The Chicago Smokehouse cover art

The Chicago Smokehouse

The Chicago Smokehouse

Written by: John Howell / Rick Telander
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About this listen

 John Howell and Rick Telander share a cigar and conversations and insightful analysis of the stories shaping headlines today

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News Sidequest Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Previewing the Bears and Rams in the NFL Playoffs

    Previewing the Bears and Rams in the NFL Playoffs
    Jan 16 2026
    Big John Howell and Rick Telander break down the Bears’ cold-weather showdown with the Rams, from Caleb Williams’ late-game magic to the realities of facing a veteran like Matthew Stafford at Soldier Field. They dig into what makes this Bears team so dangerous in the fourth quarter, the matchups that could decide the game, and why fans have learned not to turn it off early. The conversation then shifts to college football, where Indiana’s improbable run sparks a candid discussion about NIL money, the transfer portal, and the new pro reality of the sport.

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    46 mins
  • Riding the Rails with Rick Telander

    Riding the Rails with Rick Telander
    Nov 26 2025
    Finally the true story of why Rick Telander rode freight trains across the American West as a young man. From hobo camps and mountain tunnels to Anaïs Nin and the search for literary freedom, Telander unpacks the dangers, romance, and philosophy behind a life spent chasing experience. It’s a remarkable look at youth, risk, and an America where a person could still disappear—at least for a little while.

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    36 mins
  • Don’t Go Downstairs: Sports, Scandals, and the Return of the Mob Mindset

    Don’t Go Downstairs: Sports, Scandals, and the Return of the Mob Mindset
    Nov 12 2025
    John Howell and Rick Telander dive into the NBA’s latest gambling scandal and what it says about the new marriage between sports and betting. From Chauncey Billups’ alleged mob ties to Rick’s real-life brush with Chicago’s Outfit, the conversation connects modern vice with old-school corruption

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    43 mins
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