Flew to Washington, D.C. to conduct my first TNF interview of the 2025-2026 NFL season! This young man is Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. If you’re unfamiliar, here’s what you need to know: he’s coming off of one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL History. He threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns with just nine interceptions, and added 891 rushing yards and six more touchdowns on the ground. That’s the most rushing yards EVER for a rookie quarterback.
I first met him when he was a fresh transfer at LSU - bright eyed, taking it all in - and he hasn’t changed at all. Still exceedingly humble, still smiling, still carrying himself with a sense of calm that feels rare for his situation and his hype.
Of course, in sports we often talk about a ‘sophomore slump’ which is the idea that year two is when players regress, especially if they had huge success as rookies.. It’s a clockwork talking point, and right now it’s the conversation around JD5. I can tell he’s a little tired of it—and honestly, who wouldn’t be? Imagine having to constantly reassure people that you haven’t already peaked. When you’ve reached high highs, people are convinced the only way is down.
Here’s what I told him—and what I’ll tell you too: what a privilege it is to have to outdo yourself. Only the greats get asked to do it twice.
Watch the full chat September 11th 7ET on TNF on Prime.
Fresh Air: Comic Marc Maron on Grief, Cats, and Being Openhearted
Marc Maron is the host of the wildly popular interview podcast WTF, which will come to an end this year. In a recent episode of Fresh Air, he dives into the ins and outs of the show along with some very personal reflections.
About 25 minutes in, Maron starts talking about the way he’s emotionally insulated. That he is able to be open hearted and vulnerable during interviews because of the boundaries that inherently exist in that space. That the person will always leave.
I connected with that immediately.
People are often surprised when I tell them the biggest struggle of my 20s was my inability to name my emotions and talk about how I feel. I never said I was having a bad day because I never allowed myself to feel the bad day. I couldn’t tell you I was sad because I never stopped long enough to sit in sadness. There’s just a misconception about me that I’m super emotionally available because of my ability to draw emotions out of others. I’d argue my difficulty with expressing my own feelings is what allowed me to hone the skill of helping others do it. I know what the discomfort feels like. I know the resistance of baring yourself. I know what I wish someone would say to me in order for me to feel safe enough to do so. I know when someone wants to be heard instead of answered. I know when to be silent. I know what it’s like to feel alone and I can recognize it in others. One of my favorite things about interviewing is that it is not about me.
Before I started therapy - a long fruitful journey that I encourage everyone to try at least once - interviewing felt therapeutic in many ways. I could go there to have real conversations. It was like scheduling time in my calendar to connect. It was easy to interview Spencer Dinwiddie about losing grandparents and tell him how difficult it was for me, something I hadn’t fully shared with my own family. I could listen to Ja Morant describe how being everyone’s anchor can feel like drowning, and then reveal what therapy has done for me - despite rarely mentioning it to some of my best friends. Sitting in that chair has always given me a safety I could never quite figure out how to find once I left it.
And until I heard Maron say it, I’d never heard another interviewer put into words that dynamic. I eventually recognized how unhealthy it was to live behind a wall, but it took time. His words just made me think how easily we all give what we are unable to take for ourselves. That we can master what we crave. We can even become known for it.
How many of your shortcomings have you turned into your superpowers?
Did a quick Euro trip with my Chelsea, one of my bestiessss. First time in Germany. Not a huge fan of the food, but I loved the people and the peace. Cologne had all the hits—the tourist spots, the cathedral, the massive bridge. Stunning. But Düsseldorf was more my speed. Close to the airport, quieter, slower, filled with the cutest shops and restaurants. Any city with a river running through it has my heart. It was a fun, creative, and productive trip. Great music. Great friends. And a new stamp in the passport.
I'm encouraged by the idea of turning our shortcomings into super powers! I'm probably a little too hard on myself, which feels like a shortcoming. But on the flip side, I'm a born cheerleader who's really good at hyping up others. The shortcoming gets better everyday (shoutout to Jesus and therapy), and I know that healing my shortcoming doesn't diminish my superpower. I'm grateful that we can get better and grow while still sustaining the super power that was born out of a shortcoming.
“what a privilege it is to have to outdo yourself. Only the greats get asked to do it twice.” This is a really great point that frames perspective well. Definitely going to be thinking about this
And that while listening section resonated word for word especially as I’m in my 20s continuing to navigate it