Podcast / Edge of Sports / Apr 7, 2025

What to Learn From a Yearbook

On this episode of Edge of Sports, Author Michael Messner and friend of the pod Arya Shirazi join the show.

Edge of Sports
Edge of Sports

Where sports and politics collide, hosted by Nation magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin

What To Learn From A Yearbook
byDave Zirin / The Nation

This week, we talk to Michael Messner, author of the fascinating new book, about what we can learn by looking at sports and yearbooks over the course of a century. It’s called “The High School: Sports, Spirit, and Citizens, 1903-2024.” Also, I’m talking to the savant, Arya Shirazi, about the days when March was truly mad. 

The High School

https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-high-school/9781978839533/

Zirin, With ICE Out of Control, How Can the US Cohost the 2026 World Cup?

https://www.thenation.com/article/world/ice-fifa-world-cup-north-america/

http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: [email protected] | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

NCAA Final Four, Villanova team victorious over Georgetown, in Lexington, Kentucky, on April 1, 1985.

NCAA Final Four, Villanova team victorious over Georgetown, in Lexington, Kentucky, on April 1, 1985.

(Richard Mackson / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

This week on Edge of Sports, we talk to Michael Messner, author of a fascinating new book about what we can learn by looking at sports and yearbooks over the course of a century. It’s called The High School: Sports, Spirit, and Citizens, 1903–2024. Also, I’m talking to the savant Arya Shirazi about the days when March was truly mad

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.

Edge of Sports
Edge of Sports

Where sports and politics collide, hosted by Nation magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin

Protesting The World Cup (And A Cinematic Easter Egg)
byDave Zirin / The Nation

This week, we speak to Ajamu Baraka of the Black Alliance for Peace and Daniel Loroña of Amnesty International about why they are organizing against the 2026 World Cup's presence in the United States. And then, just in time for Easter, a cinematic Easter egg as film savant Arya Shirazi and I talk about two forgotten films of our youth. 

Zirin, Tiger Woods Plus Donald Trump: A Tragedy Made in the USA

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/tiger-woods-donald-trump-friendship/

http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: [email protected] | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Dave Zirin

Dave Zirin is the sports editor at The Nation. He is the author of 11 books on the politics of sports. He is also the coproducer and writer of the new documentary Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL.

More from The Nation

Cybertrucks Are a Safety Disaster—With Dara Kerr

Cybertrucks Are a Safety Disaster—With Dara Kerr Cybertrucks Are a Safety Disaster—With Dara Kerr

Paris Marx and Dara Kerr discuss how Elon’s prioritization of aesthetics over safety created a safety crisis, causing people to burn alive in their Cybertrucks.

Paris Marx

Protesters hold a “No Kings” flag as they take part in the rally and march on March 28, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Rebecca Solnit on Long-Term Strategy—Plus, Resisting ICE in Small-Town America Rebecca Solnit on Long-Term Strategy—Plus, Resisting ICE in Small-Town America

Podcast / Start Making Sense / Apr 7, 2025 What to Learn From a Yearbook On this episode of Start Making Sense, Rebecca Solnit argues for understanding change over more than…

Podcast / Start Making Sense

US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida.

America, Israel, and the Jews (With David Klion) America, Israel, and the Jews (With David Klion)

Aaron and Matt are joined by Nation columnist David Klion to talk about the role that Israel has played in the rise of American fascism.

President Donald Trump pauses as he finishes speaking about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The Party of Chaos—With Paul Heideman The Party of Chaos—With Paul Heideman

Danny and Derek welcome writer Paul Heideman to talk about the shift of the Republican Party from the party of business interests to a fragmented, personality-driven coalition

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

An AI-generated video of London in decline, shared on the social media site X.

Take a Break From the Feed—With Amanda Mull Take a Break From the Feed—With Amanda Mull

Paris Marx talks with Amanda Mull to discuss the effects of constantly “monitoring the situation,” including spiking anxiety and disconnection, and what can be done to recalibrate...

Paris Marx

A protester holds a “FIGHT FASCISM” placard depicting Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler, during a demonstration in London.

Let’s Fight Some Fascists (With Astra Taylor and Mark Bray)  Let’s Fight Some Fascists (With Astra Taylor and Mark Bray) 

Aaron, Matt, and Jonathan are joined by authors Astra Taylor and Mark Bray for a big-picture conversation about what it means to fight fascism in this historical moment.

x