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Pivot Podcast

Stephen A. Smith built sports empire off confidence and criticism, responds to public spats with Jasmine Crockett, Alexis Ohanian, Lebron James, accepts being under heat, but not afraid of the fire

Pivot Podcast

The Pivot Podcast Network

Sports, Football, Society & Culture

4.93.1K Ratings

🗓️ 17 October 2025

⏱️ 96 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

“I’m willing to say what most people aren’t. I’m willing to do what most people aren’t. I’m willing to be in the storm, if that’s what it takes.” Stephen A. Smith On this episode of The Pivot Podcast, Stephen A. Smith invites the guys to his home for a deeply personal and an unfiltered conversation discussing everything from sports to culture to parenting to politics while under fire for recent public clashes with LeBron James, Alexis Ohanian, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Ryan acknowledges all the heat surrounding Stephen A. and one by one, we go through it all, leaving no stone unturned to the whys, the hows and what happens from here while delving into the man Stephen A truly is behind the mic. Known for his bold takes and unapologetic style, Stephen A. opens up about the backlash, his growing interest in politics, and how he handles being a lightning rod for controversy. He shares the background into Lebron dislike, revealing how he and one of the greatest to ever play the game. ended up in such disdain. He shares insight into the recent Alexis Ohanian situation, doubling down on his comments but offering explanation of what he truly means at the core of his words. Stephen A. also talks about the criticism and being called out for comments on Jasmine Crockett, saying it wasn't an attack on black women but taking action to be apart of the solution not the problem. He also gets personal—discussing fatherhood as his two daughters have come into public eye lately and how it influences his choices on and off the air. He goes deep into his roots with the love and respect of his mother, who's voice still guides him today and the lessons he learned the hard way from his father's choices that have all led to shaping the man he is today. And of course we had to ask him about running for President, not only is he serious but Stephen A. shares why he believes he would win the office of Presidency and his why that drives him to take on politics in this dangerous era of hate and controversy. Buckle up, because this conversation covers it all and nothing is off limits! A special thanks to our partners at Jack Daniels for sponsoring this conversation and inviting us to be apart of their F1 partnership with McLaren, check us out in Austin, TX this wknd! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:18.8

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0:25.6

Restrictions in D&Cs on labbrooks.com gambling aware.org Stephen A. Smith is a man of many layers and many

0:32.7

opinions. Also probably why he has so many jobs. First takes one hundred million dollar man

0:37.3

doesn't shy away from confrontation, and this sit down was

0:40.5

no different.

0:41.5

But he's more than just his perceived media beefs.

0:44.8

We started by tackling health and family with Stephen A.

0:48.3

He dove into why he isn't married, his love for his daughters, and his complicated relationship

0:53.2

with his father, who in his opinion

0:55.3

didn't do what he needed him to do as a man. He also tells us about the health scare that

1:01.2

changed his life. Oh yeah, but wait, back to confrontation. He addressed why he and LeBron

1:07.0

don't really like each other. He also told us the question he was just about to ask

1:12.6

Alexis O'Hanian, and he shares his true feelings about what Jasmine Crockett isn't doing for her constituents.

1:20.8

Oh, and by the way, he actually does think he could win a presidential election.

1:26.7

By the time this was over, he had earned his name

...

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