Life, Loss, And 8-Man Football On Indigenous Reservations With Journalist John Glionna

For decades, journalist John Glionna roamed the American West chasing stories that others overlooked: small towns, strange landmarks, and unforgettable characters. But it was in McDermitt, Nevada that Glionna found the heart of his first nonfiction book, No Friday Night Lights: Reservation Football on the Edge of America. What began as a tale about a struggling eight-man football team turned into something far richer: a chronicle of identity, belonging, and survival in a place most Americans will never visit. In this wide-ranging conversation, Glionna reflects on building trust in tight-knit communities, navigating controversy, and why these stories matter more than ever.