I already had written a review, forgot I did, and wrote another, that's how much I like this pod.
I typically listen to two very distinct types of podcast. The first is sports pods, ones that are either highly informative or ones that make me laugh ( and I stay away from ones that take themselves too seriously and are merely ill informed hot takes volcanoes). The second type I would broadly define as culture podcasts. Some are history, some are current events, some are magazine style, some defy easy categorization. Most of the creators either come from NPR or are highly influenced by NPR. Then there is one podcast I listen to, that bridges these two worlds. This one, House of Strauss. Though there haven't been many episodes ( and the episodes come out all too infrequently), the quality of what has been released has been extraordinary. The form of the pod is conversational, conversations between guests and a conversation between Ethan and Allie. Ethan's background is that of a basketball reporter, and he has many contacts in that world and most of the shows are long form interviews. Interviews with famous stars like Steve Kerr, or industry people you may never heard of that wield immense power like Warren LeGarie. Typically (but not exclusively) the episode is on a single topic, and the conversations are about that topic. The topics are always interesting, and Ethan's questions are incredibly thoughtful and often out of left field, asking things few others would think to. Breaking up the interviews is Allie, Ethan's wife. She is not a sports professional, and is barely a sports fan. She comes at the topics as a complete outsider (albeit a highly intelligent one). One might find it curious to have sports novice as a co-host of a sports pod, but Allie's commentary and questions about the interviews are insightful and often funny. Since Allie doesn't come from the sports world, she doesn't have the same assumptions we as fans might have and sees every issue and topic fresh. Its an unusual model certainly, but it works well on the show. Also, I've noticed that many sports journalists, because they are immersed in the world of sports, do podcasts with the assumption that the listener has the same level of immersion. This is most often not the case, and Allie provides a check and balance to that tendency in Ethan. The final piece of the puzzle is the production by Jade Hoye ( formerly of ESPN'/Truehoop TV, and currently of the Count the Dings podcast network, check it out!). Jade is an utter professional and the production of House of Strauss is so far ahead of most podcasts out there. The sound design really matters in listenablity, as many podcasts with otherwise good content simply are unpleasant to listen to from a production stand point. Jade makes sure every episode is polished. I've rambled on and on but, in a nutshell this is a consistently great podcast, and my only criticism are it doesn't come out enough, and there hasn't been a Radio Ethan episode.Read full review »
JimJimsonJr via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/03/18
More reviews of House of Strauss
Fun and informative
JHWodenhouse via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/25/18
Unique and fun angles to basketball business of basketball stuff.
Mr. Joel D via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 12/22/17
Ethan is one of the most intellectual nba writers and fits well as a podcaster. More Ethan, more Amin, more Tom please.
BM12345634 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/09/21
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