Shows
Grading the World103 • All out of whackThe Bourbon Street and Trump Tower attacks, Facebook goes full Cyberdine systems, and the Joe Biden Awards.
2025-01-0858 minGrading the World100 • Everybody's an IdiotMatt somehow finds it in himself to stay calm while Joe advocates for killing the rich and powerful, President Biden's mass pardons/extensions of clemency, the big drone mystery, and some streaming video recommendations.
2024-12-1858 minGrading the World97 • Cruising away from it allA cruise line offers a way to escape Trump II's attempt to dismantle the federal government department by department, and Matt learns about Idiocracy.
2024-11-2557 minGrading the World95 • RIP USAAfter Matt pays tribute to his family's dearly and newly departed Charlee, he and Joe dissect the results of the 2024 elections and what is in store for the nation if the electorate isn't presented with better Presidential choices in the future.
2024-11-1258 minGrading the World94 • Poking the BearJoe reports on the floods in Valencia, a Polish radio station backtracks on AI, the WNBA's coaching purge, and election endorsements and vote-shaming.
2024-11-1158 minGrading the World93 • The Gutter of CynicismJoe's Spanish big-city adventure, the LeBrons play together, a new CBA for the WNBA, Texas football fans' misbehavior, and the election's ripples abroad.
2024-10-2858 minGrading the World91 • El Dia de PaellaJoe's first Spanish Feast Day, buying a car in a foreign country, teachers drugging students in Spring, Texas, the NCAA's impending Superconference Superfiasco, and athletes abused on social media by degenerate loser gamblers
2024-10-1558 minGrading the World90 • Edicion InternacionalIn Joe's first episode as a Spanish resident, los hombres discuss a few notable celebrity deaths, the flooding in and around Asheville NC, Joe's absentee vote in the 2024 election, and the WNBA's attendance record.
2024-10-1150 minGrading the World88 • Concepts of a PlanTyreek Hill's arrest, Matt's horrific dream, Joe hates America, X gets in trouble, and a Norwood ice cream stand fiasco
2024-09-1658 minGrading the World87 • The Years of Living Biblically and Constitutionally with special guest A.J. JacobsMatt is busy with back to school stuff this week, so Joe chats with journalist and author A.J. Jacobs about his books "The Year of Living Biblically" and "The Year of Living Constitutionally"Unclean seats, stoning adulterers, AI James Madison, Election Cakes, and more!
2024-09-0755 minGrading the World84 • The Oak Island mystery with special guest Dave McBrideMatt's at the beach this week so Joe sits down with Diggin' Oak Island host Dave McBride for a chat about the 230-year old mystery and the History Channel program "The Curse of Oak Island."
2024-08-171h 12Grading the World82 • Rise of the Childless Cat LadiesMatt's thoughts on the DNC's latest big move, a quick rundown on the Olympics, and JD Vance's inflammatory words.
2024-08-0658 minGrading the World81 • Cocaine SharksAlec Baldwin's charges are dropped, nature is on a rampage, and Joe Biden steps aside.
2024-07-2858 minGrading the World78 • Weekend at Biden'sPresidential immunity for "official acts," Joe Biden sticks it out, Project 2025, the WNBA All-Star voting, and the disappointing third season of The Bear
2024-07-1158 minGrading the World75 • An obnoxious obsessionJoe is officially a Spanish resident, Caitlin Clark is left off the primary Olympic team roster, and Hunter Biden's conviction.
2024-06-1858 minGrading the World42 • Better Choices PleaseDamian Lillard heads to Milwaukee, the WNBA playoffs, the end of the WGA strike, Joe Biden's rough week, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson's comments on how to integrate transgender athletes into the current model of interscholastic/intercollegiate athletics.
2023-10-0158 minGrading the World36 • Role Model Week• Massachusetts legislature funds school lunches• Toni Harris• Dwayne Johnson's million dollar donation to the SAG-AFTRA charitable fund• Olivia Dunne's unfortunate semester• Trader Joe's recall• ChatGPT
2023-08-0658 minGrading the World26 • Crabby Old ManAnother tragic and senseless shooting sets off a rather contentious discussion about where the blame for Americans' increasingly irresponsible behavior lies, with not much agreement between Matt and Joe but lots of yelling.
2023-06-011h 19Grading the World25 • Wrong about all of it• a "hero" dog from 1908 Paris • real heroes from the Albany HS girls' track team• a Joe's thought experiment regarding jury duty• Steven Wright's incredible new novel
2023-05-2157 minGrading the World14 • Stranger dangerfatal flaws in the US law enforcement system and how to fix them, Florida doing things wrong (again),Damar Hamlin's proof of life, and Joe's least favorite athlete's third retirement.
2023-02-0558 minGrading the World12 • Hypocrisy/Democracycharges inHalyna Hutchins' death, the Joe Biden Files, The travesty that is Congress,the Olivia Dunne mess, and the USA's racist history.
2023-01-2158 minGrading the World12• Hypocrisy/DemocracyCharges in Halyna Hutchins killing, the Joe Biden Files, the disaster that is Congress, Olivia Dunne and fan entitlement, and the USA's racist history in brief
2023-01-2158 minGrading the World5 • All kinds of heroesWith Darryl off traveling the world, Joe and Matt are joined by Indianapolis attorney Mark Nicholson, host and Executive Producer of Circle City News, the second most interesting show on the internet. After a tribute to Joe's old friend Phil Wall, Mark talks about his non-traditional path to the law and what it's like to represent sovereign citizens in court.
2022-11-1058 minGrading the World3 • A bad term for men in powerHappy Anniversary to Matt and Jill, the Trump subpoena, another F- for Antonio Brown, and additional failing marks for Bill Murray, publicly funded stadiums, mixed assessments of Davante Adams' collision with a photographer, and the powerful words of William Shatner after coming back from space for real.
2022-10-1658 minGrading the World2 • Football players are people tooJoe's thought experiment gets solid Ds from Matt and Darryl, Herschel and Christian Walker at opposite ends of the scale, Happy Birthday To You, a potential Trump-Biden rematch, Bobby Wagner and the protester he decked, and Aaron Judge's head-of-the-class season.
2022-10-1058 minGrading the World104 • End of an eraWith Matt off doing adult type things, Joe and Darryl are left to discuss the Las Vegas Aces championship, Ime Udoka's suspension, Boston's racist history [again], team vs. league punishments, and Brett Favre's theft of public funds.
2022-09-2558 minGrading the World96 • No, Canada!With Matt working on his handicap in Myrtle Beach, friend of the show Dave Hock joins Joe and Darryl once again to talk about Kyler Murray's contract, Hockey Canada's sexual abuse problem, Kevin Durant trade possibilities, the Red Sox' collapse and the Yankees' semi-big trade, Juan Soto, and Better Call Saul.
2022-07-3058 minGrading the World95 • Lost and FoundBeing lost in an unfamiliar place, close losses vs. blowouts, Tennessee football's 'violations,' superdupermegaconferences, Matt resurrects his no-draft plan, LeBron James trademarks 'Shut Up and Dribble,' an auto racing update, a plug for the SVRA and other affordable fan entertainment, James Harden's selflessness and Russell Westbrook's untradeability, Charles Barkley joins the LIV tour, and our own low-level athletic failures and successes.
2022-07-241h 02Grading the World92 • Stranger Sports Plus ThingsGetting up at 3:30 am to watch television but getting paid for it, Matt's apology to Kadarius Toney, Brittney Griner's traveshamockery of a trial, Clevelandfreude, and the lesser of two evils being the worst for everyone.
2022-07-0258 minGrading the World90 • The blood comes right offWith Matt out, Joe's cousin and former high school athletic director and football and golf coach John Capraro Jr. joins Joe and Darryl to discuss blood money for pro golfers, the Celtics finals loss, the Mets' and Yankees' start, Brittney Griner's upcoming trial, Sue Bird's retirement, plastic bags, campaign finance reform, Shohei Ohtani, and more.
2022-06-1858 minGrading the World84 • A black and white attempt at solving a gray situationThe demise of reproductive rights, Trump's chances in 2024, Matt preaches patience, NFL draft hangovers, the stellar NBA playoffs, and MLB's narrow and limited appeal.
2022-05-0758 minGrading the World79 • with special guest Jessica LutherJournalist/author/podcaster Jessica Luther (Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Loving Sports when they Don't Love You Back, Burn it all Down, American Prodigies) joins Darryl and Joe for a talk about the Title IX's legacy after 50 years and her investigative work on the Baylor sexual assault story.https://www.jessicawluther.com/https://www.burnitalldownpod.com/
2022-04-021h 19Grading the World75 • Big concepts and short careersOld man TV, the relationship between youth and professional sports, the role of league commissioners, Joe's boxing career, Darryl's dedication to football and wrestling, Ben Simmons' dedication to nothing, the Liberty's big fine and what constitutes responsible franchise ownership?
2022-03-0558 minGrading the World73 • The fine line between boldness and stupidityNo Matt this week but Joe and Darryl are joined by special guest Victor Arocho of Jersey Boys Sports Talk to discuss the Super Bowl and The Rock's shameless awful "performance" as well as Florida fanbases, Phil Mickelson's unbelievable comments, NASCAR's broadening, and MLB's de-broadening.
2022-02-1956 minGrading the World68 • We speak for all menA sad Trail Blazers update, The Curse of Joe, Novak Djokovic, Matt's happy week, Matt Corral's almost disastrous week, the SEC's dominance, and faint praise for Nick Saban.
2022-01-171h 02
Grading the World66 • Two shocking revelationsJohn Madden's unique legacy, Darryl springs two amazing surprises on us, online life vs. real life, Jets and Giants woes and a Joe Pisarcik story, NBA's COVID situation, the IOC and other international sporting organizations take their usual abuse from us, more F1 101, and players opting out of bowl games.
2022-01-0358 min
Grading the World65 • From the archives: an interview with Frank DefordSports Illustrated and NPR legend Frank Deford spoke to Joe in 2012 about a host of issues surrounding college athletics: The John Calipari experiment, traumatic brain injuries in football, activist athletes, the value of a scholarship, and changes in sports reporting. Enjoy our conversation and your holiday; we will be back next week.
2021-12-2458 minGrading the World64 • Unfrozen Caveman TeacherWARNING: UNBLEEPED PROFANITY AND LOTS OF ITJoe Manchin ruins what little Trump had left; Tik Tok, bombs, and parenting; the NFL's international marketing "plan" and how the Rams made out like Raiders; a Jacksonville trifecta of Urban Meyer, Charlie Strong, and Trevor Lawrence; Kyrie Irving's impending half-return, and chasing the carrot of herd immunity.
2021-12-191h 09Grading the World63 • A Rocky StartTechnical difficulties, Bill Belichick possibly being a time traveler, Joe hates short passes, the WNBA pay gap, Peng Shuai and money over ethics, ritual and holidays, F1 101 and money over ethics II, the Blazers' plan for Damian Lillard and why he should be Matt's favorite player.
2021-12-1258 min
Grading the World61 • Mac and Cheese...and why it doesn't belong on the Thanksgiving table, Pats-Titans, Jason Garrett and head coach/coordinator dynamics, the business of sports in China and the WTA's failure, Lebron James' busy week, and Aaron Rodgers' COVID toe. Also: is SEO killing journalism?
2021-11-2858 minGrading the World60 • Bad ReactionsThe beauty of college hockey, the disappearance of Peng Shuai, no justice for Joseph Rosenbaum or Anthony Huber and the horrifying and disheartening reaction from conservatives, the red-hot Patriots and Bill the genius, the value and necessity of elite running backs, NBA GMs cry foul on the Neal Olshey investigation but exactly zero people step up to defend him, and NBA surprises.Donate to WXOJ-FM here:https://valleyfreeradio.org/donate/
2021-11-2156 minGrading the World59 • Another Historic OccasionWe welcome back Dave Hock, our first repeat guest ever, so he can officially forsake Aaron Rodgers. Also: Mayim Biyalik and Ken Jennings, Odell Beckham going to the Rams, Jon Gruden suing the NFL, Daniel Snyder's secret Hotmail account, an admission from Darryl, Adam Schefter digs himself deeper, Cam Newton returning to the Panthers, and Pumpsie Green.
2021-11-1458 minGrading the World58 • Eyesight to the BlindThe three of us discover a shared childhood experience, and lots of NFL talk: Mike White Mania, Henry Ruggs, Aaron Rodgers making us all play the 'who knew what?' game, and Odell Beckham Jr. leaving Cleveland. Also: early-season NBA overreactions
2021-11-0854 minGrading the World57 • Institutional FailuresCongress blows its chance to help those who need it the most and the Jets are caught shortquarterbacked. Also: Packers/Chiefs and Aaron Rodgers' rightful place on GOAT mountain
2021-10-3154 minGrading the World56 • Nobody Cares About BaseballKadarius Toney is the Phoenix rising from the ashes of the Giants' offense, Fall is dead, the Knicks/Celtics opener, the Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving situations, Candace Parker's homecoming title, an apology from Matt to Lamar Jackson, NFL franchises that actually help quarterbacks, and Roger Goodell as Joseph Smith and living in the LDS community. Also, some Netflix: Squid Game, OITNB, Money Heist, and Wentworth.
2021-10-241h 06Grading the World55 • InterruptapaloozaThe substitute teaching crisis, Darryl looks at Kyrie Irving through Celtic green-colored glasses, leaky email servers, Freedom of Information laws, ESPN's lack of journalistic integrity, evil chicken sandwiches, the Kadarius Toney roller coaster, and the WNBA finals. Also: Matt reveals his titanic ability to compartmentalize and Joe tries to play the iceberg.
2021-10-1658 minGrading the World54 • Road Trip!Darryl pulls off the highway on his way to Vermont so we can talk Paul Riley, a Citizen Kane correction, TBIs, the MLB one-game playoffs, Candace Parker, Kyrie Irving, the true victims of anti-vaxxers, an insult to toilets, and the QB baton being passed in Foxboro. Also: Urban Meyer digs a neck-deep hole and Joe makes him a promise.
2021-10-1158 minGrading the World53 • Hanging On Too LongBrooklyn Harker, Sofia LaSpina, AbbyDiCenzo, the WNBA playoffs, the Ben Simmons fiasco-drama, judging The Process, five rookie QBs, a musical revelation that will change your life, and MLB's final weekend. (Just of the 2021 regular season, not for eternity. That's still at least a couple years off.)
2021-10-0354 minGrading the World52 • Apocalypses (Apocalypsi?) Now (And Later)Human, environmental, in the Giants and Red Sox front offices, in youth football, and in Joe's brain. Also: Tom Brady's HGH supplier says Bill Belichick is just another coach, the importance or lack thereof of MLB regular season series wins, and our TV watching habits and histories.
2021-09-2757 min
Grading the World52 • Apocalypses (apocalypsi?) Now (And Later)Human, environmental, in the Giants and Red Sox front offices, in youth football, and in Joe's brain. Also: Tom Brady's HGH supplier says Bill Belichik is just another coach, the importance or lack thereof of MLB regular season series wins, and our TV watching habits and histories.
2021-09-2656 minGrading the World51 • Scary ThingsPantsless interviews, undisciplined Giants, one game playoffs, Penn State's institutional judgment, and the bottom of the NFL barrel.
2021-09-1957 minGrading the World50 • Serious BusinessTraumatic imagery in childrens entertainment, highway robbery, the war on a woman's right to body autonomy, caring for a dying spouse, memories and the legacy of 9/11, the politicalization of public health, government conspiracies and cover-ups, the death of the American Dream, and baseball's gambling and drug scandals. • Contains adult language •
2021-09-131h 03Grading the World49 • The Thumb Heard Round the WorldSelfish idiots (no not us), Cam Newton and NFL cuts, hanging on too long (also not us), Matt sings the Big Blue Blues, the Met fans respond to Javy Baez' thumbs down, and getting wealthy from NIL endorsements (once again, not us).
2021-09-0556 minGrading the World48 • Greatest Hits IDarryl is back and we cover lots of familiar ground: COVID classroom havoc, the death of baseball, putrid UMass football, NIL implementation, Pats and Giants questions, Yankees/Red Sox, and Joe has a crabby outburst.
2021-08-291h 08Grading the World47 • Joy in MudvilleWith Darryl still in California, Joe and Matt are joined by Nkwa Asonye of Fox61 in Hartford to celebrate breaking Jeopardy news, along with a sadder discussion of Trevor Bauer, framing athletes' mental health issues, the Malice in the Palace documentary, and back to school concerns.
2021-08-2358 minGrading the World46 • Traveshamockeries II: Investigative BoogalooWith Darryl off visiting family in San Diego, fellow WMUA Sports alum Dave Hock joins Matt and Joe for corny cornfield baseball, the long-awaited draft abolition debate, and the NFL and NHL's horrendous excuses for sexual assault investigations. SI article by Jenny Vrentas: https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/08/13/the-problems-with-deshaun-watson-nfl-investigation
2021-08-1558 minGrading the World45 • Outside the WheelhouseGendered language, Joe's new favorite Yankee, NBA moves, Olympic legacies and memories, and the Giants' implosion. Links mentioned in opening segment:https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2020/07/08/how-to-use-gender-neutral-language-and-why-its-important-to-try/https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/what-is-gendered-languagehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/12/15/guide-how-gender-neutral-language-is-developing-around-world/https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/gender-inclusive-language/
2021-08-081h 01Grading the World44 • Darryl Digs a HoleJoe is finally home and back to rising early, this time to discuss getting old, the NBA draft, Zach Wilson and Gregg Knapp, the Yankees' big deals, Simone Biles, 3x3, and COVID vaccine resistors.
2021-08-031h 07Grading the World43 • A Momentous OccasionFor the first time ever, all three of the gentlemen are in the studio together, and were joined by Deadspin senior editor Julie DiCaro to talk about her book Sidelined: Sports, Culture, and Being a Woman in America. Also: Trevor Bauer, Chauncey Billups, ESPN, Social Media, NIL opportunities, investigative journalism, QB development, the Bulls and Bears, and the Cosby case.
2021-07-1157 minGrading the World42 • DisappointmentsFried clams, climate change, Red Sox/Yankees, the infantilization of black athletes, Dame Lillard, Bill Cosby, and Trevor Bauer.
2021-07-0458 minGrading the World41 • Old men and old thingsWhile Matt enjoys his Cape Cod vacation, Darryl and Joe have some extra room to babble on about Joe Paterno, the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry, Carl Nassib, the Blazers' mangled coaching search and the Celtics' moves, along with Jennifer Nettles, Robert Plant, Tool, The Jonas Brothers, and the Backstreet Boys (not live on the show, just in stories).
2021-06-2757 minGrading the World40 • Darryl's career-ending injuryDarryl prepares for his last day and a half as a teacher, the top-heavy NBA playoffs are somehow still surprising, Joe's head injuries, and MLB pitchers gooping up their fingers. Plus: the Muppets and Peanuts
2021-06-1258 minGrading the World39 • Great ExpectationsJason Tatum, Becky Hammon, Portland, Lebron's "walkoff" and AD's fragility, and Naomi Osaka. Plus: Ethel Kennedy
2021-06-071h 00Grading the World38 • Saying goodbyeWe say goodbye to our unquestioned number one fan, plus the Indy 500's various walls, Jayson Tatum, LeBron being maybe anti-vax but maybe not, the magic of Madison Square Garden, the reputation of Boston fans, and Phil Mickelson.
2021-05-3057 min