. I know I did. Post Christmas celebration, all of that stuff. I'll be seeing y'all within the next few days to bring in the new year just right. Until then, I'm signing off with Stephen A. Peace and love, everybody.

Greg Rosenthal (26:59)

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. Season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Julie Swerbinks (27:29)

What's up, everyone? Julie Swearbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

Nate Thompson (27:34)

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

Julie Swerbinks (27:37)

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

Nate Thompson (27:40)

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

Julie Swerbinks (27:45)

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

Nate Thompson (27:49)

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

Julie Swerbinks (27:54)

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.