The Lost Years of Larry Bird with Keith O'Brien
Guest: Keith O'Brien, author of HEARTLAND: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and The Miracle of Larry Bird by Keith O'Brien (Atria Books, March 3, 2026) https://amzn.to/47ghvEE Podcast Release Date: March 7, 2026 Episode Length: 42 minutes *** EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Larry Bird is one of basketball's all-time greats, but there's a chapter of his story that's rarely told. Between 1974 and 1979, from his brief time at Indiana University through his magical season at Indiana State, Bird nearly…
The Lost Years of Larry Bird with Keith O'Brien
Guest: Keith O'Brien, author of HEARTLAND: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and The Miracle of Larry Bird by Keith O'Brien (Atria Books, March 3, 2026) https://amzn.to/47ghvEE Podcast Release Date: March 7, 2026 Episode Length: 42 minutes EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Larry Bird is one of basketball's all-time greats, but there's a chapter of his story that's rarely told. Between 1974 and 1979, from his brief time at Indiana University through his magical season at Indiana State, Bird nearly walked…
Monte Burke on MEN OF TROY: Pete Carroll’s USC, Reggie Bush, and the End of Amateurism
Brian O’Leary interviews author Monte Burke about his book MEN OF TROY: The Epic Afternoons, Wild Nights, and Enduring Legacy of Pete Carroll’s USC Trojans (Grand Central Publishing, published January 13, 2026). Burke traces his own path into college football and writing, contrasts the atmosphere of college football with the NFL, and explains why coaches like Carroll and Nick Saban make compelling subjects. We discuss USC’s unique Los Angeles moment with celebrity-laced practices, the…
Behind the Curtain of the L.A. Lakers: The Buss Legacy & LeBron's Final Act with author Yaron Weitzman
In the latest episode of The Brian D. O’Leary show, we sat down with Yaron Weitzman in a wide-ranging interview that dove into the modern Lakers dynasty, the lasting imprint of the Buss family, and the evolving career of LeBron James. *** Featured Guest Yaron Weitzman: Author, NBA journalist, and insider on all things basketball, discussing his new Lakers book and the deeper drama surrounding LeBron, the Buss family, and team culture. Find Yaron on social media: · X/Twitter (@YaronWeitzman) ·…
The Men Who Made the NFL Unstoppable – Interview with author KEN BELSON
Ken Belson on How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Built the NFL's $10 Billion Empire EPISODE OVERVIEW In this compelling deep-dive conversation, Brian D. O'Leary sits down with Ken Belson, New York Times sportswriter and author of the Amazon #1 Bestseller Every Day Is Sunday: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Turned the NFL into a Cultural and Economic Juggernaut (Grand Central Publishing, October 14, 2025). This wide-ranging interview explores the transformation of the…
Baseball in the ROARING TWENTIES - Interview with author Thomas Wolf
BASEBALL IN THE ROARING TWENTIES: The Yankees, the Cardinals, and the Captivating 1926 Season by Thomas Wolf (University of Nebraska Press, September 1, 2025) Quick recap The discussion between Brian and Tom Wolf centered on Wolf's new book about the 1926 baseball season, which explored notable players like Babe Ruth and the competitive dynamics between teams that year. The conversation delved into the broader sports landscape of the 1920s, including the rise of different sports and the challenges…