Tangle PREVIEW: The Friday Edition. - Proud to be an American.
Feb 27, 2026
Ari revisits boyhood sports obsessions and why even-numbered years mean Olympic fever. He traces how athletics shaped identity in Pittsburgh and how patriotism grew more complex. The show celebrates uplifting Olympic stories, standout U.S. moments, and Alysa Liu’s comeback as a unifying sports moment. It closes by teasing a tense men's hockey rivalry storyline.
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Childhood Sports Passion And Complicated Patriotism
- Ari Weitzman recalls childhood patriotism and sports obsession from Pittsburgh, including winning a Super Bowl contest and attending Penn State games.
- He describes evolving feelings about the flag and patriotism becoming complicated with age and political experience.
Sports Provide Uncomplicated Moral Lessons
- Ari argues sports stories offer powerful, apolitical narratives that teach leadership, perseverance, and teamwork.
- He uses examples like the Corys in curling, Ryan Cochran Siegel, and Mikaela Shiffrin to show varied lessons from athletes' journeys.
Defeat Can Teach Deeper Lessons Than Victory
- Ari points out lessons from losses can be as instructive as victories, spotlighting skaters Ilya Malinin and Amber Glenn for honest responses to failure.
- He frames public admission of failure and sportsmanship as powerful character lessons.