Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Stephen A. Smith has never held back — and in this wide-ranging conversation, he opens up like never before.

From growing up in Hollis, Queens with no heat and little food… to becoming one of the highest-paid figures in sports media… Stephen reflects on the moments that shaped him — the doubts, the losses, the risks, and the relentless work ethic that built his career.

Stephen speaks candidly about grief, fatherhood, ambition, forgiveness, money, and legacy — and what still drives him at 58 years old.
#sports #podcast #stephenasmith
0:00 - Introduction
5:07 - Growing Up Poor in Hollis Queens
8:52 - Uncle Frankie Filling the Fridge
9:55 - Paying for Uncle Frankie's Funeral
11:04 - Telling Mom She Could Retire
12:10 - Mom Was Everything to Me
15:12 - Violence in the Neighborhood
16:03 - Seeing Friends Get Shot
19:14 - Father Said I Wasn't Smart
21:32 - Mr. Caravan - Teacher Who Believed in Me
26:10 - Brother Basil's Motivation
28:51 - Visiting Basil's Grave After ESPN Hire
34:37 - Losing My Mother
38:09 - The Club Story - Dad's Car Got Stolen
41:07 - Dad's Infidelity and Responsibilities
43:10 - Meeting My Half-Brother at Airport
44:08 - Lying to Mom - Only Time Ever
51:28 - Forgiving My Father - The Eulogy
58:19 - Knee Injury - Leaving College
1:00:46 - Mr. Hinzman
1:05:24 - Coach Gaines Column - Lesson Learned
1:09:19 - AI Asked Me Not to Report Something
1:10:23 - ESPN Contract Negotiations - What I'd Do Differently
1:13:30 - Getting Let Go - Lowest Point
1:15:22 - Work Ethic - 325-330 Days a Year
1:23:45 - Raising My Daughters
1:25:03 - Disney World for 21 Hours
1:26:44 - Biggest Regret - Not Being Married
1:32:02 - Will I Get Married?
1:37:37 - Being Comfortable Alone
1:38:49 - Health Transformation - Diet and Exercise
1:41:04 - New Contract - What I'm Worth
1:42:56 - Pat McAfee Lit the Runway
1:47:47 - Future Goals - Acting, Production, Joe Rogan Level
1:49:31 - Bob Iger, Jimmy Pitaro, Mark Shapiro
1:51:01 - LeBron James - Setting the Record Straight
1:52:27 - Appreciating LeBron's Greatness
1:59:46 - Racism and Discrimination
2:01:11 - Grandmother Carmen - Lessons on Race
2:07:40 - Political Ambitions - Only the Presidency
2:09:04 - Challenging Politicians on Both Sides
2:14:24 - Bob Iger Mentorship
2:05:54 - Donald Trump's Advice - Banks and Worth
2:17:10 - Iger's Wisdom - Knowing the Truth

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Episode debuted nationwide in 2026.